On the sunny afternoon of Monday 11th May, 32 Society members assembled at the Bulkeley Hotel in Beaumaris, Anglesey, for our annual four night Paintaway. Situated very conveniently between the lively old main street of Beaumaris and the waterfront facing the mountains of Snowdonia across the stunning Menai Straits, the hotel proved a great base from which to explore.
From the nearby Beaumaris Castle, Penmon promontory and the small harbour of Moelfre to the former copper exporting harbour of Amlwch, great sightseeing and sketching was to be had. Further afield South Stack lighthouse with its cliffs, challenging steps to climb and its many birds awaited also awaited us. At the centre of the island, the excellent gallery, Oriel Ynys Mon, offered a splendid exhibition of textiles, alongside the Charles Tunnicliffe Collection and a fine selection of paintings by Kyffin Willaims. This attracted many of us on our final and least sunny day. A couple of athletic members, clad in wetsuits, found time from sketching to brave the waters off one of the island’s fine beaches. This must be a first! The very comfortable hotel with its excellent meals and its friendly and very helpful staff ensured we all enjoyed our stay. Indeed to confirm this, a few members chose to prolong this by an extra night.
Thank you Alan Townsend for organising the holiday so splendidly. Alan says,
“After receiving very positive feedback from members of the Group and realising that the island has plenty left to explore, a repeat booking on very good terms has been made for the equivalent four nights in 2016. The usual letter, giving full details and inviting bookings, will be circulated shortly but would suggest you might like to put this date in your diaries.”