1) Taking part in the St David’s Day Eisteddfod at school. Introducing you to serious competition from a young age, the ultimate accolade was to be crowned Bard.
2) Building at least one of the following: a model giant leek, daffodil, dragon or castle with working moat. All for the Eisteddfod model-making competition, of course.
3) Dressing up for St David’s Day. Looking back, it does seem a bit odd that girls wore traditional bonnets, aprons and skirts, while the boys wore Welsh rugby shirts. We rocked it though....
4) Watching S4C as part of your Welsh lessons in school. Particularly if your teacher didn't actually speak Welsh but somehow needed to impart this knowledge into their pupils.
5) Going on school trips to other parts of Wales. It was rare that you crossed the border (except a gallivant to Bristol Zoo if you were lucky!). But absolutely everyone had been to Llangrannog and/or Techniquest.
6) Visiting the Big Pit. You're not a proper Welshie unless you've been down a mine, after all.
7) Your first ‘big’ rollercoaster being Megafobia at Oakwood. Which at the time you thought was CRAZY (this was before you'd ever visited Alton Towers).
8) Going on a family outing to Snowdon…. And your mum insisting on getting the train up.
9) …And a family holiday to Tenby or Anglesey. Wales has some gorgeous coastal spots.
10) Knowing it was compulsory to be excited about rugby. Even before you fully knew the rules you understood that rugby was a big deal.
11) Loving SuperTed, Fireman Sam and Ivor the Engine. Wales used to be THE place for kids TV (and Byker, of course).
12) Eating your own bodyweight in Welsh cakes. Those things are so more-ish.
13) Learning how to say 'Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch'. Or at least, trying.
(All pics: Getty)
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