Monday, 20 August 2007

We rose early, packed up, and drove to Llantilio Pertholey – source of the ancient and noble line of the Jones family. The church of Saint Telio dates from the fourteenth century, but it is claimed as a Christian site since the sixth century (I don’t know on what evidence). The church was pretty rather than beautiful, and the site boasted many large Yew trees. The churchyard is full of Joneses, but we could find no direct ancestors although we know that many are buried there.

From Llantilio Pertholey we drove through Abergavenny, Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells, Newtown, Llanidloes, the spectacular Llyn Clywedog, Machynleith, Dolgellau (the foot of Cader Idris), Blenau Ffestiniog and Betws-y-Coed to Capel Curig. Here we found a campsite right beneath the dramatic peak of Tryfen.

The local birds seems fearless: swifts, wren and robin all nested nearby and flew almost within arms reach.