I’m usually the first to welcome (as I’m more or less hoocked onto this forum) but this time I’m way late. However … Croeso mawr ar y fforwm! from me!
One more introduction and one more wellcome I’ll say I thought when I’ve clicked on the link but not because I wouldn’t like to welcome people but simply because sometimes I feel like I have nothing wise and inspiring to say to newcommers but when I’ve read you’ve 1) started to learn Welsh because you’ve stumbled across the Aran’s “Hill and a Sex” book and 2) you plan to visit friends in Wales and try to make some conversations along with that I’ve almost jumped from my chair out of excitement!
Yes, yes, yes! This is the right attitude! my soul shouted out (if I’d really start to shout where i live neighbours wouldn’t be too happy with that 
).
So really big welcome. As the things are right now, you don’t need much of encouragement I believe. You have everything you need - the goal the resources to acheave it and the determination to acheave it aswell. So, Dal ati! (keep at it).
As the others said, there are a lot of resources and also useful and fun stuff on the forum to keep you motivated and eager to learn more.
The topics @henddraig mentioned are here:
- Really useful ‘How to’ stuff and other great posts where you can find a lot of resources about how to do things on the forum but also some great info and resources about learning Welsh aids if you’d be eager to use them in the future and
- What’s outside where the subject is everything what can be found outside in the nature from birds, plants, happenings and more with the aim of learning new related words and get some interesting reading and pictures along with this. The thread is huge, with 2656 posts one of the largest I believe so it could get you occupied a bit to browse it all. But this forum has one great feature, it puts you back where you’ve finished previously when you come on it next time so you can go across it in parts (as across every topic though).
Hwyl!
Tatjana 