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Anglesey May 21 & 22

Just a couple of nights in Angelsey. Limited time & mobility due to partner's broken hip!
First visit Caer Lob an iron age settlement nr Brynsiencyn. Rectangle shape, with double ditches, could have been moated. Real clear delineation. On the way to Bryn Celli Dhu; a beautifully shaped burial mound with a little henge. There's a replica ? sentinel stone with carvings; zig zags & spirals. In the chamber there's a free standing stone that the chap from " Standing With Stones" series thought could be a fossil tree-I wonder if this has been investigated. There are 5 little stones placed in front of one of the entrances. Inside some of the stones had perfect little circle holes where you can fit your finger. The adjoining field has a large stone in alignment. At midsummer solstice the sun rises and shines through the chamber. Beautiful walk to the site. The hawthorne & bluebells out in force.
Then to Plas Newydd ( a gorgeous stately home, worth seeing in itself, looks out over the Menai Straits. Has a large trompe l'oiel by Whistler covering one wall - footprints of Neptune emerging from the sea onto the patio; an avenue of tall pines leading to the house which scent the air on the right day.) Saw the Plas Newydd dolmen which looks like it's been plonked onto the grass in front of the house as a tourist attraction! It's striking. Had to stop the car & wait while two beautiful red squirrels crossed the road.
Only had one day of exploring so off to Trefignath, nr Holyhead on Holy Island. It's mighty, a cairn. One chamber partially supported by an out of place bricks & mortar column. Another section reminded me of an old fashioned box bed; three large stones as a megalithic head board, absolutely gorgeous. The monstrous aluminium works across the road is easy to ignore, just turn your back to it. Some lovely pinky red lichen on surrounding stones.
In neighbouring field stands Ty Mawr, a solitary standing stone which looks like a cowled figure (Julian says a druid) & next door to that another field which looked like it had placed stones ( to me that is.)
On to Penrhos Feilw, two huge standing stones; the ground they're on looks levelled. This place reminded me of sites like Sunkenkirk & Castlerigg in that it has glorious panoramic views, off to the bay & up to the majestic Holyhead mountain. This site is tucked away off a single track road. It's beautiful all around this area; shimmering little bays & rocky outcrops, not many folk about. Breathtaking.
On to Holyhead Mountain where I walked in awe around the hut circles. They are delightful, so wonderfully situated perched together on the side of the hill. Stone circular buildings with entrances and pathways linking. I could imagine the homesteads there and found it powerful and moving. The paths were ablaze with bluebells and ? white stitchwort and ? maiden pink. Tried to look the flowers up in my wild flowers book, but not sure. TJJ May know. The views were fantastic. It must be wild in Winter. Holyhead Mt looms above & the distant bay glimmers in the sunshine.
Went looking for Lligwy dolmen but partner's leg sore & time running out.
It was a great visit with so much more to see. Angelsey is such a beautiful place; wild and in the past somehow, even with the jet fighters zooming about overhead. To TJJ, happy holidays and travels.

ce
Posted by carol27
28th May 2015ce
Edited 28th May 2015ce


Comments (1)

Carol, I've read your blog a couple of times and love it. Its never possible to see everything in a relatively short time though you seemed to get a lot in. There is a small burial chamber near Plas Newydd called Bryn-yr-Hen-Bobl which seems to have some access difficulties - a challenge! I really liked your descriptions of wild flowers and we're hoping to see lots too (perhaps Spring is a bit later in North Wales and Anglesey).

Many thanks x

tjj Posted by tjj
29th May 2015ce
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