Ralph on Tour.....Llandudno

Here's a little twist on Ralph's Life where I get to go on holiday and blog about it!  The Old Dear decided his batteries needed recharging so I thought he was going to take me to Maplin, however it involved stuffing more food and drink into a car than is physically possible and heading to some big kennel in Wales (which is actually a country and not a big fish).  

Bron Berllan Uchaf cottage is on the outskirts of Dyserth village which is four miles from the seaside towns of Prestatyn and Rhyl (home of the legendary 2p machines).  It has 5 bedrooms sleeping 12, with 2 sitting rooms a dining room, a large kitchen/dining area separate toilet and two bathrooms with showers and it is extremely well appointed throughout.
  




Bron Berllan Uchaf, Bron Berllan
Hiraddug Road, Dyserth, Rhyl
Denbighshire, LL18 6HS.

You can contact the owner Mr J Scott directly on either 07974875019 or 02476725423 and tell him Ralph sent you!








The views from the cottage to the 
surrounding countryside are stunning and from the upper area of the grounds you have a lovely sea view over towards Kinmel Bay. 


There's an extensive patio area leading to a well kept sloping lawn where you can go and talk to some very nice horses in the next field!  To the front there's another nice lawned area but beware of the steep drop to the roadway over the low wall.


Once all the stuff was unloaded from the car and the double fridge/freezer was full it was time for a chillax on the patio where drink was plentiful and thanks to the chiminena blazing away much fun was had late on into the night.

Now one of the highlights of the week was our visits to the lovely seaside town of Llandudno with it's pier and spectacular esplanade situated between the Great and Little Ormes with two wonderful beaches, the award winning North Shore and the quiet, sand duned West Shore and and which has kept its Victorian and Edwardian elegance and splendour, despite its modern attractions.  

Having wandered the town's extensive shopping area and in need of refreshment, one of Ralph's favourite eateries was Kava , a charming little coffee house and licensed restaurant just off the main drag.  The staff are as attentive and friendly as the coffee and food is reviving and tasty!  After only one visit (like the bar in 'Cheers') they'll not only 'know your name' but remember your drink of choice.  

The highlight of several visits to Kava over the week was 'Corrie's' Les Battersby (aka actor Bruce Jones who was appearing in nearby Rhyl) having a cuppa with me (ok he was at the next table).  Apparently he wasn't overly starstruck by my presence so we didn't swap autographs.....









Now next door to Kava is a little shop that is very dear to my heart as it sells chocolate, and not just any chocolate as Grumpys is a traditional sweetie shop where you can take a trip down memory lane with their fantastic retro and old-fashioned sweets!

They have an amazing selection of traditional favourites as well as a plentiful selection of modern sweets! Every product listed has been chosen by Grumpy himself, and because of this they can be confident that you will be completely satisfied with your purchase!

Their shop stocks over 300 variations of sweets that you're bound to remember from your youth, and we're increasing our online product range every day. Remember; If you don't find exactly what you're looking for then please contact them and let them know. They'll do their very best to accommodate your requirements and seek out what you are looking for and you can order from Grumpys online!

There were only two downers over the week.  The first was missing one of Ralph's favourite groups Catfish and the Bottlemen playing Llandudno the day after I was due to leave (gutted).  On the plus side they're playing Sneaky Pete's as part of Ralph's favourite musical event EH1 LIVE on the 16th September in Edinburgh.  In the meantime here's a wee look at the video for their latest release 'A.S.A' and you can check out all their tour dates, music and merchandise on their website catfishandthebottlemen.com 

Second downer of the week was a visit to Rhyl Sun Centre, which I won't dwell on other than to say it's an overpriced, overcrowded, dirty, disorganized waste of two hours that I can't replace.  On checking the Sun Centre reviews by way of being even handed in my assessment I found that I was far from alone in my disappointment at what should be the main attraction in the list of things Rhyl has to offer the discerning visitor by way of entertainment.

Enough of the doom and gloom though.....highlights of the week were.....a visit to Dyserth Waterfalls

A stroll along the promenade in Llandudno only to be confronted by a seagull that thought it was a Pelican Crossing.....

We enjoyed a brisk 4 mile walk round the Great Orme at first in drizzly rain but half way through the sun broke through with the ensuing spectacular views.  Onwards and upwards to one of two hilltop cemeteries looking out over the bay and Llandudno rooftops. I must give a mention to the mental goats (not the name of a band) who inhabit the narrow ledges of The Great Orme!
Finally a mention to the beautiful Happy Valley Gardens opposite the pier at the start of the walk with it's Ski Slope and Happy Valley Cafe selling a Gold Award Winning Welsh Ice Cream.  A great place to sit, relax and take in the view at the end of a hard days walking!

Well the upshot is Bron Berllan Urchaf Cottage is the ideal place to stay in order to sample the delights of the Denbighshire and Conwy coastline.  Don't miss out on a coffee at kava in Llandudno and remember.....tell everyone.....Ralph sent you!

Smoked Salmon Tarte Tatin

Here's another Tarte Tatin recipe but with a twist this time.....courtesy of those lovely food blogging people at..... JustLoveFoodLeith 


And that twist I mentioned... its muffin size  Shetland Smoked Salmon, Samphire, Herbs, Crowdie and potato Tarte Tatins with a duck egg and lime mayo served with seasonal leaves.

Ingredients:

Scottish smoked salmon slices

Samphire

Chopped chives

Spring onion, sliced finely in diagonal

Parsley leaves (not chopped but whole)

Waxy potatos simply boiled, peeled and crushed (Charlottes jersey Royals or Maris Peer are ideal)

Crowdie (you could substitute cream cheese)

Butter

Sea salt flakes

Freshly ground pepper

Preparation:

1. Line a muffin tin with butter.
2. Cover with smoked salmon slices to the brim, add the potato mix (potato, all herbs, Crowdie cheese, the samphire and season to taste).  Then overlap the ends of the salmon slices to cover the mix.
3. Top with a round of puff pastry (you can make your own, but as usual, Ralph says..... ready made works just as well).  Make sure to tuck in the ends of the pastry all around the edge of the tin.
4. Egg wash it and bake at 220 C for 20 minutes.
5. Take it out of oven and let rest for 5 minutes and then turn by placing a plate or board over before turning so they do not crumble (like they do on The Great British Bake Off).

Serve with seasonal salad, a nice mayo of your liking and a wedge of lime or lemon.

If you're feeling adventurous, for a delicious accompaniment make a Samphire Butter with white balsamic and the juice of one lime.

In a saucepan simmer the Samphire, some parsley and coriander stalks with butter, freshly ground pepper, add just a splash of white balsamic vinegar, the juice one lime, cook for about 5 to 7  minutes until tender, blitz and pass through a fine sieve, let cool and ready to serve.

White Chocolate Torte.....with shiny chocolate sauce.

Here's an easy recipe that punches well above its weight when it comes to look and taste!  It's a White Chocolate Torte with a shiny chocolate sauce.  

Now if you'd been watching The Great British Bake Off you'll know that tortes are very in and this one will grace the best of tables but with the minimum of effort.

No 2 hours 45 minutes to make it here....it's ready to chill in 30 minutes (plus the freezing time for the base) and serves 8.








Melt the butter in a large saucepan, add the biscuits and mix well. Butter an 18cm loose-based round tin and press the biscuits into the base using the back of a spoon or your hands. Freeze until cold.






Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water or in short blasts in the microwave - be careful, white chocolate burns very easily. Once the chocolate has melted, leave to cool.







Whisk the cream until you can leave a ribbon-like trail for a couple of seconds. If your cream is very cold, leave it to warm up a little so it doesn't make the chocolate seize. The thicker you whisk the cream the more solid the torte will be. 

Add 2 tbsp of the whipped cream to the white chocolate and stir it in. Pour the rest of the chocolate into the cream and mix well. Pour into the tin and chill until firm.





Make the sauce by putting all the ingredients in a saucepan with 250ml water and bring to a simmer, stirring. Simmer until the mixture thickens enough to draw a line through it on the back of a wooden spoon and then cool. Use some to decorate the top of the torte and re-warm the rest when ready to serve.

Banana Tarte Tatin.....the easy way!

Always fancied making a Tarte Tatin but couldn't face the trials and tribulations that ensue?  Well here's a recipe for a Banana Tarte Tatin that even a Jack Russell could follow. It's a quick, painless (relatively) and delicious alternative to the traditional Tarte Tatin!   Made with bananas and toffee sauce, an alternative to a traditional tarte Tatin will be sure to go down well with all the family.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:      20 - 25 minutes

Total time:           30 - 35 minutes    


Ingredients:

• 375g pack fresh Ready Rolled Puff Pastry
• 4 ripe bananas
• ½ x 300g pouch Waitrose (or any other) Toffee Sauce

Method:

Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. 

Lightly grease a 24cm round cake, or tarte Tatin, tin. 

Unroll the pastry and cut out a 24cm diameter circle to fit the tin.

Peel and cut the bananas into slices then lay them inside the base of the tin. Pour over the toffee sauce, covering the banana evenly.

Place the circle of pastry over the bananas, tucking the edges loosely round the edges of the tin so that steam can escape. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden.

Remove from the oven and allow to stand for a few minutes to cool slightly. Using an oven glove to protect your hands, place a serving dish on top of the tin and, holding them firmly together, turn the tarte upside down. Carefully remove the tin. Scrape any remaining sauce in the tin over the tarte Tatin. Serve immediately with chilled  organic Single cream or a generous scoop of good quality Vanilla Ice Cream.

Now if you're feeling really adventurous, why not have a go at making your own vanilla ice cream as this easy, creamy recipe for vanilla ice cream doesn't require an ice cream maker and only takes 10 minutes to cook!

Ingredients:

• 2 vanilla pods
• 500ml/16fl oz double cream (see tip)
• 70g/3oz sugar
• 3 fresh local organic egg yolks
  
  
  
  
  Preparation:
  
  
  
  
  Halve the vanilla pods lengthways and scrape out the seeds. Add the pods to the cream and bring to the boil, then add the sugar and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
  
  
• Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks in a large bowl then slowly whisk in the hot cream mixture.
• 
  
• Pour the mixture through a fine sieve into another bowl and whisk in the vanilla seeds. Pour the mixture into a freezer-proof container and freeze for 2-3 hours, or until set.

• Top Tip:
• 
  

• Due to the absence of milk in this recipe, the ice cream does not crystallise in the freezer bowl. So there's no need to stir it. Ideal for anyone without an ice cream maker.

Feel free to share this recipe with your friends and.....if you made it and enjoyed it.....let Ralph know, he'd love to hear from you!

The Little House of Art.....Glastonbury

 Now if you're heading down to Glastonbury for the Pilton Party fund raiser (after the disappointing news of no festival this year) at Worthy Farm featuring Professor Green and The Vaccines, Supported by Zulu Winter and Manners on the 7th of September why not take the chance to check out the charming and unique Bed and Breakfast The Little House of Art only two minutes walk from Glastonbury town centre with its eateries, characters and unusual shops.  Why unique I hear you ask?  Well Martin and Sue own not just any B&B as it has its very own Art Gallery featuring the work of local artists. 

The accommodation consists of  two double bedrooms with luxurious Egyptian cotton bed linen and comfortable beds and considering the location and standard very reasonably priced from £65.00 per room, per night including breakfast.   A choice of delicious cooked breakfasts, including vegetarian is available using locally sourced organic produce wherever possible including eggs from their own chickens!  

There's a choice of a Private Bathroom with shower and full-sized bath - bath robes provided or a luxurious en-suite wetroom.  Wireless internet connection and digital TV/DVD with Freeview are provided with a wide range of  DVD’s available to view in your room.  There's tea and coffee making facilities and hairdryer in the rooms and the use of an iron and board is available on request whilst outside there's ample free parking.

Currently the featured artist is Sam Dunford from Poole in Dorset.   She specializes in Landscape paintings using oil paints on canvas. Her collection includes affordable Landscape paintings for your home, affordable paper prints of her landscape paintings, which are all handmade by Sam. She also welcomes commissions of landscape paintings from your photographs, visit her landscape painting commissions page for more details.  Sam's inspiration for her landscape paintings comes from everything, it can be from a walk around the Heath, a trip into town or just a walk into work.





Also featured are a number of 'Twitter' artists whose work can be found online..... 

Martin Lilley -  Photographs

Neil Gardner - Artist ngautoart.com  follow him on twitter @ngautoart

 Marilyn Ewens Painter - see more of her work at marilynewens.com

Emma Bradshaw: Painter withycombefair.co.uk  or on twitter @SAW_Ltd

Anita Pegler: Painter contact her via clivepegler@havenfarm.freeserve.co.uk 

Judy Blathwayt Painter contact her at judyblathwayt@btinternet.com 

Thomas Haskett Painter thomashaskettillustration.blogspot.com  on twitter @TmHaskettArtist

Jackie Curtis - Print Maker jcurtisart.com  follow her on twitter @jcurtisart

James Wedge - Painter jameswedge.com 

Alacoque Doyle - alacoquedoyle.com  follow her on twitter @alacoquedoyle

Jon Curtis - Potter - joncurtisceramics.com  follow him on twitter @Jonthepotter

Lucy Large- Artist lucylarge.com  follow her on twitter @lucylarge

Jenny Barron - Still Life jennybarron.co.uk @JENNYBARRON

Wendy Dunt - Ceramics merrymaiden.co.uk @wheelyworld

Sam Dunford - Artist samsart.co.uk @samdunford_art

Kathryn Nichols - Illustrator thedrawinghouse.com @thedrawinghouse

Julia Nairn - Artist Acolytehomeandgifts.com @myapplique

Paul Burgess - Artist paulburgessart.co.uk @PB_art

The Bed and Breakfast itself is situated within easy walking distance of all the major attractions like Glastonbury Abbey, Chalice Well Gardens and Glastonbury Tor.  A short 10 minute drive will see you in the historic cathedral city of Wells and the Somerset Levels Wildlife Reserves.  If you're feeling more adventurous it's only an hours drive to Bristol and Bath or the lovely beaches of Dorset and Devon on the world heritage site of The Jurassic Coast.

What's on in Glastonbury   

Follow Martin and Sue on Twitter and keep up to date.

Here they'll be providing information on what's happening in Glastonbury. Follow them on Twitter@arthousesue to keep up to date

Mid-Somerset Show Sheptom Mallet 19th August midsomersetshow.org.uk

Somerset Arts Week - 15th to 30th September www.somersetartworks.org.uk

Glastonbury Chilkwell Guy Fawkes Carnival2012 17th November 2012 The town centres largest event of the year with a procession of floats lasting all evening. A major spectacle, with collections for charity. The town is full of people and there is a great atmosphere.website

Glastonbury Frost Fair 15th December

Booking with Martin and Sue is easy. Simply click your arrival date, choose the number of nights you wish to stay and how many adults there will be. Click 'Check Availability' and you will be re-directed to their secure booking area where you can confirm and pay for your stay.

Room with private bathroom £65 per night incl breakfast.

Room with 4 poster and ensuite wet room £75 incl breakfast.






Secure Online Booking Instant Confirmation

Check Availability

Alternatively you can ring Martin and Sue on 01458 830485 and they will complete your booking for you.....tell them Ralph sent you.....


A scrumptious picnic Hamper with fresh produce, wine or
champagne, can be provided whether for the beach or a special occasion or treat yourself to Breakfast in Bed with a glass of Moet or Bucks Fizz? (option available during booking process) and breakfast is available outside when the weather permits.
 

Now the owners of some establishments cower in fear when the dreaded Trip Advisor website is mentioned (just ask Channel 5's Alex Polizzi, The Hotel Inspector) but not so Martin and Sue.  You can check their reviews of The Little House of Art safe in the knowledge they offer a 5* service at a very reasonable price.


Here's the latest Trip Advisor review.....

“A lovely B & B”

Reviewed 27 August 2012 

My husband and I stayed here for a long weekend, whilst attending a wedding in a nearby village.

The b & b itself is lovely - lots of thought has gone into its decoration, with art displayed on all the walls. We stayed in the poetry room, which was very sweet. Comfortable bed and spotless throughout. The weather wasn't nice enough to go out in the garden, but this looked nice. The b & b is a short walk to Glastonbury High Street, which was brilliant.

Sue and Martin were excellent hosts, advising us on local places to go and helping us with anything we needed. They made our three night stay very pleasant.

The breakfasts were fantastic. The vegetarian full English is one of the best I've had and my husband was impressed with the other options too. We would definitely recommend this b & b.