Nefyn

Just wanted to show my fellow Hubbers where I live ~ Nefyn is situated on the Lleyn Peninsula, in North West Wales. I took this photograph in the spring of 2010, and thought the bright yellow gorse was a wonderful foreground to show off the bay in the background.~ What do you think?

I was reminded, only last week, of the remarkable attractions that we have here in North West Wales. My 12 year old grandson Josua had been asked, as part of his history lesson, to compile a pamphlet to provide information to tourists relating to four castles in our area, namely ~ Beaumaris Castle, Caernarfon Castle, Harlech Castle and Criccieth Castle ~ which incidentally are all near where I live in Nefyn (the furthest castle ~ Beaumaris ~ being only a 45 minutes drive away).

Young Josua wanted some guidance and we both started our exploration of the facts relating to these fascinating edifices, which date back to the thirteenth century.

Three of the castles were built by King Edward The First of England as part of his plan to quell the Welsh Princes and to gain a foothold in the Principality. The three in question were Beaumaris, Caernarfon, and Harlech.

The other castle at Criccieth was built by one of the Welsh Princes ~ Llywelyn The Great or "Llywelyn Fawr" which is the Welsh version, it was later occupied by Llywelyn the Last or "Llywelyn ein llyw olaf" ~ the last of the Welsh Princes, who had to eventually surrender the castle to the might of Edward and his forces.

These Castles, with the exception of Criccieth, are remarkably well preserved and are a testament to the architectural genius of James of St George, who designed and constructed these incredible buildings for Edward the First.

Caernarfon Castle was to be Edward's prime location, and was later described by the Diarist Samuel Johnson as being an ~ "Edifice of stupendous magnitude" ~ and it still holds true to this day.

You would think that we, as Welsh people who we subjugated by the castles creator, would not approve of their presence, that is partially true, but you do on the other hand, have to admire the sheer majesty of Edward's "Stone Chain" that he utilized so effectively to repel and defeat the Welsh Princes.

Josua completed his project, and it was my pleasure to assist ~ he gained invaluable knowledge of his local area and it's rich history, and I was, as stated earlier, reminded of what North West Wales and Snowdonia has to offer ~ History, Wonderful Coastlines, Mountains and Lakes and Rivers, and of course a warm Welsh Welcome "Croeso".

Thanks Josua!!