Forum Activity for @john-berry

Cymro yn Austin, Texas

Promoting Wales in the USA

I walked part of that two years ago. Was in London for a conference and decided on the spur of the moment to go to South Wales. Had never been there before, my mother was always "I don't know if I'd want to do that, they're all sort of funny down there, you know" (You'd understand that if you knew about the generations-long feuds on the Welsh side of my family). Arrived in Cardiff on a Thursday, and found out that I'd have to get out after one night because Wales was playing Oz at the Arms Park on the Saturday, and the Treorchy Male Choir was going to be in town the same day. Two of the things I've wanted to do in Wales for 50 years and nowhere to stay and no tickets left for either event. Shows what happens if you don't plan ahead! So I went to Hwllffordd and rented a bike and hiked and rode around the coast from Llandewi to Abertawe and went sea kayaking and buggered my lower back so bad I couldn't walk through the airport on the way home - had to get an invalid chair. What was even worse about Cardiff was I'd always wanted to see where Shirley Bassey came from, and it had gone! Vanished! Bulldozed, filled in!

Cymro yn Austin, Texas

Promoting Wales in the USA

Yes, er, well, sort of. At age 67 I run some of it and walk some of it - more running at the beginning, and more walking at the end. The Austin course is a bit of a bugger: you go up 450 feet at the beginning, then back down, and then the next 9 miles are all up with a few downs just to make you work harder. The Triathlon last weekend was easier.Thanks for all the URL's. I recently met a Welsh couple, Dave and Diana Philips from Llanelli. I was sitting eating a breakfast taco on Whole Foods' patio when this peculiar speech rhythm and strange consonants broke into my consciousness, and made my hair stand on end. Pretty soon I realised that it was a mixture of English and Welsh being spoken, so I introduced myself.I had the same experience years ago when some music being played on Public Radio while I was driving to work also made my hair stand on end. Didn't know what it was so I sat in the parking lot till the announcer came on at the end and gave the title, "Mylecharane" by Henry Wood. It's an old Manx tune he orchestrated, and I must have heard it dozens of times as a small child but had totally forgotten it. Funny how these things from out of the dim and distant will have a very powerful effect. In both cases it would be more than 55 years since I had heard the tune or the language being spoken in conversation.

Cymro yn Austin, Texas

Promoting Wales in the USA

Thanks, Hwyl.

Cymro yn Austin, Texas

Promoting Wales in the USA

Are there any other members of the group in Austin?There was a house on 46th Street flying two huge Welsh flags during the Marathon in February, but under the circumstances I couldn't stop to introduce myself!
updated by @john-berry: 11/11/15 10:37:22PM

Diolch i'r Ior

Promoting Wales in the USA

Does anyone know where I can get the music to the hymn "Diolch i'r Ior", sung by Bryn Terfel on his "Welcome to Wales" CD? I would like to suggest to a choir (Conspirare) here in Austin that they add it to their repertoire, but I can't find the music anywhere, even on-line.Also, does anyone know a good Bass solo hymn or anthem in Welsh that I could prepare for church during the summer. I've sung Calon Lan a couple of times, but it's usually pitched a bit too high for me and I'd like something new, anyway.
updated by @john-berry: 11/11/15 10:37:22PM