The Blog Cafe

A while back my good friend Tracy, from Pink Pearl started The Blog Cafe along with two otehr friends, Jenny and JoLyn . Each week a different blogger hosts the cafe and takes us on a lovely journey of food fun and inspiration! This week was my turn to host it and I am so excited to take you to one of my absolute favourite places on earth, a lovely little town in North Wales called Llangollen! (pronounced CLANG Gock Lyn! I know . . . sounds nothing like it is spelt, that's Welsh for you!)

Llangollen is a truly amazing little town, nestled at the foot of the Clywdian Hills, containing the best of what North Wales has to offer. We just love going there on a warm summer's day. It was sunny this time we went, although a bit cold, with a North Wind blowing, but I had it in my mind since I found out I was going to be hosting this event to show you Llangollen, and not even a cold wind could deter me!



It is not much more than 40 minutes or so away from us . . . an easy drive on the Motor Way most of the way, until you get to the last several miles, which are very picturesque and take you on small winding country lanes, edged with flowering hedgerows and moss covered stone walls. In some places it is like driving through a green tunnel with the trees meeting over head, and the sunlight dappling the car and the road through the flickering leaves above us . . .



It is such a picturesque little town . . . with stone cottages and the River Dee running through the middle of it. Langollen has many natural wonders. There are mountains, white water rivers including the spectacular River Dee canals with horse-drawn boats, The Llangollen Steam Railway with steam trains that chug along the Dee Valley, the Horseshoe Pass, the Horseshoe Falls and all in easy reach of Chester and Wrexham. Famous structures, gardens and historic buildings abound, Plas Newydd, home to The Ladies of Llangollen, numerous National Trust properties surround the town and the highest and longest aqueduct on the canal system.




The Pontcysyllte aqueduct was built by Thomas Telford 200 years ago, over a 1000 feet long and standing 126 feet above the river Dee . You can cross it by narrow boats which depart from The Wharf in Llangollen for a 3-hour return trip and marvel at the engineering which took the canal beginning at the Horseshoe Falls close to The Chainbridge Hotel all the way to join the national canal system. You can also take a horse-drawn boat from The Wharf up to near its source. Both trips are a cheap and very enjoyable way of seeing the spectacular countryside.



What will we do first . . . perhaps a walk through this lovely little town, stopping atop the bridge to look down at the River Dee and it's coursing waters. Oh how very pretty it is . . . there is an air of festive gaiety abounding . . . it is a bank holiday weekend after all and with the sun shining it seems that everyone it out and about . . .



Perhaps we'll take a little jaunt on the steam railway . . . or perhaps not. We may just stand on the bridge and wave at the passengers as it leaves the station . . . it's haunting whistle blowing through the valley and bespeaking of a seemingly ancient time gone by . . .



Or maybe we will treat ourselved to a delicious ice cream cone or some freshly made fudge. It is ours only for the asking . . . and in a hundred different flavours it seems . . . rich and creamy and crumbly . . . but alas . . . tis a bit too cold today for an ice cream cone, although a few brave souls partake of it anyways!



The shop windows abound with local crafts and symbols . . . pretty ceramic dolls in Traditional Welsh Costumes . . . cups with the flag, post cards . . . you name it, there is plenty to spend your pounds on . . .



Perhaps a tasty cake or biscuit to savour whilst we are walking around . . .



Or a punnet of berries to savour, all warm and sweet . . . the sun making them taste even better. Or perhaps we'll pick up a bag of the cherries to eat in the car on the way home. That sounds like a grande idea! I have something even more special in mind to enjoy whilst we are here . . .



How about a Traditional Welsh Cream Tea in one of the many tea rooms that dot the town. It is time for elevenses so why not!!!



A pretty little table awaits us, dressed in a fine embroidered cloth . . . dappled by the sun which shines through the windows . . .



A pretty lace curtain adorns the window . . . letting in the warmth of the sun and giving us something to look at . . . there are many people out and about the town today . . .



An adorable glass teapot on the window sill catches my eye . . . how lovely it is with that pretty yellow primrose growing in it's centre . . . how very endearing . . .



Our tea comes . . . a steaming pot of herbal tea and a glass plate topped with a lovely fruit scone, butter, clotted cream and a small pot of strawberry preserves . . . were it my tea room, I would have used pretty little glass pots . . . but it's not and I suppose . . . it tastes delicious anyways . . . no matter what it is served in . . .



The scone warm from the oven . . . all that butter and clotted cream melting down into it's crumb . . . the cream cold . . . but not for long . . . it's richness cut with the sweetness of the strawberry jam . . . oh, it is lovely, so very lovely . . . but the best part of all, is not the tea, or the scone . . . neither the jam nore the cream . . .



The best part of all is getting to share it with my Todd, the one I love . . .

It's been pretty special getting to bring you along with us as well. The best things in life become all the sweeter and more precious when they are shared, don't you think??? And that's my thought for today . . .

For we must share if we would keep That blessing from above; Ceasing to give, we cease to have, Such is the law of love . . .

If you are visiting me for the first time today, or if you are a long time friend, I hope that you enjoyed our little trip into Wales today. It was ever so much fun to bring you along with me. In the spirit of sharing and just so that you don't feel too hard done by . . . here is my foolproof recipe for fruit scones. We like fruit scones when we do a cream tea, but you can also have them plain. These are rich and crumbly and so fabulous when topped with a bit of cream and jam. Can there be anything finer on earth?? I think not!




*Fruit Scones*
Makes 10 to 12
Printable Recipe

Scones are quick to make and delicious when served freshly baked. You can make them with or without fruit. A must for a traditional cream tea.

2 ounces butter, diced and chilled
(1/4 cup)
1 pound flour, plus extra for dusting
(4 cups)
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 TBS caster sugar
(superfine sugar)
250ml of milk
(A hefty 2 cup) plus 3 TBS for glazing

To serve:
clotted cream
or lightly whipped heavy cream
Strawberry jam

Preheat the oven to 220*C/425*F/Gas mark 7. Grease a baking sheet and set aside.

Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Stir in the sugar. make a well in the centre and pour in the milk. Quickly mix with a round bladed knife to form a soft dough.

Turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead lightly. Roll or pat out to 1/2 inch thickness, using a light touch. (The secret to light scones is not to be too heavy handed!) Using a plain 2 1/2 inch bkscuit cutter, cut out into 10 to 12 rounds. Place on the prepared baking sheet.

Brush with more milk to glaze, being careful not to let it drip down the sides. Bake in the heated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until well risen and golden. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Split and serve with the clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Note - to make fruit scones, add 2 ounces mixed dried fruit, or raisins with the sugar. To make wholemeal scones, use whole meal flour and omit the sugar. To make Cheese scones, omit the sugar and fruit and add 2 ounces finely grated cheddar cheese to the mix along with 1 tsp dry mustard.



Over in The English Kitchen today, Tasty Welsh Cakes!! Scrummy Yummy!!