Latest news with #Curlews
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- North Wales Live
Reviewer visits popular North Wales town and describes it as 'ridiculous'
Conwy, with its majestic medieval fortifications, venerable castle, and bustling harbour, stands as one of the most ridiculously picturesque towns in Wales. Not only is it a favourite among tourists, but it has also earned a spot on the Sunday Times list of the top 72 places to live in the UK, a testament to its irresistible charm. "Every kind of natural adventure is within easy reach of the brooding towers and tumbledown castle walls that cast an enchanting spell over this coastal hotspot," they penned about Conwy. "Those lucky enough to live in the town can pick up groceries and grab a coffee in impeccably historic surroundings, while enjoying the reassurance of regular trains and a fast road." The quayside in Conwy is an idyllic starting point for exploration, adorned with lobster pots, knotted fishing nets, and the quintessential maritime miscellany one would expect. Adjacent to The Liverpool Arms, which is quite the spot for a sneaky pint, you'll find an information board detailing current rates for mooring in the harbour, should you be inclined to dock your boat there. For those whose seafaring dreams are as fictional as my own yacht supposedly anchored in Monaco, the family-operated Queen Victoria cruise boat offers a delightful alternative. It promises scenic voyages up the Conwy Valley or out towards the estuary, granting passengers panoramic views of Anglesey, Puffin Island, and the Irish Sea, all without the need for a captain's license, reports Wales Online. Buy a beverage on board and look for Herons, Oystercatchers, Curlews, Cormorants, Eagrets, and Swans as you cruise past the medieval town. Along the harbour, you'll also find one of Conway's most endearing quirks: The Smallest House in Great Britain. Recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records, the tiny red-fronted abode measures just 72 inches wide and 122 inches high and was occupied until May 1900. It's been passed down through the same family for more than 130 years. Its last known occupant was, rather improbably, a 6ft 3in fisherman called Robert Jones. Today, it serves as a curious attraction and twee backdrop for many Conwy snaps. If you're after a pint with a view, duck into The Liverpool Arms, the oldest traditional pub in Conwy town. It's perched right on the waterfront, just across the road from the quay and beaches and is super popular on a balmy day with patrons spilling out into the streets. History, harbour views and a proper decent pint, what more could you possibly want? Along with the harbour, Conwy's biggest draw is the Castell Conwy (Conwy Castle) and its Walls. Part of one of Wales' UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Castell Conwy (Conwy Castle) features a concentric design with eight towers. It forms part of King Edward I's "Iron Ring", a series of imposing fortresses built in Wales during the late 13th century to solidify English control after the conquest of Wales. Here, you can investigate the inner and outer wards, which have many rooms, and explore the castle walls, which have 21 towers and completely enclose Conwy town. This famous fortress is exceptionally well preserved and contains the most intact set of medieval royal apartments in Wales. The high curtain wall and eight lofty towers rise almost as impressively as when they were built more than 700 years ago. Known for its beauty and historical significance, the castle was named one of the 'most beautiful' in Europe by the influential magazine Condé Nast Traveller. Condé Nast Traveller writes: "Aside from getting us one step closer to living out our fairytale fantasies, the staggering structures showcase some of the world's best architecture, most stunning landscapes, and maybe even a ghost story or two. There's perhaps no better place on earth to find awe-inspiring castles than in Europe, where it seems like you can't visit a city or take a road trip without stumbling upon some sort of royal dwelling." They go on to describe Conwy as 'gorgeous' and its preserved state as 'impressive.' Well, it was built a little over 700 years ago. Equally astonishing is the fact that it took King Ed and his architect, Master James of St George, just four years, between 1283 and 1287, to build the castle and walls, for a cost of £15,000 in that time, which equals around £12m today. Like many ancient buildings in Wales, Conwy Castle is reputedly haunted, delighting ghost chasers and paranormal lovers. Creepy sightings have included various silhouettes and dark figures watching the town below from the battlements and windows. In the 16th century, King Henry VIII used the castle as a prison, so many of the sightings are believed to be past inmates. In 2016, a team of paranormal investigators claimed they recorded the voice of a little girl spirit saying 'don't tell them'. Which is exactly what you don't want to hear in a dark, echoey fortress. Shudder. In 2020, a man took a picture outside Conwy Castle, which he believes shows a line of phantoms led by a male ghost holding a sword, as reported by North Wales Live. After you've had your fill of castles and ghosts, it's time to treat yourself, and Dylan's Restaurant is just the ticket. Founded in 2012, Dylan's set out to celebrate the produce, character, and natural beauty of North Wales, and honestly, they've nailed it at this latest venture. The menu is a love letter to local ingredients, sourced from all over the region, and served up in a building that's as gorgeous as the food. From the upper floors, you get sweeping views of the 13th-century St Mary's Church and Conwy Castle. One end of the room features a slick little bar, serving local pours like Gwinllan Conwy wines and Wild Horse Brewery beers. The standout here, though, is the seafood. Dylan's is especially famous for its Moules Marinière, made with Menai Strait mussels that are so fresh that they occasionally arrive with a pearl (probably). Steamed in white wine, shallots, garlic, and cream, they are a knockout dish. Accommodation-wise, opt for a swish stay at the Quay Hotel and Spa. This destination spa hotel has striking views of the majestic Conwy Castle and estuary and is conveniently located near the Welsh towns of Conwy and Llandudno. Over £1 million has been invested in revamping and updating the Quay Hotel and Spa, which focuses on guest experience and well-being. Nearby in Deganwy, you'll find bracing coastal walks, tea shops, a shingle and sand beach and the ruins of a stone-built fortress. The hotel's 77 bedrooms, from classic rooms to suites, feature coastal colours and hints of maritime design. Several rooms offer balconies and private outdoor space for additional luxury and space. Extensive leisure facilities are available for guests, and the on-site Marina Spa offers luxurious pampering. Their ambient relaxation rooms overlook the pretty Deganwy Marina, and ESPA products are used in various treatments and seasonal packages. Indulge in a full-body salt and oil scrub, personalised facial, or revitalising back, neck, and shoulder medieval town by the sea with an epic castle and pubs right on the water.
ABC News
02-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
How a group of Brisbane dads stumbled onto an Olympic dream whilst seeking a new hobby
It began with a lunch, some red wine and a frosty fantasy and ended with a sacred vow — they would become Olympic curlers, or at the very least get matching jackets. They're known as the Curlews, a group of curling dads from Brisbane, who only started the winter sport just over a year ago, but have made sweeping progress since first stepping on the ice. "Stumbling across the sport is probably a perfect description … we were flat out Bambis on ice," Boyd Kildey said. Kildey was the engineer of this icy ambition. "A group of mates at lunch thinking about you know, what's the fun thing to do together, what's something interesting," he said. "I brought up curling because it was an idea from years ago, and I tried it on with a few other groups of mates and unfortunately no-one had really jumped on board. "But this group loved it and fast forward a week and half, and we were on the ice together trying out curling for the first time. "They looked at us like we were an unusual bunch and said, well try this, try this and we just kept going and kept going." The group of sports-mad dads had attended a come and try session at Boondall Ice Rink in Brisbane. "I didn't know anything about curling, never watched it or anything like that," Cormac te Kloot said. "I grew up in Western Queensland and so ice for me was non-existent, farming all my life ... so this is very different for me. All I knew, it required ice and brooms." The four friends describe themselves as very different dads — a real estate agent, a sports commentator, a car dealership owner and a corporate farmer. "There is absolutely no link in the background other than we're mates, we've got kids who are roughly the same age, who have school sport together," Kildey sid. "Enthusiasm is our strength, we are very competitive, which is not always the best thing when the skills are not quite up there yet. "It's a sport where you could play deep into your older age … curling is not the youngest sport in Australia. "We actually sort of come in that sort of mid range and younger, so we're physically OK, we're doing alright ... we're gonna try and use that to our advantage." The Curlews have not been just making up the numbers since taking up curling — a sport which fights for infrastructure, participation and relevance in a competitive sporting market in Australia. The team has already won several competitions domestically and also travelled to New Zealand recently for the Australian National Curling Championships, which was held in Naseby. It's why their belief of the ultimate dream has never wavered, it's only grown stronger. "I don't think [going to the Olympics] is out of our realm," Andrew Swain said. "We've learned really quickly in the past year if we can keep that steep learning curve improving then I reckon in four years time again … all it takes is winning that national championships and then you go to an Olympic qualifier. "Then if you can finish in the top nations who haven't already qualified, you're in." For what started as some fun between four dads over beers has become the kind of dream that clings to them like frost on the ice — unbelievable, uncomfortable but impossible to shake. "I think that it's mateship, it's having a crack, it's having that attitude. If we can inspire other people in other different sports as well to have a crack at their dream," Swain said. "We're in our 40s and I'm not gonna lie age isn't on our side, but curling is a sport that you can do until you're very old, provided our knees all hold up." For four self-described Australian larrikins who grew up chasing wickets on dry turf, they have now replaced bats with brooms and are navigating a sheet of ice. But some things don't change. "We have a lot of cricket terms, to know where we put the rock," te Kloot said. "We'll do an offee. "So off we go and we spin it, spin it the appropriate way and our skip (Boyd) calls where he wants it and we try and do what he says and hopefully we land the rock where it's meant to go to get the points. "Sliding is a really key part of curling … so if you can hold your balance and slide, then you let the rock go, and then let it do the rest of the work." In Australia, there is no designated curling facility, with ice-rinks like the one the Curlews use at Boondall, a multi-use facility, shared with ice-skating and ice hockey. Swain explained that the team had their first experience of specialist ice at the Nationals in Naseby. "To use a cricket analogy, we've been playing backyard cricket on our driveways and now we've landed at Lords," he said. "It's a completely different dynamic, the stones move the way that you want them to move, the sweeping actually has the desired effect that you want it to have." Kildey, who is the skipper of the team, explained that their name, 'the Curlews', came from a very important source. "We have a very good group of supportive wives behind us and it actually came from my wife," he said. "She said, 'it's a loud obnoxious bird', and it works perfectly for us. "We are a bunch of crazy dads and we are dreaming big, we've gone let's do something together and work hard together and prove a lot of the naysayers wrong."
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Call for beach measures to protect feeding birds
Ornithologists have called for restrictions on beaches to allow migratory birds to feed. Mick Dryden of Jersey Birds said he would like to see parts of two or three of Jersey's beaches set aside so birds from northern climates could safely feed without disturbance. He said that could involve dogs being kept on leads as the birds expended much-needed energy when disturbed. Species including Brent Geese, Turnstone, Oystercatchers and Curlews arrive in the island during autumn from countries such as Canada, Iceland and Russia to feed up on seagrass before they return to their breeding grounds. Mr Dryden said: "They're all coming here for one reason - and that is to survive the winter. He added: "These birds are dependent for their survival on being able to feed at these places. "If constant disturbances are preventing them from doing that, then the birds can't be in a good enough condition to migrate the thousands of miles back north where they're going to breed - and the end product is that they don't." He said the birds could only feed at low tide so their time was limited. "If their time is spent flying around because people are disturbing them then they're not feeding and are burning up energy instead of gaining it," he said. He said he would like to see a part of Grouville Bay protected during the winter for feeding birds but other parts of a couple of beaches during the summer months when some species breed. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Rare black-winged kite spotted in Jersey Rare bird in Jersey attracts international views Reed buntings breed for first time in 27 years Jersey Birds
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Call for beach measures to protect feeding birds
Ornithologists have called for restrictions on beaches to allow migratory birds to Dryden of Jersey Birds said he would like to see parts of two or three of Jersey's beaches set aside so birds from northern climates could safely feed without said that could involve dogs being kept on leads as the birds expended much-needed energy when including Brent Geese, Turnstone, Oystercatchers and Curlews arrive in the island during autumn from countries such as Canada, Iceland and Russia to feed up on seagrass before they return to their breeding grounds. Mr Dryden said: "They're all coming here for one reason - and that is to survive the added: "These birds are dependent for their survival on being able to feed at these places."If constant disturbances are preventing them from doing that, then the birds can't be in a good enough condition to migrate the thousands of miles back north where they're going to breed - and the end product is that they don't."He said the birds could only feed at low tide so their time was limited."If their time is spent flying around because people are disturbing them then they're not feeding and are burning up energy instead of gaining it," he said he would like to see a part of Grouville Bay protected during the winter for feeding birds but other parts of a couple of beaches during the summer months when some species breed.
