This post is for Cee’s Black and White Challenge. This week’s theme is: steps – inside or out.
The steps stretch before you in a seemingly endless trail up the cliffside and you curse your decision to make the trip, your legs aching from the strain. The steep drop alongside the path is enough to make you grip the rail tightly as vertigo sets your senses spinning. You shift your gaze resolutely ahead, focussing on the crumbling stonework barely visible at the summit. The climb you’re undertaking might be a nightmare brought into reality but the promise of ancient ruins, their fabric woven through with tales of magic and mystery, gives you the strength to push onwards.
The views will be worth it, you tell yourself.
You just hope it’s true.
These pictures were all taken around Tintagel Castle, a place that you have to climb far too many steps to get to! I have to say that the views were definitely worth it.
Tintagel is most well known for it’s connection to the legends of King Arthur. This link dates back to the 12th century when Geoffrey of Monmouth named it as the place of Arthur’s conception. The legend says that the wizard Merlin used his magic to disguise Uther Pendragon as Gorlois, King of Cornwall. This allowed Uther to sneak into Tintagel and into the bedchamber of Gorlois’ wife, Igraine, and Arthur was conceived.
An Enchanted Place 
It does look challenging! But, from what I see in the photos, I believe I would take on the challenge. Great photo for this prompt! 🙂
LikeLike
Now there are a lot of steps on both of your photos. 😀
LikeLike
Great response to the challenge,superb theme and fabulous set of photos steeped in history and legends! 🙂
LikeLike
Awesome! I’ve always wanted to visit Tintagel as I’m a big fan of Arthurian myth and legend. (Reading Le Morte D’Arthur right now, actually.) Your pictures and words are really magical.
LikeLike
I did get pretty knackered last time I was there. Great photos!
LikeLike
Wow! Amazing! That is a whole lot of steps to have to climb but it definitely looks worth it! I love the story of King Arthur being conceived in this castle and how it came to be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, PJ. It’s an incredible place but by the time we’d finished walking around I never wanted to see another step again! I’ve always loved the stories of King Arthur. 🙂
LikeLike
Haha! I wouldn’t want to see another step again either! I too have always loved King Arthur stories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations! I have chosen your post to be featured on Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge.
https://ceenphotography.com/2016/06/16/cees-black-white-photo-challenge-cars-trucks-or-motorcycles/
I hope you have a terrific week. 😀
LikeLike
I love the photo especially in black and white.
❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. 🙂 I was pleased with how well it worked in b&w.
LikeLiked by 1 person