15 Feb 2009
Hazy Welsh Views, With Castles
Few of the photos I took of the Welsh landscape are not veiled by the hazy atmosphere, but judging from the picutures in my guidebook that problem is a persistant one. Does something like a clear Welsh sky actually exist?
Mountains at Dolwyddelan Castle
Of all the castles I visited, Dolwyddelan was the one with the most spectacular location, and the one offering the best climb. A bit like those German hilltop castles, just with fewer tourists and more sheep. The view of the Conwy Vale is breathtaking.
Dolwyddelan Castle, Llywelyn's Keep
While the whopping Norman castles are impressive, Dowyddelan felt more like an actual home. I sat in one of the Keep windows for some time, drinking tea, listening to the wind and looking at the mountains. There were no other tourists, and it felt really peaceful.
Another hazy view from Dolwyddelan Castle
And this is the view from said window. Though it should have been wine to go with the time; they didn't have tea then, poor Welsh princes. ;)
Conwy Bay, view from Anglesey to the mainland
It was a sunny day albeit a stiff breeze (to use a Hamburgian dialect phrase) rippled the water and blew the sails of the boats. It was my last day in Wales before I left for Chester, and I really wanted to stay longer.
Conwy River, seen from the Kings' Tower in Conwy Castle
A busy waterway these days that makes you forget the strait is the burial place of Llys Helig, one of the sunken cities so frequent in Celtic legends. It probably takes a quiet night to hear the bells, though.
The evening sun glittering on the sea at Criccieth Castle
I love the sea in all weathers, but the low sun sparkling on the waves is the prettiest sight. It was my farewell to Wales: the sea, sun, wind, and a castle. Perfect.
The second set are some views through windows or from half tumbled battlements to show how the castles are part of the landscape. Views their inhabitants enjoyed some hundred years ago (and damn those modern houses that keep getting in the way).
Chepstow, view from the battlements above the sea gate to the Wye river
Wales is very green - where it isn't yellow and brown. The Wye is a tidal river like most in Wales but I have no idea why it has such a muddy colour; other rivers looked more like water. Maybe there had been some heavy rains the days before that washed earth into the waters.
Dolwyddelan, view from Llywelyn's Keep
See what I said about yellow and brown? But our dear Llywelyn ap Iorweth had a great view, didn't he? It may have been strategic reasons to build a castle there, but I'm sure people back then did enjoy such views in those few calm moments where they didn't need to watch out for rival clans or those bloody English sneaking up on them in the mists.
Conwy Castle, view towards the strait between Conwy and Llandudno
A grey day, a grey sea. The beauty of melancholy. The boats, of course, are out of time.
I took this one from a tower and zoomed in on the battlements in the foreground and the sea. I didn't climb as many towers as I'd had the chance to, but I don't stand heights well. Though afterwards I regretted to have been such a coward; I could have taken some fine pics from those vantage points.
View from the inner curtain wall of Criccieth Castle
A sunny evening with lots of wind, but so beautiful. Sparkling blue water and mist-veiled mountains in the distance. Though the hazy atmosphere was the reason I decided to go to Criccieth instead of Mount Snowdon since I don't think I'd have gotten good pictures there. Nor did I regret the decision, Criccieth was less spectacular in size than the Norman castles, but its situation on top of a mountain outcrop surrounded by the sea is one of the finest in Wales. ¶ February 15, 2009
Few of the photos I took of the Welsh landscape are not veiled by the hazy atmosphere, but judging from the picutures in my guidebook that problem is a persistant one. Does something like a clear Welsh sky actually exist?
Of all the castles I visited, Dolwyddelan was the one with the most spectacular location, and the one offering the best climb. A bit like those German hilltop castles, just with fewer tourists and more sheep. The view of the Conwy Vale is breathtaking.
While the whopping Norman castles are impressive, Dowyddelan felt more like an actual home. I sat in one of the Keep windows for some time, drinking tea, listening to the wind and looking at the mountains. There were no other tourists, and it felt really peaceful.
And this is the view from said window. Though it should have been wine to go with the time; they didn't have tea then, poor Welsh princes. ;)
It was a sunny day albeit a stiff breeze (to use a Hamburgian dialect phrase) rippled the water and blew the sails of the boats. It was my last day in Wales before I left for Chester, and I really wanted to stay longer.
A busy waterway these days that makes you forget the strait is the burial place of Llys Helig, one of the sunken cities so frequent in Celtic legends. It probably takes a quiet night to hear the bells, though.
I love the sea in all weathers, but the low sun sparkling on the waves is the prettiest sight. It was my farewell to Wales: the sea, sun, wind, and a castle. Perfect.
The second set are some views through windows or from half tumbled battlements to show how the castles are part of the landscape. Views their inhabitants enjoyed some hundred years ago (and damn those modern houses that keep getting in the way).
Wales is very green - where it isn't yellow and brown. The Wye is a tidal river like most in Wales but I have no idea why it has such a muddy colour; other rivers looked more like water. Maybe there had been some heavy rains the days before that washed earth into the waters.
See what I said about yellow and brown? But our dear Llywelyn ap Iorweth had a great view, didn't he? It may have been strategic reasons to build a castle there, but I'm sure people back then did enjoy such views in those few calm moments where they didn't need to watch out for rival clans or those bloody English sneaking up on them in the mists.
A grey day, a grey sea. The beauty of melancholy. The boats, of course, are out of time.
I took this one from a tower and zoomed in on the battlements in the foreground and the sea. I didn't climb as many towers as I'd had the chance to, but I don't stand heights well. Though afterwards I regretted to have been such a coward; I could have taken some fine pics from those vantage points.
A sunny evening with lots of wind, but so beautiful. Sparkling blue water and mist-veiled mountains in the distance. Though the hazy atmosphere was the reason I decided to go to Criccieth instead of Mount Snowdon since I don't think I'd have gotten good pictures there. Nor did I regret the decision, Criccieth was less spectacular in size than the Norman castles, but its situation on top of a mountain outcrop surrounded by the sea is one of the finest in Wales. ¶ February 15, 2009
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The sky in your photos looks remarkably like the sky in our photos. I liked the photos for Conwy. That one looks as if it has a beautiful setting, although I imagine there would be lots of tourists.
Ahhhhh, Dolwyddelan - one of my favourite castles! I agree - it is such an atmospheric place I've always felt 'welcome' whenever I've gone there. It certainly has fantastic views, but I still reckon that 2 other native castles - Dolbadarn and Castell-Y-Bere have better - but I don't think you managed to get to them.
Great pics - brings back some nice memories!
Great pics - brings back some nice memories!
Shelley, seems Welsh sky is Welsh sky all the time. *grin*
Lady D, no, unfortunately I didn't manage to see those. A reason to come back, eh? :)
Lady D, no, unfortunately I didn't manage to see those. A reason to come back, eh? :)
Lovely pics as usual, Gabriele. I know where to come when I want castle inspiration!
Do you say "stiff breeze" in German, too? It's a common enough phrase in English so maybe it dates back to Old High German, or something:-)
Your comment on the skies reminds me of when I was working in North Devon and after work I would walk along the cliffs looking out over the Bristol Channel. There was a local saying that went, "If you can't see Wales, it's raining; if you can see Wales, it's going to rain!"
Do you say "stiff breeze" in German, too? It's a common enough phrase in English so maybe it dates back to Old High German, or something:-)
Your comment on the skies reminds me of when I was working in North Devon and after work I would walk along the cliffs looking out over the Bristol Channel. There was a local saying that went, "If you can't see Wales, it's raining; if you can see Wales, it's going to rain!"
Wow - love the view of the water from the tower. I wish we had castles... *sniff*
(Word verif: "Wingslob" - I think I'm insulted....) *g*
(Word verif: "Wingslob" - I think I'm insulted....) *g*
I think Wales is Just Like That and there are no other states. I have seen summer skies in Wales once or twice, but they didn't last long.
I was also going to remark on the phrase 'stiff breeze'; as Satima says it's perfectly usable in English, but your English is always so good that these moments of question surprise me. So it is only in a spirit of perfectionism that I mention that the phrase: "less tourists and more sheep", in pedantically-correct English, would be 'fewer tourists and more sheep'—less for stuff that cannot be numbered, fewer for things that can. My maxim for this is therefore 'less stuff fewer things!' which sounds like a political slogan but works as a memory trick too...
I was also going to remark on the phrase 'stiff breeze'; as Satima says it's perfectly usable in English, but your English is always so good that these moments of question surprise me. So it is only in a spirit of perfectionism that I mention that the phrase: "less tourists and more sheep", in pedantically-correct English, would be 'fewer tourists and more sheep'—less for stuff that cannot be numbered, fewer for things that can. My maxim for this is therefore 'less stuff fewer things!' which sounds like a political slogan but works as a memory trick too...
# posted by 
: February 16, 2009
: February 16, 2009
Old Low German probably, Satima. Steife Briese is used in Hamburg and at the coast, not in the High German dialects spoken inland. And the versions of Platt and Frisian have several sound and grammar features in common with English rather than with German.
Thank you Jonathan, both for the compliment and bringing that mistake to my attention. I corrected it.
Thank you Jonathan, both for the compliment and bringing that mistake to my attention. I corrected it.
Yes sunny weather does happen in Wales, but it's not a common occurance (in my experience) and doesn't last long. :)
Great pics! I'm hoping to get to North Wales sometime soon, with any luck later this year, and am so looking forward to seeing all these great castles!
"Does something like a clear Welsh sky actually exist?"
It can happen, but it's not common, and I think it's more likely in winter than summer. In Cumbria, further north, a north-west airflow usually brings clear skies, so the same may apply to Wales.
I was going to say that 'stiff breeze' is used in English as well, but I see lots of other people have beaten me to it.
I second Jonathan's comment about the high standard of your English. A lot of native speakers use 'less' and 'fewer' more or less interchangeably, especially in speech. It wouldn't surprise me if the two eventually become synonymous, language evolution being what it is. The memory trick I use is a sarcastic put-down used by a world-weary journalist against a politician who kept getting it wrong: "I suppose less teachers means fewer education".
It can happen, but it's not common, and I think it's more likely in winter than summer. In Cumbria, further north, a north-west airflow usually brings clear skies, so the same may apply to Wales.
I was going to say that 'stiff breeze' is used in English as well, but I see lots of other people have beaten me to it.
I second Jonathan's comment about the high standard of your English. A lot of native speakers use 'less' and 'fewer' more or less interchangeably, especially in speech. It wouldn't surprise me if the two eventually become synonymous, language evolution being what it is. The memory trick I use is a sarcastic put-down used by a world-weary journalist against a politician who kept getting it wrong: "I suppose less teachers means fewer education".
Ann, I actually did quite well concerning sunny days, but they always came with haze. :)
Alianore, those big castles are FUN. Enjoy your trip - and don't miss out on Dolwyddelan.
Thank you, Carla. I suppose I'll remember your example. :D
Alianore, those big castles are FUN. Enjoy your trip - and don't miss out on Dolwyddelan.
Thank you, Carla. I suppose I'll remember your example. :D
Darryl Markowitz has posted some pictures from L'anse aux Meadows on his blog. He is a professional blacksmith, re-enactor, and semi-professional archaeologist, and helped to develop the living history of the Vikings in North America.
Why not head on over to his blog and see what he has been up to? He just put some pictures of his "lost fort" up. Say hi...grin.
http://warehamforgeblog.blogspot.com/
Why not head on over to his blog and see what he has been up to? He just put some pictures of his "lost fort" up. Say hi...grin.
http://warehamforgeblog.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Meghan.
Stag, thanks for sharing that link. That one looks like an interesting blog I'll surely check out.
Stag, thanks for sharing that link. That one looks like an interesting blog I'll surely check out.
Your trip is like a dream! A close friend of mine's paternal family is from Wales and every now and then my friend visits relatives. It's my secret wish to go with her one day. Thanks for sharing your lovely trip. d:)
# posted by : February 26, 2009
: February 26, 2009
I love the Welsh countryside. The one time I was there, the clouds hovered in a drizzle the first day and the second was bright sunshine while looking at a huge black oak tree with a house inside. I went part of the way inside except for going up the narrow spiral staircase inside for fear of getting stuck.
A tree with a house inside? Someone wanted to play Lothlorien, it seems. :)
The staircases in the Welsh castles were not too bad, but I've found some really tight ones in Socttish castles.
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The staircases in the Welsh castles were not too bad, but I've found some really tight ones in Socttish castles.
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