Leonard Cohen Walking Weekend, or Isn't It A Long Way Down?

[Diane]

Our ever-growing list of participants now totals 27.

A single room is available at the Sandpiper. Plus singles are available at the Marwyn and Seashell guesthouses, see other thread for more info.

Roger McGough is not yet confirmed for the arts festival, but unfortunately if he does appear it will be on the on the Monday or Tuesday, before our gathering begins. A women's choir is now booked for the Saturday night.

[linmag]

We are at the Marwyn too, so will see you there, Paula and Judith. We were offered a nice double with a sea view, but not the four-poster, and there are a couple of floors above us, so shouldn't need the brollies . John will be joining the walkers, but I will be conducting a research project among the local coffee bars to find out which has the best capuccino and the stickiest cakes.

[Paula]

EFC that was really terrible. They actually have now found another body not connected with the brothers and they don't know how long the third one had been there.

Do you think it was irresponsible to climb in such bad weather the rescue crews had to put their lives on the line or am I being too callous?

http://www.teletext.co.uk/news/national ... owdon.aspx

[liverpoolken]

.

Roger McGough is not yet confirmed for the arts festival

Diane

Now that he is a front-runner to succeed the Bob Dylan obsessed Andrew Motion as the next Poet Laureate maybe Roger will consider a visit to Barmouth beneath him if succeeds in winning the post.

Wendy Cope was the favourite for the job until she recently called for the position to be abolished.
It’s now looking like a three horse race between Roger, Simon Armitage and Carol Ann Duffy.
So ladies and gentlemen please place your bets.

My money is on Ms Duffy although I would love read a few ditties on the trials and tribulations of our dreadfully dysfunctional and useless royal family by somebody like John Hegley
During his performance at the Liverpool Everyman theatre last night an audience member asked him if he would like the job of poet laureate and his answer was a long silent and stone-faced stare at the the questioner. So we will never know.


Ta Ken

[linmag]

For our non-walkers I knew there was a nice panoramic walk somewhere above Barmouth town itself so I googled it and found that there are a number of places to visit in and around the town (see below)

And if after you have exhausted these options you can always join me at sometime during the weekend in my favourite pastime when in Wales.....standing in the High Street throwing stones at passing Welshmen.

The Old Town :
Climbing haphazardly up the steep slopes at the back of the High Street, the paths and alleys of old Barmouth reveal many quaint and delightful corners. Houses seem to be built almost on top of one another in this fascinating jumble of steps and terraces. From certain vantage points one can look out over the Estuary or down to the harbour far below, whilst from others, the High Street and buildings therein seem to lie directly underneath. No visitor should fail to explore Old Barmouth, for it is unique in Wales. Continue upwards, beyond the last houses to reach the open hillside of Dinas Olau (Fortress of Light), donated by Fanny Talbot, it was the very first piece of land owned by the National Trust. To commemorate its Centenary, the National Trust constructed a semi circular viewing point high above the town.

Where Hillpaths Abound :
The hill which towers above the town has led ancient mariners to call Barmouth "Welsh Gibraltar". Viewed from the sea, it is said that the shape of the hill resembles the famous Rock. Rising 870 ft. above the town, it is intersected by footpaths that are indicated by various signs and is easily climbed. On a clear day, Bardsey Island to the North and the Preseli Hills to the south can be seen. From here you can wander on and revel in the expanse of upland country with its ancient rocks, dells and mountain streams. From here, one can meet up with the route to the Panorama View.

Panorama Walk :
The Panorama Walk is one of the most popular walks in the neighbourhood and the viewpoint is only about a mile and a half from the town. It is approached from the Barmouth to Dolgellau road, just beyond Porkington Terrace. The route is signposted and a leaflet on the walk is available from the Tourist Information Centre. The view from the summit is one of the most spectacular in Wales - the whole length of the Mawddach Estuary with the Cader range of mountains beyond to the south and Sylfaen Farm and Diphwys towards the north.

So, Ken, Barmouth has a lot in common with Hydra then. Built on the side of a steep hill by the side of the sea, and overrun with Cohenites for part of the year

[linmag]

Friday 11th: Queen tribute band - couldn't tell me any details about this band - I shall be in a quandary about whether to go see this:-)

Could be good fun, Diane. The last Freddie Mercury wannabe we saw, at one of our local pubs that is trying to get a name for itself as a Venue, was absolutely awful, which in no way detracted from our enjoyment of the evening.

[Diane]

Yes, I'm sure it will be fun, Linda. I still go to see Queen (i.e. the two that remain, Roger Taylor and Brian May), fronted by ex Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers, and find them excellent. Paul doesn't try to emulate Freddie though. Who could?

Hi Ken. I confess I don't know any Roger McGough. I have read some Andrew Motion though, but don't find his poetry memorable. Please update us, with a poetry snippet if poss, when the new PL is chosen.

As I am of irish blood, English birth, and live in Wales, I find it impossible to figure out who I should wind up or throw stones at, and generally simply join the side that is winning.

[lizzytysh]

I'd say it was irresponsible with a tragic outcome, Paula. It could've ended up alright, but still would've been irresponsible. Those warnings are given for good reason. It's like skiers who go into forbidden avalanche areas. I guess they want to live on the edge, but they sometimes pay a heavy price. Good thing you folks are going during warmer months. Still, it seems that 'watch your step' would be a good plan for the walkers.


~ Lizzy

[liverpoolken]

Linda

It looks Barmouth is more like Hydra than we first thought....here is the sea temperature chart and it looks like we can bring our cossies (bathing costumes for those that speak proper like)

[Byron]

ken, how about Gladys Mary Coles?
Her links with Liverpool, Wales and joined up words is perfect for the role.

[Diane]

It occurs to me that Henning and Pete, when (if) they play for us in the pubs, might pick up a few extra fans amongst the arts festival crowd.

Henning - (how should we address you, now that you have been elevated?) would you be so kind as to transfer the "chat" posts from the other Barmouth thread into this one, just to keep things tidy?

[liverpoolken]

ken, how about Gladys Mary Coles?
Her links with Liverpool, Wales and joined up words is perfect for the role.

John

I will glady give you 10/1 (which are better odds than the bookies will give you) for Gladys with a limit of a 5p stake.

Here are the latest odds for the job of Poet Laureate…….
4/5 favourite is Carol Ann Duffy
5/2 Simon Armitage
5/1 James Fenton and Roger McGough
8/1 Benjamin Zephaniah

In the meantime if you fancy a shot at the job yourself can you beat this…………

Prince Harry's Fancy Dress Party

When Harry dressed up as a Nazi
The tabloids they did cry
It's not a toy
You stupid boy
They caused many people to die.

Ta Ken

[Paula]

Linda and John that will be nice we are slowly turning that guest house into a Cohen convention.

Henning and Pete do not even think of deserting us for non-Cohenites. We will have to find out which B&B is more receptive to guitar playing and has a drinks licence

[Pete]

http://www.mariansbandb.co.uk/index.html

Hello peoples

I've booked myself a single room at Marian's B&B in a village called Talybont which is just a few minutes out of Barmouth. They serve a full Welsh breakfast ..what the difference is between that and an English one I don't know. We went to Talybont a couple of years ago so I know it well.... it's on the main road from Barmouth to Harlech.
I won't be able to make it until the Friday so will catch up with everyone at the end of that day having travelled the thousands of miles from Matlock.... and on Saturday I'll join the more genteel party at sea level.
I'll also be driving so can be a chaffeur x chaufer x chuafer x driver as need be...especially on the Sunday for Portmerion.
Looking forward to it already....

Pete

[liverpoolken]

Henning and Pete do not even think of deserting us for non-Cohenites. We will have to find out which B&B is more receptive to guitar playing and has a drinks licence

Paula

It looks like the Wavecrest will not be suitable for our evening entertainment

Ta Ken