This seventeenth century packhorse bridge in the Anglesey village of Aberffraw is quite a landmark and much photographed (on sunny summer days). You can see why it catches the photographer’s eye, but on a bleak and windy January day, I’m thinking it’s the local jackdaw that adds a certain something to the scene.
There was also a jackdaw ‘fly-by’ when I visited the village church, another of Anglesey’s ancient places of worship, St Beuno’s. As with ‘the little church in the sea’ in the previous post, parts of it date from the 12th century.
It was by no means the earliest church in Aberffraw. That was built some five centuries earlier by St. Beuno himself, though no traces of his work remain. As with many early Christian places of worship it was probably a simple thatched and timber-framed structure that would leave few signs of itself. But in their time, both these churches probably served as royal chapels to the Princes (and Princesses) of Gwynedd who in the early Middle Ages held court close by. Their palace likewise left little trace of its existence, having been dismantled and its parts dispersed after England’s King Edward I invaded Wales (1277-1282). Although I did read that it was discovered belatedly that the village council houses had been probably been built over the site. The way things change!
Tish Farrell 
What a difference a bird (or two) makes to a beautiful picture!
Thank you for your like-minded comment, A-C. Happy Monday!
Happy Wednesday, Tish – thank you!
Thank you Tish for this most informative part of Welsh history. I need to go back to Anglesey and view it through your eyes. Oh yes The way things change….it’s quite extraordinary.:)
I think you’d love it there, Janet – nonstop creation induced by the ever-changing light, and especially from westerly shores looking back to the Snowdonia mainland.
Thank you Tish. Now I wont be doing so much long distance travel I can focus my energies on the British Isles.
And so much to see and discover on our islands. We realise we’ve hardly scratched the surface.
Yes indeed..
That bridge seems very photogenic even in dull weather, but you’re right, the jackdaw really adds to the shot!
Thank you, Sarah.
Your jackdaws are the stars of the show!
They are, aren’t they. Sociable little souls.
The birds definitely are making sure they are getting in the photo 😀
I like the gleam on that stone panel at the front, Tish, and the roof and bell tower are lovely..
The bell tower with its vertical two bells is v. unusual, I thought. I didn’t go inside, but also the church seems to have a double chancel/nave. I’ve seen another similar ancient church at Aberdaron at the the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula.
🤗💕
Birds certainly create the composition. Is that the birds shadow on the church wall?
You spotted it, Pauline. I only noticed it when I posted the photo.
Looks pretty remote….
It does look remote even though it’s on the village edge, and must have once been the ‘main entrance’ from the south. Strange how it does that.
Yes, indeed!
Great shots. You must have some incredible corvid wrangling skills! Incidentally, and slightly off topic, I saw some ravens earlier today in my local park. At least I think they were ravens (I find them hard to tell from crows). They were striding around imperiously as they do. Ted Hughes was right, of course, we should make them out national totem.
I like it – corvid wrangling! I’m also liking the notion of ravens in your local park. They are splendid birds, but yes they are v. like crows, and in the past I’ve misidentified the crow family that stalks around in the field behind the house. I can only be sure about ravens when they’re airborne and spot their very diamond-shaped wedgy tail feathers. Or if they’re cronking. V. special all round.
I really like all the crows but magpies are my favourites. I am fascinated by their ungainly flight and their beautiful irridescence. I once spotted one peering in through the windows of neighbouring houses across my street. Going from one to the next along the terrace. Another one (presumably) does an expert job of clearing moss and dirt out of my gutters. Top crows!
The jackdaws add atmosphere.
🙂 They’re good at doing that 🙂
Lluniau hardd 🙂
Diolch.
If only we could understand jackdaws, the tales they have must have passed down from family to family of us humans and the things we do!
* tales
That’s an intriguing notion, Becky. Jackdaw tales.