Nia's Voice

11. Nia's Voice.  

Cosy up and immerse yourself in the magic of a good old fashioned children's mystery set against the backdrop of the 1974 and 1867 Eisteddfodau.      Age 9+

                                                                Spring '74

                                                                I was chillin' on ma butt.

                                                                Got a call from the Bards

                                                                Saying s'umtin wassup.

                                                                Packed ma bed and ma bone

                                                                in Llanybri all alone.

                                                                Nia took me in 

                                                                She din't know I was him.

                                                                Got on with ma jawb

                                                                Taking care of the girl.

                                                                Let's face it she's cool

                                                                She don't suffer no fool.

                                                                 She jus used her brain

                                                                 to decipher dem clues.

                                                                Guto gave her real pain

                                                                Yeah he gave her the blues.

                                                                 But that was soon over

                                                                 It was Niamh that drove her

                                                                 To walk that castle wall

                                                                  Man, what a fall!............

                                                                  Hey! I won't  spoil it

                                                                  Read the book

                                                                  And enjoy it.............

                                                                                                        

                                                                                                      It's a rap mun innit!!

          

                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                      BOD(alias Sir Toby Tubbs )

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                     

     

                                               SirToby Tubbs@SirToby Tubbs Follow on Twitter

                                                                                                                            

                                      

                                                                                                                      

                             

Doormat

10. Doormat

Natural coconut coir mat featuring the Welsh words for keys, money and mobile phone.Allweddi, Arian a Ffon Symudol .

A must have purchase because let's face it guys ,would you want to be in faced with the situation this poor bloke got himself into?

#wheresmekeys



Diolch Bodlon. A clever little idea! Da iawn.

Sboner a Wejen

9. Sboner  a  Wejen

Appliqued cushions exclusively made for Bodlon with the words Sboner (boyfriend) and Wejen    (girlfriend)

Shwmai!

We return again to Pontcanna, Cardiff to that super stylish converted loft apartment off Cathedral Road, home of Dafydd and Glyn, social hosts to the Welsh glitterati. Glyn's feeling it a bit at the moment. Dafydd's away on a photo shoot for three weeks. Somewhere in Bali, on an exotic beach, he's tending tresses to the stars.

 Every morning they catch up on news,via Skype.

"Hey! Girlfriend! Missing me?"

"Watchit Boyfriend!  Let's just say I'm keeping busy. Actually D, I'm working on a little surprise for you when you get back."

" Ooo! you know I adore surprises. Do it for me dahling!"

Three weeks pass like the speed of light and before we know it, G is waving frantically in the arrivals lounge at the airport when D suddenly appears smiling.

"O D! I 've been like a limp rag without you!'

 The two hug.

 "Ti'n edrych yn gorgeous D! Adonis himself! No need for the St. Tropez for a while then!"

''Never mind that! Where's my surprise!"

Without further ado, the two jump into the Mazda MX5, Cyndi Lauper's 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' blaring out the radio, as they speed eastwards up the M4. Within the hour, they find themselves being

pampered from head to toe at the Celtic Manor Spa with a Forum Signature Hot Stone Massage, facial and skin deep cleanse. After a sauna, steam and jacuzzi,followed by a refreshing swim, they end a memorable day with an intimate dinner  on the roof terrace, that G has specially prepared. Sipping the usual tipple of Tattinger, the day couldn't have been more special.

"Tell you what G. That spa day was fab. You certainly know how to surprise a guy."

'O that wasn't the surprise,' says G beckoning D to the bedroom, opening the door to reveal the Super king size bed.

As Elton croons,"Don't let the Sun Go Down On Me', nestling on the silk satin sheets from Shanghai are  'Sboner a Wejen' inviting them to join them.

.

'Where did you get those ! Well bugger me! says D. 

'If you insist,' says G as he closes the door quietly behind them.

Boom! Boom ! Bodlon!

Keith Brymer Jones Ceramics

         
                                               

                                                      8. Keith Brymer Jones Latte Mug

Generously sized Latte mug in white glazed porcelain designed by Keith Brymer Jones featuring the Welsh for coffee imprinted in brown lettering.

Meet Val, the owner of this clean lined stylish coffee mug. Always spotlessly groomed in Autograph separates, she 's been growing out her fringe since 1976. Her Mulberry Beige Bayswater is the current arm candy which reflects her immaculate clean look. And Val doesn't just do clean, she lives it. Clean means spotless, spotless means germ free and germ free means good health . So when choosing to treat herself at Bodlon, the glazed porcelain white  Coffi mug jumped clean off the shelf begging her to buy it. The fact is,Val has a serious fetish with disinfectant, Following in the steps of Florence Nightingale, this dedicated hardworking Matron keeps a tight ship on her ward at the local hospital and takes no prisoners. Her patients well being is paramount. She's has been known to instruct her staff to clean the toilets with a toothbrush.

Weekends, high days and holidays are a different matter however. This is the time Val likes to unwind and enjoy a coffee close to home at her local coffee shops. On a typical Saturday morning off, you will find Val at Marks and Spencer with her daughter, enjoying a creamy latte in her - Coffi mug. There is no way this woman is putting her lips to any mug that she has not personally disinfected. Ever the professional, she's never off guard, even off duty.
Later that same  afternoon you'll find her savouring a hot chocolate in Costa in her -  Coffi mug , having whipped it out discreetly from her Mulberry. She then jumps in her cream latte coloured Mini, nips home to rustle up supper for hubby and the girls, then dashes over the pub for a good gossip with her neighbour Rhi and a well earned latte in her -  Coffi mug.Val and Rhi do love a good natter.

Home or away Val likes routine. A few months back, hubby drove Val and the girls to Portsmouth to board a Royal Carribbean cruise around the Med stopping off at Madeira. Did she hit the beaches, local nightclubs, Pina coladas round the pool?  While she's partial to a boogie to Tom of an evening, this woman was in her element sitting in a coffee shop enjoying Madeira cake with a delicious latte in - her Coffi mug. Well, it's a dirty world out there and she's not taking any chances.

With her 'Hello flower' trademark greeting and a penchant for Take That's  'Rule the World' , it seems there's no stopping this Matron with a Mug becoming a global sensation. So watch out! She could be coming to a coffee shop near you!
She may be some time though. She's only driven the Mini as far as the turning for Leekes at the Crosshands roundabout on the M4.

Well,there's always the train.

Bless.

The wedding

                                     

                                                           

                                           7.Wedding Planner and Wedding Vows ribbon


 If there are two things that Mona, our Bodlon Bride buys when planning her big day, it's these two little trusted essentials. Our bride will come to guard her Wedding Planner book with her life.
Handy enough to carry around in her ambarg, she can whip it out while out shopping with Mammy at John Lewis in Cardiff to jot down ideas and compile that wedding list.
Mammy 's got enough to worry about what with the Vicar off with an attack of shingles and they still can't decide finishing touches on the cake for the Big Day on Saturday. Yet she still has time to impart invaluable maternal advice to her daughter as they both try on outfits.

'What d'you think of this for my going away outfit Mam  - it fits perfect like but the collar's a bit high it is.  It's stranglin' me .'
If it's stranglin' you now love, you can bet your bottom dollar it'll be stranglin' you by the end of the night.  Comfort, Mona comfort. Right now then. This one will do me.'
 Mammy fixes her lippy and promptly walks out to pay for a Damsel in a Dress number she's just taken fifteen minutes  to squeeze her ample bosom into.
Her mobile vibrates.
"Yes . This is Renee. No! You're jokin' me? Gerraway. 'E aven't 'ave  'e? O 'ec. Mona!Mona! Dadi 's lost 'is false teeth ! We 'll have to put 'im at the back or e'll  ruin the photos. Right now then. Where's the bedding."
Renee spots a sales assistant.
'Young man! Bedding if you will.'
'Certainly madam .This way.'
The helpful assistant proceeds to take Renee to a display full of sheets, pillowcases and blankets.
'Anything in particular you are looking for madam?'
'I 'm looking for a Dyfed Quilt for my Mona's wedding."
The sales assistant looks puzzled.
" I'm sorry madam , 'Dyfed'  Quilt did you say ..........'
Renee scours the shelves,
'Ah! There they are b'there! That's the one, Micro fibre anti allergy. We don't want Dave sneezing all over Mona on their wedding night.
"She means a DUVET,' smiles Mona,running up, waving her Bodlon Ein Diwrnod Mawr notebook at the assistant,pointing at 'number 5 things to get in John Lewis.' "
'I knew this book would come in 'andy."

Meanwhile, dependable Dave has met up with the best man to go through the speech. The choice couldn't have been anyone else because Carwyn and Dave had been buddies all their lives. They met on the estate at the back of the garages. Their friendship was sealed  for all eternity in the summer of '92 when the six year olds went out cycling and the breaks went going downhill. With one bike between them, a be-speckled Carwyn perched on the handlebars, the only way to avoid the brick wall was a skilful swerve by Dave into a nearby hedge. With the scar to prove where his national health glasses were embedded in his nose from the somersault, Carwyn owed Dave big time.
'You saved my life that day butt.'
It didn't matter that Carwyn could sometimes be two sandwiches short of a picnic. Dependable Dave was there to help out.
'So what you got then Car?''
'Well I looked up Wedding speeches online like and it's more or less sorted. I thoughtI'd finish with,
'Behind every successful man stands an amazed woman.'
Dave looked annoyed.
Carwyn looked puzzled.
Well she's amazin' in she?"

As the big day dawns, bright and clear in the July sunshine, family and friends assemble in the local church on time. Carwyn and Dependable Dave smartly dressed in morning suits ,wait at the altar. The first bars of 'Here comes the Bride' starts playing and Mona enters the church with proud toothless Dadi on her arm. The bride looks radiant, Mammi's crying and Dadi's got his lips closed. The happy couple step up to take their vows. It's all going brilliantly.
Then the vicar asks,
'May I have the rings?'
Carwyn smiles and puts his hand into his breast jacket pocket. He raises his eyebrows and puts his hand in his other pocket. Shifting uneasily, his glasses steaming up, he digs both hands in his trouser pocket. The silence in the church is deafening. The vicar looks at Carwyn, Carwyn looks at Dave. Dave puts one hand in his pocket while taking Mona's left hand with the other.The bride feels a gentle pull on her finger. Dave ties a neat bow, looks into her eyes and says,

'to have and to hold from this day forward'.

Mona melts.

Trust Bodlon's Wedding Vow ribbon to save the day.

Altogether now. Aw!















                                                       

   

Paned Mug

                                             
                                                                6. Paned Mug

A beautifully classic white fine bone china mug with instructions on the inside on how to make the perfect cup of tea, this mug can only grace the most perfect person's home.

The verse inscribed on the inside of the mug is written by the legendary Welsh poet Mererid Hopwood, the nearest thing the Welsh have to royalty. She made history in 2001 when she became the first woman ever to win the Bardic Chair at the National Eisteddfod.

 Can any woman match that?

Well we think so and not only that, she's one of ours! Yes! She's one of our proud owners of the iconic Paned Mug.
Who is she?
A budding poet with her sights on accolades at Eisteddfodau? Not quite, although rumour has it she enrolled in Cynghanedd classes for a while but work took over.

The thing is, she's a bit of a legend in her own right in Carmarthen town.

Let's take a look into her world more closely.

This lady is  well versed in the finer things of life. Hand crafted shoes for her  tiny feet (of which she has cupboardfuls) as well as a pied a terre in far distant shores where she escapes with her fiancee, are top of her list in her down time. Long country hikes also rock her boat .Well she works hard in a profession that gives back to society so she deserves time to chill, unwind and partake in a pint of Guinness of an evening -purely for medicinal purposes of course (It's the high iron content y'know) .

Indeed it is not an over statement to say that without people like her, life would be pretty chaotic, painful and miserable.

Her work is both rewarding,yet demanding.

Is she a solicitor ? An accountant perhaps?

Indeed not!

A  G.P. of course !...................

And she's the best there is.
 Her patients call her by her first name,which instantly conjures up that sense of intimacy.Even shy retiring types find themselves divulging their most innermost secrets within the confines of the consulting room, sharing their inside leg measurement within the first 2 minutes. Well you've got to get it all out as fast as you can isn't it. They only give you a 10 minute slot these days mun! And here's the most important talent this amazing woman has - she is the most brilliant linguist. This is SO essential in her line of work because before she diagnoses the ailment, she has to work out what her patients are saying, or not, as the case may be.

Here are just a few she had to diagnose in the last week.

"Well,  I've been terrible  bard, see? I can't walk with my legs .They just went."
Mrs. William's' Rheumatism

'E took an 'ec of  a bonc.'
Dai Jones's Concussion

"Will she  'ave it all taken away, poor dab?'
Mr. Evan's discussing his wife's Hysterectomy

'O doc, I've 'ad the agonies all week."
Geraint Lewis's diarrhoea

' The Measles? It's getting beyond now I'm tellin' ew.'
A mother 's decision to have her child vaccinated .

' I ve 'ad a real bellyful of this now."
Mr. Llewelyn's  Obesity

"I'm full of it."
 Miss. Robert's  Cold


Thank God this Gog went West.Where would this town be without her.

We reckon she justly deserves that Paned o de.

What a woman!

Amser Te Jug

                                                 


                                                                  5. Amser Te Jug


                                         There was a Welsh drama teacher from Bala,
                                         Needing gifts for aunts, cousins and mother
                                         'Twas Nadolig once more,
                                         And with relatives galore
                                         What to buy was an humongous  palaver.


                                        As December drew near,
                                        Carys dreaded with fear,
                                       The big day getting closer and closer.
                                       As the days grew shorter,
                                        Her list grew longer....
                                        17?!!!!... she MUST keep her composure.


                                         On the last day of school,
                                         At her desk with a rule,
                                         She still had no clue what to buy.
                                         Then,the light bulb came on,
                                         Leapt up, yelled "BODLON"
                                         As she pictured it in her mind's eye.

                                   
                                           Without further ado,
                                           Off down Blue Street she flew,
                                           And entered the shop with a smile.
                                          "Give me 17 of those,
                                           To get rid of my woes.
                                           I'll be packing those Welsh beauties for a while."


                                            17 jugs later,
                                            She ran out of paper,
                                            While her sweet smiling face was a fluster.
                                            With her blonde elfin crop
                                            She had shopped til she dropped
                                            With all the strength in her body she could muster.


                                            Up with the dawn,
                                            On Christmas day morn,
                                            She worried her choice was the right one.
                                            She needn't have feared
                                            Old Sion Corn with his beard
                                            Would have picked just the same as she'd done.


                                            In the homes of Cymru,
                                            It was obvious to see,
                                            Bodlon made one and all contented.
                                            A little gem found with care
                                            Is the Welsh Ladies Amser Te.........
                                           And Ein teulu got what they wanted ......(including Carys. )

Handmade cotton string balls.

     

                                                     4. Handmade Cotton String Lighting

The Pontcanna set are feeling pretty smug. Voted one of the top 10 places to live in the U.K. in the Sunday Times 2013 guide, Pontcannarites have been enjoying the fare of sumptuous eateries - Bullys, Oscars and Fish at 85, as well as cool pubs with a retro vibe such as the New Conway, for quite some time.
What the Times failed to mention however is their best kept secret in this leafy green suburb of Cardiff- their very own Welsh 'Elton and David"aka Dylan and Glyn. Like their English counterparts, D and G as they are known locally, KNOW how to put on a party.
'See you at D and G's."
'You Have to be at D and G's.'
' What! You haven't got an invite to D and G's?' is the general chat on the streets weeks before the big night.
The venue?
Their uber cool, sophisticated,converted loft apartment in a leafy tree lined side street off Cathedral Road, with roof top views of the Millennium Stadium.
And the parties?
What can one say?
Quite simply.
Legendary.

By day, Dylan coiffures chewed, matted messes into divine creations on the Bay.
'My God dahling! You haven't been seen out looking like THAT have you?"
Within 2 hours of Dylan working his magic, his client's finished do draws gasps from admirers as she leaves the salon knowing she has been fortunate enough to have Dylan's talented fingers touch her scalp.

And this is key for D.

It's all about  - Making an Entrance,

                                     'This isn't a dress rehearsal dahling....so LIVE it!'

It seemed only fitting then that D and G, when planning their latest annual summer bash for the Pontcanna glitterati should look to Bodlon for inspiration. The theme? A loved up nostalgic seventies vibe, platform shoes and hipster flares, flowing coloured silks and a Boho feel, with a definitive air of Lauren Hutton sophistication.
A week before the big event, the boys enjoy a Sunday of domestic bliss. After taking pug Mr. Darcy once round the block in Llandaff fields, Glyn finds the mini iPad and taps on his play list. The Sonos system Dylan bought him for their 5th Anniversary last year is his fave gadget of the moment.Sister Sledge's 'We are Family' plays throughout the apartment. Glyn rolls up his sleeves, puts on his Melys Mows Mwy( Sweet Give Me More) Apron from Bodlon and begins creating his own heavenly mouthwatering offerings to test out before the event. Dylan meanwhile pours then both a glass of Tattinger and begins browsing Bodlon online on his retina display Mac at his desk, while perched on his walnut Robin Day Chair.
Within minutes D is heard to exclaim,

                    'That's it Gee! I've found the very thing to give this gig pizzazz!'

After all the preparation and hard work, the night of all nights finally arrives with a dazzling array of guests making their way to the event of the season.It makes the Oscars look positively lame. As the two fashionistas greet their guests to Abba's Dancing Queen amidst a cornucopia of coloured lighting, G turns to D doe eyed and gushes,

"Oh! Dylan! Your balls are AMAAAAAZZZZING!!!!!!!

Cue Bowie  'The Boys Keep Swinging."

Let the show begin.

Hultquist heart shaped silver Bracelet with black cord

3.Hultquist heart shaped silver Bracelet with black cord bracelet

Hultquist girl oozes style from the minute she falls out of bed in the morning in her Toast cream and grey  flannel pj's. Her tousled, jet coloured mane hides her porcelain skin and delicate features as she sits sipping chamomile tea, her fragile elbows resting on the rustic oak worktop next to the Aga. Her slate grey eyes have a faraway stare. She lives at boarding school in term time, 'neath the dreaming spires of the leafy suburbs of North Oxford. Daddy works abroad while Mummy holds the fort at home.Though born in England, she sees herself fiercely Celtic - Welsh to be precise on account of a Welsh mother. Besides holidays are spent in the homeland. Her choice of jewellery appeals to her Bohemian Celtic heritage, despite the jewellery's Nordic background. This is of no consequence to Hultquist girl. The jewellery is timeless,unique,Boho, transcending borders of time and place.Her Heart and Black Cord Bracelet is just perfect for this Welsh exile beauty when roaming the deserted West Wales beaches or the 'Heron priested shore' waiting for her Bard to share philosophical discussions in ancient castles by day and cosy log fired pubs at night. To this end, she applies for a place at Aber to read Philosophy and Religious studies. While there, she'll attend Welsh conversation evening classes with her Welsh beau,who will propose to her after three days and marry her within a week of her graduation. They'll live happily ever after of course -the stuff of fairytales do come true for the Hultquist - Bodlon girl.

BB Bear

                                                              2.Welsh speaking Teddy
Calling all Welsh Mammys!
This is the definitive gadget to get ahead for the Welsh helicopter parent.
Elsewhere in the U.K. enrolling little Flora and Hugo into Mandarin class cannot come soon enough, but for  Welsh speaking educated Mammys, this Welsh speaking Teddy hits all the right buttons.
Designed by a fellow Celt, Irishman Adrian Devane from Moycullen , Co. Galway, this cuddly teddy reinforces the mother tongue to little  Esyllt, Mali ,Jac and Ioan with 33 familiar words in Welsh. While little Esyllt is learning to count to ten with Teddy's help, Welsh Mammy Ffion, a costume designer in her former life is now happily married to her graphic designer husband while up to her elbows in dirty nappies. School runs occupy her most days while she surfs the net before bed coveting the Lolfa( lounge) Sofa in Charcoal Grey from Attic 2. A loyal Joseph fan, no other shoe except Jon Ian will grace her petite feet. It's just as well then she's just finished renovating the family home in Cowbridge, the cultural and shopping centre of the universe - well , if you live in SouthWales anyway. It allows Welsh Mammy  to window shop in Cowbridge High Street  before popping in to Daisy and Jack's Emporium to make sure she hasn't missed out on the latest designer outfit that every well dressed one year old is wearing and spend some serious money.
 But, any Welsh speaking Teddy assigned to this family BEWARE!  He'll have  his work cut out, finding time to fit into this busy toddler's punishing schedule. Every waking hour is accounted for because it is never too soon to get ahead. In fact, Jac fach's Mammy had enrolled him into rugby classes the week before he was born. Well you didn't expect football did you? This IS Wales!!

Pobi Bodlon Bakes

                                                        
                                                           1. Pobi Bodlon Bakes

At last! A simply superb concoction of traditional Welsh recipes to rival any Mary Berry basic. These little Pobi (Bakes) take all the stress and effort out the preparation of home baking. Beautifully packaged, their appeal is attracting a growing eclectic mix.

Our first fan hails from Penarth ( pronounced P'naarth with a heavy nasal emphasis )a charming Victorian seaside haunt on the south coast next to Cardiff Bay. Actually Beti wasn't born here but moved when husband Idris  finished his 45 year stint with Barclays with a gold Omega and handshake in the days when they knew how to give you a good send off. Idris had always been a suit and tie man, but he was making the house look increasingly untidy these days with his growing attachment to green and brown cardis from Marks. If she wanted him fiddling about with the tomatoes in the greenhouse he was happy to oblige. Beti had things to do, hairdressers appointments to keep, pedicures to attend and a round of golf wouldn't go amiss. He always got under her feet if he was fiddling about in the house making a mess. He was better off outside with the corgi. The second Thursday of every month is a time when Idris keeps well clear as it is especially important for the house to be 'tidy' because this is the day Rev. Ifans calls for tea. He's particularly partial to Bara Brith - Beti's Bara Brith to be precise. While Rev. Ifans showers compliments in Beti's direction " there's moist and tasty isn't it ", he smacks his lips together savouring every morsel. Mari and Menna from Merched y Wawr ( The welsh version of the Women's Institute) look on with envy as they sip Earl Grey from Beti's deceased mother's pink and gold bone china tea cups. Beti smiles modestly, her Chanel red lipstick her daughter bought for Christmas 2000 feathering on her upper lip in the heat. This Ruth Madoc lookalike shifts uneasily in her champagne slipper chair in the front parlour.
As the grandfather clock tick- tocks reassuringly in the hall, Pobi sits silently and solidly on the black granite worktop in the kitchen, quietly confident in the knowledge that it's done a superb job in keeping Beti's cooking reputation intact.