Llaingaled

Listen!

Hear the echos of those this cottage has known, 

people long since departed,

but within these comforting walls - their souls live on.

Like the chair where Grandpa sat

the one with the swan arm-rests, the one he loved!

See him sat warming himself in front of the range.

Llaingaled always welcomed friends and family alike.

There were always people to light the range for,

pots of warming and welcoming tea to be made.

This place is a place to snuggle in the cold of winter.

A place with the constant sound of children,

echos heard

running up and down the hallway - squealing with excitement in the garden,

climbing the ladder,

with rough n tumble in the loft.

Just listen!

Having moved far away

these children now grown up and doing grown up things - still their souls live here.

These walls contain the joy of each child,

and the love they found here.

Now these walls contain the joy of their children,

with the trips to nearby beaches

with the chance of heavy February snow falls,

with snowmen to build,

snowball fights to be had,

after which fingers to warm up in front of the range where Grandpa sat.

Everyone who's visited this place - even briefly as we did,

is now a part of this place and it's history.

This place that is briefly Pippas,

Peters, and Davids,

in time will pass on to their children,

for them to hold onto tightly, 

and to love, 

like all that have visited this place,

and to love it forever.

As you sit there,

feel the history - hear the echoes!

It's all around you - and you are now a part of it.

Cottage

A cottage.

Thick walls and small windows - protection against the harsh winters.

A functional building,

simple,

practical,

built from that which was found locally.

No frills,

no electricity,

no light at the flick of a switch

just a simple hand-crafted existence.

Water from a well

a garden for growing food

a stable for keeping animals

everything built with a purpose  within a shared community,

traditions,

resources, 

all working as one.

At the heart of the cottage,

a traditional range

fueled by wood sourced locally, 

where the food was cooked 

and water boiled to wash the souls of those who called this place home.

These folk knew nothing of the holiday cottage principle,

that people would rent the cottage for a week or more,

for sums of money the original occupants could have never imagined.

Modern requirements like full fibre broadband,

and every gadget a modern kitchen requires.

That now it would become just a base for tourists to explore an island,

with a huge double bed and soft furnishings,

for lazy days and lye-ins,

tea and toast in bed!

...something the original occupants would never have!