Yesterday we decided to go for a walk on the beach despite strong winds and threat of rain. These long winter nights and lack of daylight can really get to you and affect your mood so getting out is always the tonic you need. We try and get out on a beach everyday, and collect seaglass, driftwood or anything else we can find. With Marco building his boat and looking to start a fishing business he’s always excited to find bits of crab pot, useable rope, floats, lures and so on….

But yesterday was a Seaglass day so we put in our warm clothing, grabbed our wellies and bucket and headed to Morfa Beach by Conwy Golf Club and Marina. It is the site of a Victorian Bottle dump, however because of the dune erosion it is constantly throwing up bottles and ceramics for the sea to break and tumble before throwing up on the beach as treasure.

And there we were on the beach with strong winds blowing up sand clouds, filling our hair, teeth and eyes….but we’re both pretty stubborn and determined so persevered the conditions to comb the beach. We found a few pieces of the usual chunky glass and lovely bits of pottery but one if the finds was very intriguing which prompted us to go home and do some research.

Turns out the item in the picture below is a makers seal from a late 19th century gin bottle, which would have been hand blown before stamping with the seal. Ervin L Bols from Amsterdam is worldwide producer of liqueurs and spirits. The company was established in 1575 where they produced and shipped their spirits and liqueurs worldwide and still do to this day.

It’s common to find a piece of glass or pottery and have no idea of it’s history or where it came from but sometimes the sea throws up a little gem, a little piece of history. Keep an eye out to see what I make from this little beauty.