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Jumat, 13 November 2015
A VISIT TO �MY� CASTLE, CAERPHILLY WALES
Caerphilly Castle
Every time I visit my dad�s home in Caerphilly Wales, I spend at least a day �inspecting� my castle. If you wonder why I�ve laid claim to this famous castle, built back in 1271 by the English chieftain Earl Gilbert de Clare, it�s because I grew up hearing stories from Dad who used to play inside it when he was a boy. From the first time I actually saw the castle back in the mid �70�s up until now, I feel I �own� a piece of it and thus I have chosen to refer to it as my castle!
Earl Gilbert de Clare�s castle was besieged by Llewelyn, Prince of Wales, back in the late 1200s and Henry III stepped in to enforce a truce after which Earl Gilbert regained possession of the castle.
It was again attacked in 1316 during a revolt by another Welsh lord, Llewelyn Bren. During the 15th century it fell into decay and it wasn�t until 1929 that it was restored by the Marquises of Bute. It�s one of the best preserved castles in Wales and is now protected by the Department of Environment.
The castle has many stories to tell. In one big room there is a tapestry hanging on the wall depicting three women who were noted inhabitants. The first is Alice de Lusignon (1236-1290) the first wife of Gilbert de Clare. As he was away at war much of the time, the lonely queen found comfort in the arms of a local knight. When Gilbert found out he had the knight hanged and annulled his marriage to Alice. In despair she left off the castle walls. It is her ghost who is said to haunt the castle.
I published a story about this famous myths, the Green Lady, a tale that has intrigued me since I first began to visit Caerphilly castle. I�m always aware of her apparition each time I go, watch for her on the walls on a moonlit night, �feel� her presence as I wander the narrow stone passageways and enter the big empty palace rooms.
The second woman is Joan of Acre (1272-1307) daughter of Edward 1 who became Gilbert de Clares wife in 1290. After bearing him four children, Gilbert died so her father arranged a second marriage but against his wishes she married a commoner, a knight named Ralph de Monthermen who later the king grew to like and accepted the marriage.
Eleanor de Clareis the third woman pictured in the tapestry (1292-1337). She was the daughter of Gilbert and Joan. After Gilbert died the castle was bequeathed to his 3 sons but while they were away the castle was besieged by Llewelyn Bren and under Eleanor�s it was successful held out til help arrived. She also survived an unhappy marriage to a dangerous and disliked husband and an imprisonment in the Tower of London.
As you stroll around the long passages and up the winding stairways you�ll see different displays and art work telling the castle�s history. And out front, beside the moat there is an interesting display of siege equipment.
Senin, 08 April 2013
artifacts
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boat
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boat building
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culture
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family fun
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fishermen
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heritage
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historical sites
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Japanese
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museums
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park
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tradition
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A VISIT TO NIKKEI PLACE AND MUSEUM
It's taken me a long time to make a point to visit the National Nikkei Museum and Heritage Centre. I used to post regular program notices for them when I wrote for Planet Eye Traveler (The Vancouver Guide) but as many times as I'd intended to take in some of their exhibits or just pass by to say hello, I didn't get around to it.
Last week, however, I needed to stop in to pick up a gift packet for the BC Travel Writer's gala in May. Once I got there, I was more than sorry I'd neglected to go sooner.
The multi-use facility houses the National Nikkei Heritage Centre and the Japanese Canadian National Museum. It's located at the corner of Sperling and Kingsway and easy to reach by public transit if you don't have a car.
The Centre promotes understanding and appreciation of the Japanese Canadian culture and heritage and the contribution of Japanese Canadians to our Canadian society. They offer many programs and special events including art exhibits, a speaker's series, bazaars and many other problems both for youth and elders included. There's art classes, folk dance workshops, exercise groups such as yoga, flower arranging and even a course in the traditional incense ceremony.
When I arrived at the Centre I was first impressed by the lovely gardens that surround the building. The cherry blossoms were all in bloom which seemed appropriate. The building itself is impressive and much larger than I'd expected.
I only stayed a short while and mainly visited the museum on the ground floor where there is an exhibit of Ryoshi: Nikkei fishing on the BC Coast. (It runs until May 19,2013). The admission is by donation. It displays the fisherman's life from the bustling docks of Steveston to the remote inlets on the northern Coast. For many years Japanese Canadians have made a unique contribution to fishing in BC both before and after the war.
Upstairs in the museum there is an exhibit of Taiken: Japanese Canadians Since 1877. It's an ongoing exhibit so I'll have to go back and take a look. It deals with the first arrivals of Nissei in 1877 and the hardships of the early pioneers and struggles during the war years when the Japanese of the Coast were interned and their properties confiscated.
Don't pass up this interesting Museum and Cultural Centre. It's open every day but Monday.
Check their website for more information on programs and exhibits.
www.nikkeiplace.org
Senin, 05 November 2012
city sites
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family fun
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food
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harbor
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heritage
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heritage buildings
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historical sites
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outdoor activities
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seafood
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shops
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sightseeing
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travel
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MY EXCELLENT WEEKEND IN SEATTLE Part II: FUN AT MINER'S LANDING
The Great Wheel
From my hotel I spotted this giant Ferris wheel. It reminded me of The London Eye, only not quite as big, so I decided to go down the two flights of steps from Union Street to the waterfront area below.
It turned out to be Miner's Landing, a historic area on Seattle's waterfront where miners landed in the 1890's. The famous "ton of gold" that started the Alaska Gold Rush was unloaded in here in 1897. Pier 57 has been refurbished and is now a lively area of shops, restaurants, a vintage carousel and the Big Wheel.?
I too some time to explore inside the market area where there were a number of amusing statues depicting the gold miners as well as my favorite, a pirates shop. I just had to go in there and buy myself a couple of pirate souvenirs.
The Pirate Shop
Inside the little mall there were also a couple of restaurants and some other small shops.
I decided to go back that evening to have a feast of oysters at one of the sea-food restaurants at the Pier. I had been entranced on my first evening in Seattle by the brightly lit Big Wheel so it was fun explore the Miner's Landing by night.
I chose Elliot's Oyster House as the place to have my feed of fresh Pacific Coast oysters. It had a large selection of various kinds of oysters as well as other seafood. Raw oysters seemed to be the favorite choice, and there were dozens of varieties to choose from.
Freshly shucked raw oysters ready to eat!
I prefer my oysters fried so I ordered a plate of a half dozen along with mashed potatoes and asparagus.
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And a crisp warm bun made with basil served with fresh whipped butter. And of course, a glass of white wine! Mmmm, delicious!
Elliott's Oyster House at Pier 56
www.elliottsoysterhouse.com
NEXT: My Excellent Seattle Weekend Part III: BEER & CLAMS AT PIKE'S BAR
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