Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LOVE SPOONS
All over Wales, craft shops turn out wooden spoons with contorted handles in a variety of different designs at a
speed that would have left their original makers - village lads with their eyes on a lady - gawking in astonish-
ment. The carving of these spoons seems to date back to the 17th century, when they were made by men to give
to women to mark the start of a courtship. If you want to see carving in progress, the St Fagans National History
Museum can usually oblige. Any number of shops will be happy to sell you the finished product.
Various symbols were carved; the meanings of a few of them are as follows:
Anchor
I'm home to stay; you can count on me.
Balls in a cage, links in a chain
Captured love, together forever; the number of balls or links may correspond to
the number of children desired, or the number of years already spent together.
Bell
Marriage.
Celtic cross
Faith; marriage.
Double spoon
Side by side forever.
Flowers
Love and affection; courtship.
Horseshoe
Good luck; happiness.
Key, lock, little house
My house is yours.
One heart
My heart is yours.
Two hearts
We feel the same way about one another.
Vines, trees, leaves
Our love is growing.
Wheel
I will work for you.
Getting There & Away
BUS
Bus X63 links Swansea with Brecon (two hours); X40 with Carmarthen (45 minutes) and
Aberystwyth (3¼ hours); and X13 with Llandeilo (1½ hours).
National Express destinations include London (£26, five hours), Chepstow (£12, two
hours), Cardiff (£7.30, one hour), Carmarthen (£6, 45 minutes), Tenby (£8, 1½ hours) and
Pembroke (£8, 1¾ hours).
TRAIN
Paddington (£28, three hours), Cardiff (£8.40, one hour), Carmarthen (£6.10, 45 minutes),
Tenby (£13.70, 1½ hours), Llandeilo (£5.60, 57 minutes) and Llandrindod Wells (£11.70,
2½ hours).
Getting Around
