Northern Wales

This past weekend, October 10- 12, I went to Northern Wales with two of my friends, Elizabeth and Maddy. We stayed in a youth hostel at the top of a really big hill that had some of the most incredible views. We were in the town of Llanberis. It doesn't have its own train station, but the whole area has a really awesome bus system. We trained into Bangor and took a twenty minute bus into our town. Wales is very hilly and has little towns just nestled into the sides of the hills. Llanberis is one of those towns. Altogether, we visited Llanberis, Bangor, Conwy, and Caernarfon. We didn't learn any Welsh, but we did at least learn how to pronounce each town name. One awesome thing about Wales is the fact that they are a bilingual country; they officially speak both Welsh and English. All of there signs have both Welsh and English on them. It can be a little confusing!

I love Wales! It is a beautiful place to get away. I felt very at peace the whole time that I was in Wales. I felt like I was at camp. Each night I could see so many stars! The smell of the crisp outdoor fall was comforting and relaxing. The weekend was one big God moment for me. I felt very blessed and at peace with myself. I guess the outdoors will do that for you! It was a true blessing to be able to experience such an amazingly beautiful place!

     

Llanberis

The town was very colorful! It is a very outdoorsy kind of town. Most people come here to do some serious hiking. There is a 'large' mountain right on the edge of town, Mt. Snowdon, and people come from all over to hike it and through the wooden hiking trails all around. 

Dolbadarn Castle

In Llanberis, on the edge of the lake, near the quarry was an old castle. It only had a single tower standing, but there were remnants of what it used to be. This is Dolbadarn Castle. 

Over the stream and through the trees to the castle we go! The forest area that we had to walk through was just like a fairytale. I was waiting for talking woodland creatures to pop out and give us flowers for our hair. It was just so peaceful and picturesque.

 

     

From the castle tower window. Part of the lake in front. The quarry is to the right. 

National Slate Museum

This is the National Slate Museum in Llanberis. It is set in the industrial engineering workshops of the former Dinorwig slate quarry. This museum shows you just how the place was used back in its hayday and why it was important. The Dinorwig slate quarry is no longer in use, but it produced much of the slate that drove the industrial revolution in London. Back then, slate was mainly used for roofing, among other things. 

 On the grounds is the Chief Engineer's House. He lived at the quarry workshops just in case something happened. He was the one calling the shots and fixing problems. Here you can see his kitchen, his living area,  and parlor room. He and his wife would have had their bedroom upstairs.  

  

 

  Below is a painting of the slate quarry and the men that worked it. The original of this painting hung in the home of the owner of the quarry. He was a very rich man who never got his hands dirty. 

 You can see here how slate would have come into the workshop area. The train- like systems that they used brought slate all the way down the mountain and then into the workshop. 

This side of the building housed rooms for eating lunch, rooms where men would hand split the slate, and various different kinds of different discipline workshops. The lunch room was called the Cabin. It was full of picnic benches where the men would sit, eat, and gossip about their days, women, and work. Depending on your status, you sat at a certain distance from the warmth of the fire. If you were just a young lad, starting work, you weren't going to be very warm eating your lunch. But if you were one of the engineers on the project, you would be warm and happy while you wasted your time talking and singing away. Further along was the slate splitting room. We were lucky enough to see a demonstration of the hand- splitting technique. The picture below shows the different sizes of the slate. Skilled craftsmen would cut the slate with just a few tools, little time, and plenty of ease. The sizes of slate have female names, for example: Princess, Duchess, Countess, Narrow Countess, Wide Ladies, Broad Ladies, and Narrow Ladies. 

  Wales was one of the largest exporters of slate in the 19th century. But, not only was it exported around the world, it helped to drive the boom of houses being built in the English industrial revolution. There is other slate quarries in Britain, but slate for north Wales is considered the highest quality. 

Here, in the Vertical Sawshed, they would cut pieces of timber that they would use around the workshop.

  

 The water wheel harnessed the power that the quarry needed to use to keep it running. Power for the woodsheds; power for the bellows to melt scrap iron; and power for the blacksmiths' forges. It all came from the water wheel and the impressive set up that helped to harness all that power.  

 

 

 Views of the slate quarry:

Conwy Castle

Conwy Castle was built by King Edward I in 1283. It only took 4 years to build the castle and the wall around the city! Edward did actually live in the castle. He took over Wales and put it under English control. One of the other castles he built in Wales was for his son. It was a sign to the Welsh people that the King of England would care for them and protect them. He told the Welsh that he would have a son who only spoke Welsh and would grow up and live in Wales. He did have a son and gave one of the castles to him. That is where the title 'Prince of Wales' comes from. Charles, William, and Harry all hold that title today.

   

 This is the entrance into both the Great Hall and the Chapel. The picture on the right is a view from the basement storehouse. In the forefront of picture would be the Great Hall and past the arch that is still intact would have been the Chapel. 

Below is a good picture of the Great Hall. The ground is the level at which the hall would have sat. The hole on the farthest left would have been the fireplace. 

The left picture is the Chapel from down below. The right picture is on the ground floor, from the Great Hall. There would have been a wall- partisan, about where the arch is, that would have separated the Great Hall and the Chapel. The window in the right picture held stained glass. 

Below is a picture that looks down on the Great Hall and Chapel (and the basement room below).

The area between these hills once held the castle of the Welsh King Glyndwr. When King Edward took over, he over threw Glyndwr and that was the last of the Welsh royals. 

One of many towers apart of the castle. There were many lookout spaces, each with amazing views. Views of the city, hills, and the water! 

And of course, Elizabeth and Maddy being cute!

In a part of the castle that is separate from the 'festivities' parts of the castle, the King had his own chambers. He had a bedroom, a hall, and a chamber that were used by just him. When the castle was under attack in 1401 by Glyndwr, his men protected him in his special part of castle and he was kept safe.

Conwy

   

That's right, I finally tried fish and chips! It was really good! I was very surprised! It got soggy after a while and I couldn't finish it, but I did try it and like it! 

 Not only is there a castle, there is a wall that surrounds the city. Can you see it below?

Plas Mawr

Plas Mawr is the oldest house in Conwy. Dating back to the 15oos, it was home to a very wealthy man, Wynn, and his family. We toured around the house with a great audio guide and saw that it had become very commercialized. The whole house had been renovated and it didn't even look like the oldest house in town. I know that they are trying to give a picture to how people lived back then, but I was somewhat disappointed at how overdone and touristy they made the house. I took a lot away, got to see how people would have lived in the 1500 and 1600s, and learned about their customs and traditions. It was a good and touristy stop. 

 This is the dining room with fireplace. Some entertaining would happen here. This is the first room guests would see upon entering the house. The family coat of arms is above the fireplace- it shows status. 

This is the kitchen. There was a chef with an assistant and servants who helped prepare all the meals. See the hanging crate? That was to store the food off the ground so rats couldn't get to it!

 This is the pantry where the game was kept. Bread was also made in this room.

 This is the parlor. It is one of the most important rooms in the house. If there was business to be had, it was conducted here. The family also had smaller parties in this room. They also loved it just as a family room; a place to be together. You can see of the renovated plaster work. In this time, plaster stated that you had a lot of money. The Queen's coat of arms is above the fireplace. It proves to others that the Wynn family is loyal to the crown. 

 This is the brewery. Mr. Wynn had a brewer to take care of his alcohol. This is another sign of status. 

 This is the garden and the courtyard. The Wynn family took much pride in being able to grow much of their own food and herbs. 

 This is the Great Hall. This is were guests were entertained and parties would take place. It was very prestigious to have a room like this and to have it on the second floor. Again you can see the coat of arms of the Queen; this shows to others how loyal the family is. This room was the most highly decorated and re-done. 

 This was Mrs. Wynn's room. She lived the life of luxury. 

She had her own Bible and many pieces of jewelry. She also had a linen trunk, a dresser, and a wardrobe. Her room had fabric running around the edges for warmth.  

  

All of the servants slept up in the attic. They didn't have beds or pieces of furniture. They propped themselves up against the wall and were lucky enough to have some blankets.  

Also in the attic was the laundry lady's quarters. She had a room that she shared with her two grown sons. Her job was a hot commodity in town and everyone was wanting to hire her. She did laundry for the Wynn family and the school Mr. Wynn had on the property.   

Caernarfon Castle and some of Caernarfon

We didn't go in the Caernarfon Castle, but it was beautiful from the outside. It too, was built by King Edward. It was never finished and never actually used. It was more a symbol of the King's power. As you can see, it has more of a geometrical structure to it. It was very well done and I thought it looked more impressive than the Conwy Castle. 

And that was Northern Wales! It was, altogether, one of the most naturally beautiful places I've ever been! I would definitely recommend visiting, especially for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Wales holds this special feeling in it. There is so much beauty and history here. The Welsh are so proud of who they are and where they come from. It makes you want to appreciate, more than you already do, where you come from and the traditions that you hold. Its nice to see a people so happy and kind. Everyone here was so helpful and kind, not only in how they acted, but how they spoke to you. It was an all- in- all wonderful weekend! It was much needed for me to recenter and appreciate the things that make me me! 

Until next time!