SPRING 2020 £FOC ABERSOCHLIFE.COM
LOCKDOWN ISSUE
OUR GIFT TO YOU TO SAY THANK YOU FOR STAYING HOME WHILST ABERSOCH IS CLOSED TO VISITORS
WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER SUPPORT, RESPECT, COMMUNICATE #BEKIND
ABERSOCH SENSATION MAGAZINE SPRING 2020
SAILING COOKING CAMPING EATING WALKING DOGS DOLPHINS DRINKING CAMPING LAUGHING
YSGOL ABERSOCH
THE LIST GOES ON FOR ALL THE THINGS WE’VE ENJOYED AND QUITE OFTEN TAKEN FOR GRANTED PREVIOUSLY. NOW IS THE TIME TO BE PATIENT , STAY AT THOME AND LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN IT IS SAFE TO ENJOY THEM AGAIN.
CATCH UP ON OUR LITTLE SCHOOL WITH THE BIG HEART
KIN & CO DOING GREAT THINGS FOR SUSTAINABILITY WWW.ABERSOCHLIFE.COM
SI TOFT - THE DINING ROOM “A PHENOMENAL CHEF” GARY USHER
SURF COMP AND MUCH MUCH MORE
ART SCENE
SPRING 2020 ISSUE 68
WITH LOWRI LLEWELYN
IMAGES | STORIES | FEATURES | ENJOY FROM YOUR HOME
WWW.ABERSOCHLIFE.COM
DEEP-V HULL MARINE ALUMINIUM BOATS
WHEN OTHERS STAY IN PORT
Idealboat Pwllheli The Powerboat Centre Pwllheli Marina, LL53 5YT Phone : 01758 703 013
Idealboat Southampton Southampton Dry Stack Drivers Wharf, 146 Millbank Street Phone: 01758 703 013
SALES@IDEALBOAT.COM
WELCOME CROESO TO THE ABERSOCH SENSATION MAGAZINE SPRING 2020
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See you soon! We look forward to welcoming you to Abersoch and the Llšn Peninsula as soon as it’s safe to travel. In the meantime, we hope this view of the Abersoch beach huts brightens your day, wherever you are. The Team at Abersoch Holiday Homes Image Courtesy of John Wormald of Totally Abersoch
CONTENTS
ABERSOCH ‘LOCKDOWN’ MAGAZINE SPRING 2020
14.
INTRODUCTION
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Rebecca introduces us to this unique and slightly surreal issue of Abersoch Life.
18 .
KIN & CO
Coffee, cake and clothes. What more do you need!? We take a look at what’s new in Kin & Co.
32.
DRASCOMBE DAYS
Our executive editor Kevin shows us around his classic Drascombe sailing boat.
60.
SURF SCENE
42.
YSGOL ABERSOCH
A catch up with our local school and what the children have been up to over the last few months.
4 6.
ABERDOGS
We introduce some of your pampered pooches in our fantastic profile featuring some of our local four legged friends.
50.
THE HEALING SEA
A look at the thriving local surf scene here on the peninsula and the successful return of the annual Surf Comp.
Bethany gives us her take on the sea. And where better than here to make the most of it.
6 4.
56.
With you stuck at home for this issue we thought we’d give you a glimpse of the fantastic views from some of our camp sites that will be waiting for you when this is all over.
SI TOFT INTERVIEW
Rebecca interviews one of our fantastic local head chefs. The man at the helm of The Dining Room.
CAMPING SIGHTS
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CONTENTS
ABERSOCH ‘LOCKDOWN’ MAGAZINE SPRING 2020
70.
9 0.
Kevin takes a look at some of the exquisitely diverse range of birds that flock to our shores each year.
Some tasty treats from some of your favourite chefs that you can get stuck into at home.
SPRING BAKE
BIRDLIFE
76 .
{cover}
ARTS COLUMN
Lowri gives us the lowdown of everything in the local arts scene.
Taken this morning, at the crack of dawn. This is how Abersoch beach looks with Snowdon standing bold and majestic in the background. Taken by Phill Boyd - Outwest Images
80.
PHOTO SHOWCASE
Some glorious snaps to hopefully give you your Abersoch fix while you wait it out at home.
{90}
{80}
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
ALL ADVERTISING Printed & online
Kevin Bell kevin@sensationgroup.com
Luke Pilling
Mark Durston Email mark@sensationgroup.com
EDITOR
SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
Rebecca Hinde rebecca@sensationgroup.com
FEATURES EDITOR Lowri Llewelyn
Phill Boyd (outwestimages.myportfolio.com) John Wormald (totallyabersoch.co.uk) Martin Turtle (turtlephotography.co.uk) Luke Pilling (ABERSAPP) Eilir Davies-Hughes (eiliradventurephotography.co.uk)
STAFF WRITERS Louise Overfield James Noon Bethany Birch
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dave Chough Emma Wood
FINANCE MANAGER Tracy Brient
MANAGING DIRECTOR Mark Durston
SENSATION GROUP CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Nock Sandy James Tatham Matthew Ellis Ben Porter Kevin Bell
Rose Cottage Abersoch Gwynedd LL53 7DS Tel: 01758 710011 / info@sensationgroup.com www.abersochlife.com
All material is copyright and should not be reproduced without the permission of the publishers. All details are correct to the best of our knowledge. The publishers do not endorse or recommend any of the entries or advertisements in the magazine unless otherwise stated. We advise that you make your own judgments, enquiries and comparisons as with any other form of advertising. When contacting any business we suggest that you confirm the exact type of goods and services offered, the qualifications held and all other relevant aspects of the service that you are seeking. The publishers cannot accept liability for loss damage or difficulties resulting from contacts made through the magazine, from errors, omissions, from claims made by the advertiser of from omissions or inaccuracies relating to advertisements or other material regardless of how caused.
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Showcase Lockdown
High Tide by Outwest Images Taken earlier this week, Abersoch's inner harbour enjoyed a very peaceful high tide, sheltered from a light breeze out in the bay.
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INTRODUCTION
WORDS BY REBECCA HINDE
Welcome to Abersoch Life. With the village currently closed to visitors, we’re here to help you through these strangest of times, so you can #stayhomesavelives and still enjoy a taste of your favourite destination.
winter, making the forecasts sound like a school registration call, the promise of sunshine and rebirth through Spring brings hope from the heavens and from the hedgerows, as life finds its way back on to the Peninsula.
At the time of writing, with normal life on hold, Abersoch’s residents and businesses remain pragmatic and as positive as they can be. A seasonal life means we are all used to change, and the inevitability of that change is what keeps the Llŷn people optimistic through even the most unprecedented of times.
The landscape has offered a constant source of reflection over the darker months, with the skies mirrored on the water soaked fields. Deific sunrises and spiritual sunsets set Instagram on fire, captured by nature lusting photographers united in reverence.
We are all blessed to have such a strong community, near and far, who can come together and support one another at this time. A place where everyone knows everyone becomes a real blessing, and all of our strengths unite to find solutions and to help one another. History forms trust and Abersoch is steeped with connections through family and friends, and these roots are what will feed the village until this time has passed and we can all get back to the pub! With the alphabet of storms over the
The weather, as always, is both karmic and poetic, the whole Llŷn clinging on through the last few months as the storms battered the beaches and the trees. Aggressively high tides, ferocious waves and a seemingly constant lashing of wind and rain. This is all part and parcel of life on the coast and with great drama comes great beauty and resilience. Now the defiant daffodils and gorse blaze their warmth into the hedgerows and the famed welsh lambs are in full bleat, as the fields become lively playgrounds. Nature blooms as we lockdown and stay at home,
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enveloping each other with love from further afar. The local shops and businesses are trying to react and adapt, searching for solutions at this most surreal of times. Support for them and appreciation of all their hard work, that makes our beautiful village, has come in abundance, and must continue, albeit in a different way for however long it may take. Try to go online and search out the places you would have been visiting and send your love, those of you who would have been here are greatly missed on every level. These times shall pass and we will all do what we can to get everyone of us through to the sunny times we all know so well. Love and laughter is also contagious and we have plenty of it to spread around. However far away you may have to be, we are all blessed to be connected by our feelings for this special place and our remarkable community. Like you, we cannot wait for when we can all recreate that shared love for Abersoch here in the village itself. We’ll be waiting!
CYFLWYNIAD Croeso i Abersoch Life. Gyda’r pentref ar gau i ymwelwyr ar hyn o bryd, rydym yma i’ch helpu drwy’r dyddiau dyrys hyn fel y gallwch #ArosGartrefAchubBywydau a dal i fwynhau blas o’ch hoff le gwyliau. Ar adeg ysgrifennu hwn, gyda bwrlwm bywyd wedi tewi am y tro, mae trigolion a busnesau Abersoch yn dal i fod mor ymarferol a chadarnhaol ag y gallant. Mae bywyd tymhorol yn golygu ein bod i gyd yn gyfarwydd â newid, a natur anochel y newid hwnnw yw’r hyn sy’n cadw pobl Pen Llŷn yn obeithiol hyd yn oed drwy’r adegau mwyaf annisgwyl. Rydym i gyd yn ffodus fod gennym gymuned mor gref, ymhell ac agos, a all ddod at ei gilydd a chefnogi’r naill ar llall ar hyn o bryd. Daw’r ffaith fod pawb yn adnabod pawb yn fendith yn wir, a daw ein cryfderau i gyd ynghyd i ddod o hyd i atebion a helpu ein gilydd. Gyda’r stormydd yn mynd trwy’r wyddor dros y gaeaf, roedd gwrando ar ragolygon y tywydd yn swnio fel galw’r gofrestr mewn dosbarth. Ond mae’r addewid o heulwen ac ail-eni drwy’r Gwanwyn yn dod â gobaith o’r ffurfafen a’r ffriddoedd,
wrth i fywyd ymlwybro’n ôl i’r Penrhyn. Bu’r tirwedd yn destun cyson o fyfyrio dros y misoedd tywyllach, gyda’r awyr yn cael ei adlewyrchu ar y caeau oedd yn drwm dan ddŵr. Bu Instagram ar dân, yn cipio codiad haul y duwiau a machlud ysbrydol, y ffotograffwyr i gyd yn dangos parchedig ofn. Fel arfer, mae’r tywydd yn broffwydol a barddonol, Llŷn gyfan yn dal ei gwynt drwy’r misoedd diwethaf wrth i’r stormydd ysgubo’r traethau a’r coed. Y llanw yn ffyrnig o uchel, tonnau anferth a’r gwynt a’r glaw yn chwipio’n ddiddiwedd. Mae hyn i gyd yn rhan annatod o fywyd ar yr arfordir a gyda’r ddrama fawr, daw prydferthwch a gwytnwch mawr. Erbyn hyn mae’r cennin Pedr herfeiddiol a’r eithin yn tywynnu eu cynhesrwydd i’r cloddiau ac mae’r ŵyn bach ar y ffermydd yn llafar eu bref, wrth i’r caeau droi’n llefydd chwarae bywiog. Mae natur yn ffynnu wrth i ninnau gadw pellter ac aros gartref, a gorchuddi’n gilydd gyda chariad o bell.
Mae’r siopau a’r busnesau lleol yn ceisio ymateb ac addasu, gan chwilio am ffyrdd o barhau yn yr adegau mwyaf swreal yma. Daeth llwyth o gefnogaeth iddyn nhw a gwerthfawrogiad o’u gwaith caled, hanfod ein pentref prydferth, ac mae’n rhaid iddo barhau, er mai mewn ffordd wahanol am gyn hired ag sydd raid. Ceisiwch fynd arlein a chwiliwch am y llefydd y byddech yn ymweld â nhw ac anfonwch eich cofion, rydym yn gweld eisiau’r rheiny ohonoch a fyddai wedi cyrraedd yma, ym mhob ffordd. Daw tro ar fyd eto ac fe wnawn y cyfan a allwn i gael pawb drwodd i’r adegau heulog rydym yn eu hadnabod. Mae cariad a chwerthin yn heintus hefyd ac mae gennym ddigon i’w rhannu. Pa mor bell bynnag yr ydych, mae’n fraint i ni gael ein cysylltu gan ein teimladau am y lle arbennig hwn a’r gymuned ryfeddol. Fel chi, allwn ni ddim aros tan y gallwn ail-greu’r cariad hwnnw at Abersoch yma yn y pentref ei hun! Byddwn ni’n aros amdanoch!
PHOTO: BWLCHTOCYN MAIN BEACH AND THE GOLF COURSE BY: OUTWEST IMAGES
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KEVIN BELL Kevin spends his life in, on, or by the water and (unsurprisingly) loves all things Abersoch. Which is why after visiting for over half a century, he now lives here in a little house backing onto his favourite beach—Hell’s Mouth. With a collection of boards and boats that do not necessarily reflect his abilities, Kevin is a keen surfer, paddleboarder and sailor. When he’s not out on the waves or the water he’ll be found on the shore or in a boat with one of his equally embarrassingly large collection of fishing rods in his hands, chasing his favourite quarries, bass and wrasse. Kevin loves encouraging new writers and pursuing his own writing—about Abersoch, the wild places on the peninsula and the watersports that have been close to his heart all his life. REBECCA HINDE Rebecca has recently made the move from London to live in Abersoch full-time with her family. Having spent 13 years living in South East London where she founded Someth1ng Gallery, she is now looking forward to bringing more contemporary art up to Abersoch and taking talented Welsh artists down to the city. Going back to her roots, she knows Abersoch to be the perfect place for children to have the necessary space and freedom to grow through adolescence. The unique combination of energy and opportunity, peace and escapism that Abersoch offers, while being surrounded by spectacular pristine beaches and water, have made the move a simple decision.
RHIANNON JENKINS Brought up on the peninsula, Rhiannon has dreamed of living in London ever since she was a child. At the age of eighteen, she moved to the big smoke in order to read French with English at King’s College London. Often found in a coffee shop with a flat white in one hand and a book in another, Rhiannon is an avid coffee drinker and has a great interest in literature, with Virginia Woolf being one of her favourite authors. Having just returned from a year abroad in a city near Paris, she will be returning to London in September to complete the final year of her degree. Following the completion of her studies, Rhiannon hopes to pursue a career in Journalism. LOWRI LLEWELYN Lowri is a freelance writer born and raised in North Wales. When she’s not keeping you up-to-date with happenings on the Llŷn, she can be found globetrotting her way around dark tourism hotspots, explaining to some hapless stranger how aliens definitely built the pyramids, or sniffing out the best hotdogs in the vicinity! JAMES NOON James is a photographer and writer originally from London. He made the bold decision to move to the Llŷn Peninsula with his wife four years ago, and they have recently welcomed their first son Monti to the world. In addition to getting to grips with being a father, James runs JNP Creative, a Photographic and
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Digital Media company from his home office in Criccieth. James also co-owns The Little Tea Rooms, a food and beverage initiative based in Pwllheli. LOUISE OVERFIELD At the young age of seventeen, Louise went travelling for thirteen years! She spent eight winter seasons snowboarding the slopes of Meribel, where she met her partner Dylan from Abersoch. After her travels, Louise decided to go to university to study English Language and Literature, and she then went on to do a PGCE so that she could become a teacher. Louise now lives on the peninsula with her partner and two kids Luca and Ronnie, and Nelly the dog. BETHANY BIRCH Born and raised in the Midlands, Bethany spent her childhood escaping to the Welsh coast with her family where they holidayed most weekends. Bethany is currently completing her Journalism degree at Nottingham Trent University where she’ll be graduating from this Summer. Her post graduation plans consist of swapping the city smog for the fresh air and simplicity of seaside living. Her happy place is an evening spent at Llanbedrog beach watching the sky turn amber, with her partner Ollie (and a G&T in hand!) Abersoch is calling!
PWLLHELI & SOUTHAMPTON TEL: 01758 703 013 - 07813 581 937 EMAIL: SALES@IDEALBOAT.COM
WWW.IDEALBOAT.COM
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GET YOUR FILL WITH
WORDS BY LOUISE OVERFIELD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW ELLIS
A
S MANY OF YOU ALREADY KNOW KIN & CO IS MORE THAN JUST A BUSTLING EATERY, IT IS HARD TO PUT IT INTO A BRACKET AS IT IS COMPLETELY UNIQUE, IT SERVES DELICIOUS ARTISAN FOOD, AND THE COFFEE IS ADDICTIVE, ONCE TRIED YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER CUP AND IF YOU STAY FOR A COCKTAIL THEN YOU KNOW WHY THIS PLACE IS SO POPULAR AND WHY, ONCE IT’S SAFE TO DO SO, IT WILL BUSY WITH HAPPY CUSTOMERS ONCE AGAIN.
PHOTO: OWNER CHARLOTTE WITH OLIVIA AND HANNAH
PHOTO: A COMFY PLACE FOR A COFFE - KIN & CO’S COSY SORNERS
in season with varying produce, however one thing you can be sure of is that the menu always offers alternative choices and caters for Vegan, Vegetarians and those who are Gluten free.
You would be forgiven if you thought you were not in Abersoch, as Kin & Co’s menu will transport you to another place with offerings of culinary delights and Kin signature dishes from head chef Tom Burley. You can enjoy Middle Eastern Lamb Flatbread, Vegan Bean Bowl, Shakshuka and The Kin Big B which consists of Slow roasted Peppers, sourdough Toast, Eggs, Halloumi, Avocado and for those in the know you can add Bacon (Sourced locally from Terry the Butchers), the eggs are free range and local and the colour of the yolk will back this up. The menu has an abundance of delicious Bagels brimming with mouth watering delights such as Halloumi, Humous and red pepper, or Bacon Brie and Chilli Jam. For the sweeter toothed or the young at heart the Waffles are a winner packed with sweet, savoury or both. The specials menu is dynamic and reflects the change
Kin & Co first opened its doors on Valentine’s day in 2015, surprisingly though proprietor Charlotte Kernain said that some people still think it is newly opened! Kin & Co is open all year long, seven days a week serving food until 3pm and then its coffee and cakes after that, closing only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. Charlotte said that even now customers still come in and ask if we have just opened and people say they have never seen the cafe before. Trust me – they’ve been open a good while and know how to serve up something delicious! Charlotte decided to stay open all year round to give locals the confidence to come out and have lunch or a coffee, knowing that the cafe would be open even in the bleak mid winter. The vast glass windows are a great spot for a bit of people watching, or in the winter you can watch the rain lash down and stay nice and warm with a hot drink and a catch up. Charlotte states that ‘It is quieter in the winter, however knowing that we are open and that we are a dog friendly cafe has helped bring more out of season tourism to the village’. Charlotte previously moved away from the village and has lived in London were she worked as a Photographic Stylist | 19
KIND & CO
PHOTO: PERFECT PLACE TO RELAX AFTER LITTLE SHOP NEXT DOOR
and you can see that she still puts her degree to good use as the accompanying shop (which is also part of the Kin & Co experience) is vibrant and eye catching - it would not be out of place in any cosmopolitan city. It complements the café, whilst you wait for your brunch it is hard to resist a browse and not get carried away. Kin & Co was the first place in the village to use ‘Veganware’, this was very important to Charlotte as she wanted to have a shop and cafe that uses products whilst remaining conscious about the planet. Utilising these type of products also enabled the cafe to offer takeaway food and drink, enabling customers to recycle responsibly. It was important to use products that can compost and although at times they may be more expensive Charlotte said that she was not willing to compromise. In the same way, her exacting standards shine through with her locally sourced Poblado Coffi freshly roasted in Snowdonia. Featured in the Good Coffee Guide, it is hand delivered in person and the flavour of the coffee is just remarkable, it is hard to resist not buying a bag once tried. Olivia Simpson helps Charlotte to run the show and is the demon coffee Barista, she knows her way around the coffee machine and makes a banging cocktail alongside Hannah and Jess. I myself make an appearance during the week just to socialise and keep an eye on the Barti Ddu rum, we wouldn’t want it running low. The cafe sells stylish Keep cups and also encourages customers to bring in their own reusable cups offering a discount as an incentive, the only problem is choosing what to put in it, now do I go for a Mumbai Chai Late, Flat white, Reggae refresh tea or a tot of rum. The Menu has an extensive list of Drinks hot or cold, alcoholic, non alcoholic, even the hot chocolate is not simple, Orange, Mint, white, dark or Milk cream or no cream that is the question. ‘Oat not Goat’ milk is also available (for those who don’t understand Lou with a Hull accent!). Let it be known we do love goats and have a selection of soaps
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PHOTO: COFFEES AND FRESH PASTRIES ON THE COUNTER
made locally from Goats milk. The shelves are stocked with Welsh and local produce where possible, something Charlotte is equally passionate about. She likes buying from local businesses and also likes to promote local handmade artisan products such as the honey from Porth Tocyn and the bees wax wraps (no more Clingfilm) that
PWLLHELI & SOUTHAMPTON TEL: 01758 703 013 - 07813 581 937 EMAIL: SALES@IDEALBOAT.COM
WWW.IDEALBOAT.COM
KIND & CO
PHOTO: SOME OF THE FABULOUS RANGE OF REFILLABLE CLEANING PRODUCTS AVAILBLE WITH ‘FILL’
are very safe to use. The shop currently stocks: All purpose kitchen cleaner, glass cleaner, hand wash, Non Bio laundry powder and liquid, fabric conditioner, dish washer powder, floor clean, washing up liquid, toilet cleaner, bathroom cleaner and hand soap.
PHOTO: THE FILLING STATION INSIDE KIN & CO
are produced by the same lady. It is important to Charlotte that the suppliers get a fair price and that it is delivered by hand from one side of the village to another, thus helping to reduce their carbon footprint. The famous Rum hot chocolates are a must have tipple, the Rum is Barti Ddu, laced with vanilla and Pembrokeshire seaweed. The Gins are all small batch, the variation in flavours are innovative and would be welcomed in any gift box. The bespoke gift boxes can be made up in the shop, or are available to order, with a vast array of goodies from the cafe or the shop. Charlotte told me that the boxes have also been incorporated into holiday homes as welcome packs, filled with Welsh jam,
Welsh Chocolate, honey, chilli jam, miniature rum, gin, Whisky, Coffee, Tea and Halen Mon Salts.. They have enjoyed great feedback from guests and homeowners alike. Charlotte is very excited and proud to present the ‘Fill’ range of refillable household products which have now been in the shop since autumn. The sustainable cleaning station is situated at the back of the shop, where you can purchase the products in stylish glass bottles. When you have used them pop back in and refill them, or you can bring in your own bottles to reuse again and again. Charlotte is currently trying to find out how many plastic bottles she has saved from going to landfill. ‘Fill’ is a family run business from Northamptonshire, the products only contain natural ingredients and
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The great thing about the products is if you have forgotten your container and wanted to purchase some wash powder or dishwasher powder it is possible to fill brown paper bags with the product. They also come in larger bulk sacks so you need never run out again! “We love all the products we sell,” said Charlotte, “we are so confident that we use them in the cafe and our hand soap is situated in the toilet. As are the ‘ I don’t give a crap’ toilet rolls! It has really caught on and now Charlotte is supplying locals and holiday homes with these products, hoping that people will take on board the need for change regarding plastics, landfill and recycling at home or away. The natural fragrances such as Dandelion, honeysuckle, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Ginger, Grapefruit and Neroli are all eco friendly and they smell amazing. Charlotte is very happy with the positive feedback from repeat customers and they are causing quite a buzz in the village not least because of the reasonable pricing. By way of an example, a refillable bag of wash powder containing 25 washes costs £2.50. With the range starting at just two pounds,
PHOTO: SOME OF THE BEAUTIFULLY UNIQUE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE
and sustainability built in, it’s something of no brainer to make the switch. The shop sells everything you would need when you are home from home such as; shampoo bars, a selection of artisan soaps, sun cream, deodorant, bamboo toothbrushes and paste and the brilliant wood wool firelighters. All the products are chemical free and earth friendly. In the shop beautiful Haman towels are draped elegantly so that your guest bathroom can be an oasis of opulence, or give you the best dressed towel on the beach, the colours are so stylish they can be doubled as a pashmina. Alongside them are fragrant candles, all made from natural oils and soy wax. Even the greeting cards are Naked, fully recyclable, the ones with sleeves are compostable. The cafe and shop have been a great community space and has been well used this winter, hosting events such as; Book clubs, Christmas carol singing from ‘Ysgol Abersoch’ (who can often be seen having a little hot chocolate after a wander round the village), informal Welsh classes, baby showers, local charity evenings and birthday parties to name but a few. Charlotte acquired the big wooden table that holds centre space, seating at least 10 to 12 people, and is more than happy for people to book this area out of season to hold
PHOTO: SOME AWESOME GOODIES TO SDHOP BEFORE YOUR WELL DESERVED REFRESHMENT NEXT DOOR
events, meetings or arrange to create and hold a class. At Kin & Co local artists are encouraged to exhibit work and this ever-changing space creates an ongoing movement and a chance for people to discover upcoming Artists and Photographers. The current photography work featured in the shop is by Matthew Ellis and the artwork is by Rachel Porter. The cafe is also going to be a venue for the upcoming Pen Llyn Art trail which ties in nicely with the team work between Charlotte and Ysgol Abersoch, Charlotte has asked the children to design some prints which will be available to purchase as postcards to help raise money for the school that is close to Charlotte’s heart. As a former pupil herself she realises the importance of the school and what it represents to the community. Kin & Co took part in a best dressed Window Competition developed by the children from Ysgol Abersoch to encourage the village to come together as a community, this was taken very seriously and Kin & Co won the
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competition as voted for by the general public. The window was no easy feat as Charlotte wanted to create a living Christmas display using compostable materials. Taking inspiration from Nature by bringing the outside in, using natural foliage,the finished window would not have looked out of place in a Dickensian Christmas Carol street scene. Charlotte is very positive about the future of Kin & Co and is also looking forward to hosting events such as; wreath making classes, poetry workshops, artisan craft making and bringing the much longed for and (in demand), evenings back, whereby you can sit back relax with a Kin & Co cocktail, listen to some funky music and eat tempting platters bursting with flavours to your hearts content. So watch this space. Better still, follow Kin & Co on social media (Kinandco.cafe on Instagram and KinandCoAbersoch on Facebook) for the latest openings once the current lockdown madness is over, and keep up to date on pop up nights and special events. See you there!
Showcase Lockdown
Llanbedrog Beach by Turtle Photography We'll all be looking forward to when we can enjoy this gem of a beach again. Not so often that it has a moon like this one, but the feeling you get when you walk down the lane and see the secluded bay is always one to savour. 28 | ABERSOCH SENSATION MAGAZINE | SPRING 2020 106 | ABERSOCH SENSATION MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018
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Showcase Lockdown
An Old One But a Classic by Totally Abersoch Looking out of Abersoch's Inner Harbour past Llanbedrog Head and across to Snowdon with a fire rich sky. Taken many years ago when what we're going through now would have surely been incomprehensible! 30 | ABERSOCH SENSATION MAGAZINE | SPRING 2020 106 | ABERSOCH SENSATION MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018
PHOTO: ‘LOOPS JOHN B’ SAFELY HOME UNDER ABERSOCH’S BLUE SKIES BY: KGB
WORDS BY KEVIN BELL
PART 1: A short history lesson and finding my dream boat Many decades ago now, the great philosopher Billy Bragg declared, “….marriage is when we admit our parents were right…” It’s not just marriage – when you finally buy a Drascombe it turns out your Dad was right too. Because despite my Dad being a sailing instructor, I wandered all over the place when it came to my pastimes, but his conviction that at heart I was a true sailor never wavered. Thanks to Dad’s passion I
certainly grew up loving sailing dinghies, every Sunday spent sailing on Tatton Mere in Cheshire, holidays sailing here in sunny Abersoch or on Coniston Water. But like all young men my head was turned, first by windsurfing, kayaking, fishing, canoeing and winters wandering the slopes of Scotland and the Alps. Then, when I wasn’t playing cricket or football, surfing, paddle boarding and pretty much any watercraft you can lay your hands would be there to grab my attention. I never did stop enjoying my sailing, particularly when we visited my parents in their retirement in the Lakes. Mum
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in her Mirror Dinghy and Dad in his Albacore (like a lot of retired couples they found the secret to not falling out was not actually doing anything together!) would always be on hand to take their growing flock of grandchildren for a sail. I used to love joining one or other of them for a little tack across the lake or for the day-long adventure that was the annual extended family picnic on Peel Island, the storybook haven at the southern end of Coniston Water. I wasn’t the died in the wool sailor that my Dad was (the man who was so committed he survived having a stroke whilst out sailing single-handed) but he could sense the kindred spirit lurking beneath the distractions and I think always knew I would one day return to the fold. I first felt the pull when my own children were old enough to really enjoy those adventures, buying a traditional Lune Pilot from Character Boats to use up in the Lakes. We had some great Swallows and Amazons times in ‘Secret Water’, which as an open (no centre-board)
“DRASCOMBE’ - THE NAME AND IT’S ORIGIN. DRASCOM LIES HIGH UP ON THE FRINGE OF DARTMOOR, ON OR NEAR THE ANCIENT MARINERS’ WAY, THE PATH TAKEN BY SAILORS GOING FROM NORTH TO SOUTH DEVON PORTS OR VICE VERSA. IT IS FIRST MENTIONED IN A.D. 689 AND “DRAS” IS SAXON FOR MUD.
boat with very simple traditional rigging and plenty of room for lots of family and friends, helped cement Sophie and Laurie’s own love for the water. But as time rolled on and Mum and Dad went to the great sailboat in the sky and the children started chasing their own dreams, Secret Water moved on to a new family.
PHOTO: THE LITTLE GIRL WE NICKNAMED LOOPS IN A BOAT CALLED LOOPS HELMED BY THE ONE AND ONLY JOHN B - SEE, YOU CAN START THEM YOUNG BY: KGB
But Dad was right - there always was and always has been a sailor lurking deep in my soul and with the news that our first grandchild was on the way, the time seemed right to set the sails again for a fresh journey of adventure courtesy of the push of the wind here in sunny Abersoch. I’ve got my surfboards and paddleboards, and even still pull my old windsurfing gear out now and again, so this little enterprise was never going to be about a racing dinghy or flighty skiff. What I was looking for was something more PHOTO: EVERY DRASCOMBE IS A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY - MY ‘NEW’ DABBER IN PEMBROKESHIRE BACK IN THE 90’S like Secret Water – a safe, BY: JERRY stable, roomy, beautifully built open boat that was capable of surviving a back round to one make of boat – a life out on a tidal mooring here in the Drascombe. Drascombes have been bay and would be relatively easy to sail around for what seems like forever - a for a recreational sailor like me. I spent trademark that was first registered by the latter part of last summer looking John Watkinson for a fleet of sailing at some of the craft that are popular boats which he designed and built here in Abersoch and seem to survive between 1965 to 1979 here in the United our changeable weather successfully Kingdom and subsequently licensed and then the winter doing my research to a number of British boatbuilders. through the internet, magazines and The original range consisted of a visiting a few boatyards, listening to comprehensive suite of boats designed yards and yards of advice from old to meet the needs of a large range of seadogs with more truisms than Billy sailors, including the Coaster, Cruiser Bragg! Longboat, Dabber, Drifter, Driver, Gig, Despite no shortage of conflicting advice, the answer kept on coming
Launch, Longboat, Lugger, Peterboat, Scaffie, Scaith and Skiff, together with a few other one-offs and later additions
to the range. The primary characteristics they virtually all share are wide and deep cockpits, simple, adjustable, boomless rigs and high gunwales for additional safety. Those characteristics were exactly what I was looking for to keep me and my new grandson safe!
Those early Drascombes were built from timber but realistically I needed the knockabout qualities of a later GRP model if my boat was to survive out on a tidal mooring through the sailing season and the relatively basic barn storage it would enjoy over winter. And whilst the Drascombe of choice for most Abersoch sailors seems to be the larger and equally lovely Lugger, my preference was the slightly smaller and more manageable (on and off the water) Drascombe Dabber. There was something about the gentle lines of a Dabber that drew me in too – as Sally will testify, I spent rather longer than may be entirely healthy drooling over Dabber images on the internet! After a few wild goose chases I finally found my boat down in South Wales where on a wild, winters day the lovely owner talked me through his equally lovely boat, showed me the rigging, turned over the little outboard for me and handed over a real treasure trove of original Drascombe and Dabber brochures, handbooks, sailing tips, trailering tips and detailed specifications. This was the boat for me! She was old (1979) but well-loved and sound which was the combination I was looking for – there would be little point
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Meanwhile I started to leaf through the charming set of old brochures handed over by Jerry the previous owner. The description in the original brochure might have been the wish list of characteristics for my perfect Abersoch boat!
I’ve got a little work to do before we set sail but it’s a little too early in the year to be putting a boat on even a sheltered mooring here. The worst of the storms that have punctuated this winter have hopefully gone but even late Spring can still throw up a serious gale. So our Dabber is currently under cover in the back garden looking out over Hell’s Mouth whilst I oil the gunwales and the exposed timbers, replace some of the older sheets (ropes) and generally do a whole heap of largely unnecessary, but highly enjoyable, ‘fettling’ with my new toy.
“SAIL A DRASCOMBE DABBER WITH THE FAMILY OR WITHOUT. THE DABBER IS EASILY HANDLED BY ONE OR TWO PEOPLE OR YOU CAN TAKE THE FAMILY AS A CREW. ALTHOUGH ONLY 15’ 6” OVERALL, THE BOWSPRIT AND BUMPKIN (EDITOR’S NOTE – THE LITTLE BOOMS THAT STICK OUT THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE BOAT TO INCREASE THE SAIL AREA VIA A JIB AT THE BOWS AND A MIZZEN AT THE STERN) GIVE HER A GOOD SIZED SAIL AREA. THE EASILY HANDLED, WELL-BALANCED, SPLIT RIG ENABLES THE BOAT TO BE SAILED WITH A JIB AND MIZZEN OR MAINSAIL ALONE IN FRESH WINDS. AND WHEN THE WIND DIES, A 2-4HP OUTBOARD ENGINE WILL PUSH HER EASILY DRIVEN HULL ALONG AT A GOOD SPEED. THE DABBER IS EASILY TRAILERABLE BUT IF YOU DON’T WANT TO TAKE HER HOME, YOU CAN LEAVE THE DABBER ON A MOORING WITH A COCKPIT COVER TO KEEP HER DRY AND SAFE UNTIL YOU VISIT HER AGAIN.”
That ability to take an outboard was important to me. The Abersoch area is home to some superb fishing (check out the article on FS Guiding services elsewhere in this issue if you are interested in giving it a go) and I love my bass fishing. Having traded in my bassboat I needed a sailing boat that could still take me (and my grandson!) out to the bass grounds around our beautiful
I have one slightly shameful confession to make. Traditionally it’s not really the done thing to change the name of a boat but I hope the previous owners will forgive me. The advice of the old seadogs I’ve conferred with on the issue is that it’s OK as long as a re-naming ceremony is undertaken and one or two
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ES HA NDED
I was ridiculously over-excited on the long drive home to Abersoch. I could almost feel my Dad beaming down on me from above at the thought of the new adventures that lay ahead, his only regret being that he wouldn’t be able to join us as we headed out not to Peel Island this time but to St Tudwal’s where he and I sailed in the Sixties and Seventies – but he will be there in spirit! Like a kid just back from the toy shop I soon had ‘Periwinkle’ rigged on the drive and the spars, sheets and sails all checked over. Everything seemed in good order, better even than I’d thought on first inspection so, with the weather blasting in the first big storms of the winter, it was into the barn for winter storage, ready to emerge in Spring for a little tlc before our first launch.
For those of you who are thinking, “Hang on, is this idiot planning on taking a baby sailing?” well the answer is that no I’m not. I’m just getting ready for when he can! But I’ve dug out some old photos of Mum-to-be Sophie sitting proudly in her grandma’s Mirror Dinghy in her tiny life-jacket – so whilst I plan to keep my treasured cargo as safe as safe can be, I still think it will be sooner rather than later!
PHOTO : SOM OV E R BY T H E E O F T H E C H AR P R E V IO U S OW M IN G O LD BROCH NER UR
in leaving a crisp new boat out on a mooring for half the year to weather and age, so I may as well buy a boat where the ageing had already been done!
coastline. The Dabber is designed to do just that, maybe a little more slowly than my old bass boat, but there’s no hurry is there?
PHOTO: ONE OF ABERSOCH’S FLEET OF LOVELY DRASCOMBE’S LYING ON HER TIDAL MOORING BY: LUKE PILLING
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PHOTO: MY DABBER - OLD BUT WELL-LOVED AND MADE FOR ABERSOCH SAILING ADVENTURES BY: KGB
ritual customs are performed to bestow good luck on the boat and all those who sail in her. These will be done in due course once the new nameplate arrives. The boats I’ve previously owned have in recent years gone by the name of ‘Loops’ – one of the childhood nicknames of Mum-to-be Sophie. My Abersoch bass boat was named ‘Dad’ in memory of John Bell who passed away just before I took delivery of her. So, our Dabber will hence-forth be known as ‘Loops John B’, neatly capturing my brother’s obsession with the music of the Beach Boys in the process too! These early spring evenings have left me time to peruse the original rigging and sailing guidance that came with Loops John B. These well-thumbed handbooks are absolutely charming with their lovely hand-crafted line drawings of rigging instructions, basic sailing guidance and how to assemble various idiosyncratic items that make up the uniquely simple nature of the sail-setting. My favourite is the Parall Beads – a set of beads threaded on a rope to allow the sail to be attached to the mast and slide up and down – between you and me, I’ve probably got enough now. The history of the name Drascombe, details of some of the epic journeys made in Drascombes (check out ‘A Single Wave’, author WebbChiles sobering and yet hugely uplifting account of crossing a tempestuous
PHOTO: MY DABBER CAME WITH A TIDY SET OF SHEETS AND LOVELY ORIGINAL TAN COLOURED SAILS BY: KGB
Pacific Ocean in a Drascombe Lugger), the details and dimensions of the range of boats and the original brochure are all there. They make perfect reading with a cheeky glass of red in front of a glowing log burner, dreaming of sunny summer days out on the waters off Abersoch. Meanwhile the waves are crashing onto the surf beach behind our house, reminding me how the coastline that surrounds Abersoch offers something for everybody who loves the sea, whether out on the ocean or standing by the shore enjoying that warm glow that sea air magically bestows on those beside the seaside. It won’t be long now before
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we host our re-naming ceremony. When we can launch Loops John B I’m less sure, with the world currently in lockdown. Her time will eventually come though so, once it’s safe to visit and you see us out on the water, please give me a wave. But be kind - you see I‘ve sailed on and off all my life but I’m no expert so feel free to give me some advice, until my grandson is ready to take the helm and guide his happy grandad across the magical waters of Abersoch bay. OMBE E: DRASC S U S IS R E UMM LOOP IN OUR S 2 - ‘LAUNCHING T R TTING A E P G DAYS IL AND A S T S IR F A TIDAL JOHN B, LIFE ON H IT W S TO GRIP G’ MOORIN
See you soon! From everyone at Original Cottages, please take care during these uncertain times and follow official advice. We look forward to welcoming you back to Abersoch and the Llšn Peninsula one day soon. Thank you. Image Courtesy of John Wormald of Totally Abersoch
Showcase Lockdown
Tudwal's East by Outwest Images The uninhabited Island that holds so much mystery and intrigue to many. The setting for a monastic settlement from at least the thirteenth century, a network of paths and a former chapel all help to fuel a host of stories that you will love to hear! 38 | ABERSOCH SENSATION MAGAZINE | SPRING 2020 106 | ABERSOCH SENSATION MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018
Abersoch Beach by Outwest Images The beach we're all missing and no doubt we're wondering what our feelings will be when we next see it and can enjoy that legendary Abersoch sand between our toes.
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Showcase Lockdown
CATCH UP ON
WORDS BY LOUISE OVERFIELD
YSGOL ABERSOCH
T
HIS LITTLE SCHOOL CERTAINLY PACKS A PUNCH, AND THE VILLAGE IS SO PROUD OF ITS TEACHERS AND CHILDREN WHO WERE FEATURED ON BBC BREAKFAST TELEVISION, RADIO TWO, THREE AND FIVE, YOUTUBE AND LOCAL WELSH NEWS CHANNELS IN DECEMBER. Documenting the “smallest Christmas performance in Wales”, the village was buzzing with excitement as television cameras and newspaper reporters from the Daily Mail, Sun and Cambrian News swooped down to capture the children singing their hearts out for both their community and potentially millions of TV viewers. As the school’s future remains uncertain due to low numbers, this kind of excitement was just what we needed. Helped along by the enthusiastic tuition of teachers and headteacher Mrs Linda
Jones, I’m sure you’ll agree all concerned did a marvellous job. My family in Melbourne, Australia were able to view the performance so, without boasting, we can truly say that Ysgol Abersoch has well and truly put our little village and the Welsh language on the map. Speaking of language, the children were recently delighted to receive a gold award in the Welsh Language Charter. Following the win, conversation on social media opened up some interesting debates regarding the Welsh language, with some people unaware that Welsh is solely spoken at the school. In other festive news, the children and teachers wanted to give something back to their community to commemorate their special link. Their plan was to challenge the village shops to a best dressed Christmas window competition, offering
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two categories: public’s choice and pupils’ choice. The children, alongside teachers and headteacher Linda, drew up a strict criteria - but believe me, mum’s the word, because I tried to find out what might be required to win but my own child wouldn’t crack no matter the size of the bribe! The children marched around the village wearing hi-vis vests and armed with clipboards as they judged windows; I have been told that some shops may have offered a little sweet or two, but don’t be fooled - the kids did not fold. In first place came Abersoch BoatYard; in second place, Breeze; and in third place, Beresford Adams. For the public’s vote, two public voting boxes were placed in Kin & Co and Terry the Butchers, where the public were invited to place their vote along with their name and address. Then, on the night of the infamous Ysgol Abersoch Christmas concert, a name
PHOTO: THE DINING ROM - A GEM IN THE CENTRE OF THE VILLAGE
was plucked out at random congratulations to Miranda Andrew from Llanbedrog, who won a year’s subscription to Abersoch Life magazine! The shop to win the public’s vote was Kin & Co, whilst in second place came Terry the Butchers and in joint third, First Light and Breeze. The competition was hugely successful and a lovely way for the community and school to nurture a vibrant and unique symbiotic relationship, exactly what will be needed to help the village recover from the lockdown in place at the time of writing. In other news, the school is eager to tell you about its latest venture. Responding to the needs of the community, it has opened up a Cylch Meithrin - held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays - and Ti a Fi, a group for parents or carers with children to come and have a panad, play and a chat on Thursday mornings from 9.30am until 11am. To avoid the threat of closure the school needs just a few more children to enrol, and after the great response to our new services we’re ever hopeful. It’s also worth mentioning that the Cylch will open in the future for longer hours and additional days.
would be yet another feather in Ysgol Abersoch’s cap.
Just in time for spring, the school is in the process of applying to become an outdoor learning beach school. The beach being just a five minute walk away, Mrs Jones is passionate about utilising the local environment in order to create a better learning experience, so this seemed like the natural step. To gain this accolade
As well as getting plenty of fresh air, Ysgol Abersoch pupils do love to unleash their creativity. The after school Urdd club is always a hit, so it seemed that Ysgol Abersoch was the best place to offer a six week after school craft course - so far, the children have made their own mugs, earrings and necklaces. It has been a lovely social activity and 25 local children have found it to be a great way of socialising, introducing the school to some people who had never before set foot inside. I myself have been helping at the session and the children are teaching me Welsh, which often culminates with them in fits of giggles at my mispronunciation! The children seem to enjoy teaching an adult something that comes so naturally to them and I appreciate their kindness; I would recommend learning alongside children as it is so rewarding and mutually beneficial. Perhaps this is something to consider for the future.
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Next up: we are asking local residents to continue donating unwanted clothes. You’ll find blue bins which need filling on the school premises, ready for your clothes, shoes, fabrics, curtains, sheets and towels. If the gate is closed you may place bin bags over the wall, whilst the school would also be happy to collect if you have a large amount and may need help with transport. In the past people have confused the school’s bins with those in the car park next to the school, so do take care. Whilst on the subject of donations, the school is taking part in the Llaeth y Llan yoghurt competition, whereby if as a school you collect 200 yoghurt lids you are entered into a monthly prize draw. The school welcomes any lids, so please don’t throw yours away! Alongside this competition the company is also encouraging children to recycle using empty pots. Each month there is a theme and schools have to send in photos of their creations. Well, let me proudly tell you that these seven magnificent children entered a design into the competition and won! They are so far the only school in Gwynedd to win, which just goes to show how well these children have excelled thanks to nurturing and creative teaching styles. ‘From little acorns grow mighty oaks,’ as they say. I’m sure you’ll agree that
these children and teachers are proving unstoppable. The children won a prize of £1000, which will be a great boost to the school’s funds and help buy equipment. The school is ecstatic and immensely proud. Ysgol Abersoch would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support over the last year. We are a little school with a big heart, so let’s keep it beating throughout this strong community. Diolch.
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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AROUND AND SEE IF YSGOL ABERSOCH IS RIGHT FOR YOU OR YOUR CHILD, WHETHER IT BE THE CYLCH, TI A FI OR ATTENDING CLASSES FULL TIME, PLEASE REGISTER YOUR INTEREST BY EMAIL OR TELEPHONE AT PENNAETH@ ABERSOCH.GWYNEDD.SCH.UK OR 01758 712764.
ABER DOGS INTRODUCING SOME OF ABERSOCH’S FINEST FOUR LEGGED FRIENDS WORDS BY REBECCA HINDE PHOTO: ‘ WINNIE’ BY: LUKE PILLING
A
cross the country kids are rapidly realising that school is in fact brilliant and parents are wondering how on earth teachers are not raving alcoholics. “Working from home”, once a phrase that conjured up images of people avoiding emails while binge watching Netflix, is fast becoming a synonym for “prison sentence”. The UK listens on in horror, wondering when on earth we are going to be allowed to get off the sofa and roam freely about willy nilly, like the good old days of…February. However, in these neurotic times of lockdown, there are some among us who are absolutely revelling that everyone has to stay at home. These testing times are a dream come true to our unwaveringly optimistic, never sick of the sight of us, lack of personal space loving, loyal and laughter generating sidekicks…dogs. As many dig deep, wondering how long they can survive alone, or…even worse…together, dogs are smiling
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away wondering why on earth we would ever want to be apart, even just for a second, even for a pee. Abersoch is renowned for its love of dogs. During a typical holiday season the village becomes even more packed with canines of every shape and size, it’s like a Crufts bonanza on the beaches and around the pubs. The more traditional rural working dogs such as Labradors, Border Collies, Beagles, Spaniels and Jack Russells, now joined by the likes of Daschunds, Huskies, Pugs, Sharpeis, Chow Chows, Bulldogs to name but a few. In addition the massive upsurge in the marvellous and ever growing list of mixed breeds such as Labradoodles, Yorkipoos, Labskies, Chugs and Puggles. If dogs were a brand, they would definitely be Benetton. In celebration of our over-excitable friends we got the lowdown on a few of Abersoch’s fine furry residents.
DEREK & MARGO BREED:
Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Blue). Originally bred as gladiators, these muscular beauties have thankfully seen good breeding evolve them into mild and playful family pets. Staffordshire Bull Terriers share the same ancestry as the Bull Terrier, i.e. Bulldog crossed with the Black and Tan terrier, with this particular breed developed in the “black country” of Staffordshire and northern parts of Birmingham.
AGES: 3 and 2 years STAR SIGNS: Aries and Scorpio LIKES AND DISLIKES:
Derek loves digging in the sand, play-time with Margo and lots of cuddles with his humans and anyone else who wants to fuss him..especially children…he loves them! He does not like loud noises and bath time (so if you meet him, avoid shouting “BATH!”…) Margo loves chasing her ball, playtime with Derek and snuggle time in the morning with her humans. She doesn’t like the vacuum cleaner or walking in the rain (we feel you sister).
TRAINABILITY AND OBEDIENCE:
Staffies are strong characters and sometimes prone to bouts of ‘selective deafness’...! However, stick to the training and it pays off…they are very food oriented so will do anything for a sausage or chunk of cheese!
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF OWNING STAFFIES?
They absolutely love people, fantastic with children and very loyal loving dogs but they don’t like to be left on their own for very long. They need a lot of exercise, they can walk for miles and still have energy to play afterwards.
FAVOURITE SNACKS:
Derek loves cheese and peanut butter, whereas Margo’s favourites are sausages and chicken.
RE MO CHES T EX O PO HE N T E! ON PAG | 47
ABERDOGS
TACO
BREED:
Vizsla. The Hungarian or Magyar Vizsla is Hungary’s national dog and has a proud sporting history being expert at both pointing and retrieving. Now globally popular, these handsome canines are elegant, versatile and playfully social creatures.
AGE: 9 months STAR SIGN: Cancer LIKES AND DISLIKES:
Taco enjoys playing games, especially fetch and tug of war, and his favourite toy is Froggy. His also adores flying round the dog agility course like a pro. He loves snuggles and most of all his owner Ally, he spends every second he can, glued to her side (so is currently in lockdown heaven!).
FAVOURITE SNACKS:
Peanut butter and pigs’ ears (not at the same time, he is not Heston Blumenthal)
destroyed a thing. (He is basically that beautiful and polite over-achieving child, that usually belongs to someone else!)
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF OWNING VIZSLAS?
Vizsla’s are demonstrably loving and sensitive companions who are adaptable to different social situations. Great for exercising and training but these tactile softies can be quite sad at being left alone. They have gained the nickname “Velcro Vizslas” due to their desire to be close to their owners.
TRAINABILITY AND OBEDIENCE:
Intelligent and very easy to train, Taco happily sleeps in his own bed and knows plenty of tricks like “paw” and “rollover”. He has excellent recall and has never
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PHOTOS BY PHIL BOYD
BREED:
WINNIE
Sprocker Spaniel. Sprockers are bred from a Cocker Spaniel mixed with a Springer Spaniel and, as these two breeds used to be just one, it is as though things are going full circle. Historically from Spain, hence the name, spaniels have been bred as working and hunting dogs with the ability to retrieve, particularly from water.
AGE: 6 months STAR SIGN: Libra LIKES AND DISLIKES:
PHOTOS BY LUKE PILLING
Winnie loves sniffing; every second out of the house she spends nose down, searching for scents, crabs and anything the cat may have caught. She loves eating other people’s food, especially the cat’s, and her favourite place after the beach is sneaking under the warm duvet in the morning. She hates surf boards and is still deciding about the sea.
FAVOURITE SNACKS:
Winnie will eat literally anything without hesitation or contemplation. Anything remotely edible is her favourite snack, she has no preference for either cheese or coal…
TRAINABILITY AND OBEDIENCE:
Winnie is intelligent and learn commands easily. She will sit and wait but occasionally forgets everything when she is on the beach and something exciting takes her attention. Her keen sense of smell can be troublesome as she sniffs out (at speed) anything she can digest, which has been problematic. Ever since she downed that coffee, we always have some activated charcoal in the cupboard!
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF OWNING A SPROCKER?
Sprockers have a beautiful temperament and are just as happy racing across the beach as they are cuddling for hours on the sofa. They are very active though and need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation or they will find things to entertain themselves that you may not appreciate. They can be trained to a very high standard if required and are a very manageable size and strength.
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THE
HEALING SEA WORDS BY BETHANY BIRCH
PHOTO: THE MISTY MOORINGS AT SUNSET BY: LUKE PILLING
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I
t’s no secret that the vast majority of us enjoy being beside the sea. Whether that’s an evening spent at the beach with a parcel of fish and chips warming our chilly legs; an hour immersed in the swell at Hell’s Mouth on your board, with your wet-suit clinging to your skin - promising some extra warmth or a gentle morning stroll beside the ocean, there’s no denying that it’s good for the soul. There’s no doubt that the fierce nature of the sea is certainly mesmerising, that combined with the rhythmic pattern of the waves kissing the shore and it’s almost hypnotic. We can’t help but be seduced by the sheer power of the sea. But science states that there’s more to our natural attraction to the ocean than it’s humble aesthetics, bold movements and roaring noise.
Once the world returns to normal (we’re in lockdown as I write), the weather becomes a little brighter and temperatures a little milder, seaside walks and ocean activities will become more tempting. Maybe even essential after the enforced break! Spring offers the perfect time to let the seabreeze blow away Winters cobwebs. So, why not button up your Spring attire and head for a march along the sand, inhale the sea-breeze air and take some time to admire the ocean’s everchanging condition. If you’re feeling a little braver and the conditions are on your side get out on the water, whether that be SUPing, kayaking, surfing or a salty sea swim. Whatever your date with the ocean may involve, you’ll be glad of it.
PHOTO: ENJOYING EVERY SECOND - THE JOY THE SEA CAN BRING BY: LUKE PILLING
Have you ever spent time at the beach, and noticed you feel calmer and happier? Well, there may be a scientific reason for your enhanced mood. There are a number of studies conducted to analyse the benefits the sea has on our personal wellbeing. Mindfulness has become an increasing popular subject as of late and spending time immersed in nature, specifically the sea serves as a great reminder to be mindful. The ocean’s rhythmic state and lulling sound is easy for the mind to process encouraging it to ease into a meditative state - similar to that experienced when practicing yoga - which does wonders for your mental health. This notion complements further studies by researchers who have a theory that being surrounded by the ocean and immersed within its environment encourages our use of “soft attention”, which we rarely use in our day-to-day lives. Spending time in the simple-natured surroundings of the beach helps to restore our minds and the soothing crash | 51
THE HEALING SEA
PHOTO: WEIGHING UP THE CONDITIONS AT PORTH CEIRIAD BY: TOTALLY ABERSOCH
PHOTO: THE HYPNOTIC MOVEMENT OF THE SEA BY: TURTLE PHOTOGRAPHY
of the waves helps to de-stress us and consequently has the potential to boost our immune systems. The calming and anxiety-reducing effect that the sea provides can also be accredited to the magnesium and sodium rich sea air. Some other properties that can be traced in the sea air are calcium, chloride and sulphate. Studies have also found that the moving
water of the sea generates negative ions in the air, which counteract positive ions. Negative ions are in fact, very beneficial to the human body and have a positive effect on your overall wellbeing. If you’ve ever left the beach feeling happier, feeling more alert yet more relaxed and de-stressed then this could be a result of these negative ions in the air as they do an excellent job
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at increasing the rate at which your body can absorb oxygen and assist in balancing out your serotonin levels. Positive ions, on the contrast, are said to be harmful to the human body – so ridding of these and increasing the number of negative ions within your body is only going to be beneficial. An excess of positive ions can make you feel drained, tired and lethargic due to it affecting our bodies natural magnetic
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THE HEALING SEA
PHOTO: THE SEA CAN MAKE YOU FEEL VERY SMALL BY: NOCK SANDY
PHOTO: NOTHING MORE HEALING THAN A PADDLE ACCROSS THE BAY BY: LUKE PILLING
field which is curated of both negative and positive ions. Time spent in the company of negative ions - such as the sea - helps to re-balance the overexposure of positive ions which can be found from electronics. Not only is the sea good for our mental health and wellbeing but it also has several physical attributes. An ocean swim has positive effects on the mental wellbeing, but we should also be sure not to overlook the physical benefits of swimming in the sea; as it gets the
PHOTO: MIRROR DINGHY SAILING IN ABERSOCH BAY BY: TOTALLY ABERSOCH
body moving and can be a great form of exercise. Similarly, a walk beside the sea ticks both boxes as you’re getting active and breathing in the sea air, as would more strenuous water activities/ sports such as wakeboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and paddle-boarding. If you’re finding yourself struggling to sleep at night, then a trip to the beach may just be your next alternative to Kalms or a good mug of Horlicks. Generally rid of toxins and pollutants the sea air is often cleaner than that of
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cities and towns. The fresher air typically includes more oxygen and after a day spent inhaling the clean, oxygen-saturated air you’re far more likely to benefit from a quality night’s sleep. Time spent participating in physical activities at the beach - such as swimming and surfing - get your body moving and blood pumping and should gift you with a better night’s sleep come night-time. In addition to the enhanced sleep, the sea air has also been said to help clear sinuses, alleviate symptoms of hay fever and the common cold and relieve respiratory problems such as asthma.
A dip in the sea-water has been shown to do wonders for the skin. Packed with an array of vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, and potassium, the sea is a great healer of many skin conditions. Whilst spending time in the ocean, the healing process of infections or cuts on the body is increased, although due to a large amount of salt, open wounds or conditions such as psoriasis or eczema may become uncomfortable or sting – rest assured, the sea is still working its wonders. With the natural healing properties and therapeutic benefits of the ocean, is it any wonder that we’re all so drawn to the sea? So I look forward to seeing you in the waves once it’s safe to do so.
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PHOTO: SI TOFT - DINING ROOM GIN SUPREMO ON THE NAUGHTY STEP!
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MASTERCHEF AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DINING ROOM’S HEAD CHEF AND OWNER SI TOFT
G
ordon Ramsay described him as a “a very talented chef”, Gary Usher “a phenomenal chef”, Si Toft is a local that Abersoch loves to boast about. His intimate and hugely popular restaurant, The Dining Room, is a jewel in the village’s crown. Si’s award-winning fish dishes and exciting non-repetitive menus, delight with a relaxed yet exceptionally fine dining experience. If you have not yet had the pleasure, this restaurant should be top on your list as soon as circumstances permit. Currently Si is having a pause from his role as Head Chef, recently becoming the (self-appointed) Head Teacher of his very own home school! Si is a fantastic family man, his wife Jo and two daughters are his world, and he is busy keeping
them, as well as his social media fans, laughing during this uncertain time. We managed to steal some time to interview him remotely, before he had to head back to work out the point of algebra, as well as how to ensure this fantastic venue weathers the current storm.
WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A CHEF? I didn’t really decide, it just sort of happened. I actually studied fine art at uni but I’d worked in kitchens from the age of 14 and just gradually realised that it was what I wanted to do so I never stopped. I still get my brushes out now and again though!
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HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD THE DINING ROOM? It will be 10 years on the 1st of May. We originally rented space in Goslings B&B and we were there for three years before moving to our current premises on the High Street. Sadly with the current situation it’s unlikely we’ll be able to celebrate the restaurant’s 10th anniversary but hopefully we’ll do something later in the year.
WHAT IS THE CONCEPT OF THE DINING ROOM? It’s just good, honest food, everything as local as possible, cooked well but without the stuffiness of fine dining. We describe it as ‘British bistro’ so think the relaxed
PHOTO: THE DINING ROOM - A GEM IN THE CENTRE OF THE VILLAGE
welcome of a neighbourhood restaurant, friendly staff and plenty of locally sourced produce.
family anywhere near as much as I’d like.
YOU HAVE HAD SOME TRIALS THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GIVE TO PEOPLE ABOUT OVERCOMING ADVERSITY?
YOU HAVE WON QUITE A FEW ACCOLADES OVER THE YEARS, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THEM AND WHICH HAS MEANT THE MOST TO YOU?
I’ve had to cut back on my opening in recent years for We’ve held an AA Rosette since health reasons. I used to work 2015 and that’s something I’m 6 days a week and then every PHOTO: THE DINING ROOM - A GEM IN THE CENTRE OF THE VILLAGE really proud of; for such a small day and every night from July to more interesting cooking with really good restaurant, tucked away in a little coastal September but I can’t do that anymore. quality ingredients, and the seafood here village like ours to receive this kind of I’m a one-man-band; I plan the menus, is brilliant. At home I love cooking with industry recognition is amazing. With put in the orders, prep every dish, cook my girls; they’re just getting interested in our laidback style we’re not what the during service and wash up afterwards. cooking so they take it in turns to cook AA usually go for, so to get the Rosette Four days a week is my limit now. All I with me at home and it’s brilliant, they’ve on our terms is what I’m most proud of. got little kitchen notebooks and they write would say is you know your own limits, so More recently we were picked as one just do what you can do and keep a sense the new recipes down as we go so they of the Observer Food Monthly’s ‘20 for of humour. can do them again. 2020’ alongside restaurants such as The Inn at Whitewell, Native and The Walled ARE ALL YOUR FRIENDS WHAT IS THE BEST THING Gardens in Manchester. These places are CHEFS? ABOUT BEING A CHEF? all well known in the industry, so it feels Most of them are, we all work similar pretty special to be included. Doing what I love. hours and then we’re on social media late into the night! A lot of the chefs I know I WHAT IS THE WORST THING
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO COOK AND WHY?
It feels a bit clichéd saying this but the fish round here is just phenomenal, it’s always
ABOUT BEING A CHEF?
Where do I start? The hours are long, the kitchen is hot and I don’t get to see my
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PHOTO: SI’S DELICIOUS CRAB, LEEK AND CAERPHILLY TART. RECIPE ON PAGE 90
PHOTO: SI AT THE PRESTIGOUS AA AWARDS OF WHICH THE DINING ROOM HAS HELD ROSETTE STATUS SINCE 2015
originally met through social media but I now count a lot of them as good mates.
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE COME AND EAT AT THE DINING ROOM? Because the food is great and I have bills to pay! Seriously though, all small independents are going to need support once we’re through this Covid-19 crisis. I really hope that once it’s safe for people to visit the area we’ll see people enjoying their time here again and I’d like to think that they’ll make a conscious decision to shop local and to support all our independent high street businesses.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS ON WHAT TO DO DURING THIS PERIOD OF ISOLATION AND THE CLOSURE OF RESTAURANTS? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY’S SPIRITS UP? I think we have to focus on positives, which for me means taking time to rest and recharge and most importantly spending time with my kids. My girls are 7 and 8 and they’re taking all this in their stride. They are great fun to be around and I can think of worse ways to spend my time than being stuck at home with them
NOW THAT WE ALL HAVE A LOT MORE TIME ON OUR HANDS, COULD YOU GIVE US A SIMPLE RECIPE FOR SOMETHING WE WOULD USUALLY BUY, BUT CAN NOW TRY MAKING OURSELVES AT HOME? Soda bread is probably the easiest and definitely the quickest bread, and it’s the perfect accompaniment for a ‘leftovers’ soup!
Thanks Chef. Stay safe and we look forward to sampling some amazing new culinary creations at The Dining Room, when this insanity has passed and it’s service as usual.
e for ip c e r e h t d Fin us crab this gorgeor Spring tart in ou le on Bake artic page 90!
SI’S SODA BREAD MIX 500G WHOLEMEAL FLOUR, 2 TSP SEA SALT AND 1 TSP BICARB IN A BOWL, THEN STIR IN 400ML BUTTERMILK (ADD THE JUICE OF A LEMON TO 400ML MILK AND GIVE IT A SHAKE), STIR IN A TABLESPOON OF HONEY AND MIX TO A PRETTY STICKY DOUGH. FORM INTO A BALL ON A FLOURED TRAY AND CUT A CROSS IN THE TOP SO IT CAN EXPAND AS IT COOKS. COOK FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES AT 200°C.
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SPORTS ER WATER H T O H IT LEVANT 'IN LINE W M THE RE O R F E T THE IC V AD ASE TREA E L P , S IE URFING AUTHORIT SED TO S O L C S A TRARY' BEACHES THE CON O T D E IS V UNTIL AD
ABERSOCH
SURF SCENE CAPTURING HEARTS AND HITTING THE HEADLINES ACROSS THE UK WORDS BY KEVIN BELL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY OUTWEST PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO: THINGS OF BEAUTY - THE STEEP, HEAVY WAVES THAT MAKE PORTH CEIRIAD SO SPECIAL
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PHOTO: ABERSOCH SURF SCENE HITS CARVE MAGAZINE’S 200TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
T
he rise of social media in recent years has, along with the excellence and creativity of our local photographers, perhaps been the biggest influence on the growing reputation of both the surf and surfers of the Llyn Peninsula. Thanks to the power of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and co, images of the stunning waves served up by the beaches around Abersoch are reaching followers across the globe. As a result, the quality of the surf in the area is increasingly being recognised across the UK and beyond. The North Wales Open Surf Competition was the latest step along that route. It’s probably fair to say that for many visitors to Abersoch, maybe even the majority, whilst they may see love the sight of the racks of surfboards stacked outside our local surf shops, and occasionally even be tempted to consider giving it a go, the local surf scene is something of a mystery. In reality it would be more accurate to describe it as a hidden gem as, within just a mile or two of the centre of the village, are some of the best surf breaks in Wales. Indeed, on their day they can hold their own with waves across the UK. It would be wrong to presume that the surf here is consistently perfect – amongst a range of meteorological factors, the shadow of Ireland and our exposure to Atlantic storms can mess with the sweetest of swells. Thankfully there are many ‘secret spots’ dotted around the peninsula where, dependent on conditions, you will find a fleet of surf vans illuminated by the dawn light as the committed locals find their pre-work buzz in the waves they work so hard
to find, but it is to the friendlier beach break of Porth Neigwl (Hell’s Mouth), or the legendarily heavy barrels of Porth Ceiriad, that the majority of surfers will make their way on Pen Llyn. One of the results of that availability of quality waves here on the doorstep of Abersoch is the quiet excellence of some of our local surfers. Even if you’re not into surfing then, on a day when a clean swell is rolling (keep an on the Surf Forecast at West Coast Surf or the Weekend Fun Reports from Abersoch Watersports), it is always worth a walk along the Hell’s Mouth cliffs towards Cilan to watch some of the locals in action. There is some genuine talent out there in the waves pulling off some seriously technical stuff. The local Llyn Surf Club has spawned some of those local stars and is busy throughout the summer helping the next generation take the stage. The other happy consequence of our excellent waves is the rise of our local surf photographers, and their equally growing reputation on the national surf scene. Our very own Phill Boyd is up there with a number of talented locals capturing the action and the beauty of the waves, with Phill now a regular contributor to the best national surfing publications.
to the resurrection of the North Wales Open Surf Contest under the guiding hand of Abersoch Watersports and with the support of some great local sponsors, but also piqued the interest of those same national surfing publications. Perfect conditions in the autumn made the decision to relaunch the competition a big winner. The result being a fantastic event in superb conditions and great coverage in ‘Carve’ magazine – the UK’s leading surf mag. Full details are on the next page, but congratulations go to Urien DaviesHughes for his triumph in the keenly contested Open Competition and to Noah Wood for taking the Junior Crown. The significant number of younger surfers was a real boost, helped make for a great atmosphere on the beach and bodes well for the future of the contest. Plans will have to remain fluid whilst the world is as unusual as it is but keep an eye on AbersochLife.com and Abersoch Watersports social media for news of the 2020 competition and any other events that can potentially be slotted in over what is likely to be a fast-moving situation across the summer. Check out the stunning photography of our local star - Phill Boyd - and read on for the full article on the 2019 contest that made its way to the offices of Carve mag. We think it’s a great advert for Abersoch, the fantastic adventure playground we have on our doorstep and the richly talented group of surfers we have here in the surf capital of North Wales: As soon as it’s safe to do so, we can’t wait to see you all down here again:
This cocktail of activity has led not just | 61
SURF SCENE PHOTO: OPEN DIVISION CHAMPION, URIEN DAVIES-HUGHES AT WORK
PERFECT CONDITIONS ON NORTH WALES STUNNING LLYN PENINSULA AS AN OLD FAVOURITE IS BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE.
T
he Llyn Peninsula, where North Wales reaches deep into the Irish Sea, is a land of wild, rugged beauty, lit by sunrises sent by the angels and sunsets fit for the Gods. Lying in the shadow of Snowdonia, ringed by a necklace of golden beaches and with a shoreline punctuated by islands named after the Saints, the peninsula is a peerless adventure playground for surfers and mountaineers alike. It’s exposed location, powerful winds, cold winter seas and swells made all the more fickle by the ever-present shadow of Ireland, has shaped a hardcore bunch of talented locals who will be found at dawn ripping up the best of the breaks, joined throughout the year by surfstarved travellers from across the North West and Midlands. Following in their
PHOTO: HAPPIEST OF SUNDAYS - THE VIEW FROM THE BEACH
footsteps, summer brings legions of weekend warriors to the dramatic five mile stretch of beach break that is Hell’s Mouth (Porth Neigwl), the peninsula’s best-known surf spot. Those strong winds mean committed locals access a range of breaks across the peninsula in search of an offshore, not least the granite cliff-flanked bay that is the daunting board-breaker of Porth Ceiriad, a spot well known now to readers of Carve thanks to the growing reputation
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of talented local photographer and Offshore Photo Competition winner, Phill Boyd.
The surf scene continues to grow on the peninsula with the holiday magnet that is Abersoch drawing in a range of water sports enthusiasts increasingly turning to the waves for their adrenaline rush. Meantime locals are working hard to ensure the next generation of surfers are equipped to follow in their footsteps as the Llyn Surf Club coaches juniors across the summer months, the frighteningly talented groms increasingly seen in the waves testimony to the success of the enterprise Over the years that crew of locals and wave-hungry visitors have tested their skills in the North Wales Open Surf Contest held each autumn. Following a
hiatus for a couple of years, 2019 saw the Surf Contest relaunched by the Abersoch Watersports team, led by Phill and Emma Wood, with a long-term plan to make the North Wales Open a fixture on the calendar for competitors across Wales and potentially the UK. The peninsula is increasingly home to a comprehensive calendar of extreme sports events with a series of marathons, triathlons, and swims topped by The Roc – an ultra-triathlon based in Abersoch that takes in the summit of Snowdon. Reestablishing the North Wales Surf Contest seemed a natural fit for Phill and the supporters and sponsors who came on board as the event came to life.
PHOTO: PERFECT CONDITIONS AT PORTH CEIRIAD
Charts and forecasts pointed to the first weekend of November and the stars aligned on the Sunday as a crisp blue winter sky sat above a chest-high swell arcing onto the Porth Ceiriad sands. With a strong social media push and perfect conditions, the beach was busy with the organising team and a steady influx of spectators by early morning, ready for the first heats at 9.30 am. As the first four competitors in the Open Division hit the water there was palpable excitement amongst the crowd, in part thanks to the ever improving surf sliding into the bay but also courtesy of the excited bunch of local youngsters, graduates of the Llyn Surf Club, prepping themselves for the Junior Competition. After four closely fought heats of the Open Competition in the increasingly big, fast-breaking, steep surf for which Ceiriad is renowned, the last men standing were Anglesey’s Ollie Laddiman, respected Llyn surfers Rob Dodd and Urien Davies-Hughes, and the local legend that is internationally renowned adaptive surfer Llywelyn ‘Sponge’ Williams, fresh from competing in California and Japan. Before the Open final, the Juniors did their stuff in what were now challenging conditions for a mixed age range. A high standard of heats, that bodes well for the future of the North Wales Open Surf Contest, saw Noah Wood finish top of the pile in the final, closely followed by Gwion Brown and Charlie Middleton, the proud boys picking up great trophies and some brilliant prizes courtesy of the generous sponsors. The magical blend of the light for which
PHOTO: OPEN DIVISION FINALISTS - ROB DODD, LLYWELYN WILLIAMS, OLLIE LADDIMAN AND 2019 CHAMPION URIEN DAVIES-HUGHES
the area is famous, perfect surf and blue skies had the growing crew of photographers on the beach reaching peak excitement as the Open final took to the waves. Throughout the day Urien Davies-Hughes had been catching the eye with his elegance and style, together with the almost supernatural wave selection that comes from tackling a home break. The final proved no different as he charged into an unassailable lead, taking the honours from Rob Dodd, LLywelyn Williams and a proud Ollie Laddiman, picking up fourth place glory in a field of talented locals. The buzz on the beach continued throughout the day, with spectators, organisers and all involved already committing to an even bigger and better Open event in autumn 2020, backed up by a Spring Fling to kick off the year! Keep an eye on Abersoch Watersports social media for details. The organisers would like to thank all their supporters and sponsors (including Inland Sea, West Coast Surf
and Abersoch Watersports) who ensured the winners took home not just glory but quality prizes, the fantastic crew of spectators who made their way to the beach to lend their support throughout the day and judges Dave Lamacraft, Tam Birtles and Phill Wood.
NORTH WALES OPEN SURF COMPETITION 2019 RESULTS: OPEN DIVISION: 1. Urien Davies-Hughes 2. Rob Dodd 3. LLywelyn Williams 4. Ollie Laddiman JUNIOR DIVISION: 1. Noah Wood 2. Gwion Brown 3. Charlie Middleton 4. William Decker”
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WORDS BY REBECCA HINDE
VIEWS TO DREAM ABOUT FROM SOME OF THE WONDERFUL CAMPSITES THAT MAKE THE PENINSULA SO POPULAR WITH SUCH A DIVERSE FOLLOWING OF CAMPERS. RIGHT NOW IT’S TIME TO SIMPLY SAVOUR THE MEMORIES MADE, TAKE A READ OF THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE AND LOOK TO THE HORIZON, WAITING PATIENTLY UNTIL WE CAN MEET AGAIN, BBQS AT THE READY.
BEACH VIEW BWLCHTOCYN
Beach View is a smaller, beautifully maintained and tranquil campsite, tucked away on the hillside of Bwlchtocyn. Great views across the bay with easy access to awe-inspiring walks high along the costal path, or a simple drop down to the beach for a pleasant walk to or from the village.
“ When normality resumes come and share our little piece of heaven by the sea, a much needed sanctuary after such adversity ” - Wendy and Lloyd 64 | ABERSOCH SENSATION MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2019
TYN-Y-MUR ABERSOCH
The vast and impressive Tyn-y-Mur Camping & Touring Park sits close to the village but at a height that gives sensational views of both Abersoch Bay, Hell’s Mouth and Snowdonia, not to mention the pretty little valley leading to the Afon Soch close by. A family favourite with communal games on the site’s very own football pitch. Lots of space for kids to play and make new friends for life.
PHOTO BY: OUTWEST IMAGES
I
n february we took a trip around a few of our popular campsites, for a feature to celebrate the joy of immersing yourselves into the spectacular landscape of the Llŷn peninsula. Managers and site owners were eagerly preparing for an even busier than usual season, with early bookings
coming through thick and fast, as more people opted for staycations and a thirst for getting back to nature. The sites were empty but bustling as shower blocks and communal areas were being repainted and revitalised. Repairs and rebuilds from the brutal stormy months were nearing completion and the
sites were returning to their full glory. The well versed anticipation of the arrival of old friends and enthusiastic newcomers breezed through the air, smiles and greetings aplenty, holiday time was within reach at last.
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CAMPING SIGHTS
BRYN BACH BWLCHTOCYN
Beautiful Bryn Bach with its panoramic views of fields, mountains and seas. A glorious walk to the pristine Porth Ceiriad beach, the perfect choice for active families and couples wanting a quieter rural location. Glamping is also available here and with fine dining on the doorstep at the Porth Tocyn Hotel, you can have you camping and your cordon bleu. Ooh la la!
PHOTO BY: EILIR DAVIES-HUGHES
I
n early Spring the campsites are blankets of empty plots and nature is really starting to bloom. Baby rabbits make the most of the joyful open spaces, the merriment and community from campers over the years is seeped deep into the soil on the peninsula, and it begins to bubble up with the daisies and daffodils as the new season approaches.
Unfortunately, no one could have predicted how quickly the situation in which we currently find ourselves would unfold. Holidaymakers had begun to arrive and caravans had taken up their familiar pitches, when the government quickly sent out the message that this Easter could not be business as usual. Campsites received letters from the council instructing them to close, and
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the difficult task of turning people away began. Just as we are all having to isolate from family and loved ones at this time, so too we are having to remove ourselves from beloved places. It has been such a wrench for the site staffs and visitors alike, both feeling the others’ worry and disappointment, but all knowing that the hardships we are now braving will make our reunion all the sweeter.
CAMPING SIGHTS PHOTO BY: OUTWEST IMAGES
NANT-Y-BÎG PORTH CEIRIAD
Nant-y-Bîg is an outdoor lover’s dream come true. A traditional site, away from any hustle and bustle, lounging gloriously above the untouched Porth Ceiriad beach. Super for surfers and hikers, perfect for those who want to be upfront and close to mother nature and, if you embrace her capricious personality, you will be rewarded by views and night skies that dreams are made of.
O
ur site managers really are a fantastic crowd and genuinely love what they do. They take great pride on making people’s stays memorable and all ensure that the grounds are kept as impeccable as the views. Many spend a lot of time away from Abersoch during the Autumn and Winter, and so returning is an eagerly anticipated experience for them too. Living onsite for the whole of season
makes them an integral part of the experience for the campers, and their hospitality and dedication brings familiar faces back here year after year. While we wait for things to get back to normal, do not let the yearning for this amazing place get you down. Pour yourself a G&T or make yourself a strong brew and immerse yourself in virtual Abersoch for a while. Pitch your tent for
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the kids in the garden or living room, get some sounds of the seaside going, turn on the shower/sprinkler to recreate the inevitable downpour, slap on some suncream and get some iconic Abersoch views on a screen. Abersoch is on pause, awaiting your arrival, and as we well know, ALL good things come to those who wait!
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BIRD LIFE BIRDS OF THE LLYN
WORDS BY DAVE LAMACRAFT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN PORTER PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO: ATLANTIC PUFFIN TAKING FLIGHT
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T
he Llŷn Peninsula is a bird-lovers paradise. With a little effort, even a beginner can witness some remarkable sights just a few short steps from Abersoch. To make it even easier we asked local expert and enthusiast Dave ‘Chough’ Lamacraft to take us through the sights you will see each season. In this issue Dave introduces you to the spring sights and sites and will take us right through the seasons in
future magazines. We realise that in the current climate you will have to do your birdwatching from the comfort of your own home but think you’re going to love this, and once it’s safe to visit we look forward to seeing you and your bird-watching gear:
PHOTO: A STONECHAT ON GORSE
I came to Abersoch for the birds, arriving in 1996 to take up a contract with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to study the feeding and breeding behaviour of the chough, a rare species of crow found in good numbers on the Llŷn peninsula. After that contract ended I stayed, having fallen in love with the place and its wildlife. It was, and I think largely remains, something of an overlooked gem when it comes to wildlife; some of Britain’s rarest wildlife can be found within a 10 mile radius of the middle of Abersoch. Through this and the next three issues of Abersoch Life Sensation magazine, I’ll take you through the seasonal highlights in Abersoch’s birdlife, starting with what to see in the spring. It seems only right to start with the chough. Crow’s get a bit of a bad press, either maligned or taken for granted, wrongly so. A little larger than the jackdaw, choughs are essentially black, like most other crows, but on closer inspection they are very black, much blacker looking than the others, this black hiding glossy shades of blue and green. Perhaps their most distinctive features are their deep red curved bill and legs, which give rise to some of their Welsh names - brân goesgoch (red-legged crow) and brân pîggoch (red-billed crow) - and their scientific name - Pyrrhocorax
pyrrhocorax - ‘fire-billed raven’. Brân Arthur - Arthur’s crow - is another Welsh name for chough. King Arthur’s spirit is said to have been carried by the chough following his death on the battlefield, their bills and legs red with his blood. This strikes a chord when watching choughs on Mynydd Cilan, with the site of King Arthur’s last battle visible to the west near Porth Ysgo and Ynys Enlli, his final resting place, lying on the horizon. Male and female choughs essentially look the same, but the males are typically slightly larger, and with practice the sexes can be told apart. Young birds are more easily told apart by their much paler orangecoloured bills and legs, but these only last for a few months, darkening to red by their first autumn. They nest in caves and fissures on rock faces - sea-cliffs in our case - and feed on insects found on and in the ground; ants, beetles and leatherjackets (the larvae of craneflies or daddy long-legs) are favoured foods. Choughs are also very vocal and you will often hear their distinctive call - sounding a little like a jackdaw call through a synthesiser - before you see the birds, this is often the give away to a pair of birds flying high overhead. They are also very social, with young birds, not yet old enough to breed, hanging around in small noisy flocks clearly with relatively little to do as they seem to spend a lot of time playing, both in flight and | 71
BIRDS OF THE LLŶN PHOTO: EVENING LIGHT ON BARDSEY ISLAND
on the ground. There are only around 335 pairs of chough in the UK, two thirds of these in Wales, and despite being known as the ‘Cornish chough’ only a few pairs are found in Cornwall, their only English breeding area since they returned to the county in 2001. The Llŷn peninsula is one of their strongholds. They can be seen, or heard, pretty much anywhere in the Abersoch area as they do tend to wander between breeding and feeding areas but a walk on the coast path from Abersoch to Porth Ceiriad and around Mynydd Cilan to the eastern corner of Porth Neigwl (Hell’s Mouth) will take you through prime chough habitat. Around Easter time, the chough’s breeding season is underway, and you will see paired birds (they pair for life) going about their business in their longstanding nesting territories. They are likely on eggs, usually between 4 and 6, which are laid in a stick-built, wool-lined nest, and incubated by the female. The male keeps a close eye, rarely venturing far from the nest, and ensuring the female doesn’t go hungry by either feeding her at the nest or escorting her from the nest to a nearby feeding site. This pattern will carry on until the eggs hatch after around three weeks.
PHOTO: A PAIR OF CHOUGHS WITH THEIR BRIGHT RED BEAKS
A chough-spotting walk from Abersoch around Mynydd Cilan will take you through some of the area’s richest wildlife habitats, which in the spring are alive with birds. On a fine day skylarks and meadow pipits will be singing on the heathland of Mynydd Cilan. Both brown and streaky, skylarks are a little larger, and sing for long stretches of time high in the sky, whereas the smaller meadow pipit only has a short song flight, repeating a single squeaky note on the way up before parachuting back down to the ground on open wings. Any area with bigger gorse bushes is likely to have stonechats and linnets in attendance. Their calls usually betray the stonechats presence, a hard sharp sound like stone struck on stone, which they make from the top of a bush or fencepost. Similar in size and shape to a small robin, the males are handsome birds, with black and white heads and orange chests, the females a duller version. Linnets are small finches, the male with pink or red patches on his breast and forehead and a blue-grey head with a chestnut brown back and white
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flashes in the wing, the females, as with the stonechat is a duller brown version. They are busy little birds, with a typical finches twittering song (they were popular cage birds in the past) and often seen flitting about with a bounding flight.
Come Easter the seacliffs will be bustling with life. Razorbills, guillemots, fulmars and kittiwakes will have recently returned from 8 months at sea to join the more local shags, cormorants and gulls on their nesting cliffs. Razorbills and guillemots, along with puffins, are members of the auk family, kind of a much smaller northern hemisphere version of penguins, although unlike penguins they have retained the ability to fly. Having said that, they’re not the most skilled of flyers, until they get underwater that is, where they use their wings to propel themselves to depths of up to 80m in pursuit of small fish like sprat and sandeel. Puffins are only occasionally seen around Abersoch these days, even though St. Tudwals East had the largest puffin colony in north Wales, numbering hundreds of thousands in the late 19th / early 20th Centuries until the arrival of rats on the islands led to their disappearance in the 1950s. The Ynysoedd Gwylan, near Aberdaron, are the main nesting area now, with around 1000 pairs, and smaller numbers can be
found on Ynys Enlli, but the odd puffin is occasionally seen around the St. Tudwals or from Trwyn Cilan. Puffins, with their brightly coloured ‘sea-parrot’ beaks are readily identified but the razorbill and guillemot are trickier to tell apart. Ostensibly both black (head and back) and white (breast and belly), but the guillemot is really chocolate brown in colour, with the razorbill a darker brownblack. The big difference is in their bill that of the guillemot is long and pointed, whereas the razorbill has a short stubby black bill marked with white lines along the top and across the tip. The fulmar is a smaller relative of the albatross, and like its larger cousins is also a masterful flyer, often seen ‘surfing’ the air currents over the sea on stiffly held wings. They also share a special adaptation to help them cope with the large amounts of salty sea water they ingest - a gland above their nasal passage helps to desalinate their bodies and secretes a concentrated salt solution through tubes on the top of their beaks to drip from a hook on the tips of their beaks. For this reason, fulmars along with albatrosses and shearwaters are known as tubenoses. Although generally nesting on pretty inaccessible cliffs safe from harm, they have another adaptation that helps the chicks defend themselves; they project a stinky oily fish paste from their stomachs at would be predators. This is how they acquired their name, from the Old Norse - full, meaning foul, and mar meaning gull. Seabird colonies are impressive sights, but also impressive sounds and smells. Stand on parts of the western side of Mynydd Cilan on warm spring day with a gentle breeze rising from the cliffs and you will experience the latter, even if the birds themselves are hard to see. The colonies themselves are often referred to as ‘seabird cities’, a real hive of activity with each species occupying different ‘homes’. Guillemots like to nest on level surfaces, often hundreds of birds crowded together on long narrow ledges, their specially shaped eggs, laid directly on the rock, designed to roll in a tight arc rather than roll off the ledge and into the sea below. The closely related razorbills will be in more discrete locations, tucked away in more hidden and protected corners alongside or under rocks and boulders. Kittiwakes, one of our most beautiful gulls, defy gravity by plastering their cup-shaped nests to the side of seemingly sheer sections of cliffs, their ‘kitti-waak’ calls filling the air. The shags and herring and great black-backed gulls nest on the less steep sections of cliff or bigger ledges, shags often liking the mouths of caves, where they build large
PHOTO: A GUILLEMOT AND RAZORBILL PERCHED ON THE ROCKS
PHOTO: A BRIGHTLY COLOURED YELLOWHAMMER
messy nests of sticks. Flatter land again, like the tops of the St Tudwals Islands, are home to large colonies of herring and lesser blackbacked gulls and a large cormorant ‘rookery’ of over 100 nests was found on the south end of St Tudwals west whilst it remained deserted, but they have sadly disappeared since the islands lighthouse has been re-occupied. Cormorants and shags are often confused, but are quite different; the cormorant is the much larger and bulkier of the two, the shag smaller with a thinner more sinuous neck and thinner bill. Cormorants are a bluish black and at this time of year have large white patches on their thighs and on their throats, whereas the shag is a metallic bottle green with no white patches and at this time of the year has a characteristic curly ‘quiff’ on its forehead.
It is easy to forget that seabirds are called that for a reason, spending the bulk of the year without setting foot on land, out at sea in the Bay of Biscay and beyond. One of the most impressive of our seabird travellers is another ‘tubenose’ relative of the fulmar and albatross, the manx shearwater. Over 10,000 pairs of manx shearwaters nest on Ynys Enlli each year, laying a single white egg at the end of an underground burrow. Although they have a longer breeding season than most seabirds, arriving in the spring and departing again in late summer they spend very little time ashore, apart from when they are incubating the egg they are out at sea and only come ashore to swap incubation duties or feed their chick under cover of darkness. Manx shearwaters are record breakers, the oldest known bird is a manx shearwater
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BIRDS OF THE LLŶN PHOTO: A MANX SHEARWATER GLIDING ABOVE THE WAVES
from Ynys Enlli, captured and ringed on the island in May 1957 when it was at least 5 years old, and caught again (alive and well) on the island in May 2008 making it at least 56 years old. Even more remarkably, manx shearwaters spend the northern hemisphere winter in the south Atlantic making the most of the Austral summer, this 56 year old bird has flown well over 50 million miles in its lifetime. Manx shearwaters can be seen offshore of Abersoch, Cilan and Porth Neigwl from the spring onwards, they are black and white and similar in shape to the fulmar - a mini albatross - flying with rapid flaps interspersed with glides on stiffly held wings, and like the fulmar are adept at using theair currents to glide over the waves. They are an impressive sight on a stormy day gliding through the maelstrom. With all this potential food around it is perhaps no surprise that there are other birds around ready to prey on eggs or unsuspecting youngsters and adults. Peregrines regularly nest on Cilan, roaming the area widely in search of prey such as jackdaws and woodpigeons, ravens roam the seabird cliffs on the hunt for unguarded eggs along with great black-backed gulls who are equally happy taking chicks. The cliff-nesting buzzards and kestrels are more focussed on mammalian prey, rabbits and voles respectively. Buzzards are an adaptable species, typically they hunt from a perch but these days you will frequently see them hovering, like a large kestrel, especially where there is an updraft from a steep hill or cliff, something they seem to have learnt in the last few decades.
Cliff-nesting is another new trait here. As rich in birdlife as the coastline is, there is also much to see inland in the early spring especially wherever more natural habitats remain; Llŷn has some important areas of lowland heathland areas dominated by gorse and heather species - and lowland fenand wet grassland. Lowland heathland, like that Mynytho common is home to meadow pipits, stonechats and linnets, familiar from Mynydd Cilan, but with the added bonus of yellowhammers and curlews. Both of these species have suffered big declines in past decades across the UK, and although the Llŷn is no exception, they do survive in a few locations. Around Easter time, yellowhammers are establishing their territories, the males, with their bright canary-yellow heads, singing their distinctive ‘littlebit-of-bread-and-no-cheeeese’ (some imagination is needed here) from the tops of trees and bushes. Curlews, large streaky brown wading birds with long down-curved bills, will have recently arrived back from their coastal wintering areas where they will have spent the season feeding on invertebrates found by probing in soft mud and sand with their long bills. They nest on the ground in long vegetation, feeding in insect-rich pastures and heathland and in the early spring they will be establishing their nesting territories which they do in style with an elegant display flight whilst making their evocative ‘curr-leee’ calls. In the next issue we will look at what’s happening with these birds as the summer progresses and at what other
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species have arrived in the area to nest from further afield. Hopefully, as soon as it’s sensible to do so, this will encourage you to pick up a pair of binoculars and explore the wildlife of Llŷn; there is much to see out there. To see more of Ben Porter’s stunning wildlife and landscape photography please visit www.benporterwildlife.co.uk
BIRD NAMES IN WELSH AND ENGLISH: Buzzard / Boncath Chough / Brân goesgoch Cormorant / Mulfran Curlew / Gylfinir Fulmar / Aderyn-drycin y graig Great black backed gull / Gwylan gefnddu fwyaf Guillemot / Gwilym Herring gull / Gwylan y penwaig Kestrel / Cudyll côch Kittiwake / Gwylan goesddu Lesser black backed gull / Gwylan gefnddu leiaf Linnet / Llinos Manx shearwater / Aderyn drycin Manaw Meadow pipit / Corhedydd y waun Peregrine / Hebog tramor Puffin / Pâl Raven / Cigfran Razorbill / Llurs Shag / Mulfran werdd
PHOTO: JUDITH HAY - WAITING FOR A BUS
ARTSCENE
WITH LOWRI LLEWELYN
“The Arts Column was prepared whilst the current situation was only just emerging. Please check updated screenings/show times to reflect the current situation and follow current advice in terms of social distancing etc"
W
hen it’s cold and miserable outside it can be the ideal time to immerse ourselves in the arts, be that in the form of a new exhibition or touring stage show. Regular readers will recall I was very excited about the stage adaption of Manon Steffan Ros’ post-apocalyptic phenomenon, Llyfr Glas Nebo, making its way to Neuadd Dwyfor. Well, what a show! Set amongst the rolling hills of North Wales, it was a timely reminder that we all need to keep our heads and look out for each other during times of panic (and not monopolize the loo roll). Though the tour has come to an end, the award-winning Welsh language book that’s got everybody talking is available to buy. Do get in touch and let me know what you thought of that mind-bending ending! We’re off again to Neuadd Dwyfor now for some big screen flicks - hopefully these endless storms will have abated by the time we emerge. As I write this, we’ve just celebrated International Women’s Day, so I’m very much looking forward to the remake of Disney’s Mulan (10-15 April, PG certificate to be confirmed). The tale of a young Chinese maiden who disguises herself as a male warrior in order to save her father from joining the military, Mulan is arguably Disney’s bravest heroine - sure to inspire any
would-be little princesses to set their sights a little higher. Girl power! Next up we’ve got the new 007 spectacle No Time to Die. By now Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica, but his peace is short-
lived when an old CIA pal turns up asking for help (should have hauled yourself up in an Abersoch beach hut with no wifi, Mr Bond). The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with a dangerous new technology. Available 17-29 April, 12A certificate to be announced. In terms of the stage, I’ve got my eye
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on Juliet and Romeo (13+, 30th April). Produced by Lost Dog, this blend of dance, theatre and comedy is the doomed duo’s real story: a story in which they didn’t die in a tragic misunderstanding, but grew up and lived happi—well, they lived. Now entering their fourth decade, at least one of them is in the throes of a mid-life crisis, and they feel constantly mocked by their teenage selves and haunted by the pressures of being the poster couple for romance. So, they’ve decided to confront their struggles by putting on a performance – about themselves. Their therapist told them it was a terrible idea. Directed by Olivier Award-nominated Ben Duke, Juliet & Romeo takes on our cultural obsession with youth and our inevitable issues with longevity. Onwards to Oriel Plas Glyn-Y-Weddw, next, for a dose of art. We’re in the extremely rare position in Abersoch of being able to admire a world class mountain range from right here on our beaches, so it’s a joy to see Aled Pritchard-Jones return with his arresting oil paintings of Snowdonia. His latest exhibition, Wales 3000s, features Snowdonia’s 15 highest peaks, all of which reach over 3000 feet in height.
ART SCENE
PHOTO: ALED PRITCHARD-JONES - TRYFAN A’R GRIBYN
PHOTO: JOSIE RUSSELL - ABERSOCH
Views of Llŷn, meanwhile, is Josie Russell’s first solo exhibition at Glyn-y-Weddw. Using textiles to create striking views of Wales, for this exhibition Josie focuses on the Peninsula. ‘Only the bare PHOTO: PAUL EMMANUEL - YELLOW HAIRY FLATNESS minimum of my required materials featuring funny farming characters, Gwyn gestures. Hope she are bought new and Gwawr.’ We could all do with a little hasn’t observed canvases, certain cheering up at the moment, so do make and reconstructed threads, or spare time to to pay Gwyn and Gwawr a visit! me puffing my way parts for my sewing up the lovingly machine,’ she Finally, we’ve got Paul Emmanuel, who named B*tch Hill, explains. ‘The rest is fascinated by wool and the pigments or falling out of the - frames, buttons, within animal hair. On his exhibition Octagon at 3am... beads, ribbons, and PHOTO: JANEY MASTERS - GWYN AND GWAWR entitled Chapel of Hairy Flatness, Paul off-cuts of strange, says: ‘My interest in using pigment Janey Masters exhibited for the first time striking fabrics - are sourced from references the mark-making language of at the Plas last year during the summer extensive rummaging in my local charity animals in landscape and sheep-marker show, and thanks to her popularity was shops, recycled from my own clothes, or in particular: an agricultural paint which invited back to create a solo exhibition. else kindly donated by generous family codes animals through colour and mark Entitled Life’s Like That, the exhibit and friends. This means that the bulk of signifying farm, ownership and the features the simplicity and folk-comedy my expenditure, when it arises, eventually animal’s condition. Place is an influential that is so characteristic of her work. finds its way back to charity, rather than factor in my work as it creates boundaries Janey explains that her work is ‘A subtle large manufacturing corporations... and - borders that become more expansive portrayal of the various aspects of daily it saves a great deal of resources in the upon closer inspection.’ life on this planet that apply to us all process!’ in some way - from the trials of a water He continues, ‘There is a particular pipe bursting in winter, the warmth of Judith Hay’s exhibition, Archive, interest in my local community in a romantic moment, to the awkward is a selection of the work she has the new life of Nantyffin Chapel, social situations we experience from produced between 2014 and 2018. connected intimately with village life time to time. In the course of life, we all Creating narratives based on journeys, as many residents have worshipped experience its highs, its lows, its laughter observations and memories, many of her there at some point. The re-use of such and tears.’ works are inspired by numerous walks a familiar landmark coupled with my around the familiar territory of her home work being seen as a form of agricultural She continues, ‘I believe in the power city of Bangor, which feed into large diversification offers a wider community of comedy to lift the spirit even during canvases that reconstruct remembered impact, a re-purposing of both place and the darkest times, and I paint mostly places, objects, people, animals and material within an art practice in the with subtle humor, my artworks often broader scope of valley life.’ 78 | ABERSOCH SENSATION MAGAZINE | SPRING 2020
Waiting to Surf by Totally Abersoch We know there will many of you like us that are tearing their hair out, waiting to get back into those addictive Ceiriad' waves. Arghhh!!
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Old Lifeboat by Outwest Images A mesmerizing shot of the bay with the Old Lifeboat in the foreground and the west coast of Wales looming in the background.
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Trip from the Yacht Club by Luke Pilling To many of us this view is very familiar and one you become so used to especially if you're a regular visitor to SCYC. You'll never take this breath-taking view for granted again!
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Abersoch Beach ... from a distance by Outwest Images Social distancing is something we are all too familiar with now, but we can't wait to be able to safely bump into friends and family on our favourite beach in the future. It's what we've come to enjoy in this great village. 86 | ABERSOCH SENSATION MAGAZINE | SPRING 2020 106 | ABERSOCH SENSATION MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018
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Snowdon in Snow by Totally Abersoch Yes, we did get snow this winter! It was brief and seems a long long time ago now, but this picture taken from Abersoch shows how close we are to Wales' highest mountain.
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R
amping up for the new season in Abersoch is always an exciting time, especially for the local cafes and restaurants. New menus and recipes are tried and tested in anticipation of the influx of tourists, competitive cheffing gets well underway. The present uncertainties do little to quell the culinary creative flair and, with all of our venues currently closed, three of our beloved eateries have offered up some simple recipes straight from their menus, that you can make at home. WORDS BY REBECCA HINDE PHOTOGRAPHY BY LUKE PILLING
CRAB, LEEK AND CAERPHILLY TART THE DINING ROOM
We are blessed with some exceptional chefs on the Peninsula with one of the most acclaimed being Si Toft at The Dining Room. If you have not yet managed to get a table at this exceptional and intimate restaurant, you are never going to forgive yourself if the apocalypse is indeed upon us. Luckily, in between winning accolades, such as the Guardian’s “20 of the UK’s Best Restaurants”, Si took some time out from cooking award winning seafood and deep frying lamb’s tongue, to help us make something a bit fancy at home.
INGREDIENTS FOR THE PASTRY:
PHOTO: A WORK OF ART - THE STUNNING CRAB, LEEK AND CAERPHILLY CHEESE TART FROM THE DINING ROOM
200g plain flour 100g butter, diced 23cm tart tin
FOR THE FILLING: 2 medium leeks 50g butter 300ml creme friache 3 eggs 200g White crab meat 100g Caerphilly, crumbled
METHOD First make your case, toss the butter and flour together until the butter is coated, then get your hands in and start rubbing together until it looks like breadcrumbs, sprinkle over a spoonful or two of cold water and fold until it comes together to a dough. Tip onto a floured surface and roll out until it’s about the thickness of a pound coin, carefully lay over the tart case and push gently into the corners, allowing it to overhang the
edges. Pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Remove the case and line with greaseproof and baking beans (or rice), bake at 180°c for 15 minutes then remove the beans and paper, bake for another 5-10 minutes until golden. As the case is cooling run a small serrated knife around the edge to neaten it up and make your filling. Thinly slice your leeks, soften in the butter and set aside to cool. Next beat the eggs and stir in the crème fraiche. Fold the crab, the cooled leeks and half the crumbled cheese in to the egg mix. Season the mixture with pepper and a little sea salt, you could add some chopped soft herbs at this point as well if you’ve got them. Pour into your pastry case and top with the remaining cheese. Cook for about 25 minutes at 180°c, until the tart is pretty much set but still has a bit of a wobble the middle. Eat it warm, with a little salad of tomatoes, chives and curd. Beautiful! (N.B. It is also perfectly acceptable during quarantine to accompany this tiny tart with copious amounts of chilled white wine - Bon Appétit!) | 91
SPRING BAKES
JAMMY DUNKERS KIN & CO
Catching up at at Kin & Co is one of life’s necessities. The wonderfully varied menu offers contemporary cafe dining with interesting variations on traditional brunch, utilising international flavours to spice up old favourites. Whether you fancy hearty or healthy, boozy or detox, Kin & Co never disappoints; teas to vegan bowls, bacon butties to brownies, refuelling here is pure pleasure. If you are in need of a little pick me up, nothing beats their coffee and baked goods, and now you can create a little bit of the magic at home with this cheeky little recipe from our very own master baker Charl: This is a really simple recipe for spoon cookies with raspberry jam, no fancy equipment needed and perfect for all ages. And they taste amazing!
INGREDIENTS 200g unsalted butter 130g caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp baking powder 220g plain/all purpose flour approx 10 tbsp of raspberry jam (Calon Lan
PHOTO: THE DELICIOUSLY BUTTERY CALON LAN RASPBERRY JAMMY DUNKERS
is our favourite brand and available to buy from the cafe) Take a teaspoon of dough and place on the baking sheet, using a second teaspoon to help it drop and form into a neat round. Leave space between them as they may spread during baking.
1 tsp icing sugar
METHOD 1-2 baking sheets lined with baking parchment
Bake the cookies in a preheated oven for 10-14 minutes, until just turning golden.
Preheat the oven to 170 Degrees Celsius / Gas 3 Melt the butter in a small saucepan over a low heat, then bring to the boil gently, stirring with a wooden spoon. Remove from the heat when the butter foams and let settle before pouring into a mixing bowl.
Transfer the cookies carefully to a wire rack to cool completely. Spoon a tablespoon of jam onto the flat side of a cookie and sandwich with another cookie. Dust with icing sugar just before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days‌(if you have the self discipline of Gwyneth Paltrow, we would have them polished off by bedtime).
Add the caster sugar and vanilla to the mixing bowl, mix well and let cool. In a separate bowl mix the baking powder and flour together. Tip into the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
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hilly P g n i ater the next w h t Mou steak on Cheese page...
SPRING BAKES
TOPSIDE PHILLY CHEESESTEAK ST. TUDWALS INN
Usually beach walks and water-sports in the tempestuous weather at this time of year would be working up our hungers, and the warmth of our loyal pal the Tud’s would be the perfect place to reward our endeavours. Their new hearty menu offers the finest comfort food to satiate all appetites. Before lockdown, Chef Jack had us giddy with anticipation in the kitchen as he prepared their latest bad-boy, the Topside Philly Cheesesteak. With the stresses of the last few weeks you really deserve this so get that beer chilling, pan sizzling and prepare yourself for the ultimate hot sandwich:
INGREDIENTS 1/4 white onion, finely sliced 200g cooked beef 100g salted butter 2 slices of thick bread 100ml beef gravy 25g caster sugar 2tbsp olive oil 5 slices of cheese (any will do) salt/pepper PHOTO: YES PLEASE! THE PHILLY CHEESESTEAK WITH LASHINGS OF GRAVY.... MMMMMMM!
METHOD To begin, turn the grill section of your oven to 200°c, we’ll be using this to melt the cheese later on. Next, place a frying pan on a medium/high heat and add a tablespoon of butter and oil, season with salt and pepper. Once the mixture begins to sizzle add the sliced onions, making sure to stir often. Once the onions begin to look golden and soft, add the sugar, remembering to stir. This will caramelise the onions, at which point add the sliced beef and season again. Next, put another pan on a medium heat, we’ll be using this to toast the bread. Butter two slices of bread on one side, sprinkle with a little salt and add to the new pan butter-side down. At this point you can keep an eye on the beef and onion mixture as well, making sure neither burn. Once the beef has warmed through, add 2 tablespoons of gravy to the pan and mix, setting aside once the gravy has reduced slightly in the mixture. The bread should be done by now, golden and toasted. Place 2 slices of cheese on each piece of bread, soft side up,
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then place under the grill until fully melted. Remove from the grill and add the final slice of cheese to the beef and onion mixture and melt under the grill momentarily. Once melted, assemble the sandwich and enjoy with your choice of sides and condiments. As we can’t presently enjoy this mouth-watering beast in the pub, it is best eaten wearing elasticated pants, lying on the sofa, ready for a Netflix bonanza.
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Bardsey Island from Porth Neigwl aka Hell's Mouth by Turtle Photography The tranquillity of an evening sunset at our favourite surf spot will be relished with every bit of our hearts when it is safe to visit again.
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Dolphins play near Tudwal's West by Outwest Images One of the biggest privileges we are constantly blessed with in Abersoch is the sight of the bottlenose dolphin, seen sometimes in vast numbers playing in the bay. 98 | ABERSOCH SENSATION MAGAZINE | SPRING 2020
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That unforgettable view across Cardigan Bay by Luke Pilling You can't forget it. You surely can't forget it! Well if you have then here you go, waiting for when we can all enjoy it again in the flesh. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy & Stay Home. HASHTAG DIOLCH 100 | ABERSOCH SENSATION MAGAZINE | SPRING 2020
LAST WORDS
THE ROCK BY KGB
Hunkered down At the foot of the headland Washed by timeless seas Polished smooth by the feet of ages Clambering to your summit The next stand coyly on the sands Eying your precipitous challenge One day they will take you In four short steps And look beyond their feet To a horizon of islands The hopes and dream of a future As yet untold Until they return With the next generation Eying the precipitous challenge From the sands of time.
PHOTO: THE ROCK BY: KGB
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