Alice in Wonderland Jam Tart Eating Contest

One set of school children on their way to take part in the party

You might be wondering about the title but Llandudno has links with Alice Liddell who is believed to have inspired the Alice in Wonderland Story. It is thought  that Lewis Caroll stayed with the Lidell family who had a holiday home here.
To celebrate the 160th anniversary of Alice Lidell's birth a  jam tart eating event was  organised to be held on the Promenade at Llandudno  in the hope that over a 1000 school children would help to create a Jam Tart Eating Record!

 Drama students in full costume were mingling with the crowds to add to the party theme and atmosphere.



Hundreds of school children are seated around he many tables having their pack lunch as they await the arrival of this year's Miss Alice. It will be interesting to find out if there are 1000 and if they have created a world record

Could this be the mad hatter and doormouse looking on?

Drama student mingling amongst the children

Lots of children made hats

Not quite sure how a Darlek fits in but the children enjoy having it there

Miss Alice arrives accompanied by the rousing music ofThe Llandudno Town Band

The town band were playing Alice in Wonderland themed music

In order to protect the picnicing children from marauding seagulls ( There is a real problem with seagulls in the town as visitors feed them, even though they are not supposed to  and so this then encourages them to pester anybody trying to eat outside. The gulls not only scare visitors but can also cause injury.)organisers arranged for the birds of prey from Coastal Hawks to be paraded on the promenade.

These birds and their keepers always attract a lot of attention and interest. They have been used further up the coast in Rhyl to keep seagulls at bay. and proved very successfull at this event the children were able to enjoy their picnic without being bombarded.

Conwy Mussel Men At Work

 On my way back from the Seed Fayre as I was crossing the bridge over the river I noticed that the  Conwy mussel men ( are they called  fishermen ? I must look to see if there is a special name for them.) were hard at work on a pontoon in the middle of the river.

 Having mannually raked the mussels up ( the traditional way of gathering the mussels) from the mussel beds in the estuary, they are then transported to the pontoon where they are sorted ready to be taken to the small cleaning plant on the quayside, which is the white building next to the tower on the quayside in the photo above. It is possible to buy the fresh  mussels from here

This is the view out towards the estuary where the mussel beds are found. The Great Orme can be seen in the background to the right.
 The coastal foot / cycle path follows the coast line all the way from Llandudno to Conwy and makes a really scenic walk.

Conwy Seed Fayre

 Last Monday Conwy was bustling as it was the annual Seed Fayre. The weather was glorious so the streets were already busy at 9am. There were plenty of plant and flower stalls with a super selection..........perhaps too good as I really had to refrain from buying lots more plants. There were also craft, cake, vegetable, honey and jam stalls.

 This stall was also selling some lovely old gardening tools

 This stall sells so many different types of seeds all in labled brown envelopes.......  no mass produced packets to be seen. There are also all types of onion sets, potatoes and then veg plant and berry bushes

So much choice and such a lovely environment to be buying rather than the usual places

Snow reaches the mountains.

 Having had a busy weekend trade has completely dropped off again so after getting the house back in order it was time to take a break and get some fresh air.
 The temperature has definitely dropped and the proof is in the snow clad mountains. The picture to the right is taken from the end of the pier. It was really bracing at the end of the pier, so bracing it brought tears to my eyes!

This view was taken from one of the many elevated footpaths towards the hotels lining the promenade.Again you can see the snow capped higher mountains behind Conwy Mountain.






As I progressed along 'invalid's walk' I took some more photos. The first taken over the roof tops towards Conwy Mountain. The second picture shows how many sand banks are in the estuary. The tide in this area moves very quickly. Soon the safety/ rescue raft will be anchored out on one of the banks.Tourists can be caught out thinking they have plenty time to get back to shore little realising that they are swiftly being surrounded by the sea.

 

Message on a wall

 I wanted to share this message I found incorporated in a garden wall as I think it rings very true.
 When I worked in a day unit for the elderly with mental health problems it could prove to be very emotionally draining. On returning home I would make myself a cuppa  and then wander around my garden to help me unwind. It always had a soothing effect and helped put life back in perspective.

A wonderful message set amongst the cascades of aubretia

This aubretia has been flowering since January                     

 Here in Llandudno especially at this time of year I still enjoy wandering around my garden spotting which plants are pushing their way through the earth and which shrubs or climbers are beginning to show signs of re growth. Yesterday while tidying up I caught a glimpse of purple and discovered when I cut back some old foliage a beautiful Iris. Close by the first Tete a Tetes are beginning to brighten up the dull winter colours of the garden. I really like this time of year as each day new life is emerging in the garden.

 

Last Sunday the Nick Beer 10k Race took place.( www.nwrrc.co.uk ) This is a road race run around The Great Orme and then along the promenade organised by the North Wales Road Runners Club. Quite a spectacular route, whether the runners can appreciate any of it in I'm not too sure!! On my way to The Orme for a Sunday walk I stopped to chat to one of the stewards. Apparently last year the limit of 700 entrants meant that many would be runners were disappointed. This year the number of entrants was increased to 1000 and the steward knew that over 800 had already enrolled. The race started at noon. As we talked the 'time' car appeared showing 25minutes 4 seconds with the lead runner Rob Samuel following just behind.

Rob Samuel

                                   

Rob finished the race in 30 minutes 35 seconds. Soon there were plenty more runners pounding their way up Abbey Road

I continued with my walk and was able to photograph the last of the runners coming down the west side of the Orme with the ambulance following the very last competitor

Still looking happy with some way to go

Last competitor

Halfway marker, mostly down hill from here

 

 

 

 

Here at Lymehurst it has been quite quiet which I suppose is to be expected at this time of year. During this lull I have finally had the last of the inter connected smoke alarms fitted. Sod's Law, I then got a booking for the very same day. The guests were understanding as I had said they could drop their things off hours before the actual check in time. It's amazing how different the rules, are when you offer accommodation above the first floor, even if you only have one guest bedroom on the second floor and only have an absolute maximum of 6 guests at any one time usually more likely to be 4. Initially I did wonder if it was worthwhile all the expense but as I have come so far and started to build up a list of returning guests and recommendations. I thought I'd plough on.
 Walks are definitely my therapy in times of difficulty (and you'll notice in my blog that there have been plenty!!) and thankfully they are free and from Lymehurst I have plenty spectacular ones to choose from.
The weather has been changeable again On Wednesday I was sitting on the the break water wall with my sister gazing over to the mountains and Anglesey in brilliant sunshine yet yesterday it was damp, misty and bitterly cold. Who knows what will come next.