Don Hale Blog

Special Coast and Country online magazine promotion. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Memoirs of the Banana Man: An Angler’s Recollections. By author Christopher Robert Willis.   This is the link to the Amazon paperback version:   https://amzn.to/4sjDpQz   For years now, I have harboured a secret wish to write a book documenting some of the many eventful days and experiences that have occurred throughout my angling life.  Due to work commitments and fishing however, I never really had the time to devote to it, but recently I found myself in a situation, through unforeseen circumstances, whereby I had a lot of time at my disposal, and it seemed the perfect time to fulfil my wish.  When it came to actually sitting down to begin writing I found myself a bit stumped as to where to start. I had such a multitude of memories, many of which lacked clarity.  Now and then a photo, or an old piece of tackle from the early days brought a day or a fish, long since f...

*Pictured above - the 'naked' athletes from North Wales Road Runners who took part in their festive handicap run last Sunday from Llandudno prom.  North Wales club runners enjoyed their windy ‘naked’ festive handicap run and annual prizegiving.. Report by Don Hale Photos by John Hatton. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Fifteen members from North Wales Road Running Club braved gale force winds and an extremely challenging 4.5-mile plus course to complete their festive handicap race on Sunday. The event started and finished by Llandudno Pier and travelled along the promenade before climbing up by the side of the Little Orme to the town’s ‘Welcome’ sign, then following an equally undulating route back home. This was not a first past-the-post race as such, with the handicap results based on the initial estimates from competing athletes on their predicted times for this race, against the actual finishing times. It also had the added restriction of being a ‘Naked Run,’ so n...

*Ben and Sarah Hudson (*above) had a double date last weekend. Road Running trio galloped around the Aintree circuit in varied races...plus 60m dash success for Michael Finney. Report by Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Ben and Sarah Ferguson Hudson enjoyed a busy weekend of running by taking part in the Crosby parkrun on Saturday and the Aintree half marathon on Sunday. The NWRRC pair made their course debuts at Crosby and Ben finished 25th overall, and he was 4th in his VM45 age cat in 23.01, with Sarah winning her FW45 age cat in 49th place, and the 3rd female in 24.58.  In the Aintree half race the following day, Ben was 93rd out of 460 entrants in 1.39.02, and he finished 4th again in his M45 age cat. Sarah also ran very well and she was 302nd overall and the 55th female finisher in 2.02.12, and she too was 4th in her F45 cat. After her events, Sarah confirmed:  “Did the Crosby parkrun on Saturday. Great fun and route with the Anthony Gormley statues surround...

*Some members from Porth Eirias Runners (*above and below) at the start of the Rhos parkrun last Saturday. Top athletes and plenty of newcomers at new Rhos parkrun...plus NW parkrun results round-up. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com.2025   There was another good attendance of over 300 finishers at the new Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun with another excellent showing from top club runners and newcomers despite a rather sandy 5k course. The first finisher however remained unknown at the time of writing at Rhos, but visitor  Gavin Roberts  (Eryri Harriers) took the second place on his debut in 17 minutes and 30 seconds, with  Harry Driscoll  (Meirionnydd RC) just three-seconds and one place adrift in 17.33. Emily Hanlon  continued her top form (5th overall) to claim the first female place once again, with a tremendous run and a new PB of 17.48, with  Alex Aldous  second with another good PB in 19.38, and  Anna D...

Llandudno Lions Boxing Day Sea Dip for local charities - entries now open...all funds for deserving local charities...Friday 26th Dec. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 The Lions Club of Llandudno have just announced the details about their annual Boxing Day Sea Dip in association with St George's Hotel on Friday 26th December, and entries are now open! The check in will be at 10am ready to go into the water at 11.30am (tide permitting). One of the organisers, John Chambers , suggests that suitable footwear should be worn and all the proceeds will go towards Alaw Ward (Cancer Ward) at Ysbyty Gwynedd, and local Lions Charities. John added: "This is a unique chance to raise funds for a deserving cause of your choice and to help Llandudno Lions Club. All registered swimmers will also receive a special certificate memento of the event, and prizes will also be awarded for Fancy Dress." *Entries for the Lions Club of Lland udno Boxing Day Dip are NOW OPEN. Please use link below FRE...