More news about Wales

Even though there is so much in the news about Wales, with the royal wedding approaching later this week, there is much more in the principality than the royal connection.

I've come across a really interesting site called: Gathering the Jewels (Casglu'r Tlysau in Welsh!). http://gtj.org.uk/en/search/. It covers a wide gamut of topics and is stated as being the website for Welsh Cultural History. The introduction to the site indicates that there are over "30,000 images of objects, books, letters, aerial photographs and other items from museums, archives and libraries throughout Wales." Again, I've spent way too much time looking at different topics, mostly history and the textile arts.

A few of the sites which I've noted: images of hand-knitting items from the former Cambrian Mills, now known as the Museum of Dre-fach Felindre, the Welsh Wool Museum (where we will visit on both tours of Wales); a photograph dated 1885 of a ladies' club; and two photos of women knitting in the Welsh national dress, dated 1875. (Concerning the stove-pipe hats, I once read that a wealthy, titled woman decided that the Welsh needed a national dress and decreed that style of hat would be included!)

While I've been researching highlights for our itinerary, it's been very interesting to learn of all the small farms and wool producers. It's reached a point where I've had to omit several stops as there just isn't enough time. Such an interesting, beautiful area. Come join us on the tour in September.