At Nant Gwrtheyrn, in the famous tragic legend of Rhys & Meinir, a young bride play-hiding from her betrothed, hides in a tree and can't get out. Years after, the husband to be has gone mad with grief until finally the tree gets struck by lightening and splits open, revealing the sad sight of the skeleton of the young bride still in her wedding dress. The young lad immediately falls down dead (as you would I guess!!) but of course the lovers are then together for eternity.
A modern young couple, marine biologists Henry and Helen, who successfully managed to get married at Nant Gwrtheyrn without getting trapped in either a tree or a submersible, bought this image as one of two they fell in love with which evoked a strong emotional connection to they place they love and married in. They decided to get each of their wedding guests to sign the mount as an even stronger connection with the place and their special day. I know they were a little panicky about what the guests might think of the image, but as it happens everyone seemed to get into the spirit of this magical place and a wonderful idea. I have just finished framing it for them today.
So what were MY reasons for taking the image in the first place ? From my book, "Nant Gwrtheyrn - Y Swyngyfaredd (The Enchantment)" comes my explanation:
"If I knew I was dying, this would be an ideal place to go. On a grassy terrace, high above the beach, looking south-west over the Irish Sea, it brought back memories from so many places I’ve lived and visited, from Cornwall to the Azores, Scotland to the Canaries. The huge cliffs, steep drops and open expanse of the ocean would be a fitting place to close my eyes for the last time. I can only hope the poor sheep took similarly uplifting thoughts with her!"
So in a way, for my two friends, fascinated by the cycles of nature and immersed in marine biology and conservation, the natural cycle of life and death played out here at Nant seems a very fitting and relevant image. It is a period in their lives which is all to do with other natural things like love, life and enjoying existence to the full in the time we have been honoured on this beautiful planet.
My best wishes will always be there for this wonderful couple, and for a rich, rewarding life together.
