Wales trip with photos, part 3a

[fbhjr]

Thursday we had several stops on our schedule. The first was Caerphilly castle:
http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/caerphilly-castle/?lang=en

We had considered looking for another ruined castle first. But, as we had zero luck finding one the day before, we decided to wait until the restored ones opened.
So, after breakfast, off to Caerphilly:


I had no problem driving on the left. Driving on the left on the proper road was more of a challenge.


This was NOT the road I was looking for.


I got a fair bit of practice making 3 point turns on narrow roads.


But, soon we were coming over the hill into Caerphilly.


We had a big question about the speed limit. Between towns it is the "national standard". But, we didn’t know what that was. The Royal Mail truck said it was limited to 70 miles per hour. So, we figured the speed limit must be pretty fast.


This was NOT the castle we were looking for:


Wait! There it is off to my right!


We were still early, so stopped by the side of the moat to watch people feed the foul.


Caerphilly is a very nice town. I love the view, even without the castle.


I made sure I was there right as the clocked tolled 10 and the castle opened.


It is a very nice castle, even if parts are tilted a bit to the side.



When we first went in, I thought "what’s that green check mark in the upper right of that tower?" I thought it was a sign for the renovation or something.

Nope, plants.


We had a lot of fun running around the castle.

















My wife and me for scale.


There are chunks that look like they are going to fall off soon.

But, it’s been that way for at least 150 years so far. So, who knows?

The siege weapons are ready to go, just in case.


They were doing a lot of renovation.


I was impressed that even working on a huge castle, they were using a fairly small paint brush to get the details right.


They were setting up the great hall for a lunch for local school kids.


Never got to eat lunch in a castle when I was a school kid…

I’ve got nothing for this photo…


It was the first time my wife has been in a real castle this millennium. She seemed to like it.




She even climbed up some of the stairs.


It is a very nice castle. And, a great place to start off our tour.

Comments

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

Just seems to strange to me to see Canada Geese in England. Didn't think that was really in their range (and a bit of a flight, even for them)

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

I think they may be Orkney geese...

[becofoz]

Nice castle. I never made it to this one, so it's nice to read about it here.

[chaquir.livejournal.com]

I love to be in a castle!

[endlessblush.livejournal.com]

Another excellent looking castle

[meathiel]

Tilted a bit to the side? *rofl*

You know - it probably will hold. Heidelberg Castle has a bit that looks like this and it's been that way since the 17th century. ;-)

[chris-warrior.livejournal.com]

siege weapons loaded. to keep out the Roman Norman Viking British German Muslim invaders...

VERY cool castle pics. wow.

[yesididit2.livejournal.com]

i think it would be neat to run thru a real castle! with a real moat! and they're doing restoration too!

[hindustar.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. Love the pictures. =)