Denbigh - Rare and Famous!

Good camouflage eh!

Bit cold at the moment so not much going on, but then it is winter - just about to make sure our bird feeder is topped up when I managed a rare sighting of a Red-headed Giant Bluebird having a nibble! Alas most running events are being cancelled due to the icy conditions but our club handicap went ahead yesterday. Yes it was time for the annual Johnson's Monument Handicap race, which consists of a gallop along the banks of the Afon Ystrad, past Dr Johnson's Cottage as far as the Johnson's Monument and then up through the fields by Gwaeynynog Hall.

Johnny's Monny.

So here's a bit of local history for you - Dr Samuel Johnson was a famous character who lived in the 18th century. Lots of people nowadays have heard of him but very few people knew what he was famous for - and this the problem! According to that font of all knowledge, Wikipedia, he made lasting contributions to English Literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer. That last wonderful word means that he wrote a dictionary which was the forerunner of the Oxford English Dictionary. And it came to pass that he came to Wales. This monument was erected in 1775 and is so out of the way that a) it's survived and b) the Denbigh Harriers annual Johnson's Monument race doesn't quite go past it. What's even more out of the way is Johnson's Cottage where he lived for a while composing his famous poems or dictionaries or whatever. The cottage is a ruin and is almost completely obscured by undergrowth. If this was the USA there'd be coach loads of tourists coming to see it - what a missed opportunity for Denbigh! 

Then.............

On the other side of Denbigh is Bodfari, home of the Dinorbin Arms. Samuel Johnson probably stayed here as well (or at least dined here.) A fine old pub that was reputed to be haunted by several ghosts (and falling down more recently). It's now been renovated and, although more of a dining venue, it still retains a pubbish feel.

.....and now!

Thus after a chilly evening run in the snow we repaired to the Dinorbin for a fine pint. The snug was warmed by a roaring fire and was cosy - probably very similar to how it was in Sam Johnson's day. The tobacco advert on the snug wall was a bit more recent though - this is my photo of this old 'Welsh favourite' - but surely they're not allowed to advertise tobacco in pubs nowadays?

We did ask at the bar!