One of the things we discovered during our first trip to Pembrokeshire was the friendliness of the Welsh people.
Staying the week in Goodwick, almost daily we passed a couple on the trek to our rental. They invited us for drinks.
Given that, on our second trip, Jackie and I were prepared for nice people to cross our path during our week in Saundersfoot. We had many random interactions that solidified the opinion for both of us: The Welsh are the nicest, friendliest people we’ve ever met.
Delightful chance encounters with the friendly Welsh people.
Arriva Trains #1
The first of our delightful Welsh conversations occurred because of a mistake. We wound up on the wrong train (my bad) and the evil conductor took advantage of my novice as an American and charged me the full price for a new ticket. Even though the train was mostly empty and I was only off a half hour in getting us on the wrong train. The silver lining to this unfortunate exchange was meeting Bethan and Tracy. After the conductor left, they commiserated and our conversing started. They were returning from a good and exhausting trip to Miami—isn’t it grand how we trade countries to learn about each other and the places that make us?
Extraordinary Gardens Abound, Inviting You in for a Visit
Walking the road into Saundersfoot we were awed by a colorfully exploding garden at a big white house. The friendly owner came out to get her paper and Jackie remarked on her lovely flowers. Maggie invited us to see garden after garden and meet husband John with massive hands, a big greenhouse, and vast array of vegetables. We waved to their our-age son Adam recuperating after hip surgery. Maggie asked how long we’d be here, explaining that when you meet a Welsh person they ask how long you’ll be around so they know how long they can visit with you. Rueben is their cat. Maggie said to stop by another time and have a cuppa’.
Trains Experience #2, Making a Friend
The helpful train conductor who Googled the B&B we were staying at in Merthyr Tidfil to help us decide a taxi was the best option to get there. She had shaved black hair interspersed with white on the sides and on top, a mop of thick, dark curls.
Coffee Leads to Conversation with Welsh People
At Pilgrim’s Cafe at the Brecon Cathedral of St John’s, in response to an arbitrary question, the baker researched the closest Botanical Gardens for us.
Attending Church, Singing Praises, Finding Friends We Saw Again
Lorett, the Minister at the Wesley Chapel where we attended service. The entire, small congregation were so inviting we wanted to extend our stay to celebrate with them again. They were all over sixty-five and couldn’t have been kinder: Eva with her guide dog. Brian and his robust singing. Glynis and her deep purple sweater and clear speaking voice—announcing an upcoming event that included “Elevenses.” Mary, who offered us Bibles and Gwenyth, the organist. Two years later, we saw many of these same friendly people on another Sunday.
Casual Encounter #1
The sweet elderly woman using a cane to walk the path from Saundersfoot to Wiseman’s Bridge who smiled and said, “Isn’t this the life.” It wasn’t a question.
Edith Cottage, Saundersfoot, Wales
Sara, with no obligation other than assuring us a charming rental in Edith Cottage, met us upon arrival and toured us around Saundersfoot, showed us the footpath into town and then drove us to Tenby! Her beau, Michael “Bod,” was kind enough to pick us up at the train station—in his very clean painter’s van. We were fortunate that she came to have wine with us one night. We’re sure she is now stuck with us as friends for life. (2018 note: We are renting Edith Cottage yet again!)
Casual Encounter #2
While walking to Wiseman’s Bridge, we stopped to take pictures of each other. A woman asked if we’d like her to take one of us. Another woman came along and asked if she could take a picture of the three of us. The first woman answered, well I’m not with them … then she looked at our matching attire of hiking pants and colorful jackets and said, we could be together! We saw this woman time and again, walking her dog on the beach—along with fifty other people—where the signs state, “No dogs on beach after 1st May.”
Children Having Harmless Fun–Disobeying the Rules
At the harbor near the “No Swimming” signs, Jackie snapped action photos of three adolescent boys jumping into the water. A bit later, the trio walked toward us and Jackie showed them the pictures, which they thought was great fun. She asked if they wanted her to email them the shots. One asked another, “What’s your Mum’s email?” I was stunned that somewhere in the modern world twelve-year-olds don’t have their own email. I asked, “Perhaps your mom shouldn’t know you were jumping in the harbor?” One answered, “Mum was watching!” They were sweet and polite and thanked Jackie for showing them the pictures.
Adult Fishermen Having Harmless Fun–Disobeying the Rules
Two men were fishing over the harbor walls where there are “No Fishing” signs. Jackie asked what they were catching. Poles non-moving, of course one of them replied, “Nothing at the moment.” They chuckled and the other fellow said they were trying to catch dogfish, they eat it in London, where it’s called Rock Salmon. We discovered it is a very small shark!
Casual Encounter #3
The crazy elderly lady we met on the Coastal Path to Amroth. She detained us a half hour and could have talked for hours. Her monologue wandered as much as she seems to have over the area hills. She went from telling us about the Tenby hike to about her brother living with their parents who wasn’t nice although he would help you if you were stuck beside the road. Get the idea?
Casual Encounter #4
Oh, you interesting Welsh People!
At the start of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path east of Amroth, we asked a gentleman to take our picture. We immediately got into a conversation with Peter about the beauty of Wales, our life’s purposes, and God. When we saw him again, the discussion was about rocks and the magnificent randomness of striations within them and how they came to be. We’ve traded emails about Wales and what travel teaches an open mind.
Boating is More Than a Pastime
We watched a long boat being launched at the Wiseman’s Bridge beach. This was a feat because the truck pulling the trailer had to drive over huge rocks marking the top of the beach. An elderly lady strolling by told us they have boat regattas at Saundersfoot and that these people were training.
Stone Walls Decorated with Welsh Hedges
We stopped while walking home for Jackie to take a picture of a stone wall covered with ivy. A car turned into the alleyway. The driver clearly saw us, but we scrambled out of the way, which made him laugh and wave. As we reached where he’d parked, I said, thanks for not hitting us. He replied, “That’s okay no problem, I’ll get you on the way out.” And he roared.
Trevor (he gets more than the Encounters heading!)
I left Jackie in the corridor of the public works building in Tenby while I used the restroom. Returning, I found she’d made a new friend. In less than two minutes. Trevor, seventy-something, is the former mayor of Tenby. More on Trevor’s role of tour guide in the upcoming Tenby post. Suffice to say he spent a half hour showing us around. Better than Lonely Planet.
Casual Encounter #5
Talking to a man in Saundersfoot at the bus stop. We asked him about the proper bus to Tenby. He said you could see Caldey Island from there. The island has been the home of Cistercian monks for a thousand years. Jackie asked if he’d been there. He said no, he’s lived in Saundersfoot for forty years, originally from London, but he’s never gone to the island. He looked puzzled by that.
Casual Encounter #6
Waiting at the Saundersfoot bus stop, we chatted with Anna (maybe 70s), originally from Ireland, and Ann (maybe 60s), originally from England. Riding the bus, they shared stories about moving to Wales as youths. Anna told us about supporting herself and never taking a handout even though she was a poor immigrant. After she left, Ann, often laughing so hard she was close to tears, told us about things to see once we got to Tenby.
Casual Encounter #7
We made friends with the young checkout man at the Tesco store, a small market with everything from freshly baked breads and pastries, to wine and vegetables. In almost daily for fresh fruit, he remembered us as we had issues with a non-chip credit card working one time and not the next. We made a final stop to say goodbye. He welcomed us back to Saundersfoot anytime.
So the Friendliness of the Welsh People?
The random kindness, intentional conversations, and encompassing friendliness of the Welsh combine to make it a great place to return to time and again.
PS. The Spending Police in action in Elements–a wonderful shop that sells only items created in Pembrokeshire.
Interesting people have a habit of meeting interesting people!
So true, Craig. And that is the beauty of social media done right!
Meeting locals is definitely one of the best things about travel. How cool that you’ve traded emails with Peter about Wales.
It’s been fun, Jeri. Meeting locals is the only way to really know a place, isn’t it?
What fun reading. I loved the people you met, the rules they didn’t keep and the Ivy covered wall, the driver’s response and even the evil conductor. No wonder you had such a great time.
Wasn’t is something the way you met the Welsh couple returning from Miami? What a small world we really do live in.
We loved that there was no malice in the rule-disobedience. It was more a practical attitude, if that makes sense. Oh my gosh, the folks from Miami were just a treat! They set our Pembrokeshire trip off to such an amazing start. I so wish I could have an ivy-covered wall or a “Welsh Hedge.” Our property isn’t really setup for that…maybe Seester’s…I might have to make a trip west. HA!
The Ivy wall is beautiful. This is great. It looks like you had some fun. Thank you for sharing, Rose.
The wall is lovely, Sabrina. I should post some pictures of the hedges. They are not our USA hedges–they are works of art that serve the purpose of being impenetrable by animals. Very pretty & functional.
These lovely memories will stay with you for a long time. I thought all 12 year old were equipped with emails. What a supreme.
It was a shocker, Bola. Wow, kids just being kids!
It is always nice to meet people somewhere, and you can just talk.
You find more about a place, and the people there by chatting with the locals, then by sightseeing, or going on a tour a hundred times.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Yes, William, the just simply talking with people on this journey sure made it even more worthwhile.
I enjoy reading about your travels. It really is consoling to think that, no matter what country you are in, people are all the same. Being around friendliness and Positivity can make anywhere feel like home.
This post does tie in with your last (the first I’ve read!) post, Steve. People are good and they are bad–we all get what we give in this world. Even if one person chooses to be rotten to us, we can still turn around, smile at someone new and get a wonderful reaction. Part of me wants the world to see how great I think the Welsh are at being friendly and reassuring about humanity and the other wants to hide it so it doesn’t get spoiled!
You met a lot of interesting people and it sounds as if they made your vacation in Wales extra special. Nice memories.
So when are you going, Donna? 🙂
Hi Rose, they sure don’t believe in following the rules there do they? Lol probably what makes it so laid back and frigidly. Sounds charming.
Oh my gosh, Susan…what a crack up. Then there are the signs of reprimand that begin: “Polite Notice” followed by what you shouldn’t do!
Even tho I lived this I loved reading about it again! We made some great memories and met lovely people. I think of the gent at the Library trying to help us get to Cold Inn….the bartender at The Hean helping me make a dinner choice…the hikers on the Tenby trail….the policeman at the Elements shop….the list goes on and on….such a terrific time!
How could I forget about the “Spending Police” in the elements shop? I’ll add a photo of him. That was such fun. Folks, the policeman came in and asked everyone how much they were buying–he was the Spending Police of Saundersfoot. He was quite the riot and caused us all to laugh and laugh! And Antony in the library/visitor’s center–what a treat. As well as the other patrons chipping in with their two cents on how to get where we wanted to go. And yes, the Hean gent who didn’t bat an eye when we went back a few days later and asked for a pint of their delicious coleslaw to go. The Chef was sure pleased at the request!
What a lovely article! We had the same experiences with the English. I think it’s just kinder and gentler over there. Also, I wondered about Wiseman’s Bridge? My maiden name is Wiseman. I wonder if my family is from that area?
On one part of our trip, we just got plain spooked and left. Bibury is a beautiful town made ugly by thousands of tourists. It’s a small town and no way to accommodate them all! So, we left for Wales and the Wye valley. Tintern, to be precise. It was one of my favorite places on the trip. So green, beautiful, and the people were lovely!
I’ll be posting more about our trip (as soon as I recover), but thanks for this sweet article and the loving people you met along the way! I definitely need to check Wales out more carefully next time!
Glad to hear you had such a great experience, too, Joy. I hope that Europeans have this sort of thing happen for them when they come to the USA.
No matter where you go and no matter how magnificent the surroundings, it is always the people who create the most lasting impressions.
Every trip, Ken, that’s for darned sure.
Looks like great fun…great pictures and it’s true that people make the place, yes? Some of my most enduring travel memories are all wrapped up in the people I met along the way:)
Always, Jacquie–Charleston would have been even more memorable had we gotten to meet!