Conwy Pirate Weekend 2013

        After the success of last year's Pirate Weekend another was planned for this year. Even the horrendous weather on Saturday couldn't dampen the festivities. Visitors came flocking to Conwy, many in Pirate costume. My sister who lives there said it was a very intersting walk into town, seeing so many visitors in costumes heading down to the Quay.  I couldn't go over as I was expecting guests. On Sunday once my guests left, it was down with the cleaning gear and off to join the fun.
As you'll see from the photos there was a battle enactment, sea shanties being sung,belly dancing, historical stalls, birds of prey, walking the plank, stocks etc.
                                                                                              

Protecting the quay from invading pirates

Pirate ship firing back

Preparing to fire

Stocks for the naughty people

Telescope at the ready to spot any pirates

Talks about food and drink of the time

Weaponary display

How the pirates foungd their way around

Record Crowds Come to The Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

The Llandudno Victorian  Extravaganza and Transport Festival were held over the Bank Holiday weekend here in Llandudno.  Wonderful sunny weather encouraged record crowds to visit Llandudno. This is the biggest yearly event to be held in llandudno and is the one time that accommodation providers are guaranteed to be full. The main streets are closed off and filled with both old and new fair ground rides and stalls.Many people get dressed up in Victorian costumes to parade through the town along with bands, traction engines and old vehicles.

The main street is closed off and is filled with fair ground rides both old and new

A traditional entertainer gathered quite a crowd

Lots of people dressed in Victorain costumes

One of the several bands in the parade

Playing the barrel organ

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All the family join in

Colour co ordinated cuople

The start of Spring?

Since the 21st business has gone quiet and with another 3 night cancellation  at the end of the month I began to feel rather pesimistic about this year. The positive side (you always have to look for that!) is that I've been able to get out into the garden and am in the process of re doing the front borders. Rather than rush out and buy new plants I've been dividing, taking cuttings moving and swapping plants....amazing what you're able to accomplish doing it this way and most importantly it saves money.
Since we've had some warm weather the bluebells are appearing as well as other plants suddenly bursting into life  It's like they have been stuck under ground for so long this year that they are desperate to grow as fast as possible now to make up for lost time.

Blue bell in the back garden adding a splash of colour

 Two & three headed tete a tetes

I love Bleeding Hearts as they remind me of when I lived on an island off the coast of Finland. The farmers wife always had these in her garden

The intensity of this  colour is almost unrealistic. I'm always so pleased when I actually manage to grow these anenomes