We arrived early at Harlech castle as we wanted to have breakfast in their café. I loved the post box topping just outside the entrance.
It was a cold and damp morning so different from the day before at Llanbedrog. After coffee and scrambled eggs on toast we set out along the bridge into the castle. I've taken you here a couple of times in previous posts. This time we didn't go up onto the battlements as it was far too windy.
We walked around the outside wall first and nearly got blown away. There are some lovely views across the town and down to the coast from there.
The Railway Station
Towards the sea
Distant hills and mountains
Below is a statue of Branwen daughter of Llyr. She is one of the main characters of the Welsh folk tale know as The Second Branch of Mabinogi. The story is that she trained a starling to take a message to her brother at Harlech castle to bring a force of his men to Ireland to save her from a cruel husband who had banished her to the kitchens to work as a maid where she was beaten daily. The story goes that she returned to Harlech but died of a broken heart because of the devastation of the war caused by these actions.
The statue stood out against the grey stone. Here is a -link- to the full folklore tale of Branwen.
Below is another statue relating to the story of Branwen, who left the castle at Harlech to marry the king of Ireland. Their son the young king Gwern was killed in the war that followed. The statue shows Bendigeidfran, brother of Branwen, carrying the body of his nephew Gwern. The sculptor shows the futility of war and the ensuing grief of loss.
After a walk around the little town. It was time for another coffee, well tea for me as they didn't have de-caff coffee and I'd already had one coffee that morning. I try to only have two a day.
Over the next few days we are changing our internet provider. I'm not sure how smoothly that will go, I'm sure there will be some problems. I don't know when I will be back. Some time in October I hope.
Super post Rosie and I love that postbox topper. The views from the castle are superb and it was interesting to read about Branwen and see the statue. Such a sad legend. The other statue is so tragic. Wales does have some superb castles.
ReplyDeleteI hope it goes well when you change internet provider and you are not without the internet for too long.
Thank you Caroline. The post box topper was wonderful, so cheerful. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all will go smoothly with the change over:)
DeleteA fascinating post about yet another place I would love to visit. I can imagine the raw wind up there. Hope your new internet provider works well. B x
ReplyDeleteThank you B. I was so glad that I'd popped my quilted coat into the car, I needed it that day:)
DeleteOh goodness, well good luck with your new Internet provider, I'll keep my fingers crossed. It was lovely to see Harlech Castle, somewhere I have visited but years and years ago. Our first digital photos were taken there! Yours are great, I love the postbox toppers. 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you CK, the 'bits' have arrived by post today so we'll see how we go over the weekend. I loved the Welsh lady with her leek and daffodils. I wonder where our first digital photos were taken, I'll have to find out:)
DeleteSuch an interesting place to visit. One would hope that the futility and horrors of war would have impressed themselves upon humans, but alas, we never seem to learn.
ReplyDeleteI hope your new internet provider will work without issue.
Thank you Lorrie, too true, we never learn from the past do we? Work commences tomorrow, I hope all goes well:)
DeleteThe is a place I've actually visited, we once toured many castles in Wales, and it brought back such good memories. Thanks for taking us along.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thank you Amalia, Welsh Castles are wonderful aren't they? Glad to have brought back happy memories for you:)
DeleteLovely entry here! I have long enjoyed your writings and thank you for adding these nice little accounts into my day to day life!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, Anonymous.
DeleteI loved the postbox topper at Harlech castle. Very appropriate. Glad you enjoyed your visit and thank you for sharing your time in Wales over your last few posts.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beverley, the post box topper was wonderful. We had a lovely few days in Wales, seems ages ago now:)
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