Anglesey Sparkles

From the gleaming waters of the Menai Straits to the bright blue skies of Beaumaris, the island of Anglesey off the Welsh coast sparkled in the Spring sunshine. It was great to be back on Ynys Môn to give the island it’s Welsh name. Or Mam Cymru (Mother of Wales). Anglesey is also currently home to Prince William and Kate Middleton – the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

I’ve been visiting the island one way and another for many years now. We used to sail from a mooring further round the Menai Straits out past Beaumaris and beyond Puffin Island. These are some of the most treacherous waters in the UK. The renowned 17th century English poet, John Milton, wrote an elegy called Lycidas, in memory of a close friend who’d drowned in an accident here.

Beaumaris has some beautiful properties and the small town is undergoing something of a quiet renaissance. Palm trees testify to it’s mild climate. It even has a castle – the last of the great Welsh fortresses built by King Edward I and begun in 1295.

Still only April and some of the shots I was taking were more reminiscent of the Greek Islands rather than North Wales.

Further around the coast was the tiny headland of Penmon with it’s ancient Celtic Priory and stupendous views over Puffin Island.

Before taking a look at those views, here’s a look out across the Menai Straits from one corner of Penmon.

And here’s one more.

The great American artist, Edward Hopper, known for his iconic paintings of lighthouses, would surely have relished this shoreline.

This next shot shows the lighthouse, strategically situated to prevent vessels from entering the treacherous passage between Puffin Island and the Anglesey shore.

Now for a close up of the lighthouse itself standing proud in the Irish Sea and guarding the shipping lanes to Liverpool. Hard to believe that busy port city is only a 90 minute drive away.

Congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen!

I’ve seen the Queen a few times, but by far the strangest occasion was coming face to face with her as I was jetting off to Madrid on holiday. She’d turned up to open the new and recently re-named John Lennon International Airport here in Liverpool, and was only a couple of feet away from me. Impressions of the Queen? She’s quite small, with very bright blue eyes and an amazing complexion. To add to the surreal nature of the experience, there was Yoko Ono, also there for the opening, and also quite small! Here, then, are a few shots taken in London last year the day after the Royal Wedding. First, Buckingham Place in the sunshine.

This next one is of an artist working in pastels capturing a view of The Mall leading down to the Palace.

And here’s some details from the ornate gates outside Buckingham Palace gleaming in the sun.

Finally, here’s a shot of Westminster Abbey where the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton had taken place the previous day.

Not sure whether it was the advent of the Royal Wedding or not, but London was looking amazing during those few days. Have seen a few other royals over the years, notably Princess Margaret and Princess Anne. The latter was hugely impressive and highly professional chairing a conference I was attending. Again, all much smaller than you’d imagine. Which could not be said for my favourite royal – Princess Diana. Tall and elegant and deeply committed to the causes she championed. Sadly missed.

This, however, is a remarkable day and no mean feat in anyone’s books – 60 years since acceding to the throne . Congratalations, your Maj!