Newport Castle & River Crossing

I slept heavy and on going to look out of the window, saw it was quite frosty. It makes a change from rain: I wonder if we'll get snow this winter?

Before 10am, I was on the road doing a call out. The NHS were on a 4 hour stike (between 10am - 2pm) I believe, so after doing it I was able to get home and make the Ball & Chain's sarnies again. By this time the sun was out and it was a lovely day, albeit with a slight chill.

After doing a second call due to this strike, I ended up in Newport, where I went to the Riverside area and got the blip photo of Newport Castle in it's modern setting between The Old Green Crossing bridge and the Railway line just as it enters Newport Railway Station (West Bank)

Newport Castle is a ruined castle in Newport, South Wales. It was built in the 14th century, probably by Hugh de Audley, 1st Earl of Gloucester or his son-in-law, Ralph, Earl of Stafford, with the purpose of managing the crossing of the River Usk. The castle was used as administrative offices for the collection of rent and dues from local tenants, and was also a residence and a garrison. In 1402 it was sacked by Owain Glyndŵr. It was in disrepair by 1522, and was taken by Oliver Cromwell's forces during the Civil War. Its use declined further in later centuries. It has been a Grade II* Listed building since 1951.

In about 1796 J. M. W. Turner made a "picturesque, romantic" painting of the ruin, as did other artists. The castle was the inspiration for the 1911 poem "Days That Have Been" by Newport-born W. H. Davies (known as Supertramp)