The steps! It feels like they never end. A short flight of stairs, a brief flat stretch, and then a long flight of steps at the end. In my left hand, my suitcase; my right hand on my companion's arm; my white cane somewhere in between the two.
Why should I expect my visit to be any easier than it was for those who arrived in the Middle Ages? They, too, had a moat to cross and wonky ground to negotiate when they arrived at Roch Castle in far southwest Wales. Built in the second half of the 12th century, the fortress was a defence against invaders who stormed in. The castle changed hands often and was most recently acquired by Welsh starchitect Keith Griffiths, who founded the multinational firm Aedas and has built many dramatic skyscrapers across Asia.
After having restored the castle at a cost of more than seven million euros, in 2013, he opened it as a luxurious six-room hotel. Its crowning touch is the fourth-floor Sun Room with glass walls offering sweeping views of the Welsh countryside. The crashing surf, the call of seagulls, the taste of salt in the air.
Even without eyesight, I can feel the sea right in front of me. To be sure, other guests enjoy some of its features more than I do. As a blind person, I can only imagine the panoramic views and the many green shades of the Welsh landscape.
But fortunately, since I’d been on the road for almost a quarter of a century as a sighted travel journalist, my inner eye, at least, can appreciate revisiting this part of the wor.