Food for thought

“Food for thought” is the rather clever name for a restaurant in the rather wonderful St Deiniol’s Library.  And why is this important?  Because it serves really tasty food at unbelievably low prices.  How about £5.95 for hand cooked, freshly prepared Sunday roast and veg?  Or £3.45 for hand made apple pie and custard?  And all eaten in Gladstone’s Library?  We were there on Sunday and we sat next to a Bishop and several other clergy, all there on a course.

St Deiniol’s Library is a lovely old building in Hawarden, North Wales (where Michael Owen comes from.  This is my only piece of football knowledge).  It’s also the only library in Britain where you can get bed and breakfast.  It’s one of those places where people like me feel it’s a privilege to be allowed in.  Just standing in the library part of this lovely old building makes you clever.  Fact.  Three days standing perfectly still equals one extra IQ point.  Slow but better than fish oil.

St Deiniol's Library (and B&B)

All of which leads me to an interesting idea:  odd places to eat.  I’ve already mentioned the Pet Cemetery near Holywell.  And very nice it is, too.  There’s a restaurant in Ruthin Castle and a lovely cafe in the Craft Centre in Ruthin.

There’s also a Crypt in Chester but as it’s part of Debenhams it doesn’t really count.   So where is the wierdest place in Britain to eat?  Or most unusual?  And I don’t mean down a mine or on top of a mountain but a real, open to the public cafe or restaurant.

What do you think?

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Of marmalade and Tigers

Which one for the Awards?

It’s February.  It’s minus 4C outside.  North East Wales may be the warmest and driest place in Europe at the moment but it still isn’t biking weather.  But it will be sometime soon and so thoughts turn to motorcycles, the Welsh Rally and the new Triumph range.  Don’t panic, there will be talk of food after a short musings on bikes.

While Heathrow turns away flights and the M25 grinds to a halt, here in Efenechtyd we’ve been enjoying gloriously dry, sunny, cold days.  Not a flake of snow.  So dry that we’ve not really seen hard frosts so it looks warmer than it is.  It’s only when you go outside that you realise how ‘challenging’ it is.   Last winter (and the one before) was hard.  Lots of snow that stayed for weeks and meant getting out of our house was a real trial.  We had lots of discussions about buying a 4×4 ready for the next onslaught.  Instead we got a SEAT Altea which is lovely but probably rubbish in the snow.

So that just leaves the problem of The Bike.  The Bike is a Triumph Tiger 955i that I’ve had for a few years.  It’s rather good at the type of riding I mostly do.  Exploring minor roads around Wales and the occasional longer trip.  It’s not that fast (a good thing), very tall (not a good thing) and weighs a ton (definitely not a good thing).  But it has a great ‘presence’ and is very comfy.  But I’m getting older and therefore weaker and find manhandling it in and out of the garage more and more difficult.  So thoughts turn to a replacement.

I’m a bit stuck in that I only really like Triumphs.  The Honda CB1300S looks gorgeous but defeats the object of getting a lighter bike.  BMWs are OK but a bit staid (I know the sporty ones aren’t but ….) and Harleys are out.  As are Ducatis (can’t afford the servicing costs).  Price rules out most Japanese big bikes.  Besides which I ‘d rather support workers in Hinckley.  So a Triumph it will probably be.  And here we come to the real problem.  What is going on?  Modern bikes look awful1 Modern design is called ‘edgy’.  All straight lines, triangles and corners.  Over designed. I like bikes to be curvy and ‘of a piece’.  If Apple can turn out beautiful, desirable, must have designs one after another where ‘updating’ always looks better than the one that went before, why can’t bike designers?

So what to do?  The Tiger 1050 looks great and rides really well but has the problems of my old one (heavy and tall).  Bonnies are too slow and hard work over distance. The Sprint is too heavy.  I tried a Street Triple but it was too focussed for me.  So that really leaves the Tiger 800.  But it looks like it isn’t finished!  Where’s all the bodywork gone?  It’s lovely to ride but keeping it clean must be a nightmare.  And so we have A Dilemma.  But also an opportunity to test ride loads of bikes, or as many as time will allow.

Time.  That’s the enemy.  Summer riding time is limited as that’s when we’re busy with the B&B.  But winter is more relaxed and leaves time for making marmalade.  And this year I’m going to enter my marmalade in the Dalemain Marmalade Awards, a prestigious competition that brings world class fame and untold riches.  Or maybe a certificate.  There is a category specifically for marmalades made and served in B&Bs and I think I may enter the ‘medium cut Seville’ category but I’m toying with the idea of a separate entry in the ‘marmalade with interesting additions’ one.  Using Penderyn Welsh Whiskey.  Oh, the pressure.

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Food, food, food. And chocolate.

The Food Trail.  It’s coming along nicely.  If you read my last but one blog, you’ll know about the Clwydian Range Food Trail.  If you don’t know about it, go back 2 posts, read it then come back here.  It’s worth it.

We are aiming for a launch date before Easter.  Between now and then we have only a few thing to sort out, like a logo, a website, leaflets, banners, stickers, pop-ups, goody bags and someone to officially launch it.  Not a lot, then.  Of this list, we are sure of one thing – Alun Davies, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European Programmes in the Welsh Government, has agreed to come and set the trail in motion.  The date is 30th March, which is a whole 7 weeks away.  So no need to panic, then.  Not just yet, anyway.

There is an amazing amount of detail involved in a project like this.  For example, deciding on the look of the website is a can of worms hidden away in Pandora’s box tied up in a series of Gordian knots.  And everything comes down to money.  Priorities change, personal preferences change and so we ebb and flo.  But we make progress.  The end result will be worth it.

And so Ruthin Craft Centre today to look at the ceramics exhibition.  One of the exhibitors has been staying with us these past few days so we went to have a look at her work.  If you’re in the area, call in there, some fabulous stuff to look at.  And A cold day but a walk up to toen and a visit to Annie’s, who has had a mention here before.  No cakes today but a smoked haddock and potato tart went down well.  Really well.  Followed by a hot chocolate.

And then across the road to have my Barnet chamfered.  As it’s about minus 5 C at the moment the walk back to the car was a mite chilly.  Even with Annie’s hot choc inside.

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Would you Adam and Eve it?

A funny thing happened on the way back from a business meeting at Pantasaph Farm B&B today.  We had lunch.  Nothing unusual in that, I know.  But this was at a Pet Cemetery.  In Brynford near Holywell here in Glorious North Wales.  And the reason I’m letting the world know about this is ….  it was fabulous.  Sweet potato and coconut milk soup served with a hot roll.  Super (souper?) tasty and good value.

The Pet Cemetery itself is really well kept and looks lovely even on a wet and cold day in January.  The cafe is very welcoming and there’s lots of choices on the menu for lunches.  Worth a visit if you’re in the area.

 

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It’s been a while …..

Moel Famau from our B&B

Yes, I know.  As my Dad would have said had he known about blogging, as a Blogger you make a good knitter.  There are, as I see it, two problems with trying to keep a blog:  finding the time and finding something to blog about.  And remembering to do it.  Three things, then.

So I have determined to find the time, will try to remember and think, nay, I am sure, that I have something to write about.  At the very beginning of my blogging career, I spoke of my love of three things (that are not people).  Bikes, Wales and food.  Well, two of them have come together in the perfect blogging storm.  Food and Wales.  The Clwydian Range to be more precise, those lovely hills that run north to south (and, strangely, south to north) between the Dee valley and the Vale of Clwyd.  This is what happened….

Around about May last year, a select band of brothers (and a sister) met to discuss an idea.  An idea that was to change the face of Western Europe and eventually, the world.  But as that was the G7 in Brussels, I didn’t get invited.  Instead, I turned up at the inaugural meeting of the Vale of Clwyd Food Trail Group, held in Cadwyn Clwyd’s offices in Ruthin.

The initial idea was to create a ‘food trail’ based in the Vale of Clwyd to showcase the wide range of high quality food being produced in the Vale.  We hoped it would encourage local people and tourists to visit these producers, spend their money and tell their friends what a great place Wales is.  Since the first meeting, we have met many times, I have been voted in as Chairman (the power, the power!), we have a written constitution, funding from several places and have appointed a branding consultant to consult about our branding.  We have also changed the name to The Clwydian Range Food Trail.

We’re working towards launching the trail before Easter this year.  So what will you see if you turn up in the Vale and go on the trail?  Well, details are yet to be worked out.  Some aspects are still very secret.  If Huw at Rhesgoed Farm Shop on the A494 near Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd knew that I had leaked his name, he’d be furious.  The same goes for Mark at The Denbigh Chocolate Shop . Which sells chocolate.  Or Jane at Caffi Florence in Loggerheads and Andreas from Leonardo‘s Deli in Ruthin.  Who happen to be on the committee.

There are still things to finalise.  We’re planning on a launch to rival the 2012 Olympics with at least one fairly famous celebrity, a bottle of sherry and a packet of sparklers.  As Chairman I’ve already been booked to appear on Radio 4’s Today Programme, News at Ten and Crimewatch.  Watch this space.

Other news related to bikes, food and Wales:

Motorcycling news – went to the NEC bike show last November by bike.  Not that cold and if the truth be told, not that interesting.  Only one bike stopped me dead in my tracks, the new Rickman.  I must be getting old.

Food in Ruthin – like many small towns, Ruthin is suffering from the Downturn in the Economy.  A couple of good restaurants have closed down but good news!  We will soon have a branch of Weatherspoons in the town.  Harrumble and hoorah.  Just what we need.  Cheap lager.  And an all day brunch.  Can’t wait.  Or maybe I can.

Wales – it’s been fairly warm with no snow.  Not a lot else to say.

If you need to know more (about anything except football) then get in touch.

I’ll be back.

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Weather, walls, windows and wood filler

If you buy an old house, such as the one here at Plas Efenechtyd Cottage, you buy into more than just a house.  You buy into a lifestyle.  Our house is the southern ‘wing’ of a larger Welsh Hall or Plas, built in about 1820 of stone and brick and oak.  The roads around the house haven’t changed much since it was first built.  In fact, we have a copy of an 1899 Ordinance Survey map showing that they hasn’t changed at all.  However in all that time, water and weather and wind have taken their toll and done their damage.  So this summer has been spent up a ladder painting windows and walls and replacing rotten bits with new bits and generally cursing.

And all this means that time spent out on the bike has been severely limited.  No big rides since the Big One (the National Rally) and very few little ones.  The Triumph has had a couple of short trips but the Sunbeam has stayed put, quietly sulking.  I have had some success with the Midget, though.  You may remember that I bought a lovely looking  MG Midget off eBay (by mistake).  That was about a year ago and I’ve only just got it running properly having replaced the whole ignition system, overhauled the carbs and sorted out the brakes.  From a top speed of 38 mph when I bought it, it will now hit over 70 mph on the flat!  Allegedly.  Officer.

So there are no new roads to write about and no new cakes emporia to describe.  But we did have a few days in August when we had no guests at our B&B and so went a-touring.  Chirk Castle was first, a really interesting place with amazing gardens and a truly depressing dungeon.  Then on to Pistyll Llanrhaeadr, the highest waterfall in Wales.  Pretty, easy to find and worth a visit.  A bit smaller than Victoria Falls but easier to get to.  But next day we went on to Ty Mawr, near Betws y Coed.  Google it and when you’re read about Bishop Morgan and the Welsh Bible, go and have a look.  But stop off and see us on the way and stay at our B&B.  Find us at http://www.plas-efenechtyd-cottage.co.uk

Chirk Castle

Pistyll Rhaeadr - the highest waterfall in Wales

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I Ain’t Seen Ruthin Yet

Just found this rather brilliant spoof video by one of the greatest unsung Welsh comedians – David Garland Jones.  Have a look and then come and have a look if you ain’t seen Ruthin yet.

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Jam and “Do you sell ’em?”

Do you see what I did there?  In the title?  Sounds like “Jam and Jerusalem”.  A bit.

But in the real world …….

We do sell jam!  We grow lots of fruit and make jam from some of it.  Why might this be of interest to you?  Because we hope to be at the “Real Bread” festival at Ruthin Gaol on 31st July.  Selling our jam.  Every month in the summer there’s a local produce market held in the courtyard of Ruthin Gaol, itself a fascinating glimpse of how cruel we used to be to each other (in the name of justice).  This year we’ve had a good crop of gooseberries, raspberries and blackcurrants and are looking forward to lots of damsons and some plums.

We make the best jam in North Wales, possibly the world, and sell it for the ridiculously low sum of £2.25 a jar.  I know, a bargain way beyond belief.  If you’re in the area go and have a look at the Gaol or better still, stay with us at Plas Efenechtyd Cottage and try our jams for free.  Well, after you’ve paid for at least one night’s B&B, obviously.

Last time I promised to tell you about BRO Ruthin and Ebb and Flo and to keep an eye on Nick and Dave.

First off – the BRO Ruthin Loyalty Card.  “Support Ruthin and let it support you with the Bro Rhuthun loyalty card.  Enjoy special offers and promotions from a range of independent shops,
restaurants and businesses.”  That’s the official line from the website   http://ruthindirectory.moonfruit.com/  It’s a brilliant idea to help small, independent local businesses survive the current troubled times.  Go and have a look at the website, get the card and spend lots of money in Ruthin.  We haven’t decided yet what our own special offer ought to be.  Suggestions welcome.  I’ve already come up with “Stay 2 nights and get a free hour’s lecture on the history of the British Motorcycle”  and “Two hours gardening will get you an extra big sausage”.

Ebb and Flo.  Obviously they are our new hens, light Sussex hybrids.  We bought them as young ‘uns from a smallholder near Cerrigydrudion.  They’re proper hens, they are not like the poor worn out brown ones who are ex-batts.  Ebb and Flo lay lovely eggs, regular as clockwork (that’s once a day).   Even though they are now bigger than the rest, they are still at the bottom of the pecking order.  The others are Big Hen, Dora and Nondescript Hen.  Only Nondescript Hen doesn’t lay eggs regularly.  Maybe it’s because of low self esteem brought on by being called Nondescript Hen.  Such fragile egos (or should that be eggos?).

Nick and Dave:  still together but their friends are getting fractious.  Vince is turning intellectual somersaults to try to prove that he’s right now, whereas before he didn’t know as much so he was wrong then but now he knows more, he must be right now.  Dave meanwhile, is trying to look grown up when playing with the bigger boys.  Even Ken and Michael are falling out about how many of us should be in prison.  Which is where we came in.  Jam and Gaols.  It’s a good mix.

See you at the Gaol on the 31st of July.

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Detours, dykes and rabbits – the National 2010

Back from the National Rally.  A ‘motorcycle navigational scatter rally’ for masochists.  I explained a little about it in my last blog. The idea is to cover exactly 500 miles around England overnight.  My Rally went a little differently.  Good bits were riding along the fen roads near Wisbech with the canals higher than the roads.  Calling in at my daughter’s home for a family barbecue.  And riding over the Horseshoe Pass at daybreak dodging rabbits who dive across the road on suicide missions.

Somewhere around 2pm I’m nearing Milton Keynes, 285 miles into the rally. There’s some roadworks and a detour at the entrance to the M1.  So I take the detour only to find it’s not any old detour but a 10 mile detour south down the M1 through contraflow at 50 mph then turn round and come back the same way for another 10 miles.  This takes about half an hour and somehow, takes the edge off the whole thing.  I’m 150 miles from home and getting cold.  To finish the rally would mean another 200 miles to the final control then 100 miles or more home.  England seems to consist of dual carriageways, 50mph limits, speed cameras and traffic.

I call into the services, Newport Pagnall, I think.  It’s awful.  Loud music everywhere, including in the dirty, broken toilets.  Coffee is luke warm and weak.  I’m going home.  And I won’t be doing it next year!  I promise.  Got home at 4.30 am, just as the sun was coming up.  North Wales never looked more beautiful.

So what about Dave and Nick?  It’s beginning to unravel.  Mark my words.  The Right hate the Lib Dems and the Lib Dems will only be able to bear being in the same room as the Tories for so long.  I’ll give them six months.  Tops.

All of which means this is a great time to have a break, soak up some Welsh sunshine (not an oxymoron) and chill out.  We have some vacancies in July and August.  Have a look at our website on http://www.plas-efenechtyd-cottage.co.uk and decide for yourself.

Next time:  what is the ‘Bro Rhuthun card’?  Who are Ebb and Flo?  What happened to the ‘cakes, bikes and North Wales’ guide?

Tiger at the Horseshoe Pass - beware rampant rabbits

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3 Daves and a Midget

The New Toy

Right then.  I’ve been away but I’m back now.  Many, many things of which to speak.  Since I last wrote we’ve had a vicious and beautiful winter, Dave and Nick have got married and I’ve bought a new toy.

Winter was quite something.  Minus 12 degrees, snow that wouldn’t go away.  We were trapped in the house for a week.  It was hell.  Actually, it wasn’t that bad, a bit dull but there’s always re-runs of Top Gear and QI on Dave (my own personal TV channel) and the internet.

The damned internet.  It makes you do things that later you come to regret.  Like bidding on eBay for a car you don’t need, don’t want and can’t afford.  How is this possible?  Well, idly leafing through eBay’s classic car pages you come across a Midget 1500, for sale reasonably locally with no bids against it.  It looks gorgeous so, thinking you might get it for silly money you put in a bid and 5 seconds later it’s yours.  Not such silly money, then, if no one else wanted to outbid you.  On the way back from the vendor’s house you realise that the speedo is not working properly.  Surely it should do more than 48 mph flat out?  Two hours to cover 25 miles seems a bit slow.

So let’s have a look at the mechanicals.  The bodywork is just about flawless but why are the plugs ancient and of different types to each other?  Why are the air filters about 20 years old?  Why are the carbs loose and the plug leads broken and frayed?  Another £200 worth of ignition and carb parts, umpteen hours under the bonnet and hey presto!  It goes almost as well as it looks.

But only almost.  The brakes are now binding.  They get hot in a few miles and tend to spoil the fun.  Bugger.

This weekend is the National Rally.  It happens every year.  A whole load of masochists set off on motorcycles of all ages, sizes and types and try to ride all night.  Why?  To win a small, cheap, plastic medal of course!  Why else?  If you manage 500 miles between 2pm on Saturday and 10 am on Sunday you get a Gold medal.  You have to visit manned checkpoints dotted around the country to prove you’ve done it but that’s all there is to it really.  So why do it?  Each entrant has his or her own reasons of course.  For me it’s about undertaking something difficult, a challenge  and a chance to get away from worldly worries for 24 hours.  I always do the National alone because a) I have no mates and b) I’m in charge.  I decide the speed, the rest points, the route and whether or not we finish.  Last year after about 250 miles I got bored and went home early.  Got to bed about 3 am. No medal but it was fun nonetheless.

So by lunchtime on Sunday I’ll have covered nearly 700 miles, (including getting to the start and back from the finish).  I’ll have seen England by night and by early morning.  I’ll have spent 24 hours inside my own head with nothing to think about except the road ahead.  Bliss

See you soon when we’ll think about the state of the economy, see if Dave and Nick’s honeymoon is over and suggest why you should stay with us here in Plas Efenechtyd Cottage.

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