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Olympic Torch Beaumaris Menai Bridge 29th May 2012

Flotilla of RAF rescue helicopter and boats accompany the Olympic torch down the Menai Strait
 

Early this morning, we walked down our lane to the shore of the Menai Strait and waited on the jetty by The Gazelle to see the Olympic Flame carried, on the Beaumaris RNLI Lifeboat, from the town of Beaumaris to Menai Bridge.

Its journey began at Beaumaris Castle; it was escorted through the town to the lifeboat station, by the root of Beaumaris Pier, where it was handed to the Lifeboat boat crew and taken aboard the station’s Atlantic 85 RIB, the Annette Mary Liddington.

The Inshore Lifeboat carrying the Olympic Torch then left bound for Menai Bridge, escorted by a flotilla of small boats, mainly RIBs, with the magnificent Sea King Air Sea Rescue helicopter from RAF Valley flying overhead like a guardian angel.

 
the armada powered toward us
 

It was very moving as this mini armada powered toward us, coming from the east as the sun rose higher into a bright sky, and most exciting as it passed between where we stood on the Anglesey shore and the end of Bangor Pier, where more well-wishers stood to wave it on its way.

 
Flotilla forges on to Menai Bridge
 

On arrival at Menai Bridge, the flame was carried through the town and across the beautiful Telford Suspension Bridge back to the Welsh mainland, continuing its journey to the mountains of Snowdonia where it was carried to the summit of Snowdon by the climber, Sir Chris Bonington, who travelled, for the first time, on the Snowdon Mountain Railway.

Sunshine, blue skies and birdsong all day long – wonderful!

Dorothy Russell

12th May 2012

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Beaumaris Festival 31st May – 7th June 2012

Beaumaris Festival Brochure cover 2012
 

Don’t the years go by quickly!

It’s very nearly time for Beaumaris festival again – and there is a lot on offer this year. I looked at the concerts and talks and decided I would like to go to everything! Unfortunately time and budget constraints make this tricky so I will be forced to choose.

As well as the formal timetable, there is a Crafts Fair on The Green, an Art Exhibition at the Canolfan and the Woodturners will, once again, be in the Town Hall.

All the information you need to enjoy the Festival can be found on the website.

www.beaumarisfestival.com

Daf and I got back to Anglesey today, from a very rainy Lancashire, to discover that our guests had been walking in glorious sunshine and had been working on their tans! We really enjoyed our stay in Lancashire, but it reminded us why we love living on Anglesey!

The Giant Wheel will be on The Green in Beaumaris.

Beaumaris is gearing itself up to offer Anglesey residents and visitors to the Island a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the world from a different perspective with the “Beaumaris Eye” which comes to town from Saturday 26 May to Saturday 9 June. These dates coincide with the annual Beaumaris Festival.

 
Giant wheel at the 2012 Beaumaris Festival
 

The Giant Wheel, which at 35 metres high and with 24 gondolas each taking six passengers, will open up everyone’s eyes with views across the Island, down the Menai Strait, over to Caernarfon and Llandudno as well as the Snowdonia Mountain Range.

Dorothy Russell

12th May 2012

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Happy St David’s Day!

St david's day daffodils on the upper lawn

Saint David (c. 500–589) (Welsh: Dewi Sant) was a native born Welsh Bishop, during the 6th century; he was later regarded as a saint and specifically as the patron saint of Wales.

He encouraged his followers to live an aesthetic life, ‘drinking only water and eating only bread with salt and herbs’ – definitely no meat and no beer. They were also ‘to pull the plough themselves, without draught animals’. No one was permitted personal possessions. No wonder his saint’s day falls in the middle of Lent!.

David went on pilgrimages and was associated with Glastonbury Abbey and the establishment of monastic settlements around Wales, south west England and Brittany. A busy chap, if not a very jolly one.

The photo shows the daffodils, Wales’ symbolic flower, and camellias bursting into bloom in our sunny garden, beautiful forerunners of Spring.

Dorothy Russell

1st March 2012

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The view from Coed y Berclas

The weather here at Coed Y Berclas has been stunning and varied over the past few weeks. We have had clear blue skies and sunshine; some rain: and the most amazing mist which rolled in from Llandudno and envelloped the whole coast, bit by bit, as it travelled west. We watched, astonished, its smothering, blanketing progress. Even the tips of the mountains vanished from sight, but when the moon rose, it climbed into a near cloudless sky. Fascinating!

Snow covered Carneddau from Coed y Berclas

For some weeks the mountains were covered in snow and glimmered to stunning effect in the sunlight, but, as much of Britain took on a mantle of white, the rain, coming off the Atlantic, washed the snow from Snowdonia, apart from the highest peaks.

On Anglesey we have had a few hailstones from time to time but no ‘proper’ snow – I have to admit this is the way I like it – looking out at beautiful snow covered mountains but free to move about easily on snow-free Anglesey is just perfect.

Now we are looking out at the sun twinkling on the waters of the Menai Strait; the misty morning mountains beyond, outlined against a whispy sky.

The pier has Lowry people strolling along it in the sunshine. All the masts of overwintering yachts stand upright, like so many matchsticks, waiting for the new sailing season to arrive: the harbour is quiet except for the mussel boats and the occassional visit of the sand boat.

And, set in its beautiful parkland, Penrhyn Castle slumbers through the winter months, preparing for all the National Trust visitors who will arrive in spring. This is what I see as I type – how lucky we are.

Dorothy Russell

8th January 2012

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Anglesey – Island of Quilts ‘Falling into Place’ Exhibition

The Isle of Anglesey is renowned for many things: beautiful beaches, water-sports, lovely walks, stunning views, wide range of specialist produce, history, golf – the list goes on and on.

However one thing you may not be aware of is the strength of Art/Crafts on the Island and one area in particular has a large following: Textile Art, especially in the form of Patchwork and Quilting. In case the only image which just popped into your mind was an old fashioned quilt on a Victorian bed, you will be in for a surprise. Bed quilts are wonderful, of course, but there is so much more, and it’s all happening here on Anglesey.

Anglesey - Island of Quilts 'Falling into Place' Exhibition

Take, for example, ‘Falling into Place’ currently on show at Canolfan Ucheldre, Holyhead. This is an exhibition of work by people of all ages who have attended my Courses and Individual Workshops and I am so very proud of all of them and what they have achieved.

‘Falling into Place’ runs from 7th January to 5th February 2012 at:-
  • Canolfan Ucheldre, Millbank, Holyhead, Anglesey LL65 1TE
  • 01407 763361
  • Open Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm. Sunday 2pm – 5pm.

If you can visit, I’m sure you’ll enjoy seeing the work.

There are many groups working in textiles on Anglesey and we are very well supported by specialist shops: Tan Lan, Copperfield, Kit ‘n Kaboodle, Siop Eleni,The Sewing Machine Shop. Contacts for all of these are available on my site, www.dotrussell.co.uk. Envious visitors can’t believe we pack so much into one island: they think we’re spoilt – yes we are, and we love it. Anglesey really is the Island of Quilts.

Don’t forget that you can join the fun by having a one to one, or small group, tailored workshop with me while you are holidaying on Anglesey/North Wales. You can even stay at Cottage at Coed y Berclas.

Dorothy Russell

8th January 2012

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Wholecloth Quilting at Coed y Berclas – Accompanied by Fireworks

Wholecloth Quilting at Coed y Berclas

Wholecloth Quilting at Coed y Berclas

Over Beaumaris Bonfire weekend I enjoyed the company of four lovely quilters from Gloucestershire.

It was Dilys’s ‘significant’ birthday (and I’m not saying which one!) and her husband, Dave, gave her a quilting weekend at Coed y Berclas, with three friends, as a suprise present. They managed to keep the secret so well that Dilys had no idea where she was going or what she was doing until her train was arriving at Bangor – brilliant!

Take note all you husbands out there who are looking for a special present!

Their two day workshop was ‘Wholecloth’ and covered both designing and quilting. Sandy and Dot chose to do cushion covers while Dilys and Moira worked on cot sized quilts: in fact Moira will be making two (twins) – that’ll keep her out of mischief for a while! They did the design work on the first day and transfered it to fabric ready to begin quilting on the second. This involved a lot of work but they made it – and I got a reputation as a slave driver!

I can’t be too much of a slave driver though as they managed to pop down to the pub at the bottom of the hill for a meal and to watch the bonfire night fireworks. This year the Beaumaris Firework Display was cancelled (they’re extending the pier) but we had a splendid view of Bangor Fireworks which take place near the root of Bangor Pier and we didn’t even need to leave the house to watch them! Very impressive.

Sunday was spent hand quilting: this is always a little like magic as stitches give a three dimensional quality to the work and images drawn onto fabric come to life. Dilys, Sandy, Moira, Dot – your designs are all totally individual and they’re beautiful.

I really enjoyed the weekend – you were all great company and very hard workers!

Wholecloth Quilting at Coed y Berclas

Wholecloth Quilting at Coed y Berclas

Have you finished the quilts yet?

Dave, you get masses of ‘brownie points’.

Dorothy Russell

20th Nov 2011

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MILD AUTUMN

Misty Autumn view of the Carneddau

ceanothus still in bloom

This autumn the weather has been incredibly mild, which has been a delight to us – I’ve been catching up on a bit of gardening, enjoying fresh air and bird song and it has been lovely to go for walks, but there are plants which are getting a little confused. The roses have been blooming as though it was still summer and some sections of the ceanothus have burst into bloom; they must think it’s May!

We have had stunning blue skies and starry, moonlit nights to step outside and gaze up at – no frosts yet! I just hope the birds don’t start to think it’s spring and begin nesting.

We are still eating the fruit we harvested in late summer/early autumn and have plenty left in the freezer to see us through the winter, so that when winter does arrive in a white coat, we will be reminded of the balmy days of summer.

Dorothy Russell

20th Nov 2011

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Ffair y Borth 2011. Menai Bridge Fair

Ffair Borth - Menai Bridge Fair

Ffair Borth is a vibrant local tradition which happens annually on 24th October in the centre of Menai Bridge.

Ffair Borth - Menai Bridge Fair

The streets are taken over by dazzling rides for one day. All three central car parks and much of the main street are given over to the rides with any traffic cautiously making its way through the revellers. By the time people are driving to work the following morning, everything has gone, you would never believe the fair had been there at all. People of all ages arrive to enjoy this autumnal escapism. Rides vary from ‘teacups’ for the tinies to wild and wonderful technology which whips the youthful and daring into screaming excitement.

This year the weather was brilliant, it was a balmy evening as we wove our way through people enjoying candy floss and hot dogs before surrendering themselves to being flung round like rag dolls: I’ve never worked out how they survive without being very ill!They do!

Ffair Borth - Menai Bridge Fair

Ffair Borth - Menai Bridge Fair

The general atmosphere was relaxed and amiable and the rides did a good trade. I hope we have the same weather for next year’s Ffair Borth.

Dorothy

25th October 2011

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A Lovely Blog from our Guests

Angela, Paola, Tommaso and Alice arrived at Coed y Berclas from Italy at the beginning of September. I’m afraid the weather here could have been kinder but they enjoyed themselves regardless as you can see from Angela’s superb blog. Scroll down to ‘Il Cottage di Dorothy’

Thank you so much Angela for all the lovely things you say about Coed y Berclas, our lovely Isle of Anglesey and my quilts (I translated it in Google translate). I look forward to your next visit and don’t be afraid to ask to see my workroom and, if you wish, do a workshop with me.

All the best,

Dorothy

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A Lovely Message from our Guests

Written in the Visitors Book…

‘…Sun, gales, big seas, calm, warm, seals, peregrin, curlews, terns, ships – big and small, schooner, walks, cliff tops, beaches, fields, moorland. pubs, beer, food – good, great, fantastic, peace, relaxation, quiet contemplation.

…these are the things that go through your mind when you think of a holiday which you have enjoyed.

David and Denise… ‘

Thank you so much for the lovely entry

Frosty morning view near Coed y Berclas. Anglesey

Dorothy