Still in Wales

We are still in Wales and I'm recovering nicely from my surgery. I go into the local clinic every day so they can change the dressings. I continue to receive the best of care from the Welsh public health system and it is all without charge.

We can get out a little each day and are visiting local places of power. There is Carn Enoch, a towering volcanic plug where my compass turns completely around and points toward the south. Nearby are little churches with ancient standing stones carved as crosses in the church yards. The sea coast along here is one of the prettiest in the UK, which makes this place a favorite vacation spot. We have new friends in the area, so are not deprived of social contact.

Last Sunday we attended a concert in a tiny chapel near here, a benefit for the local hospital. The choir were mostly people older than me, but they sang lustily with surprising accuracy. There were also a harp soloist and a local soprano who was really quite excellent. The entire evening was in the Welsh language, which is melodious. A good time for all and for us a little window into a way of life that has changed little over time--a small community entertaining each other.

A Welsh Saga

We have been traveling in Wales for over three weeks, going to ancient sacred sites, beautiful holy wells, and natural wonders. At the end of our planned stay I became ill with signs of an infection. Since we are residents of the EU, we were told that we could use the Welsh public health system. A visit to a doctor (no charge) confirmed that I had an abscess that needed surgical treatment immediately. We checked into a regional hospital, where the surgery was performed (again, no charge). They sent me back to our local B & B, where we visit the local clinic daily to have the surgery dressed (no charge) daily. Since it is now the weekend and the local clinic is closed we were visited by a nurse this morning to dress the wound (no charge). I am on two antibiotics and pain medication (supplied at no cost to me).This is health care in a society where people care about people. While it isn’t a perfect system, it is a humane system. We could have such a system in the US and it would cost much less than our present system and would serve more people. 

Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff, Wales

We found a powerful place here in Cardiff this morning by attending services at Llandaff Cathedral. The cathedral has the only boy-chior-school in Wales and the boys and young men of the choir sang beautifully, accompanied by their new (2010) pipe organ. There are a number of very interesting things to be seen and experienced in this ancient church and the atmosphere is peaceful and very sweet. All in all, a great way to spend a Sunday morning.