Two Feet of Snow Predicted for Tonight in Barry

The Barry Whale

A 33 foot long minky whale got washed ashore onto rocks at The Knap today - some say it died yesterday, some a couple of weeks ago. It was the biggest thing to happen in Barry since Wetherspoons opened ... a landmark day then! :>)

I got there early evening just as they got it off the rocks at high tide and brought it to shore ... I'd avoid tun...a sarnies locally for a few days if I were you!

The last time such a large whale got washed ashore in South Wales was in Aberthaw when I was a kid ... I was there too. There is no link, honest.

The Barry Whale gets Towed Ashore

A Barry Chinese

I went to Google Image for a Barry Yang's search
... and all I got was this

Went to a Chinese in Barry - Yang's in Thompson Street - which has a good reputation.


Food-wise, it wasn't bad at all - except dishes were overloaded with onions - but their pricing policy left a lot to be desired. Individual dishes vastly overpriced, it forces punters into the 'All You Can Eat' buffet at £14 each option. Each dish is cooked to order rather than visiting a table where pre-prepared foot has been under hot lights for hours. The menu also warns any dishes unfinished will be added to your bill at full price!


So I enjoyed it but it's clearly not working. Only 2 other people ate there in all the time we were inside so the place and atmosphere was lifeless - this on a Friday night of a Bank Holiday weekend.


The resaurant are now dealing with takeaway orders where, bizarrely, I could have had the same grub for little more than half the price I paid to eat inside. Takeaway deliveries were flying out.


When's it going to hit them that they have their set up wrong??

A March Suntan???

It was spring-like in Barry today but hardly scorching. However I went for a walk with my dog in three-quarters and a t-shirt so pleasant enough.

Tonight, my face is sunburnt!!! Maybe a breeze did it but I feel as if I've been lying in the sun in July judging by the "burn" I feel tonight.

CRAZY!!!

Nessa, Bryn, Robin Gibbb, Tom Jones and Barry Island all star for Comic Relief

Robin Gibb at Barry Island, who'd have thought it eh?

The Best (or Tackiest?) Xmas Lights in Barry

Check this row of three houses in Barrians Way ... near the College Inn pub if you wish to see or avoid for yourself! ... which illuminate Barry every year and can probably be seen from space.

Rumour has it that they even intended having a snow machine this Xmas but it didn't arrive.

Bet the neighbours need black out curtains !

White Christmas? Keep on Dreaming!

Another blue skies, mild Christmas Day for South Wales ... much like any other year. It's unerring how the weather is now always very decent for the time of year on Xmas Day ... never cold, no chance of snow and it's simply a matter of whether it's overcast or sunny.

I don't think there's ever been a White Christmas in my life in these parts ... and I somehow suspect there never will be.

Still, that won't stop every Xmas Special on tv have snow blitzes!!!


MERRY XMAS EVERYONE

RICK ON THE ROOF is now RICK OFF THE ROOF

I wonder if the photo I took of Rick last Sunday (see last week in this blog) was the last taken of him up there?

Seems that on Monday night, two men in balaclavs allegedly forced him down and then gave him a beating severe enough to hopsitalise him. Those two men have been bailed. Howver, now down, the police could take actiomn against Ricky as he's been bailed too and ordered to stay out of Barry.

It seems strange seeing the house with all its protest banners removed and the builders wasted no time moving in to repair/decorate it. The house was sold to Irish property developers a year ago.

Got a funny feeling we haven't heard the last of this yet. What odds Ricky does re-appear at an opportune moment - can't imagine him giving up just like that.


THIS REPORT IN BARRY & DISTRICT

'Rick on the Roof' in court
7:30am Thursday 16th October 2008
Comments (0) Have your say »
By Sharon Harris »
BARRY rooftop protester Ricky Canty appeared at Barry Magistrates Court yesterday (Wednesday) charged with criminal damage - after he was allegedly forcibly removed from the Raldan Close house.
The 59-year-old was, it is claimed, pushed through a hole in the roof by two balaclava-wearing thugs.
It is alleged he was beaten and tied up on Monday evening before police were called to the scene.
Paramedics took Mr Canty out of the property on a stretcher and gave him oxygen before an ambulance took him, escorted by police, to the University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff.
He was discharged from hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning - when police arrested him and took him to Barry police station before pressing charges of criminal damage.
Two men, both aged 56, who were arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and assault, have been released on unconditional bail pending further inquiries.
Mr Canty's sister, Penny Richards, said she had last seen him at the University Hospital of Wales, but had not seen him since his arrest - and was worried for her brother's health and safety.
"He looked dreadful," she said.
"He had a boxer's face.
"The right side of his face was swollen and he had rope burns all up his arms.
"He's got stitches in his hand - he looks like the elephant man."
Mr Canty has been living on the roof of the Raldan Close house for more than two years, following a dispute over ownership.
Mr Canty was released on conditional bail and is due to appear before Barry magistrates on November 26.

SUNNY SUNDAY SIGHTS in BARRY

An O.A.P. somehow managed to flip his car

and land on the pavement on a straight road

Good Work Fella!

Just 50 yards away, Rick watches on

Now in his 3rd Great Year of Living on his Roof!

DAVID DAVIES TRIALS FOR GAVIN & STACEY

David Davies, not content with being a Barry boy and a Cardiff City fan, has declared his wish to appear in Barry-based sitcom Gavin & Stacey.

Nessa gave him an on air rehearsal tonight which he declared was better than his Beijing Silver Medal.


Listen here > http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7575715.stm

DAVID DAVIES WINS SILVER

Barry boy and Cardiff City fan DAVID DAVIES got pipped at the very end of the gruelling 10KM, near 2 hour, open swin at the Olympics in Beijing.

A fantastic effort but he'll be annoyed at errors in the final moments which cost him Gold but magnificent all the same. Well done David, you did CCFC proud especially doing The Ayatollah at the end.

News Story here

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/08/21/david-davies-storms-to-swimming-silver-91466-21576719/

Video clip of finish here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/swimming/7573777.stm

VALE of GLAMORGAN GIRL WINS GB's FIRST OLYMPIC GOLD

Congratulations to Nicole Cook for her magnificent achievement in winning the 75 mile long women's road race in the cycling today - Britain's first Gold at the Beijing Olympics and the first Gold by a Welsh man or woman since 1972!

Nicole's from the Vale of Glamorgan ... if she has to cycle through Barry, no wonder she goes fast!

BBC NEWS AND VIDEO COVERAGE
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/7552318.stm

NIGHT-TIME AND IT's STILL BLOODY WARM

Not sure where this heat blast has come from but I'm sure enjoying it. 10:30pm at night and it's still 68 degrees outside.

BBC wesbite currently predicting it'll be almost 80 degrees in Barry and Cardiff this Saturday.

I'm loving it, loving it, loving it!

THE LEYS, Vale of Glamorgan

With the first burst of fantastic weather this year and temperatures still over 70 in the early evening, it was perfect for being outdoors rather than inside.

Heading to the Vale coastline, many opt for Penarth, Barry Island, Southerndown or Ogmore but there's some other treasures in-between.

Popped to the Leys near St. Athan this evening which is unfortunately located right next to Aberthaw Power Station and near Aberthaw Cement Works - what glamour! - but for a quick blast of sea air, a decent walk and without going too far afield, it's a pretty decent place.

I got fond memories of it as a kid as power station water outlets visible at low tide used to be like a jacuzzi and wave machine combined. I've lived to tell the tale! It's also a mecca for bass fishing as the warm water there draws in the fish.

It is also officially the starting point of the Vale of Glamorgan Coastline Walk which extends all the way to Porthcawl ... ... although unofficially, it goes east as far as Barry Island. Not that I've ever walked it all but there are some great sights along there.

Anyway, enough of the chuff, have a look at the pics.

http://tinyurl.com/4frz8w

YET ANOTHER AVERAGE BANK HOLIDAY

With rare exception, Bank Holidays aren't great for weather but at the times of year they take place, should it be a surprise?

The weather around South Wales over this weekend was a mixed bag - fairly humid but usually dull skies and even rain at times. Annoyingly, the weather is predicted to pick up as we go back to work. Looking out my window now, we've just had heavy showers to send everyone home - marvellous!

Got a feeling the country is also starting to feel the effects of the credit crunch. With energy prices rising, petrol costs getting ridiculous, house prices falling and jobs starting to be at risk - mine certainly included - I got the feeling many curtailed ambitious plans for travle in favour of something at home or more local.

Cardiff wasn't busy yesterday in town, Cup Final mania have impacted on City attendances and the roads just weren't as congested as they typically are at Bank Holidays.

About Bank Holiday weather. Please tell me I'm not the only one peed off we get the fewest Bank Holidays of any Western European country and none of them take place during summer. There's two in April, two more in May, one at the end of August and three more at Christmas/New Year. Now England have discovered nationality - they want a Bank Holiday for St George's Day in April and Wales are talking up St David's Day in March. I despair!

Please let's just have - a Summer Bank Holiday in June or July.

This ends the appeal on behlaf of the Hacked Off With Bank Holidays Clustered Together When The Weather Is Average Party. I thank you.

.

CADOXTON IMPS WIN LOCAL TOURNAMENT

Caddy Imps with Joshua and Luke today won their own organised tournament for their age range at Barry Boys School.

A few pics from their final m,atch are here

http://tinyurl.com/3nz8o4

MILO AND SAM at HOME

ONE FOR THE FAMILY - IT'S OUR PET RABBIT AND DOG.

http://aolpictures.aol.co.uk/ap/slideshow.do?albumId=34396.1558.1210007219770.3&shareInfo=&user=

BARRY ISLAND

Not as sunny as the previous two weekends but it was yet again dry and not so chilly for Fenruary in South Wales so went to see the relic that is Barry Island, still a decent place for a stroll as many did.

View photos

If above link doesn't work, copy/paste this into your browser:

http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=z44xjkd.1ykuuycwp&x=0&h=1&y=mcad5v

Outing - Porthkerry Park, Barry

Another beautful February Sunday all over the U.K. so headed to Porthkerry Country Park and seafront in Barry. Altough much chilier than last weekend, it is just great to get out and about.

Here's some pics of a lovely place to visit.

View photos

If you can't access pictures in this above link, copy/paste this into your web browser:
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=z44xjkd.1vdkvssw9&x=0&h=1&y=4erh6i