On Saturday we all headed off to Wales. We had nice weather so it was a great day to be out and about. It took us a bit over an hour and a half to get there, so it wasn't too bad - I mean we did leave the country!
{This is a massive bridge that crosses the Bristol Channel, I like to think it's there to welcome me, HannaH into Wales!}
Our destination was Caerphilly Castle, which is right in the middle of the town Caerphilly. Imagine growing up with this huge castle across the road from the local fish and chip shop! It looks like it is in the middle of nowhere, but that is because it is so big. The largest in Wales and the 2nd largest in Britain (Windsor being the largest).
It is surrounded by water, so we had to walk all the way around to the other side to get in, but it was a really nice walk. Especially because Poppa kept the kids entertained!
We got a bit lost heading in and ended up heading out before we headed in - too hard to explain, but those present will know what I am going on about!! We actually forgot the pram too, and Emily was tired so she sucked up to Grandma and got carried a lot of the way!
{On our walk around the castle lake we watched a guy pull in this fish - it was a big event for everyone!!}
Once inside one of the towers, it began to feel like a really old castle with tiny steep spiralling stair cases, secret windows and rooms about the size of a pantry!
Caerphilly Castle was built in the late 13th century and its main purpose was to protect South Wales. Its military architecture really shows and you can see why it was such a great defensive castle.
The castle looks a bit run down, and like it's been left to ruin, but in fact it has come along way. Restoration started in 1928, and when you see the photos of how bad it looked then you appreciate how good it is looking today!
The Castle is not used today, except for its impressive Great Hall, which is used for private functions. There was a wedding being held in there on this day, and we had a bit of a sneak peak before everyone was seated! It was really nice actually and I was quite impressed, the room looked beautiful. We saw a couple of brides having their photos taken around the castle while there.
{Nan watching the wedding guests, and bride having a smoke break - such an elegant look it was!!}
{Wedding guests outside the Great Hall (the building on the right)}
Emily and Poppa got a bit dizzy and down they went.... Emily found it necessary to help Poppa back up!
After our castle visit, we had something to eat across the road and headed back to the car for our drive home.
The girls just loved having Nanny King there and getting to know her better. It's usually just short day trips when they see their Great Grandparents, so it was extra special to have Nanny around for the whole week.
6 comments:
Looks good. So many castles. The girls look good flying, and Emily with that Pamphlet. Why do they find those things so interesting?
I like the HannaH bridge
cool cool castles!! Bet Mick freaked when he witnessed the possible dislocation of joints...but im sure Poppa has had plenty of practice and knows exactly how to do that without them face planting into the ground tehe ;) fun!
I have to say that I loved the castles in Finland and they are very hard to describe to people! But they are awesome!
Poppa looks a bit dangerous swinging the kids around like that, and I think it's lucky this blog is private because the cops might be after him!!
This was a regular sport on Sundays with Bishop Phil giving the primary kids wizzies. Yes some of the mums freaked but all the kids have working limbs.
The girls just loved it, but it was so funny watching Em trying to get Poppa up.
awesome castles. These photos have echoes of Port Arthur for me. Don't know whether it felt like that there or not but from these pics you can really see the influences that are at Port Arthur.
Must've been so nice to have the three of them with you!! It's great you have had so much family come over to visit while you are there.
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