Halloween Ghosts

As it’s Halloween today I thought I would talk about the Celyn Villa ghosts!

A couple of years ago we had a couple of Spiritalist Mediums staying with us in the bed and breakfast and out of curiosity I asked them if we had any ghosts in the house. They looked at me and said ‘yes we have picked up two’ ‘the first is a young girl who runs around the kitchen and  is very happy when you are cooking and baking’, oh I said feeling rather taken aback as I didn’t really expect them to say yes. ‘You should talk to her when you are cooking, it will make her happy’. So when I remember I do say hello.

However the Information they gave about the second ghost was a little more scary. They said there was an old man who sits in a chair by the fire in the hall. Again he was perfectly happy and wouldn’t cause us any harm. They described him as being an old gentleman wearing a frock coat and a top hat so they thought he might be  from the Victorian era. The reason this was spooky was because when our daughter was about 3 or 4 she asked me one day ‘who is that old man mummy’. I asked her to describe him, she said he was old and had a big hat, and was  ‘there in the chair by the fire’.  Well you can imagine I was freaked out at the time but forgot about the incident until the Mediums told us about the ghosts. 

Luckily both our ghosts seem to be friendly as many people who stay with us say what a friendly house it is. Personally I have never seen either of them but sometimes I do remember to say hello.  As the house is so old there are lots of creaks and noises all the time but maybe some of those could be the Ghosts!

Bags galore

During the winter when the bed and breakfast is quieter I can indulge in my various hobbies. Painting, sewing, knitting, crochet and of course cooking. In fact anything creative. Last year I also started to have piano lessons. Les surprised me with a lesson for a present and arranged with a friend to teach me. Sadly I didn’t get around to playing much during the summer as we were too busy so by the end of last year I had forgotten most of what I had been taught. However I have spent the time during the past few months practising and are just about to start lessons again I hope. So by next Christmas I might be able to play a few carols.

Blanket

I have also been doing a lot of crochet, making squares for another blanket ( I made one last year) as they are easy and quick to make ( the squares not the blanket).  When I got a bit tired of the squares, I have done 175 and I need about 250,  I decided to make some more bags to sell to guests. I have just sewn in a lining and they are now available.

Ghostly goings in at Celyn Villa

🎃👻

Halloween seems to be the most appropriate time to talk about the  ghostly goings on at Celyn Villa. Several years ago we had a lovely couple of guests stay with us. We got talking after breakfast and they told us they were mediums! Being somewhat sceptical of course I asked if we had any ghosts here! Apparently we have two ! 

On further discussion we found out that there is an elderly gentleman who's sits in a chair by the fire place in the hall. Apparently he is very friendly and is happy just sitting getting warm by the fire. The other ghost is a young child who skips around the kitchen and is particularly happy when I'm cooking.  

It reminded us of when our daughter was a small child and one day she asked me ' who is that man in the hall mum' I asked her what she meant and she said there was an old man in a rocking chair by the fire and he had a big hat on! At the time we just put it down to a dream or a child's imagination but after our discussions with the mediums we did start to wonder. 

Luckily we have never felt either of these 'ghosts ' ourselves but I sometimes say hello to them, just in case. The other good thing is that neither of the ghosts are in the guests bedrooms so anyone thinking of staying don't need to worry. Soooky or what ! Happy Halloween everyone 🎃

Blowing our own trumpet!

We are, as you may know reserved, self effacing and modest. Well most Brits are apparently. But on this occasion Les and I are going to do a bit of bragging. We have received a award from the online travel agent Booking.com. Based on all the reviews we received last year we have achieved  9.5 customer satisfaction. Which out of 10 is pretty good we think. So please excuse our bragging on this occasion., and thank you if you were one of the lovely people who left us a reviews. 

What Christmas ?

The presents were all brought early, the house was decorated, most of the cooking was done and there was only the last minute fresh shopping to buy, and there was still a week to go. !

That's where on reflection I went wrong. Never should you have time to relax before an important event. The stress levels need to be at maximum until at least the day before, otherwise disaster strikes, normally in the form of illness. As soon as you relax those germs can take hold and you are struck down.

On Sunday 18th December Les took to his bed, I managed to last another day. We stayed there through Christmas and New Year. Flu followed by bronchitis!  Christmas was cancelled and we felt like s.....!  However our darling daughter came with the children and cooked the lunch on Christmas day and looked after us. The grandchildren enjoyed themselves and Father Christmas still came. It was always going to be a difficult Christmas anyway as it would be the first one without my lovely mum, who we lost last year.

It's now the 19th January and we have started welcoming B & B  guests again. Les and I are fighting fit again, I have a cupboard full of goodies that didn't get eaten, booze that didn't get drunk and crackers that didn't get pulled.  But even though it wasn't the Christmas we were planning I don't mind. Oh don't get me wrong, for much of the time I was upset,  but now I feel great. When you have had a period of illness you soon realise how lucky you are, feeling well is fantastic!   There is nothing like waking up in the morning and looking forward to the day ahead, taking your first trip outside into the fresh air and seeing all the wonderful countryside around you.  Life is good again. However I am never going to relax again,  ever.!!

Autumn thoughts

Suddenly there is a chill in the air and am thinking I need to put the winter duvet covers on the beds. I have left it so late this year as the weather has been so mild. We are now in the beginning of November and we have had the first frost of the year. But it has been the most fantastic Autumn with the best colours I think I have ever seen.  Apparently, it’s been the lack of rain that has caused this unusual phenomenon, no doubt that will soon change with blustery days and rain but we will make the most of the weather while we can.

It has been a busy few months for us. The arrival of our second granddaughter Daisy at the beginning of September caught us a bit on the hop, as she came two weeks early.  She was a tiny 5lbs and half an ounce (very important that half an ounce) but she is doing very well and is of course equally as gorgeous as our other granddaughter Florence, who is now a very inquisitive two-year-old, who brings joy and laughter to Les and I.   Grandchildren are such a blessing.  

Business has also been buoyant probably due to the lovely weather and we are now embarking on our usual stretch of maintenance and decorating. Most rooms always need a bit of a freshening up after a busy season so it will be out with the paint brush over the next few weeks.  We normally close one room at a time so that we can still stay open, so if you are reading this and thinking of a late break just give us a ring and we can see what we have available. 

Next stop Christmas.

A square that became a blanket

Crochet was always something I could do! My paternal grandmother was a wonderful and creative craftswoman, making exquisite lace with a crochet hook and fine cotton, which she used to edge her white linen tablecloths. She also embroidered beautifully and knitted many of my childhood 'woollies' .  So it was just a matter of course that she would teach us what she knew, and she did. So as I said crocheting was something that I could do and although I visited it in the 1970's during my 'hippy' period to make shawls and bags etc. it is only in the last few years, since the birth of my first grandchild, that I have started in earnest again with hook and wool.

I started with a plain while shawl for the new baby and subsequently have made a few more as presents. Then I decided to explore more colourful items and, with all the odd bits of wool I have managed to gather, started making granny squares.


I didn't really know when to stop so kept going and after several months of making 2 or 3 in an evening I had enough to make a blanket. I must say I am really pleased with it and it is wonderfully warm and cosy. I have put it on our bed and with the summer we are currently 'enjoying' it is a necessary addition on top of the summer duvet that I confidentially put on all the beds back in June.

So now I am embarking on a bigger project and that is to make covers for all the beds in the B&B.  I really must be mad!!!

30 years today

Thirty years ago today, 1st March Les and I moved to Celyn Villa.  It seems incredible that so much time has gone by so quickly.

It had been Les's long held dream to move to Wales as his  father was from North Wales and he had spent most of his holidays here, hw loved the beautiful countryside and slower pace of life.  Luckily he was able to get a transfer with his engineering job and like any newly married love struck wife I followed : not realising that I was coming to a different world. 

Back then we were living in the 'south of England 'Les being brought up in Kent and me in Sussex and Surrey.  We had both travelled extensively and worked in busy jobs, Les battling the M25 and me in the busy world of advertising and recruitment.   

So moving to a small village in North Wales was indeed a leap of faith.  We brought Celyn Villa, then a old three bed cottage in need of refurbishment and moved in. It was snowing, cold and there was no heating on when we finally arrive after our 250 mile journey. I also remember that there wasn't a light bulb in the place! 

After unloading the lorry (friends had helped us to move) we made up the beds and headed out to find something to eat. We went to the Stamford Gate Hotel, which in those days had a silver service restaurant and and we had Steak Diane and Crepe Suzette - how things have changed. 

Back then, there wasn't a decent pub for miles, no supermarket or A55.  I can remember Les coming home from work and tell me that he had found 'Sainsbury's' near Chester.' Luckily things have changed since then,  but what it did have was the wonderful countryside, seaside, hills and mountains that we love.

Over  the last thirty years we have extended and improved the house beyond recognition.  I worked in Chester for 16 years we had our daughter and are now grandparents.   

But I think Les and I both agree that apart from the big family life changing events, we have both been our happiest since we started the bed and breakfast 14 years ago.

The combination of being able to work from your own home, with each other, and meeting wonderful people from all over the world is one that we didn't even dream about  when moving here 30 years ago.  

I don't envisage for a moment that we will be here for another 30 years but hopefully long enough to keep enjoying this lovely part of Wales, and welcoming guests to our home.

 

 

Les has got his spurtle ready

Suddenly it feels like winter. We have it seems enjoyed the last of the mild autumn days and after a week of high winds and rain, the temperatures have dropped and  it feels like winter is upon us. It dosnt seem possible that Christmas is just around the corner,  but yet the cold weather is somehow reassuring.  I love the changing seasons and it seems wrong to have sunshine at Christmas like they do in so many parts of the world.

But the real treat for winter is porridge.  It's a time when you can tuck into a bowl of yummy, thick goodness that warms you, fills you and nourishes you like no other breakfast can. 

So many people have changed there breakfast habits to include this most simple of morning rituals.   Whether for health reasons or just for the enjoyment of it, it is now one of our most popular breakfast requests from guests. 

Salt or sugar, golden syrup or plain, nuts, yogurt or fruit. There are many ways to enjoy this most humble of morning treats.

We pride ourselves on the breakfasts we serve our guests, and have received many compliments over the years about how good they are. So this time of year why not enjoy a bowl of goodness either before your cooked breakfast or instead of it. 

 

Les has his spurtle all ready. In fact if truth be told we have porridge in summer, winter, spring and autumn. It gets our vote most mornings.

 

 

Presenting our new Blue Room

Over the past few weeks Les and I have been busy getting our new letting room ready.  The Blue Room, it is now up and available to book.  It is a large double with Kingsize bed and modern ensuite shower room.

Whilst Les was busy painting I was making the new window seat, curtains and cushions to complement the room.  It has all the usual requiurements: flatscreen TV, tea and coffee making, hairdryer etc. . 
Les also made the little blue table that holds the kettle and cups etc, which he is particularly proud of.



So the next time you stay with us why not book the Blue Room or any of our other two rooms, Lilac and Rose which are equally comfortable.  They will be having a face lift too during the winter months.

Glorious offerings from the garden

How remiss of me not to have blogged for so long. My excuse is having a new granddaughter who is of course the apple of our eye - 10 months old already where does the time go.

Talking of fruit it is the season for jam making and so far this week Les has picked over 8lbs of gooseberries, 10lbs of blackcurrants and a lot of raspberries. So I have had a couple of days jam making to ensure that there are plenty of supplies for breakfast.

 Have made the gooseberry and blackcurrant ( 2nd batched boiled over though - woops) so far, but am debating whether to try making raspberry jam as I haven’t tried it before. I have a recipe for ‘no cook raspberry jam’ but it doesn’t keep longer than 2 months so I may just freeze them and enjoy them through the year in puddings.

If anyone has a good recipe for raspberry jam I would love to hear from them. 

Oh well that has been my ten minutes sitting down at the computer, back to the cooking now. Evening meals tonight for four guests.

Spring is on its way

 

I am sure I have said this before but Spring is my favourite season.  The hope and anticipation that you feel when the snowdrops start blooming and the daffodils and crocuses are peeping through always fills me with joy and the sure knowledge the circle of life continues.    It’s so reassuring to see the new growth.  When the trees are bare and lonely, they look so sad, as if they have been forgotten and neglected.  But then Spring starts its slow journey and in time all is renewed again. 

The B&B is not too busy at this time of year which gives us the chance to do any decorating or repairs that are needed.  It also gives us time to enjoy our home.  January and February are not really the months for gardening and I look out most days and ‘see’ what needs attention.  However last night’s guests departing words this morning were ‘you have a lovely garden’.  Such a nice thing to say at a time when it is probably at its least colourful – so looking again with fresh eyes this morning I can see that Spring is indeed arriving.

All dressed up

And nowhere to go – thank goodness – we are staying at home this Christmas, which I always love. The family are coming and having a new granddaughter to spoil is going to be wonderful.   I have always loved Christmas but it is so much more magical with young children around.     In our family we have like most, our own little traditions that we enjoy every year which make the festivities extra special. 

I think my favourite is ‘Christmas tree presents’.  We have our main presents when we get up in the morning and then have ‘tree presents’ after lunch.  My mum started this tradition when we were little because in those days we only had a couple of presents – normally one from Father Christmas and a few from family.  The anticipation for the big day was just as exciting as it is now but having opened our presents very quickly, my mum always felt a bit flat – all that planning and preparation for just a few minutes of fun.

So she started ‘tree presents’;  just a small, normally silly gift, worth only a few shillings then and even now only a couple of pounds (although some naughty members of the family spend more).  The sillier the gift the better for added fun. Everyone buys a ‘tree present’ for everyone in the family and they are all piled onto the dining table after lunch.  This year we will be eight so that means there will be a minimum of 64 presents just from us but as all the family buy tree presents I make that about  290  'tree presents’ to be opened!!  Little did my Mum know back then what a tradition ‘tree presents’ would become in our family and how it would grow into such an important part of our Christmas Day?

 

Merry Christmas everyone and a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.  

A magical moment

 

On Tuesday I had the privilege of watching my first grandchild being born.  Little Florence arrived just before 5.30pm very happily into the world.

Needless to say Les and I are on cloud nine and are already in love with her.  The excitement we felt during all the months of knitting, sewing and helping her parents prepare is nothing compared to how excited we are now.  I am sure it is the same for all new grandparents – but to us she really is the most beautiful girl in the world.

Drawing with my sewing machine

 

My 'drawn' Robin

On Friday I spent the day at Abakhan, a craft centre close by that sells all types of sewing, knitting and craft goodies. They also run craft courses and this is the second one I have attended.  I so loved it I want to do some more.  I have spent the past few months or so  knitting baby clothes for my first grandchild that is expected any day now so it was lovely to do something different.  

I have always loved crafts of all sorts and was lucky enough to learn at both my grandmothers and my mother’s knees: Knitting, crochet, dressmaking and embroidery as well as at school. In fact anything to do with crafts. In recent years I have been more interested in painting, mainly because for years nobody wanted 'home made' stuff.

Well now that we have a complete renascence for all things ‘crafty’,  it was great to go along with a group of like minded people and spend the day learning a new skill.


Just started this one at home

Combining drawing and sewing seems obvious –although the process isn’t quite as simple. Getting to the actual drawing takes a while. You must find a suitable subject in this case it was birds. Find the right scraps of fabric and stick them onto calico with bonding web prior to adding the 'drawing' with thread on your sewing machine.  With a special  craft foot you can 'draw' in any direction making up the picture with lines of tread. Fabric paints can then be added for more details.

It was a great course and has opened up a whole new world of creativity for me. I shall certainly be doing some more. Abakhan’s new brochure will be out in November so I am told but check out their website for more information. I know I will be adding to my range of crafts next year.

What did you do in the war granddad?

Yesterday we commemorated 100^th anniversary of the First World War.  Such a long time ago in one way but only yesterday in another.

Last night we sat by candle light watching the service from Westminster abbey at 10pm on the TV.

It was a moving service as had the coverage been recently of those momentous years of horrible war.

For us to sit and watch TV by candle light it tended to romanticise it.  However it did make us think about how dreadful it must have been to live through those times, never knowing if  your loved ones would live or die.  The light of the candle was just a gesture but with all the trappings of the 21^st century around us it did seem a little insignificant in comparison to what really happened 100 years ago.

Nevertheless the centenary has meant that Les and I have revisited our own family’s involvement in the war, talking about it quite a lot.

My Grandfather with my father and uncle at the beginning of World War II

Personally I know very little apart from the fact that my grandfather (paternal) was in the Cavalry – something I only learnt when our daughter took up horse riding as a young child. My father just mentioned it in passing at the time.  The recent film War Horse certainly made me think a bit more about his time in the war and for the first time the impact it had on the horses and there owners.   My maternal grandfather was a farmer which was a reserved occupation and as he was also deaf he wouldn’t have been allowed to go anyway.

Les's Grandfather Ellis on his wedding day in uniform

However Les’s paternal grandfather had a much more dramatic story.  He was in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was deployed to Gallipoli, one of the worst events of the First World War. He lay on the battle field left for dead for three days.  Whilst collecting bodies he was found to be alive and was sent to the field hospital and then on to St Thomas’s in London. He had lost a lung and the other one was seriously damaged.  However he went on to live a full and happy life; married and had three children. He died aged 83.

 Some years ago whilst on a cycling holiday we found the grave of Les’s great Uncle John who died on his 18^th birthday during the battle of the Somme. We had been the first, and as far as we know, the only family to visit his grave.  It was in Abbeville and we went back a few years later with our daughter who was about 2 at the time.  In fact Les’s mother and one of his cousins were both christened with the middle name of Abbeville – shortening it to Abbey in both cases.


On our cycling holiday in France

Uncle Johns Grave in Abbeville

So these are just our tales of heroic family members and if every family with such memories thought about them yesterday then I hope it reinforces our determination never to go to war again.  However we are still living in a world of wars and conflict and it seems that due to greed, selfishness, land, religion and what can only be described as madness wars will never be a thing of the past.   Back then 100 years ago men and women gave their lives selflessly and they still are in many parts of the world today.  I for one don’t want them to have to do it anymore.



Newspaper cutting

Holywell - full of history



St Winefreds Well

Old Cottages at Greenfield Herritage Park

Les and I have spent the day learning more about the history of Holywell - having lived close by in Carmel for nearly 30 years it is true to say that we do know a lot about the town and the area.  But as you would expect there is so much more to learn.  Today not only have we gained more knowledge about the 7th century shine St Winefrides Well – where Holywell gets its name: Holy Well, we have also found out more about the town itself. At one time Holywell was the most important town in North Wales and because of the profusion of lead mines at that time, the ‘World’ price of lead was set in Holywell.  The industrial heritage of the Greenfield Valley and Docks is fascinating and as well as copper goods for the slave trade and a cotton mill there are fascinating stories about the ruins of Basingwerk Abbey. Prior to the dissolution (thanks to Henry V111’s ) Cistercian Monks lived and worshiped there for 400 years.  If you are planning a stay with us in the future there are free guided walks around Holywell, Greenfield and Basingwerk Abbey.  Let us know if you would like any more information or you can contact the Holywell Town Manager via their website which has a lot more local information.



Ruins of Basingwerk Abbey

Getting Ready for Easter

 

 

Is it really time again for Hot Cross Buns and Chocolate eggs?  It’s such a lovely time of year and the garden is looking bright and cheerful with the yellow daffodils bobbing about and the contrasting blue of the grape hyacinths. We are looking forward to a lovely Easter weekend and hopefully the weather will stay fair - as it is today.

 

The first real break of the year for many people; longer than Christmas with nicer weather and the promise of lots of chocolate – what could be better. 

On Good Friday along with our normal offerings at breakfast time I shall be serving Hot Cross Buns.

There are many myths around why we serve Hot Cross Buns at Easter.   One of them says that buns baked and served on Good Friday will keep for a year – don’t think so, more like 2 minutes (the time it takes to eat it!). Another encourages keeping the buns for medicinal purposes. A piece of it given to someone who is unwell is said to help them recover.

Sharing a hot cross bun with someone is supposed to keep friendships throughout the coming year, particularly if "Half for you and half for me, between us two shall goodwill be" is said at the time. Because there is a cross on the buns, some say you should be kissed before you eat it. If you hang it in the kitchen, it supposed to protect against fires and ensures that bread turn out perfectly. The hanging bun is replaced each year. (Don’t think I will adopt this one as our bread turns out OK every time!). I always thought it was to do with Jesus and the Cross - but who knows the real reason. It seems unimportant when you are eating one, hot, toasted and dripping in butter.

Happy Easter everyone.

 

February nearly already

Here we are nearly in February already and I haven't Blogged since before Christmas.  Having spent a lovely, if somewhat wet and windy family Christmas we hosted our annual New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery evening, this year based on a 1960’s theme.   

 

So out came the beehive wigs, mini dresses and floral shirts (it seemsed a good idea at the time).  The menu for the evening was Prawn Cocktail, Coq au Vin followed by Trifle, Lemon Meringue Pie and Cheese.  It may have been typical 60’s food but we all enjoyed it and realised that although we have had bad press in the past about British food, if a dish is cooked well it still stands the test of time.   I still wasn't the murderer though - we have been holding these every New Year for about eight years and I still remain innocent!

I always like to start the year with a positive frame of mind and believe that the coming year will always be better than the last. But  sadly we lost a dear neighbour of ours who passed away on January 4th. He had been a constant in our lives since we moved to Celyn Villa 28 years ago and he will be greatly missed. A true gentleman.

Also the weather continues to be challenging in many parts of the country with more and more rain and I have never been more thankful that we live on a hill. We seem to have been lucky in our little part of Wales; it must be dreadful to have your home flooded and face the prospect of having to deal with the aftermath when the water has subsided.  I hope that things get sorted soon for those that have been affected.

January is usually a quiet month business wise and gives us the opportunity to catch up on a few jobs around the house.  For Les it is the DIY stuff and for me it is to replenish the crafts that I have sold during the year and making enough marmalade to last for 12 months. The Seville oranges are now available and so far I have made three batches and hope that will be enough.  I always enjoy making marmalade, although time consuming it is so well worth it as the finished result is delicious.

We have also been developing our new website which is now live, although there are still a few bits we need to ‘tweak’.  If you have any comments on it we would be interested to hear them.

We are now well into 2014 and although it seems a bit late to wish you all a Happy New Year, but I can say 'Xin Nian Kuai Le' as it is Chinese New Year tomorrow.  So I hope you have a healthy and peaceful 2014.

Christmas Jumper

 

Those of you who read my blog must realise that I am a practical person and most of my hobbies are craft related. So earlier in the year when I was watching the film Bridget Jones Diary with my Daughter for probably the 3^rd or 4th time,  she said ‘I want a Christmas Jumper’.  So I filed the information away and then in October I decided to look for a pattern and knit her one.  I have never knitted such a complicated colour way pattern before and to say it was a challenge is an understatement.  At one point I had 12 different balls of wool that I was working into the knitting and I have lost count of the times that I had to undo and redo rows.    After weeks of weeks of frantic knitting I finally finished last week and then had to spend hours working all the wool ends into the wrong side of the front section.    Still all the hard work was worth it and I am really pleased with the end result.

The fact that the Christmas Jumper has had a real revival this year is a bonus because when I presented Megan with her new jumper this week – she was thrilled to say the least. Not sure if I will attempt another one though!