Caernarfon, North Wales

The royal town of Caernarfon is situated on the Welsh mainland at the south west end of the Menai Strait.
( I spent a day and a few evenings here having a look and eating dinner twice)

It seems that the origin of town is based on it's natural resources in the Menai Strait area with subsequent military history and proximity to the Island of Anglesey. The Romans felt that they had conquered the celtic tribes of Wales at this point and similarly William the Conquerer felt the same way when he arrived 1000 years later. Both built military enclosures of varying and progressive standards as a statement of this achievement.

Later in the 13th century, a local ruler decided that he was going to rebel against English authority and Edward I decided to retaliate by conquering the north west corner  of Wales and building the castle that is seen here today.

This was where Edward I ruled in North Wales and established his English style county name of Caernarfonshire in 1284, a name that lasted until 1974 when it reverted to the original name of Gwynedd.

The Castle became a bit neglected during the Middle ages when the Welsh were left to their own devices due to disagreements and battles to the more important matter of the English throne.

In more recent times of the 20th century, the historical town was defeated badly in a ballot to make it the capital of Wales.

Prince Charles had his investiture ceremony here on this plinth as the Prince of Wales in 1969

Throwing light on the subject !

The public house and the Island from the Castle

Way out

The town walls were built around the time of the Castle's construction at huge cost and seem to be in good order today

On one of my visits, I got mixed up in a photography group who were learning about light and processing taking photos of the sunset and floodlit buildings. I was past caring where my Bed and Breakfast host thought I was at 10:30 at night with 30 minutes drive back on top of that.

"No, I'd rather not look, I've seen it all before !!"

The Anglesey balcony and Island

A night in Harbour

The sun is setting on my amazing evening and it is time to make steps back to my accommodation ...

Bristol - Balloon Fiesta (1) ... colours and faces

I have now moved back up to Bristol for the last leg of my 2009 south west tour.
The Bristol Balloon Fiesta which is usually held on the second weekend in August is now one of the largest in Europe and attracts balloon enthusiasts from various parts of the world.

The free event in the 850 acre Ashton court estate is held over four days and it has been said that 100,000 can be in attendance on any one of the days.

Ashton Court on the edge of Bristol city centre.

Ashton Court Mansion is a historic grade 1 listed 15th century  building which has been extended over the years by the successive generations of the Smyth family who owned it. In 1946 the dynasty of family ownership ended but it was another 13 years before the City of Bristol acquired the forgotten and neglected building. Restoration was a slow process but the building is available for business and wedding hire. Personally, I was privileged to be able to attend an evening function for a wedding during the previous year to when these pictures were taken.

On arrival in the park, the crowds were in awe as the Red Arrows RAF team arrived to do what they do best .... giving a jaw dropping aerobatic display...

Despite the team being formed in 1964, they have a long 20th century history in other forms and despite threats in more recent times of the fleet being dismantled due to spending cuts, it took the British Government to step in and overrule the decision as a matter of public relations for worldwide air shows.

It was time to take my place of the showground and got a good vantage point near the fence ready to watch the colourful spectacle as the balloons arrived in their ground transport.

I didn't expect to come across another colourful spectacle as I took my place behind a feathered friend.

"Who's a pretty boy ?!"

I seem to be attracting all kinds of animals as a dog arrives on the scene and doesn't seem too excited about what is going on in the field.

Unfortunately the Parrot is not so sure and requests a swap from the shoulder to the opposite knee and is also for alternative reasons not too bothered about what is going on the other side of the fence !!

I hope you enjoy the following series of images as a more intimate introduction to the festival...

"I think we are missing something! "

"I'm sure I packed the balloon in here last week !"

"Found it... I hope this stitching holds that I did after last time ! "

" Having difficulty inflating.... I wonder if I can ask for a volunteer ? "

" I'll come and help blow it up "

"Help, I'm getting crushed against my car with a balloon ! "

"Not much to look at but it's warm in here "

"First up, all done and ready to go, just need to wait for all the others now"

To be concluded in part 2 as more balloons are inflated and take off commences ........

Weymouth, Dorset

Moving eastwards along the coast is the county of Dorset and the interesting and varied town of Weymouth which is a mix of seaport, beach and shops. This is a place I visited on numerous occasions from Bristol staying over in accommodation on four occasions at three different guest houses. Historically, I was told that people from Bristol like coming here and even though there is a direct railway line and on the two additional occasions that I used it, the journey seemed to take forever. As a side note, this particular post was one of the most difficult to edit down from 191 pictures in a two night break. I hope I have done the place justice.

As early as the 12th century, the town developed as a result of the natural harbour of the River Wey. The most significant events were the establishment of the harbour as a wool port in 1310 but it was so accessible to the French bandits that the business had to be transferred to nearby Poole in 1433. Another unfortunate incident was the arrival of the Black Death to Britain in 1348. Sir Christopher Wren was MP for the town in 1702, but was better known as a user of the nearby Portland stone and probable boat transportation to the construction site of London's St Paul's Cathedral. In more recent times, it was a major gathering point for the allied invasion of France during World War II.

These days amongst the fishing fleet, it is a more sedate place offering pleasure cruises around the bay to further afield...

Channel islands ferry

The town was originally known by two separate names divided by the River Wey and only merged after the construction of a bridge at the narrowest crossing point in the 18th century. This latest example was built in 1930 with a facility of opening in the middle to allow yachts through into the inner harbour.

George III first used Weymouth as a holiday resort in 1789 and had a house built for his vacation. It was said that he came here on 14 occasions.

Not quite the George III house !!

but it's evident how a specific seafront style developed in the Georgian and Victorian tourist trade.

Closed for the Winter ... or a bit more.

Usually, including this occasion, I visited in November and it was difficult to gauge how the current market was doing as there seemed to be a lot of Tinsel and Turkey coach trips at the sea front hotels. It was very bizarre walking along the Esplanade to the Bed and Breakfast accommodation at night seeing people dressed in Christmas party hats in early November !!

In happier tourist times, a Jubilee clock was built to mark the 50th year of Queen Victoria's reign. The clock also depicts the crest of the town and it's historical past as a seaport....

In addition to the Tinsel and Turkey spectacle, the walk from the town centre to the accommodation included an underpass diversion next to the Jubilee clock with this amazing mural which reminds me of the towns future. Weymouth was chosen as the sailing and watersports venue for the 2012 Olympics. When this news was first announced, I did not believe it as my previous visits to the town by car from the Dorchester direction were a traffic nightmare thanks to the lights on the outskirts of the town near Upwey railway station. It was only on this occasion that I took in the full scale of a major road construction avoiding the suburban roads when descending from the Upwey hill....what a massive undertaking. However if any one wants to visit during the Olympic months, I only recommend the train from London Waterloo direction as parking is bad enough with restricted zones even in November.

Weymouth has an interest for the high street shopper on rainy and cold days and interestingly enough, these streets run parallel with the beach down to the bridge whereas picturesque lanes with seaside items run at right angles down to the sea front.

Further smaller specialist shops are available over the bridge in an old converted Brewery. Sorry, the above picture is the edited version of the uninteresting indoor architecture. However there were some interesting features just outside in the next street...

Lastly a quick guided tour of some of the usual holiday aspects.....

You'll be pleased to know that I didn't stay here... even though it's trip advisor rated !!!

Beach with view

Seat with a view... or not as the case may be

Rock shop... watch your teeth !

Amusements.... watch your money !

Criminal activities.... watch your fish !