The Ham Nomads

14 May 2014. <GB-WLS> Carnarvon, Gwyn; Anglesey —

Woke up for another leisurely start. Noted the oil light starting to indicate on turns, s topped up the van. Still needs more — bought 5 litres at the nearest garage. It had better be good — cost £65!

The van at Caernarfon

Drove into Caernarfon, parked at the base of the medieval city walls just down from the city square and the entrance to the Castle. Another Cadw site, so only half price! Three cheers for English Heritage!

We delayed our entry into the castle until Susie could have her hair done at a local salon, so we wandered the streets for about an hour before that and got a feel of the town. Went down to Victoria Dock and had a cuppa overlooking the marina and across to Anglesey. Then up for the hair appointment, then on into the castle.

A most impressive castle! Although basically a ruin, it is far more complete than any we've seen to date. One of Edward I's circle of castles around Snowdonia, and the best preserved of them all. Built in partial imitation of the walls of old Byzantium, Edward was playing on the awe the Welsh still held for the Romans who had once invaded them.

The slate dais on which Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales
(in grass below wall, above seagull!)

We wandered the castle for about three hours. Went into a most interesting half-hour movie, "The Eagle and the Dragon", on the history of all the Welsh castles, both the English ones of the 12th century and the Welsh ones erected by Llewellyn and his sons in the 14th century. Fascinating. When you go touring, you really have to try to get the full historical context of what you are seeing!

We climbed the 128 feet of the tallest Eagle Tower, from which we could readily identify the places in the town we had been earlier, and Mount Snowdon, where we were yesterday. We climbed all the towers, so our "step legs" are getting better! Also went into the museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers — no, that's not misspelt! They have a proud 400-year history, their battle honours including Waterloo, the Crimea, the Boer War, and so on right up to the present day. On one of their campaigns they completes a 54-mile forced march in under 24 hours without even one soldier breaking ranks. A saying about the Welch Fusiliers is that if they are on guard, the rest of the army can sleep easily.

Group of buildings facing the river

Having wandered the castle, went back to the van for a late lunch, then onwards and across to Anglesey (Ynys Môn - the sea island). Aimed for Beaumaris Castle, which will be our start tomorrow. We're parked in a layby on a back road, no traffic, and all's well with the world!

Distance driven — today, 27 miles ( 43 km ); to date, 1,124 miles ( 1,809 km )