Edward I, the Castle Builder

Let's head to the coast and the extrodinary castles of Edward the I. A short distance of 25 miles can take some time with all the round-a-bouts, narrow roads and near collisions. We headed for Conway on the Welsh northwestern coast. A beautiful day greeted us with "outbursts of sunshine". We got a kick out of the morning weather forecaster who used that term as we would use "outbursts of showers".

First stop Conway Castle

Castle Pigeons - lots of nooks and cranny's to roost in

A wave to her knight imprisoned in the tower

A bridge to the castle built for tourists by Telford, the first builder of bridges made of iron. 

Off to Caernarfon to see the largest castle in Wales

A view looking inland from the top of the ramparts

Caernarfon riverside next to the castle with the tide out. Note the double keels to hold the boats erect when the tide goes out. 

Back on the road to stop in the town of Beddgellert

When Julie was a little girl her Auntie had told her the story of Gelert the dog. In the 13th Century Llewelyn prince of north Wales, had a palace at Beddgelert. One day he went hunting leaving the faithful Gelert who was unaccountably absent. On return the truant Gelert was standing smeared with blood joyfully sprang to meet his master.  The prince, alarmed hastened to find his son, and saw the infants cot empty and the bedclothes and floor covered in blood. There the frantic father plunged his sword into the hounds side thinking it had killed his heir. The dogs dying yell was answered by his sons cry. Llewelyn searched and discovered his son unharmed but nearby the body of a great wolf which Gelert had slain. Llewelyn was said to never smile again and he buried Gelert with honor here where Julie stands. 

The story is has a morale of not to jump to judgement and don't be an impulsive ass. Now isn't that a lovely story which we will leave you with this evening. 

One more day in Wales and then a day's drive to the Manchester airport and our trip home. The Welsh countryside has been absolutely beautiful and we are overwhelmed with scenic springtime beauty. Pictures can't do justice to the experience.