Last weekend, we (my parents, and Rachael and I) went to stay in Y Goeden Eirin (The Plum Tree), a B&B near Caernarfon run by John and Eluned Rowlands. Diane (Tahl) has already written about it, but I'll second her comments: this is an excellent place to stay just because of the welcoming atmosphere (and the variety of artwork on the walls, and the lovely piano), but if you want somewhere to stay yn Gymraeg for the weekend, you can't do much better than here.
There are masses of Welsh-language books around the place - and by "masses", I mean "several tens of shelf-metres". I suppose that's not surprising as John is an authority in Welsh literature and the author of several novels and academic works, and Eluned is a member of Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru (the professional body for Welsh-English translators). It was amusing to hear John relating the story of one couple who came to stay, who hadn't realised that Welsh was a living language, and who were boggling at all the books around the place. "But are they any good?" they asked, as if the only reason to write books in Welsh was as some sort of academic exercise.
I was a bit wary at first because here were two experts on the language I'm learning, but they're very easy-going and happy to spend some time chatting. I got to practise my Welsh on a range of subjects from Leanne Wood, to the control for the underfloor heating in the bathroom, to the imminent closure of an excellent restaurant nearby. Sadly I forgot to ask John to sign my copy of one of his novels. Oh well, I'll just have to go and stay again soon!

PS. Martha the Airedale terrier is very cute too

PPS. If you stay in the bedrooms in the separate beudy, be prepared to see a cow (a real one) gazing at you from a metre away while you're sitting on the loo…
