Myths and Legends

Year of Legends – 3

May 15, 2017 By Valerie Davies

There are many beautiful waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons but one of the most secluded are Sgwd Gwladus and Sgwd Einion Gam on the River Pyrddin near Pontneddfechan.

These two waterfalls also have a traditional Welsh love based legend attached to them hence their names.

Brychan of Brycheneiniog, a Welsh 5th century prince, had 24 daughters the youngest being Gwladus.

She fell in love with Einion but her love was unrequited. Tormented with sadness she mysteriously became immortalised and her spirit flows freely in this serene waterfall.

Einion was also immortalised in the tall crooked cascade of Sgwd Einion Gam. This drops 20 metres into the pool below. Unlike Sgwd Gwladus there is no path and the River Pyrddin must be crossed several times to reach the waterfall.

Year Of Legends – 2

February 20, 2017 By Valerie Davies

The legend of Llyn Cwm Llwch

In the shadow of Corn Du is the isolated beautifully preserved glacial lake Cwm Llwch.

There is a fairy tale of an enchanted island invisible from the shore of the lake. A passageway leading from a rock to the island was said to be open on May Day each year. Those who had the courage to pass through the doorway would find themselves in a beautiful garden on the island inhabited by fairies.

The fairies would play enchanting music and tell stories of future events, and present visitors with flowers and fruit. Each guest was told nothing must be taken from the island.

One May Day a greedy visitor placed a flower he had been presented with in his pocket. When he emerged from the rock the flower vanished and he lost all his senses. Since that day the door to the island has never opened.

Carmarthenshire

January 28, 2017 By Valerie Davies

Today I went on a day out with the Carmarthenshire Tourist Board to visit St Clare and the coast. This is a reasonable distance from the coach house if you wanted to visit the coast and take in some castles and Welsh history. A very enjoyable trip.

Llansteffan – it’s natural defences and strategic importance made Llansteffan Castle the site of much fierce fighting between the Normans and the Welsh. Explore this beautiful spot and hear more about The Lord Rhys, one of the most successful and powerful Welsh Princes.

Laugharne – visit Dylan Thomas’ grave and The Dylan Thomas Boathouse, where the legendary poet lived the last years of his tragically short life. We had lunch at The Brown’s, Dylan’s favourite watering hole.

Whitland – Canolfan Hywel Dda Centre will bring the legend of Hywel Dda to life. King of all Wales in the early tenth century, Hywel brought together lawyers and leaders from throughout his kingdom to draw up the first unified legal code for Wales. These laws are interpreted throughout the gardens, and give a fascinating insight into Welsh medieval history.

Year Of Legends – 1

January 4, 2017 By Valerie Davies

Year of Legends 201 — The Year of Myths and Legends 2017

2017 is the Year of Legends in Wales. To celebrate this occasion I will be sharing some of these with you each month in a very abridged version. The full stories can be read in Graham Watkins book which I have purchased for the Coach House.

Part One – The Lady of the Lake

Lady in theLake — Llyn y Fan Fach by Matt Bottwood

Gwyn was a farmer living in the 12th century. One day he saw a beautiful woman come out of the lake. He courted and married her and her dowery was as many animals as she could call in one breath. He was warned if he struck her three times she would return to the lake with the animals. Happily married and three sons later he accidentally struck her three times and she returned to the lake. She would sometimes reappear to her sons and teach them the powers of healing with herbs and plants. They became skillful physicians, as did their children after them.