Month: July 2021
Library Photo 19
Library Photo 17
Wenvoe Library Photos
June Letters
(The Editor
s are not responsible for opinions expressed, although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information. The editors reserve the right to protect the anonymity of anyone who wishes to contribute articles or letters for the magazine provided they are aware of the identity of any such person. )
Whoever withheld their name in last month’s edition complaining about fireworks should consider the couple who had to postpone their wedding 3 times and eventually had a small socially distanced ceremony at home. Fireworks were set off within the parameters of the law.
Sandra Mackie
Mother of the Bride
Colin, Kathryn and David Thomas would like to thank friends and neighbours for the large number of letters and condolence cards they have received following the sudden death of Chris on the 19th May. Many thanks
Colin Thomas
I heard about this Exhibition at the National Museum in Cardiff quite by chance, but am so glad I paid a visit there last week as I found it extremely enjoyable and informative. I booked a slot to visit the Museum online , and the Exhibition , located on the Ground Floor, was free and REALLY interesting to any Richard Burton fan. The 2 videos were well worth watching, and all the memorabilia quite fascinating, bringing many a smile and mini walk down Memory Lane.
The coffee shop nearby is open, so you can have a breather half way through if needed. Do go, and, if you enjoy it too, recommend it to your friends as it does not seem to have been advertised widely enough, and is there until the Autumn.
Kind Regards,
Val Roberts.
Thank you to everyone for your offers of help and support since the recent unfortunate incident. I have always felt fortunate to live in this community but never more so than now.
Mike Tucker
Jackson’s Bay.
JUNE CARERS WALK
The walkers gathered under a bright blue sky at Barry Island and after the relentless rain throughout the month of May, there was a holiday mood as the group set off for Jackson’s Bay. Chatting happily and enjoying the warmth, paddle boarders and swimmers greeted the walkers as they turned into the Bay. A new carer joined the group and she was soon involved in the conversations that were taking place. Dazzling sunshine cannot be guaranteed on every walk, but we do promise splendid company and the opportunity to get some some fresh sea air and gentle exercise!!
Stress Buster Strollers
STRESS BUSTER STROLLERS
From July Valeways will offer a new walk: the Stress Buster Strollers. Everyone can experience stress, resulting from an array of anxieties, for ex-ample, about family, work, money, health, retire-ment, lack of sleep, bereavement. Stress can make people feel frustrated, upset, angry or nervous and can lead to people feeling lonely, cut off and isolat-ed. In order to try to ease some of these feelings, Valeways will offer a Stress Buster stroll: a safe, guided walk by the sea and through woodlands, with a friendly, sociable group where people can chat freely. It is not a professional counselling service, just the offer of some time and space in the fresh air to hopefully provide a boost in mood and energy. The NHS encourages people with its Every Mind Matters initiative to live a healthy, active life. One of their tips is to go walking, as this activity is one proven way to relieve stress and have a positive im-pact on the way an individual can feel. If you would like to enjoy a short stroll in beautiful surroundings and hopefully enrich your mood and outlook, please come and join the Stress Buster strollers on the last Tuesday of every month, meeting at 10 30, next to the Romilly Park tennis courts.
Pontiscill/ Taf Fechan
Pontiscill/ Taf Fechan
This is a walk planned for last autumn but abandoned, due to a landslide (still in evidence all these months later). This time the road was open but as we passed Pontiscill reservoir a large coach came in the opposite direction and our convoy had to back up to allow it to pass which was not easy on such a narrow road. Then the Owl Grove car park, Taf Fechan Forest, was shut but there had been no notice on their website (currently closed in the week and open at weekends). We had to drive up the road to Torpantau station where we were able to park as the steam train was not running. Phew! Now we could get on with the business of walking.
Our route was to the Lower Neuadd reservoir and back down the Taf Fechan (4 miles) with a possible extension to the foot of Cribyn.
The track from Torpantau station is excellent and that day the weather ideal for walking, temperature exactly right and no rain.
Walking up the valley we were almost constantly serenaded by larks flying high above the moors. Causing two of us to chant ‘Ark, Ark the Lark in Cardiff Arms Park’ (with apologies to Max Boyce).
Crossing the stream of Nant y Gloedd we had to decide whether to continue or walk across the bottom of Lower Neuadd reservoir for our return. Everyone voted to continue uphill towards the foot of Cribyn. And were we glad we did. Soon, one person heard our first cuckoo of spring, but it only called once. A second person heard it on our return down the valley but again it only called once.
A bit later we spotted a bird of prey flying across our path ahead, we quickly realised it was a kite and watched its swooping flight. Before long, a second kite had joined it and they swooped and turned together until they flew off to the distant mountains. A wonderful interlude.
At the head of the valley and the foot of Cribyn is a col where a huge vista opens with Brecon and Powys spread out below a steep drop. We stopped here in sunshine for lunch and in no time a pony (part of a herd grazing nearby) came over and approached each of us in turn in the hope of food. We all resisted, and it eventually returned to grazing with its mates. As we ate, we saw a steady stream of cyclists, struggling up the steep hill. As they crested the col, they each breathed a sigh of relief and stopped.
Now it was time to retrace our steps to the reservoir. We spied a plane in the sky which appeared to be climbing vertically, both the plane and the ascent were unusual, but the latter was probably because of the high hills.
Work is being done to restore the Lower Neuadd reservoir and it will bring the local water closer to its former, natural course before the dam was built in 1884. The reservoir is no longer needed as a water resource so the existing dam will be modified to allow water to flow naturally through the valley.
A public footpath and new bridge will be installed to allow continued enjoyment of the walking area – with the existing footpath diverted while the work is carried out. Any area where work is done, including work to the dam, will be restored to ensure the beauty of the local area is maintained and an improved natural ecological habitat provided.
Water levels in the reservoir are being steadily reduced to ensure work is undertaken safely with the least disruption possible to local wildlife and habitat. Welsh Water has ensured fish have been moved to a new habitat. This will be monitored and, by removing a significant barrier to fish and restoring the downstream passage of sediment, the work will have major benefits to habitat connectivity on the Taf Fechan.
Our return was along the west side of Taf Fechan. The sun was quite hot now, so we appreciated the sound of water and some shade from trees. Arriving at the Owl Grove car park we found it had just opened for the weekend! But we had to trudge uphill to our cars in the heat of the day, a warm end to a fabulous walk.
A big bonus was that the Barn tea rooms were open, and we had tea and cakes or ice cream. Walk 8.5miles, 1200ft. Map OL12.
Cardiff Parks
The first official Wenvoe Walkers mid-week walk started at Victoria Park. On a bright sunny afternoon, we took in Thompson’s Park, Llandaff fields, Pontcanna and the river Taff before circling Llandaff cathedral and making our way to Insole Court where we had drinks. So good to be together again.
Chicken & Chorizo Paella
Chicken & Chorizo Paella
1 tbsp olive oil
2 large chicken breasts, skinned and cut into chunks.
2 small onions, finely slices.
2 fat garlic cloves, crushed.
140g cooking chorizo, sliced.
1 tsp turmeric
pinch of saffron [optional]
1 tsp paprika
300g paella rice
850ml hot chicken stock [2 chicken oxo cubes]
200g frozen peas
1 lemon wedged and finely chopped fresh parsley to serve.
Heat the oil in a deep-frying pan over a high heat, Add the chicken and brown all over- don’t cook completely. Once browned, transfer to a plate. Reduce the heat to low, add the onions and cook slowly until softened, about 10 mins. Add the garlic, stir for 1 min, then toss in the chorizo and fry until in releases its oils. Stir in the spices, then tip in the rice. Stir to coat the rice in the oils and spices for about 2 mins, then pour in the hot stock. Bring to the boil, return the chicken to the pan and simmer for about 20 mins, stirring occasionally. Add the peas and simmer for a further 5 mins until the rice is cooked and the chicken is tender. Season well and serve with the lemon wedges and chopped parsley.
Horseradish Baked Salmon
Horseradish Baked Salmon
2 slices bread, crusts removed.
2 tbsp horseradish sauce
2 tsp chopped thyme or 1 tsp dried
4 thin skinless salmon steaks, about 150g each
1 small Savoy cabbage, shredded.
2 rounded tbsp 0% Greek yogurt
Heat oven to 180C fan. Whizz the bread into crumbs in a processor. Tip crumbs into another bowl, add the horseradish and thyme, season and mix well. Put the salmon in one layer on a lightly oiled baking tray. Divide the crumbs into 4 and press firmly on to the flesh, then bake for about 10 – 15 mins. Put the cabbage in a large pan with a little salt and pour in boiling water to come to about halfway up. Cover and cook for 8 – 10 mins until tender. Drain well, then return to the pan with the yogurt and plenty of black pepper. mix and reheat gently. Serve on plates with the salmon. Boil baby new potatoes, butter well and serve as an extra vegetable.