Where Rivers Meet – the Story behind the book

My last book launched in May 2019 and since then I have had a number of readers contact me to ask where the small village is and is there an actual mine? So I’ve decided to write a short blog on the story behind the book.

Where Rivers Meet is set in a small Welsh village called, Beddgelert in the Gwynydd county of Wales. It became famous in the 19^th century following the story of a hound named, Gelert, who saved his prince’s baby from a wolf attack, but the prince thought the dog had killed his son, and slay it, before finding his child safe and sound. In his misery he erected a grave for his beloved pet and re-named the area. It is now believed that the village was named after an early saint called, Celert.

Sadly, a fable thought up by a local hotel owner to increase Victorian tourism; and it worked, even to this day! With the help of the stone and slate built houses and historic homes, to a stunning location in a valley with a river and award-winning ice-cream! This village is heaving during the summer months.

I prefer to visit during the winter months. It is quieter, and easier to reflect on my surroundings. The mountain that looks like an earth goddess lying down, against the backdrop of an ever changing sky. The array of trees that spread their moss covered roots in all directions to create a carpet of green above and on top of the earth. The gurgling of the water, that in the winter becomes a torrent of energy as it surges forever onwards over rock and fallen tree trunks. The breath-taking walks above the valley, following the footsteps of the miners who worked this mountain, leaving behind remnants of their hopes and dreams.

Sygun Copper mine is real. It was finally abandoned in 1903 and was bought by a family in the 1980’s who renovated some of the tunnels to allow access. It is a self-guided tour with audio at various locations.

I have been inside about half a dozen times; twice for research purposes. I loved it! I sensed a few spirits within the mines and caught many ‘orbs’.

https://www.syguncoppermine.co.uk/index.php

Readers have asked me about the title of the book. I chose it as it represented both the story of two people madly in love coming together, and the two rivers that actually do meet within the village, the river, Colwyn and the river, Glaslyn. When I first saw them merging, I thought about how it was an inevitable action; just like this love affair.