Sospan Fach

My national pride seems to have grown as I have aged. I've always loved Wales - and supported the Welsh rugby team - but some of our traditions I've looked down on, and felt that as a nation we've been outdone by the Irish and Scottish.

Not so any longer. I am finding pleasure in all things Welsh from the music to the history, not forgetting the language.

I started learning Welsh at the beginning of lockdown primarily so I could read books with the two grandchildren who will be in a Welsh medium school, but now I find I just want to learn to speak my language.

We learned a little in junior school and Welsh was compulsory for two years in senior school but it was so difficult - and seemed far less useful a skill than French or German - that I gave it up as soon as I could. No-one at home spoke Welsh, indeed, Mumbles itself is a little English enclave, so there was never the incentive to make an effort. Until now.

But as I say, my keenness to learn the language for its own sake has increased tenfold. I won't have anyone to talk to, of course ...