An evening in Llandudno.

So, Summer has returned to the UK after an absence of several years. 

I can't remember a time of such settled warmth and sunshine for such a long time. 

Isn't it lovely?

On Friday evening we took the picnic basket off to North Wales ..... to Llandudno.

The resort was basking in a shimmering haze and the sea was like milky glass.

We ate on the beach and then headed up Marine Drive above the iconic pier. It would have been nice to go on the tram to the top of the Orme, but nothing is ever open in Llandudno in the evening. It just shuts down .... like a ghost town.

I just love the red, white and blue bunting at the gateway to the pier.

We had a little walk on the Great Orme in the late evening sunshine and watched the seagulls gliding over the sea cliffs. I've been coming here all my life, and normally the wind is gusting and howling. This time it was silent, broken only by the far off cries of the gulls. Just magical!

This is Mr B's stomping ground, he spends half his life rock climbing here. 

I prefer not to look too closely at the cliffs. I prefer not to see what he gets up to!

From here there are good views of the Welsh mountains, and Conway Castle is in the distance, but the heat haze made it all seem soft-focus. 

I recalled the times I came here as a child, wrapped in an anorak as we huddled against the elements.

At 9.30 it was still hot, and children were happily paddling and building sandcastles, everyone making the most of a special day.

We reluctantly dragged ourselves away to head home.

It's St Swithun's day. 

Legend has it that whatever the weather is like today will be repeated for the next 40 days. 

Looks like we're in for a good summer then!