I don’t get to siarad Y Gymraeg very often on a day to day or even month to month basis, which is great shame. So when you need to pay for a course you’re going on and the voice that answers is owned (fairly obviously) by a first-language Welsh speaker, you go with the flow. I was so pleased it went so well that I actually flushed with surprised pleasure at the end! So I stand a good chance of repeating that experience weekend after next. Really looking forward to the journey to Plas Tan Y Bwlch and whatever goes on after we arrive…
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That’s an awesome experience, and especially to get over the initial panic etc. Did you just switch to Cymraeg?
Me and my partner are moving house to surrey soonish and through some really random turn of luck we met a local shop owner and her partner nearby who are both fluent speakers! So I am hoping to speak in real life more often!
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I’ve been around as a learner/speaker for a while. I grew up in Mid-Wales from 11y.o. and learned Welsh as a second language at school (in the 70s). I joined the Navy and haven’t lived in Wales since, although I always kept Wales and Welsh as a cherished memory, having holidayed a lot and spent a fair amount of time just hanging around in various events in Wales. A few years ago I found SSiW and got involved, initially as part of a plan to move back to Wales and the community I still am connected to. That won’t happen now and although it became a huge sadness for me, resulting in my drifting away from SSiW for a while, I am still a moderator and absolutely admire, respect and love Aran and Iestyns plans for the future.
I’m really pleased for you, having found a shop-owning, Welsh-speaking practice partners! I suspect they probably won’t mind your popping in without buying something…!!
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What sort of shop? Do they do mail order? 
Great to see you on the Forum, anyway Sumsmeister. Just to say that your posts have always been an inspiration to me.
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Thank you John, I’m just one of a team and if I have said anything useful to someone at some stage, I’m happy!
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Just one of a team? Weren’t you responsible for bringing that goat in here?
It’s pretty much feral now.
You write poems in Welsh @Garys and you say “I still speak Welsh!!!” I never thought you don’t or you didn’t even if I never really heard you talk. You’re one of those who I already considder fluent Welsh speakers for a really llloooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggg! time. 
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Thank goodness you only mentioned the goat, you’ve obviously forgotten the dolphins, lions and…
Yes, the goat has managed to eat all the clothes that got left behind by various guests, but when I explained that the money from selling the contents of the lost property cupboard went to excellent charities, everyone was fine about it. Cost me a fortune making those donations…
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Tatjana, you are such a lovely person, but I make my fair share of mistakes and I learn as much as anyone else in doing so! I do love being able to speak Welsh and really wish I had done so from 18 months old!!
As for poetry, we are blessed every year by being able to read the entries in the Online Eisteddfod and I think there’s a rich vein of creativity in our ranks!
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