Beaumaris/Biwmares

Beaumaris (beautiful marshes) is a pretty town on the Menai straits with a castle begun in 1295 but never finished.  The castle has a moat, an outer wall and an inner stronghold.  It was capable of being supplied by sea, but Edward I ran out of money.  The school building was erected in 1816, opposite the churchyard and next door to the gaol.  Crabs are numerous and fished-for from the pier.

Cemaes

From Cemlyn Bay we returned to Cemaes, the most northerly village in Wales, with its pretty harbour and buildings, then to the church of Llanbadraig (St. Patrick) which has been there since just after the Romans left.  

Cemlyn Bay

A tern reserve for nearly a hundred years, it had Arctic, Common and Sandwich Terns.  Perhaps the power station at the end of the spit warmed the water and produced lots of small fish, because the birds were bringing them back by the beak-load.

Excitement in the Village

A Jaguar driver managed to exceed the handling and grip of his vehicle and used the car belonging to the proprietor of the village shop to slow down.  Justin's car was pushed into the wall of the shop.  As the building might be unsafe, the shop had to shut for the rest of the day.  Where am I going to get my dolly mixtures now?

Peregrine Falcon

Seen at a nearby chalk pit today.  Two male birds.  

The Royal Barge

Likened to a modern 'limo', this gilded barge was used by the King to travel up and down the Thames, powered by sixteen rowers, its gilded lions at the bow snarling lesser craft out of the way.  Separately, King George III is shown as a figurehead supported by an African slave on both sides.  He looks a bit like Prince Charles.