Bronze Age Copper Mine Great Orme April 09

Half way up the Great Orme is the site of the bronze age copper mines. A place not to be missed as it is said to be the oldest mine in the world. Here we learnt about how copper was mined over 3500 years ago.

After watching a short film we headed into the old mine with its narrow passages and clay walls. Along the tunnels were displays of the old mines and how it was run children mined this area as the passages were very small for there slink figures to get into at time. We followed the mine passages underground for a mile or so before reaching daylight again.

Next we visited the open cast mine this again had many small caverns were children worked to gain a living. Children as young as 9 - 10 yrs old are said to have worked at the mine. Next stop was the smelting works were a display showed the way the copper is smelted down. The copper mines was again a very interesting place to visit. Aaron loved to explore the caverns learning as he went along.

web site link to the Great Orme Bronze Age Copper Mine -- http://www.greatormemines.info/

The Great Orme Llandudno

Well what can I say of this spectacular place set above the Victorian style town of Llandundno North Wales.

Firstly we drove along the marine drive route which shows the views of the bay and the open sea front. It was lovely.

I have fond memories of visits to Llanduno with my Nana and grandad as a child. I told Aaron ( he is writing a book about his family ) I remember us catching the boat from Liverpool sailing across the Irish Sea on day trips to the North Wales Coast. The boat used to dock at the end of the pier in Llandundno. I remember one particular crossing when it was winding as we sailed back to Liverpool. The boat rocked over the waves. My Nana was trying to have a wee on the loo and all you could hear in the cubicle was her giggles as the boat rock up and down and her shoes clip cloped on and off the toilet as she tried to have a wee. We were in hysterics my Nana would see the funny side of anything. She died in 1988 a year before my dad 21 yrs ago. Aaron loves to hear old family story's from the past analogs them all in his book.

After the Marine drive we head up to the top of the Great Orme, Stopping on the way at the great orme mines ( next Blog ).

As we travelled up the great orme we watched the tram heading up also. A few years ago we went on a school trip up here on the tram taking Daniel also he had a wonderful day out on the tram.

After parking in the car park we all headed up to the highest point of the great orme taking in the wonderful sea and coastal views on show. It was rather windy at the top so we didn't stop long and headed to the cafe. After a drink and playing on the adventure park we headed back down the orme and along the fron of Llandundno and Rhyl heading back to Presthaven. Again another wonderful day out.

Web Sites Links Below to Llandudno Great Orme

http://www.llandudnoattractions.co.uk/

http://www.greatorme.org.uk/

http://www.greatormetramway.co.uk/

http://www.greatorme.org.uk/summit.html

The Marble Church & Bodelwyddan Castle

Firstly today we drove into Prestayn to take a look at the market place. Next stop was Bodelwyddan Castle.

Here we viewed a wonderful home and ex boarding school. Aaron took the quiz which he finished in record time.

The house was decorated with wonderful pictures and furniture. One painting fascinated us, it was the painting of a lady from one side of the room her foot was pointing towards you as you walked across the room the foot moved and followed you also. Aaron was intrigued in finding out why this was happening and went into detective Aaron mode. But there was no explanation except it was down to the way the painting was made in which the foot stands out like decoupage on the canvass

We moved through the house in the hall we came across a chair made of stag deer horns bit sad as none of us agree with hunting and can not see how anyone can chase a defenceless animal to it as death and actually enjoy it ????? Just think for a minute how frightened the animal would be. Barbaric

Above GUESS WHO IS IN THE PHOTO

Following the tour we went up the main stairway. At the top of the stairway was a beautiful bedroom with such pretty colouring. Next was the computer and interactive rooms. Here Aaron enjoyed the computers looking up information on Henry the Eight. Watching both Billy and Aaron they were both looking up the same the queens who had there heads chopped off charming. In this area Aaron also took to dressing up in old fashioned costumes.

Upstairs was an attic room filled with old fashioned games we stayed here for quite sometime as it was very interesting. The head on the table was a giggle. Also in the attic was the display of the old boarding school. A bedroom was set out along with wall displays.

Bodelwyddan Castle was a very interesting place to visit as we made our way down stair s to walk the grounds.


Outside it was just as dramatic. The building was very beautiful and in lovely condition. The grounds were mainly sheep and lamb paddocks with the exception of the children's playground which had adventure theme. Aaron and Billy had a good time here. The views were also lovely across from the front of the castle the old marble church could be seen in the distance.

Upon leaving we decided to visit the Marble church of St. Margaret. This is a beautiful church, both Aaron and I enjoy visiting Church's we always leave a pray for both Daniel and Callum in the pray book. This church was no exception Aaron wrote in the book a pray or his lost brothers. The building itself was very unusual being built of marble and was truly beautiful place of worship. As it got dark we headed back to Presthaven.

To visit this beautiful Historic House please look further using the link below

http://www.bodelwyddan-castle.co.uk/

For more imformation on the Marble Church click link below

http://www.themarblechurch.org.uk/

Easter Monday The Horse Shoe Pass Llangollen

Easter Monday took us all on our travels up the Horse Shoe pass just outside Llangollen. With it fabulous views of rough open welsh countryside. We settled down to a cup of tea in the cafe, before visiting the bikes outside. We looked around and watched the bike safe video, the welsh motorbike ride safe police team held a display at the top of the pass outside the Pondarosa cafe.

We chatted to the policeman for a while before moving on. Also there was the once round bike team.

The helicopter taking people on pleasure flights was flying around at the back of the cafe today. After a look around the shop we moved on to Ruthin. There is a lovely fish and chip shop here, we all had a yummy dinner of fish and chips before heading to our holiday destination.

Motorbike Safety campaign BIKE SAFE - Free Bike Safe Workshops

Call - Paul Cheshire 07990634234 www.bikesafe.co.uk

motorsport artist - www.gruffs.com

one way round motorcycle riding for charity - www.onewayround.com

Easter Sunday Christening 12th April 2009

Billy and I were up early this morning and off to the car boot sale at Chirk. Aaron decided to stay at home with his Nana to have a shower and get ready for a special event in our family later that day.

I was so glad he stayed at home as a certain individual has no respect or consideration for Aaron's feelings and continues to harass myself and a 10 yr old child to this day. Quite sick really and an embarrassment to both myself and Aaron that we actually new this person. Thankfully now that's well in the past and Aaron and I have a fun filled active life not living on edge or nerves wondering when the next eruption would be.

After walking miles and bumping in to many friends we headed home with a boot full of stuff.

THE CHRISTENING -

ABIGAIL AND CONNER TINSLEY

12TH APRIL 2009

@ St Oswalds Church Oswestry

2.30pm

followed by Buffet at the Pedigree

What a lovely sunny day it was for two very special children to be christened. After parking the car we walked up to the church. Aaron in his shiny back shirt and Billy looking very hansom in his suit.

Inside we met up with the family, and took our places in the church. Aaron and Billy sat together whilst I sat at the front with Helen and Jez as I was one of the godparents.

The service was lovely although both the children cryed as they were baptised. Abbey looked stunning in her pretty pink & yellow flowery dress as did Conner in his black shirt and tie. A few days earlier we visited Helen. Aaron and I played with the kids, when it was time for us to leave both Abbey and Conner put on there shoes and coats demanding to come home with us.

It lovely playing with them but so nice to be able to hand them back at the end, as there such a handful.


We took a few photo`s in the church before leaving. ( above Aaron with a headache at the font to many young children for him to handle ) We then headed to the Pedigree on the outer limits of the town. It had been a while since I visited this pub.

WANT A LAUGH read on

( The last time was a works Christmas Party when I had such a laugh at a drunken idiot exposing himself at the dinner table in front of Mandy Wood and Maureen Wilde ( the community counsellor ) and many other people. Shame I didn't have a fork in my hand at the time. Thankfully I don't have to put with that sort of behaviour anymore. )

Anyway at the Pedigree we all sat down to a lovely hot buffet which we all enjoyed and a few drinks before heading home to a nice cup of tea.

A very pleasant day and I am very proud to be a godmother thank you Helen and Jez for creating to very special children. xx

Spring Lambs Ceiriog Valley Easter 09

We took a lovely route home through the Ceiriog Valley http://www.ceiriog.com/ . Here are some of the photographs we took of the spring lambs and the views. More photographs can be seen on the on line photo albums link opposite.

Easter Egg Hunt Chirk Castle Good Friday 09

Today we headed to Chirk Castle. A good fun family day out. The National Trust run Easter Egg Trails for information click here http://www.eastereggtrail.com/.

For quite a few years we have been National Trust members. Being a member is well worth it as your no only helping to conserve the many historical building thought out Great Britain you also get to visit whenever you like so your days out to National Trust properties and events are payed for in advance.

We picked up the trail form for Aaron and headed for the gardens were the trail was to be held. The task was to find the lambs names which were hidden all around the gardens. The first letter of the names of the lambs spelt out a word which was Easter related. Aaron did very well finding them all along with Billy who entered his second childhood joining in the fun. Chirk Castle gardens are spectacular and maintained very well. The views across the Shropshire plane are also breath taking.

After finishing the trail we headed inside the castle. The castle and it contents are very interesting and we strolled around for a while taking in the antiques on display. Reading the descriptions of each room carefully. Aaron and Billy are very interested in history. Aaron enjoys reading horrible history books.

We headed back to the car collecting Fred. We took Fred for a walk around the grounds. We stopped for a while to watch the black sheep with their black lambs settled in a paddock close to the castle.

Again another lovely day out.