A Welsh Field Trip

Meet Tecwyn Vaughan Jones (isn't that a fabulous Welsh name?), director of the Wales program. He was our fearless leader today for a trip that took us into a couple of North Wales's valleys. The scenery was beautiful as you will see for yourself. The most interesting for me, however, was the history of slate mining in this part of Wales. It turns out coal mining takes place in South Wales, but the process is very similar. There are enormous heaps and piles of waste material sitting on the sides of the mountains. The slate industry is nearly dead. Small towns are looking for ways to re-build their economies. It is the same story everywhere....

We hiked past this stream on our way to lake where supposedly King Arthur threw Excalibur. I have more photos from our hike to post, but for some reason I am only able to post 3-4 at one time.

Here are are pictured with Mount Snowden in the background. Mount Snowden is the highest peak in England, Wales and Ireland but not in Scotland as our two Scottish companions were quick to point out. In the first row (from left to right) is Ruth from Vienna, Lyn Isaccson from the Pella campus, Veronica from Granada, Spain, Shelley from Paris. The men from left to right are Tecwyn whom you have already met, Eric who is actually our boss, Mark from the London program and Stef from Leiden, Holland. In spite of all that you have seen and read, we have been holding meetings!