Our last day started in a familiar way this morning with torrential rain for most of it. The NOGS and GOGS left early for grandchild duties and, sadly, a funeral. Having sat out the deluge and had our lunch, we launched out for the afternoon as the skies began to clear. First stop was Twyn Coop to buy pizza for tea and then a quick visit to the local Cadfan's Church on a Susan Cooper odyssey. Cooper wrote the Dark is rising sequence of books for older primary children and teenagers. Having read the first one, Over Sea Under Stone to children at school, I fell in love with them myself and read them all. The second in the series The Dark is Rising is my regular Christmas book as it begins on Christmas Eve and the final two in the series: The Grey King and Silver on the Tree take place in this part of World. The series is a well loved theme of good over evil, light vanquishing dark, much of it featuring established myths and legends and actual localities. The Grey King begins with the young hero holidaying on his uncle's farm near Bryn Crug and visiting Cadfan's church in Twyn where he sees an ancient relic, Cadfan's Cross, and learns about an ancient mythical 'old way': Cadfan's Way. On his uncle's farm he befriends Bran, who turns out to be King Arthur's son. Together on the 'day of the dead' they enter Bird Rock where they meet both Arthur and 'The Grey King'.
On the day of the dead, when the year too dies,
Must the youngest open the oldest hills,
Through the door of the birds, where the breeze breaks,
There fire shall fly from the raven boy, and the silver eyes that see the wind,
And the light shall have the harp of gold.
Following in Will's steps we next headed for Bird Rock, not to enter it but to climb up it in a search for chough, rare members of the crow family with scarlet bill and legs. Our search was successful (although not for photography!) despite nearly being blown off the rock and, descending quickly, we drove on through narrow banked lanes to Tonfanau station to walk down to the beach and the Dysyni Estuary. Storms racing in made for some dramatic photography and also caused a quick dash for the car racing the rain.
Returning to the Cow Shed, it was time to light the wood stove and imbibe some wlecome rehydration. As I write this blog I am looking out at skies now cleared and the oak draped hillside glowing in the evening sun. Despite a poor start another excellent day and a nostalgic visit to some favourite locations on our last day.
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