My old stomping ground - a quick jaunt down memory lane
Tower of Hillary's Church
From the castle car park. The Clwydian Range in the background
Easing myself gently back into work mode, my holiday ended with a night at my Mum's and a visit to my harp teacher when I was in secondary school. Here are some photographic highlights. I do miss Wales and I equally love being in Yorkshire. There are many parallels, though one glaringly big difference is that any sea is far from where I live now.
Château Denbigh
The impressive ruins of the 13th century castle. They don't make them like they used to
Windows
that have seen a lot of action
Peaceful
Probably not so peaceful in its heyday
A brief visit to Denbigh Castle yesterday brought back many sweet memories of times when I used to hang out there with my friends. It's an amazing site drenched in history, and an evocative reminder of what life could have looked like way back in the 13th century.
Looking up
The kind of rugged landscape that was on my doorstep as a kid
On our walk last week, we snaffled a few remaining wimberries. A holiday highlight when my sister and I were kids was a picnic at Llyn Brenig and wimberry eating and picking on Denbigh moors on our way home. Mam made a damn fine tart with the fruits of our precious haul. She also made elderflower cordial which I didn't like much as it was packed with such a generous quantity of sugar I couldn't taste the fruit. Being told it was good for me seemed to intensify my aversion.
Swan like, aged 22
Fancy having to wear a sleeveless dress in December! She told me she was absolutely freezing and her feet were in agony.
Happy day
I loved dressing up in her dark pink bridesmaid frock and I remember how the coarse net material felt
Food was quite simple when I was growing up. Dad was the cook actually, and he collected some exotic recipes on his work travels at sea. What I wouldn't give to have another taste of the chicken he used to prepare smothered in a moist spice rub so fiery my young tastebuds couldn't handle the burn so I removed the skin. There'd be none of that now. An enthusiastic passionate cook, Dad's food was always delicious and meticulously prepared. I've asked Mam for the recipe but it's been lost in transit. As for Mam, well she keeps it simple and is a very good cook when she puts her mind to it. She makes the best chips in Denbighshire. She's recently discovered the joys of the sweet potato and I hope she'll get some in her chip pan.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree
Hard to tell if she's eyeing up the bride or the huge cake
Demure
I recognise that twinkle in her eye, and that posture actually
Crinoline ladies
My beautiful new to me plates. The reassuring china clatter they make reminds me of my grandmother preparing us a little something to eat
Storks perhaps?
I wonder what cruel fate befell their long elegant bills
Pleasing curves
I just LOVE a nice clean harp part
I have been taught and mentored by some exceptional teachers and I always love catching up with my second harp teacher, Ceinwen. She was hugely influential on my journey into the harp and music and I'm indebted to her for inspiring and encouraging me. I remember looking forward to the car journeys to her home for my lesson and being fascinated by the photos, books and harp memorabilia that adorned her teaching room, not to mention her stories about her harp adventures and experiences. Only on very rare occasion did I shy away from practice, usually if it was an exam piece I didn't like. We share a similar mindset and approach to work and its ethic. It was lovely to see her and her husband Tim looking so well and the ideal way to get myself in the mood for the harp. It was great to be away and it's good to be back, but when's my next holiday?
