Happy St David’s Day!



Photo from Wikipedia

Or hapus Dydd Gŵyl Dewi as they say in Welsh!

St David’s Day is this Friday, March 1, 2013.  The Feast Day for St. David, the Patron Saint of Wales, is always celebrated on the 1^st of March – the day David is believed to have died in 589.

It is customary to wear either a leek or a daffodil to celebrate the holiday which was first recognized as a public holiday in 2000.

 

Photo from http://blog.visitwales.co.uk

 

The leek and the daffodil are two of the Welsh national emblems with the leek being St David’s personal symbol.

During the festive day the flag of St David is displayed:

Children in Wales will perform in school concerts or eisteddfodau.

Cawl, the national dish of Wales, will be eaten across the land.  Cawl is a soup consisting of many different ingredients but the more modern versions have, lamb, leeks and potatoes.

Click here to link to some fabulous BBC recipes for St. David’s day. I think I will make the chicken and leek pie and some Welsh cakes!

 

Photo from www.thisissouthwales.co.uk

Her Majesty the Queen will be visiting Swansea for the St David’s Day festivities.

And even the local grocers will have a sale going to help you prepare for the day. I especially love this ad from ASDA for all your St David’s Day Essentials – including Welsh malt Whisky!

Will you be partaking in St. David’s Day festivities? Have you been to Wales?

What countries have you visited where you have adopted their traditions and celebrations?

Hapus Dydd Gŵyl Dewi!

From the Archives: Monterey and Carmel, CA

Hard to believe it has been a year since my trip to Monterey & Carmel, CA.

I thought I would post some of my favorite pictures and highlight some of the wonderful sights I took in. And perhaps start planning another trip?? Hmm...

 

The view from the Tickle Pink Inn - stunning!

 

The best thing I ate - a leek and mushroom burger from the Davenport Bakery in Davenport, CA.

 

 

 

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is for me the best aquarium in the US. I love it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fabulous Point Lobos State Reserve.

 

 

 

Waiting for the Bagpiper at Spanish Bay.

 

 

 

And a visit to  the National Steinbeck Center.

 

 

 

 

From the Archives: Savannah, GA

 

Hard to believe it has been a year since my first ever trip to the Hostess City of the South – Savannah.

You can read my original posts here. And here. And here.

If I could do the trip all over again (or just simply re-visit) this would be the do/ do not list:

1.       Do shop at Paris Market

2.       Do take the Architectural Walking tour

3.       Do visit Bonaventure Cemetery – didn’t make it the first time around

4.       Do Walk Jones again –it was the prettiest

5.       Do take more of my alcoholic drinks to go in the provided plastic cups

6.       Do take even MORE pictures

7.       Do eat at Papillote

8.       Do pop into the art supply stores

9.       Do try to hit the small Mom & Pop restaurants   

10.   Don’t stay in a condo on River Street – too noisy

11.   Do enjoy the local Moon River beer but beware of their restaurant – did not have a friendly staff experience there

 

 

For the most part Savannah is a great little town. Lots of beautiful architecture and the main tourist area is small enough to walk.  There are lots of lovely shops, plenty of restaurants and serious amounts of night life.