Corwen, Hint of Independence and Getting Lost

Week 6 - One long, one short and two medium bike rides

During the week I followed my usual couple of early morning rides around LLanbedr and Llandyrnog and once again I have been very lucky with the weather. I won't describe these routes at any length in this section of the article, as I have described these before, but I have added just a few more pictures out of interest, but further down is my trip to Corwen and back (37 miles)

Early morning sight of Moel Famau

Bench outside Llanbedr.

There is nothing wrong with this bench, in fact it is a very nice bench except for it's location.  It is located about 3/4 mile outside the village of Llanbedr.  There is no clear footpath to it and the views from the bench is not that particularly striking, but someone has taken care to cut the grass around it. Strange but true.

View from above Llanbedr towards Rhuthun.

Llangwyfan Shelter

At first glance you would wonder why someone would build a shelter, which is not even on a bus route, in the middle of no where.  But just up the road is the old Llangwyfan hospital which use to be a sanatorium for those suffering from TB years ago.  This shelter was built as a stopping place for those out for a walk form the hospital. 

Flowers for sale beside the road just outside Llandyrnog

Rhyl

View from Prestatyn towards Rhyl

Last Friday evening my daughter was singing in the choir in Rhyl Pavillion.  I had to take her there for about 6pm and then I had about an hour and a bit before the concert started.  So I took my bike with me and had a quick ride from Rhyl to Prestatyn (8 miles return).  It was a beautiful evening and sometimes I forget how scenic the beaches along this stretch can be.

Looking from Prestatyn out to sea.

Corwen and back

This was my main bike ride of the week and the weather was fair, ideal to top up my bikers tan!! My route took me through Llanynys to Rhewl and past the Drovers Arms. Have not eaten here for quite a while but the pub has a very good reputation for its Ales.

Drovers Arms

Instead of taking the back road today I wanted to get some miles in so I headed straight to Rhuthun from Rhewl.  The road then took me past an old haunt of mine, Rhuthun Rugby Club where I spent most of my Saturday afternoons in years gone by on and off the field.

Rhuthun Rugby Club

From Rhuthun the road climbs very slowly up towards Corwen through the village of Pwllglas to the small hamlet of Bryn Saith Marchog.  I think the name for this hamlet in fantastic, translated it means the Hill of the Seven Horsemen (or knights)

Leaving the hamlet, on the far hill large windmills start to appear like sentinels in the sky.  I use to be in favour of these wind turbines but now we have so many in Wales they are becoming a blight on our beautiful landscape.

Wind turbines just above Gwyddelwern 

After leaving Bryn Saith Marchog I dropped down into the small village of Gwyddelwern where reputable the oldest pub in Wales has just reopened and now serves food.  Part of the Ty Mawr Inn dates back to 1386 but there has been a building on the site dating back probably a further couple of hundred years.  For more information go to http://www.tymawrinn.co.uk/history

Capel Rhug - Rhug Chapel and interior

Not far after leaving Gwyddelwern I came upon Rhug chapel, another ancient Chapel with history going back to William Salisbury and even to Gruffudd ap Cynan.  The chapel itself is quite plain from the outside but the inside is very ornate and is worth a visit.  It is now under the care of Cadw and is only open during week days.  For further information about the chapel go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhug  

River Dee West of Corwen

From Rhug I carry on into Corwen but not before I cross the river Dee (Dyfrdwy).  With it's source in the mountains above Llanuwchlyn and passing through Bala Lake by the time it reaches Corwen it is very much a mature river.

Statue of Owain Glyndwr

I cycled on into Corwen and by this time I was glad to get a small rest and a snack under the eye of Owain Glyndwr.  This statue dominates the square in Corwen and was proudly erected after fundraising effort by the local populace.  His links to this area are quite strong with his home located only a few miles up the road in Sycharth, unfortunately nothing remains today except for a mound where the house would have been.

Owain Glyndwr, many believe, was he last true Prince of Wales and fought for an independent Wales between 1400 and 1415 established a Welsh Parliament, Colleges and a separate Church, but finally after being defeated by the English Crown he mysteriously vanished around 1415 with no accurate record of what happened to him or where he was buried.

Dee River East of Corwen

On leaving the square I pass the old cinema and cross back over the river Dee.  I climb up to the sport centre, turn left and head off towards home.  When I reached the next cross roads I remember seeing on the map before I left the house that if I turned right and then left it would take me up onto the hills above Gwyddelern.  I could then follow a back road back home.

Looking back over the river Dee towards Corwen

Well after a steep climb I found my way up above Gwyddelwern but then obviously took a wrong turning because I was then heading down a steep road which seriously tested my brakes.

Up above Gwyddelwern

At the bottom of the hill I found myself facing the Ty Mawr Inn again.  Well as I was here I decided all I could do was put my head down and cycle towards home along the main road.  

Less than an hour later I found myself back home after a most enjoyable exhilarating ride.  Next week hills and more hills, can't wait !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thai Street Food -Thai Fish Cakes

Thai Fish Cakes

These I serve as a side dish with a Thai curry.  We first had them when visiting a street market in Bangkok and they have been a firm favourite in our household ever since.   They are very easy to make and only take a few minutes to cook in oil.

Thai Fish Cakes

Makes 8 fish cakes

300g of firm white fish

1 tbs of red curry paste (I used a good quality Thai Curry paste such as May Ploy)

100g green beans chopped

A small bunch of coriander chopped 

Juice of 1/3 lemon

1 tsp of fish sauce 

1 free range egg

300g of firm white fish

Place the fish in a food processor and blend until the fish is a fine mixture, be careful not to allow the mixture to become pureed. 

Chopped green beans

Chop up the green beans finely and then add all the contents into a mixing bowl.  Mix all ingredients together making sure that the curry paste especially has combined well with everything else.

Place all ingredients into a mixing bowl

When all the ingredients are combined make the cakes, there should be enough for about 8 evenly sized cakes.

Make some cakes from the mixture

You can then either shallow fry or deep fry the fish cakes using sunflower oil.  On this occasion I shallow fried the cakes.  Using a frying or saucepan placed enough oil in the pan so that it would just cover the cakes when placed in the pan.  Heat the oil until you can see it starting to bubble slightly.  Carefully place the fish cakes in the oil, as I was using a frying pan I was able to put four in at a time, if you are using a smaller pan you might have to do them two at a time.  Cook until browned and then place in a preheated oven about 120C to keep warm and then cook the remaining cakes. When ready either serve as a side dish with a Thai Curry or as a snack with some salad and Thai chilli Sauce.

Thai fish cakes ready to eat

Spar Llanrwst Local Shop or Multinational chain?

Llanrwst Spar

Local or Not?

Spar Llanrwst

I grew up just outside Llanrwst in a small village called Trefriw.  My father, at that time managed the local Llanrwst branch of the Midland Bank, as it was called then, now HSBC.  I therefore have fond memories of this market town attending the local high school and probably one or two of the local pubs in my late teenage years.  

Once I left the area to attend college, for a number of years afterwards I lost contact with the the area. But about 12 years ago when I ran a small business producing traditionally made ready meals I was looking for outlets that I could supply.  I heard on the grapevine that the owners of Spar Llanrwst, Justin and Sara McIlveen, were someone I should contact as they supported local producers.

Like many I had always thought of Spar as a big chain and quite unapproachable.  But in fact Spar as a concept has many facets.  Spar is a multinational retail chain operation but the shops are mainly independently owned retailers operating under the Spar banner of which Spar Llanrwst is one.  There is approximately 12,500 Spar stores in 35 countries worldwide.  The Spar stores was founded in the Netherlands in 1932 by retailer Adriaan van Well, and through its independent retailing network of stores it operates in most European countries, parts of Africa, Asia and Oceania.

Justin and Sara McIlveen - 2014 Spar Retailer of the Year Winners

Some of the Spars you see on the UK high street are owned by one of 5 larger individually owned companies that operate the wholesaling side of things as well.  Spar Llanrwst even though independently owned by Justin and Sara but operating under the Spar banner are able to call on the buying power of Spar to stock their store but at the same time stock and support local producers.

Jones o Gymru Crisps at Spar Llanrwst

As previously mentioned the first time I met Justin was when I wanted to persuade him to stock my traditionally made ready meals.  I gave him a ring and arranged to meet him at his Llanrwst Store.  I do not know until this day how it happened but I must have nicked my finger somewhere on my way into the store.  Before I knew it I was sat down in his office when I noticed I was bleeding all over his floor.  Justin was as good as gold got me a plaster, got a mop out and the mess was cleared up in no time.  We then sat back down, he had a look at my products and without hesitation he said when could I start supplying his stores.  I went on to supply his three main shops, Llanrwst, Rhos-on-Sea and Penmaenmawr for quite a few years afterwards until I sold my business in 2008.

Llaeth y Llan Yogurts

I moved away from the food sector after 2008 for a number of reasons but in recent times my interest has peaked again, hence this blog.  I was therefore interested to meet Justin again when he got in touch recently, to see if he had carried on with his enthusiasm for local products.

Halen Mon at Spar Llanrwst

He invited me over for a coffee a few days ago and he proudly showed me around his store.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that not only did he still stock local products but the range had increased considerably from when I was last in his store.  Available now in his store are locally made crisps, yogurts, milk, cakes, cheeses, sausages, bacon, cawl (soups), beers by the dozen, cider, even goat meat and I have received a tweet since my meeting saying he is expecting a first delivery of rose veal. The suppliers stocking his store are established names such as Llaeth y Llan, Edwards of Conwy, Blas ar Fwyd, Siwgr a Sbeis, Cenarth Cheese, Snowdonia Cheese, Conwy Bragdy, Halen Mon and more but also some of the more recent suppliers are Glasfryn Bacon, Jones o Gymru Crisps, Blodyn Aur (Rapeseed Oil), Conwy Goat Meat and as mentioned Barcut Rose Veal.

Glasfryn Bacon

Yes it is true that Justin and Sara can call on the multinational Spar for many of the products they stock but there is no doubt that they are both proud of the fact that their stores in Llanrwst, Penmaenmawr and Rhos-on-Sea are locally owned independent stores.  I am also quite sure that there is more of a variety of locally produced Welsh products on the shelves of spar Llanrwst and it's sister shops than you might find in either Tesco, Asda or any of the other multinational Supermarkets.

Edwards of Conwy Sausages and Bacon

I can highly recommend a visit to Spar Llanrwst and I look forward to visiting some of the suppliers of these fantastic local produce.  Also to hear some of their background stories and to try and cook with some of the products they produce.

Beers by the dozen at Spar Llanrwst

Birchgrove Eggs from Trawscoed Mid-Wales

A Selection of Welsh Cheeses in the chiller section of Spar Llanrwst

Welsh Rapeseed Oil ideal for cooking or as a dressing.

Hot and Spicy Sweet Potato Soup

Hot and Spicy Sweet Potato Soup

We had this thick creamy, spicy soup for supper the other night with crusty bread and it went down a treat, with the children especially enjoying it.  It is easy to make with preparation time about 10 minutes or so and cooking time not much longer.  When I did this I made enough for two meals and placed the second batch in the freezer for another night.

Hot and Spicy Sweet Potato Soup

Serves 8

2 tbs Blodyn Aur Rapeseed Oil (this is produced locally to me and I have been pleased with its quality) alternatively use Olive Oil

3 onions chopped

5 garlic cloves chopped

6cm of fresh ginger peeled and grated

1 birds eye chilli chopped (use more if you like it spicy) 

1 tbs garam masala

4 tsp curry powder

2 or 3 large sweet potatoes 1.2kg chopped into cube type shapes

Vegetable stock about 2 liters, if you have made your own that would be great if not 2 cubes of veg stock added to the water.

400ml coconut milk

small bunch of fresh coriander chopped 

juice of 1 lemon or lime

A good pinch of salt and pepper to season

Chopped Onions ready to be fried

Use a heavy based saucepan and place over a medium heat, add the oil.  Gently saute the onions for about 10 minutes till they are soft.  add the garlic,  ginger, garam masala and curry powder and stir a bit more for about a minutes.

Spices ready to be added

Tip in the potatoes and mix till they are well covered by the spices, then add the seasoning, and pour in the stock. Increase the heat slightly until it is simmering and add the coconut milk.

Sweet potatoes added to the pan

Reduce the heat again and allow to simmer for about 12 to 15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft. Use a blending stick if you have one or place contents in a food processor and blend until you have a puree.

Add the lemon or lime if you prefer and coriander (I would have used coriander but it is not to my children's taste I therefore added a bit of basil) and serve with crusty white bread.  If a little bit too spicy add some yogurt.

Slow Cooked Breast of Welsh Lamb

Slow Cooked Breast of Welsh Lamb with Apricots and Cranberry

I quite often buy half a lamb from my local butchers in Denbigh, J. H. Jones.  I have always struggled with the breast of lamb as to what or how to cook this long piece of cheap but bony, fatty unappetizing looking, long, thin piece of cut.

Now I know the answer which is to cook it slow, very slow, with lots of added ingredients to enhance the flavours.

On this occasion I prepared this one Saturday morning and put it in the oven about 10 a.m. on 120C and left it there whilst I went out for a long bike ride.

I, along with the family enjoyed the excellent result with some mashed potatoes later that evening.

Ingredients Serves 4
2 breast of lamb (ask you butcher to prepare the breast if you prefer, a good butcher should remove the bone, skin and excess fat)
5 apricots chopped
5 leaves of fresh sage or 2 tsp of dried
5 leaves of lemon balm (optional, had some in the garden, use rind of half a lemon cut into thin strips)
2 bay leaves
20g cranberries
20g goji berries
Few pinches of salt (Anglesey Sea Salt) and pepper to taste
2 large carrots roughly chopped
2 large potatoes roughly chopped
1 onion sliced
1 tbs flour
1 tbs oil (BlodynAur Welsh Rapeseed Oil) or sunflower oil if not available
1 lamb or chicken stock cube
1 veg stock cube

If your butcher has kindly prepared the breast for you then roll it out onto a wooden block.  

Breast of Welsh Lamb

Start placing the cut apricots onto the breast of lamb

Place apricots onto the lamb

Add the berries, leaves and salt and pepper to taste. 

Cover with Cranberries, goji berries and sage

Once you have added the ingredients, gently roll up the breast of lamb and place two skewers through the meat to hold it in place.

Rolled up breast of Welsh lamb ready for the oven

In a large heavy base casserole pot add the oil and the sliced onions, fry gently for 3 or 4 minutes. Add the flour and stir in.

Roughly cut up the carrots and potatoes and with the lamb place in the casserole pot with the onions. Add the stock cubes and water until it covers the ingredients.  Place covered in a pre-heated oven at 120C for 6 to 7 hours. Check occasionally and top up with water if required.  When ready to eat remove the ingredients and place in a serving dish and keep warm.
Place the casserole dish on a high heat and reduce the liqueur until you have a thick sauce.  Pour over the lamb.
The lamb should be tender and falling apart ready to eat.  Just add some mashed potatoes for this excellent flavoursome dish.

A Game of Four Quarters, 70 miles, Week 5 London to Paris Cycling Training

A Game of Four Quarters, 70 miles, Week 5 London to Paris Cycling Training

70 miles broken be that over four trips this last week.  All I need to do now is the same but all in one day and more on my London 2 Paris bike ride. 

The first of two 14 mile trips I did this week was along the same old route on my sturdy faithful steed with early morning runs from home to Llanbedr, Llangynhafal Llandyrnog back to Llanrhaeadr.  Llan is an area where a Saint, usually back in the sixth or seventh century established a church. Yes we had many saints in our area in those days and like many other parts of Wales they left their mark by leaving their name on the church they established.

This route takes me through Rhewl towards Llanbedr and on one of the back roads I pass this quirky shed with flattened buckets hanging on the side.  I have passed it now a number of times and could not resist taking a picture this time round.

Buckets on Shed

I then cycle on towards Llanbedr and before arriving take a left that climbs up the side of the Vale. This takes me passed Llanbedr school, another one that is under threat of closure from Denbighshire County County.  It makes you think what will be left of our villages in a few years time when all the schools, post offices, shops, chapels and churches are closed.

Ysgol Llanbedr School

Cycling on to Llangynhafal I came across this golden bike.  I had noticed it and others around the Vale and had wondered what they were for.  This time round I noticed on one of them a notice advertising the 'Goldie' charity fundraisers annual cycle challenge.  this year they were setting off from their favourite pub, the Golden Lion in Llangynhafal in an effort to raise £15,000 in the aid of Robert Jones and Agnus Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen. For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/goldiebikeride?fref=ts

Golden Bike on Llangynhafal Sign

From Llangynhafal the road drops down to Llandyrnog and then on to Llanynys.  On the way I pass a farm gate which sells free range eggs on the side of the road.  It is great to know that it is still possible in this country for someone to be able to sell there produce on the side of the road and just leave out a honesty box.

Free Range Eggs for Sale

Go Fast Bike

Waheeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Received my new go fast bike today Saturday 27.6.15 and as any new toy had to go out and play.

Chris Boardman 16 gear road bike

Approximate Weight (KG):	10.5kg
Brake Type:	Dual Pivot Calliper Brakes
Forks:	7005 Alloy Blades with Chromoly Steerer
Frame Material:	Alloy
Gender:	Mens
Number of Gears:	16
Pedals Included:	Yes (Handy to have these with bike!!)
Suspension:	Rigid
Wheel Size:	700c

10.5kg

Dual Pivot Calliper Brakes

7005 Alloy Blades with Chromoly Steerer

Alloy

Mens

16

Yes (Handy to have these with bike!!)

Rigid

700c

I know I am starting to get geeky!!!

It was a beautiful hot day when I started out and I decided to go down the Vale of Clwyd through Llandyrnog, Bodfari and then Tremeirchion.

Open Road Beckoned 

I was amazed at the difference in speed I could achieve (for me) compared with my old war horse and Bodfari Church whizzed passed quickly as I sped up the hill passed it.

Bodfari Church

I soon reached Tremeirchion and enjoying my ride so much barely stopping to take any pictures. 

From Trefnant I took the back road to Denbigh and arrived at the Leisure Centre with plenty of time to spare to see my daughter compete in her Gymnastic competition. Once it was over I jumped back on my new shiny new bike and and completed the final 3 miles back home in no time.

The Old Hospital and Smallest City in the UK

Sunday morning and like a little boy I was excited to get out on my bike again.  I started out about mid morning and climbed out of Llanrhaeadr towards the small hamlet of Y Glyn.  It is a steady climb up but I enjoyed the excursion as the road wound it way up in front of me (did not think I would be saying that a few weeks ago).

Denbigh Mental Health Hospital

From there the road drops down towards Denbigh but before I reached the town I pass the old Victorian built Mental Health Hospital that now lies sadly eerily empty.  This Asylum was built by architect Thomas Full James back in 1844.  Once a hospital for people with a psychiatric condition, at its maximum capacity it could house 200 patients.

Once through Denbigh I put my head down and aim for the smallest City in the UK.  Entering St. Asaph passing the local Welsh Medium High School (Ysgol Glan Clwyd) I came upon the episcopal seat of the Bishop of St. Asaph.  This small but stunning cathedral dates back 1,400 years, while the current building dates from the 13th century.

St. Asaph Cathedral

Once I cycled passed the cathedral I head down through this tiny City and at the bottom of the hill turn towards home.

St. Asaph City

On the way back I climbed up the locally named S bends.  But on my new bike this caused me no problem.

S Bends

I then crossed over the Vale and headed back through Bodfari to Llandyrnog.  I passed the White Horse (01824 790582) which is located in the village, a good place to eat, but if you wish to visit booking early is advisable.

White Horse LLandyrnog

After 24 miles I arrived home after a very enjoyable bike ride on my new bike on another sunny day in Wales, who says it always rains in Wales.