Since so many of us are stuck at home right now, I'm sharing some pictures of the beautiful and remarkable places I've seen in my travels. Many of these experiences served as research for my novels, including EIGHTY DAYS TO ELSEWHERE, due out this summer.
After virtually visiting Iceland, Orkney, and the completely unique cities of London, England, and Seoul, Korea, today we are going to zoom around the globe, and land in Wales.
Woo-Hoo -- I SO love Wales! This is a country that overflows with magic, wherever you cast your gaze. It's been a couple of years since I've been back, so it's fun to look over some shots from my past visits. This is Cardiff Castle, a motte & bailey edifice smack in the middle of the nation's capital. The keep was built by William the Conqueror, and you can still find traces of the walls of the Roman fort Bill used as the foundation. This castle is a reminder of the rich history of this bustling, contemporary city.
Closer to the water, this gorgeous Seafarers Memorial rests beside Cardiff Bay; a sleeping face welded by sculptor Brian Fell to the hull of a ship. The whole waterfront is a wonder, with native son Roald Dahl's house within sight of the Senedd, which is the country's National Assembly building. And both are nothing but a short walk from the familiar outline of a giant blue Tardis outside the Doctor Who exhibit.
The first time I went to Wales, for me, it was all about the history. My exploration started WAY back, leaping through geologic eras rather than human, to the breathtaking caves at Dan yr Ogof. Can you see the tiny stalectite straws hanging from the roof?
For a person who is claustrophobic, I sure seem to find myself underground a lot.
After my visit to the National Cave Centre, I got a little lost in the countryside, and spotted this gorgeous neolithic stone circle peeking through the trees. Moving into the homo sapiens timeline, at last!
From the neolithic, you can step right into the medieval, and take a walk across this bridge in Monmouth -- the Pont Mynwy -- which was built around 1270 to help fortify the town and is the only remaining medieval bridge in the UK with its gate tower intact.
Less than a century later, the population of Monmouth and surrounding area was decimated by the Black Plague in 1349, with a second wave sweeping through twenty years after that.
Feels a little too close to home, at the moment, so let's head back along the road to Cardiff...
...lined with the uniquely Welsh rock walls...
And finish on the unmistakeable silhouette of the Watertower, back on Roald Dahl Plass by Cardiff Bay.
Of course, those who have spent a little time with The Doctor and Captain Jack know just what lies beneath...
As we wave goodbye to Wales, please know that if you have enjoyed any of the shots I've included in this post, you should consider seeking out the instagram of one Sir Jasper Fforde, author, photographer and Adventurer in Jasperland, for a REAL look at this beautiful country. [Mysteriously, I can't seem to link to his Insta, but it's worth a visit, believe me!]
And a reminder that next week, I'll be launching my inaugural newsletter, filled with book talk, interviews, pictures, and musings on everything from what everybody's reading during the apocalypse to what life will be like in The After. All subscribers are eligible to win signed copies of Lee Edward Fodi's 'ZOONE' series! You can sign up below.
Now -- where shall we go next?
More soon...
~kc