Belonging

After humble beginnings in the Dulais Valley, newly married Patricia James leaves everything she knows to move to another continent. Describing life first in Libya then Ghana, Belonging gives a glimpse into expatriate life in the mid-sixties.

Through a lens of lifelong affection, Patricia James recounts her cosmopolitan early years bringing up children in Africa, feeding crocodiles, dealing with snakes and bugs, and the lasting impact of friendships and people. But when the Sixties come to a close and hiraeth calls, finding home starts again – this time, leading to deepest Powys.

Back in Wales, she continues her full and adventurous life, becoming part of a renowned textile company and even mingling with royalty, while tackling the highs and lows of building a house and fitting into a new community. This down-to-earth and absorbing memoir reveals an extraordinary and intrepid life full of love, friendship and travel spanning over eight decades.