Out & About...

A break in the weather gives us a chance to get out and grab some shots. With Anglesey being an all-year-round destination for people looking to take a break, there are plenty of opportunities for pictures that can be sold onto libraries, tourist organisations etc. (It also gives us a chance to get out from in front that open fire and exercise our legs and lungs)
This particular location is a favourite of mine as it is a hidden cove where I can quietly launch my kayak into claim waters even when the wind is blowing hard. It also makes up part of the coastal path, which has grown and developed into a walk that covers the entire coastline of Anglesey. A challenge I've yet to undertake but is on my list of must do's... Each year there is a Walking Festival where, for a small fee, you can book guided walks which cover certain areas of special interests around the Island. This festival runs from the end of May into June. Check out their website: www.angleseywalkingfestival.com

Winter Wonderland (part2)…

Being only thirty minutes away from Snowdonia National Park is quite a convenience when it comes to landscape photography. A quick look out the window and a check with the online local weather report and I’m packed and ready to roll in minutes. I often set off with some rather fixed ideas about what it is I’m trying to capture and almost always come back with something completely different; which is why I so enjoy photography. If you don’t have a plan of action you can often find excuses for not venturing out, especially when the weather is cold, wet and miserable. But it’s this exact same changeable weather that can give up some exceptional images, which you could never hope to plan in the first place.
So, the key is to have an agenda to get you out the front door and then be prepared to scrap it. A flask of tea, some warm long johns and the reassuring sound of radio 4 on the car stereo and the worlds your oyster just waiting to be photographed.

Winter Wonderland...

There’s no getting away from it…winter is with us once again. The rain, the wind and the dark early nights all add up to evenings in front of the wood burning stove. The birds don’t sing quite as loud in the morning while the windows and doors whistle their own tunes. Time to pull on the woolly jumpers and thick socks, get the fire going and cook up a large pot of vegetable stew and homemade bread. This is our hibernation time, and I wouldn’t want to hibernate anywhere else but here.

Set Sail...

With Jane keen on baking her own bread it was with great excitement that we first visited Llynnon Mill in Llanddeusant, the only surviving working windmill in the whole of Wales; and less then four miles from the end of our lane. Now fully renovated and with the help of the islands notorious westerly winds, it now produces it’s very own brand of flour. This has got to be some of the lowest carbon footprint produced bread in the whole of the country and it tastes fantastic.

The Scary Skerries...

Tidal streams running at 6 knots, over-falls and tidal races, 20 kilometres of endless paddling, over five hours on rough seas and 5 kilometres from the safety of shore… why on earth do we do it? Because it’s there to be done. It challenges our preconceived ideas of what we’re capable of and it confronts our fears. Hey, and it’s great fun if you get to survive it all.
This sums up my first open crossing by sea kayak to a place off the northern tip of Anglesey called The Skerries, a large rock formation which houses a lighthouse and is home to the Atlantic grey seal. It is exposed to winds from any direction and lies in the midst of some of the most powerful tidal streams in the UK. Because of these tidal flows there’s no straight line paddling to get to The Skerries. You need to have all the relevant navigational information and skills to achieve the crossing safely. Get your calculations wrong and the next call you’ll be making is to the coastguards. The furthest I’d ever been off shore was 200 metres and even then I felt very vulnerable. I hasten to add, this was no solo crossing, but with a group of highly experienced and skilled paddlers who looked after me all the way; there and back. Having said that, it was still me who had to paddle, deal with wind, rain and the unplanned negotiation of a tidal race (Large crashing waves out at sea) to make it back to landfall, exhausted, exhilarated and with a lasting respect for the power of the sea and the wonder of nature.Video clip of the trip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVfDNHbv3tc

My Witching Hour...

I’m guessing that ‘the witching hour’ is that time in the day or night that has a sense of magic about it. I’d have to say that during the summer months it would be the early hours of dawn. While the rest of the world is still in slumber and the sun is still wiping the sleep from it’s eyes, this is the time to feel the true magic of Anglesey. There is a unique kind of stillness that you can feel, especially near to water. Four Mile Bridge (Named after the distance from the bridge to Holyhead town) is an inland sea that remains quite shallow even at high tide. An ideal place to practice your kayaking skills or to learn your new windsurfing tricks. The bridge also allows a great flow of water through its arch, as the tide rises and falls, and is favourite with the white water kayakers. But in the early morning mist while all around sleeps, I stand and stare and am bewitched in this special magic hour in this special magic place.

A Life on the Ocean Waves...

As a sea kayaker living on Anglesey, I’m often called on to act as a student to fellow paddlers training to become instructors in this wonderful sport. This gives me plenty of opportunities to get out on to the water while being instructed by supervised, trainee instructors. What would normally set me back £70 -£80 a lesson I get for free. It’s also a great way to learn about the coastline of this island, its tidal flows and currents, along with all the risks inherent in paddling the ocean waves. On top of all that, I get to pick and choose what kind of kayak I’d like to paddle for the day. (My wish-list is forever growing longer.) I get to meet like-minded people all sharing the same enthusiasm and passion for this sport and get to hear some great stories of kayaking trips from around the world. Dodging ice-bergs in Greenland or being surrounded by playful dolphins down in Florida. (A second wish-list is growing fast.) Anglesey is a Mecca for sea kayakers as it contains so many water features within such a small area. The famous tidal races at the northern end of the island out near the Skerries, along with the tidal flows and eddies of the Menai Straits. There is talk that in the next couple of years a regular kayaking festival will be held on the island and paddlers from all over Europe and beyond will come together to spend a week sharing their skills and experiences with fellow kayakers.
Sounds like a lot of fun…can’t wait.

Crackle and Pop...

One of our most favorite pleasures, come these chilly evening nights, is to chop a few logs and to get the wood burning stove fired up. There’s nothing quite like the crackle and pop of dry burning timber and the mingled aroma of pine wood and cherry wood. A glass of wine and some mindless tele sets us up for a splendid evening of boozing and snoozing…
Our motto as always is, “ it can wait...”

The Church in the Sea...

There are some fascinating locations all around the island, non-more so then Ty Cawyfan, the church in the sea. At high tide it is completely shut of from the mainland and has a history going back many hundreds of years. Not the easiest of places to get to, (unless you happen to own a kayak) but well worth the effort. I’ve included some information courtesy of Anglesey’s heritage web-site.

" Llangwyfan Church near Aberffaw The “Church in the Sea”. This old 12th century church originally stood on a cliff of clay overlooking the sea. A map drawn in 1610 seems to show it still attached to the mainland. It formerly had a second aisle on the north side, demolished in the early 19th century as the sea eroded more and more of the island. An arcade of blocked arches, once separating the twin aisles, may still be seen within. Replaced in 1871 with a new mainland church, designed by Diocesan architect Henry Kennedy, by 1893 it stood unroofed and neglected. It was then restored by the famous Llanfairfechan architect and archaeologist Harold Hughes. Erosion of the island was finally halted by surrounding it with a stone sea wall, at around the same time. The remains of the causeway linking the island to the mainland, once much larger, can still be seen. When the tides prevented services being held on the island, they were held instead in a room specially consecrated in nearby Plas Llangwyfan".

Of Man & Beast...

The welsh are a very proud people, after all, they were the only Celtic speaking nation within the British isles that held on to their native tongue. It is a fascinating language that somehow reflects the landscape in which it’s spoken. Rough hued mountains and smooth silky sands, with the ferocity of a gale force wind singing its way down the valley and out to sea… I’ll often sit at home watching a Welsh international rugby game on welsh television and listen to the entire match in Welsh. I’ve never been much of a linguistic but it’s a sound I’m so familiar with that living here without it would be like sitting on a beach without the sound of waves breaking or of rain falling.
For me, they are the most unassuming, laid-back nation of people I have yet to meet, friendly and generous to a fault. They have a great respect for their heritage and retain their links with the past with all sorts of events and festivals scattered around the island that reflect this connection. One of our favourite events is the horse drawn ploughing competitions where these wondrous & powerful animals, with plough all harnessed, are guided to till the ground in perfect straight lines. Man, beast and earth all working in harmony together.
It may no longer be a method that could feed a nation, but its connection to the islands past should never be forgotten…

Mother of Wales...

Someone once asked me, which of all my images that I had taken in and around Anglesey summed up my love of the island. Well, that would always depends on what mood I was in at the time of asking… But having lived here back in the seventies and now having returned in the new millennium, there is one image that I feel captures the beauty, the bleak, the wild and the melancholy that this place holds for me. (Or more truthfully, holds over me…)
This is an image of nature shaping the landscape. Of the landscape bowing and bending to the forces of nature, an image that has remained unchanged for thousands of years…
One could say that this image could be of anywhere, but I know that it is of Anglesey, the beautiful Mother of Wales.

Llanddwyn Island...

This has got to be one of the most special places, not just on Anglesey, but in the whole of Wales. There is so much to say about it I’ll let someone else do the talking…

Llanddwyn Island (Ynys Llanddwyn) is a magical place. Located at the far end of a pleasant beach near Newborough Warren, this narrow finger of land is an ideal picnic site during fine weather, but also an exhilarating place when the winter winds blow. Its rolling dunes, large rock outcrops and mixture of historic buildings makes it an ideal place for an afternoon of exploration. The name Llanddwyn means "The church of St. Dwynwen". She is the Welsh patron saint of lovers, making her the Welsh equivalent of St. Valentine. Her feast day, 25 January, is often celebrated by the Welsh with cards and flowers, just as is 14 February for St. Valentine. Dwynwen lived during the 5th century AD and was one of 24 daughters of St. Brychan, a Welsh prince of Brycheiniog (Brecon). She fell in love with a young man named Maelon, but rejected his advances. This, depending on which story you read, was either because she wished to remain chaste and become a nun or because her father wished her to marry another. She prayed to be released from the unhappy love and dreamed that she was given a potion to do this. However, the potion turned Maelon to ice. She then prayed that she be granted three wishes: 1) that Maelon be revived, 2) that all true lovers find happiness, and 3) that she should never again wish to be married. She then retreated to the solitude of Llanddwyn Island to follow the life of a hermit. Dwynwen became known as the patron saint of lovers and pilgrimages were made to her holy well on the island. It was said that the faithfulness of a lover could be divined through the movements of some eels that lived in the well. This was done by the woman first scattering breadcrumbs on the surface, then laying her handkerchief on the surface. If the eel disturbed it then her lover would be faithful. Warren Kovach

For the love of it...

One minute you’re photographing the wild rugged countryside of North Wales, the next, some ladies leather handbags and multi coloured baby bibs. Still, the need to be adaptable is very much a necessity when you’re scratching a living in such a remote location. (And, of course, leather handbags and baby bibs earn me more money in a day then I get from my rugged countryside images in a year.)

Speaking of rugged countryside images… here’s a picture just to remind me why I came here in the first place.

My Backyard...

You don’t have to look far for a little bit of inspiration. The vast open spaces of the sea and countryside are there to be enjoyed, and a hike up a mountain or a four hour paddle along the coast is all well and good if you’ve got the time to do it, but sometimes I grab my camera and go out into the garden or just down the lane to see what little bits of magic I can find. If the light is right and the weather interesting then there’s a wealth of subject matter out there to be explored. I also find it a great way to relax and unwind and there’s nothing better then, having found something special, getting it onto the computer and up on the screen to view and enjoy…and to share.

Big Brother...

We mustn’t forget that, for all its beauty, Anglesey is very much a part of Wales even though you could be forgiven for thinking that it is a separate country on its own. The mountains of Snowdonia stand over this tiny island like a big brother protecting his younger sister, and from just about anywhere on the island these big brother mountains can be seen standing tall and proud.
Travelling to Anglesey should always be undertaken during daylight hours and whenever possible, down the old A5 road. This brings you through some of the most stunning countryside you could ever wish to visit with plenty of chances to stop and admire the landscape along the way. Winter or summer, this journey never ceases to amaze me.

It's Never to Late...

Here’s one of my favourite paths. It leads to a bay at Rhoscolyn call Borthwen Bay. It’s where I cut my teeth when learning to sea kayak and it was here I had my first encounter with a seal that played hide and seek with me for close to an hour. Wherever I paddled he’d pop his head up just a few metres away and if I paddled towards him he’d disappear under the surface only to pop up a few minutes later. And so it went on for close to an hour until I guess, he got bored with me. But what a fantastic face he/she had with huge eyes and eyelashes any girl would die for. It was also here that I found myself amongst a flock of feeding terns. As I sat quietly flouting, they would dive-bomb into the waters around me, disappear for a handful of seconds and then reappear with a small fish wiggling in their beaks.
I may have come late to this sport but am so grateful for the opportunity it’s given me to get so close to the natural world.

A Special Place...

Smile, for your dreams await you.
Just around the corner and over the hill,
Your dreams await you with a smile.

Walk On The Wildside...

Seeing as we’re talking man-made constructions, the Breakwater at Holyhead Harbour is one of the longest breakwaters in Europe, stretching over 1.8 miles out into the sea, protecting the harbour from the wilds of the Irish Sea. This isn’t a modern construction but dates back to around 1870 when they used timber scaffolding to help construct it.
It’s now in some state of disrepair and is being maintained by Stena Ferries at a cost of £150,000 a year just to prevent further decay. Once again, there’s lots of talk about restoring it and promoting it as a tourist attraction with a small gauge railway running along its length. It is possible to walk or even cycle along it, but not recommended when those Irish Sea storms come calling.

A Bridge To Far...

There have been some mixed reactions to a new bridge and walkway recently built in Holyhead that joins the ferry port to the main town centre. Called ‘The Celtic Gateway’ it’s a wonderful piece of architecture that lights up at night and is well worth a visit next time you’re in Holyhead. But at the cost of some 6.5 million pounds it has a lot of local people questioning the use of so much money, especially when you consider that Holyhead, and Anglesey in general, is home to some of the lowest paid workers in the UK.
I’m sure the intention is to attract more tourism into the area and get them spending their cash in the local shops, but I would guess that the residents of Holyhead would have a very long list of other things they feel the money could have been more wisely spent on.
Having said that, from a purely aesthetic point of view, it really is quite spectacular. With something so modern at one end of the island and something so old and classic at the other – The Menia Suspension Bridge - we seem to have more than our share of bridges to boast about.


Just a little side-note to all you golfers, I managed my first eagle this morning on the opening par 4. It’s only taken me 17 years to achieve this. I now wait in anticipation for my first hole in one…

Over on the other side...

Over on the east side of the island things are a little calmer. Protected from the harsh North-westerly winds, the climate is softer and house prices are more expensive. Here in llanbadrig is sited the most northernly vineyard in Great Britain where Tom Barlow grows a wonderful selection of grapes for his locally produced wines; and very good they are to. Just down the road is the port of Amlwch, which is steeped in so much history I wouldn’t know where to start. Lots of pretty fishing boats and old rusty anchors to trip over. The coastline on this side of the island isn’t quite as rugged as the western side, but is still full of charm and beauty. Lots of sandy beaches and fantastic walks and the whole island is awash with ancient monuments and standing stones wherever you look. If you’re into lay-lines then Anglesey has more then her fair share. (If you’re not into lay-lines then you wont have the faintest idea what I’m talking about…)
There’s the pretty harbour of Cemaes that looks as if its been plucked straight out of a Cornish calendar, along with the wide open space that is Red Wharf Bay, which stretches for miles when the tide is out.
It’s difficult to know what it is that draws a person to a certain place. Memories of a time gone by perhaps, or a longing for change, sometimes just for the sake of it… I think that you only ever know if a place is right for you after you’ve spent time away and find yourself pining to get back. When that happens then I feel you can rightfully call that place home, and for me Anglesey, the mother of Wales, is my home.

God bless her and all who live on her.

West Side Story...

Being located on the West side of the island we’re prone to some very strong north westerly winds which blow off the Irish sea; never warm but quite invigorating, if you wanted to be kind with the description. But if you ever fancied witnessing the sheer power of nature then this is the place to be.
A walk along the cliff tops, anywhere from Trearddur Bay to South Stack when the wind gets up, will give you a front seat view of some of the most spectacular action scenes you’ll encounter this side of Bruce willis and his ‘die hard’ movies. No stunts here, just the awesome power of nature doing its thing. Not everyone’s idea of a pleasant stroll along the beach, but if you feel like blowing away some cobwebs, then this is definitely not to be missed.
( I like the idea of the life belt in the picture, not a lot of use on a day like this…)
Every year around May time an international windsurfing competition comes to town and some of the best at the sport come to Rhosneigr to show of their skills. When the conditions are right these guys just fly…I think I’ll just stick with photographing them, but it sure looks like fun.
I’ve spent to long now talking about the west side of the island so the next couple of blogs we’ll head east and see what we can find over there.

ain't nothing perfect...

I’ve often spoken about the beauty and tranquillity of this stunning island, but it does have its fair share of contradictions. RAF Valley is world renowned for its training of fighter jet pilots, and of course they need somewhere to practice. Now if you’re into aeronautics this could well be heaven on earth for you. On any sunny day at Rhosneigr beach you’ll see 3 or 4 of these machines hurtling around the sky, chasing each other and performing some amazing manoeuvres, they also kick out quite a sound as they pass overhead. If you want to get up real close then just book a round of golf at Anglesey Golf Club and by the time you reach the back nine you could melt your marshmallows off the rear burners on these monsters.

Thankfully their flights are normally short lived and night time training was stopped quite a few years ago. One very positive thing that has come out of the RAF base is the new commercial airline that flies in and out of the airport twice a day and for £15.00 (booked well in advance) you can be in Cardiff in just under an hour. There’s talk of extending their routes over to Dublin where, believe it or not, we have yet to visit.
For anyone staying on the island, a cheap walk-on-ticket on the ferries will get you over there in just a couple of hours and, I’m reliably told, makes for a great day out…

From dawn to dusk...

I’ve talked quite a bit about early mornings here on Anglesey, but the evenings can be pretty special too. Give me a cold beer, a campfire, some sand dunes and a guitar and, with a setting sun for a light show, I couldn’t ask for more. (Well, maybe some barbecued food wouldn’t go a miss) It’s a treat we always share with visiting friends and it’s a memory that stays with them for weeks, months and even years.
The island measures around 30 miles north to south by 25 mile east to west, so you can find a beach or cliff top in next to no time. And even in the height of the summer holidays there are places you can still go and be by yourself - if you know where to find them.
I first came to Anglesey back in the seventies when a bunch of friends decided that country living was the real thing. They headed off in a camper van from London and drove north having no idea where they were going. Someone saw there was an island at the tip of North Wales and a decision was made that would impact on all our lives. I followed them here a few months later and remained here for over four years before, one by one, we drifted back to what felt like the outside world. We all had our different reasons, mine was to try and make it in the music business as a musician and composer. After ten years of playing in all sorts of bands around London I eventually sold off the instruments and bought a camera and started to photograph musicians instead of playing with them, and that’s how I got into the photographic business, but that’s a whole other story for a whole other day.

Chill!