Our Playshop concluded on Friday so seven of us set off with Seamus after lunch on Saturday to visit Hook Lighthouse and then stop at a ruin of a Templar church.
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| Hook Lighthouse |
The weather was very sunny at Creacon and really quite mild, but we all knew how the weather can change close to the sea so we bundled up for the journey.
The drive took about 35 to 40 minutes wending its way through the countryside. Again we were treated to little villages, thatch roofed cottages and peaceful pastoral scenes along our way.
It began to sprinkle but by the time we arrived at Hook the sun was shining brightly and the wind howling loudly. One of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world it has been in operation since the early 13th century. It was a major feat at the time of its construction and is a unique example of a medieval lighthouse. In fact, it is in such good repair it is difficult to imagine it has been serving sailors and shipping for 800 years.
The saying “By Hooke or by Crooke” comes from navigating the waters around this area. Many ships have been wrecked in these waters because of the river meeting the sea here.
I filmed the sea in several places along the massive rocks on its borders. We were warned not to go up to the water line on the rocks because it is not unusual for a rogue wave to sweep someone out to sea.
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| Water Boiling into The Rocks |
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| Spongy Grass |
The grass around the grounds and leading out onto the promontory was like walking on a springy bed or couch. I jumped up and down and it felt just like jumping on a mattress. On further investigation I could see that the underside of the grass was a thick moss-like plant. The grass itself was long but laid over on its side so it would never have to be mowed.
As Ellie and I walked out onto the promontory we saw a life ring in a box. There is no way that ring could save anyone from that sea. First it is way too small and second if someone did go off the cliffs I am pretty sure they would be knocked silly on the rocks and quickly swept out to sea.
We did see a “fairy ring” in the grass. :-).
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| Fairy Ring |
In an enclosed courtyard by the side of the lighthouse is a small labyrinth. I didn’t see any sign telling the story of the labyrinth, but a few of our group walked it.
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| Templar Church Ruin |
Inside the lighthouse there was a gift shop and a little snack shop. After a warm cup of tea to take off the chill of wandering around the outside of the lighthouse we set off for the ruins of the Templar church and its graveyard.
The church was very small and in a state of ruin. Several of us ventured up the steep and narrow stone steps to the second floor. The roof is gone, but it is evident there was a third story or maybe a bell tower as well.
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| Inside Second Story |
After exploring the graveyard and looking at the old stones it was time to start back to Creacon.
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| Old Graveyard |
Along the way it began to rain and the sun was still shining. All of a sudden we spied a double rainbow. Seamus stopped the van at the first opportunity and we all but fell out of the van in our excitement to try to get a photo. The rainbow left as fast as it came so no photo for me! You'll just have to take my word for it :-)
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