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Returning to my birthplace
Last month, my brother, nephew and I took the train from Paddington, London to Swansea, South Wales to visit family and re-visit our old home and the homes of our grandparents. It’s something my brother has wanted to do ever since we emigrated to Australia in 1971. I have been fortunate to return to Wales twice since that time, so on this occasion it was a pretty special time for us to return as siblings and to show my nephew where his dad grew up.
We decided to go First Class on the train which made the trip so much more comfortable.The trolley lady came around and we ordered tea/coffee/muffins/biscuits and chips (or crisps as they are called in the UK) as we hadn’t had breakfast and as I went to pay, I was told that the snacks are complimentary for First Class passengers. Yay…she came back about four times over the three hour journey but after the first visit we were too full to eat anything else.I booked a lovely Airbnb apartment on the fourth floor of a building at the Marina in Swansea which had great views of the water, moored boats and Swansea city.Most nights we walked out to the Marina area and had dinner in a local restaurant and in the mornings we either went out to a small cafe [where we had to take a photo of the HP Sauce that was on every table as that is what our mother used to put on our cheese sandwiches when we first arrived in Australia – a fond and humorous memory for us] or made breakfast in the apartment.
And a couple of nights after a full day out we went to the local supermarket and bought cheeses, bread, dips and other snacks to eat at the apartment. It was quite nice to do that and spend time just relaxing and enjoying each others’ company. Swansea is a small city really but it has some lovely buildings and the ruins of Swansea Castle which we walked past one day.Every morning I would be up very early and off on a walk around the local area – I loved the homes around the Marina where the owners have decorated their walls and balconies with colourful baskets of flowers.After my walk, it was time for my proper exercise for the day; a jog along the beach. The beaches are very different to those we have here in Australia i.e. no real waves but I love them all the same as I recall times our mother would take us down to the beach with friends to sit on the sand [pebbles really] for us all to enjoy a day out.It was so nice to visit our birthplace! And one thing more that was special for my brother, was a visit to Swansea Football Stadium where we asked for a quick tour of the grounds but were told the tours had already departed. So we returned the following day and pleaded for a quick tour and it worked! Very kind of the staff.Swansea brought back wonderful memories for Mark and me and new ones for Braydon!
(my shoe prints embedded in the sand after a morning’s jog)
sunnydaysinseattle said:
Lovely town, your birthplace 🙂
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Gary Lum said:
Apart from the Tube, I’ve only ever been on a train twice in England. I travelled London to Salisbury return for a work meeting. It was a very pleasant trip.
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BRT 2003 said:
That’s awesome 👍 great to relive the memories gee I had a top time and think about it a lot xx
On Aug 6, 2017 3:51 PM, “Sue’s Fabulous Travels” wrote:
> SueT唐 梦 琇 posted: “Returning to my birthplace Last month, my brother, > nephew and I took the train from Paddington, London to Swansea, South Wales > to visit family and re-visit our old home and the homes of our > grandparents. It’s something my brother has wanted to do ever ” >
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
I think they all run pretty well over there by all accounts.
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Little Miss Traveller said:
What a great post Sue and so interesting to read about Swansea, somewhere I’ve never been. The marina looks very attractive and a pleasant place to stay.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
That’s lovely to read your comment Marion. Thank you. It was a very special time for us.
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JohnRH said:
Fabulous post and reminiscence.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks so much John.
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Bulldog Travels said:
Looks like a lot of fun!
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Lignum Draco said:
Always a great feeling to go back home on occasions like this with family. It’s a lovely area. I’m not sure your “breakfast” on the train was that healthy, though. 🙂
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sileas said:
I really enjoyed this little tour through your birthplace! It’s very pretty and I’m sure full of lovely memories 🙂
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kasiawrites said:
Nice place!
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Amy said:
A fabulous trip indeed! How sweet to revisit with you brother. 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
It was thank you.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
He he. Completely unhealthy. Ha ha.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you so much Julia.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks Amy. Yes we both enjoyed our time together too.
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Sophie said:
Hi Sue, lovely to finally read about your special trip to Swansea and get to know more about your childhood environment ! I’m sure it was very instructive for Braydon, and emotionnally very strong for both you and Mark. The Marina looks really pretty and a place I would love to walk around and stop for breakfast. I think I have seen this HP brand sauce in one supermarket in Nice, I’ll try to get hands on one bottle someday, just to try and eat the flavors of your youth ! I’m now curious about it. I am looking forward to reading more about your big return to family roots, you do have fond memories of your mother and I ma happy for you that you took this chance to go back there in Swansea with your siblings. Sending you love from Mexico where I am on holidays right now, i will write more when back to France end of next week. Xoxoxoxox
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sidran said:
Wonderful to revisit places with happy memories.
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KathrinS said:
I love travelling by Airbnb, it’s awesome! Also, Swansea looks really beautiful, a wonderful place to visit.
Kathrin — http://mycupofenglishtea.wordpress.com
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Oh my gosh. What a lovely lovely comment from you especially when you are on your lovely holidays with Jerome. I can’t wait to read about them. Thanks again Sophie for such a thoughtful comment. Xx
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
It was. I know you appreciate that.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you so much Kathrin. Just about to check out your blog. Thank you for stopping by.
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Sophie said:
It’s normal, that’s what friends do 😉
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Sophie. You have no idea how much this means to me. Especially tonight for some reason. I have some good news about us meeting up….my email this week will set it all out. So excited.
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Sophie said:
Really??? Oh i can’t wait to read about this!!!!!!!!
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Rotwein Wanderer said:
Glad to know you had a lovely time in your birthplace!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you so much. It was very special for us.
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reocochran said:
I loved the Swansea Castle ruins and the fresh flowers in baskets. The place of your birth is beautiful and special. Smiles, Robin 🐦
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Dear Robin. Aren’t you just so lovely. Thank you.
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vinneve said:
I am interested to visit Wales 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Hope you get to V. It’s lovely but I am a little biased too.
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