Begun by Edward I in 1283 during his conquest of Wales, Caernarfon was both fortress and palace, as well as the principle seat of the government for North Wales. It was the birth place of the first prince of Wales in 1284 and has accomodated the investitures of the last two princes in 1911 and 1969. Visited by us November 7 2004. This photograph is a of a model of the town and castle of Caernarfon. Shot with a Canon D30 + 28-135USM IS lens. |
| We arrived in North Wales on Saturday the 6th of November 2004, to what only can be described as typical November weather for the United Kingdom, dark clouds and rain. We visited Conwy Castle in the pouring rain getting thoroughly soaked through, later dashing South down the coast to our lodgings after picking up some provisions. we had a relaxing evening. With little time to spare on Sunday we decided to visit Caernarfon Castle, the weather had improved only a little as we headed North. Standing at the mouth of the Seiont river Caernarfon Castle is an impressive sight even today. |
Entrance to the castle is gained by “The King’s Gate” off an unobtrusive street. Although when shot at this unusual angle the entrance looks to be small, it is really quite impresive even though it was never fully completed. Plans show that if completed it would have been immensely strong – it was twin towered, and had been intended to have a drawbridge, five doors, six portcullises, and a right angled turn. Right Photograph “The King’s Gate” Shot with a Canon D30 + 28-135USM IS lens. |
Through the Entrance to the castle is a pair of Cannon waiting to greet the visitors. Left Photograph “Cannon” Shot with a Canon D30 + 28-135USM IS lens. |
The weather was shocking as we arrived, there were black clouds one-second non the next, all the clouds made the area overcast and metering a decent shot was difficult. Using my best fit theory I decided I was there to shoot the castle not the sky, so metered for the castle itself. As you can see the result was a burnt out sky. This shot and the next show the amount of restoration that is carried out on the castle. Right “Courtyard shot” Shot with a Canon D30 + 28-135USM IS lens. |
After shooting a few shots with burnt out skies I turned to Mr Cokin for help, I attached a ND grad to the end of my lens and took a few more shots of the ground floor area of the castle. This photo of the castle shows the area which houses the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Wales’s oldest regiment. Right “Courtyard shot” Shot with a Canon D30 + 28-135USM IS lens + Cokin P series ND Grad. |
The Eagles Tower is impressive and lends its self an Imperial Roman theme with the stone eagles that top it. Right “Eagles Tower” Shot with a Canon D30 + 28-135USM IS lens + Cokin P series ND Grad. |
Inside the Impressive Eagles Tower, which was built as apartments with a chapel on each floor, can be found an example of how beautifuly finished it was with great artistic works. Left “Stained Glass” Shot with a Canon D30 + 28-135USM IS lens. |
A photograph taken from the top of “Eagles Tower”. Right “Eagles Tower II” Shot with a Canon D30 + 28-135USM IS lens + Cokin P series ND Grad. |
With the weather picking up slightly we were presented a pale rainbow over Caernarfon. Left “Rainbow over Caernarfon” Shot with a Canon D30 + 28-135USM IS lens. |
The weather improved slightly a few miles down the road. Right Photo “Sunshine Coast” Shot with a Canon D30 + 28-135USM IS lens. |
With the slightly improved weather I managed to get this overview shot of the castle and it’s surrounding area. Left “Caernarfon from Eagles Tower” Shot with a Canon D30 + 28-135USM IS lens. |
With clearing skies and the sun making an appearence I managed to grab a shot of one of Caernarfon Castles unique polygonal towers. Right Photograph “Polygonal Tower” Shot with a Canon D30 + 28-135USM IS lens + Circular Poleriser. |
That was about all we had time for at Caernarfon Castle, we dashed off to Anglesey to investigate some ancient burrial mounds. More on that trip may be available in a later road trip report. |