Hi Kat,

Have been following this thread for a while as I'm a welsh-american and interested in the history, culture and music of my heritage. There's a songbook called 'Blodnau'r Grug' which has 100 Welsh traditional folk dance tunes. Robin Huw Bowen(Welsh triple harpist) did the revision. The book is available in music stores(I got mine at a place called 'Gog's' in Llandudno), but the address of the publisher is: Andrew Bartholomew, 12 Rockwood Ave., Llandaf, Cardiff, UK, CF5 2NP.

Welsh Guitar by Michael Raven is another very good book/cd combination available. It's solo guitar and several of the tunes found in the above collection are contained in this one, too. It's available from: Michael Raven c/o Eve Raven, Yew Tree Cottage, Jug Bank, Ashley Market Drayton Shropshire TF9 4NJ Tel:0630 672304

Sian James has a release called 'Gweini Tymor' which has a dozen or so songs sung only in Welsh. It's available from Sain Records which is located in Caenarfon...Kaye(as in the Scottish 'aye' meaning 'yes')nar-von though I don't know the address. A googlesearch would come up with any and all info, no doubt.

Hope this info is helpful as I've a special place in my heart for North Wales and have visited several times and intend a return visit early next year. Close friends teach at the St. David's College in Llandudno and I've done the session/open mic(Monday nights) at the Malt Loaf in Conwy a few times...always a pure joy.

If/when you visit be sure to stay at the youth hostel in Bangor as it's pretty centrally located and reasonabley priced. There's, also one in Rowan that's rural, a bit rougher, but completely delightful. And above all practice the correct pronunciation of Betws-y-coed. It's NOT 'Betsy-co-ed' like I said before being gently, but firmly corrected...'Bet00se-ah-coyd'. It's like being in NYC and pronouncing Houston St. as Hughston...the locals hate it.

One more suggestion if I may. Your choices are London, Liverpool, Manchester, etc. for flights, but I would highly recommend flying(550-900.00US-RdTr) into(and out of) Dublin from JFK(It's non-stop...6.5 hours...and arrives about 6:30AM local time). Take a taxi from the airport to the Stenna Line ferry in Dun Laoghaire(Pron: Done Leary(20-30mins@approx 30.00US). Ferry takes about 75-110 mins(depending on weather) to arrive in Holyhead(get a round trip ticket-approx 75.00US). Take the train to Bangor(3 blocks from the ferry...again round trip unless you return from elsewhere, of course) and a taxi to the IYH-Bangor or a BB of your choosing.

There's plenty or nothing to do as you choose. I stood for two hours at the window of my friends' townhouse in Trefriw(small village south of Conwy on the vale)and watched a sheppard w/a border collie and 2 pembroke corgis herd a small flock of sheep through 4-5 different fields. Was awestruck.