That being said, if you aren't one for spending your free time looking at statues of long-dead rulers, there isn't much else to do. Still, the capital of the North is rich in history, which can be revisited by descending into the tombs beneath the castle a Maester could find plenty to keep himself busy. There are a few safety hazards in Winterfell that ought to be addressed, such as a decrepit tower that seems to exist for the sole purpose of defenestrating nosy children. Winterfell, after all, still lies deep in the North, and you're going to have to enjoy wearing furs quite a bit if you want to call this place home. There is something comforting about Winterfell, in the same way you might feel fond of your crummy hometown after spending years away. Still, if you're hoping to rule subjects more significant than toads, mosquitos, and will-o'-the-wisp, ride on. While in extensive need of repairs, with only three of its five towers still standing, Cailin is nevertheless a strategic stronghold for the North, and anyone who lives here will be a person of stature just due to the location (the castle changes hands several times in the series, going from the Starks to the Greyjoys to the Boltons to being held for the North by the knights of the Vale). Reigning over what looks to be the Westerosi equivalent of Lord of the Rings' Dead Marshes, Moat Cailin is a collection of towers rumored to have been built by the Children of the Forest some 10,000 years ago. While you at least have a bit of scenery at the Dreadfort, with a view of the Weeping Water out your window and a grove for, uh, hunting nearby, there are far better castles you can come by in Westeros. ![]() The bastard Ramsay Bolton didn't exactly bring a lot of cheer to the place, either, when he was busy murdering his stepmother and half-brother, although he and Myranda admittedly seemed happy enough in the outpost. What qualifies as lively decorations here tend to be corpses flayed of their skin and skeletal hands holding torches, which protrude from the hallways' walls. You can have your pick of dreary places to live in the North, but perhaps none are as muddy and depressing as the aptly-named Dreadfort, home of the treasonous House Bolton. Let's face it, as big as it might be, a castle without a roof isn't much of a castle at all. Harrenhal might be one of the largest castles in all of Westeros - it has 35 hearths in its great hall, which impresses even Tywin Lannister - but it has since fallen into being not much more than a glorified ruin, and was used as the creepy makeshift prison camp where Arya was held in Season 2. Petyr Baelish, the most recent lord to be gifted the hall, never set foot in the place out of superstition, though even that didn't save him. ![]() The castle reportedly became cursed after its ruler and his sons were burned alive in one of the towers by Aegon the Conqueror's dragon every house to hold the hall since has likewise gone extinct. Sure, one man's rubble is another's fixer-upper, but Harrenhal has a reputation for its lords meeting particularly grisly ends. Will is a brilliant guide – efficient at kitting you out and getting you on the water pdq, lots of helpful hints on paddling technique as you kayak along, and a wonderful commentary on the local geology and wildlife throughout the day.Any good deed in Westeros seems to land you the title of Lord of Harrenhal, although unlucky is he who becomes the keeper of these cursed ruins. ![]() This experience was so good that I persuaded friends to come with us the following year when in May 2019 we joined Will and Erin (from Evoke Adventure) for a Paddle Pick Up to clear plastic from beaches on the Summer Isles. We spotted barrel jellyfish, a porpoise and a red throated diver amongst many other birds, seals etc. Will’s knowledge of birds and marine wildlife was excellent. These together with very nice Werner paddles which we could feather and Kokatat dry trousers and cags made us look like pro’s and the quality kit greatly enhanced our experience. He had just driven from the South with his new fleet of P&H Sea Kayaks. The first was in May 2018 when Will took us paddling round the Summer Isles. I have now kayaked with Will on two separate occasions.
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