Aberdaron, wild west Wales
The Welsh Government celebrates three centres of coastal excellence; Swansea Bay, Pembrokeshire and Aberdaron, where the new National Trust visitor centre Porth Y Swnt opens on March 28.
Named in a competition won by local schoolgirl Elliw Jones Evans. Porth Y Swnt translates as Gateway to the Sound, an evocative name in keeping with the unspoiled landscape. Aberdaron is the gateway to Bardsey Sound, the treacherous passage to Ynys Enlli, or Bardsey Island.
Glorious daffodils, the national flower of Wales
The wild Welsh LLyn peninsula is hugely inspirational. Here priest poet RS Thomas wrote haunting verse about his vulnerability, struggles with faith and deep connection to land and sea.
Thomas is among my favourite poets and I was hugely privileged to receive permission from his family to include his poem The Other in my book 52 Weekends by the Sea.
On a recent visit to Porth Y Swnt, builders were busy with finishing touches ahead of the grand opening on March 28 2014.
Set in stone: Sion and Mike fix firmly slabs of poetry at the threshold of Porth Y Swnt
The poem ‘Aberdaron’ by Cynan
I suspect many visitors will share the sense of longing and devil-may-care rebellion expressed by Sir (Albert) Cynan Evans-Jones CBE, known simply as Cynan, in the Porth Y Swnt threshold poem Aberdaron.
Here the first verse in Welsh, followed by a translation of the full poem in English.
Aberdaron
Pan fwyf yn hen a pharchus
Ac arian yn fy nghod,
A phob beirniadaeth drosodd
A phawb yn canu ‘nghlod
Mi brynaf fwthyn unig
Heb ddim o flaen y ddôr.
Ond creigiau Aberdaron
A thonnau Gwyllt y Môr
Aberdaron
When I am old and honoured
With silver in my purse
All criticism over
All men singing my praise
I will purchase a a lonely cottage
With nothing facing its door,
But the cliffs of Aberdaron
And the wild waves on the shore
For there I will discover
In the stormy wind and its cry
Echoes of the Old rebellion
My soul knew in days gone by
And I will sing with the old passion
While gazing through the door
At the cliffs of Aberdaron
And the wild waves on the shore
The landscape of poets; Aberdaron
brigid benson 