The Swan and Castle

Is a swan flying past a castle quirky or peculiar? I’m not sure, but it’s certainly unusual. I rarely see swans flying at all, and to see this today while on a Conwy walk, aligning up conveniently against the backdrop of the C13th castle is far from an everyday occurrence.  

I’m not sure whether Edward 1 had any link with swans, but royal links with these elegant creatures certainly go back a long way; by 1361 there was an official with the quirky title of Royal Swan Herd. 

And whilst the title of this entry might seem to be a popular pub name, another quirky fact is that it would appear there is only one ‘Swan and Castle’ in the whole country - a rebuilt Wetherspoons in Oxford. 

Thanks to Mole for hosting Mono Monday throughout August.