#anglesey hotels

[dansnaturepictures]

My Great British Wild Year: Part 5 of 5-Landscapes

From the flat fens to the monumental mountains of the Cairngorms, Eryri and more a type of landscape I dream of being in and taking in, both in early spring with snow-capped peaks and hot summer days; I have been captivated by phenomenal landscapes I’ve been lucky to see this year. The place that truly owns my heart, sheer-cliff and otherwise coast played a strong role in my year too. I also enjoyed taking in heathland especially loving the purple New Forest heaths this summer, river, lakes, the endless lochs something quite unique to my year which I got to enjoy more than ever on the Scotland trip with gushing rivers coming down from above key scenes of my year too, wetland, woodland and rich and vibrant meadows. The landscape sparkled in its coat of blossom in spring I particularly had a standout May for blossom, and when the endless days of emerald finery finally ceased I was hooked on the plethora of rich colours and shades as the autumn leaves display arrived. Of course I have loved observing and photographing many sunsets and glorious sky scenes this year again, from those cosy winter sunsets whilst out at weekends to spectacular summer shows at home. It was a pleasure to see and photograph rainbows and many special full moons and other moons this year.

In this photoset are ten of my favourite landscape and sky photos I took in 2023 of/at; sunset in the New Forest in February, Brockholes in Lancashire in April, Ibsley Common in the New Forest in August, autumnal colour at Lakeside Country Park in Hampshire in November, Grass Point on Mull, Troup Head in Aberdeenshire and view from the hotel in Nethy Bridge in the Cairngorms in April and view at RSPB Conwy, the Range at South Stack and RSPB Valley Wetlands on Anglesey featuring water lillies and foxgloves in June.

[jonathanwrotethis]

Shipwrecks, puffins and chip shops

It’s been a long day. My feet hurt. My legs hurt. Ominously, the achilles tendon that flared up while doing a charity run last year has flared up once again. I’ll have to be careful over the coming days and weeks.

So what did we do today?

We made our way to the north-eastern coast of Anglesey this morning, and did a circular walk from Moelfre, taking us first to the remains of an iron age village at Dyn Lligwy, and then on to a memorial where the “Royal Charter” wrecked with the loss of over four hundred lives in the 1800s.

In the afternoon we visited Beaumaris once again - this time to get aboard a sight-seeing boat that would take us out to “Puffin Island”. If you’ve never seen a puffin, they are a curious looking bird in the Awk family - with a short, solid body, small wings, and a distinctly un-aerodynamic shape. They are also quite rare - only inhabiting a few coastal islands around the United Kingdom.

While travelling out to the nature reserve the puffins have settled on in recent decades, we heard about the history of the island, and the lifecycle of the various birds that inhabit it. Some of the stories beggar belief - from a shipwreck landing rats on the island that the RAF had to eventually bomb with rat poison to wipe out, to an idiot landing a number of rabbits on the island - which proliferated into tens of thousands.

The puffins were unexpectedly wonderful. When landing they try to hover - only they can’t - so invariably crash every time they try to land. I watched one almost land wonderfully - only to completely lose control on final approach and fall head-first into the lapping waves below. When it bobbed up you could almost hear it spluttering “I’m fine!, I’m fine!”…

On our return we wandered along the sea-front at Beaumaris and picked out a popular-looking hotel to find some refreshment. While my other half found a table, I wandered in to find the bar.

Oh my word.

I’m not quite sure how I might describe the hotel. I have a good friend that’s a wonderful script-writer - all I could think about afterwards was that she would have thought she had hit gold. Think Fawlty Towers, but on a bigger scale.

While waiting in the queue at the bar - which itself took some finding - an elderly gentleman behind be struck up conversations.

“You’re luck you were not here half an hour ago”.

I glanced at him, questioningly.

“There were six people in the queue half an hour ago, one person serving - slowly - then when somebody came to help, the other buggered off.”

I smiled.

He then turned to the next person in the queue behind him, and recounted the exact same story - that everybody in the queue and all the bar-staff had already heard.

While carrying my drinks away from the bar, I became quite annoyed - that so many people find no greater delight than complaining about anything and everything. So many people find fault, rather than empathy with those they complain about. Right wing conspiracy theorists cause the same frustrations. It’s always about “the man”, and failures perceived through rose-tinted “better in my day” glasses - so rarely empathy or understanding.

Anyway.

Enough with the negativity. I won’t be drawn into their world.

We bought chips on the way home from a traditional chip-shop in the next village to where we’re staying. The staff were friendly, the locals picking up orders were wonderful, and the food was amazing.

Tomorrow is… tomorrow. We’re really not sure how we might share our final day here. Perhaps the weather will decide for us. We’ll see.

[seabreeze2022]

Dublin, Ireland August 2024.

Got the last two seats out of MIA and luckily got two good seats out of CLT to Dublin. Arrived around 04:30 and took a cab to the Marlin Hotel (see above) in South Dublin. Stored our luggage then went walking around town. Hop-On-Hop-Off bus is a no brainer way of getting a feel for the layout of the city while being brain dead after traveling and getting used to a 5 hour time change.

Most buildings downtown are only 3 or 4 floors. Since I don’t think they have elevators. Some are nicely decorated outside with flowers.

This was the most unique and older bridge that cross the river Liffey cutting through town. It is the “Ha’penny bridge” built in 1816. The river Liffey more or less cuts the city in half. We stayed in South Dublin where most of the tourist attractions are. Everything is in easy walking distance.

There is something about SeaHorses locally. Makes a nice lamppost.

This is the “Portal between Dublin and New York city”. It is supposed to be shutdown in about a week (Sept. 2, 2024).

Having a pint in a pub called J.Sheehan’s. Early in the afternoon so pretty quiet. We are dead tired.

note the American flag flying outside an Irish pub. A great invitation for the frequent American tourist to enter. These were common in town. We found out later that where the Americans gather to drink the Gypsies are drawn like moths to a light. Beware the pickpockets!

This is St. Stephens Green.

A few swans in the lake at St. Stephen’ s green.

An interesting ivy covered building across from the green.

The next morning we embarked on the Irish Ferry “Ulysses”, for our trip across the Irish Sea to Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales.

The trip is about 4 hours. Restaurant, bars, gambling all on board. Calm seas and an easy trip. Neil and Beverley Gadsby pick us up in Holyhead.

The bus drives in to the car holding area and picks up the pedestrian passengers such as ourselves. Then it takes us from the ferry to the terminal on land for our luggage and stop by immigration.

[jepsonsholidays]

Luxurious Escapes: Unveiling the Finest Holiday Homes Across the UK

Dreaming of a getaway that exudes elegance, comfort, and style? Look no further than the United Kingdom's array of luxurious holiday homes, where opulence meets relaxation in some of the most stunning destinations. Join us as we embark on a journey to discover the epitome of luxury accommodation, brought to you by Jepsons Holidays.

Luxury Holiday Homes UK: Where Elegance Meets Comfort

Step into a world of sophistication and indulgence with Jepsons Holidays' collection of luxury holiday homes across the UK. From the rugged coastlines of Cornwall to the rolling hills of the Lake District, our handpicked selection of properties promises to elevate your vacation experience to new heights.

Discovering Holiday Parks in North Wales

Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of North Wales lie some of the most prestigious holiday parks in the UK. Whether you're seeking a cozy cottage retreat or a spacious lodge with panoramic views, our holiday parks North Wales offer the perfect blend of luxury and tranquility. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Snowdonia National Park, explore the charming villages of Anglesey, or simply relax and unwind amidst the natural splendor of the Welsh countryside.

Exploring Scotland with Motorhome Hire

For those seeking adventure on the open road, Scotland awaits with its rugged landscapes, historic castles, and vibrant cities. With Jepsons Holidays' Scotland motorhome hire services, you can explore Scotland's beauty at your own pace, all from the comfort of a luxurious motorhome. Whether you're embarking on a scenic road trip through the Highlands or discovering the cultural riches of Edinburgh, our motorhomes provide the perfect home base for your Scottish adventure.

Luxury Motorhomes for Sale: Your Ticket to Freedom

If you're ready to make your vacation dreams a permanent reality, consider investing in one of Jepsons Holidays' luxury motorhomes for sale. With a range of models to choose from, each offering unparalleled comfort and style, our motorhomes allow you to embrace a life of adventure and exploration on your own terms. Say goodbye to cramped hotel rooms and rigid itineraries – with a luxury motorhome, the world is yours to discover.

Plan Your Luxurious Escape with Jepsons Holidays

Ready to experience the epitome of luxury accommodation in the UK? Contact Jepsons Holidays today to learn more about our selection of luxury holiday homes, holiday parks in North Wales, motorhome hire services in Scotland, and luxury motorhomes for sale. Whether you're craving a relaxing retreat in the countryside or an adrenaline-fueled adventure on the open road, we have the perfect solution to fulfill your vacation dreams. Let Jepsons Holidays be your guide to a world of luxury, comfort, and unforgettable experiences across the UK.

[midcenturyfinds]

The Cliff Hotel, Anglesey - 1960s Postcard

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Wednesday 4 December 1839

8 5/..

2 ¼

fine morning – hard frost – F60° on my bedroom table at 9 20/.. – ready at 9 20/.. and breakfast in about ¾ hour  It would seem that R was standing at -18° or 19° I cannot see clearly for the frost on the window about 9 ½ am – after breakfast a moment at Russian grammar and then had Mrs. Howard till 12 5/.. – about what dress to wear at the princess O-‘s birthday and about the carriage etc. Mrs. H- the widow of an English clergyman before she was 18 – has one daughter by him – none by her 2 after husbands – married Mr. Howard in England – never told any Russian she was the widow of an English clergyman – she did not keep a large china shop here – Mr. Camidge not much liked – or his sermons not much liked – Government allows him £200 a year – and about 3000/. collected annually – thought to be proud and high – they say prince R- is going to have 50,000 more peasants  the property of his uncle who had 75,000 – count Panins’ father  if dead only so lately  was not allowed to come here    supposed to have been one of those who strangled Paul  another Mr............ who struck him on the temple with a snuff box – Lord Londonderrys’ book very silly – Mr. Priestley the English optician here has read it, and is of this opinion – Dumuths’ hotel at St. P- the marquis of Anglesey there and bit by bugs – left it and went to Coulons’, but still worse bit – there is also the London hotel at St. P- had just written so far now at 12 20/.. – out at 12 – to chez Mathias about a while for

SH:7/ML/E/23/0144

tomorrow then drove (a long way) to the man then took a ten minutes turn to come tomorrow about the carriage in the Kremlin garden – A- cold – then drove to Mr. Fischers’, and sat 10 minutes with Madame F- begging her to excuse us tomorrow for not being able to go to the university chemical laboratory tomorrow at 11am where the professor (Heimann) promised to explain more fully than had been done before the excellencies of the laboratory – then (it was 2 ¾) drove to the magasin of Mathias in the city – large, very handsome good shop – beautiful white damask silk (damasée) at 10/. per archine – almost decided upon it = 20/. a.x10 = 200/. gros gros (gros de Naples) at 6/. and white gros d’Afrique at 8/. – good satin at 8/. and very fair at 7/. and even at 6/. Russian silks at 2/. (narrow and [sarsinit] like silk – no cotton in it) – then back to Mathias about the dress – she quite advised me against the silk – with the necessary trimming would require 200/. + cost of the silk = 400/. and then too bride-like for anything but a ball – could not dine in it tomorrow – agreed – ordered the Tarentaise (clear muslin) she had shewed me before to be complete, ready for putting on at 12 at noon tomorrow for 140/. – on returning home at 4 ¾ found the card of Madame Ocouloff (1st time) whom we met and played whist with at old countess Panins’ – she left word for us to meet her at the Théatre Française this evening in the Loge du Directeur – to be at count Panins’ at 7pm – then came soon afterwards to know if we should accept the invitation – compliments and yes – dressed – dined at 5 ½ - off at 6 ¼ to princess Orousoff to see her and princess R- and in fact to learn if we were really invited to dinner tomorrow – yes! sat about ¼ hour – princess R- writing – did not see her – then drove to the P-s – went upstairs – countess P- glad to see us, but knew nothing about it – nor did count P- off to the theatre – arrived I suppose about 7 ¾ or later – the 1st piece about 2/3 over good – Droits des femmes – Mr. Walter (all French) played very well – good piquant satine on ladies wearing the breeches – then the tragic little 3 act piece Marie, an esclave, claiming by her master from her husband Mr. de Prevel – very well acted – very pathetic and moving – I expressed my surprise that such a piece should be performed here, in the land of esclaves – then a little farce – well enough – between 2 men – the one roused from his bed by the rapping at the door of the other man whom he takes into his house at 2 at night to his utter disturbance for the rest of the night – Madame O- and her sister there and afterwards came her son – but the husband never appeared – very civil – home at 11 – tea, and had just written so far the whole of this page now at 12 ¼ tonight – R -10° when we returned at 11pm - fine hard frost day – A- finds it very cold – at Russian (Reiffs’ dictionary) till near 2

[martuszewskiphotography]

All photographs above taken in Crescent Gardens, apart of the Anglesey Hotel in Gosport, England where I stayed over the summer.

I recently have begun taking more nature, especially flower photographs. 

Usually I photograph portraits.

Some of the photos above were recently displayed in a Flower Show where I had my own piece.

[quadraphonictypewriter]

Rushing Whispers Part 13/?

Read from the beginning or Part 12

July 6 & 7, 1970 ((approx. 1950 words))

It was early evening when Cameron and I made our way to the bedroom. The English portion of the tour would start tomorrow, followed by our trip over the Channel to France. 

“Run it by me again,” I told Cameron as I changed into a pyjama top. 

“Well,” he accepted, “we’ve got a coach for the road, and should be in hotels most nights. I’d suppose that sometimes we’ll need to sleep on the bus, driving overnight to the next city.” 

“Doesn’t sound that bad.” 

Cameron took his shirt off and tossed it into the laundry basket. “It’s not,” he agreed. “But it will be more bearable this time, with you beside me.” 

A smile spread across my face but before I could kiss him, the phone in the hallway rang.

Cameron left the room and answered on the third ring. Too curious for my own good, I leaned against the bedroom door’s frame and watched him. 

“Evening, Geoff. You’ve got news?” Cameron spoke into the handset. He stretched, his waistband lowered a tad, and saw me watching him. He winked and gave me a sly smile, leaning against the wall. 

‘I wasn’t gonna, but too bad for him,’ I joked to myself. I smiled sweetly at Cameron as he answered whatever Geoff had asked. I walked up to him and put my hand on his waist, kissing his cheek in a swift movement. 

“We’ll be ready, then, it’s no issue,” Cameron told Geoff while smiling at me. 

I lowered my lips, bringing them to his neck. My hands felt warm on his waist and I gently pulled at the belt loops on his jeans. My kisses moved to his chest and soon moved to just above his navel. 

“What are you doing?” he whispered, his hand covering the mouthpiece of the phone. 

I knelt down while looking up at him. “Nothing,” I answered in a quiet voice. Cameron put his head back against the wall as I continued to bring my kisses lower. 

“Won’t be a problem, Geoff,” he said into the phone. I could hear the slightest quiver of his voice as he spoke. My hands unbuttoned his jeans and I lowered the zipper before tugging both layers of fabric down.  

I could hear the faint murmur of Geoff’s voice on the line, but I ignored it, instead giving quick kisses as I massaged with my hand. Cameron was responding very well to my actions; I gave a long lick and put my mouth on him. 

“Oh dear God,” Cameron gasped. I chuckled but didn’t stop my motions. “What? Oh, I’ve just...  stubbed my toe,” he told Geoff. 

A quick upwards glance showed me that Cameron’s hand was in his hair, and his eyes closed. I quickened my pace and heard him inhale sharply. 

“Geoff, I’ve got to go,” he said hurriedly. “Someone’s knocked at the door. Yes, we’ll be ready.” Cameron slammed the phone down and groaned loudly. “Have you lost your mind?” he cried out to me.

“Maybe,” I answered, only stopping for a moment. 

The breath that escaped his lips was heavy and quickly turned into a moan. His hands went to my head, gently touching my hair. It didn’t take long before he was nearly begging me to stop. 

“I don’t want to finish with you on your knees,” he gasped. I wiped my mouth with my hand and he pulled me back up to my feet. “You’d better be on the bed by the time I take these off,” he warned. 

I smirked, but didn’t take my eyes off of him. He removed his jeans and boxers before taking a step towards me. With every step he took, I retreated into the bedroom, my eyes still locked on him. He tossed the discarded clothes onto the floor. I took another step backwards and felt the bed behind me. 

“You’re not on the bed,” he noted with a straight face. “How unfortunate for you.” 

“I guess I’m not,” I replied. “Your move.”

I stopped counting after the third surge; it was clear that I had started something and Cameron was going to finish it. When we did stop, we laid beside each other holding hands. 

“You must have lost your mind,” Cameron said with a laugh. 

“Me?” I asked, mocking indignation. “I believe you were the one who said ‘oh dear God’ while on the phone with Geoff.” 

We both laughed. Cameron gave me a long kiss, pulling me on top of him. “Speaking of Geoff, he said they’ll be coming by around five to pick us up. We’re the last, then we’ll leave for Newcastle.” 

“Well, I guess we should get some sleep, then.” 

“Probably should,” he said before kissing me. “But all I want to do is eat.” 

I blushed, bringing my mouth close to his. “You’re still hungry?” I joked. 

“For you? Always.”

True to Geoff’s word, the coach pulled up to the driveway at five the next morning. Cameron and I had been ready since four-thirty, waiting on the steps. We had filled my large suitcase and two smaller ones with our clothes and toiletries, which Cameron put in the bus’ luggage compartment. 

We were greeted happily when we stepped onto the bus, even Willie didn’t seem so sour today. I put my purse on the seat beside Cameron, but before I could sit I was hastily motioned over by Sylvia, who clearly wanted to chat. 

The drive to Newcastle-upon-Tyne took a little less than five hours, during which I had spoken with Sylvia and Lee, and snuck in a nap with Cameron. We arrived at the venue just before ten o’clock, the road crew with their equipment-loaded bus having arrived an hour earlier. 

They were already hauling equipment into the club when our coach parked beside theirs. Lee and Clyde, with Sylvia in tow, had immediately gone to a nearby pub to meet with an old friend of theirs from a band they’d been in a few years previously. Geoff called Cameron and Willie to a mini-meeting by the stage, which left me with Dale. 

We sat at one of the club’s few tables and began to talk. I was surprised when one of the staff came up to us and asked if we wanted a hot drink; Dale asked for tea and I ordered a coffee.

“So, Dale,” I began, “what made you get into singing?”

“My sister,” he chuckled. “We were born in Bristol, but moved to Scotland when I was ten. She was five at the time, and so frightened most nights that I’d sing her to sleep. Once I realized I had a good voice, it was all over.” He punctuated his story with a laugh and I smiled. 

“That’s a beautiful thing you did for her,” I told him, thinking of my own sister. 

“It helped her, at least. She’s gone now, got married two years ago and moved to France.” 

“She got married young,” I noted. “How old are you?” 

“Twenty-five. And you?” 

I took a sip of my drink and answered. “Twenty-nine next month.” 

“You old broad,” he joked, clinking glasses with me.

After the conclusion of the mini-meeting with Geoff and Willie, Cameron had taken me to a few of the sights in Newcastle as I’d never seen England before. By the time we got back to the club in the early evening, soundcheck was just around the corner and both opening bands were in the backstage area. 

The club opened its doors at nine, with the lineup outside beginning nearly an hour earlier. The local act, Gun It, began their set at ten and didn’t sound too bad for a band that had just started out. While they played their thirty minute set, we mingled with the members of Riot Men, who would accompany us on the English tour this month and the Scottish dates in October. 

I was standing at the table covered in bottles at the far end of the room when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around with a whiskey bottle still in my hand. 

“Hi, are you Emily?” The man asking looked to be in his early twenties and had a jovial look on his face. 

“Yes,” I answered. “You’re in Riot Men?” 

“Yes,” he announced proudly. “Reggie, the loyal drummer.” He extended his arm and I put down the bottle to shake his hand.

“Nice to meet you, Reggie. It’s a good thing, too, because I really didn’t want to smash this fifteen year over your head,” I laughed. 

“Fifteen year whiskey?” Reggie picked the bottle up from the table and took two glasses from a stack. “A dram for the lady?” 

“Thank you,” I said, accepting the glass. “Where in Wales are you from?” 

Reggie took a large sip from his glass, which had more whiskey than mine did, and chuckled. “Anglesey. And you? What part of Britain gives an accent like yours?” he quipped. 

“I’m from eastern Canada,” I explained. 

Reggie nodded. “Not in Nova Scotia, by any chance? My grandmother’s brother started his family there.” 

“A little more west than Nova Scotia. I used to live near Montreal.” 

He ran a hand through his hair and took another sip. “Where do you live now?” 

I mimicked him and took a sip of my drink as well. “With Cameron.” 

“Lucky man,” he said. Something caught his eye and he turned towards his bandmates. “We’re on shortly.” Reggie finished off his drink in one gulp and put the glass down on the table. “Very nice chatting with you, Emily.” 

“Same here,” I answered. Reggie took off towards the other end of the room and rejoined his bandmates, who were discussing something among themselves. 

I only had time to take a few more sips of my drink before Cameron strode over, announcing his arrival with his arm around my waist. 

“Hello,” I giggled happily. 

Cameron gave me a quick kiss in response. “I see you’ve met the Welshman.” 

“I did. He’s nice.” 

“He is,” Cameron agreed. “Their bass player, not so much. But Reggie’s a cool guy.” 

“Have they played with you before?” I asked curiously, leading us to a small table nearby. 

Cameron nodded. “They were with us for part of the tour last year. February and March, if I remember.”

Amoeba's set started at midnight, half an hour after Riot Men left the stage. I took my spot beside the stage, just as excited as everyone else for the first show of the tour. 

“Hey! How are you tonight?” Dale shouted excitedly once he was on stage. “Happy to be here, let’s get something going for you all…” 

The performance was a definite crowd-pleaser, though perhaps that is too mild of a term. The show ended with tables overturned and chairs everywhere, people everywhere. If this was a taste of what was to come, I was in for quite the experience. 

The band got off the stage and entered the dressing room, but not before Dale was groped and Lee was forcefully given a woman’s bra. He held it by the strap and stared at it, mouth gaping. 

“Your mouth’s only supposed to do that with tits, not just the bra,” Dale sneered. He took the bra from Lee and put it against his chest, parading around for a moment in full confidence. 

��Fuck. Off.” Willie had a look like glass shards when Dale pranced up to him and flirted. I cackled without restraint, making everyone else laugh with me. 

Cameron approached me and gave me a kiss, his hands framing my face. 

“A fantastic show, my love,” I assured him with a smile. “You nearly started a furor!”

--

Part 14

[dansnaturepictures]

20/11/2021-Rushy Common nature reserve and Tar Lakes

Following on from my previous post, we then came here on the way to Gloucestershire today in an impromptu trip as we had seen Red-crested Pochards had been reported here on Tar Lakes. We parked up and got chatting to some more lovely people today at length who told us which part of the lakes the Pochards were at. From the car park I took the first two pictures in this photoset looking over Rushy Common nature reserve. We got walking through another beautiful area today going into Tar Lakes, with a pretty set of lakes it reminded me of our very local Lakeside and another strong former gravel pit (which this is) location in Hampshire, Blashford Lakes. There were sweet sprinklings of autumnal colour in the landscape too. I took the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh pictures in this photoset of views here. 

When at the lakes they said we were absolutely thrilled to see some Red-created Pochards, a group of nine both the elegant females and dashing males. As the light faded we spent a very pleasurable few minutes taking them in. I got the eighth picture in this photoset of them. As a third bird species lately with my favourite colour red in its name following the Red-breasted Goose at RSPB Otmoor earlier today and Red-necked Grebe off of Hayling Island last Sunday, it was an extremely welcome sighting. We had had a strong record for seeing them on our annual London royal park visits in autumns especially at Bushy Park but this year and last when we went the ones we saw there seem to have disappeared. So it was the first I’d seen since 2019 and it was so great to see them. It was really nice to see them diving too which I hadn’t often seen for this diving duck species really.

This means the amount of bird species I have seen this year is now the same as the total amount I saw in 2020. (Just so clarify as I did in my last post, this reads in the present tense of 20th November as I wrote the text for this up on my phone on the way to the hotel that night and posted once home, as the position of my year list did change further on Sunday 21st as my posts about that day to be posted shortly explain.) I have been hoping to get to this position towards the end of the year for a little while and I am happy to get here. I did see considerably more species on New Year’s Day in 2021 than 2020 both being my highest ever amount at the time, but after that comparing these two years for me unfold day by day and lockdown obviously was a necessity and my 2020 before it’s lockdowns was soaring so at stages up until March I was miles behind last year. Then beginning in mid-March this year I went on extraordinary run to catch up with how many birds I had seen a year ago with many big days where we just ticked so much for the year. And it went some way ahead of 2020 throughout the time we were in lockdown during that year and beyond (My 2020 did have its own post lockdown surge in ticks too) and in the summer was competing with how many birds I had seen during my two highest ever year lists in total 2019 and 2018 even being the most birds I’d seen on a day at certain points. Then through no criticism of my 2021 year - as with 2020 when I had more year ticks after the first lockdown easing - when we still saw a lot packed periods of getting year ticks in late summer and autumn in 2020 a year ago pulled it level and then ahead of what I had seen this year. But just as we are now a year on from restrictions rightly coming back in later 2020 and a slow down in year ticks I am on a surge of year ticks currently, some things I might have seen earlier in normal years, which I feel so very lucky to be having. And crucially this recent run has contained so many birds I didn’t see in 2020 which always helps to be near a year when comparing to it.

Elsewhere on this lovely walk around this place this trip away shows signs of being another this year after Anglesey especially where I just see so many of my 31 favourite birds; courtesy of a great view of a Great White Egret on the lake at Rushy Common nature reserve, a nice Great Crested Grebe a key bird of the aforementioned local spots this reminds of and another in the form of a Green Woodpecker darting across and I was happy to hear it’s high pitched call too. I also heard a Wren well, we got an intimate view of a Mute Swan near darkness which I took the ninth picture in this photoset of and saw something I haven’t often before but did at Lakeside this year a Moorhen in flight over a lake.

White clover was nice to see here as well as was dandelion clock, and some yarrow alongside more hogweed illuminated by street lights on a verge on the way to the hotel in Gloucestershire. I took the tenth picture in this photoset of the sun coming down from the car park which looked nice before leaving. An amazing start to this weekend away today.

Wildlife Sightings Summary: My first Red-crested Pochards of the year, four of my favourite birds the Great Crested Grebe, Great White Egret, Red Kite and Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Magpie, probable Goldcrest, a finch flock and I heard Wren.

[caitlynlynch]

Attending an art retreat at picturesque Beaumaris on Anglesey on North Wales, Penny Brannigan is pleased to meet new people - friendly (and attractive) wildlife photographer Colin, clever young New Zealand journalist Jessica, her fellow artists and the staff at the hotel. But on her first morning out painting, she and her painter friend find Jessica’s dead body on the beach, and suddenly her peaceful weekend is something else entirely.

Penny is an interesting variant in the modern cozy mystery heroine; most of them are twenty and thirty-somethings, but Penny is in her fifties, and she has slightly different priorities. This is apparently book 11 in this series, but I think you could jump in here and pick up without missing out on anything… though if you have been following Penny’s journey throughout the series, you might be slightly startled by her suddenly developing a love interest here and (slight spoiler) actually marrying him at the end of the book.

I struggled to get into the book because in the first few chapters, there was an awful lot of ‘telling’ rather than going on as everyone was introduced, and the locations were described. This did improve as things went on but I am marking down a star for it because a good editor should have helped the author to fix things up.

The cat on the cover is also pretty misleading. Yes, Penny owns a cat. But it doesn’t feature in the story at all, is only mentioned a couple of times, and frankly only seems to be there because an animal is Obligatory in the genre. It’s not. Miss Marple didn’t need a cat. If there isn’t one playing a significant role in your story, don’t put it on the cover, because your animal-loving readers will be annoyed by the bait and switch. I was.

Overall, this was okay; I liked Penny as a character but the telling made the beginning of the book especially very dull, and the bait and switch with the cat on the cover annoyed me. I’ll give it three stars.

On Deadly Tides is available now.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.

[skippyv20]

Today The Queen received Mr. Reggy Martiales, Ambassador for the Republic of Suriname at Buckingham Palace. Mrs Haidy Nelson-Gravenberch, wife to the Ambassador, was also present.

Mr. Edil Baisalov, Ambassador from the Kyrgyz Republic was also received by The Queen.

Prince William shared a smile with his elated housekeeper of six years after he awarded her with an honour at Buckingham Palace yesterday. 

Antonella Fresolone, 48, who is originally from Italy, has managed the domestic affairs at the home of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both for six years. She joined the household shortly before Prince George’s birth, and even travelled with the couple from their home in Anglesey, before taking on Amner Hall in Norfolk and Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace.

Before joining Kate and William’s staff, Antonella worked as one of the Queen’s most senior housemaids and spent 13 years at Buckingham Palace.

The £23,000-a-year position comes with a staff apartment at the palace and Antonella, with her strong work ethic, was considered a ‘shoo-in’ for the post at the time. 

In the past it has been said that she keeps both of The Cambridge’s residences, Anmer Hall in Norfolk and Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace, ‘gleaming, with cushions plumped and candles lit, like a five-star hotel’.   Not only does she oversee the running and cleaning of the properties, but she loves serving up steaming pasta dishes from her native Italy to the family.  She is famed for her strong work ethic and industrious ways, as well as her dedication to the family. 

First established by Queen Victoria in 1896, the Royal Victorian Order is chosen at the Queen’s discretion, and is often awarded to those who have served the monarch or the royal family with dedication. The medal has three levels: bronze, silver and gold, with Antonella made an honorary silver medallist yesterday. 

Pictures/ RF twitter

Thank you😊❤️❤️❤️❤️

[lukeskywaker4ever]

King Pedro V 1st Trip (May 28th to September 15th, 1854): England, Part 4

Then he left north to visit Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool. About these trips, he wrote: “It was a very interesting excursion for me, not only because of the different establishments that I had to visit in these cities, but because of the idea that it gave me of the speed of communication in Great Britain.” The train to Birmingham took just two hours. Once in the city, he was received by the Mayor, the military governor and the Portuguese deputy consul, Mr. Collins. He liked the train station, but found the city “ugly and unpleasant”, noting, however, that it was “very industrious” and had “the happiness of his pauperism being proportionally very small”, which, in his opinion, it stemmed from the ease of getting a job. After a short rest period - D. Pedro insisted that they should not waste “a moment of time” - he went to see the factories that had made the city famous. Surprisingly, none satisfied him. Looking at children, aged six and seven, working in the factories, he wondered about what would be the best way to educate the people: whether learning in the workshop, whether at school. In spite of everything, he was inclined towards the first hypothesis, considering that the second would produce “French mechanics, that is, unbearable beings that serve everything without serving anything.”

On the 27th of June, D. Pedro was leaving for Chatsworth,

the country residence of the Dukes of Devonshire. 

Herds of fallow deer grazed under oaks, the gardens had centuries-old trees, the glass greenhouses were the most beautiful in the universe. After lunch, the duke showed him inside the palace. The prince was astonished with his painting collection, which included the paintings of Titian, Rubens and Rafael. At the end of the day, he summed up what he had seen: “To get an idea of ​​the luxury of the Duke of Devonshire it is necessary to know that this gentleman, not content with having a palace, as perhaps no king has him, and not satisfied with the beautiful conservatory [greenhouse] that has next to the palace, had a glass walkway built in the garden, so as not to catch cold in winter.” After admiringly mentioning the transplanted rocks, the water games erected and the grafted plants, he heatedly defended the right to property.

From Chatsworth went to Sheffield, 

having been impressed when, when he arrived, he saw, in the distance, the cloud of smoke announcing the location. He gave workers "shakehands", moralized about smuggling and ended up criticizing the Portuguese "big shots" who imported everything and anything without paying royalties. After dinner, he left for Manchester where he stayed in the Queen Hotel:

 At dawn, he was awakened by the “noise of the innumerable vehicles that, since 3 am [circulated] through the streets of the city”. The first factory he visited was the cotton spinning of Benjamin Nicholls, the mayor of the city, surrounded by dozens of similar units. After a visit to a company that exported to Africa, he said that, given that Portugal also has colonies, the colonial guidelines would be justified: “We must make Africa one of the emporiums of our trade, promoting, by all possible means, competition to English products, which deprive us of an important income and at the same time establish the English dominance in Africa in a certain way.” In the end, he went to see a brand new prison, built according to the cellular system, copied from Pentoville.

On 29th June he was in Liverpool. At the hotel where he stayed the Adelphi Hotel, 

he met the rich “slave” Manuel Pinto da Fonseca, which bothered him, causing him to try not to meet him again. Then he went to see the docks, customs and warehouses, having been amazed by the movement of ships. The concert hall

left an identical impression, "the largest and best decorated in all of Europe." In the end, he found a way to pass through Wales. Although he liked the harp player he heard at dinner, he considered the music band that welcomed him a horror. The next day, he went to see the two bridges, one suspended 

and the other tubular, 

that connected the island of Anglesey to Wales. He especially admired the latter, built by Stephenson: 

"Our generation leaves a resounding memory in history and humanity will bless the names of Watt, Stephenson, Paxton and Prince Albert." More than the landscape, it was technology that delighted him.

After this foray he returned to London, where the Count of Lavradio was waiting for him at the station. On July 1st, he went horseback riding with his uncle in Hyde Park and, at night, to the English theater, where he watched a play that did not go down in history, after which he said goodbye to members of the royal family and of the Portuguese residing in London. It was 6 am on July 3rd when Mindelo left Woolwich on his way to Belgium. He had spent an entire month in England, the country that would come to occupy the top of his preferences.

On the high seas, he dedicated his free time to praising the combination of the monarchical principle with the democratic and aristocratic principles: “From this extraordinary amalgam of forces that are commonly opposed, and which tend to exorbitant each other, attacking each other, the wonderful social order that is born note in England.” As for the role of the English monarch, here's what he thought: “The king, in England, despite the spread of philosophical ideas, is still a sacred person, who is nothing, when he doesn't want to be and everything when he wants to be. The King, in England, has no direct initiative, so to speak, in the government of the State, but when his actions, his thoughts, his tendencies are in favor of the popular principle of the State, when he stands at the head of the public interests, he takes on extraordinary strength, moral strength that almost divinizes him.” He appreciated the party organization, with two well-defined parties, as well as the press, which seemed free. He noted that England was going through a bad period, due to the maintenance of the two armadas - one on the Black Sea and the other on the Baltic - and the absence of great statesmen: in his opinion, neither Grenville, much Gladstone, much Derby had the chance. stature of Palmerston, Clarendon and Aberdeen. But that did not alter his admiration for this country.

[whatson-northwales]

Things to do on Anglesey

Things to do on Anglesey...looking for pocket friendly ideas for the family on your stay here?. Look no further. I've listed ten things you can do on Anglesey, pretty much for free..

Anglesey is the jewel in the Welsh crown when it comes to beauty and natural landscape. Anglesey or Ynys Mon in Welsh, is a island just off the coast of north Wales. It sits proudly off the north western coast of the UK, with the mainland Wales to it’s east and Holy Island to its west. It has a spectacular coastline that surrounds its 138 mile circumference. Home to the mythical druids and…

[booklovershangoutlove]

The Accidental Countess by @emmahartauthor is #LIVE and #FREE with #KU! An earl and an artist walk into a bar, and the barman says—never mind. They’re in a church, and they’re married now. Oops. My name is Evangeline Astley, and the only thing you need to know about me is that I never imagined this was how my life would go. I was supposed to devote all my time to painting gorgeous things to eventually open my own art gallery. Instead, I spent it all trying to sell my art to save my parents’ hotel. Cue the Earl of Anglesey and his not-so-stunning idea. Matthew Bennett needs an heir to the earldom, but for an heir, he needs a wife. And I’m the one the extremely eligible bachelor has chosen. Except I’m just as marriage-phobic as he is, so naturally, I refused—until he gives me an offer that I couldn’t. If I agreed to marry him, provide an heir, and divorce amicably in due course, he would save The Fox and Hound hotel that I love so much. That, ladies and gents, is how I became the Countess of Anglesey. The one thing I didn’t count on, however? Falling in love with my husband. #thearistocratdiaries #emmahart #oneclick #kindleunlimited #romcom #theaccidentalcountess #datingtheduke #ladylove #readnow #springreading https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca4mfk2O8AQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Saturday 12 May 1838

7 25/..

1 25/..

dull morning F58° at 8 am felt cold – put on knee-caps again (had I not worn them yesterday or Thursday) and worsted stockings – all ready to be off and breakfast and off to Waterloo at 9 ½ - Calêche took Oddy and George – had not room for Lion – the forest of Soignies in process of down cutting – sold by the ex-king a little before the revolution to the Bank of Brussels (said our Waterloo guide) and now selling off by the Bank, to be turned into agricultural land – jolting pavé all the way made A-‘s back of neck bad – alight at the village of Waterloo at 11 10 opposite the  little garden where the M. of Angleseys’ leg was buried – just go in and see the outside the building for which had afterwards to pay 0/50 – then our woman guide took us to the church and fetched the old man to let us in for which paid him 1/. the entrance end crowded with monuments to the English etc. etc. killed 16, 17 and 18 June 1815.  one monument to the memory of 24 officers and 375 non commissioned ditto and privates of the 70th Highlanders – the M. d’ Anglesey here 2 years ago, and dined in the room where his leg was cut off, and sent the people a portrait of himself – from the church to the little churchyard the English officers buried in the middle in the avenue of limes – at entrance end of it, Sir Alexander Gordon buried aid de camp to the duke of Wellington who never comes without going to his grave – Sir Alexander was in the act of speaking to or had just been speaking to the duke when the cannon ball took him off – M. [Mise], banker of Brussels, has a chateau at Waterloo, and is the principal proprietor – In returning went into a café, en haut, for which gave ½ fr. asked for sols for a franc the full change for which the woman was reluctant to give me till she heard what she was to have for herself – then got into the carriage at 12 again opposite La poste a neat looking Inn where the duke of Wellington had slept, and drove off to the village of St. Jean and alighted (did not go in) at an auberge at 12 ¼ - there our man guide joined us, and there commenced our little tour – the man was one of 3 servants at the farm of St. Jean (aetatis 17 at the time – the master se sauvait) – where so many of the wounded were – the house and farm buildings and court yard full – passed this for some distance and then direct to the montagne de Lion, the great tumulus erected 7 years afterwards on the spot where the prince of Orange was wounded (in the shoulder) – the whole height 200ft. from surface of ground to top of bronze lion weighing 1048lbs. cast by Cokerill of Liège – the apex of the tumulus 100ft. diameter – conspicuous from far – ascended to the top by steps cut out in side of the embanked earth and faced with wood – 5 minutes ascending and 35 minutes at the top – enjoying the fine prospect (charming day – nor hot nor cold, nor wind, nor dust) and conning over our plan of the battle bought at St. Jean village of where we left the carriage – got a thorough understanding of the different positions and then at 1 35 down again and off to Hougoumont thus written by the duke of W- in his despatch from La belle Alliance, instead of château de Goumont, an easy mistake now perpetuated by the celebrity of the written and the writing – an English officer who had fought in the battle (of no great appearance) was on the mountain with a party of ladies and gentlemen while we were there – but from what I overheard our guide seemed the better of the 2 – the proprietor of the quondam chateau de Goumont, M. de Goumont, is now living in the neighbourhood of Brussels? did the man say – government bought the place of him and leave it as was after the battle as a monument of the battle – good taste – the then outbuildings form the present farm-house – the chateau (the chapel and well house remain) was burnt down and all the wounded as many or [more]

SH:7/ML/E/21/0096

French than English perished in the flames – the French under Jerome Buonaparte and General Foy finding they could not take this key of our position, set it on fire – the wood then close in front of the garden that made it so strong, is now cut down and turned into common ground – the place was at the time exceedingly strong undercover of this wood – the French had no idea of the strength of this position – the duke of Wellington arrived from Brussels in the morning of the 17th and took up this position – the French did not arrive till evening – it rained the whole of the 16th and 17th Friday and Saturday night and day so that on the 18th many of the men fought up to their knees in water or mud – vide the account of the battle given by Sir Walter Scott in Pauls’ letters to his kinfolk – A- had been very poorly in the back of her neck and sickish perhaps from the rough pavé in coming but on leaving Hougoumont at 2 5 thought she could make the round by La belle Alliance (double distance) and off we set across the fields – merely looked at the house in passing slowly by – as we stood opposite it was the room on the left of the door where  the duke of Wellington and Blucher met in the evening of the 18th ‘se mutuellement saluant vainques’ according to the inscription over the door – La grange (the barn) adjoining this room was built after the battle – Napoleon who had rested there quite s’y reposait à midi, proceed with his imperial guard about 2/3 of the way to the 2 monuments (going from La belle alliance to St. Jean the left to Sir Alexander Gordon the right to Alten and his Hanoverians – close on each side the road to Nivelles) and seeing the battle lost wished to fall there with his guard, but Soult said ‘Sire les Anglais sont assez heureux’ and Napoleon turning his head round 3 times (said our guide) criait, sauve qui peut, and himself made the best of his way to Nivelles ........ and Paris – Did Soult thus add to his masters’ happiness or to his reputation? Marius sitting on the ruins of Carthage, and Napoleon at St. Helena!!! Our walk from Hougoumont to the carriage at the hameau (village) of St. Jean took us 1 5 hour till 3 10 – sat 10 minutes in the carriage till the horses were put to and off back again at 3 20 and alighted at Bellevue at 5 10 – the servants dined and so did we very comfortably – our dinner on the table in about ¼ hour – sat over it quietly – paid all – capital Inn – our apartment (n°99) really very spacious comfortable but somehow nor A- nor I had felt well at B- and were not sorry to be off – Off at 6 55 – of the 2 routes equally good, equally beautiful, and of the same length (taking the whole distance from B- to Louvain) said Mr. de Profts’ proxy , I chose the one I believe I went with Lady S- and Lady VC. in 1829, viz. by Tervuren (the other its by Cortenberg [Kortenberg]) and a beautiful drive it is of 2 postes tho’ the road is for the greater part like a green-sided fosse 8 or 9 ft. below the surface of the beech forest thro’ which it passes – at 7 ½ descend to goof white-washed village and steep ascent out of it, and at the top the road se bifurqué – the 2 roads meet – we keep straight or rather inclining left – the other road, right, and enter a fine beautiful perspective as of a long green aisle beech avenue which continues ½ hour (our 4 horses allant bon train) till 8 when in ten minutes we change horses at goodish little town of Tervuren – from there the postboy charitably drove us generally on the parterre – the 2 leaders fresh and spirited and A- nervous – passed 2 good handsome chateaux? country houses just out of the town – the avenue to Louvain chiefly of poplars – but the light had failed us long before our alighting at comfortable hotel de Suède at 9 ¾ - 2 very good bedrooms and  servants rooms for 8fr. – the servants supped – A- and I would take nothing – had the beds warmed – Oddy curled A-‘s hair as she lay on the sofa, and she was in bed (after taking the juice of an orange warmed with hot water) before 11 – I sat writing  out all but the 1st 6 or 7 lines of today till 12 5 according to my watch as I have gone by it today but the women of the house here said it was only 9 when we arrived instead of 9 ¾ - was she not wrong? she was expecting the last railway train from Brussels – 4 trains a day arrive here, - the last at 9 ½ pm. – very fine day – F58 ½° now at 12 10 tonight according to time as I have noted it during the day

[allthingsdarkanddirty]

The Accidental Countess by Emma Hart is available now on Apple Books, B&N, and Kobo! Grab your copy ASAP before this new release goes to Kindle Unlimited 📷

Available now for wide readers! Apple Books → https://emmahart.pub/TACapple B&N → https://emmahart.pub/TACnook Kobo → https://emmahart.pub/TACkobo

Coming March 8th to Amazon and Kindle Unlimited: Kindle Unlimited → https://geni.us/TAC-amazon

An earl and an artist walk into a bar, and the barman says—never mind. They’re in a church, and they’re married now. Oops. My name is Evangeline Astley, and the only thing you need to know about me is that I never imagined this was how my life would go. I was supposed to devote all my time to painting gorgeous things to eventually open my own art gallery. Instead, I spent it all trying to sell my art to save my parents’ hotel. Cue the Earl of Anglesey and his not-so-stunning idea. Matthew Bennett needs an heir to the earldom, but for an heir, he needs a wife. And I’m the one the extremely eligible bachelor has chosen. Except I’m just as marriage-phobic as he is, so naturally, I refused—until he gives me an offer that I couldn’t. If I agreed to marry him, provide an heir, and divorce amicably in due course, he would save The Fox and Hound hotel that I love so much. That, ladies and gents, is how I became the Countess of Anglesey. The one thing I didn’t count on, however? Falling in love with my husband.