Sandcastles

SANDCASTLES great fun aren't they. I remember the ones I used to build when I was a kid, we'd dig a crater with thick steep sides all around making anyone standing inside feel as safe as houses. Sometimes i'd be competing with a few friends to see how long my construction could withstand the incoming tide before making an immediate retreat one the walls begin to collapse inward. Those were the days hey.

Deganwy is renound for it's Sandcastles so i'm told... sand grains will not stick together unless the sand is reasonably fine, the ideal ratio is eight parts dry sand to one part water. When the sand dries out or gets wet, the shape of a structure may change, and landslides can happen...

A spot of Bird Watching

AFTER WATCHING our neighbouring seagulls and their new chicks for the past few weeks or so from the distance of our bedroom window, me and my partner decided we wanted to get a closer look so we popped down to the shop and purchased a National Geographic telescope with variable zoom options. The detail is absolutely amazing, it's like watching our very own nature programme. The mother is constantly back and forth regurgitating its stomach contents to feed the 3 hungry little chicks who seem to have inexhaustible appetites, one of the chicks is smaller than the other two which poses questions to us whether it will survive full term to flight and be able to fend for itself. I shall let you know how they get on.

All Aboard 'The Pride of Llandudno' Route 1

Photographs (c) Llandudno Local

Photographs (c) Llandudno Local

WELL i've had a very enjoyable day so far, not only did I have the kind privilege of being invited to attend the launch of Arriva's new bus service, I also got best seat up front too!

Theres a new bus in town! The 'Pride of Llandudno' Route No.1 will run every hour from 28th June to 6th September from Llandudno's North shore. So what's all the fuss about? It is the only 'open top' tour service that covers Llandudno, Conwy AND the Great Orme's magnificent Marine Drive, so now you can sit back and enjoy some of the best sights in North Wales from the elevated height of the double-decker open top roof. The full tour takes approximately 2 hours and packed with audible commentary, and you can hop-on and hop-off as much as you like en-route.

Fare prices are £7 for adults, £3.50 for children, with a family saver option. Senior citizens £5, and free for local senior pass holders with terms.

Anwyl Breached Conditions of Planning Approval

The now demolished Pen Morfa

The following response from John Lawson-Reay, local historian and conservationist after reading recent news on the Llandudno Local regarding the future of the Pen Morfa site.

"This is something I knew this would happen. Anwyl are in clear breach of the conditions of the planning approval and was required to only demolish Penmorfa when contracts for the re-development had been signed and sealed along with the necessary funding. The fact is that Mr Detheridge, the former head of planning, after he left CCBC became a director of Anwyl as I understand it. He would know that the CCBC planning department would not get into an enforcement row because it would give them extra work and might cost money. This is the excuse that they always give. The fact that CCBC have £57 million in the reserves does not count! It is an absolute disgrace. The Pier Pavilion site, 14 years after the fire, is a national scandal. While CCBC have been able to find the funding for the Arena and extension to the theatre plus build a swimming pool it shows that they do not have the right priorities."

We're Almost There

Homemade Black Cherry and Almond Tart with Homemade Panacotta.
(Full recipe/how to in the upcoming Mag!)

FIRSTLY apologies to my loyal readers for the lateness of the current issue of the Local magazine. It has presented a tremendous challenge this time round and it is very much a learning curve at the same time. The magazine is projected to be somewhere in the region of 40-pages, the increase in size is part of the setback and i've had many sleepless nights playing catchup and devising a new schedule for the issue to follow thereafter so that it runs as sweet as a nut. It is a complete change from the previous newsletter, and the new format is quite refreshing.

It's a real community effort with local people doing their bit for the mag. Local business couple Emma & Mark Baravelli (The Little Deli) are featured residents of our new Food & Drink section and have prepared this Homemade Black Cherry & Almond Tart served with Homemade Welsh Honey and Vanilla Panacotta, this has to be the best perk of the job yet and I got the full joy of devouring it all in front of them both, the verdict, top marks 10/10, folks try this one at home! I've never really liked Honey or Blackcherries, but everything Emma seems to make, I somehow end up liking, they practically convert me everytime, if they do read this, I challenge them to my fear of mushrooms!

Likewise we have local celebrity TV/Radio chef Peter Osborne doing the main course, some great features, then there's the puzzles and games and prizes too!

Further announcements to follow for the Llandudno Local magazine, it's not too late to place an ad or send something in!

Once again, a big thanks to Emma & Mark & Peter with the Food & Drink section! Look out for it!