Caerphilly Castle

We did intend going out for a country walk but by the time the daughter and partner had turned up and stayed chatting it was near 5pm! Mrs BB wanted to go for her 1.5 mile swim she likes to do a few times a week so that left me free to go out for a blipfoto!

The photo is taken from the front of Caerphilly Castle overlooking the whole complex. You can see the impending rain over the distant hills - so much for summer!

The castle was built from 11th April 1268 under the control of Gilbert de Clare (a powerful baron under Henry 111) to stop South Wales from falling under the control of Llwywelyn First who controlled Mid and North Wales. It is the second biggest castle in Britain after Windsor by its large scale use of water for defence and the fact that it is the first truly concentric castle in Britain. At the time of its building it was a revoultionary materpeice of medieval planning! 

It's famous for it's leaning tower (leans more then the tower of Pisa) which you can make out just to the left of the main entrance shown). Such a historic and stunning building I never tire of seeing it - and luckily only a few minutes drive away.....

As I'm typing this I'm listening to Glastonbury on tv - The BeeGees - amazing performance by Barry Gibb (70 years). My other daughter has been there since Tuesday as well as my cousin and his wife. Lucky devils!