I'm Back.....

I'm Back - from outer space?  NO just from being inundated with summer goings on.  The school holidays have 2 weeks left, the Bank Holiday is nearly here and the sun is shining. Life is good at The Hilary.

I know many of our regulars come to visit once the school holidays are over so September and October are busy months.  We have some vacancies from 4th September onwards. Although some weeks are busier than others. So fingers crossed we can fit everyone in.

Business is good and we're at that time of the year when we're drawing up the list of big jobs for the winter - or should I say when i am drawing up Colin's list of big jobs for the winter.  We're looking at new bathrooms as well as decorating rooms this year.  So he's going to be busy!

The Llandudno- Daffodil of Wales initiative is well underway and we're on target for our first 50 000 bulbs to be planted this autumn.  Conwy Council are so impressed with us that they're hoping to arrange a special autumn daffodil fun day at Happy Valley.
One of the things we'll be doing is opening a Field of Hopes in conjunction with Marie Curie Cancer Care.  This is a piece of allotted gardens where anyone may come and plant spring flowering bulbs in memory of a loved one.  The Council will continue to mow the area which is why the bulbs are to be spring flowering ones and so each year the bulbs will flower again.  We're so proud to have been allocated this land for our Field of Hopes.    

The Olympic F|lame visited the daffometer and
Squad gymnasts gave a  demonstration

Well, that's the door bell and hopefully is our last check in of the day arriving.
Bye for now  and take care.
Deborah

The Slugs Must Not Win!

We don't use chemicals inside The Hilary as our cleaning is the chemical free Enjo system and I don't use them in the garden either but I am running out of anti-slug remedies:  Egg shells - don't work, cotton wool - doesn't work - beer in a slug trap - just attracts more of them and they eat everything on route to the beer! The little and not so little blighters even go across the gravel and sand  - it has now been suggested that we try hair! I might have to speak to a close friend who's a hair dresser as there's no way I'm shaving by head just to save our garden - award winning as it may be.  Until then, I am still going out very night with my bucket and collecting over 100 a night.  You'd think after weeks of this the number would be going down - but, no, they must reproduce as if there's no tomorrow.

Had a lovely dinner at the St Tudno last week and I've got some 10% off vouchers for our guests to enjoy afternoon tea or dinner there.

Katie was 8 on Monday - talk about blink and time moves on - these 8 years have gone so fast - my baby -8 - still can't believe it.  She had a Victorian tea party and cookery lesson for her birthday. 12 lovely little girls and several 'let's get into the theme of it' adults attended!

 Katie even made her own cake! Next milestone is Nicol being 10 in October - although Colin is 45 today - my toy boy!

I'm listening to our local radio station Tudno FM while working this afternoon - more singing along and toe tapping that work being done as you can imagine.

Off to see the George Formby Players tonight at the aeroplane that's parked on Llandudno prom! Very
Seaside! 


 Last night was a spot of skim boarding at West Shore - or at least Nicol and Katie skim boarding as Col and I shouted lots of encouragement from the shore line!

We'll be Roman's again on Sunday at Segontium - but off out now to enjoy the sunshine - ignore the weather man  -it is not raining all over Wales - at least not in Llandudno it's not!


Hwyl Fawr
Bye for now from The Hilary Guest Hosue in Llandudno
Deborah

Time Flies

Doesn't time fly when you're having fun or is it when you are so busy you are the proverbial headless chicken?  Either way you way have worked out we've been busy.  Between cleaning the gutters at our daughters' school during which the worse rain shower I've ever experienced decided to take place, running the wonderful  Hilary Guest House , being Mum to the 2 most amazing daughters, eating out with Divas Who Dine, organising events for Llandudno Daffodil Capital of Wales.............you've got it there's a lot going on.

So my highlights of this last week?  Planning Katie's 8th birthday party.  Katie and 11 friends are having a cookery lesson.  In fact, they are going to prepare their own birthday tea party - and hopefully do all the washing up afterwards. Complete with caps and aprons to make it even more fun!

Inventing a cocktail or at least having one invented for me!  The Pink Daffodil is new and exclusive - its ingredients are yummy and a secret and it's especially for the Llandudno Daffodil Capital of Wales fund raising disco I'm organising for September 28th 2012.  It's at The Imperial Hotel, Llandudno - don't miss it!

This coming week I am really looking forward to Sunday when to go to Venue Cymru to see 'The Event' which Nicol is in.  This is part of the Olympic celebrations and is being filmed especially for it.  300 welsh gymnasts and our daughter earned her place to be one of them - what an experience.that will be for her. The gymnasts are training so hard for this  - in addition to the usual 4 times a week training they do.  I'll let you know how it goes next week.

What a week -  I was 46 on Wednesday and had a lovely day.  Although no one arranged for the fairies to come in and do the breakfasts and rooms - shame really but Rhod Gilbert at Venue Cymru made up for it on Thursday night - what a giggle.

Col once again proved what an amazing array of strange skills he has- I asked him what bulbs was needed for room 4's bed side lamp and he knew.  So just to test him I asked him 3 more bulb questions and he knew those too.  Shame there's not a game show about such trivia - he'd do so well.

Feet, arms and face are getting browner every day from hanging the washing out - I'm going to have the usual strange tan lines this year.  I'm not one for sitting around in the sun but it's amazing how easily the skin colours just from trips to the laundry room and back.  Does make choosing dresses to wear more complicated - to show or not show the tan lines that is the question - 'definitely not' is my humble opinion.


Thought you might enjoy this video of our lovely girls in action when Nicol was still Alice.Alice Day Llandudno

Nicol and Katie had a gymnastics competition on Sunday, gold for Nicol and bronze for Katie. Nicol also picked up a gymnast of the year-  Good Conduct award.  Congratulations to our wonderful daughters.

That's it till next time.
Hwyl Fawr
Deborah

Busy Half Term

Apologies for a blog-less week last week.  It's been half term and we've been busier than ever.  So a quick recap over the last 2 weeks. Olympic fever came to Llandudno.  The flame even went up and down the Greta Orme on the cable car!  We joined the crowds on the promenade at West Shore. Nicol and Katie were there representing Llandudno - Daffodil Capital of Wales.  I think Nicol will remember it most of all as the 'music' bus stopped right by us played a chorus of One Directions ' That' What Makes You Beautiful' and then drove off again.  They're her favourite band -I couldn't have organised it better if I'd tried.

Mayor Cllr Myra Wyzgell cutting the cake at the official crowning of  Miss and Little Miss Daffodil

The Laburnum arch was in full bloom at Bodnant Garden last week.  It's wonderful.  If you've never seen it then you should definitely add it to your 'bucket list'. There was also a harpist playing on the day we went. Although we didn't stay long as it was too hot!

  We had a Diamond Jubilee Street Party in St David's Road on Bank Holiday Monday. I had managed to get the road closed for the day.  Everyone brought food and drink and we had a bouncy castle and games to keep the Dads amused.  

We also attended a Tea Party in aid of Marie Curie on Llandudno Pier.  It was a most enjoyable afternoon with the new Miss Alice and Nicol and Katie in their 'official roles' as Miss Daffodil and Diamond Jubilee Princess.

There was more fun on the prom with the Lions Club. 

I enjoyed a lovely dinner with the Divas Who Dine at Osborne House - we can highly recommend it.  Next on our list  is the St Tudno. It's my choice and I chose the St Tudno because they have Conwy Mussels on the menu.  Conwy Mussels are small and sweet - delicious.

Lots of lovely shows coming up too - Rhod Gilbert at Venue Cymru on Thursday - my birthday treat.  Further into the future but I 've also got tickets to take the girls to see  Starlight Express and Grease (I remember my mum taking me and my sister to see it at the cinema when it first came out), and then I'm taking my Mum to see The Mousetrap. It's great to have big London shows coming to Llandudno.

So back to school on Monday.  The guest house is full for most of the week (thank goodness) and all the girls' activities start up again so Mum's taxi service is back operational.

'til next time,
Hwyl Fawr
Deborah

Hot, hot, hot

What a week – busy and extremely hot!  Nicol is no longer Alice now she’s Daffne and Katie is little Daffne, Colin is cycling likes there’s no tomorrow and me?  Well mum’s taxi, head gardener, news reporter......

Nicol as Alice in the new story telling area at Happy Valley

Nicol’s reign as Llandudno’s Alice ended on Saturday 26^th May – she’s had an amazing year. 

 t’s come at a good time though as she and Katie has both been asked to be young ambassadors for the Llandudno- Daffodil Capital of Wales initiative.   They are being officially crowned on Wednesday at Llandudno’s Victoria Shopping Centre at 4:15 pm – there’ll be cake if you can be there! 

They already have a number of official duties coming up including 2 for Marie Curie, one for the Lions and the Olympic Torch Relay that comes to Llandudno on 29^th May and that’s just in the first 2 weeks!

We’ve spent a lot of time out in the gardens – both ours and the guests – well it is perfect garden and BBQ weather. 

The Hilary's Award Winning Garden

I attend an exercise class 3 times a week at 6:30 a.m. (sheer madness I know) but when I get back a take a warm drink into the front garden and 9 time out of ten am joined by the nesting blackbirds who come to have a bath!  The dunnocks play tag amongst the bushes, while the blue and great tits fight over the bird seed, the collared doves serenade us with a mellow tune and the jackdaws try to lord over us all.  The robin and I well we just sit and watch them all have fun in our award winning garden!  Talking of which, the girls have entered Llandudno in Bloom again this year – fingers crossed.  Katie’s competitive streak is at the forefront.

It must be peak holiday season as the shows have started in the churches and town hall.  Sunday and Tuesday are Male voice choir nights, and the Town Hall has variety shows on Wednesday and Thursday. 

Bodysgallen

Rowen Open Gardens day was quite spectacular last weekend.  Today we are going to an Open Garden in Glan Conwy and we have trips to Plas Cadnant , Plas Brondanw and, of course, Bodnant planned.  I was very lucky to be invited to the North Wales launch of Marie Curie's Great Blooming Tea Party season at Bodysgallen and went on a guided tour of the gardens given by the head gardener.  As you would expect they are quite stunning.

Another good Roman cookery evening at Segontium last week.  

Katie who has spent the last 12 months being the Dormouse for Nicol’s Alice in Wonderland was a little concerned to find a recipe for stuffed Dormouse on the menu but was quite happy to try the Dormouse free burgers – they were delicious. 

Well the sunshine and a nice paned (cuppa in welsh) are calling.

Speak soon

Hwyl fawr

 Deborah

Life is never boring at The Hilary and nor is it in the Thompson household so both together makes it all very busy and very interesting!

Katie enjoying living by the seaside!

Last night was Mayor Making in Llandudno – it’s not quite like hay-making but similar in many ways.  Cllr Mrs Myra Wyzgell was sworn in As Mayor of Llandudno and Cllr Gary Burchett as Deputy Mayor – that means barring major accidents and incidents he’ll be Mayor next year. 

Nicol has another week to go as Llandudno’s Alice.  The Council usually choose a new Alice the day after Mayor Making but something went awry this year - something to do with AGMs and elections.

We’ve also had a request for a young boy who dressed as the Mad Hatter for Nicol’s’ 160^th birthday party to have his picture taken with her.  His Aunt got in touch and asked if it would be possible.  ‘Alice’ is  going to meet him on Wednesday – his own sisters were Alice some 8 and 12 years ago so Alice is close to their hearts too. 

It does mean she will be planting flowers for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations as Alice on Monday rather than Miss Daffodil.  As a result of the good work she has done as Alice, the Llandudno- Daffodil Capital of Wales initiative has asked Nicol to represent them as Miss Daffodil and Katie as Little Miss Daffodil.  They have 3 duties lined up already so their crowning will be on Wednesday 30^th May in the Victoria Centre at the Daff-o-meter. 

Col and I enjoyed a nice meal at the Lily on Llandudno’s West Shore last week –I like my food as anyone who’s aware of my spreading waist line will vouch for.

Nicol might not be into the fine dining at The Lily but she loves welsh ice cream

So what’s this week got in store - apart from planting flowers for the Diamond Jubilee?  Well, quite a few guests checking in and out to keep Col and I busy but there’s still time to fit in afternoon tea at Bodysgallen in aid of Marie Curie.  I’m really looking forward to the guided tour of the gardens.  Might pick up a few tips for our own award winning garden.

Our award winning garden as it looked last July ready for the competition

For the same reasons we’re hoping it’s not raining in Rowen tomorrow as it’s their bi-annual garden festival.  Nicol and Katie are always on the lookout for new ideas.  Especially as Nicol handed their entry in on Monday for the Llandudno in Bloom competition 2012.  This will be judged w/c 9^th July 2012 which also happens to be Katie’s 8^th birthday - a good omen I hope.

Finally the fashion show in aid of Ty Gobaith, the children's hospice arrived.  Llandudno last week - Pairs, New York and Milan next week for Wales next top models?  Who knows, but I'm incredibly proud of the three of them.  As Colin says 'with your wife helping organise it , it's not like you get much choice'.  I'd love to post some pictures but for some reason blogger keeps rotating them and I  would n't want anyone twisting their neck.

Quite a bit on in Llandudno next week too

Remember the Times - 1940s Show. Every Thursday till the end of September Songs and comedy from the 1940s with great sketches featuring a cast of 9 in original uniforms. At Town Hall, Lloyd Street, Llandudno. 8pm start. Admission £6.

Seaside Special - Every Wednesday from 9 May to 3 October. A variety show with compere, comedian, dancers, magic and illusion and female vocalist. At the Town Hall, Lloyd Street, Llandudno from 8pm. Admission £6.

The Olympic Flame will be carried through the county of Conwy on Tuesday, 29 May. Starting from Conwy at 8.40am, the Torch will be carried through Deganwy, Llandudno, Penrhyn Bay, Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay, Old Colwyn, Abergele, Towyn and Kinmel Bay before leaving the County at 2.50pm.

Bye for now

Deborah

Another amazing week in Llandudno, North Wales.  While it seems to have been raining everywhere else we were once again enjoying glorious sunshine in Llandudno.

 Nicol and I went to the Welsh Mountain Zoo on Wednesday morning.  It was another sunny and warm day.  'Alice' was receiving her certificate for being a Young Zoo Keeper and a the same time helping the Zoo to promote this wonderful initiative.  Of course, she had to be photographed with a White Rabbit!




We did leave the sunshine behind on Wednesday to go to Segontium (what the Roman's called Caernarfon ) so Nicol and Katie could make Roman Lamps. Apparently one of these the diameter of a small tea cup would burn for 10 hours - so we're thinking Nicol's will last for a good 3 weeks!



The Hotel Inspector visited on Wednesday and had room 1 for the night - oh how to justify your existence - him not us!  Somebody should tell these people that it's good if you can't find anything wrong - there's not need to get silly  - so for example, our green policy  - he didn't like the idea that there's a recycling bag and a bin in the bedrooms.  Goodness knows how he must cope at home with the collection of bags and boxes we all have these days for recycling.  Coffee pots - a major concern for the poor chap - apparently the one he got was the same size at the one 2 people got.  We did try to explain that it wasn't but what would I know I only fill them! Well ,that's it for another year - thank goodness.  I think our volume of returning customers speaks for itself.  We're beginning to wonder why we bother with being graded - I'm sure we could find someone to insult us for much less money.

The Llandudno- Daffodil Capital of Wales initiative is going well.  We've raised enough money to buy the first 1000 bulbs and no sooner has Miss Alice marked that on our daffometer than the Llandudno hospitality Association has agreed to pay for the planting on one of the roundabouts into Llandudno - excellent news.   Llandudno Hospitality Association is also going to sponsor the 'Great Llandudno Daffodil Cake Bake Off'' next year between the local chefs from our wonderful hotels and restaurants.

Tuesday was the last rehearsal for the Ty Gobaith Charity Fashion Show.  It's the real thing on Tuesday,15th May, 7pm at the St Georges Hotel Llandudno.  Colin, Nicol and Katie are all modelling.  How did I manage to get out of it - well I could say it's because of my size  but in this case it's not  - it's because I  am back stage organising it!  Hopefully. I'll have plenty of photos to show you next week and we'll have raised some money for the Children's Hospice.

Well, it's another glorious sunny day in Llandudno so we're off down to North Shore for ice cream, candy floss and a few games of air hockey!

What Alice does after an official duty

 Take care everyone!

Has this been the most amazing week in the lives of our 2 young daughters - it's certainly been a hectic one. Friday saw us celebrate Nicol's 160th birthday on Llandudno Promenade - or at least Nicol's alter ego 'Alice'. What an amazing day.   The world record jam tart eating even got on ITV and ITV Wales.   Pretty impressive

Alice's 160th birthday party

  A group of local dram students provided the Mad Hatter, March Hare, White Rabbit  while our very own Katie was the cutest Dormouse  ever and Nicol was, of course, there in her official role of Llandudno's Alice.

 Over 880 children from Llandudno schools attended the tea party and what's even more amazing is that it was totally free.  Everything was provided by local businesses.

Over 1700 jam tarts were eaten that day and as it was 1 each for the world record attempt - that means there were over 1700 people on  Llandudno promenade celebrating the 160th birthday of Alice Liddell who inspired Charles Dodgson to write his stories of Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass under his pseudonym of Lewis Carroll.

'Alice' gave a speech on the day which brought tears to my eyes!  

 Are we proud parents ?you bet.  

American author and distant relative of Alice Liddell, Cathy Rubin, came over from New York for the celebrations and held a book signing for her latest book 'The real Alice'. 

Then the weekend just got busier and busier.  The Annual Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza started on Saturday morning, 5th May.  

Then the weekend just got busier and busier.  The Annual Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza started on Saturday morning, 5th May.

Mostyn Street, Llandudno - gone are the cars and in comes the Victorian Fun Fair

'Alice' was at the official opening with  Queen Victoria and helped to Crown the May Queen.  

This is the girl who was 'Alice' the year before.  

This means that, all being well Nicol, should be crowned as Queen of the May at 2013's Extravaganza. 

Let's not forget all the people who work behind the scenes so that these events can go ahead.  St John's ambulance were at Alice's tea party and the Extravaganza and while they fortunately had an uneventful tea party and  so were able to join with the jam tart eating, they did have a very busy Extravaganza weekend.  

A massive thank you to these and all the other very important volunteers.

Llandudno Diamond Jubilee Royal Family

Nicol and Katie were crowned on Sunday in a quite corner of the Extravaganza.

Nicol is Llandudno's Diamond Jubilee Empress and Katie is the Diamond Jubilee Princess.  

Nicol and Katie have been Carnival Queens for a number of years now and attend carnivals and competitions throughout the year representing Llandudno.

Katie was made to feel very special  on Monday when she was invited to travel the Extravaganza parade in a vintage car! 

Anyone would think that was enough for anyone to do in one week but not enough for us it would seem!

As preparations for next years Daffodil Events are carrying on in the back ground.  Last week we had a really good meeting with local Marie Curie cancer organisation to see how we can support each other.

We also received the excellent news that Craig y Don bowling club will be having a Daffodil Fun Day on 2nd September 2012..  September and October will be busy months for Llandudno - Daffodil Capital of Wales as we have  our community bulbs planting events.

Amongst all this we did find time to have a family dinner together at The Albert on Madoc Street, see The Trials of Alice by Edge of Your Seat Productions from Liverpool (highly recommended!)and to enjoy a quite glass of wine together when the children and grandma had gone to bed!

And not to mention running a full guest house.  

We've had brilliant guests in this week which always makes things even better!

So what's in store for  the coming week.

It's the final rehearsal on Tuesday night for the charity fashion show in aid of Ty Gobaith, Children's Hospice.  The show itself is at 7pm on Tuesday 15th May in the St George's Hotel, Llandudno.

Fingers crossed everyone one makes rehearsals tonight and has had a chance to go to M&Co for their clothes!  Colin, Nicol and Katie went on Friday so they're sorted out.  And me -why didn't I go - well ,the joy of being one of the organisers is that I got to pick the models not be one!  Although, I'm beginning to think they have the easier job!  Tickets are on sales at Waterstones Coffee Shop for £5.

Oh well ,I guess that's enough chatting for one day.  I have guest rooms to clean, flowers to arrange and cakes to make!

Hwyl Fawr!

Sunshine, Alice and Daffodils

So this is it, after setting up the blog page quite a while ago I finally start blogging.  Let's hope you're interested and stay interested.

It's been another busy week at o The Hilary Guesthouse in Llandudno - guests, daffodils and Alice!

Despite what the weather man has said it's not be pouring down in Llandudno - it rarely does.  Col has been out cycling and the girls and I went Roman cooking outdoors in Caernarfon! 

Another sunny day down at West Shore Llandudno.  This is Col's main cycling route at the moment but we also walk this way  to the new Thai restaurant in Deganwy (highly recommend it) and to Conwy and the RSPB at Llandudno Junction.

We had a great time at Segontium Fort, Caernarfon on Wednesday evening. 

We had a great time at Segontium Fort, Caernarfon on Wednesday evening.  On the menu was placenta (it's not what you're thinking - thank goodness), Tagenitai, Rhodomeli and Basyniai.  This is what the girls cooked and then there were 3 other dishes that had already been prepared.  All the dishes were vegetarian, the girls especially loved the flat breads and I have to admit, that the placenta, was my favourite.  It was a bread filled with goats cheese and then cooked - delicious.  In the picture above Katie is cooking a lentil and aniseed casserole not The Hilary full welsh breakfast.  .  The wild garlic flat breads went down well too! 

Nicol is getting ready for her 160th birthday party on 4th May on Llandudno's North Shore promenade.  She's looking very good for someone so old - it must be in the genes.  It's actually the 160th birthday of the real Alice, Alice Liddell.  But Nicol gets to have the parrty as she is Llandudno's Alice.  All the local schools are invited, the town band will be playing as well as there being 30 performing art students to entertain the crowds. 

Jam tarts are to be provided free of charge for all party goers as the party is also hosting a world record breaking attempt - the most people eating jam tarts at an Alice themed party!  The jam tarts are being provided by local cafes and hotels. 

 I've volunteered  to taste check one of each type - all in the name of quality assurance you understand!

Thursday saw the official ribbon cutting ceremony for Llandudno - Daffodil Capital of Wales.  Miss Alice was invited to cut the ribbon and to mark raising the first 1000 bulbs on the Daffometer.  

Our target is 50 000.  

I've started a new fitness programme.  This is my 2nd week and so far, so good.  I can tell the difference and the only hard bit - getting up at 6 am to be at Break n Spin dance studio for a 6:30 class on Monday, Wednesday  and Friday.   It's not the waking up that's the difficult bit it's getting out of the really comfortable beds we have at The Hilary!  So follow my progress in the coming months as I aim to drop 2 dress sizes and hopefully several stone in the process.  I'll post the after photos (if I make it) but not the before ones.  I don't want to scare anyone.

We'll look out for you at Alice's 160th birthday party
Bye for now