Today we are at Castell Coch in South Wales.

We being myself, my partner Dai and grand-daughter Ellie.

See all 56 photosSource: wikimedia.comSource: wikimedia.comSource: wikimedia.com

This Castle of today was actually built on the site of the former 13thcentury Castle; the former being built by Ifor Bach; later on in the 13th century the castle was claimed by the De Clare family for its strategic importance commanding both plains and the entrance to the Taff Valley.

However due to the Welsh rebellion if fell into disuse by Tudor times and remained so until in 1871, John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute, ordered the site to be cleared of vegetation and debris while his architect, William Burges, drew up plans for a full reconstruction.

Burges and the Marquess had been working for over three years on the rebuilding of Cardiff Castle; the aim at Castell Coch was to achieve another “dazzling architectural tour de force of the High Victorian era, dream-like castle which combine sumptuous Gothic fantasy with timeless fairy tale.”

We take a few moments to soak up the atmosphere!!!

I look after my servants

They mean the world to me.

Now then let’s move on

You have more to see.

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I always love so

To have poeple around.

I love the company

And the happy sound.

Mine and my husband’s bedrooms. My Bed My chest of drawers. My husband’s bedroom.

I am always amazed

At the magical charm.

Can you feel it ?

Do you feel the calm ?

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I love to have minstrels

I love to entertain.

To make poeple happy

Is my greatest aim.

The beautiful craftmanship in my home. In the drawing room The alcoves Oh yes I know it is breathtaking. My beautiful drawing room Amazing fireplaces. Splendour from above. Yet more amazing creations. A wonderfully carved dressing table. My unique wallpaper. The mystical shutters. Can you see the mother bird tending her young. An unique fireplace.

Let me now take you

Into the fresh air.

I do so love nature

Oh yes I really care.

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In the wondrous trees

The birds will nest.

Their meloduous songs

Are what I love best.

Now follow me out onto the grounds. Down the drawbridge we walk. Trees which have been thriving for years and are a part of the castle. Such natural beauty. Yet more again. Follow me to the rear of the castle. So natural and I love nature so. New buds. Down the steps we go. Wild garlic in abundance. The rear of the castle.

Oh dear what is this ??!!

I feel ever so dizzy;let me sit down ;oh this rose scented mist once again !!!

However it lifts almost as suddenly as it arrives and I brush rose petals from my jeans.

Ellie comes running up “Please Nana I want to go down the Dungeons!!”

Ellie in the dungeons. Ellie in the dungeons. Those cold steps Oh so glad to be out !!!1 Up into daylight once more. A model of the castle.

As we were leaving I took a last look back at the Castle and I could have sworn that a lady in her long linen skirts waved back at me !!!

Media appearances

The castle has been much used for filming including:

•The Black Knight, starring Alan Ladd

•Gawain and the Green Knight

•The Scarlet Pimpernel

•The Prisoner of Zenda BBC (1984)

•The Worst Witch

•Tracey Beaker’s Movie Of Me

•Robin Hood

•Doctor Who in the episode “Journey’s End and “The Vampires of Venice

•Merlin in the episode “The Changeling”.

I hope you all enjoyed your tour and I would like to point out that my transition into Augusta was purely fiction.