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!