Llandudno Pier

The present pier, built for the Llandudno Pier Company by Walter Macfarlane of Glasgow using iron castings from the Glasgow Elmbank foundry, was opened to the public on 1 August 1877. 

A British Tourist Authority report in 1975 said of it: '.... It zooms out of the sea.... in a spectacular Indian Gothic style rather like a Maharajah's palace floating on a lake. Cast iron, brackets of iron lacework, an outstandingly pretty balustrade like an enlarged fish net, ogee roofs curling away to the sky, all add up to a totally pleasurable experience.'

Winter at Bodnant

We had a lovely sunny walk around Bodnant Garden this week. I was really impressed with all the flowers that were out already out in the garden and I thought the winter garden looked wonderful. 

Coffee in the Bluebird

This week marked the 50th anniversary of the death of former British land and water speed record holder Donald Campbell. Mr Campbell was holder of eight world speed records in the 1950s and 1960s in the Bluebird cars and boats.On January 4 1967 he attempted a water speed record in the Bluebird K7 at Coniston Water with the target of 300mph (480km/h).After numerous attempts the Bluebird boat reached a speed of 328mph (528km/h) but shortly after, it somersaulted, breaking in two and plunging into the water.