South Wales

Took a trip to the far side of beyond last weekend.. to deepest Wales.  Took quite a few snaps and managed to find a particularly interesting derelict church on the way back...

Sunset over the Pembrokeshire coast

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Red Kite hunting

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The derelict Church of St John the Baptist in Slebech. Built in 1833 on the site of a medieval church, many parts of which were re-built into the current structure. It was only active 15 years until 1848 (I can't find a reason why) and has been derelict since. The area and the church have strong links to the Knights Hospitaller, who formed in the 11th century to provide care for sick and injured pilgrims visiting the holy land. After the wests first crusade it formed it's own order and was tasked with the defence of Jerusalem. After Islamic forces retook the holy lands they eventually settled in Malta and also became known as the Knights of Malta. The order has survived in various guises, with purhaps it's most well known link being with the St Johns Ambulance service, which bears the Maltese Cross as it's emblem.

Note inwards facing barbed wire!  Keeping people out or keeping something in?!  This place was pretty damned creepy.

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The doorway to the cellar/dungeon.