The steps were greened with moss curved by countless feet; wind-fed trees quietly groaned though no birds flew. The door of close-grained oak and dark uncertain years seemed ready to repel all those who came that way. I turned the heavy key, and pushed. Unwillingly, the door gave way to let me through the high [...]

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At the bottom of our garden in Wales is a waterfall. It is the biggest waterfall on our river – the Afon Cwm Mynach. That means ‘the river of the valley of the monks’. People must have wondered why the valley was so called until at the beginning of the twentieth century a gold treasure [...]

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Climbing and chatting in the sun, shining, fresh morning air, carrying us along. The river running over the stones. The valley, bright, paint box green, meeting blue sky and touching at the horizon. Then here it is, a large deep pool into which the sparkling water flows, and flows down a tall escarpment, charging over [...]

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Only her mouth smiles Her eyes speak of raging despair. Achingly lonely amidst her friends. Rarely speaking except about him. Dreading returning to the cold shell They once called home. Bravely walking into the future With lead in her shoes. CJP 2009

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