Lost Stones: January 2009

Wednesday, 21 January 2009

The pace of life

An unexpected delay on one of the little lanes near Crymych. The high hedgebanks are built of earth and stone and are traditional to this part of Pembrokeshire.

The view to the right as we wait for the flock to pass - Foel Drygarn in the foreground, Carn Ingli lies beyond.

http://www.loststones.co.uk/

Wednesday, 14 January 2009

Tuesday, 6 January 2009

Aberteifi

Old sailing boat moored on the Teifi at Cardigan this afternoon. The building on the left is a grade 2 listed warehouse built in 1745. There was once a sail making loft on an upper level.

Cardigan was formerly one of the busiest trading ports in Wales, by Elizabethan times it was second only to Milford Haven. Later it became an important departure point for those emigrating to America. The navigation has silted up and is now used only by smaller vessels.

Looking across the Teifi from outside the old warehouse. Sheets of ice can be seen floating in the river. On the right of the photo are the heavily shored up curtain wall of Cardigan Castle, dating from the 12th century.

Within the castle grounds is the fascinating Castle Green House, a derelict regency mansion which incorporates some of the earlier masonry and the original North Tower of the castle. Until seven years ago it was occupied by an elderly recluse, Miss Barbara Wood, and her cats - she had lived there for many years having bought the castle, house and grounds in 1940. By 2002 she had become too frail to remain there and moved to a residential home.

A glimpse of the house and castle can be found here, though the page is dated 1997 and the information is therefore not current.

In 2003 the castle and house were bought by Ceredigion County Council. Plans are in place for the restoration the Castle to provide a Heritage Centre, Welsh language learning facilities, a restaurant, holiday accommodation and fully restored grounds which are to be open to the public.