Vintage Cars at the Knighton Fair

 

 

Take My Picture!

Posing for his picture.

A more relaxed version.

This is what he really looks like, nice smile.

This young man offered to jump off the bridge into the cold water for a picture.  We declined, he was already shivering.

Two buddies wanting their pictures taken.

We have had several people willing to pose for a picture, such as the owner of the restaurant in Sete.  We have also had people say, "Take my picture!"  So we do.

Conwy, Wales

Plas Mawr

We almost didn't go to Conwy, but the owner of the GuestHouse in Caernarfon insisted we would enjoy the Tudor house.  The docent at the house insisted we would enjoy the Castle while we were there, so why not buy their special tickets and see both.  We are so glad they insisted.

Fireplace with the decoration painted to the original colors.  It was nice to see all the color used in the house. 

The kitchen fireplace, much more utilitarian.

Plas Mawr is considered the best example of a Tudor House in the entire of England.  It has been restored with great integrity and care.  Furnished with approriate furniture and even the fabric used has been reproduced from original designs.  It's just a fabulous place!

An attic room furnished as for a poor working family.  After the original owners of the house died, it was divided into a rooming house.

The beams in the attic are too ornate to be there!  They should have been seen.

The Great Room, where family meals were taken.  The covering on the wall is woven wool.

The Castle was built by Edward I as the same time he was building the one Caernafon.  It isn't as big, but the interior is in better shape as well as the entire city walls, except where they took it down to widen the road.

Part of the city walls of Conwy.

View of the Castle taken from the tower room at Plas Mawr.

The well still has water in it.

Most of the interior walls of the castle are still there.

Cast Iron Bridge

We've seen cast iron skillets, table bases, decorative items, but never an entire bridge!  Telford is considered to be the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.  The left overs of this revolution are an amazing bridge, as well as other cast iron works around the city, including cast iron curbs.

All the parts were individually sand cast, then assembled.

It's not just structurally sound, it is intricately beautiful, as well.

A very nice Japanese couple took our picture, after we took one of them on the other side of the bridge.  I'm holding my finds of the day.  Two French guide books from the used book store.

Round Caernafon Town

The Masonic Lodge.

Caernafon is a fun place.  It's old, so there are lots of unusual buildings.  It's a walled city, so you are always walking through a huge gate or down a huge wall or tripping over the cobble stones.  It's Welsh, so there are lots of friendly folks who are willing to talk to crazy Americans.  And don't forget the big castle in the middle of it all!

Part of the wall that is around the old city, with one of the gates.  Cars are parked outside the wall on the sea wall.

Looking down from the Castle on part of the wall and a wonderful building that just goes around the corner and continues at an angle.

First pub we were in, we met a young man who didn't understand why we would come there and actually spend 2 days!  "There is nothing to see here."  I suggested he needed to take another look around, as there were lots of things to see.  "I guess you never appreciate your own town."  Not us, we've always looked around every place we've ever lived, and that's a lot of places.

We were assured that this lovely lady is the best barmaid in Caernarfon.

We enjoyed the pubs, this one was the Uen Dertch.  It is across from the castle moat hence the name, Above the Ditch.

A fountain in the Town Square full of playful children on a "blistering hot" day.

Next day, another pub for lunch and visited with an older gentleman who was making sure we were finding all the places to see.  One thing they both had in common;  Wales is not England or UK, it's Wales!  They could have easily pounded the bar and added "Dammit!"

Love the colors on these buildings.

The gulls were always very noisy.

I am always amazed when I see wild swans.

Cartref Guest House, a great place to stay.

 On the edge of town are the remains of a Roman Fort.  It used to be in better condition until they ran the highway smack dab through the middle of it.  The museum was not opened either and on closer inspection, had not been opened all year.  Guess they didn't get enough visitors to pay for it.

Segontium, Roman Fort.

If you've wondered about the spelling of Caernarfon, this is Welsh.  Carnarvon, is the English spelling.

Long Live Wales!

For Amy and John

Look who we found hanging around in the main square of Carnarvon?

Guess what we walked around singing, humming, walking in step to?   Every one, SING!   
Lloyd George knew my Father, Father knew Lloyd George.
Lloyd George knew my Father, Father knew Lloyd George. 
Lloyd George knew my Father, Father knew Lloyd George.
Lloyd George knew my Father, Father knew Lloyd George.
And on and on and on.....
Thank you to Uncle Don for that amazing song!



The Royal Welch Fusiliers Regimental Museum

The Royal Welch Fusiliers started at Caernarvon Castle and still have their swearing in ceremonies for new recruits there.  I was lost somewhere in the towers, but Bill witnessed it.  The goat is not a mascot, but a member of the regiment, with full rights and honors.  The original goat was a gift from Queen Victoria.

The start of the ceremony.  The man in civilian clothing with the chain is the Mayor of Caernavon.

The officer in fatigues was some one well known in the Regiment.

Chatting after the ceremony.  The white feathers are another tradition started when the Regiment was put white roses in their caps before a decisive battle against a much larger force, and won.

The Goat and the Goat Major.

The Fusiliers wear a "Flash", a grouping of 5 black ribbons attached to their collars that fall about 5 inches down their backs.  At one time, there was an attempt by the War Department to have them remove the "Flash" as it would distinguish them to the enemy when seen from the rear.   George V in 1932 remarked, "It is such a pleasure to see you all in you Flashes.   They wanted to take the Flash.  They said it was too conspicuous.  I told them that the enemy would never see the Flashes on the backs of the Royal Welch!"

A battle flag from WWI.

Some of the medals received by members of the Regiment over the years.  George V knew what he was talking about.

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon Castle is built right next to the water.  This is the back of the castle.

We spent the most amazing morning wandering in Caernarfon Castle.  It has seven towers, all of which you can climb to see the view from the top.  When you tire of medievel stairs, there is the Royal Welch Fusiliers Regimental Museum, a group who are renowned for their bravery.  Or visit the displays on The Princes of Wales, this is the castle where they all started.  There is even a history of Edward I, who built the castle, and why.

One of the many staircases to climb while exploring the castle.  The rope at the center is the "hand rail".

A big lock for a big Castle.  Actually it was on a door inside the castle to keep the tourists out.

The interior of the Castle.  The round podium is where Charles Prince of Wales was invested in 1969.  The past 4 Princes of Wales have been invested at Caernarfon.

View from the top of Eagle Tower, the tallest of the 7.

The map had the basic plan, but didn't show all the dead ends or rocked up walls.

Up in the tower, looking out to the bay.