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Stow-on-the-Wold
We are staying for two nights at Stow-on-the-Wold at the Sheep on Sheep hotel. A very charming town and a charming hotel. Tomorrow we got to explore more of the Cotswolds. Stow is famous for being the sight of one of the last Royalist defeats in 1646, apparently King Charles 1st stayed at the Kings Arms. Latest invasion, according to my sources, a guy who works at a furniture shop here, is Ellen DeGeneres! The word is that she bought an extremely expensive house here. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b23ec6b51.jpeg The Queen's Head Inn, a nice little pub. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4cf7c319c.jpeg The cross in the center of the Square https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0ac2ff514.jpeg The Porch House, claiming to be the oldest pub in England, something like 972. I asked the bartender what was the oldest part of the pub and she said that beam right above your head. See said beam https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e93a49cb7.jpeg Interesting saying in someone's window https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...dbae87a4b.jpeg St. Edward's Church https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1f72c8a1d.jpeg The doors into St. Edward's church flanked by two yew trees. Some say that when Tolkien was here, he used these trees as inspiration for the Doors of Durin |
Stanway Manor
One of the things we have liked about Rick Steves tours is that you generally spend two nights in one location and then do a day trip. So from Bath we went to Avebury and Oxford and then to Stow-on-the-Wold for two nights. Today we went to Stanway Manor house. It's only about 10 minutes away, then we drove through the Cotswolds and got back into Stow with the afternoon on our own. Our guide at Stanway was named Paul and he was a hoot. Gave us a nice tour of the manor, about 4 rooms that we saw and then we saw the mill. The Estate of Stanway goes back to 715 and it belonged to an abbey. In 1533 it was leased to Richard Tracy and the descendents have lived here ever since.The current owner is James Charteris, 13th Earl of Weymss. He is usually is around but not today. It was a really different thing to do and I don't think a lot of tours stop here. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7a65e5ce7.jpeg Looking back at the main gate of Stanway house. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...54d689734.jpeg Side shot from the yard. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8cc96ebda.jpeg Ya gotta have a pond! https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cf9d81860.jpeg He has a water fountain that I believe is run by natural pressure unlike the Bellagio is pumped out, according to Paul. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...54df94f5f.jpeg Scene inside the mill. It has been rebuilt and is producing a lot of flour that goes to local restaurants. |
On To Wales
Today we are finishing up our stay in the Cotswolds and heading to Wales, but first we have two stops. The first is Stokesay Castle. This is one of the few surviving fortified manor houses run by the English Heritage. It dates back to 1317 by Laurence of Ludlow who got the blessing of the King to add fortifications. It's been through a number of private owners over the years, and it was finally given to the English Heritage in 1992. It's been restored and there are some nice "mock-up" posters that show how it might have looked back then. Also there is a good audio guide. Next we had a pit stop to see the River Dee in Llangollen. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...61804d003.jpeg Castle from the outside https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6f49c420b.jpeg Entry through the Gate House https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a841985f3.jpeg The Grand Hall where the feasting might have taken place https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3761af6c5.jpeg Main hang out place for the family. I don't know if they had cable https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...33c7d1dd0.jpeg Detail over the fireplace https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3ccc9d550.jpeg Another big room https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...aa954b9f5.jpeg This is the large south tower and you can wall all the the way to the top. Did I say walk? Climb is more like it https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3b27c5a38.jpeg Some baby swallows in a nest in one of the rooms. I was told the Castle is kept open to let the swallows come in https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a2af16dcc.jpeg Another outside view from the moat https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2f558b1d4.jpeg Falls at Llangollen https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d10c6be54.jpeg Hoping to see a steam train, but no luck |
Conwy, Wales
We have entered a new country, Wales! There has been, historically some discrepancy if it was a principality or a country. I can say it is a country. Wales, along with Scotland and England make up Great Britain. Add in Northern Ireland and you have the United Kingdom. Add in the Isle of Man, Isla of Dogs and Isle of Parakeets and you have the British Isles. Some may think that this explanation is unnecessary, however, before I got here I thought England was where muffins came from, ( they don't) and 60 years ago today, Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play. Conwy is bigger than Stow, has a wall around it and a castle, and appears to be kind of a party place. Lot's of restaurants and little shops. We are staying at the Castle Hotel feels very upscale. Had a group dinner at the hotel then on our own. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...703e092e8.jpeg Suspension Bridge coming into town https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0714190e0.jpeg Towers at Conwy Castle https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c6d2ccc48.jpeg More Castle https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6cf1aff76.jpeg Statue of Llywelyn the Great, not to be confused with Llywelyn the So-So. Lived here from 1173 and 1240 https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b0cb22039.jpeg Down at the Harbor, actually on an estuary which really drains down at low tide. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f226d853d.jpeg Smallest house in Britain. No one around so I don't know the details. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c009a57d3.jpeg You can climb up and walk around the city walls. Parts of it were closed but we still got pretty far up. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d9cb3e5cd.jpeg Front of Plas Mawr which was built during Elizabeth the 1st's reign. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e430b3daf.jpeg The Mussel Statue, I'm going on a limb here and saying that mussels are found here although it is not a month with an R. |
Llanfairfechen
Today started out with rain and we are going to be outside. We are visiting a sheep farm and having a shearing demonstration and to learn about being a sheep farmer. Llanfairfechan is a little town about 10 minutes from Conwy. We are met at the bottom of the hill by Gareth Wyn Jones, who has built a covered trailer to take us up the hill to his farm. It was a great morning, even with the rain. Gareth is a bigger than life character and his wife Rhian is lovely. He picked a couple of people off the tour to "help" him wrangle up some sheep. Actually it's part of the show and actually Max the dog did most of the work. So after driving the sheep into a pen, our "team" picked out a yearling for it's first shearing. It was very interesting how the lamb just laid back into the V of his legs and let itself be shorn. Disclaimer: None of us know who Gareth Wyn Jones is. Once we got back we Googled him and found out he has 2 million followers on Youtube, is on the BBC quite often and has more money than we think. Is he a bombastic person and controversial, I guess. Is he as rich as it says on Google, I doubt it. Does he speak for the farming community, yes. Is a very entertaining individual, Hell yes. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...86aafcbf1.jpeg Loading up on the trailer, a lot of hunched shoulders https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0ad59ca9b.jpeg There go the volunteers! https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cfd829ce3.jpeg Bringing back contestant #1 https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2ceac2aff.jpeg Let the shearing begin https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...416ebdad3.jpeg Giving us a lesson about sheep farming. I don't think you can see it well but there is a big poster for Snowdonia 1890, which was a show he was on |
Caernarfon Castle and Snowdonia National Park
After our sheep herdin' we headed to Caernarfon for a guided tour of the castle. One of the cons of any structured trip is that you don't get to spend enough time in places you would like to linger. We only had about a half hour after our tour to rage through the castle and repel bad guys. The drive through Snowdonia or Eryri National Park was breath taking. I'm used to most of the US National Parks but this is right up there with them. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...835950e8b.jpeg One of the side streets of Caernarfon. The town is very popular and it was filled, although this street looks kind of empty, it got busier later. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c6da99f8c.jpeg Shot from outside the Castle just before entering https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2a054cc65.jpeg Another outside shot https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3755af18c.jpeg Welcoming scuplture https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a78dea0f0.jpeg Inside the walls https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...aaeb0c282.jpeg I guess they had more than enough stones to build this wall https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0db076d58.jpeg These shots really don't do it justice, taken from the bus. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9118b8f12.jpeg Long waterfall cascading down the mountain |
Enjoying your report. We spent a few nights in Betws-y-Coed few years ago, and wished we had more time for Wales.
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Conwy to Keswick
Today we are leaving Wales. No rain and not sunny but cloudy. Our first stop is Bodnant Gardens, 80 acres of a large variety of terrains. These are the gardens of Bodnant Hall which have been donated to the National Trust by the Aberconway family who still live in the house. I think it might be one of my favorite stops on the trip. Man can make a lot of really cool buildings but they can still pale against nature. Did the terraces, then into the forest to the old mill and back up this hill to the house. Could have spent all day. We met an older couple who come every two weeks. Good on 'em. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a6993dd7d.jpeg Walking up to the start of the gardens past Bodnant Hall https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bd44f5424.jpeg Working our way along the Terraces https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3728873af.jpeg Add some more color, please https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...09ac9ec7e.jpeg A pond just off the Terraces https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4002a5ad7.jpeg Looking at the pond in front of the Pin Mill https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6a1dd84e8.jpeg Please let me into the gardens...well, OK. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7c64cbea5.jpeg Shot of the Pin Mill at the end of the long narrow pond https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...eaf6c1b67.jpeg In the forest over by the Old Mill https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fd59bea4d.jpeg Water falls at the Old Mill https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fab436111.jpeg On the way back to Bodnant Hall |
The Lake District - Castlerigg Stone Circle
Just before you get into Keswick, there is a stone circle which is about a 10 minute walk off the road. The circle has 38 stones and is believed to be about 5,000 years old. It's free, you do have to walk and then have to climb a couple of cantilevered pavers to get into the field. It was a pretty nice setting, although after we had walked 10 minutes, you could see a road right behind the circle that was two minutes away! Probably no parking for the bus. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4a7a5993a.jpeg Climbing on the cantilevered rocks to see the Stone Circle https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3d643fca9.jpeg Long shot with people in the middle https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...99f8fd002.jpeg Up close, it was fun to walk around. There was a little girl, 5 or 6 jumping from stone to stone. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7c94cf191.jpeg Couple of old Druids. Notice the dark clouds, this doesn't bode well. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c23f0ac81.jpeg We just got back from playing paintball, it was a blast https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cf94fd382.jpeg More stones https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a5c1e0a0e.jpeg All lined up in a row |
Keswick - Pronounced Kezick
This past January we met two wonderful people, Andy and Barbara, from England and we told them we would be in England in June and visiting a Lake District town called Keswick. They corrected us that it is pronounced Kezick. Well we caught up with them and had a wonderful dinner. It was our misfortune to have pretty rainy weather in Keswick. We did get in a lake hike and a boat ride around Derwentwater Lake before the heavens opened up. So we didn't get to walk around the town much, only to get our laundry actually and then walked in the rain to a group fish and chips dinner. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...eed5ed4cf.jpeg Things were looking good when we first got into town https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...41c9f9a4f.jpeg Boats for 3 or 4 people moored on the beach on Derwentwater https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bfa356bd9.jpeg Hope Park just down from our hotel https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ed2be27cf.jpeg Shot of a meadow with trees https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...af443a188.jpeg This is the boat we took out on the lake https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c4a3cf340.jpeg Island with a big house on it and a dock https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6bfb8b560.jpeg The Lake District is very beautiful with mountains and lot's of forest around the lakes. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5b8034add.jpeg Several small islands in Derwentwater Lake |
It is Derwentwater, not Derwentwater Lake. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derwentwater
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Thanks for the shots of Keswick. In NYC there's a shop called Myers of Keswick featuring British foods. We've gone to it since it opened back in the Seventies or Eighties -- can't remember. It's the best place to buy bangers, Cumberland sausage, pork and stilton pies, etc.
Enjoying your report. |
Originally Posted by bilboburgler
(Post 17660134)
It is Derwentwater, not Derwentwater Lake. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derwentwater
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Originally Posted by Fra_Diavolo
(Post 17660158)
Thanks for the shots of Keswick. In NYC there's a shop called Myers of Keswick featuring British foods. We've gone to it since it opened back in the Seventies or Eighties -- can't remember. It's the best place to buy bangers, Cumberland sausage, pork and stilton pies, etc.
Enjoying your report. |
It’s often quoted that there is only one lake in the Lake District - Bassenthwaite Lake, just north of you in Keswick. All the others are either waters or meres.
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Friends, Romans, Countrymen
Heading to York but the first part is all about the Romans. First stop is Vindolanda, and old Roman colony and fort. It was under Roman occupation from around 85AD until 370 AD. Although there were some historical accounts of being aware of the site in the 1600's and 1800's, it seems like excavation really started when a guy, Eric Birley bought the farm that the ruins are on, and started digging n the 1930's! A lot of stuff was found, tons of stone artifacts and on the day we were there a woman found a roman coin! Other really interesting things were these wooden ink tablets that scientists have been able to retrieve writing. One was an invitation to birthday party. There are dozens of shoes and a pair of boxing gloves, I bet they belonged to Cassius Clayus. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ac56c97ae.jpeg Sculpture at the entrance to the site. Not sure if this was found there. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f4cc6f47c.jpeg You can get an idea how big the site was. It had a fort and a vicus, a town which would grow around the soldiers https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1efaa8c6d.jpeg Walls of a bath https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3e8c29942.jpeg Some tiles that would be used to heat the floor or make a sweat lodge. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...af35de79b.jpeg Statue at entrance to the museum https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...222454f16.jpeg Old Roman stone thingy, yes I think that's the technical name https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2567c056b.jpeg Lot's of shoes. They were pressed down into mud and then had layers of dirt on top helping to keep them intact. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0f36a13c2.jpeg One of the ink tablets. i won't attempt to describe the process of retrieving the letters. This one was an invitation to a party and its says, "Please don't bring your famous deviled eggs, they give Claudius gas." |
Hadrian's Wall
Just down the road a piece from Vindolanda is Homesteads Roman Fort. This will be our access to take a look at Hadrian's Wall. I won't go into a lot of detail about Hadrian's wall, Google it, it's quite a story. I will say that I was surprised to learn that it stretches from Coast to Coast in England, which is only 73 miles, or about the length of Los Angeles.. Building began in 122AD during Hadrian's reign. There was system of milecastles, every mile? We hiked up to one. It's not believed to be too terribly defensive, although there were large ditches in front of the wall our milecastle had a small gate and a small bottle of hand sanitizer! (put joke here) It was quite a trek up the hill to see the wall. We didn't go into Homesteads but it is another fort like Vindolanda. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b0949f37e.jpeg Parking lot at Homesteads. Not quite full but more than a few cars and some coaches https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e40418ec4.jpeg Us, starting up the hill. We are headed to the trees in the top middle of the picture. Sure glad I'm not a Roman in armour. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5786af075.jpeg A pretty good view of the wall stretching out before me. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ddda0b10d.jpeg I'm actually walking on the wall. There is a little bit here to walk on. People hike the entire wall and we saw a number of people with trekking bags. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...99149f236.jpeg Another shot https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a7bf60a7b.jpeg Still another shot off into the horizon https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7db624720.jpeg And here is the milecastle. There was an outline of a few rooms or maybe guardhouse. Given it's name I'm lead to believe that there was one of these every Roman mile. |
Thanks Tdiddy12. I am really enjoying your photos and commentary.
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hard to imagine what this was like with mainly trees in all directions which is a more likely landscape
In terms of multiple names there are seven rivers called Avon or Afon in the UK. Avon and Afon means river. |
Originally Posted by elydah
(Post 17660249)
Thanks Tdiddy12. I am really enjoying your photos and commentary.
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York - Day One
After mingling with the Roman ruins we have landed in York. We took a brief overview walk in the evening and I am downloading some pictures from the walk with our guide Alfred. I really am liking York, all the history of London, throw in a little Harry Potter and I found a jazz nite! This place has it all. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0e1ef9bf3.jpeg We are staying in the Radisson Blu on the west bank of the river Ouse. Some of the buildings right across the river. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...16b61a609.jpeg Some of those same buildings from Mickelgate Bridge later in the evening https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...15d8489d6.jpeg Walking from Exhibition Square to Bootham Bar. A gate is called a Bar and a road is called a Gate. Hey I didn't make this up, blame the Vikings. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5274652cc.jpeg Walking down Bootham gate or sometimes Row. Man this is getting confusing https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...dce17b472.jpeg York Minster, we will see more of that tomorrow https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4b8d4442a.jpeg Statue of Constantine the Great. Apparently he was crowned Emperor here when his dad, Constantine the Not So Great died. All of this history is second hand. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2c2ab041c.jpeg Clifford's Tower by the Castle Museum https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f08c09755.jpeg Just a random street scene with umbrellas https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a9aeae23c.jpeg Had to add this, real old insignia and a real new insignia https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...31ee047b2.jpeg Tudor house somewhere in the middle of the city |
York - Day Two Morning
Started off with another walk, this time with our Rick Steves guide Jamie. York really is a very fun city to walk around. Here are some more pictures. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...99018c53d.jpeg Ruins from the Abbey https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...863fc5a5f.jpeg Bridge and reflection shot https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b4b08851e.jpeg The Shambles, a nice relaxed market with all kinds of things https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0901ae259.jpeg Front entrance of the Merchant Adventurers Hall. Definitely worth a visit https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...62d936cf5.jpeg Inside the Merchant and Adventurers Hall https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9d71d0528.jpeg Chapel in same Hall https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f5392f037.jpeg Back entrance, which is actually the main ticket entrance today |
York - Day Two Afternoon
We had been scheduled to go to York Minster, but then it was off for some reason. While we were taking our initial tour of York I saw Jamie, our Rick Steves guide, talking with someone at the front of the Minster. All of a sudden, it was on again! We had a great lunch at a North African restaurant and then we were in to the Minster. Unfortunately I took a ton of pictures with my camera, but not that many with my phone, which is what I download from. Either way it was quite magnificent, I would highly recommend going. We went back to the York Minster for Evensong and that was also a great experience. I got my jazz fix at Museum Pub, but caught a descending sun on our last day in York. I have to say I loved York the most of all our towns that we visited. I want to come back. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cb77b3e40.jpeg York Minster was spared some of the destruction of the Cromwell era because someone on the inside was from York and he told the Reformists, lay off York. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c2bad6b12.jpeg This is the Charter House attached to the Minster. Another great ceiling. There's also a nice museum detailing the Gothic cathedral that was originally here. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ee79c42d2.jpeg This is the top of the entrance to the King's Manor. A number of Kings visited this site, Henry the 8th being one of the them. We were told this is where he found out that his, 5th wife, Catherine Howard. was cheating on him. Given Henry's disposition I'm guessing that she wasn't the smarted head in the basket. She was executed after 18 months of marriage. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...30280d5f8.jpeg Station Road bridge. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c0aa20e17.jpeg Great detail of the bridge. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5583d0b82.jpeg Some nice jazz, vibes, bass piano and drums. Lot's of Charlie Parker which was kind of funny with no horn, but the still cooked. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c0c0da53e.jpeg Goodnight York, hope to see you again |
Travel Day
We are taking the train to London. As a tour guide myself, doing a two hour Art Deco tour in Los Angeles, I am giving our tour guide, Jamie, huge kudos for wrangling all us kittens on the train! Last night at Jazz night, I met three young boppers from the University here, into Jazz, God Bless them. I said I heard that the train station here was in Harry Potter and they all said no that's in Kings Cross. The young lady of the three whipped out her phone and said well it says here they used the York station. Probably both locations. Shout out if you know the truth. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9f877ce79.jpeg Look at that Roof! https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c3da864cd.jpeg The detail in York is everywhere and all of these bright colors. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0f716a080.jpeg Oh, oh, gotta go, my ride is here. |
London - Will the Circle Be Unbroken
Apparently in this case the Circle is not Unbroken, although plotting it out on a Google map it is more like a long oblong around England. London, Salisbury, Bath, Stow-on-the Wold, detour to Conwy, Wales, Keswick, York and back to London. We have a nice easy train ride from York, although I have to say, London trains have nothing on long haul Mexican buses for comfort! Pull into Kings Cross and load up on another bus for our tour of St. Paul's Cathedral at 2:00PM. Rick's tours are pretty active. We have had a number of cancellations this trip with the Cathedrals, Wells was closed, York Minster, off and then on. Our original itinerary was for Westminster Abbey, but it's closed, so we are going to St. Paul's instead. I've never been inside Westminster Abbey, I've stood outside it and for my money, St. Paul's wins, so I'm Ok with the exchange. A lot of us did want to go to Westminster Abbey because I think it's more famous in the US. After the tour we head to Kensington and our last stay on the tour. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...827843a77.jpeg St. Paul's is so big that you can't see the dome if you are walking around the park next to the Cathedral. I'm across the street here. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f34b7206c.jpeg We were on our own for lunch, lot's of places to choose from and then we are to meet at the statue of Queen Anne, there she is! https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...28aab4ca4.jpeg Britain is celebrating VE day and there is an outside display about the volunteers that helped save the church during the Blitz, this is a famous photo of St. Paul's standing! https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3dccc6c50.jpeg Inside, it's very beautiful, we had a nice tour with Isabel. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...81724f9a4.jpeg Lot's of bling in here. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...255560a2e.jpeg The font is very different from the modern one in Salisbury, it's there on the right. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a043a17ac.jpeg We are in the crypt now, there's Florence Nightengale https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6a388b68f.jpeg What's a crypt without Wellington https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e7494b038.jpeg Hey don't forget Nelson! |
London - Last Full Day
We are up and out early for a Tube ride to the London Tower. For many in our group this is the first time riding the Tube, but we are old hands, knowing for instance, that it is the Tube and not the Metro or Subway! Jamie is determined to get in front of the line to see the The Crown Jewels as soon as it opens and he succeeds. I was really impressed with how the Royal Jewels are displayed, they are all in cases of course but there is an ongoing film on the walls around with historical context. You get to see footage of the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince Wales and there is the crown he wore in the case. So many crowns, one for when you are made the king or queen, one for daily use when doing light housework around the castle etc. I thought it was very interesting, Royalist or not. The. Tower stands in the middle of a big palace. Something most of us were surprised to see. We thought the Tower was like the jail in Mayberry with Floyd and Andy chewing the fat. No, it's surrounded by grounds and a lot of other towers outside of the Tower itself. So some prisoners were able to wander around the complex until curfew. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4fd086369.jpeg We were greeted by this guy when we crossed under the walkway to the Tower. There is a large part of the original Roman wall that is still preserved from when this was Londonium. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0d900d8fb.jpeg We tourists were delighted to see this sign, in earlier times it was probably not as popular, if you were going to lose your head for instance. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...66978a719.jpeg The White Tower, which we think of as Thee Tower, but there is actually a Bloody Tower and a Torturer Tower. I think I saw a Taco Tuesday Tower, but I digress. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ac8b9750c.jpeg Currently there are all of these flowers everywhere on the grounds. This may be for VE day not sure. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...79041c0a6.jpeg Chapel inside the White Tower https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cb45eaff9.jpeg There is a big display of horses with armor of the kings. At one time there was a display of each king on a horse? https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f44db7cfb.jpeg This is King Henry the 8th on a horse with armor. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5a9762647.jpeg Here is a picture of Henry's armor in his "fat" Elvis stage https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a638b303b.jpeg Not much to say, a. big row of Breast Plates, not sure of there historical significance, but I'm pretty sure they are not from Old Navy https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9a70d59c5.jpeg One guy who wasn't happy to see the Welcome to the London Tower sign, Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex. He was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth the 1st, until he wasn't. Last person to be beheaded in the Tower, February 25, 1601. |
Rollin' on the River
Our last group activity was to get on a boat at Tower Millennium Pier and motor down the Thames to the Westminster Pier. Taking a boat is a great way to see the City and a nice finish to our tour...although, the Missus and I are not done. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...06a0c0ab7.jpeg Our fearless leader Jamie. He did a great job, always knowledgeable but entertaining as well. A lot of respect for moving us around the country, bus, train, boat and Tube. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1df55e21a.jpeg Tower Bridge. Didn't get a chance to see it up close, will have to come back https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...56e5bd332.jpeg The Old London City Hall. This is what Google calls it. It looks pretty modern to me, but maybe they've moved to a new City Hall. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...def187a32.jpeg People walking over the Millienium Bridge https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7b38437e6.jpeg Cleopatra's Needle with Sphinx. This is an ancient Egyptian obelisk, given to the British people for kicking Napoleon in the pants...and out of Egypt. Having been to the British Museum, it looks like a lot of other stuff may have "fallen off the truck" and landed in London https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...676bf1b3b.jpeg Here's the money shot, Westminster Bridge, the Houses of Parliment and the Elizabeth Tower ( Big Ben for us Americans), and a little bit of Westminster Abbey |
Don't Forget the V&A
We have one more stop. When we were in Paddington, like a month ago we didn't get a chance to go to the Victoria and Albert Museum so we head there before our final group dinner. It's really incredible that London has so many fantastic museums. The V&A though differently themed than the British Museum, is chock full of great things. We took a quick one hour tour of Britain 1500 - 1700 with one of the docents. We saw the Music Room of the Duke of York, early bibles and the most intriguing, embroidered panels by Mary Queen of Scots. Something about that really caught my imagination. So that was the last of our sight seeing in London, we are just down Cromwell Road at the Radisson, so now we have to pack. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...244845269.jpeg Entrance into the V & A. Victoria must have really loved this guy is all I can say. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6fad9812e.jpeg A large hanging Dale Chilhuly in the Rotunda. The V & A is big on decorative arts https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e0776eb64.jpeg All of this stuff is made of plaster. Since the V & A didn't have access to many famous statues, they just made copies out of plaster https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...26d45a50b.jpeg They actually call it the Plaster Court. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e325fa135.jpeg This is the fig leaf that was applied to the plaster cast of the statue of David by Michelangelo. This was necessary because in Victorian times, the ladies had a hard time looking at David in the eye! Hey eyes up here! This is very funny, I mean Victoria had 9 children so at least someone knew what was behind the fig leaf https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1b54f4b1f.jpeg This is a staircase from a three story building. They have crazy stuff in here. |
28 Glorious Days in England
If someone said in one word describe England, I would say sheep. We saw so many sheep, walking on hikes, through Roman ruins, Stone Circles, they were everywhere. I was so impressed with England, I can not believe it took me 71 years to get there. The people were just the friendliest people, always asking how we were, how did we like it there. The food was really good, even though I had fish and chips a lot, I could eat it all the time, one big long plank of white fish not the two or three little pieces we get in the States. One thing that was unexpected, you can't spend cash there, everything is card only. I brought 300 pounds and ended up with 50 still in my pocket. Another thing that made the trip enjoyable was they all speak English! I know, this should be understood, but after traveling in many countries, trying to communicate in a different language, it was so easy to be able to communicate in...well, English! The history is amazing, the countryside is absolutely gorgeous, and the cities are a treat. Hands down my favorite was York, I wish we had more time. London was fun don't get me wrong, but York was more laid back. I can't wait to go back again! https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ffa435370.jpeg We took the Picadilly line right to the airport. Are you listening Los Angeles? https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2364d6ed6.jpeg Virgin Atlantic, only 10 hours until we are home! |
Glad you liked it.
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You're right that the Old City Hall isn't very old. It was opened in 2021 to house the Greater London Authority, which was created two years earlier. The Authority covers all of Greater London, which is very roughly the area inside the M25 and has a population of around 9m. It however only has limited powers as most local power is held by the local boroughs (e.g. Southwark, Westminster etc). Its most important role for visitors is probably transport as it manages Transport for London and your tube ride to Heathrow. The building was only ever leased and the current mayor decided to move to a building the Authority owned further east to save money. I remember once attending a reception on the top floor of the building many years ago.
If you enjoyed the V&A be aware that the V&A Storehouse has just opened in Stratford - a huge treasure trove of a building where you can actually ask to see specific items in the V&A collection but not on display. By next Spring a V&A East Museum will open next door to the Storehouse as well. |
I like your comment about V&A liking decorative art. You are getting the hang of British understatement
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Originally Posted by JohnEW2912
(Post 17660702)
You're right that the Old City Hall isn't very old. It was opened in 2021 to house the Greater London Authority, which was created two years earlier. The Authority covers all of Greater London, which is very roughly the area inside the M25 and has a population of around 9m. It however only has limited powers as most local power is held by the local boroughs (e.g. Southwark, Westminster etc). Its most important role for visitors is probably transport as it manages Transport for London and your tube ride to Heathrow. The building was only ever leased and the current mayor decided to move to a building the Authority owned further east to save money. I remember once attending a reception on the top floor of the building many years ago.
If you enjoyed the V&A be aware that the V&A Storehouse has just opened in Stratford - a huge treasure trove of a building where you can actually ask to see specific items in the V&A collection but not on display. By next Spring a V&A East Museum will open next door to the Storehouse as well. |
A national body based (like the other South Kensington museums) on the foundations provided by the profits from the Great Exhibition of 1851, and run by trustees, but largely funded by government as well as what it makes by commercial operations.
https://www.vam.ac.uk/east/storehouse/visit |
Originally Posted by bilboburgler
(Post 17660703)
I like your comment about V&A liking decorative art. You are getting the hang of British understatement
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Many thanks for a very entertaining trip report. You certainly packed a lot in.
Great that you enjoyed York. I am fortunate enough to live in North Yorkshire, in a tiny village with a field of sheep immediately behind my house! Some of the most beautiful medieval churches in England are known as Wool Churches as they were built many hundreds of years ago on the proceeds of the very lucrative wool trade. Suffolk has some particularly stunning examples, especially in Long Melford and Lavenham. I think you would like Suffolk and you definitely need to explore more of North Yorkshire - I think you would like Whitby too! I'd love to know more about your thoughts on English food. Fish and chips clearly went down well, but anything else you particularly liked or indeed disliked? Hope you had a smooth, uneventful trip home. |
Have been enjoying your report. Full of good information and great pictures! Glad you had such a nice time.
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Originally Posted by Morgana
(Post 17660758)
Many thanks for a very entertaining trip report. You certainly packed a lot in.
Great that you enjoyed York. I am fortunate enough to live in North Yorkshire, in a tiny village with a field of sheep immediately behind my house! Some of the most beautiful medieval churches in England are known as Wool Churches as they were built many hundreds of years ago on the proceeds of the very lucrative wool trade. Suffolk has some particularly stunning examples, especially in Long Melford and Lavenham. I think you would like Suffolk and you definitely need to explore more of North Yorkshire - I think you would like Whitby too! I'd love to know more about your thoughts on English food. Fish and chips clearly went down well, but anything else you particularly liked or indeed disliked? Hope you had a smooth, uneventful trip home. |
Glad you enjoyed the food here. I eat almost anything but I can’t face blood (normally known as black) pudding.
Interesting about how your fish was served. When it comes to fish and chips it tends to be served skin on down south and skin off up north. This is a very general rule though. My dad (a southerner) always maintained that the skin was the best part! Whitby has many attractions. The Abbey and its setting is spectacular, the town has Dracula links but it’s also the unofficial fish and chips capital of the country. It has some superb fish and chips shops and causes endless discussion of which is the best! |
Such a fun report! I'd love to take another trip to England - perhaps a walking trip. Your experience with a tour intrigued me as we are beginning to look at tours. Don't know if I could handle being part of a 30 person pack, though. Off to read more of your trip reports. Thanks!
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