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Caernarvon
We drove over to Caernarvon, spelt with an F and not a V, by the locals, one evening in search of a place for our evening meal. We parked up under the shadow of the towns outer walls and made our way to Mr Tim Martin's Caernarvon establishment. We where heading for Wetherspoons. As with most of the outlets this was extremely busy both inside and out, but we did on the second attempt eventually find a table which, was clear of the locals, who had to use the "F" word in every sentence. Typical Wetherspoons food, its the same where ever you are, which is the reason why we use them, especially when we are with Ben. After our meal we had a quick wander around the town and up to the castle as we intended to return later in the holiday to fully explore the castle.
We returned back later in the week and thanks to our membership of English Heritage gained free access to the castle for us all. Pam happy to sit in the sun, if she could find any, and continue reading her book whilst Ben and I wandered around the castle. The construction of the castle began in 1823 and went on for nearly half a century. Despite this the fortress was never completed. The castle, although in the care of CADW, the Welsh equivalent of our English Heritage, is still owned by the Queen. It was of course the scene of Prince Charles investiture as Prince of Wales back in July 1969, the very year that Pam & I first visited. We came not long after the investiture, possibly in the August as part of our holiday, that year touring North Wales. I didn't thhink in those days about a) recording holidays or b) taking photos. Ben and I thoroughly enjoyed visting the various towers and walking the battlements, taking in the 360degree views that this impressive castle has to offer. In the Eagle tower there were two exhibitions, on the ground floor "The story of the Princes of Wales, represented as a chess match, Welsh v English. On the second floor an exhibition on the life of Edward 1st wife Queen Elenor of Castile. Both well presented and interesting not just to look at but to read the information provided. In the North East Tower Pam joined us to watch the whole story of the castle told in a light and sound projection. Another well presented exhibit, portrayed in this case on a huge bowl shape screen, some 14ft circumference, mounted high on the side of the tower. Still remaining in the castle grounds as a permanent remainder is the large disc shaped dais made of welsh slate which, was the very site of the investiture back in 1969. The canopy which covered the area, which I can remember from watching recordings of the event as been removed. The castle also houses a large military museum of the Welsh regiment, which as been cleverly incorporated into the peculiar shapes and levels of the battlement and towers of the castle. An excellent day out, especially as it was free, apart from the car-park charge and all washed down with drink and food at Tafarn Y Porth, once again, the local Wetherspoons establishment.
Above: Pictures from our evening visit. Ben & Pam looking back at the Wetherspoons, before entering the town, through the once protective walls to make our way back to the car. Next, the defensive walls which once abutted up to the castle, this time overlooking our parked car. And finally a view, looking down the street which runs parallel to the defence walls, on the left, with the castle in the distance.
Above: A model of the castle as it was laid out on the date of the 1969 investiture. In the fore front the slate circle with the canopy above and, along the walls, shown in red the seating for the dignitaries who would have been in attendance.
Above: Pictures of the several scenes depicting the events in the life of Queen Elenor. An amazing creation, which on inspection looked to have been created out of card, but may have been a more robust material to withstand the heat generated from the illumination.
Above: The chess game between white, representing the English, against the red, which I didn't for some reason photograph, representing the Welsh, as holders of the title Prince of Wales.
Above: Views from the battlements, looking out on to the Menai Straits and then looking the other way to the River Seoint and the marina at the side of the castle.