h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hiraeth is the Welsh word for the yearning for home. It is most often felt by exiles like me (I work in London during the week and am only home at weekends). By the way 'Mawddach' is pronounced 'mao-thack', and is an estuary in southern Gwynedd where I grew up. She is also the spirit of the area and well known to me upon my path.
Blessings,
Matholwch /|

In the city I hear her,
Above the traffic's awful roar,
I hear the seagulls calling,
Over her storm-swept shore.

In the factory yard I see her,
In the corner of my sight,
Mighty Oaks bowing in the wind,
Neath the mountains' awful might.

Mawddach! Mawddach!
I have not forgotten your song.
Mawddach! Spirit of my heart.
I will return afore too long.

Amidst the people I can feel her,
In all the madness and pain,
Her streams murmur softly to me,
To tread her paths again.

In the market I scent her,
Between the exotic and the trash,
Chestnut blossom, Heather bloom,
Salt sea spray and Mountain Ash.

Mawddach! Mawddach!
I have not forgotten your song.
Mawddach! Spirit of my heart.
I will return afore too long.

In a thousand reflected moments,
I see her dance and tease,
Setting the Hiraeth upon me,
So I shall know no ease.

The albums of my distant youth,
Thrown open before my sight,
Friends long gone walk my dreams,
In memory’s golden, dappled light.

Mawddach! Mawddach!
I have not forgotten your song.
Mawddach! Spirit of my heart.
I will return afore too long.

And when my soul can no more be,
Separated from my ancient land,
She will gather up those dreams,
And take them to the verdant strand.

Where wooded hill meets river's edge,
I first drew my sacred space,
Anchored my soul there to the land,
And first gazed upon her face.

Mawddach! Mawddach!
I have not forgotten your song.
Mawddach! Spirit of my heart.
I will return before too long.

The Hiraeth is upon me now,
I will soon be on my way.
The mother of my people calls me,
And for once I shall obey.

Where the sky meets the sea,
And both hold with the land,
I shall draw my circle once again,
And reach out for her hand.

Mawddach! Mawddach!
I will always sing your song.
Mawddach! Spirit of my heart.
I have been away too long.

Matholwch, only twice in my 56 years have I ventured further north than Dolgellau. Once to stay in Harlech (Coleg Harlech) and once to stay in Llandudno.


Alji, of the Red Dragon (Swynwr y Ddraig Goch) (conducting a sun sign poll @ A712595)(Member of The H2G2 Guild of Wizards @ U197895 looking for wiz kids to join, though you don't have to be a wiz kid just know a bit about some subject that you think will be of interest to others or just bore the pants off them. This is an equal opportunities space open to all sexes, ages and abilities)

Then you've been to the Mawddach, for it runs from Dolgellau to Abermaw (sorry... Barmouth). My village is halfway between the two and is called Bontddu. From my parent's house' window I can see all of Cader Idris and the estuary itself......aaargh the Hiraeth is taking me again.
Blessings,
Matholwch /|\.

Yes I must have but it was a long time ago. BTW I take it that the Ponderosa is a farm?

Alji (Member of The Guild of Wizards)

Yes the Ponderosa is a farm, though it has been run as a trekking stable for over twenty years now. They are a pretty good bunch and run some good treks up into the foothills below Cader Idris.
Blessings,
Matholwch /|\.