#holyhead mountain

[travelella]

Holyhead Mountain, Holyhead, Wales, United Kingdom

Mitchell Orr

[lymphomalass]

"Mynydd Tŵr or Holyhead Mountain from Bae Trearddur Bay" was inspired by a lovely early July day this year. I sat on Ravenspoint and decided to paint just a section of the view across Trearddur Bay.

This is my favourite view in the world. It gives me feelings of safety and security. It's a view I keep painting over and over again, in different seasons and light conditions. A few weeks ago, a friend enquired about buying a piece of my art featuring this view and when I looked I already had ten to show her!

I love the way the light moves on the mountain, one minute showing the light colours of the rock, the next moving to a majestic mauve-purple hue.

This piece was worked in Sennelier and other oil pastels. I hope you enjoy this take on my favourite place!

It's available in a mix of different types and sizes of prints, and on clothes, accessories, homewares and gift items at:

The A4 (29.7cm by 21cm) unframed original is available for £75 including UK postage or, if we live close enough for us to deliver, in a frame it's £95. Please just private message me to arrange your purchase.

Thanks!

Sam aka LymphomaLass xx

[hazel-of-sodor]

The crop can’t get any smaller, but who is this?

Shes the C&HR's mallet, designed by Gresley himself.

I can't find the original lore post, so heres her lore

By the 1930s, the Chester and Holyhead mainline from Holyhead to Krestaen was overloaded. The railway's faithful class 5 2-8-0s rantheir goods trains as fast as was safe, but still struggled to keep up. Longer trains were not an option, as the existing trains already filled the passing sidings with mere feet to spare. The sidings could not be expanded without digging into cliffs along the line, which would risk landslides.Another route was needed. The existing mainline crossed the water at Holyhead onto Gwylan Island at Castell Hafan, then turned Northwest, climbing though farmland, plains, and forests in the heart of the Island before reaching the mountains. From there it climbed up the Llyn Pass to the capital, Krestaen. It was the clearest and best path to the city, but the path was narrow for long stretches in many places, taken up by the river Glaw. However, another line of the C&HR already came within 20 miles of the valley that held the capital city. A line ran North from Castell Hafan along the coast to the North Western port of Llanw.A path already existed between Krestaen and Llanw, and it would take minimal work to prepare it for track. Why then had the cities not already been connected then? Diawl's Bryn. The Devil's Hill. Climbing North, Northeast from the valley, the grade wound its way between the mountains with an average grade of 1 in 45 or 2.22%, in some places reaching 1 in 35 or 2.86% for short distances. For six grueling miles, the line climbed the mountain pass, before descending the 1 in 90 grade to Llanw. From there it was mostly flat running to Castell Haffan. It wasn't the steepest grade in Wales, nor the longest, but the combination was too great for the railway's existing fleet. The C&HR turned to May Traction and Railworks for an engine that could conquer the grade. A freight engine capable of making the run from Krestaen through the pass to Castell Haffan unaided. MTRW was forced to turn away the order, as such a monster was beyond their ability to manufacture. Next the C&HR turned to their mainland neighbor, the London, Midland, and Scotland Railway. The two railways had maintained a polite if distant working relationship since grouping, the the LMS running trains on the C&HR as far as Holyhead, and the C&HR running am express to London on LMS metals The LMS sent their number 4997, a 2-6-0+0-6-2 Garratt, for trials. While the engine certainly possessed the power required, the classes Achilles heel soon made itself known. The axle box design on the garratts was prone to hotboxes above 15 mph, far below the C&HR's running speed. Nonetheless, 4997 was purchased from the LMS to serve as banker until a suitable engine could be found. Several months later, a member of the C&HR board witnessed LNER U1 No.2396 banking at the Worsborough Incline . a 2-8-0+0-8-2, the U1 was the most powerful engine in Britain up to that point, and her frames were based on the LNER O4, the class the C&HR named the Class 5. The C&HR approached the LNER and its CME, Sir Nigel Gresley with their problem. The mention of the LMS's loan of 4997, and the subsequent chance to out-perform their rival, saw the LNER board order Gresley to design an engine capable of the task. Gresley spent a week watching the trains working Diawl's Bryn, before approaching the C&HR with his proposal. Rather than a Garratt like 2396, he wanted to design a simple mallet like those used in the United States. Whether Gresley truly believed a simple articulated was better suited for the C&HR than a garratt design, or if he simply wanted the chance to design such an engine is unknown; in either case, the C&HR approved the proposal. In Autumn 1933, Gresley presented the finalized design; a massive 2-6-6-4 locomotive which he dubbed the KM1.

Beyer Peacock was contracted to build the engine, and in early 1934, the KM1 left the works. With 6 cylinders and 76,000lbs of Tractive effort, she was the most powerful locomotive in Britain. She emerged in LNER Apple Green, shining in the morning light. The C&HR board, present to witness the unveiling of the engine, held a vote, and unanimously voted to name her Behemoth. Too large to travel by rail, she was delivered by sea to the harbor at Castell Haffan. Hundreds gathered to see the beast lowered onto the metals, even cold and with her fire unlit, she was an imposing presence. Two class 5 2-8-0s pulled her to Krestaen, where her fire was lit.A pair of American turntables had been purchased and installed at Krestaen and Castall Hafan in anticipation of her arrival, allowing her to be easily turned for the run to Castell Hafan. A line of 50 slate laden wagons waited as the engine backed down for her trail run, a pair of class 5's uncoupled at the back to bank the train in case of issues with the new engine. This would prove unnecessary. Behemoth charged the grade with a whistle, as was tradition on the C&HR, she was fitted with an American hooter whistle, and the echo thundered over the hills.the train had reached 30 mph when it reached the base, and the drivers of the two 2-8-0s eased their regulators, expecting the train to slow. To their shock, the train began to pull away from them, as Behemoth accelerated up the incline. They quickly caught back up, but kept having to increase the regulator as the monster at the front surged up the rails with a will. By the crest, Behemoth had broken 50mph, and the two bankers were left behind as she began the descent. Extra guard vans had been added to serve as extra braking power, but the C&HR had entrusted the 2-6-6-4 to a veteran engineer, and she skillfully kept the train in check. Behemoth would arrive in Castell Haffan ten minutes early to the cheers of the island's railfans. An order for a second engine was placed within the week, and Behemoth was soon joined by her sister Leviathan. Her arrival allowed 4997 to be sent to Beyer Peacock for a rebuild, emerging with new axleboxes, allowing her to join the two sisters on the run. By the advent of the second world war, the three engines were beginning to strain, so a third sister, Goliath, would be delivered in 1940. After the war, the facilities of MTRW would be expanded, and the C&HR would take delivery of a new Garratt design. Despite this, the three sisters would remain in service, keeping pace with the younger engines with ease.

[training4theapocalypse]

Finders Keepers Ch 2. (Cormac McLaggen x fem!reader)

Rating: Explicit 18+

Word Count: 2.1K

Warnings: SMUT (a tiny bit)

Summary: You and Cho watch the Gryffindor Quidditch tryouts to check out the competition and - not that you'd tell Cho - to ogle McLaggen.

A/N: Reader and McLaggen are both 18. Thank you to the Freddie Stroma girlies (gn) for giving this a chance <3

Masterlist

Chapter 2: Confundo

Ravenclaw’s Quidditch tryouts went remarkably well - a sixth-year called Terry Boot was the only prospect to score more than once with you in goals. You’re glad you found yourself a decent chaser to replace Rodger Davies because the pressure is on this year.

This is your first and last chance to win the Inter-House Quidditch Cup as Captain of the Ravenclaw team. After finishing third place last year, Ravenclaw House was desperate for the win. And if you wanted to follow your dreams of becoming a professional Quidditch player, leading your house to victory would give you an edge.

A few weeks after Ravenclaw tryouts, you sit at the table in the Great Hall, buttering a mountain of toast and reading the Holyhead Harpies Captain’s autobiography: ‘Hovering with the Harpies’.

“Enough bread?” asks Marietta, as she and Cho join you at the table. You’ve learned your lesson and have stopped waiting for her to get ready in the mornings so you can actually eat breakfast.

“I’m carb-loading-” you say, between bites. “I’m gonna do some drills after this.”

“You can’t. Harry’s booked the pitch all morning for Gryffindor tryouts,” says Cho.

“Gryffindor tryouts?” You almost choke on your toast. “Bit short notice isn’t it? I checked on Friday and the pitch was still free.”

You look over to the Gryffindor table. Nobody you recognise from the Quidditch team is there. No McLaggen either. They must have started already. You push away your plate and stand up. “Fancy going down to watch, Cho?”

“What am I? Chopped dragon liver?” asks Marietta, who rarely watches games, never mind other team’s tryouts. 

“I thought you were going to work on your Transfiguration Award?” asks Cho. Marietta was the best in the year at the subject and she’d been spending all of her free time these past two weeks on her project after Professor McGonagall had nominated her for Transfiguration Today’s Best Newcomer Award. 

“Yes, but it’d still be nice to be asked. Anyway -” she gives you a shrewd look. “- why are you so interested in Gryffindor tryouts?”

You try to think of a reason that isn’t the chance to ogle McLaggen’s broad shoulders in Quidditch robes. An intrusive thought of him knocking someone off their broom makes heat rise in your cheeks, so you duck under the table quickly to grab your bag.

“I want to see if Potter picks Weasley as keeper again.” You say casually, hiding your face under the bench. “If he does then they might as well give us the Cup now.”

“Yeah, alright I’ll join you then,” says Cho, getting to her feet. “It’ll be good to find out what we’re up against this year.”

“What about your toast?” calls Marietta after you as you both walk away.

You and Cho make your way to the stands at the Quidditch pitch. You’re surprised to see that several dozen people are sitting watching already. At least you’d had the sense to make Ravenclaw tryouts a closed session - no spectators allowed. This lack of foresight from Potter as Gryffindor captain makes you feel extremely optimistic about the coming season.

Cho spots some fellow Ravenclaws and moves towards them but you grab her arm. “Can we sit back here?”

She does so without question. It’s one of the things you admire most about Cho, she’s so emotionally astute. She follows you to the back of the stand where you watch Potter shouting and bawling at the group of Gryffindor hopefuls- most of whom you expect have never flown a broom in their lives.

“God, are those first years?!” You wonder why he’s not sending them off pitch straight away- they’re not even allowed their own brooms.

“Okay, Captain, we all know your tryouts were much better organised than Potter’s. So what’s really on your mind?”

You hesitate. You’ve spent your spare hours between classes, homework and Quidditch practice researching the side effects of brewing Amortentia. 

“You know how you and Marietta were sat next to each other while you were making Amortentia last week?” She looks confused but you continue. “After class, did you think she smelled any differently than usual? Like is it possible the vapours clung to her and made her smell…I dunno…”

“Attractive?” Cho finishes for you. She studies you contemplatively as your eyes find McLaggen standing at the side of the pitch. “No. And I know that you know the potion doesn’t work like that.”

You groan- this is exactly what you were afraid of.

“Is that why you wanted to talk to me alone?” asks Cho. You nod, watching McLaggen mount his broom, getting ready to do a few warm-up laps. “Are you worried it’ll ruin your friendship if you say something?”

You scoff. “Oh, please- we’re hardly friends.”

Cho looks aghast. “That’s a horrible thing to say! Marietta thinks you’re friends.”

“Come off it!” You’re confused by this. “Why would Marietta think I’m friends with that git? I mean-  look!” McLaggen zooms past with his hand raised in a wave at the stands like he’s just saved a top-flight penalty, rather than simply warming up.

“Wait, who are you talking about?”

“Who are you talking about?”

Cho says “Marietta.” and at the same time you say “McLaggen.”

You both gape at each other for a minute and burst out laughing simultaneously, collapsing into a fit of hysterics. A few rows down, Hermione Granger looks over her shoulder and gives you a dirty look.

You and Cho calm yourselves as Cormac McLaggen gets ready to save his first penalty.

“Bit odd to choose a keeper just from a penalty shoot out- it’s totally different than when you’re playing-“

“Don’t change the subject,” whispers Cho urgently. “You fancy Cormac? I thought you liked girls?”

“I like boys too. I’ve just never fancied any of the ones at Hogwarts. And McLaggen, well…” 

You watch as he expertly punches his first penalty away with brute force. Your breath hitches in your throat.

“McLaggen’s a man.” 

Cho’s excited squeal gets lost in the cheers and applause from the rest of the crowd - you’ve never seen her look more delighted by a piece of information. “I mean he’s tall and he’s good-looking, sure.” She watches McLaggen. “But like you said, he is a bit of a prat.”

As if to prove her point, McLaggen saves the next penalty with ease and sends a cocky wave in your direction. Granger shifts in her seat a few rows in front of you. Wait, was he-?

“Was he waving at you or Hermione Granger?” whispers Cho.

“Ugh, he has terrible taste if he was waving at her,” you say, shooting daggers at the back of her bushy head. 

Cho purses her lips and crosses her arms. Neither of you have forgotten when Harry ditched Cho in Hogsmeade to meet Granger last year. 

“She loves a Quidditch player doesn’t she?” she says darkly.

McLaggen saves another two penalties with incredible power and precision. He grins at the stands and punches his fist in the air but there’s no mistaking it this time- it’s definitely you that he’s looking at. You loosen your scarf. There’s something about that annoyingly arrogant face that makes you feel feverishly warm. Cho nudges you in the ribs and your lips pull into a reluctant smile.

“I told him I’d come down to watch him embarrass himself. He must be feeling pretty smug right about now.“

The two of you watch McLaggen lining up for his final penalty. “Why didn’t you want to tell Marietta?”

“I dunno, you know how she is…” Marietta was alright, you suppose, but aside from friendship with Cho, you’re not sure what you have in common. You’ve always felt like you and Cho had more to talk about - both Scottish, both Quidditch players - she was the only bridge between the chasm that was yours and Marietta’s friendship. 

“Yeah well, I know how you are too. If you tried trusting her, you’d find out there’s a lot you could learn from her.”

Trust. You think of the curse spelling the word ‘sneak’ faintly across her face.

“I know what you’re thinking,” says Cho. “That was different. Umbridge threatened her mum. Can you honestly say you wouldn’t do the same?”

You think about your parents - muggles blissfully unaware of the dark times engulfing the wizarding world. Of course, you’d do anything to protect them if it came to it.

“You’re right,” you admit. “I should make more of an effort. I’ll tell her-”

You cut yourself off, noticing McLaggen’s expression change slightly as Katie Bell starts speeding towards the goals. His eyes go out of focus and he zooms off in completely the wrong direction. He shakes his head as if snapping out of something and looks around in time to see the quaffle falling towards the pitch below. He stares blankly at the goalposts for a few moments before flying down back to the pitch with an irate look on his face, boos echoing in the stands.

“What happened there?” asks Cho.

You eye up Potter suspiciously. Would he really go so low as to jinx McLaggen just so his best mate could make the team? McLaggen lands unevenly on the field. “Let’s find out,” you tell her. 

You walk down the wooden steps to find McLaggen gripping his broom with a queasy sort of expression, watching Ron Weasley who’s now in the air.

“You alright McLaggen?”

“Oh god, not you,” he groans, clenching his sharp jaw.

“Charming.”

Weasley saves a penalty clumsily and you scoff in disbelief.

“No I mean -” He towers over you, eyes still slightly out of focus. “I didn’t actually think I’d embarrass myself in front of you today.”

Now you’re really concerned. “Did you get a head knock earlier?”

“Very funny.”

“McLaggen, I’m serious. Did you or did you not sustain a head injury this morning? Because if not, I think someone confunded you.”

He stares off into space for a second and then his eyes refocus on you. He blinks in surprise as if only just noticing your presence. “When did you get here?”

Thunderous applause surrounds you when Weasley saves his fifth and final penalty by his fingertips.

McLaggen falters slightly when you reach up and grab the sides of his face with both hands to focus him, bringing him back to his senses. His prickly stubble tickles your palms, and you wonder fleetingly what it would be like to kiss him and feel his rough face on yours.

You look beseechingly into his now-focused eyes, squeezing his face. “Tell Potter you want a rematch.” You release him.

“Yeah…” his green eyes meet yours for a few second before shaking himself and putting his shoulders back. “Yeah, I will actually.” You watch from a distance as he stomps over to Harry Potter. They argue - you actually think McLaggen might clock him. But he doesn’t, which is a shame because you’d quite like to see him throw a punch. Instead, he kicks the quaffle in a rage before striding off in a zig-zag towards the castle. 

Hermione Granger runs down the stairs past you to celebrate with Weasley and Potter, the latter of whom is trying his best not to look too pleased.

There’s something weird going on, you think, looking between them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

McLaggen bursts into the dungeon to find you sitting on the Potions workbench that you share each week. Without a word, he marches over furiously and you let out a gasp of surprise when he drops to his knees in front of you and pushes your skirt up so he can bury his face between your legs. He kisses and nibbles on your inner thighs savagely, scratchy stubble grazing the tender flesh there.

You rest back on your elbows, hooking your legs over his square shoulders, willing him to explore every part of you. You feel a jolt in your stomach when he pulls your underwear aside and looks up at you with a blank, hazy expression. 

Wait. This isn’t right. He’s been confunded.

You go to grab a fistful of his dark blonde hair, forcing him to focus on you but your fingers only find soft fabric.

Bedsheets.

You awake with a start in your four-poster bed, staring at the blue chiffon ceiling. 

Thank god, you think, sitting bolt upright and taking shallow, steadying breaths.

Punching your pillow into a more comfortable shape, you find yourself unable to fall asleep again as you wrestle with what happened at McLaggen’s tryout. On the one hand, you suspected foul play and it was incredibly unfair that McLaggen had been cheated during his penalty shoot-out.

But on the other hand…

This is your year. The year that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup was within your grasp. 

You could tell your suspicions to Madam Hooch, or even McGonnagal, you suppose. But Weasley was a much patchier player than McLaggen, and it would be better for your chances if Weasley was Gryffindor’s keeper. And what was more important to you? McLaggen? Or the Cup?

You roll over in bed, trying to get comfortable. It’s a stupid question, really. It was the Cup, of course it was the Cup.

Right?

Chapter 3: Poster Girl

[dansnaturepictures]

Beautiful views in England, Scotland and Wales this year; at Durlston, Dorset at the weekend, Loch Garten in April and the Range with Holyhead Mountain visible a couple of weeks ago.

[emmashouldbewriting]

“i'm extra salty about this today, sunak was on anglesey with mark bloody drakeford and they were waxing lyrical about the freeport at holyhead”

I could easily raise you a mountain of salt (Windsor-framework sellout/Theresa May’s Brino, Brexit-betrayed, Sunak-stitch up - CPTPP imperilled?) 😉🇬🇧

[petergwaelod]

London-Holyhead Mail in Anglesey

The very earliest "Mail" system started during the reign of Henry VIII taking official documents from London via Chester and the coast road to the port of Holyhead. This was crucial for maintaining communication between the English court and officials in Wales and Ireland. The post road ran over Lavan Sands and through Beaumaris at first, and thus it was in 1675 when John Ogilby made a map of it. Later its line was changed a little, the post road ceased to cross Lavan Sands, and went from the Porthaethwy Ferry through Penmynydd.

Various Postmasters were appointed a stages along the route who had to supply the horses for the Royal Messenger and a Postboy to show him the way and return the horses from the next staging post. The Post Masters were often Innkeepers. By the time of Charles I demand was such from the public that the Royal Mail was made available to all, or at least those who could afford to pay. When a public postal service was first introduced along these routes in 1635, letters were carried between ‘posts’ by mounted post-boys and delivered to the local postmaster. The postmaster would then take out the letters for his area and hand the rest to another post-boy to carry them on to the next ‘post’. This was a slow process and the post-boys were an easy target for robbers, but the system remained unchanged for almost 150 years.

In 1720, one Ralph Allen from Bath took contracts for parts of this system, made it more efficient, and made a lot of money.

The next stage of development came with John Palmer, also from Bath, who persuaded the then Chancellor William Pitt that it would be a good idea to carry the Mail by stagecoach. Safer also as the Postboys were always at risk of attack. Although the Post Office were against the idea, Palmer went ahead on his own and developed a network of routes to carry the Mail by specially designed coaches. The London Holyhead route was one such. In 1785 the Post agreed to take over the running of the service. Each Mail coach had priority on the route, paid no Turnpike dues and the Mail was protected by an armed Royal Mail Guard. Mail Coaches left the Swan with Two Necks Inn in London promptly at 8.00pm every evening and arrived at Holyhead 45.5 hours later. Nantwich and Tarporley were stopping points for the team of four horses to be changed as was Chester but there the stop included a meal break.

Over time the route was changed to miss out the dangerous crossing of the River Conway and the mountainous North Wales coast to an easier one via Shrewsbury thus the Mail coaches no longer came through Cheshire. It also shortened the journey to about 25 hours.

The Act of Union 1800, which unified Great Britain and Ireland, gave rise to a need to improve communication links between London and Dublin. A parliamentary committee led to an Act of Parliament of 1815 that authorised the purchase of existing turnpike road interests and, where necessary, the construction of new road, to complete the route between the two capitals. This made it the first major civilian state-funded road building project in Britain since Roman times. Responsibility for establishing the new route was awarded to the famous engineer, Thomas Telford.

Through England, the road largely took over existing turnpike roads and mainly following the route of the Anglo-Saxon Wæcelinga Stræt (Watling Street), much of which had been historically the Roman road. However Telford's Holyhead Road leaves Watling Street, picking up instead the major cities of Coventry, Birmingham, and Wolverhampton; this routing being far more useful for communications. The London-Holyhead Mail Coach then ran along the A5 until the introduction of the railways later in the nineteenth century.

[themotorbikechannel]

Irland E04 - Ring of Beara, Sheep's Head, Healy Pass https://themotorbikechannel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1729026015_maxresdefault.jpg Source: Irland E04 – Ring of Beara, Sheep’s Head, Healy Pass by Mike on Tour. Motorradreisen, Abenteuer + Reviews. Please don’t forget to give the Video a “Like” on Youtube and subscribe to the channel! 🎟️🤠📸 https://www.instagram.com/m_2_k/ #ktm #ireland #reisen #sas #readytorace #ducati #multistrada #multistradav4s #r1300gs #r1250gs #bmwmotorrad #bmw #reiseenduro #vlogs #wetter #motorradreise #campen #regen […] #1250 #abenteuer #animals #bergpässe #bmw #bmwmotorrad #Camping #cork #Dublin #erfahrungsbericht #Eurotunnel #Folkstone #GreatBritain #gs1250 #gs1300 #gsa #healypass #HolyHead #insel #Ireland #IrishFerries #Irland #italien #ktm #mizenhead #Motorcycle #Motorrad #motorradreise #mountain #Pässe #probleme #r1250gs #r1300gs #reise #reisen #ringofbeara #risks #schweiz #sheepshead #SoloMotorcycleTouring #special #starten #superadventure #Technik #tiere #Tourenbike #travel #urlaub #vlog #Vlogs #wildatlanticway https://themotorbikechannel.com/irland-e04-ring-of-beara-sheeps-head-healy-pass/?feed_id=14071&_unique_id=670ed907767a4

[usagirln120]

What's Kanoka Amanai bio in your Hogwarts AU?

Kanoka Amanai: Hogwarts AU

Kanoka Amanai is a Pureblood witch that was born on the 24th of October 1978 and started attending Hogwarts on the 1st of September 1990, being sorted into Hufflepuff House.

She used to be neighbors with the Tanaka family with her and Ryo being childhood best friends but they lost contact with each other after she moved away from the neighborhood but they did reunite again at Hogwarts where they quickly became friends again.

She and Ryo did go to the Yule Ball together to see if they did fit as a couple but both of them quickly realized that they were better of as friends which eventually led to them getting together with Yachi and Kiyoko respectively.

She was bullied by her room-mates who often stole her things because of her height but Tanaka encouraged his childhood-friend to be proud of her height and to try out to play as a Keeper during a Quidditch Friendly which she proved to be a natural at.

While she wasn't a member of either Makarov's Army or the Order of the Phoenix, she did participate in the Battle of Hogwarts which she survived and also meet Shoko Hirugami through, who is the captain of the Holyhead Harpies.

She later on joined the Holyhead Harpies as their Keeper and got married to Yachi but they never had any kids due to being fine with being the cool aunts to Tanaka, Kiyoko, Tsukishima, and Yamaguchi's kids.

She has a Willow wand with a Unicorn Hair core.

Her Patronus is a Mountain Hare.

Her favorite subjects are Charms and Divination.

Her least favorite subjects are Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions.

[wattophotos]

View of the cliffs at Holyhead Mountain Wales.

[joshmarcushills]

Holyhead "Mountain" (2023) - Sony A7IV

[theenchantedecho]

A Magical Standoff: The Unexpected Rivalry Between Celestina Warbeck and Rolanda Hooch

Gather 'round, dear readers, for a tale of rivalry that will leave you wondering if you've been hit with a Confundus Charm! Celestina Warbeck, the Singing Sorceress, and Rolanda Hooch, Quidditch Queen turned Hogwarts Flying Instructor, have found themselves in a magical standoff. But what's the real story behind this unlikely feud, and how did it all begin?

A Clash of Magical Talents

 Although Celestina and Rolanda's time at Hogwarts didn't overlap, their paths crossed in a most unexpected way. A well-connected source in the wizarding world, who we'll call "Gossiping Gideon," spilled the beans on this intriguing rivalry: "Celestina and Rolanda first met during a charity event for St. Mungo's Hospital. Celestina was belting out her enchanting tunes, while Rolanda put on a thrilling Quidditch demonstration. The crowd was absolutely captivated by both performances, and that's when the rivalry began to brew."

Secret Talents and Hidden Desires

One fascinating aspect of this magical rivalry is the secret talents and hidden desires of these accomplished witches. "Curious Calliope," a close acquaintance of both Celestina and Rolanda, shared a few tantalising tidbits: "Did you know that Celestina has always harboured a secret passion for Quidditch? She's quite the skilled broomstick rider and even considered trying out for the Holyhead Harpies. On the other hand, Rolanda has a beautiful singing voice and was known to perform at Hogwarts' school-wide gatherings in her youth. It's as if they both envy what the other has."

A Spirited Standoff at the Gala

Our story takes a fascinating turn at a recent magical gala, where the two talented witches found themselves at odds over who would take the stage for the grand finale. "Eavesdropping Edwin" provided a firsthand account of the disagreement: "Celestina and Rolanda were debating who would dazzle the audience more during the event's closing act. Celestina insisted her voice would raise more Galleons, while Rolanda argued her high-flying Quidditch stunts would leave the crowd spellbound. It was like watching a magical showdown!"

A Soaring Spectacle or an Enchanting Duet? 

The wizarding world is abuzz with speculation about the outcome of this magical standoff. "Dreaming Daphne," a renowned magical events planner, shared her vision for a grand finale: "Imagine a performance where Celestina's enchanting voice soars alongside Rolanda's gravity-defying Quidditch stunts. It would be a breathtaking spectacle that would captivate audiences and raise mountains of Galleons for a good cause."

Who will emerge as the true magical icon, the Singing Sorceress or the Quidditch Queen? "Wise Wilma," an esteemed magical historian, offered her insight: "Celestina and Rolanda have made incredible contributions to the wizarding world, each in their own unique way. It's a shame that their rivalry has overshadowed their achievements. I hope they can eventually put their differences aside and collaborate for the greater good."

A Wizarding World Wonder or a Tale of Two Talents? 

As always, dear readers, remember that not everything can be fully confirmed. Are these tales of rivalry between Celestina Warbeck and Rolanda Hooch entirely accurate, or merely the product of overactive imaginations? We may never know for certain, but one thing is clear: the magical community will be watching with bated breath as this enchanting saga unfolds.

We invite you to join us as we speculate, wonder, and marvel at the potential collaborations between these two extraordinary witches. Will they ultimately join forces to create a spellbinding performance that will leave the wizarding world in awe, or will they continue to compete for the spotlight?

An Open Call for Submissions and Sightings 

We encourage you to submit your own stories, rumours, and sightings about this magical rivalry or other enchanting events in the British wizarding society. Your tale might just be the next big headline in "The Enchanted Echo"!

Until then, we'll be keeping our Extendable Ears tuned in and our Quick-Quotes Quills at the ready, eager to bring you the latest news and gossip about this captivating story. Will Celestina Warbeck and Rolanda Hooch find a way to share the spotlight, or will their rivalry grow even more intense? The wizarding world is simply brimming with anticipation!

Remember, dear readers, to keep a keen eye and a light heart as we explore the magical world around us. Be it a soaring spectacle or an enchanting duet, we're here to celebrate the achievements, talents, and contributions of individuals in our beloved British wizarding society. So, let's raise our wands to the possibilities and enjoy the show!

@chasingharpy

[lymphomalass]

Mynydd Tŵr or Holyhead Mountain from Bae Trearddur Bay on Ynys Môn / Anglesey, this time painted in oil pastels.

The A4 (29.7cm by 21cm) unframed original is available for £75 including UK postage or, if we live close enough for us to deliver, in a frame it's £95. Please just private message me to arrange your purchase.

It's also available in a mix of different types and sizes of prints, and printed on all sorts of lovely things (like bags, dresses, tops, scarves, homewares, gift items, etc) at:

Thanks!

Sam aka LymphomaLass xx

[umichenginabroad]

Dublin Week 10: Wales

Welcome to this week's installment of my blog. It's been an eventful 7 days since the last installment, so buckle up buttercup.

The past week was the first week of my two week spring break, and was filled with my trip to Wales with the mountaineering club. It was the best week of my semester, hands down.

Day 1:

My week started bright and early on Monday morning with a three hour ferry ride from Dublin to Holyhead, a town on the west coast of Wales. The ride was incredibly rough and uncomfortable, but we all made it in one piece, which is all that matters. After a quick stop at the Lidl (grocery store chain) in town, we got on a bus to the cabin we were staying at near Llanberis. The weather was absolutely horrendous, with high winds and driving rain, a theme that unfortunately persisted throughout our trip. Despite the poor weather though, we settled in nicely and had a relaxing evening of low effort dinners and passing the time with games and a bit of drinking.

Top Left: My mates Cormac and Colin face off in a heated game of chess Top Right: The gang comes together for a spirited game of "family fun time" Bottom Left: Club captain Jack poses as a game of "sling pot" is played in the background Bottom Right: I absolutely destroy my friend Fiona in a game of chess (fun fact: the guy behind her, Tal, has the same last name as me, however we are not related)

Day 2:

The weather on day two started off looking much better than the first day. Because of this nice weather, I opted to go climbing.

Left: Our cabin looking pretty in the best weather we had all trip Right: Some goats that came up to our cabin as we walked to the bus on day two

The climbing we did was at an old slate mine about 30 minutes away from our cabin. The region of Wales that we were, Snowdonia, is well known for its outdoor activities, and this quarry is a popular climbing destination. After a quick (but very steep and slippery) hike up the quarry, we set up some ropes and climbed and explored the quarry for the rest of the day. I got to climb twice, and it was a lot of fun. I haven't climbed outdoors in years, so it was great to get back into it.

Some views from the quarry, as well as a picture of me climbing

On my second climb, the weather suddenly turned and it started to snow and hail, so after finishing my climb, we packed up and hiked back down to our bus, and went back to the cabin to rest up and eat some dinner.

That night we stayed up late again having fun, and even got the chance to see some stars, which was pretty awesome.

Me finishing off a card tower that my friend Colin and I made

The stars on night two

Day 3:

Unfortunately the nice(ish) weather of day 2 couldn't last, and we had some pretty crummy weather on day 3. Because of this, most of us decided to go on a hike up the tallest peak in Wales, Mt. Snowden. If you're thinking that this was perhaps an ill advised decision, then you'd be right, but you also clearly overestimate the forethought of a group of college kids, and know very little about how good stories come to be.

As you might expect, the weather, in fact, did not get any better as we gained altitude on our hike, and by the time we stopped for lunch, it was incredibly snowy, cold, and windy. Some of us even set up a little shelter to stay warm which was a lot of fun.

Top: A seagull looking very out of place and a view from the first half of our hike Bottom: A 360 degree view of our little lunch shelter

After lunch, the weather progressively got worse until it was full on blizzard conditions. We made the decision not to got to the very top of the mountain, but we still got a group picture pretending that we did. It's not like the view would've been any different.

A group pic from the "top" of Mt. Snowden

Believe it or not, the conditions descending the mountain were even worse than the conditions going up. The wind picked up considerably, and was pushing us downhill, which made descending rather difficult. Once we got low enough though, the weather chilled out a bit, and we just had a nice hike in the hills of Wales. Overall it was an incredible day with zero injuries and everyone had a great time.

A view from our way down the mountain

Once again, our evening was filled with food, drinking, and overall good vibes. Also, my mate Colin got a buzz cut.

Left: Hanging out after the hike Right: Colin getting his buzzcut

Day 4:

Unfortunately, the conditions on day 4 were so bad that outdoor activities were just out of the question. So instead of climbing outdoors, we climbed at a nearby indoor climbing gym. Even though the gym was pretty small, it was really nicely laid out with fun routes and nice equipment. After a relaxing few hours at the gym, we returned to the cabin for one final night of games and drinking as everyone celebrated a great trip. The club also made everyone bracelets from old climbing rope.

Top left: For some reason rope bracelet making has to be done in the dark with red headlamps Top right: Jack is definitely not in any pain as Fiona braids his hair Bottom: Colin and I have to trade socks as part of family fun time

Day 5:

As you'd expect, everyone was suuuuper well rested after the previous nights celebrations, so everyone decided to just get a little bit more sleep, and things got moving a little later on day 5. After packing up and cleaning the cabin, we got back on our bus one last time and departed for the ferry in Holyhead.

Colin jumps on some trash bags to get them to fit in the dumpster

Fortunately, our ferry ride back to Dublin wasn't nearly as rough as the ride there, so most people just hung out and/or slept. Once we got back to Dublin, I got a ride from a friend's parent back to campus, where, after eating a bit of dinner, I promptly passed out of exhaustion, thus concluding my trip to Wales.

You may be wondering: "Sam, wasn't St. Patrick's day also this week? What did you do for that? I'm sure it's a huge thing in Dublin."

Indeed it is a huge thing in Dublin, and had I been in Dublin on St. Paddy's day, I would have undoubtedly participated in and told you about the festivities. However, St. Paddy's happened to fall on the day that we were coming back from Wales, so unfortunately I was unable to participate. I reckon it was worth it though, considering the great week I had in Wales.

This coming week, my Dad and two siblings are visiting, so stay to hear about what we get up!

Sam Adler

Materials Science and Engineering

University College Dublin

[garthnightmare]

Cyffordd

The town of Cyffordd rests in the crook of the Penglogau Mountains, on the Avanti North Eastern Mainline, which was once the Dreffyniwl & Tomenasgwrn Company Limited Line. Once, it was one of the foremost exporters of coal and slate to the ports of Cardigan and Deganwy; now, like so many, it is but a shell of its former self. The only notable industry it still supports is contained within the great chalk-white edifice that rises like some ghastly tombstone from the foothills that surround the larger of the peaks; the University of Mid Merioneth, birthplace of several noted advances in the field or electromagnetic analysis, and a passable rugby side that gave Aberystwth a run for their money in the latest hustings. This, of course, has meant that the town is kept afloat by students, and their associated habits- not the most popular shift in demographic, but it at least means the place is still standing.

While the industry it was built to support is long since exhausted, the line, however, is still operational. Northbound services run to Bleniau Ffestiniog and Holyhead, and southbound toward Harlech and Porthmadog. (The branch to Llandudno closed after the sea washed away the tracks between Rhyl and Colwyn Bay- the steel swept into the ocean to rust and drown with the wrecks)

The station is something of an anomaly; it is caught in the crevice of the mountains, the southbound tracks seeming to fall away sharply, and the northbound being swallowed up entirely into a great tunnel, giving the impression that the trains are devoured whole by the mountain. The peaks loom large over the prospect, which fills visitors with awe. As with many stations in these towns, one gets the sense that it was once much larger and grander; the platforms are oddly far apart, and have been docked by hastily-erected fencing, leaving a good three hundred feet or so of the construction to vanish under an ever-growing carpet of weeds.

And there is one thing that every railworker knows; the trains do not like to linger long at Cyffordd.

So it was that when Dr Julius Glenn arrived on the delayed 14.52 service to Llanfair and Holyhead, and did what every newcomer to the town inevitably did, taking pause to stare at the great craggy peaks that towered ostentatiously above the skyline, he was shocked at the speed with which the service departed, vanishing into the tunnel with a roar of diesel smoke, the retreating lights glowing like hot coals.

Julius took a moment to compose himself. He was a thin, nervous-looking man, his jet-black hair clinging to his scalp like a petrified cat. He wore thin, wire-framed spectacles and a weather-beaten duffle coat. He glanced down at his watch, and set his jaw.

The further out you go from civilisation, he thought distastefully, the less the trains run on time. Although by that logic, the whole of the bloody UK left civilisation behind long ago.

He was expected, of course, but no-one seemed to have bothered to come and receive him. Now, of course, he had no moral high ground- was it the University who had erred, or had they simply misjudged the degree to which his train would be late? There was simply no way to be sure.

Sodding typical. And yet we pay through the fucking nose for them.

He irritably fumbled in his pocket for his phone and discovered, much too late of course, that it had not exited the train alongside him, but was still lying on the scuffed baize seat. He loosed a sudden violent expletive into the frigid October air.

What on Earth was he going to do now?

He was in the middle of processing a rather long and complicated thought involving finding his way into the town and seeking a phone, or better yet some kind of internet access point for his laptop (which was thankfully still in his shoulder bag) when all at once he became aware that a rather horrible silence had fallen. The birds had ceased to sing in the trees, the distant sound of drilling from a building site shut off as though a plug had been pulled, and even the sound of his own footsteps on the platform seemed somehow to have lost their lustre, like when one is descending a set of stairs after exiting a music venue.

Julius shook his head, confused, and opened his mouth- but his words were suddenly stolen and swallowed by a deafening roar, a screech of harsh sound, unquestionably inorganic and yet horribly, definitely human. This was the scream of something living,

He struggled, later on, to find the right words to describe it, falling back on awkward similes and metaphors- a finger dragged around a granite wineglass, the sound of mechanical failure amplified a thousand degrees, like the axle of the earth beginning to fail- but nothing he ever wrote even seemed to capture it. Even his memory didn’t seem right, as though the sound had actively torn through his working memory. It seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once, and confusedly, he thought of the mountains screaming in pain as the train tore though their innards.

He clutched his head, trying in vain to shut it out, and all at once it was gone.

‘You right there?’

Julius looked up, startled. The speaker was a thin young man whose concerned eyes were framed behind wire glasses. An expensive-looking camera was suspended about his neck.

‘I…that…’

‘Most people round here don’t even notice it anymore,’ the young man said conversationally. ‘Dunno if they don’t want to or if they really can’t, you know? But it’s never gone away for me. 5 o clock, on the dot. Day in, day out. It’s loudest over by the tracks. So I make sure to be here. As many days as I can.’

Julius was never more sorry to have lost his phone. He would have loved to use the voice recorder function now, to capture this. But it didn’t matter. Pen and paper would have to do.

‘Tell me everything,’ he urged. ‘Tell me about Cyffordd.’

[dansnaturepictures]

Looking back on a week in amazing Anglesey and wonderful wider North Wales

Over the past week another trip outside of England for me this year among mountains centred on a beautiful island has allowed us to have a special wild adventure. It was a week of splendour, spectacle and thrilling experiences.

Bird and mammal wise we saw some of the finest sights UK wildlife has to offer, from being ensconced in the spectacular tern and gull colony of Cemlyn, seeing our first Arctic Terns this year and marveling at the many neat Sandwich Tern, also seeing Common Tern and Black-headed Gull with views of chicks enjoyed to watching in aw in the evening sunlight a Red Squirrel feed in the magical Newborough Forest an astonishing sight to ensure I’ve seen these divine mammals in England, Scotland and Wales this year. The distinctive smell, consuming noise and fantastic sight of seabird colonies dominated the week, with charismatic and eyecatching Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Fulmars, Shag and more enjoyed between two visits to the fabulous RSPB South Stack and a brilliant boat trip around Puffin Island. Days full of glee. Staggeringly intimate views of Grey Seal on the boat trip and fine evening views of Manx Shearwater gliding across the sea at Cemaes where we stayed and Llanbadrig and some seen at Cemlyn on the last morning were other moments of nautical wild bliss. It was phenomenal and valuable to get such splendid views of Black Guillemots again across the week, a favourite bird of mine we don’t get at home which I am having a top year for. Anglesey is synonymous with Choughs and at South Stack, the Range and on a journey at one point we have had some sensational times seeing these red and black wonders exceptionally well. Their sharp call and breathtaking appearance has left me spellbound and filled my heart with joy. We also saw some at the Great Orme on a wider North Wales part of the trip.

A Black Guillemot at Holyhead Fish Quay on Sunday evening

Chough at South Stack on Monday

The Red Squirrel we saw at Newborough Forest 

Adding further gloss and helping my bird year list become personally historic was my first sighting this year of a Little Ringed Plover on a wider jaunt to RSPB Conwy. Other standout birds of the trip included Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Red-breasted Merganser, Gannet including on Ynys Badrig, Herring Gull, House Martins, Swallow, Whitethroat, Bullfinch, Pied Wagtail, Wheatear, Rooks heard and seen well from the lovely cottage we stayed in, Raven, Jay and Buzzard. Crossing Eryri on Wednesday on the way back from Conwy seeing Grey Wagtail at Betws-y-Coed, Hen Harriers and Goosander and Common Sandpiper at Llyn Ogwen added some top species to the week.

Wren at Nant-y-Pandy on Thursday which was a joy to see too. 

In spring/summer holidays geared towards birds it’s always nice to see some insects during it and it occurred to me during the week we might be able to see Silver-studded Blues here, that we did at the Range by South Stack on Tuesday. Immersive moments watching this precious gem of a butterfly. In heatwave conditions as the week went on Ringlet, Dark Green Fritillary, Small Skipper and Common Grayling at the Great Orme probably of the sub species Hipparchia semele emerging early and unique to this site were ones we saw for the first time this year as I sailed into seeing summer butterfly species, with Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Large Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell and oh so many Red Admirals also seen. Hummingbird hawk-moth, Silver Y, my first Six-spot Burnets of the year seen well, Straw Dot, Brown-silver Line and Grass Veneers made it a marvellous moth week too.

One of the Red Admirals seen this week at Newborough Forest

Caterpillars played their part too with a few seen, this of the Oak Eggar moth at South Stack.

As hoped we saw Four-spotted Chaser dragonflies, with a surprise Golden-ringed Dragonfly an exquisite moment in the trip at a stream at Nant-y-Pandy aka the Dingle and Southern Hawker also firsts for the year. Emperor, Broad-bodied Chaser as well as Blue-tailed, Common Blue and Azure Damselflies and Banded Demoiselle were pleasant to see too. It was also a top trip of beetles with many Swollen-thighed beetles and my first ever Chrysomela populi and Rose Chafer beetle seen.

Mating Azure Damselflies which was a strong memory of a hot and sunny time at Cors Ddyga on Thursday. 

The Chrysomela populi, one of many we saw on a Newborough dune walk on Thursday. 

It was a flower fest this week with massive species of my year seen such as my first alluring bee and pyramidal orchids of the year at RSPB Conwy and lots of sheep’s-bit. Marsh helleborine, early marsh orchid, purple sandwort, sea plantain and bright yellow-horned poppy were new flower species I was amazed to see. Thrift, sea and red campion, chamomile, wild carrot and cabbage, foxgloves, thyme, wall pennywort, bird’s-foot trefoil and rich English stonecrop seen consistently well were strong characteristic plants of the trip for me as many were when here two years ago. And on that note I could not forget the joy of seeing again at Valley Wetlands and Cors Ddyga RSPB reserves my star flower from 2021, excellent marsh cinquefoil.

One of the many RSPB Conwy bee orchids seen 

Centaury at South Stack, another key one this week.

The views were something else again; cliff, beach and dune coast, woodland, heath, meadow, lake and mountains. There were breathtaking moments observing stunning landscapes and being immersed in them on Friday riding the Great Orme cable cars at Llandudno and going three quarters of the way up Yr Wyddfa on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. I enjoyed stunning scenes of the sun going down over the water on evenings at Cemaes and Llanbadrig. It is such an aesthetically pleasing part of the world. What a week, so much covered and seen and so many glorious memories made. I love Anglesey and North Wales generally and I can’t wait to come back.

Looking across to South Stack from the Range on Tuesday 

Llyn Ogwen on Wednesday 

Llandudno on Friday

Grey Seal seen on the boat trip around Puffin Island on Tuesday.