Returning to my starting point in my local park on my walk this week, I had a last glimpse of the marshes on the Loughor Estuary. The light was still strong as there was not a cloud to be seen and the air was clear.
Reviewing the walk, I am reminded that although I have called it the Castell Ddu Walk, the castle, or what remains of it does not feature in the images other than the related nearby motte situated at the side of the motorway. The link and quoted text below gives some information on the place.
The soundscape for this walk is a little longer than my usual 4 minutes. There were a number of changes in the ambience of the walk as well as details that I was keen to include – the changing sound of my footsteps as I walk under the railway bridge or the hard crunch of them on the frosty field. I also like the contrast of sound provided by the motorway traffic with the soft flow of water or the daily lives of the local birds. Click the play button below to enjoy my aural experience while looking through the gallery of images.
Castell Ddu Walk Soundscape
... At the confluence of Gwili and Llwchwr on the Carmarthenshire side of the river, there are large earthworks reputed by Col. W. LI. Morgan to be the site of Ystum Enlle with considerable outworks some yards away on the opposite side of a large river loop. But returning to the Glamorgan side we find in a field on the north of the lane to the church a massive and significant mound it is a motte and bailey castle, probably the site of Castell Ddu first mentioned in Llyfr Coch Hergest. Its local name is Banc y rhyfel and its important associations with early Welsh history are as yet scarcely appreciated. Col. W. LI. Morgan in his Antiquarian Survey of East Gower very properly suggests that the earthworks on the other side of the river are later developments of the same site, and after comparison with similar sites elsewhere in Wales it is safe to conclude that Banc y rhyfel is the original motte and bailey of the first wooden Castell Ddu which was in occupation until the more elaborate Castell Ddu near the river-crossing was completed. A farm nearby is still called Castell Ddu."...
I have never heard of a word that starts with two “d’s” before!
It’s Welsh and is pronounced “Th”. Language(s) is/are fascinating and there are many other interesting rules and pronunciations in Welsh. Double “l” – “Ll” is one but I can’t easily tell you to pronounce it but it’s worthwhile plenty of spit in your mouth lol.
We have visited England, Scotland and Northern Ireland but have yet to make it over to Wales. Someday we’ll come and listen to the language. We were stumped by the Glaswegians last year and they were speaking English!
You will be very welcome. The first time I came to Wales and heard them speaking I was certain they were speaking Welsh – I was wrong, it was English but the accent was so different to what I was used to. You’ll have the greatest fun trying to pronounce the written language as you may have guessed. It’s a beautiful little country
Hi Alistair, I was wondering if you know the land owner were the castell Ddu is? I would love to ask permission to do metal detecting on the land, love finding history.
Any information would be very helpful.
Thank you in advance
Best regards
Sonia Luis
I could probably find out for you but don’t hold your breath Castell Ddu does not consist of anything much now but it’s gives a good point of access to and view of the Loughor estuary. You could try looking/asking in Pontarddulais library.
Thank you so much, any help is very appreciated, I have read lots of history about pontardullais but not much about the castell Ddu not even pictures of the castell. I will try and pop into the library and see if they can help. Let me know if you found something out, if o get permition to detect and find historical things I will keep you posted.
Regards
Sonia Luis
Hi Sonia, I remembered last night that I have posted about Castell Ddu in the past with some info on it – here is the link to the post
https://stillwalks.com/castell-ddu-reviewing-walk/