Rhyd-ddu Path

The second day of our short break dawned after a wonderful nights sleep, cloudy, with the prospect of no rain and clearing later in the day. So after a glorious breakfast back at the Cwellyn Arms we were ready to take on the Rhyd-Ddu path up Snowdon.

We set off fairly steadily and the weather was quite kind to us as rose up through the contours. Surprisingly we were quite warm even as we rose higher. Eventually the snow and time meant we had to turn round shy of the summit ( 5-600ft) and head back down.

Yet again we were rewarded with some fantastic views with the sun and cloud interacting like an ever changing kaleidoscope to produce a different vista every few minutes. So without making it the top on either day we still had a great time. Can't wait to go back again soon.

Devils Kitchen

No not a reality cooking program with a swearing cosmetically enhanced presenter but a sweating, cursing short of breath Pieman walking up a mountain, nearly . Mr & Mrs Pieman had a quick two day break into Snowdonia for some walking to clear the cobwebs away.

Starting at the Ogwen Valley car park we made our round Cwm Idwal with the intention of climbing Glyder Fawr (3,284 ft). This meant climbing up Devils Kitchen a steep and rocky route. At the top of which before we entered the clouds the view was stunning and well worth the huffing and puffing. 

After a short plateau it began to rise up quite steeply and it was at this point we encountered snow, ice and low visibility . Eventually, probably no more then 4-500ft from the summit, we turned back. Going up was not too bad but the return trip retracing our steps was not easy so we were glad we made the right decision.

We made our way back to the top of the Devils Kitchen and enjoyed the view with our lunch before heading back to Ogwen. As we walked back into the car park with the cold beginning to bite Mrs Piemans boots literally fell apart the snow was too much for them!! 

So then it was a mad dash via Capel Curig to get to the Y Warws  (Warehouse) in Beddgelert to purchase some new boots. It also gave us the opportunity to complain to the lady at customer services about Mrs Pieman boots which were purchased from this same emporium no more than 25 years previously!!!

From here it was short hop to our overnight stop in Rhyd-ddu. Al rooms at the Cwellyn Arms were taken so we stayed in one of their small but very cosy well equipped cottage just down the road. A reserved spot by the log fire was waiting for us when we returned to the Cwellyn Arms for a fabulous meal and some well needed libations (oh yes Leffe Blonde on draught).

Black Rock Stig

A Christmas present from 2009 was claimed when the Pieman and SuperPie Girl headed to Black Rock Sands, Porthmadog, early one saturday morning. The sun and weather was very kind too us as we arrived. The beach was clean, cold, clear and very wide ( with the tide going out). Yes, excellent conditions to give SuperPie Girl her first taste of driving!!!

A couple of false starts and amazingly we were off.  Every crab scuttled for cover as Penelope Piestop got into action. With a few breaks for the Pieman to calm down, 2/3 hours flew by. No land speed records were broken but plenty of practise for a wanna be driver.

Leaving the beach  we headed to downtown Porthmadog for culinary delights and a visit to the superb Cob Records. On the way we managed to stop near the Pont AberGlaslyn for a short walk and enjoy one the finest views in Britain. From their with the Pieman driving we headed home through Beddgelert (and a Bikers meet), Capel Curig .......

All Aboard

A excellent Jolly Boys outing was had recently when the Pieman, Paul H, and Scott Joblot went to Crewe Heritage Centre for their model and miniature railway event.

Nearly 20 model railway layouts were on show of various gauges and a selection of  trade stands, although not as many as previously. The weather was a bit chilly but we still had a good look at the ever changing Heritage Centre exhibits including, Class 87, Class 47 APT-P, Class 03 with brake van rides, 2 X Class 37's, various steam locos including Black Prince, Royal Scot, 3 Signal boxes..... etc outside in various states of repair and development.

No pie was found but a whopping bacon bap was consumed.

 

Prestatyn Rocks and Trousers Vibrate

The end of January saw Mr & Mrs Pieman head to freezing cold Prestatyn for some hot rock and roll. It was the annual Alarm gathering at its new home of Pontins at Prestatyn.

We arrived to see Glen Matlock and the Philistines giving it full thrutch on stage as one the support acts. The main event started off stage with the band singing "Blaze of Glory" in a corridor before joining the gathered crowd singing onstage. Usually a song which finishes the night.

The rest of the long blistering set, with tracks from all eras of the band and Mike Peters on his own in the centre for a few, included

Absolute Reality, Release The Pressure, Alarm Calling, Unsafe Building, Direct Action, Deeside, Majority, My Town, Without A Fight, Into The 21st Century, Shout To The Devil, For Freedom, One Step Closer To Home, Strength, Superchannel, Right Back Where I Started From, Drunk And Disorderly, 45 RPM, Spirit Of '76 with Rescue Me in the middle........ before coming back for The Stand, Declaration, Marching On, Where Were You Hiding, and 68 Guns A second encore followed with Fade In, Fade Out, Fade Away and One Guitar before one final appearance with Pretty Vacant (with Glen Matlock) and Rocking In The Freeworld (with everyone!) bringing the night to a close.

The new format and venue were great with plenty of room, good facilities and the queue at bar acceptable. The main room was great, sound was good and loud enough to vibrate the Piemans trousers! Mike and the band as ever were magnificent.

Check out the forthcoming Alarm 30th anniversary tour around the country in May and also Mike taking vocal duties with Big Country prior to that (April) as well all over the UK. Either would be well worth a visit.

Taginetastic

Recents weeks have seen the Pieman experimenting with a loaned Tagine from the Ashman ( Big thanks). Our large bag of of Ras el hanout is running out quickly but still smells terrific. We have also had to replace our original stock of Argan Oil (mmmmmm).

We have tried to recreate the recipes we learned in Marrakesh with the wonderful Lalla Nezha in her house. Forthright, fascinating and fun she made a day shopping and cooking moroccan/berber style an experience we will never forget.

Using the recipes and principles she taught we have had some great results.

 

Fullest Plate Competition

January also saw a gathering of Mrs Piemans side of the tribe at the Wheatsheaf on Parkgate Road. Suffice to say it was a carvery and The Pieman filled his trough to the brim without even considering a pie.

The dessert, which was serve yourself, became a competition to see who could get the most ice cream into the dish provided. A great time was had by all I think.

The photos were pretty rubbish partly because the camera is useless indoors and partly because I couldn't hold the camera steady enough through laughing. Can't wait to do it again. Members of tribe congregated from Hoole, Boughton, Vicars Cross, Duddon, Rhyl and Spain.

Egg Son In Law

Early February saw the Pie Tribe head en masse for a very damp Liverpool and the Philharmonic Hall to see the delightful Saturdays. This in fact was a Christmas present for the Pie offspring and did not require the presence of the Pie Parents. 

So blessed with a few hours to kill we headed for the Host Pan Asian restaurant. We were refused a seat at our first choice restaurant and how glad we were later. After several delightful dishes our taste buds were suitably impressed with some unusual (strong) combinations of flavour with a mish mash of Thai/Vietnamese/Cambodian servings rounded off  by a brick like chocolate brownie with chillies. Hot and sweet with a dollop of vanilla ice cream to cool you down. Not a pie in sight and we still enjoyed ourselves.

One dish we didn't try on this occasion was Egg Son in Law which are eggs hard boiled, then deep fried and topped with a tamarind sauce.

After this gastronomic tour we went for a walk through the rain to rid a few calories! We headed off past the Everyman theatre and the Cathedral to get a view of the University's Active Learning Laboratory and its special night time light display. The photo below doesn't really do it justice as it follows different patterns around the whole building changing slowly.

Madeley Time

New Years eve saw the Pie Tribe head to North Staffordshire and Madeley to bring in the New Year with our good friends the Sheds.

An excellent and loud time was had by all with great food, Daft Punk piano playing and captivating company at a premium. All this against the backdrop of a place dear to the heart of many Pie Munchers.

Many thanks to Judith and Mark for the invite and an excellent time. Pianist and happy host pictured below.

Crackin

Dear Pie munchers its been quite a while so a few blogs to catch up. A fairly last minute opportunity allowed us to visit South Wales during the Christmas break. We headed through snow, ice and fog to Cardiff for a couple of days. En route we stopped in Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil for some Family History.

Cardiff itself was cold but great with Dr Who, the Castle, The National Gallery, shops and Cardiff Bay to occupy us. Also spotted was the Pembrokeshire Pasty & Pie Co outlet just a few doors from our Hotel on St Marys Street. Their main pasty consists of "traditional recipe of Welsh lamb, redcurrant jelly, currants and mint" which sounds delicious. Due to excess at Christmas the Piemans belt could not take anymore pastry and so this inviting emporium remains untried!!

Before leaving South Wales we did make a quick trip to Barry Island to see what was occurin and try some Boofys, it was lush. Can't wait to go back to see some more and experience some slightly warmer weather.