Those that know me, know that three of my leisure pursuits are country drives, football, and hill walking. I managed to find time to enulge in all three whilst away.
After visiting Criccieth Castle, and before dropping back down to Barmouth, I managed to detour onto the Llyn Peninsular for a scenic drive. Well it would have been if the clouds were not down below the hills! I enjoyed it anyway, but to quote my eldest son "misty, misty, boring, misty!"
The football was an Welsh Alliance match between Barmouth & Dyffren United and Llanwrst United. It ended all square at one all. Not a pretty game by any stretch of the imagination, but the scenery was.
We took a family walk up the mountain opposite the guest house to find Blue Lake. This is an old quarry lake, reached via a small cave. It is a bowl like area surrounded on all sides by steep cliffs. A very quiet and awe inspiring place.
The other walk I did, whilst the others were relaxing on Barmouth beach. From the town centre there are paths straight up the mountains above, which go onto a range that runs for twenty or so miles north. The first area of land given to the National Trust is one of those smaller hills. A half hour walk on will take you to Panorama Hill. This is my favourite spot in the country, and I go there as often as I can. The views are out to sea, or up the Mawddach and aover to Cadair Idris.
Friday, 27 August 2010
Snowdonia (II)
There are a few things that always spring to mind when you talk about Wales and visits, and I do not mean the rain!! Castles and little trains, we visited two of each.
The Talyllyn Railway runs from Towyn on the coast to Nant Gwernol up in the mountains. It is a good example of a preserved working line, which used to carry slate from the mines down to the coast for shipping. A little known fact about this railway, is the the author of the Thomas The Tank Engine stories, was a frequent visitor, and based some of his mountain railway stories on the line, and used some of their engines as the models for his.
The Fairbourne Railway again dates from the 19th century, but this one was built to carry bricks to the new development of Fairbourne, from the mainline down the stretch of beach that was having new houses constructed by it. I personally did not enjoy this one as much, but the boys loved it, so that's the main point I suppose.
Both Harlech Castle and Criccieth Castle are awesome buildings. Both were built or strengthened by the English to repress the Welsh. Both are imposing sights to see as you aproach them, they both sit on top of rocky out crops. Harlech was built on the coast, but the sea is now a few miles away! You only really appreciate this, when you look down from the top, and see all the flat land around it.
Links:
www.talyllyn.co.uk
www.fairbournerailway.com
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
The Talyllyn Railway runs from Towyn on the coast to Nant Gwernol up in the mountains. It is a good example of a preserved working line, which used to carry slate from the mines down to the coast for shipping. A little known fact about this railway, is the the author of the Thomas The Tank Engine stories, was a frequent visitor, and based some of his mountain railway stories on the line, and used some of their engines as the models for his.
The Fairbourne Railway again dates from the 19th century, but this one was built to carry bricks to the new development of Fairbourne, from the mainline down the stretch of beach that was having new houses constructed by it. I personally did not enjoy this one as much, but the boys loved it, so that's the main point I suppose.
Both Harlech Castle and Criccieth Castle are awesome buildings. Both were built or strengthened by the English to repress the Welsh. Both are imposing sights to see as you aproach them, they both sit on top of rocky out crops. Harlech was built on the coast, but the sea is now a few miles away! You only really appreciate this, when you look down from the top, and see all the flat land around it.
Links:
www.talyllyn.co.uk
www.fairbournerailway.com
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Snowdonia (I)
As a family we had a very enjoyable week earlier this month. We stayed at the Einion House, a guesthouse in the small village of Friog, which is on the south side of the Mawddach estuary and at the edge of the Cadair Idris range of mountains. The next few posts will summarise where we visited, in case anyone is interested.
On the way up we called in at Llywernog Silver-Lead Mine, which is just off the A44 near to Aberystwyth. This mine has been restored over the years, and is a good example of an industry in mid Wales which had it's hey day between 1850 and 1870.
Whilst then driving up the coast, we came across the Dyfi Osprey Project at the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve. This site is run by the local wildlife trust. A pair of ospreys have made a nest there this year, but did not lay any eggs. There is hope that they will breed next year. Camera footage of the birds was avaialbe as well as binoculars trained on the nest.
Corris Craft Centre is a what it says really, but worth a call in. Crafts include wooden toys, leather, candles etc. It is also the home to an underground tour of some caves, based on the King Arthur legend.
A lot of the time we spent over in Barmouth, which is a town we love. We managed to get onto the beach every day, and paddled or swam most days. One day was even warm enough for me to venture in and have a proper swim.
Links:
www.einionhouse.co.uk
www.silverminetours.co.uk
www.wildlifetrustswales.org
On the way up we called in at Llywernog Silver-Lead Mine, which is just off the A44 near to Aberystwyth. This mine has been restored over the years, and is a good example of an industry in mid Wales which had it's hey day between 1850 and 1870.
Whilst then driving up the coast, we came across the Dyfi Osprey Project at the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve. This site is run by the local wildlife trust. A pair of ospreys have made a nest there this year, but did not lay any eggs. There is hope that they will breed next year. Camera footage of the birds was avaialbe as well as binoculars trained on the nest.
Corris Craft Centre is a what it says really, but worth a call in. Crafts include wooden toys, leather, candles etc. It is also the home to an underground tour of some caves, based on the King Arthur legend.
A lot of the time we spent over in Barmouth, which is a town we love. We managed to get onto the beach every day, and paddled or swam most days. One day was even warm enough for me to venture in and have a proper swim.
Links:
www.einionhouse.co.uk
www.silverminetours.co.uk
www.wildlifetrustswales.org
Saturday, 24 July 2010
Mr. Roboto
This song is from the rather odd concept album, Kilroy Was Here. Written by Dennis de Young, it is based in a time in the future, where robots do most jobs, and rock music is banned. Kilroy is a rocker, who "hides" inside a robot...told you it was strange!
On face value there does not appear to be much to this song, outside of it's setting in the album. There are though, in my opinion, some truths hidden in there.
We often find that we need somewhere to hide to keep ourselves alive, be that literally as in running away, or putting up defences around ourselves to hide the real person inside. In the same way, we often wear masks to conceal our true identity, well I do anyway!
We are often also so consumed by modern technology, that we do not interact with the real world. We have FaceBook friends for example, often numbering hundreds, often who we only have limited real knowledge of, and a total lack of real face to face conversations with real friends of substance.
In truth our real identity is to found through a relationship with Jesus Christ. In my opinion, it is only by knowing Jesus, that we have the confidence to deal with the real issues. We may not get it right all the time, but life is meant to be an adventurous journey. Jesus is our guide on the way, he allows us to make detours, but then welcomes us back and shows the way towards the completion. Real life should not mean hiding behind masks.
Mr. Roboto lyrics
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Mata ahoo Hima de
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Himitsu wo Shiri tai
You're wondering who I am
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
Machine or mannequin
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
With parts made in Japan
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
I am the modren man
I've got a secret, I've been hiding under my skin
My heart is human, my blood is boiling
My brain I.B.M., so if you see me
Acting strangely, don't be surprised
I'm just a man who needed someone
And somewhere to hide
To keep me alive, just keep me alive
Somewhere to hide to keep me alive
I'm not a robot without emotions
I'm not what you see
I've come to help you
With your problems, so we can be free
I'm not a hero, I'm not a saviour
Forget what you know
I'm just a man whose circumstances
Went beyond his control
Beyond my control, we all need control
I need control, we all need control
I am the modren man
(Secret, secret I've got a secret)
Who hides behind a mask
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
So no one else can see
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
My true identity
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo, Domo
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo, Domo
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
For doing the jobs that nobody wants to
And thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
For helping me escape
Just when I needed to
Thank you, thank you, thank you
I want to thank you
Please, thank you, oh
The problem's plain to see
Too much technology
Machines to save our lives
Machines, de-humanize
The time has come at last
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
To throw away this mask
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
Now everyone can see
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
My true identity, I'm Kilroy, Kilroy, Kilroy, Kilroy
The clip below is the original video for the song.
On face value there does not appear to be much to this song, outside of it's setting in the album. There are though, in my opinion, some truths hidden in there.
We often find that we need somewhere to hide to keep ourselves alive, be that literally as in running away, or putting up defences around ourselves to hide the real person inside. In the same way, we often wear masks to conceal our true identity, well I do anyway!
We are often also so consumed by modern technology, that we do not interact with the real world. We have FaceBook friends for example, often numbering hundreds, often who we only have limited real knowledge of, and a total lack of real face to face conversations with real friends of substance.
In truth our real identity is to found through a relationship with Jesus Christ. In my opinion, it is only by knowing Jesus, that we have the confidence to deal with the real issues. We may not get it right all the time, but life is meant to be an adventurous journey. Jesus is our guide on the way, he allows us to make detours, but then welcomes us back and shows the way towards the completion. Real life should not mean hiding behind masks.
Mr. Roboto lyrics
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Mata ahoo Hima de
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Himitsu wo Shiri tai
You're wondering who I am
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
Machine or mannequin
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
With parts made in Japan
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
I am the modren man
I've got a secret, I've been hiding under my skin
My heart is human, my blood is boiling
My brain I.B.M., so if you see me
Acting strangely, don't be surprised
I'm just a man who needed someone
And somewhere to hide
To keep me alive, just keep me alive
Somewhere to hide to keep me alive
I'm not a robot without emotions
I'm not what you see
I've come to help you
With your problems, so we can be free
I'm not a hero, I'm not a saviour
Forget what you know
I'm just a man whose circumstances
Went beyond his control
Beyond my control, we all need control
I need control, we all need control
I am the modren man
(Secret, secret I've got a secret)
Who hides behind a mask
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
So no one else can see
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
My true identity
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo, Domo
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo, Domo
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
For doing the jobs that nobody wants to
And thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
For helping me escape
Just when I needed to
Thank you, thank you, thank you
I want to thank you
Please, thank you, oh
The problem's plain to see
Too much technology
Machines to save our lives
Machines, de-humanize
The time has come at last
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
To throw away this mask
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
Now everyone can see
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
My true identity, I'm Kilroy, Kilroy, Kilroy, Kilroy
The clip below is the original video for the song.
Sunday, 27 June 2010
You're Beautiful
I see Your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say
You're beautiful
I see Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
It's all proclaiming who You are
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see You there hanging on a tree
You bled and then You died and then You rose again for me
Now You are sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be coming home
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
When we arrive at eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing
You're beautiful (x2)
I see Your face,
You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face,
You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face,
I see Your face
I see Your face,
You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say
You're beautiful
I see Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
It's all proclaiming who You are
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see You there hanging on a tree
You bled and then You died and then You rose again for me
Now You are sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be coming home
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
When we arrive at eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing
You're beautiful (x2)
I see Your face,
You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face,
You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face,
I see Your face
I see Your face,
You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Proud To Be Welsh
This is an awesome joke, which I have unashamedly nicked from a post by Ziggy on the PRATS forum. By the way I am English, but married a Welsh girl.
After having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, Irish scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago.
Not to be outdone by the Irish, in the weeks that followed, an English archaeologist dug to a depth of 20 feet, and shortly after, a story published read:-
"English archaeologists, finding traces of 130-year-old copper wire, have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech telecommunications network 30 years earlier than the Irish".
One week later, the South Wales Echo reported the following:-
"After digging as deep as 30 feet in the back garden of his house in the Rhondda, Dai Williams, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely f**k all.
Dai has therefore concluded that 130 years ago, Wales had already gone wireless."
Makes a man proud to be Welsh!
After having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, Irish scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago.
Not to be outdone by the Irish, in the weeks that followed, an English archaeologist dug to a depth of 20 feet, and shortly after, a story published read:-
"English archaeologists, finding traces of 130-year-old copper wire, have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech telecommunications network 30 years earlier than the Irish".
One week later, the South Wales Echo reported the following:-
"After digging as deep as 30 feet in the back garden of his house in the Rhondda, Dai Williams, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely f**k all.
Dai has therefore concluded that 130 years ago, Wales had already gone wireless."
Makes a man proud to be Welsh!
Friday, 11 June 2010
Planet Rock Connection
Planet Rock, the UK's home of Classic Rock, has a quiz type thing in their morning show. Basically, a listener sends in a list of eight songs which are connected by a theme, with one being an odd one out. The remaining listeners have to email or ring in with the right connection, and odd one out.
Well today's connection had been sent in by your's truly. It was introduced as a welcome return to the groaners, ie you will groan when you here the answers! The ones submitted were as below. They altered two of them, Black Sabbath was replaced by U2 Sunday bloody Sunday, and Styx were replaced by Bruce Springsteen's the river.
The connection was rivers in the UK, with the odd one out mentioning a river in the title.
(order sent in, not order played)
Queen - Seven seas of rye (Severn - England/Wales)
Peter Frampton - Show me the way (Wey - England)
Van Halen - Why can't this be love (Wye - England/Wales)
Black Sabbath - Sabbath bloody sabbath (Dee - England/Wales or Scot)
AC/DC - Beatin' around the bush (Bush - N.Ireland)
Europe - Last look at Eden (Eden - England)
Alan Parsons Project - Eye in the sky (Eye Water - Scot)
Styx - Boat on the river
Well today's connection had been sent in by your's truly. It was introduced as a welcome return to the groaners, ie you will groan when you here the answers! The ones submitted were as below. They altered two of them, Black Sabbath was replaced by U2 Sunday bloody Sunday, and Styx were replaced by Bruce Springsteen's the river.
The connection was rivers in the UK, with the odd one out mentioning a river in the title.
(order sent in, not order played)
Queen - Seven seas of rye (Severn - England/Wales)
Peter Frampton - Show me the way (Wey - England)
Van Halen - Why can't this be love (Wye - England/Wales)
Black Sabbath - Sabbath bloody sabbath (Dee - England/Wales or Scot)
AC/DC - Beatin' around the bush (Bush - N.Ireland)
Europe - Last look at Eden (Eden - England)
Alan Parsons Project - Eye in the sky (Eye Water - Scot)
Styx - Boat on the river
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