Na rathaidean fada, lùbach tro Chuimrigh agus Alba

Today’s trivia is on big homes, aka castles:

• The UK has over 1,000 castles.
• Toilets, known as ‘garderobes’ were wooden benches with holes that ran directly into the moat.
• The oldest and largest is Windsor Castle, founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, is the largest continuously occupied castle worldwide having been home to 40 monarchs.
• Legends say Richard II’s lost treasure is hidden in the well of Beeston Castle.
• Tunnels under Dover Castle served as the headquarters for the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation (Operation Dynamo).
• Some of the earliest condoms, made from animal intestines, were found at Dudley Castle and date to the 1600s.
• Alnwick Castle in Northumberland was used as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films and as Brancaster Castle in Downton Abbey.
• Square-shaped castles were sometimes easier to attack because enemies could collapse the corners.
• Maiden Castle in Dorset is one of Europe’s largest Iron Age hillforts, estimated to be the size of around 50 football pitches.
• Norham Castle on the River Tweed was attacked at least 13 times by the Scots.
• Warwick Castle features the world’s tallest functioning trebuchet.
• Stokesay Castle is actually a fortified manor house rather than a true castle.
• Charles I was held captive at Carisbrooke Castle, where a bowling green was created for him.

We had a good night’s sleep and the sleep kit wasn’t needed.

As in Shetland, we are staying in a same star rated hotel. The only difference is that for Shetland we were the only tourists the rest were all FIFO high vis clothed workers. At Bednell Towers we almost blend in, except we don’t speak in an upper-class manner, only Australian and don’thave a fury companion.

First stop of the day was Dunstanburgh Castle . . .

At Craster Harbour . . .

and then it was on to Seaton Delaval Hall . . .

Since completion of the house in 1728, it has had an unfortunate history. Neither architect nor patron lived to see its completion; it then passed through a succession of heirs, being lived in only intermittently. Most damaging of all, in 1822 the central block was gutted by fire, and has remained an empty shell ever since.

The Delaval family had owned the estate since the time of the Norman Conquest. Admiral George Delaval commissioned architect Sir John Vanbrugh to modernise the mansion. Vanbrugh who wasnt a trained architect said pull it down. Which they did and result to what it is now. Delval and Van rush both died before completion.

and that basically took up the day, other than . . .

The car warning light for low tyre pressure came on. Took a while to find a service station, upon which I found you have to pay for air and water! I thought at least air would be free. It wouldn’t accept my Wise card. The attendant said it was working but he’s the only one on duty so can’t leave till. He gave me change to use coins and said if still not working then will refund me. At least he was helpful. It worked.

Then the car was saying fob battery needs replacing. Bugger if I’m going to do that for a rental company. Hopefully it’ll last another seven days🤞.

Today’s travels . . .