A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU,
And I sincerely hope that you work hard to make it a successful and pleasurable 2011 for yourself and everyone who is important to you.
I subscribe to a simple philosophy and it’s a pretty useful one. By working to bring a quality to each of my days I am far better disposed to add quality to the life of those important to me.
So, Bring Quality into Your Life In All Your Endeavours.
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Anglesey Hidden Gem
Issue #9, January 2011
A BUSY MONTH ON ANGLESEY
It really has been busy here on the Island. I have some good news to share with you about places and events. Also, I have some troubling news about the future of the Island’s Coastguard Station and RAF Valley Search & Rescue.
But we live in hope that common sense will prevail. There again, this is Anglesey where Joy and Confusion are perpetually engaged in a suspect dance routine.
1. CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
As you can see above, it snowed quite hard on Anglesey this Christmas. Although it was truly beautiful to be among this pristine beauty it wasn’t half freezing in the house at times. Some days my poor car barely made it up the track.
I might have been cold though not as cold as it was for these poor beasts above. Have a look at this page to read my reflections on Christmas and receive my best wishes. The encouraging news is that I did manage to put icing on the cake, though it was the rolled kind. Mind you, even though it was my own cake it was – and remains – quite delicious. For more...
2. ANGLESEY WEBCAMS
I made a few wonderful discoveries this month. Best of all for me was the consequence of investigating if we had webcams about the Island.
Every now and then during my workday I click on my link to the Anglesey Red Squirrel Project SQUIRRELCAM to watch these rusty little critters enjoying a meal or two. I have become addicted.
Do have a look because you’ll be surprised at how healthy and tubby they are. I’ve noticed that like us human persons they enjoy a little nibble about 10:00am and a healthy lunch after Midday.
There are also traffic webcams on both Menai and Britannia bridges, a distant webcam view from Lligwy, Traeth Bychan Beach and I am eagerly waiting for Bangor University to switch on their Menai Straits Webcam. It’s well worth having a look. For more....
3. UFO REPORTS
“They’re Here!”
I respectfully guide you to the most recent reader comments at the bottom of the page. It seems that mischievous locals and that extra little glass of wine seem to have locals staring into the ethers.
Sometimes the simplest of answers may not be the right one. If I were an alien investigating the planet Earth, then I would choose the traditional party nights. We humans do tend to become smugly objective show offs after a couple of Sherries and a brisk walk on the beach.
It could just be what it seems. But what if it’s not, eh? For more....
4. B24 AIRCRASH MEMORIAL IN THE BREAKWATER PARK.
I told you last month about the Holyhead Breakwater Country Park and encouraged you to venture there for a lovely wander about in this Award Winning Green Space.
I also pointed out the Anglesey Coastal Path that rises quite steeply to take you among glorious coastal views to North Stack and South Stack.
Just briefly, I’ll add to my growing list of places and spaces on Holy Island the local memorial to those American Airmen who died in a crash just off North Stack in December 1944.
If you’re in the area then please take time to pay your respects. For More ...
5. RED SQUIRRELS DNA
I’d like to get my hands on whomever it was who suggested that our Island Red Squirrels are inbred. Those are my rusty little mates they’re talking about.
Dr Craig Shuttleworth of the Red Squirrel Project is working to get rid of that ridiculous notion by collecting samples for DNA testing. It’s really interesting stuff behind the testing as well.
Click on the link below to read the latest news and also to bring yourself up to date on this wonderful and very successful project to re-introduce the Red Squirrels to Anglesey. For More...
Remember to check out the Red SquirrelCam while you’re there.
6. WELSH MUSIC
The whole world knows about Bryn Terfel and his indisputable Welshness that resonates clearly in his bass baritone voice. Like me, the whole world must be captivated by the astonishing and natural beauty of Katherine Jenkins. Her voice takes you that extra step into heavenly delight.
I have gathered together Great Welsh Singers from Anglesey and Wales. You’ll be surprised. For more ... .
7. ANGLESEY OTTERS COMEBACK!
”THEY’RE BACK!” Again?
The glorious news is that Otters are back and in healthy numbers. This really is a tale of remarkable survival of a species despite unconscious efforts to bring them to the brink of extinction.
The Otter population collapsed almost completely in the 1950s because of farming practices. Quietly, softly and romantically they’ve been increasing their numbers right across Anglesey.
And they are sleek, swift and healthy. WONDERFUL NEWS! For more...
8. COASTGUARD/RAF NEWS
As part of the British Coalition Governments determined cuts to public services it has recently announced the Closure of Holyhead Coastguard Station.
This is devastating news not only in terms of loss of employment but for the sailors and merchantmen who sail around the coastline of Anglesey. The loss of specific local knowledge will be enormous and the implication for potential loss of lives is truly disturbing.
If you share my concern and that of many people on Anglesey I invite you to post your comments.
Not only is Anglesey to lose Coastguard Cover, but the RAF Search & Rescue Helicopters are to be farmed out to commercial interests. RAF pilots go into areas of danger that no-one else seems willing to, say the Mountain Rescue Teams. The simple question that many are asking is, will commercial interests dictate what counts as unacceptable risk.
Again please leave your comments. For more ....
9. LE JARDIN WENDY
If you haven’t had an inspection of Wendy’s Award Winning Garden yet, then I highly recommend that you take the time.
My friends have been delighted by the numerous aspects to her garden and are deeply envious of her knowledge, skill and dedication. You don’t achieve such a high standard without perseverance.
I have two links here for you: Wendy’s Garden and Wendy’s November Garden Report.
I wonder how Wendy’s been coping with this extreme Winter weather we’ve been experiencing. Is Wendy confident or is she praying? We look forward to receiving her latest report.
9. COUNTDOWN TO SPRING
After a freezing Christmas I am desperate for Springtime to arrive. I have even engaged in a bit of advanced and complicated calculus to give myself hope that British Summer Time is not all that far away.
Listen, be kind. If you spot an error that actually pushes Spring further away, then keep it to yourself. On the other hand, if you spot an error that brings Spring even closer then do pipe up and let me know. Click Here to check my sums
10. WASHI BACH – A TRAMP ABROAD
It’s been a very interesting couple of weeks across the Christmas period with both local people and new friends from abroad writing in to share their memories of this tramp who was a regular visitor to Anglesey.
Scroll down to the Comments to read what they say.
Also, only a few days ago I came across new friends in Amlwch who have supplied me with a mine of new information about Washi Bach. Keep an eye on my Blog Page because I hope to have written a new page revealing his name, where he came from, some local stories and amusing and disturbing myths.
Do take the time to visit.
Click Here for information on Washi Bach ...
11. I’M WAITING AS QUICKLY AS I CAN
In short, “I’m Waiting As Quickly As I Can’ is a collection of gentle stories, eccentric characters, bizarre situations, memorable encounters and affectionate recollections.
In a series of sometimes poignant stories that swing from the chaotic to the reassuring, I hope they leave you thinking a bit more than when you started. For more...
12. YOUR ANGLESEY TALES
Make sure that you share those lovely holiday experiences you’ve had on Anglesey. Especially if you’ve found a lovely spot that you think other friends would love to visit.
In the words of the Tibetan Mystic, Lobsang Wan Hung Lo, “Share the good stuff and accrue good Karma, dude.” Click Here and Get Scribbling ...
13. ANGLESEY EXILES - GET IN TOUCH
If you haven’t reached out a warm hand from across the world then do PLEASE DO GET IN TOUCH. Anglesey’s more than just a geographical location; it’s a state of mind. Just ask our County Councillors.
If you’re an Anglesey Exile then here’s your chance to share your memories and maybe get in contact with old friends. For more...
