Steps Back In Time : Cenarth Falls.

Here is another in my series Steps Back In Time and at the end of this hub there are links to my other journeys.

I hope you enjoy.

"Oh well I'm going to sort this magazine/carrier bag/vegetable rack out!!" I had been meaning to do it for so long, you all know what it's like there's always tomorrow, but tomorrow never comes unfortunately!!

"Ok then I'll go and clean the car ," Dai says going to get the bucket, power wash and another dozen or so items that were needed for this great operation.

Fair play though I have got to say the car is always sparkling clean!

As I am sorting out all the leaflets/booklets/ magazines etc. I come across a booklet that had arrived the other day but I hadn't got round to reading yet!! It was advertising Cenarth Falls, a beautiful, and picturesque village about 5 miles away. No need to strain my poor brain any more.

"Do you fancy going to Cenarth?" I shout to Dai as he's trying to clean the car, but he's being interrupted by his favourite person; Slimy Samuel!!!

Slimy Samuel lives round the corner from us and he is horrible. If I could send you all a photo you'd know why he's called this not so endearing name.

However I'd better not , even though he would be thrilled if he caught me in the act of trying to photograph him. Ughh that's given me the 'chilly willies' now!!

"I'll be there now babe!" Dai says and turns to slimy Samuel, "Sorry , got to go ,the missus is calling!"

"Oh make sure you don't make her cross!!" Slimy Samuel says while giving me one of his toothles leers!!

I think I may one day publish a poem on here dedicated to our slimy neighbour.

Have any of you tried that ; If someone has made you angry or upset compose a daft poem about them , making sure they look utterly stupid in the poem. It sure works for me!!!

"Why don't we go to Cenarth ?" I repeated as Dai made his hasty retreat from our awful neighbour.

I was getting very excited thinking about the day ahead.

"You can take photos while I jot down my inspiring thoughts.!" I add.

Well here we are , and as soon as I got out of the car I felt those bewitching rays of wonder surround me.

"Well how are you Dai?? I haven't seen you for years." I turn round to see Alun, a friend of ours.

"It's only the other day we were talking about you!" Dai returns with a beaming smile.

Do you know you can have some people who call themselves a friend but they wouldn't know the meaning of the word if it slapped them in the face!!! However Alun is one of those friends that will stick by you through thick and thin.

"Where are you off to ?" Alun asks.

"We just came for a walk around more than anything." Dai replies.

"Well I was going to take a walk round the river to see what the fishing situation is doing here." Alun adds."Do you want to come for a nosy?"

"I'd love to!" Dai looks at me.

However I had another idea and said "Why don't you two go round the river and I'll go up to the Thatched Roof Tea Rooms!" " I haven't been there for years."

"You ring me when you've finished and I'll come back to the car." I add.

It was a beautiful afternoon which was adding to the magical powers that Cenarth so wondrously possessed.

I entered the Tea Rooms and it hadn't altered one tiny bit since the last time I had been here. That would have been about seven years ago now.

A friendly lady in a welsh lady costume waited on me. That was nice and added to the olde worlde charm.

I ordered a toasted tea cake and a Latte.

I noticed a book on the shelf by me which caught my eye: "Coracle Making."

"Would you mind if I read this ?" I asked the lady as she brought my tea cake and Latte over.

"Not at all !" she replied. So I settled down to read ..............................

Oval in shape and very similar to half a walnut shell, the structure is made of a framework of split and interwoven willow rods, tied with willow bark. The outer layer was originally an animal skin such as horse or bullock hide (corium),with a thin layer of tar to make it fully water proof - today replaced by tarred calico or canvas, or simply fibreglass. The structure has a flat bottom to evenly spread the weight of the boat and its load across the structure and to reduce the required depth of water — often to only a few inches, making it ideal for use on rivers.

They are an effective fishing vessel because, when powered by a skilled man, they hardly disturb the water or the fish, and they can be easily manoeuvred with one arm, while the other arm tends to the net. Two coracles to a net.

I felt very lightheaded and found myself wrapped in a shawl of rose scented mist, which mysteriously disappeared as soon as it had emerged............................................

I was very weary, as I had been up since 5 o' clock this morning and as I looked at the old clock on the wall I saw that it was now 2 o'clock in the afternoon. I looked around the little house that had become my home since my parents had died. My name is Nanw Morgans and I am eleven years old.

The house is called Ty Ni (Our House).

We are in the month of February and the year is 1930.

My mind goes back to that awful afternoon 8 months ago when my Mam fell into the river and drowned and my Dad also lost his life trying to save her. I now live here with my Mamgu and Dadcu, Mamgu cannot walk and stays in bed most of the time and Dadcu is a coracle maker and fisherman.

. I have to get the range lit and make sure that the breakfast and tea is ready for my Dadcu by 6 o' clock in the morning as he comes home after finishing. Then he has to return to his business of repairing and selling coracles from his shop by the Smithy .

The first task every morning is to light the paraffin lamps.

Every monrning when I get up I hope and pray that the range has not gone out or it's extra work to go outside and get kindling to light it again.

That done I then make a huge bowl of porridge for my little brothers and sisters before three of them, Twm, Ifan and Megan go to the school nearby.

The two babies Siam and Mair are with Aunty Hettie until 3o'clock which means I can see to mamgu and get supper ready.

I haven't introduced you to Ffan either, as I say her name here she comes. She is a collie and Mam & Dad gave her to me 2 years ago. She's not supposed to be in the house but Dadcu won't be back for another couple of hours so I spoil her. As well as being my dog she is also my best friend.

You are lucky because I have a few minutes to spare, the children aren't due home from school for another two hours and my mamgu is fast asleep.

Wiat a minute while I check the Cawl simmering on the hearth.

I go over to the black couldron hanging above the fire.

Cawl is made from cheap cuts of lamb or beef.

I boil the meat in water and add, carrots, swede, parsnips, cabbage, turnip, and if I am very lucky a leek also.

When it is all cooked through I add a little salt and there's enough there for supper two days on the trot.

Right are you all ready, then I shall begin.......................................

Oh before we go for our walk: here is a picture of my kitchen.

I wanted to show it because I am very proud of the fact that I keep this kitchen clean and tidy and I am only eleven years old.

My Mam always said if there is something you are proud of you must tell the world, and this is what I do because I want Mam to be proud of me.

Ok now then we can go on a little tour now: Mamgu will be asleep for another two hours at least so that's ok.

A coracle maker takes such pride

The vessel not simply a boat.

Oh no it's a pure work of art

With pride on our rivers to float.

The old mill doth stand

So proud and strong.

This is where she thrives

Here she doth belong.

(The old mill which still works to this very day)

.

Wearily she'll flow along

Into estuaries she'll divide.

These are the rivers of life

Which one is ours to decide.

.

A tapping comes from the Smithy

With it's metres oh so right.

They say it's still to be heard

Mingling with secrets of the night.

The church commands respect

So full of wonders and stories.

How she tells with such a pride

Men's bravery and their glories.

Here sits another enchantment

In this a well of peace;

Throw in copper or silver

Your ailments eternally cease.

"Well I really do hope that you enjoyed your tour because I know that I did. However all good things must come to an end as they say. I have to go back to take Mamgu a cup of tea up and the little rascals will be home from school and Aunty Hetty will be bringing Sian and Mair back."

So I hope you remember me and our tour sometimes."

"Take care and God Bless you my friend."

I was once more suurounded by a mist and felt so giddy, however it lifted just as quickly and my giddy feeling had also disappeared.

I was sat on a bench just outside The Coffee House.

So mysteriously enveloped

in serenity and prayer.

My heart full of wonders so golden

My soul oh so beholden.

Looking at my watch I realised it was time to go and find Dai and quickly I sent him a text .

As I was about walk off I heard the sweet Welsh lilting voice of a young girl .

"Do not forget me." "Remember me because I will not forget you!!"

I looked back but couldn't see anyone !!!

However I did not need to see anyone as I knew this voice belonged to Nanw.

I smiled to myself and whispered in return

"I shall never forget you Nanw ;you have made me realise that I have so much to be grateful for !!"

"Goodbye cariad bach!!" and made my way back to the car.

Dai was waiting for me by the car. He had also had a successful afternoon, so a day enjoyed by all.

Magical and Inspiring!

I settled down in my seat.

Oh what another beautiful day. The sun was no longer shining, but that didn't mean that the beauty of nature had diminished at all.

Look at the colour of all the leaves that are maturing on the trees;

Listen to the bird calls;

Listen carefully and you may even hear the tap tap of the Wood Pecker's beak against the tree in the hope of disturbing all the bugs that he likes to eat.

Can you hear bees buzzing?

Can you hear lambs bleating?

So much beauty in each heart.

In the spring we see new lives

Of this wonder nature never deprives.

When summer beams down on the sea,

Those waves beckon you and me.

As Autumn invites and wisely matures

The golden leaves float on the rivers.

Then winter comes with ice and snow

The rain may fall and the winds may blow.

These are the seasons that warm my heart

All their magical powers play their part.

I hope you all enjoyed today's steps back in time and here's to so many more to come.

Here's wishing you all a wonderful day.

Eddy.