One thing you notice when you come to Wales is that all the road and most shop signs are written in both Welsh and English. So it only seems right that I should do my best to follow suit here. (Though why I didn’t write many of my other post titles in French or German or Italian I’m not sure… Perhaps I did sometimes. 🤔)
Anyhow, it was only last week that I realised I’d not posted these pictures of our trip to the aforementioned Ynys Llanddwyn (island), which lies off the southern edge of Anglesey. It’s not really an island so much as an isthmus which is cut off at high tide.
So the following gallery harks back to 23rd March 2022, when Jude and I went for a drive around to one of our favourite places. And, my apologies for yet more beaches, but I shall be returning to the mountains very soon I’m sure…
Some (approximate) pronunciation notes:
- The letter ‘w’ in Welsh is frequently pronounced ‘oo’ as in ‘look’ (more or less like a double u sound), but at other times like a ‘w’ as in water.
- A double d, ‘dd’, is pronounced ‘th’ as in ‘the’.
- A ‘u’ is pronounced like an ‘i’, sometimes short, like ‘tin’ and sometimes long, as in ‘been’.
- The ‘y’ is perhaps the most confusing, (to non-Welsh speakers that is), as it is sometimes pronounced like ‘uh’ as in ‘cut’, but at other times like an ‘i’ as in ‘bin’ and others like ‘ee’ as in ‘been’.
- There is no English equivalent to the double L. ‘Ll’, is best described by putting your tongue to the top of your mouth and blowing out!
Hence Cymru = Cumree, Ynys = Unis, Llanddwyn = Llan-th-oo-in. (Hope this helps!)
Alittlebitoutoffocus 
LL try cl as in clan llan. Forgot most of the pronounciations now (except the famous railway station) been a loooong time.
Love Anglesey, had great holidays as a kiddie with my aunt and uncle in Rhosneigr.
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Yes, it’s a tricky language and no mistake! Another suggestion I read was to say ‘th’ and ‘l’ (i.e. L) together (& quickly!) I’ve not seen much of Anglesey. I spent a week there many years ago, but can’t recall much about it! I hope to walk the coastal path sometime. 😊
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Beautifull
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Thanks Jan. I hope you and all your family are all well. No doubt you will be visiting Evolène soon (assuming you’re not there now!) All the best.
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GREAT post Mike! Truly a beautiful place where you live.
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Thank you. Yes, North Wales has some marvellous places and we’re extremely lucky to live in the area. 😊
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Fantastic shots and thanks for the language help. Indeed very confusing….
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Thanks and, yes, I thought French was tricky, but Welsh is on another level altogether! 🙃
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I understand why Ynys Llanddwyn is one of your favorite places. Stunningly beautiful views, Mike!!
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Thanks Hanna. It’s certainly a beautiful and peaceful place. You can read more about it and St Dwynwen (The Patron St of Lovers!) here:
https://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/places/llanddwyn/
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