|
Photo Journal of our 1990 Trip To Wales Day 6 By Rhuddlwm Gawr |
 |
|
Photo Journal of our 1990 Trip To Wales Day 6 By Rhuddlwm Gawr |
|
|
All who donate will
receive a 23 page professional Horoscope!
To Donate by Credit Card click on the Button Below Thank You for Whatever you can do. |
DAY 6.......SATURDAY JULY 28
This morning we will depart Trecastle and drive via Carmarthen, see Merlins Oak. Then Robeston Wathen and B4328 through Preseli Hills. and collected some blue stones (Stonehenge was constructed from stones cut from these hills) . Later we visited Carreg Cennen Castle and then drove to Llanelli. We met House of Goddess People, Sion & Sion at their Haverfordwest home. Then we stopped at the famous Pentre Ifan burial chamber near Newport. Visited the Nevern Cross. We then continueed Northward via Tregaron and Devils Bridge to Aberystwyth. We stayed overnight at: Erwbarfe Farm, Devils Bridge, (3 star) Nr Aberystwyth. The hosts were great and their children (who spoke English as a second language) tried out their English on us.
PRESELI HILLS
These are the sacred hills from which the Bluestones were quarried for Stonehenge and some of the construction at Avebury Circle
CARREG CENNEN CASTLE
One of the most spectacular Welsh castles is Carreg Cennen, located north of Swansea, a few miles south-east of Llandeilo on a minor road off the A483. We almost didn't find it because the roads were all sunken between hedgerows and it was hard to tell where you were going, but finally I was able to see a spectacular castle seemingly perched at the top of the world. But, that description does not equal the views we experienced from the hilltop upon which the castle sits!
Carreg Cennen dominates its surroundings, and seems out of place in the farming area which it overlooks. As I said, the hedgerows along the minor approach road initially obscure views of the site, but suddenly the grey stone fortress springs into your line of sight, shocking your visual senses and urging you onwards.
The story of Carreg Cennen Castle is a long one, going back at least to the 13th century, but long before this, the site was occupied as an Iron Age fortress, and earlier as a ritual site. Roman coins and four skeletons have been found at the site indicating early occupation, but the Iron Age hillfort has been obliterated by subsequent building. Although the Welsh Princes of Deheubarth built the first castle at Carreg Cennen, what remains today dates to King Edward I's momentous period of castle-building in Wales. One source states that the name Carreg Cennen has its roots in the Welsh for sacred well.
The sacred well or spring was located at the end of
the cave that was eventually incorporated into the castle itself. Water still collects at
the end of the cave, but the spring is no longer active. The atmosphere in the cave is
very electric. It was an amazing feeling being so deep down in the cold wet rock. It
almost rivaled the cave exploring we did in Alabama.
The castle sits on top of a precipitous limestone crag and dominates the landscape like an
Eagles nest. it offers excellent views of the surrounding area. Carreg Cennen Castle also
serves as one of the principle landmarks in the west of the Brecon Becons National Park
visible from the surrounding countryside and in particular from the Black Mountain
ridges. It is said that te first castle at Carreg Cennen was constructed by the
Welsh Prince Rhys Ap Gryffydd in the 12th and 13th century. One legend suggests that
the original fortress at Carreg Cennen dates back to the Dark Ages and the Welsh Knight
Urien Rheged and his son Owain. Legend suggests they were knights during the reign of King
Arthur.However, the existing remains date back to that period following the conquest of
Wales by King Edward the First in the C14th. The initial conquest was followed by an
extensive program of castle building to consolidate his grip on this wild mountainous
country. King Edward the first seized Carreg Cennen Castle in 1277 which was granted by
the King to John Giffard who built the castle which remains today. The castle was
eventually abandoned in 1462 following the Wars of the Roses at which time it was
partially demolished by hundreds of men employed specifically to disable its effectiveness
as a politically fortification. On the one side the ruined castle sits on the edge of a
300 ft sheer drop. Access to the castle from this side is impossible. It is on this side
that a steep series of steps take you along a passageway that descends into the bedrock
beneath the castle fortifications. At the end of this passageway you reach a damp
limestone cave. It is said this cave provided the castle with a water supply.
The Morris family of Castell Farm administer access to the Castle in association with CADW
(Tel 012 0 500200) Refreshments are available from the cafe and the shop sells large
number of items of interest to visitors. There is an admission charge and tickets to visit
the castle should be purchased at this point before undertaking a very steep assent to the
castle entrance. (Telephone: 01558 822291). The cafe and shop are allocated in the farm
yard where there is also a display of rare and unusual farm animals.
To reach the hilltop, be prepared for an invigorating climb - and just imagine yourself as
an invader intent on the ruin of the castle... The hike will undoubtedly increase your
heart beat, at the very least, and make you well aware of your physical conditioning.
However, do not be daunted! Little compares to the sense of accomplishment when reaching
the top, and you are more than amply rewarded with simply fabulous views of Black Mountain
and the colorful, distinctively Welsh countryside. Below: Carreg Cennen farm viewed from
the summit of the castle.
Carreg Cennen sits on private farm property through which you must pass to gain access to
the fortress, which looms well above your head. At first glance this may seem a confusing,
unexpectedly contrasting welcome to a castle, with farm animals of many variations roaming
all around, but Castell Farm is interesting and adds charm to the day's events. Looking
beyond to the foreboding hillock, you may choose to pause for some refreshment and a look
around the farm grounds before venturing forth! Consider a visit to Carreg Cennen as an
experience for all your senses - you will not be disappointed! The excursion upwards
finally brings you to the outer ward of the castle, where the view is incredible. Strewn
about the ward are rocks and remnants of the outer fortifications. The outer ward enclosed
the stables, workshops and lime kilns, and was protected by a small gateway and a stone
wall, which continues to your right, around the more vulnerable side of the castle. The
enclosure was designed to trap intruders and prevent access to the castle's interior. The
huge North East Tower projected into the ward and was positioned perfectly for an assault
on the confined invaders.
LLANELI
HAVERFORDWEST
ST. DAVIDS
PENTRE IFAN
DEVILS BRIDGE
|
Contact us at our e-mail: http://www.dynionmwyn.com/contactus.htm
|
