Anglesey - Ynys Mon

Apologies I wrote this last year, as have neglected blog and decided to update


So Anglesey is among Simon Calder, of the Independent, top global 2011 holiday destinations, due, no doubt to the fact that Prince William and his bride-to-be will set up home there. Included alongside the island in the international must see list are Burma, Iceland, Ghana and Chile, all great destinations if you have the financial means and time to spend there. So here are some plus points that the Welsh island has over the other top destinations.

Human rights
Despite having a geriatric junta running the local authority, they don't suppress demonstrating monks in Anglesey like they do in Burma. In fact you would be hard pressed to find any monks on the island as they were all given their cards with the dissolution of the monasteries.Visit Penmon if you want a taste of the contemplative life and some solitude in a sacred place. The island also has some incredibly beautiful early churches, as well as some incredible pre-historic sites awash with atmosphere, such as Barclodiad y Gawres and Bryn Celli Ddu. The multi-layered Din Llugwy is one of my favourite spots - burial chamber, Romano-British settlement and medieval church overlooking a spectacular bay near Moelfre.

More daylight hours and better food!
Although I have visited Iceland and found the place incredible, Anglesey does offer a wider variety of local produce, unless of course puffin and salted wind-dried fish are firm favourites of yours. A visit to Deri Mon Smokery for some first class local smoked cheese, meat and fish is a must. Its worth hitting the local farmers's markets as well as the annual Anglesey Oyster festival in October.

Life's a Beach
OK, OK I know? How can this place compete with the palmed beach paradise that is Ghana? On a sunny day, easy. You can't beat the golden beaches of Rhosneigr, Trearddur, Aberffraw and Llanddwyn with the spectacular backdrop of Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula. If it's not warm enough for a dip, you can always take a walk on the coastal path, or don a wetsuit and hit the surf.

Mining
Chile will harvest the tourist dollar as a result of the heroic rescue of Los Triente Tres, with people flocking there from all over the world. However, the multi-coloured mineral landscape of Mynydd Parys in the north of the island has been mined since the Bronze Age. It was once Europes's biggest copper mine, minted its own coins and contributed to Swansea's rise as the world's Copper HQ .

Miscellaneous Reccommendations

Shopping

E Higgs & Son, 52 Long Bridge Street, Llanidloes, Powys SY18 6EF 01686 412369

If you are looking for shoes, then this is definitely one of the best shops in Wales. You may consider it a trek but its a shoe lover's paradise. Here you will find Italian leather boots, made by the same manufacturer as Gucci, but at a fraction of the price; sturdy walking boots and a range of sexy stilettos for all occasions.

Trecastle Antiques

Great collection of the old, utility, restored and curious to suit everybody's taste.

Eating

Pantygwydr

French restaurant in the centre of Swansea. Fab food, service and sweets to die for, try their Le Chocolat, you saw the movie now taste the product! 

Accommodation

Bythynnod Bryncaled Cottages

Fancy visiting the beautiful county of Meirionnydd, then head for the hills and get away from it all at Bryncaled. Chill out in an open-air hot tub, overlooking Bala lake and the Aran mountains whilst sipping a glass of something sparkly and gazing at the stars. Your effusive host, Sioned, will also provide some wonderful home cooking.

Llowes Court, nr Hay on Wye, Powys

 

Hays on the Way!  I visited the Hay Festival last year, Hay Festival which has grown and grown since its inception nearly 25 years ago. In that time the town itself has also changed from a sleepy town famed for its book shops to one filled with expensive antique, gift and clothes boutiques.

Its a beautiful place, perched on a hill overlooking the Wye and the rich lush farmland of the Marches. Like many other border towns, it has managed to conserve its fantastic architectural heritage. Its strange to think that these towns which were were fought over so fiercely between Welsh princes and Norman lords for years, seem to have stood the test of time and are better preserved than many other towns in Wales and England.

An early morning walk along the Wye to Hay from Llowes was definitely one of the highlights. A 3 mile stroll between emerald fields of cereals, rows of potatoes and bright, yellow rape and the lazily, meandering river Wye. The only company being the ancient oaks and weeping willows, low flying herons and startled ducklings.

But the best experience  by far was a visit to Llowes Court, a medieval house, situated near the bank of the Wye. This yellow washed gem is home to the inspirational Susan Briggs, who has transformed a working farm and builder's yard into one of the most amazing gardens in Wales.

Not once was a tape measure used in the planning of the garden, she paced and paced the surrounding land, bringing it all to life in her imagination. Transforming her dream into reality. Creating magical grottoes, willow mazes, box sculptures, wooden bridges that hover between earth and air. Paths, pools and running water entice you into a labyrinth of willow and a rose scented walled garden that you never want to escape from.

Herbs, vegetables and flowers sit snugly in their box hedged beds. A gate, sculptured to look like a fig tree deceives the eye. An ancient pillared ruin in a dark hollow, surrounded by ferns and gunneras looks like some exotic slice of central America. The lines of poplars and light become an optical illusion. There are no blousey rhododendroms and other flamboyant plants you see in the gardens of large country houses, all is subtle but stunning.

The original family of Llowes were the Fychaniaid (Vaughans) whose court was praised in a poem by the late medieval bard, Lewys Dwnn. Mrs Briggs deserves such an accolade, her garden is a paradise regained.

Mrs Briggs

The garden is only open to the public on special occasions to raise money for good causes, - motorbikes for Timbuktu in this case. But keep an eye out for Llowes this year, if you are in the area. It's an opportunity not to be missed.

Six Bells

Public art can be a BIG hit, or a VERY BIG miss. But in the case of the Six Bells Colliery Disaster Memorial , the local community have come up trumps. The Guardian stands at the entrance to the small village of Six Bells , standing sentinel on the site of the mine that exploded in 1960, killing 45 colliers, fathers, brothers and sons.

Designed and built by sculptor Sebastien Boyesen, it is a fitting memorial to those who lost their lives in the disaster. From a distance it looks transparent, silhouetted against the light but as you approach the figure of the miner, it seems to turn into a solid mass. A Christ like figure with his arms outstretched, the working man turned redeemer, physical perfection manifested in ruddy iron.

Whilst you are in the area its worth winding your way up a narrow and very steep road to the atmospheric mountain church of Llanilltyd. There are some stunning 360 degree views of the Gwent valleys from here, and the mountain road leads over the high, open moorland to Ebbw Vale. 

Go there see it for yourself. en route call in at the Cynon Valley Museum & Gallery, which houses a charming museum documenting the rich history of the Aberdare area and a wonderful collection of contemporary art, crafts and fantastic jewellery.