Sunday, September 23, 2018

TML on Tour 2018....

TML has been on holiday with the significant other to Anglesey.  Managing to pick one of the stormiest weeks in many a year to do so.  Just us, 5 dogs and hundred mile an hour winds...

Consequently, games were played, as I introduced the good lady to a selection of accessible modern classics:

Valley of the Kings - Deckbuilding in a compact box

Azul - Abstract tile laying magic!
Also played was NMBR9, another tile laying puzzle game, Scrabble and cardgame classic Sh**head!

Weather favoured sheltered spots on a number of days, and Anglesey is at the heard of medieval English castle building.  No surprise we ended up in a couple, the lady loves castles!

First up was Caernarvon:

Roman inspired, purportedly.

One of the largest and best maintained castles in Britain 
 
The castle also contains the regimental museum for the Royal Welch Fusiliers; which was of interest to me:


 

Early uniform modelled 
 


 

 Napoleonic scene

 

 

Boer War equipment

WWI Vickers MMG
 The museum went up to the present day, the RWF having had a long and varied history.

Another day involved a rain-sodden trip to Holy Island; the highlight of wich for this nerd was the stumbling on to a beautifully preserved Iron Age (Celtic) farmstead or village:

 
 The Preservation of the Stone walled huts was remarkable.

Hut  with south facing entrance corridor

Large hut with Northern 'Altar' stone
 Post storm we risked another castle; Beaumaris:
 
 Never entirely finished in its' day, it was nevertheless made a functional fortification, and would've been an imposing challenge to its opposition.

 
 Still it fell to siege at least twice.

 

 
 The Chapel has been restored to something like it's original condition:

 
 Anglesey was a lovely break, and had plenty for the history buff, military or otherwise, to enjoy.  Wales overall was dramatic (thanks Storms!).  I'll remember the long walks on the beaches as much as the ancient fortresses and crumbling ruins...
Bliss...

...

4 comments:

  1. Sounds like you made the most of your time and had a relaxing break.

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  2. Beaumaris is a lovely castle and ideal for stashing a royal in when playing Kingmaker :). We're just back from a week nearby on the Llyn peninsula but ventured onto Anglesey for the day.

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  3. I was lucky enough to go there in 2004. Was a memorable trip.

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  4. If you go back to Anglesey at any time - check out the Din Lligwy monuments - there is a fortified group of huts like the ones you visited on Holyhead as well as a burial chamber and ruined medieval chapel - they take a bit of finding but are well worth it - especially the hut group - very atmospheric

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