Drivers were left stunned when a medieval siege weapon pulled up at a petrol station. The massive wooden contraption, which appears to be some kind of trebuchet, was being pulled by a Toyota Land Cruiser.
It was photographed at Beran Service Station, Deiniolen, close to nearby Dinorwig quarry, where preparations are continuing for the second season of HBO’s House of the Dragon. Film crews have taken over the whole site and are rigging up locations ahead of live-action filming on July 5-6.
The contraption appears to be a powerful siege engine that used a long arm to hurl rocks, fire balls and other projectiles at castles and defences. Its presence near Dinorwic reinforces speculation that a battle scene may be filmed at the quarry: earlier this month, producers issued a casting call for a large number of amputees to take part in the shoot.
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North Wales Live reported that one resident, who took these pictures, said: “It was massive. And very unexpected in the local garage!”
Steven Davies was working behind the garage counter when the siege weapon arrived. “When I first saw it pulling in, I was a bit worried it would hit the canopy,” he said.
“We’re very busy at the moment because our fuel prices are very competitive in the area, so there were lots of drivers here at the time. They were coming into the shop and saying, “Did you just see that!” and a couple were taking photos.
“We see lots of weird and wonderful things at the garage but this was up there with the strangest. It was an impressive piece of kit and not something you see every day.”
Filming for House of the Dragon is taking place at several sites in north Wales. Walkers at Newborough Forest, Anglesey, snapped photos of actors filming scenes on a promontory at picturesque Llanddwyn beach. And trucks, marquees and shipping containers have appeared at Dinorwig quarry.
Filming is also due to take place on the other side of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and rumours suggest this will also be for House of the Dragon. Cyngor Gwynedd Council has confirmed the closure of public bridleways off the B4418 around Llyn Y Gader near the Eryri village of Rhyd-Ddu. The routes will be closed on June 30, for between one and three days for filming work.
In the run-up to filming, local people claimed they were told beach scenes would involve a dragon. Wooden rowing boats, painted black, were also drawn up on the beach, and tractors were brought in, at least one towing a spray tanker.
House of the Dragon depots have also been established on Anglesey at Penmon and, it is claimed, at Bodorgan. Some filming has also taken place at Aberffraw.
Earlier, a film set was also built in a granite quarry in Trefor on the Llŷn Peninsula. One local recalled: "Massive tent and wandering sunglassed chaps with walky-talkies all over the shop. Only went to yoga in Bert’s and felt I wasn’t on the guests' list!"
According to Twitter fan page Redanian Intelligence, other sites may include the Ogwen Valley, Llyn Llydaw beneath Yr Wyddfa and Pen-Yr-Orsedd Quarry in the Nantlle Valley. None of these have been confirmed however.
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