Geoff Gilbert and his little brother Rhod from Carmarthen are great fans of Llansteffan and try to come down the beach whenever the rare opportunity arises. Geoff is a language teacher who now lives in Northern Spain.
His brother Rhod has yet to decide a career path, and has in the past tried his hand at Bin-man, Hairdresser, Soldier, Farmer, Butler, Tattooist, and Teacher among other jobs – with very little success unfortunately!
He is now apparently trying his hand at comedy. 🙂  Rock on Rhod!!! Llansteffan loves you!!!
I grew up with Geoff, Jane and Rhod,
We used to come up from #Cardiff to meet the Gilbert’s or the Norma’s as I used to call them or they would come and stay with us, Yn Caerdydd.
I have also felt the pull of #Llansteffan and lived there for two years in the late 1980’s @ No 1 The Mill
The TV reception was terrible and I remember watching #TwinPeaks through the snow, but I got used to it.
I was heating up the whole village with that #BloodyRayburn and it took a soft city boy at least a week to master. Simeon, the vicars son showing me how to use sticks & paper to get the thing glowing. Oh and don’t sit there with the door open! Not a good idea.
Gareth the coal would keep me stocked up with my anthracite but at times I felt like a stoker. It may have warmed the front room but was useless at heating the water. My good neighbours and John Peake my landlord who only lived a few doors away.
It was a healing time for me and my family and Llansteffan worked its magic which I will be forever grateful. My mam Pam made some good friends in the village, she hew up in #Tonypandy so she was well used to living in a valley.
I have always returned since and brought my three children as each was born.
Now Kathryn, Max & Poppy have all been brought #LionKing like to the beach just as I was, when a few weeks old. Held up to the gods of Llansteffan & Florrie & the memory of Geraldus Cambrensis.
We have many times walked up the path to the castle for the views and the even more amazing #RollyPollys in the Castle grounds.
The air was always soporific (sleep inducing) and as I used to make the walk around the headland! as the tide was going out you would leave deeper footprints in the sand. #ScottieDog in hand around to Scott’s Bay and up the path and back through the #sticks . Past the Church, and #Ozzi”s bright red door. (fall down twice & you’re home from the #stickspub) waving to #BigBill & the spaniels and back down to the #Mill.
I think we know there’s a bit of #Llansteffan in #Llallareggub but let’s keep that one to ourselves.
I am pleased to say that I have been entrusted with the blue baseball cap in the photo and it is in my safe keeping and will bring it on a pilgrimage up to the castle this summer with Geoff and his family. When they are over.
On it are the words, Wales best kept secret – I would go one further.
I have travelled to many places in the world and I still come back to the village.
Llansteffan – The Worlds best kept secret
– Aliens welcome, mind you’re careful parking that saucer now!
William (Billi) Michael Shears
Finally saw your comment but only half appears for some weird reason. Hope you got home safe and that the report goes well! Let us know when and where. All the best – Phil (Edwards)