Thursday, November 05, 2009

castles

I had such plans for this post! and so drastically ran out of time!

but here are some photos of the 2 castles on Jersey, Channel Islands.

Elizabeth Castle is just off the coast by the main town in the island. At low tide there is a causeway and the Castle can be reached on foot



to the right of this photo the "duck" - the amphibious craft which ferries to and fro - can be seen,



though there are local stories of people and vehicles being cut off by the tide and once, while M. had a summer job driving bread van, one of his colleagues hoped to make it home quickly and was caught out, leaving all manner of baked goods bobbing about on the waves for the sea gulls delight.

Elizabeth castle was used heavily by the Germans, during their occupation of the island in the 2nd world war. Hence the chimneys and not very castle-like roofs, though the castle was first built in the sixteenth century and Sir Walter Raleigh lived there for a while.

I've not been out to the island for quite a few years, hence no closer photos. I'll try and put that right next time I go.

In the meantime there are some good pics here and here and here.

Gorey Castle wasn't modified by the Germans to the same extent and its a much more medieval-looking castle - its older, built in the fourteenth century, originally known as Mont Orgeuil.










it even has stocks (not fourteenth century!)


and the seagulls are ubiquitous - looking out for baked goods no doubt.

28 comments:

Ronda Laveen said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous photos and bits of history. Loved the story about bobbing baked goods.

Brian Miller said...

love the stone work...and this one even has a canon! that impressed my boy...we have to go look more after i get done running my mouth he tells me...oh well. happy tt!

California Girl said...

I recently finished "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society" book on this subject: WWII & German occupation of the Channel Islands. Very cool to see photos.

Betsy Brock said...

Very nice!

Barbara said...

There's something so royal and historical about castles. I always love the thought of secret passages and hiding places.

Kat Mortensen said...

Spectacular shots, Lettuce. I must remember to show that one with the gull to my husband. He loves them.

I really enjoy seeing your photos, especially the way they are displayed in a large format.

Leah said...

I love the way it just seems to emerge, organically, from the rock.

Jasmine said...

Love the stocks :)

Harnett-Hargrove said...

With beach all around, from far away it seems a though it is a sand castle. -Jayne

Giulia said...

Gorgeous blues & grays, Mme Romaine.

The Author said...

Wow, that's gorgeous. Love how its way out there on its own little island. Just the kind of place I'd love to live. ;p

JeffScape said...

That's awesome. Love the layout there... amazing what engineers figured out how to do back in the day, eh?

ArtSparker said...

Wow, Gorey castle...no doubt the ancestral home of The wonderful American illustrator Edward Gorey. Coming over from Mouse's, I am struck for the first time by the word "causeway", which I've never broken down before. Looks as if you had good weather for your visit.

Wings1295 said...

Looks like a cool place, thanks for sharing the pics!

Dot-Com said...

Time runs out so easily, but fab photos!

e said...

Beautiful, and the bobbling baked goods caught my attention, too. That must have been quite something for those birds!

Baino said...

Fascinating place Jersey, I've been there it was lovely but we didn't have quite that much sunshine. Great shots.

Akelamalu said...

I love the close-ups of the castle walls!

Michael said...

My sister when there on her honeymoon. incredible,isn't it! ? Great photos.

Megan said...

Ooh, good one, Lettuce! Yes do please take some closeups next time - but don't get caught out! And I'm off to request the book that Cali mentioned...

Roy said...

The Channel Islands have been on my bucket list for years; this makes me move them up the list a good bit. Thanks!

Penny for the guy! Have a great Guy Fawkes Night!

New Yorker wannabes said...

This post is great! Loved the pics and the info :)

xoxo

mouse (aka kimy) said...

wow - i want to visit!

tony said...

I have never been to The Channel Islands.,although my brother just got back and he speaks highly of it.Great Photos.Great sense of Space.they say its like the mainland was 30 years ago?

Betty said...

Fab, as always! Love the one of the inside of the walls of Gorey. Great perspective. x

lettuce said...

glad you all like the pics. it was a really gorgeous day, great light and shadows.
And from far away, Gorey castle does look like a sand castle or a natural outbreak from the rock.

CG, someone else has mentioned that book to me, I've been meaning to get hold of it.

Tony, its not really like the Isle of Wight, in that 20-30 years out of time way... not culturally at least. Though some of the attitudes and policies are!

Steve Reed said...

Interesting! I don't know why I should be surprised that there are castles on Jersey -- it makes perfect sense. Thanks for the tour!

Dreamhaven said...

I wonder how long these took to build. Must have been a lot of blood, sweat and tesrs. These are wonderful. Happy TT