Caernarvon: a walk by the castle

After spending some time inside the castle walls we walked down to the marina at  the harbour which was also where our coach was parked.

The castle is situated by the mouth of the river and we watched the swing bridge open for boats to come into port from the Menai Strait. 

Just as I was taking a photo of the bridge from a different angle a seagull zoomed passed my face and got caught on camera before landing on the wall.

Just opposite the bridge is the mighty Eagle Tower which once had stone eagle sculptures on the battlements.

Walking through an entrance in the walled fortifications we were able to stroll around the old town.

This is the street which could be seen from the ramparts of the castle and the photo was taken from the main entrance bridge.

This is the oldest public house in the town where we stopped to have some refreshments before  boarding our coach.

I spotted these two swans as we left our town coach park and quickly took this photo through the window. I love swans and was surprised to see them there as I'm not sure whether the water is fresh or salt at this point at the mouth of the river.

Exploring Caernarvon Castle

Further along the north coast of Wales and to the west is the county of Gwynned.  Here stands the impressive castle of Caernarvon/Caernarfon at the western end of the walled town overlooking the Menai Strait and the Isle of Anglesey.  This great fortress begun in 1283 to confirm Edward I's conquest of this area of Wales after his victory over Llywelyn, the last of the native Welsh princes, continues to draw visitors and was one of the venues we were taken to during our week's holiday.

Legend says it was here that Edward I showed his baby son to the Welsh as 'the native-born prince who could speak no English'. In modern times it was the scene for the investiture as Prince of Wales of Prince Charles in 1969.

Once inside the castle grounds one can stroll around the lawns or explore the magnificent stone structure at higher levels as there are walkways within the thick walls.

There are views of the mouth of the River Seiont and the modern-day marina which was once a port transporting slates from the local quarries and receiving agricultural produce from Anglesey.  The foothills of the Snowdonian mountain range can be seen.

From the wall-walkway linking Black Tower and Queen's Tower there are views of the Menai Strait and Anglesey.  Queen's Tower houses the museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

There were narrow, winding steps to ascend and descend and I followed 'the leader' and concentrated on where I was walking!  Resting for a moment, I did look up and spotted what looked like the worn and weathered heraldic symbol of the Prince of Wales Feathers carved in stone above an archway.

This is Queen's Tower from ground level where there was still much to explore.  However, our time was limited and we decided to move on and take a walk around the surrounding streets and along by the marina - more about that next time.