Since moving to Wales, near Ammanford, in very early 2013, I have been wanting to learn Welsh. I did a one-night a week course for 6 months. Useful, but did not give me confidence to talk with anyone. I had been aware of the SSiW course, and had attempted some of the earlier lessons in a non-committal way.

May 2017, I went on the SSiW 5 day super-intensive (5DSi). Can now be found bothering people with the phrase, 'Wyt ti'n siarad Cymraeg?'

I have realised that even I can learn to speak a second language. If learning a language were a war, then I feel that the 5DSi has given me a beach head from which I can launch future attacks. However, the natives are friendly, so it is really bad metaphor.

If learning a language were like gardening, then the Welsh language has now sprouted in my brain and is trying to grow. I am trying to nurture it. I have a fear that it may grow somewhat on its own, but plants do that. On the other hand, it will not grow well if I ignore it.

If learning a language were like an adventure, then the hiking boots have been worn in, the weather is lovely (OK, wet), the journey has been begun and it looks like it is going to be great fun. The landscape is very different to the landscape of my home language, but that is what makes it an adventure.