What Castle can this be? It’s from wales but not a Valley It’s on an island whose population Is 2.2% of the home nation
The work began in 1295 Can you believe it still survives! In fact, the castle was never completed. And only once was it defeated.
How does this image give you a tip? The Castle had 164 arrowslits. To get to it now, we’d cross the Menai Strait Good luck with the guesses, I’m sure you’ll do great!
Arrowslit
Apologies all, I hadn’t realised I’d done two Castle-related prompts in a row…
He wandered the ruins in an endless, restless state.
He knew every nook, every crannie, and every stone.
Especially the stone from which he had fallen.
The moat looked beautiful today, peaceful even.
He’d followed the guides as they’d walked across the bridge, and heard their whispers, today they were going to do scans of the moat.
They were excited.
The team approached the castle. In search of weapons, jewels and answers to ancient questions.
He wondered if today was the day he’d be free to leave this castle.
The day, they finally found his body in the water.
Approach
This beautiful castle is Caerlaverock in Scotland, I’ve been lucky enough to visit it three times now and each time it amazes me. Caerlaverock is a triangular shaped castle and is unique among British castles.
The eagle-eyed amongst you spotted this is the second time I have featured an approach to a castle with the previous one, Raby Castle, shown below. I love both, equally ancient, mystical and mysterious in their own ways. Which do you prefer?
Approach – Image by KL Caley
I’ve had so many wonderful responses and enjoyed each and every one. This week’s list is below (if I have missed anyone, please let me know). It makes for fantastic reading.
It was quiet in the town that night. Finishing her shift, Chloe pulled her jacket tightly around her and stepped out into the cold night. There was no one around, even the cars that usually crept past on their slow journey seemed to have taken a break tonight. She turned a corner to the alley. She always hated this bit. The darkest part of her walk, no streetlights, no people – she hoped. It saved her a full 15-minute journey though so it was worth the feeling of trepidation, just for the minute or two that it took her to walk through.
Feeling the cold wind whip through her, she pulled her jacket in tighter and set off along the cobbles. Seconds later unmistakably she heard footsteps behind her. Choosing not to glance behind, she strode on, increasing her pace into a hurried walk. Every part of her body was listening to the footsteps which had quickened their pace too. She reached the top of the lane and turned around rapidly to face her follower. But there was no one there, just the darkness of the alley behind her. Confused, she stood gawping down the lane for a second or two, then pulling herself together made her way home.
Reaching her doorstep she gave a sigh of relief. She pulled out her keys and fumbled with the lock. Finally, inside she let the door swing shut behind her whilst she stood in the hallway unlacing her boots. As she bent over a large gloved hand slid over her face, leaving Chloe unable to scream.
Alley
The first prompt of 2023 already! This alley can be found in Thirsk in North Yorkshire, UK. There are many like it around the town. This one is next to a butchers which has been there for many, many years so I’ll let you figure out what all the barns were originally used for. This is actually on the way to the Old Castle at Thirsk, a green mound where a castle once stood.
I’ve had so many wonderful responses and enjoyed each and every one. Here is the list below (if I have missed anyone, please let me know). It makes for fantastic reading.
2023 – it has arrived! As with any year, there will be challenges to face and endure but I hope that this year lightens the load. ❤
This was the last prompt released in 2022 with a special image to get us over that horizon into 2023. The image was actually taken many years ago, from the deck of a cruiseship in the mediterranean.
The carollers were nervous. The dominant doors stood large and foreboding in front of them, but it was the luscious green wreath on the door that convinced them they should knock. The self-appointed leader made their way to the door. Upon it opening the carollers began to sing. The voices echoing in the stone courtyard. From within the house, more and more people came to the front door, eventually both doors were thrown open. Mulled wine appeared and was being passed around everyone including the singers. When they stopped singing some hot mince pies followed. The leader of the group approached tentatively with his bucket, but the family responded that they had no change to give. Disappointed the group turned to leave, but a voice called from within for them to wait. Into the bucket dropped a light piece of paper, it was a cheque for more than the carollers had raised all month.
Wreath – Image by KL Caley
Aren’t these doors just gorgeous? These are the doors to Raby Castle. For those in the UK, the Castle appeared on a Channel 4 programme last night, which was a bit of festive fun – https://www.channel4.com/programmes/matt-baker-christmas-travels-with-mum-dad . Purely coincidence that it was timed with my #writephoto prompt, sadly I have no sway over what they put on tv – haha.
Isn’t this little guy cute? I visited him at the aquarium at Maryport and he was incredibly active. Continuing to publish through the #Writephoto backlog. I love him but agree, he’s a difficult one to write too, but you creative lot still managed it – how wonderful! Check out what this little guy inspired below.
Apples, carrots or spinach too Green beans or celery, that would do All these things are rather yummy And gentle for my little tummy
I might visit or drop by Just to say a quick hi If there’s yummy food for me to eat And somewhere high to have a seat
Visitor – Image by KL Caley
Isn’t this little guy adorable. We live near some fields and trees and he pops by from time to time to have a visit and raid the bird feeders, always a delightful sight. This is day 3 of my #writephoto catch-up with another fabulous collection.
I hope you’ll join me for another #writephoto challenge.
Thank youall again for taking part in #writephoto – Visitor
With special thanks to Sue who originally made the #writephoto challenge so meaningful for all of us and gave me her blessing to continue it. I’m sure she would have loved this little guy. I do miss her and Ani’s Christmas stories at this time of year.
It was starting to feel like something from a bad horror movie. First, the car broke down, in the middle of nowhere. My phone, of course, has no signal. Then just as daybreak should be arriving, the fog rolled in instead, wrapping the world in a hazy grey blanket. I contemplated my dilemma, did I stay with the car and hope at some point someone would pass by (and not crash into it), or go in search of help. I decided on the latter.
As I crossed the open land, heading in the direction I thought should be the town, checking my phone every few paces. As I walked shadows started to appear through the fog in the distance. But they did not look human. I stopped and looked back behind me, should I return to the car? But the fog had engulfed that too. I decided to proceed.
As I drew closer, I could hear snorting, grunting and even a great whooshing noise which sounded like a magnified sneeze. What were these creatures?
“Can I help you, young chap?” A voice said and turned around to see a gentleman with a great white beard leaning against a tree.
“Oh sorry, I didn’t see you there,” I said rather shyly. “I was so busy looking at those.”
“Aaah yes, the reindeer, magnificent aren’t they?” The gentleman said and puffed out his chest proudly.
“Yes, they are. I don’t suppose you have a phone that I could please borrow do you? My car has broken down, and I can’t get any reception around here.”
“I don’t I’m afraid.”
“Okay, no problem. Thank you anyway. Could you please tell me if I am walking the correct way towards the town?”
“You are yes, but I can take a look at that car for you if you’d like? Not worked on one for a few years but I do have a way with getting things to move.” The gentleman said and gave a hearty chuckle.
“Really? That would be marvellous, thank you.”
As we walked, he spoke a little about his job. He ran a small manufacturing company with his wife and a support team. On the side, they looked after a team of reindeer. As we walked the reindeer seemed to follow, although keeping their distance, so that they were always just covered by the fog. When we arrived at the car, I popped the bonnet.
“Aaah yes! I’ve seen this before. You pop in and start the engine when I tell you to,” he said with an assured tone. I got into the driver’s seat so that all I could see was the top of his head. A puff of silver sprinkles seemed to fill the air above the bonnet, and then he shouted, “try again now.”
Sure enough, when I turned the key after a small coughing sound the engine started and provided its usual gentle humming sound. I hopped out of the car and over to the man. I was astonished, he’d fixed it no tools or anything I began shaking his gloved hand.
“Thank you, thank you so much.”
“You are most welcome young man, anyway, I best be off, things to be getting on with. You hurry up now and get yourself home to your son for Christmas.” With that, he strode back towards the field and the reindeer. I hopped in the car, a smile from ear to ear. I found my way back to the main road, it was only when I was some distance away I realised, I had not told him I was driving home to my son.
Reindeer – Image by KL Caley
Hey Everyone, apologies for the bombardment of #writephoto roundups. As a few of you know I have been a bit behind recently with nano so I am doing a bit of catching up. I loved the photo above, taken at the beautiful Raby Castle in County Durham early one morning.
Keeping up with the Jones’s Or would that be the Smiths Takes more work than one would imagine To look as good as this
They always have the best stuff New and shiny things They always are the loudest When we carol sing
They always have the best chocolates And the best wine too This year, I’ve got a trick up my sleeves Guess what I’m going to do>
I’m not going to bother I’ll avoid them if I must I’d rather just enjoy myself Than deal with all this fuss
I’m happy with my lot And that’s the best place to be Keeping up with the Smiths? It no longer bothers me.
Neighbours – Image by KL Caley
The festivities are upon us. Although if the news is to be believed things are tighter than ever this year.
I save a little throughout the year to try to accommodate this time of year. I always have done this and find it really helps. I also buy some bits and pieces throughout the year (not everything but just if I see something that reminds me of someone I’ll put it by). A lot of the grown-ups I once bought for have agreed to stop exchanging presents now and just focus on the kids instead, we all get more joy from seeing their faces anyway.
Like this little tractor, I’m still chugging my way through nano. At the time of writing, I’ve made it to 23k words. That’s including managing to do a little whilst away. Last week, we went on a family holiday to Butlins. We won a hoard of lovely treasures at the 2p machines and were wow’d by Thomas the Tank Engine. Happy Toddler, Happy Mama. Hope you are all keeping well. Thank you all for your marvellous entries.
New2Writing 