I LIKE THE CLOUDS AND THE REFLECTION IN THIS SHOT OF THE CASTLE IN THE WATER.CAERPHILLY CASTLE IS IN SOUTH WALES

Before lockdown, Caerphilly Castle, with its leaning tower, reflects in the lake moat. Hopefully everything will be back to normal before long.

Filmed and edited by Kelvin Ho, at Castle st, Caerphilly, South Wales

Filmed and edited by Kelvin Ho

Filmed and edited by Kelvin Ho

Filmed and edited by Kelvin Ho, at Castle st, Caerphilly, South Wales

Fireworks

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Filmed and edited by Kelvin Ho, at Castle st, Caerphilly, South Wales

Filmed and edited by Kelvin Ho, at Castle st, Caerphilly, South Wales

Filmed and edited by Kelvin Ho, at Castle st, Caerphilly, South Wales

Filmed and edited by Kelvin Ho, at Castle st, Caerphilly, South Wales

Filmed and edited by Kelvin Ho, at Castle st, Caerphilly, South Wales

Filmed and edited by Kelvin Ho, at Castle st, Caerphilly, South Wales

Filmed and edited by Kelvin Ho, at Castle st, Caerphilly, South Wales

On Sunday I went to catch sunrise at Caerphilly Castle, a shot I thought would look great on a cold and frosty morning.

I arrived just before 8am which was still before sunrise, but due to a family party the night before I slept in and missed most of the pre-dawn colours so the sky was quite blue. I think this added to the coldness of the morning, but unfortunately, the ground wasn't as frosty as I'd hoped for the shot I had in mind.

So I waited for a few minutes for the sun to light up the castle, and with the local Goose and Duck population splashing around in the moat, I opted for a 30 second long exposure to smooth out the water.

I only got the one shot before having to head back for breakfast but I'm still quite happy with the result.

Filmed and edited by Kelvin Ho, at Castle st, Caerphilly, South Wales

Filmed and edited by Kelvin Ho, at Castle st, Caerphilly, South Wales

A re-edit of one I took back in November.

The sun came out and there was a hint of Spring in the air.

Light and shade in the woods on Caerphilly Mountain in south Wales.

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My new local go to place for sunsets, Caerphilly Mountain.

© www.stevetholephotography.com. All Rights Reserved

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SUNSET. Left the woods for an evening to get some fresh air up Caerphilly Mountain and a wonderful sunset. Certainly my new go-to place.

© www.stevetholephotography.com. All Rights Reserved

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I only spent an hour in Caerphilly on the way to the Brecon Beacons and did not have a chance to take this shot during the golden hour, I regret now that I did not return another day as I'm sure the sunset light would have made this magnificent sight look even more interesting.

To see a wider range of images. Please click on the links below.

www.normanwest4tography.zenfolio.com

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Caerphilly castle in south Wales is the second largest castle in the UK. It was built in the late 1200's by Gilbert de Clare to protect his interests in the southern parts of Wales from the marauding Welsh Prince Llewellyn ap Grufydd.

The castle, with its extensive moat system, covers a site of over 30 acres (12 Ha) and was the first truly concentric castle in the UK.

The most iconic image of the castle is the leaning south-east tower. There is debate regarding whether the lean is due to damage by explosives from Parliamentarian forces attempting to destroy it in the 1640s, or due to subsidence. What is clear is that the tower leans by 10 degrees (the Leaning Tower of Pisa is 4 degrees). It has been underpinned to keep it safe.

It is now a major tourist attraction and wedding venue - the refurbished 13the century main hall is very grand!

Caerphilly Houses

Went for a walk around Local Castle