Gladstone statue and Pen High Street

Sunday 10th April 2016

It was a steep walk up the bank to get from the beach back to the town. In the Victorian period, a famous and regular visitor to Penmaenmawr was Liberal Prime Minister William Gladstone. His statue is near the top of the bank leading to the town centre. It is a modest statue, little more than life-size.

Beach Cafe, Penmaenmawr

Sunday 10th April 2016

I was surprised to find the Beach Cafe on Penmaenmawr Promenade open so early in the spring. We popped in for a pot of tea. Sadly, we'd already had breakfast so we decided not to add to our waistlines by ordering the full cooked English.

A nice little cafe that seemed to have all you need for a pleasant time on the beach.

A walk along Pen Prom

Sunday 10th April 2016

We headed down from the main road through Penmaenmawr to the beach. It meant using the bridge over the A55, the main North Wales road which now cuts the beach off from the town. Nevertheless, with the sun beating down, a walk along the promenade is a pleasant way to kill some time. Note the views of the Great orme at Llandudno.

Parc Plas Mawr in Penmaenmawr

Sunday 10th April 2016

I needed to make an unexpected, last minute trip to Penmaenmawr in North Wales. It is a town I know well. 20 years ago I worked there and I have been returning ever since. Parc Plas Mawr is at the western end of the town. It is relatively new. It was a derelict site 20 years ago. A pleasant place for a stroll while walking to the beach on a Sunday morning.

Gateshead Quays

Thursday 7th April 2016

I had to go to Baltic Square on the Gateshead Quays to do an interview with the BBC. It was an excuse to get some photos of the great bridges we have over the River Tyne. Well worth a visit if you haven't already been.



Tyne Bridge




High Level and Swing Bridges

Stuck at the Dartford Crossing

Monday 28th March 2016

We visited relatives in Kent at the end of March but, unusually for us, we decided to drive there. That meant using the Dartford Crossing when we came back. We were in the traffic jam for well over an hour. I prefer to travel by train! I took these pics from the back seat of our land rover.

Jashn Restaurant in Swalwell

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

I went to the official opening of the Jashn, an Indian restaurant in Swalwell, Gateshead, some years ago but hadn't had a chance to return. That was util 23rd March 2016 when we went there to celebrate a friend's birthday. Good quality food, well prepared and good presentation. The restaurant is very ornately furnished. Staff were friendly and helpful. Worth a visit.

The Indian Kitchen, York

Saturday 12th March 2016

Dinner in the evening was taken at the Indian Kitchen, opposite Clifford Tower. Good quality and not too expensive, the restaurant had been damaged in the winter floods and had only just reopened.

Clifford Tower, York

Saturday 12th March 2016

A short break from conference allowed me to take a walk from the Barbican Centre in York to Clifford Tower, part of the castle that dominated the city in the medieval period. Alas, when I got to the top of the long flight of steps, I found the tower was closed. Fortunately I have visited it before. I got a good view over the city.

Walking the streets of York with geese

Saturday 12th March 2016

I've been to towns and cities where seagulls and ducks are roaming the streets. But when in York watch out for the free range geese walking around the grass verges, car parks and roads.