Most people reading this would have found your way here from Twitter, so thanks for following me, and thanks for meeting me here too! As someone who lives and breathes tourism in Wales, I am always interested in whether or not you’ve ever been to our country, where you are from and more importantly, what immediately springs to mind when you hear the word ‘Wales’.
Thanks guys. Please tell me. Appreciated. Andrew.
HI,
just repsonding to your tweet
“When you hear the word ‘Wales’ please tell me what immediately springs to mind”
Red Dragon and rugby
Great – so they think, Rugby team
When I hear the word ‘Wales’, The very special people I have met and beaches that I have been to whilst on holiday spring to mind. The Gower Peninsula especially, outstanding beautiful views and beaches. I heard one of them was also known as ‘Paradise’. Also very beautiful people, mind, body and soul. Basically, this part of Wales that I have explored I have fallen in love with. I hope to retire there someday, and can not wait to explore some more. At the moment I live in a nice litte village called North Leigh in Oxfordshire.
Rolling hillsides covered with the finest yellow daffodils and rain , more rain and plenty of rain.
Misty, rain, slate, greehills, clouds, sparkling brooks tumbling over rocks down little valleys, Welsh language…
When i hear the word Wales…I don’t know why but I think of water. The second thing that comes to mind is Ireland and the Irish coast line that I’ve seen in so many pictures!
Being from Michigan it’s always about water….sorry product of my enviroment!!!!!!
Yes I know Wales is part of UK
but I don’t know why i associate it with Ireland…strange.
Honestly I think of the unique accent!
In answer to your Tweet.
When someone mentions Wales I think, not an any order:
Leeks,
Sheep,
Snowdon,
Baritone voices,
Anglesey,
Aberystwyth
I have not been there for aeons, but when I did I went skiing on a dry slope, and did a quad bike tour. Went twice, and one weekend was wet!
All the best from Milan,
Alex
Oh, and I’m from the UK – but now live in Italy.
Rugby, rain and beer (My brother-in-law is Welsh)
Citizens strongly patriotic to flag, language and country
Great mountain biking
Green and beautiful
Singing
Having walked the Wye Valley, stood on mountain tops, visited castles, I tend to think of Welsh history:
Owain Glyndwr
standing at the stone at Cilmeri where Llewelyn loast his head
traveling to Abaty Cwm Hir where the monks carried his body
I also think of friendly people, a beautiful language, wondrous tales of old, and how impossible it would be to discover the Jones who moved to America in 1600′s to become the first of our family line on this distant shore.
I think of home, hills and horses…
Green
…as in How Green is My Valley, The Green Green Grass of Home and have some of the greenest, environmentally friendly government strategies in the world.
I associate Wales with the film of the great Scottish hero who fought for independence from the British in the 1750s. Sorry am sure I have it all mixed up.
I think of sheep and Rhod Gilbert – not necessarily together! :p
stunning scenery
daffodils
watersports
cosy pubs
myths & legends
sheep cows campin village
Wales
The fabulous sound of rain hissing over slates
The view of five valleys from Caer Drewyn
snowdonia, slate, green, red dragon, singing, Welsh language, Rhod Gilbert, Gavin and Stacey, daffodils, trains
Wales:
I think Landscape – stunning countryside and coastlines, green valleys, mountains and lakes…
I think Sport – well, Rugby…
I think Language, Literature and Music – eisteddfod, male welsh choirs, the national anthem…
I think History – Myths and Legends, Castles and Mines…
I think Weather- unpredictable…!
I think Hiraeth, Home.
Wales is home, Radnorshire and Pembrokeshire in particular. The place I returned to 14 years ago after a lifetime of missionary work with our neighbours.
Totally open, generous offering of friendship.
Heart stopping beauty, yes a lot of water in various forms but a very gentle climate.
Woodland and moorland, green valleys.
The best beaches in Britain.
For me its the beautiful coastline all round the country, the equally beautiful countryside, Cardiff on match day, and where I live, near the Glamorgan Heritage Coast.
Waterfalls, islands, wild places, mountains, valleys, rainbows, red kites, puffins, castles, ancient byways… Lots of beautiful things!
when i think of wales, i think-
Home
Gower
Beaches
Happy Times
Wales: Dramatic scenery, fabulous empty beaches (even when the weather is fine), easy to get about (apart from the M4), some good restaurants and pubs. Crazy places like Portmeirion and the best selection of Castles in the world.
Welsh Cakes in the Mumbles. Cannot beat them!
When I hear “Wales” what comes to my mind is rugby, beautiful nature and Gareth Bale, who´s playing pretty well this year..
I think of the fantastic scenery in Rhandirmwyn, walking country and friendly local people (especially after a few local ales!)