Anglesey

We drove up to Anglesey taking the long route via Llangollen.  We stopped for a delicious lunch at The Corn Mill - an 18th century corn mill beside the swiftly flowing Dee, with gorgeous views on to the river.

LL20 8PN http://www.cornmill-llangollen.co.uk/

Thursday
We woke to great excitement as my phone was ringing - Emmie had left Hayley's and was on her way.

Waiting for Emmie.
Alun, Gemma and Emmie arrived at lunchtime and, after lunch at the Golf Club, Alun went for a little sleep because he had been flying the previous night..So Gemma, Phil, Emmie in her Bugaboo, and I walked into Beaumaris to see the picturebook castle built by King Edward with it's coastal views to the mountains of Snowdonia.  We then bought some Welsh cakes for afternoon tea.  Suitably refreshed Alun and I then took Emmie for a swim in the pool at Henylls.

Friday
Drove to Portmeirion via Beddgebert through the picturesque Pass of Aberglaslyn (A4085).
Portmeirion is something of an architectural wonderland - Moorish arches, Italianate domes, Palladian-style cottages, an 18th century Bath House colonnade, fountains, heroic statues and beautiful gardens.  Emmie
seemed to enjoy it and many people also stopped to admire Emmie in her strawberry hat.  She blended in perfectly.

 Enjoyed Welsh fillet beef in the evening.

Saturday
We made our way to Penmon, parking at the priory, and walking the mile or so to the pebble beach.  Penmon is a special place - it has an atmosphere about it that is difficult to put into words.  The sight of Puffin Island crouching in the sea temptingly within reach and the sound of the lighthouse bell as it drops it's deep and heavy chimes into the air.

We left Penmon behind and intended to drive by way of the 'top table' to Red Wharf Bay but we got lost in the narrow lanes.  However, we did see Will in his yellow helicopter as he flew very low over us - at least we thought it was Will.  After a slight detour we found Red Wharf Bay and had a lovely lunch at The Ship Inn
LL75 8RJ http://www.shipinnredwharfbay.co.uk/ with it's vast sea and sand views.
On the way home we stopped at Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.
Welsh Mountain Rack of Lamb tonight plus Double Chocolate Tiramisu.  Gemma wanted the recipe:-
So simple to make.
4 chocolate muffins, thickly sliced
100ml strong coffee, cooled
100ml Tia Maria
2 x 250g tubs mascarpone cheese
200ml single cream
Chocolate flake

Place the muffin slices in the base of a 1 litre deep dish.  Drizzle over strong coffee and Tia Maria.
Beat single cream into the mascarpone.  Spoon over the soaked sponge and level the surface.
Scatter over  chocolate flake and chill for 2 hours or overnight in the fridge.
Per serving cals.  Don't ask!

Sunday
On Sunday, unfortunately, Alun, Gemma and Emmie had to leave.  Very quiet.  Watched the Rugby World Cup - not so quiet.  Then Grand Prix.  Lovely lunch at Henylls, Harry's, restaurant.

Monday
Very windy day, remnants of a hurricane.  Drove to Bodnant Gardens but it was closed because of 45 mph winds.  Instead, we visited Conwy.  The town's setting is idyllic with it's bustling quay dangling it's toes in the gorgeous Conwy Estuary, framed by the brooding mountains of Snowdonia.  It's a place of rare magic and atmosphere.  Conwy's castle dominates the town.

This ancient city still has it's complete medieval walls and we had a pleasant, if windy, stroll along the ramparts.

 There are three remarkable bridges crossing the river, including the Conwy Suspension Bridge, designed and built by Thomas Telford in 1826.

  We walked along the quay passed the smallest house in Britain, a mere 6 feet wide and 10 feet high.

Also visited Aberconwy House, 14th centruy merchant's house within the walled town.  An excellent couple in charge delighted in telling us Conwy's complete history!
We then drove about 2 miles through some very pretty scenery to The Groes Inn LL32 8TN http://www.groesinn.com/ and stopped for another delicious lunch.  The Groes Inn was the first licensed house in Wales (1573) and is splendidly old-fashioned, with rambling bars, nooks and crannies and low beams and doorways.  Lovely mountain views from the conservatory.

Tuesday
Visited Plas Newydd.  Home of the Marquess of Anglesey.
Wonderful painting by Rex Whistler.  If you visit study Neptune's wet footmarks in the large painting.  They follow you around the room, as does the small rowing boat.  Brilliant.

Wednesday

Our cottage in Anglesey:-

We drank in the sight of the valleys and mountains and thought how lucky we were to know such a place as we made our way home.

The Beach House

  Before and after photos:-

guest bedroom

guest bathroom

master bedroom

and en suite

dining room

lounge

downstairs cloakroom

We really enjoy walking on the coast and in the New Forest.  The other day we startled a young stag and he just froze like a statue.  We also got lost in the Forest just like Hansel and Gretal which was quite worrying.  Phil always carries a compass now.

Phil being artistic in Keyhaven:-

tide out

tide in

and kite-surfing in Keyhaven!!!!

We then tackled the garden:-

Our favourite activity is to visit Emmie though.

Paella

 Dinner with Alan and Janet

One of the great dishes of the summer - it poured all day!

To see my recipe, click here.

Sa Taulera

My birthday.  Woke to a glorious sunny day in Majorca and had breakfast with the family on the specially birthday decorated terrace.  Opened so many cards and presents.  Thank you and a special thank you to Caroline for creating this blog present for me.

For my birthday lunch we drove from Puigpunyent to Sant Elm along  dramatic narrow twisting roads through Mallorca's mountain scenery of olive groves in the shadow of Puig de Galatzo.  The babies were not fazed by the exciting drive but I think some of the adults were suffering by the time we arrived at St. Elm.  Well done drivers Alun and Simon.  Driving a large transport van along these roads take some nerve.

St. Elm was bustling with lots of boats in the beautiful blue bay.  A wonderful sight.

We had the best seafood paella, complete with lobster, at Na Caragola, which occupies a prime spot with a fine terrace affording views across to Sa Dragonera.

What a super birthday.


Another sunny warm day spent by and in the pool with Emmie.

Visited the beach at Palma Nova.  It was a good base for a family day out occupying a prime position on the western side of Palma bay.  More restrained than Magaluf, less exclusive than Portals Nous, which we did visit though just to see how rich some  people ae with their very large yachts.  When we tired of the sand and lilos we returned to a lovely barbeque at the villa.  The boys doing the shopping and cooki

Underwater photography session today.

Boarded the tram 'Orange Express' from Soller to Port Soller at a little station above the main square of Soller  (ex San Francisco 1930s rolling stock).  Alun, Simon and Fabio stood on a platform and waved to us as the tram with Emmie and Katie on board clattered thro' and then carried on thro' back gardens and orchards to the beautiful bay full of boats.

 

Messing about on the broads

If there's one place that's synonymous with boat-messing, it's the Broads. The words of a certain Rat come to mind:

"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

So we packed the picnic basket, grabbed the suncream (and, to be on the safe side, a towel) and headed to Martham Boats. In our opinion the only thing spoiling the atmosphere (and scaring away the wild life) is that endless chugging of an engine. So we ditched it and did the Broads the old-fashioned way, under sail in a half decker.

We were given no instructions except turn left, then right and you'll be fine on Hickling Broad in a broad Norfolk accent from the boatkeeper.

Our boat was called Jaylene - an open boat with just a small compartment in the fore of the boat and another small compartment at the stern. She was over 22 foot long with what seemed to be an extraordinarily large gunter rigged main sail and a tiny jib. 

So there we were sailing away with no idea were we were going! But perhaps that is the best way to travel!

Sailing on the Broads holds many delights - the reed beds that line the side of the waterway or the trees, the glimpse of a church in the distance and the heron that stands aloof.   

On the water we admired the many beautiful traditional sailing craft and despised the ugly functional motorboats. There is something quite exhilarating and satisfying about using the wind alone to propel oneself through the water.  

Sailing boats give the impression of being organic because they work with nature rather than attempt to control nature via brutish engines.  

Our little boat had no motor to get us out of trouble or to speed us to our home berth, but relied entirely on the wind and our ability to handle the sails to get where we wanted. Would we ever get back though?

There were many highlights of the sail, some of them unplanned. We managed to crash into the reeds on a turn and bits of foliage decorated the boat for a while.

Jaylene seemed to take it all in her stride. We also managed to run aground twice, once near a beach, and on a reed bed when Phil mis-timed a tack and the wind blew us firmly onto the vegetation. We managed to extricate ourselves though with brute force and paddles.

When the wind picked up the old gal would lift her skirts and run and in the stiff breeze she was an exhilarating sail. We managed to sail her directly on to a mooring for a delightful picnic with only a grass snake and black swan for company.

                                                                              

We then retraced our steps down the narrow part of the Broad, turned around and had a second go, which earlier in the day had almost defeated us. We had learned that Jalyene had the advantage of being able to turn tightly through a tack.  

This time it was easy. There is something very satisfying about being able to sail with skill and precision in close quarters. 

We eventually returned to the boatyard where we sailed straight on to the mooring and packed her up tight for the night.

On the way home to Barnham Broom we reflected on what a super day we had had and wondered who would be sailing Jaylene the following day. The trouble with boats is that you can get very attached to them, especially if you've had a super sail!