That time of the year...

Wind, Rain and Laughter...

The nice thing about living here in North Wales is that you get a chance to show it off to all your friends and family whenever they come visiting. This last couple of weeks have been rather manic, with three lots of visitors coming to stay over a two week period. The weather has been quite kind to us, although there has been plenty of wind and some heavy downpours. But, all in all, we've had more than our fair share of the sunny stuff.Most of our visitors are from the major towns and cities, so it's always a great buzz to take them out into the mountains and to watch their reactions as they take in the views and soak up all that wide open space. It isn't long before they start to unwind and relax.
Even after nine years of living here It doesn't get much better then this.

The Sun Has Got His Hat On...

At long last, the sun has arrived and we can get down to the serious business of relaxing. And there's no finer place to do that than here on Anglesey. No matter where you drive, at some point you'll arrive at the coast and it's a safe bet that you'll find something of interest. Whether it's a coastal path to explore or a sandy beach to play on or some rock pools along the base of some cliffs to investigate.One, out of the way, place we love to visit is Porth Trefadog. With views across the sea towards Holyhead mountain and plenty of little nooks and crannies to set up a picnic to just while away the hours.We owe it to ourselves to take time out, and when the sun shines there's no better place than here.

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.

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.