Looking for Taliesin

[steepholm]

Somewhere between Borth and Machynlleth (but a little way inland) lies the grave of Taliesin. Until a few days ago, I didn’t know that Taliesin had a grave, although if he did I would have guessed it was round there, as he’s a bit of a Borth local hero. Schoolchildren have made murals showing scenes from his life all along the sea wall on Borth’s one, mile-long street. And then there’s Nancy Bond’s Borth-based fantasy, A String in the Harp, in which a group of children find an ancient and mysterious-— But I must say no more...

Anyway, a couple of days ago my brother drove his partner, our mother, lady_schrapnell and me deep into the Powys countryside to find it. There’s no signpost, and even when you get there there’s nothing to show that you’ve arrived, but it is marked on the large-scale OS map – up a tiny mossy lane, winding through several miles of wooded hills and sheep farms. At one point the road ran through the middle of a farmyard, and at least half a dozen collies appeared, three of which went on to herd our car for the next mile, in good sheepdog order, until we left their territory. Then there were the gates across the road, and the sudden stops for hedgerow chanterelles, which it was hard not to read as Temptations to Leave the Strait Path, so numinous and meaningful had everything become...

But eventually we made it, and paid our respects to that subtle son of Ceridwen.

Comments

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Wow, stunning image, shiver-inducing.

(Did gair and gerald tell you about the spirit guide who appeared from nowhere to direct us to Green Knowe just as we were getting off the bus?)

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

They didn't! What form did it take? They were, however, full of the visit in general - and of the weekend in generaller. Green Knowe is definitely on my list of places to visit next time I'm in East Anglia.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Pleasingly, the form of a very small, silver-haired, incredibly friendly woman. "You'll be going to the house then?" she said, as we clambered wide-eyed and excited down from the bus. "Up the lane, over the fence, across the playing fields..." etc. etc. I think the Women's Institute must keep someone sitting by the bus stop for in case.

You must see the house, it's extraordinary. Ring in advance to arrange the tour. (And of course do let us know if you are going to be in this part of the world.)

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Oh, lovely. And the approach sounds entirely appropriate.

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

*is envious!*

Can I mention this on the radio on Tuesday?

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Of course - I'd be delighted.

[papersky.livejournal.com]

I have been a stone in a hill.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Who but I peeps from the unhewn dolmen arch?

[gair.livejournal.com]

in which a group of children find an ancient and mysterious-— But I must say no more...

If it's not a harp, I'm suing.

That's an amazing photo, though! I can't believe Taliesin's grave is just in an open field like that. Where's the Visitor's Centre and the teashop and the postcards?

Also, ::is jealous of chanterelles::

[intertext.livejournal.com]

O wow. I am so envious.

(I adore A String in the Harp, and Taliesin is one of my heroes)

That is an amazingly numinous photograph!

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

If it's not a harp, I'm suing.

You would be partially right...

[sovay]

That is a numinous photograph.

I have not read A String in the Harp since elementary or middle school; I am going to have to pick it up again.