Wales

History

Celtic warriors

The history of Wales begins with the celts 3000 years ago, they spoke a language called Brythonic which later became Welsh. The Saxons followed the Celts in the year 500 en up to 1066, Wales was regarded as a free sovereign territory, separated from England. In that year the Normans invaded England, but the Welsh people proved to be pretty resistant. For the next 500 years there were periods of relative tranquility and peace interspaced with frequent battles and subsequent loss of land to the English, which finally led to the signing of the act of union in 1536. This made Wales politically one with England and gave rise to the name Britain.

Ddraig Goch

There are many legends about the mysterious Celts; one legend has is that Merlin, the great magician, was born in a place called  Caerfyrddin (Carmarthen) in Wales. King Arthur also has a Welsh connection since the word ARTH means bear. Furthermore ,Llyn Llydaw in Wales ,is believed to be the lake where Excalibur, Arthur's sword was thrown. The national flag, with the red dragon (Ddraig Goch) is said to have been used by King Arthur and other leaders from ancient times. Wales has many of these legends and sites, including castles and graves of giants and sorcerers, that still today have a magical atmosphere about them. These locations take us back to a time of wonder and awe. So “ ddod i ymeld” or come and visit!

The language

Wales has 2 official languages, which are Welsh and English. Welsh or Cymraeg is a language that is spoken by almost 20% of the population and is still taught in schools. People are proud of their cultural heritage and want to preserve it.

Both languages coexist

There are Welsh radio and t.v shows, the weather forecast is presented in Welsh, and there are Welsh magazines to keep the language thriving. To give you a brief sample of the Gaelic language, here are some expressions, Bore da means good morning and Nos da is good night, but Pob Iwc or good luck with the pronunciation, because it is quite difficult. If you are interested, here is a link to listen to the spoken language. ( Welsh )

The 5 regions

There are 5 regions to be found in Wales, they are:

1. North West, with Mount Snowdon, Wales' highest mountain and the town with the weirdest and longest name in the world Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch,

2. 

   The Regions of Wales

   North East, the region where the UK airbus is assembled, and home to Castell Dinas Bran, the resting place of the Holy Grail.
3. Mid Wales, where we can visit many small towns and beautiful and tranquil lakes to fish or row a boat and discover nature.
4. South Wales, land of Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta Jones. We can visit Pembrokeshire coast, to observe seals, tortoise and even dolphins.
5. South East, where we find the capital city Cardiff and its international airport.

The food

Wales is home to a large fish industry, so fresh fish is usually on any menu be it from the home made to the finest three star restaurant. We have the pembrokeshire potato and mackerel salad or the pan-fried salmon and curried mussels. Try the Laverbread, which I not actually bread, but seaweed and eggs and cockles (click for recipe Laverbread).

Roast Welsh Lamb

Or for meat lovers there is the Roast Welsh Lamb or the Slow Braised Welsh lamb shoulder and for dessert Chocolate Truffle with Welsh Whiskey Liqueur or a more homey Welsh Cake made with also sorts of fruit and toppings.

Restaurants to pay a worthwhile visit to are The Felin Fach Griffin Inn, located in Mid Wales. It serves local food and does so in a simple and charming manner. There is also The Bell at Skenfirth, a completely restored 17^th century inn, which has won several awards.

The restored Bell at Skenfirth 

Sports

Rugby, winning the nations cup 4 times, and soccer are the most popular sports in Wales at the moment. For rugby we can stop by at the impressive Millennium stadium in Cardiff. (click to view Millenium Stadium)The FAW or Football Association of Wales, established in 1876, is one of the oldest in the world. The teams from Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham are the most popular currently.

"swimming in a bog"

There are the alternative “sports” such as the world bog snorkeling and the man vs horse marathon for those who crave a different kind of excitement. The world bog title is held at the moment by Dineka Maguire , 18 years old from Northern Ireland, which proves that you're never too young or old to become whatever you want to be.

Climate

Winter in Wales

Wales, like all the countries of the British Isles, has mild summers and mild winters. 

The weather can change quickly, since there are coastal flat areas, valleys and mountains; all in a relative small area. The wettest period starts in Autumn and may end in January, so dress accordingly. 

If you love snow, stop by in winter, as the Welsh scenery offers spectacular views; especially mount Snowdon looks enchanting.

Traditions

Welsh people have many traditions that date back to olden times and commemorate legends and important times in history. We have the Nos Galen races, a yearly race held on new year's eve, in honor of Guto Nuth Bran (1700-1737), a legendary runner from Llwyncelyn , who ran so fast that he could catch a bird in its flight!

Mari Lwyd gives us the singing of Welsh rhyming insults; people go from door to door with a horse figure made of a horse skull wrapped in a white

The Welsh tradition of Mari Llyd.

sheet with reigns and bells. At the end of these song the singing group is invited inside to enjoy some drinks.

The giving and receiving of “love spoons dates back to the 17 century, they are decorated in a way that give them a special meaning, a dragon would be protection and balls in a cage represented, the number of children . Today they mark unique occasions such as births, or weddings and are excellent souvenirs to remind you of the good Welsh people and the amazing country that is Wales.

http://www.sewhgpgc.co.uk/wales.php

http://www.wales.com

http://wales.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/protecting_our_seas/fabulous_fish_recipes2/

England

The country's history

England -Britain and Great Britain

England or Britain, or even the United Kingdom are all names that can be used when we refer to those countries in the area of the British Isles. This of course needs some clarification, so let's go back in time and see how the different names came about.

The celtic tribes that were living in that province at the moment, which is 40 b.c., of the roman invasion were called Britons, so the name the Romans gave “England” was Britannia , after a Roman Goddess; who carries a trident and a shield. 
After the Romans the Anglo-Saxons occupied the land and we get the name ANGE-Land, land of the Angles, which became England.

So in 1536 with the signing of the act of the Union, Wales and England, became the kingdom of England or Britain, not yet great, just Britain. The Welsh language was no longer to be used in courts in Wales and Welsh speaking public officials could not hold office in England.

Great Britain, now including Scotland, came about in 1707 with the union of parliament act. Previously both countries had already been ruled under one crown by King James VI in 1603, but had still been separate states, each with their own legislature.

The United Kingdom

So on to Ireland the last kingdom or state to be included into the United Kingdom of England and Ireland, by the act of union of 1801, up until 1922 when only Northern Ireland remained part of the UK.

If these all these unions were or still are desired by many or just a few, is a topic for further discussion.

As we can see the name England evokes many possibilities, and as we learn from history, a geographical correct “England” denotes different countries at any given point in history. But there is, present in us, an idea of what England means to each and everyone.

London

Londinium to Romans or London as it is know today, capital of England, is the cultural, political an economical centre of the country. Landmarks like the Big Ben, London bridge, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace are just a few of the

The Big Ben

most famous buildings to be visited. 

London is located in the South East of England along the river Thames. More than 7 million people live and work in the city, traveling the “tube” as the underground metro is called; or the famed double decker buses. There are over a 100 theaters, so if you like plays or shows, you've come to the right place. Here you can experience the magic of “the Rose” the original theater were Shakespeare's plays still are preformed.

Food and drinks

Japanese tourists drinking tea.

British traditions such a tea drinking at fixed periods of during the day, afternoon tea or high tea, have not lost their charm, and there are many tea rooms offering this service. Visitors can sample several scones, buns, tea breads and cucumber sandwiches while enjoying the many options of tea available for them.

Other typical English dishes are fish and ships, shepherd's pie or black pudding to name a few. Nowadays, people can also choose from a wide variety of Asian food, especially Indian and Pakistani, offering there excellent curries and naan.

Sports

A game of cricket

England has many traditional sports such a football, called soccer in England, rugby and tennis. The Wimbledon tournament is one of the mayor tennis events in the world. The national soccer team last won the word cup, on English ground in the Wembley stadium  in 1966. 
But one sport that is can be called typically British is cricket. It is played by teams of 11 players, who have batters who try to protect the wicket, by hitting the ball, then they have to attempt to make as many runs as possible.

Special places to visit in outside of London

prehistoric Stonehenge

When traveling in England one should not forget to visit Stonehenge, near Wiltshire. Stonehenge is a prehistoric circular construction of huge stones built, for what many believe it to be, an ancient star observatory.

Why not visit Robin Hood country and discover Sherwood forest, where the Hooded Freedom Fighter and his band of merry men used to hide. Each summer there is a Robin Hood Festival, recreating the medieval times with jousters and fire eaters. You could also walk the many trails and marvel at the ancient oaks and birch trees.

Cambridge and the river Cam

One should not forget Cambridge and its prominent university, founded in 1209, an stands as an example of what higher education is capable of. Like in Venice, there is a river called the Cam, from which Cambridge obviously has its name, to go for a boat ride and appreciate the city from a different viewpoint.

Weather

Being part of the British Isles, England's weather is very varied and unpredictable. Generally speaking the summers are not too hot and the winters are not too cold. That being said, the best months to visit are July and August, when sunny days can be expected although rain showers could pop up unannounced.

Dressed for sun and no way to go

Music

The cultural and musical world scene, have been influenced by 2 popular British bands coming from this small island, The Rolling Stones and the Beatles. There was even talk of a British invasion of the american music charts because of huge popularity of bands such as the Who, the Yardbirds and Herman's Hermits, just to name a few.

I believe in yesterday

Other iconic band were Led Zeppelin an later on Oasis, that took the lead. At the current time band such as One Direction, The Wanted or Coldplay are still proof that English bands are front runners.

For many people acquiring English as a second language, the music from these bands is their first gateway into the language. 

Furthermore England is the country where the language originated, so for English learners and teachers, it will always be a place of special interest for those who want to know more about its language, culture and history. So cheerio and bottoms up, by George, England will live on!

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridge

http://projectbritain.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_the_United_Kingdom

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherwood_Forest

Scotland

Mel Gibson is William Wallace

Scotland is the land of Connor Macleod, William Wallace, and Rob Roy, all courageous highlanders, who we know so well from the movies. These are stereotypical Scottish freedom fighters, battling the evil British invaders. Clan people who were, according to the movies, quick with the sword, charming with the ladies and also quite a funny lot to hang out with.

So let us see about Scotland and the Scots, its culture, history and legends, music, food, and everyday life, from the past up to the present.

A very interesting fashion item the Scottish men gave us is the world famous kilt, which has to be worn as some may have it “commando style", sans underwear. We still see it worn by the Prince of Wales, or the actor and also now Scottish independent activist Sean Connery (the best James Bond) on official or newsworthy occasions.

The Black Watch

Another image of Scotland that comes to mind are the bagpipes, instruments to be blown and squeezed, producing an unforgettable musical tone. Some call it folk music some call it noise. A renown Scottish military unit called the Black Watch founded in1725 from among Scottish Highlanders, used both kilts and bagpipes as seen on the image on the left.

Of course when we mention, Scotland we cannot forget the monster of Loch Ness. It may or may not exist, but what does exist is the tourist attraction that is Loch Ness. Here people from all over the world can visit the Loch Ness Centre & exhibition, which offers seven areas of interest, equipped with lasers, digital projectors and multi- lingual presentations. Others take advantage of day trips and try to get a picture of Nessie, as she is known by locals. Day trips from Edinburgh, including visit and boat trips to and on the lake and it surrounding, are offered for as much $ 60 US dollars.

Loch Ness

Loch Ness also brings us to our first Scottish word loch, meaning lake. Other Scottish words you might know are, again from a movie, the famous dog Lassie which means girl; because it was a she. Or from the song my Bonny lies over the ocean; the word Bonny meaning beautiful or attractive. This is just a "wee" or small example of some words.

Edinburg University

We already mentioned Scotland's ancient city of Edinburg, its capital since the 15^th century. What we failed the mention was the University of Edinburg, one of the top leading universities in the world, Edinburg Castle, place of historical battles and now partly museum ,Old College and Princes Street, all famous land marks within the city. Another reason to pay a visit to the city is the annually held Edinburg International Festival, showcasing the performing arts, emphasizing dance and music.

Haggis- a tasty dish

While in Edinburg, one should of course try and savor Scotland`s favorite dish called haggis, which is filled sheep stomach or the amazing Cullen skink a fish and potato soup, and for dessert cranachan, made with oatmeal, honey, whiskey, raspberries and whipped cream.

Then wash it all down with one of the leading Scottish whiskies from William Lawson’s to Chivas Regal.

Tossing the caber

Lets us know turn to some facts that are maybe not so well known about Scotland and the Scottish people, who can carry two passports, one Scottish and one British. Nowadays the Scots like to play soccer and rugby, but did you know that they organize their own Highland games, where folk can observe sports such as hammer throwing, tug-o war and toss the caber (the throwing of a long wooden tree trunk). Or shinty which is related to hockey, albeit with some key differences, in shinty one is allowed to knock over one's opponent using the shoulders. 

The Wall of Hadrian

Like China with its Great Wall, so does Scotland have its wall called the Wall of Hadrian, built under the orders of  a Roman emperor, " to separate the Romans from the Barbarians" The wall stretched from coast to coast and was 117.5 km long. The Great Pict Wall a short story of Rudyard Kipling has a Roman soldier defending it against the Picts. The Picts, which means the painted ones in Latin, this because the Picts used war paint on their faces and bodies, successfully kept the Romans at bay and out of Scotland. Which is quite a feat considering the might of the Roman legions of that time.

Maybe the Romans didn't like the Scottish weather, which especially in some parts of the Highlands can be described as very wet. But the Scots have a saying "there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes"! So don't be disappointed if the sun doesn't shine all the time while roaming the countryside; Scotland is still worth visiting a thousand times.

It might rain a "wee" bit,

links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Watch

http://www.viator.com/Scotland-attractions/Loch-Ness/d732-a31

http://www.lochness.com/loch-ness-monster-exhibition.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadrian's_Wall

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/history/articles/kingdom_of_the_picts/

http://www.visitscotland.com/travel/weather