XMAS IN LONDON (3)

Enjoy !!!
Only one more week and the holidays will be gone!!!!

XMAS IN LONDON (2)

Here's the second one in Oxford Street by John Lewis. Enjoy.

XMAS IN LONDON (1)

Now it's time to think about Christmas and I will post some nice views of the capital.
Here's the first one.

CAMBRIDGE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

This picture was taken in Bridge street in Cambridge. It is the round Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
This exciting building, created in the 12th century, is one of the only four round churches in England and is a favourite among Cambridge residents. If you visit Cambridge don't miss it...
The chancel, north chapel, and south aisle were all added in the 15th century and the conical roof was added in the 19th century.

HIGHLAND COW, SCOTLAND

I know you really enjoyed the previous picture. So, here's another one. But did you know that Highland cows are the oldest known cattle breed. Records of this breed's existence date back as far as the 12th century.The breed was first imported into the United States in the late 1880s. Highland cows are known for their gentle disposition, hardiness in adverse weather conditions and strong resistance to disease.

MYSTERY PICTURE (2)

Try to guess where this picture was taken... I'll be waiting for your questions and answers.

COTTAGES IN DERBYSHIRE

Somewhere in Derbyshire (a county located in the east midlands of England which boasts some of England's most attractive hill and mountain scenery).

Derbyshire includes the Peak District National Park which is a very large area of unspoilt scenery including dales and moorland. Visit this wonderful part of the UK.

HAY-ON-WYE, HEREFORDSHIRE

This little town of Hay-on-Wye, right on the border with Wales, is renowned for having lots and lots of bookshops (32 or thereabouts), including this open air, honesty bookshop where books are simply left out in the open and customers leave their money in a moneybox in the wall. How nice!!

BRIGHTON, SUSSEX

Brighton Pier, originally built in 1891, is one of the city’s most popular landmarks, attracting more than 2,000,000 visitors a year. Stretching out 525 metres into the sea, it offers a wealth of entertainment in the form of arcades, rides, a funfair, fortune tellers, bars, a bingo hall and even a night-club. Brighton simply would not be Brighton without it!

NORWICH, NORFOLK

This is a traditional English pub on the bank of the river Wensum situated near Norwich Cathedral between Tombland and the Saxon river crossing of Fye Bridge. This 14th century building has seen Norwich grow as a port, witnessed medieval traders unloading onto Quay side and was the haunt of wherry skippers who sailed on the Norfolk Broads. The sign dates back to Henry VIII and proclaims one of his favourite dishes. Well worth passing a few pubs for to look and try some local brews and Norfolk dishes.
Very soon I'll show you other pictures of the very charming city of Norwich

WINDSOR, BERKSHIRE

Windsor Castle as you probably know is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the Castle remains a working palace today. But the town itself is very charming and one must absolutely walk along the river Thames...

TEWKESBURY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Abbey Row Cottages.
Typical village of Gloucestershire. Worth a visit!! These cottages were built in the late 15th century for the Benedictine Monastery as a commercial venture and consisted of shops which were opened to the street by lowering their shutters to act as counters. Today this row houses the National Trust Shop and the John Moore Countryside Museum.

ST JAMES'S PARK, LONDON

View along water in St James's Park. St James's Park is at the very heart of London and covers 23 hectares. It is often filled with people relaxing on a Saturday afternoon with a drink and some food. With a lake harbouring ducks, geese and pelicans. St James's is also home to the Mall, the setting for many ceremonial parades and events of national celebration.

PADSTOW, CORNWALL

Join me now in Padstow in Cornwall. Padstow is an example of what we do best - it's a working port which wears a holiday hat. (according to the tourist information centre, but I quite like the image) The Town with its colourful harbour surrounded by pastel-washed medieval houses is an attraction in itself. See the picture of one of the first impressions... the pubs are alive with hanging baskets. So many!!!

CAMBORNE, CORNWALL

Overlooking both Camborne and Redruth in Cornwall and reaching up to 738 feet above sea level is Carn Brea. The carn can be seen from most high ground in Cornwall and the monument on top easily picked out.
What is not apparent from any distance is the size of the monument. You could be forgiven for assuming it was a simple standing stone whereas in fact it is a 90 foot high granite obelisk. The huge hexagonal column was erected in 1836 in memory of Francis Bassett, Lord de Dunstaville. The interior of the monument can be accessed by a door and is hollow with a staircase leading up to a viewing platform. On this picture a storm is brewing which adds some kind of mystery and gloom to the scene.

PINK TAXI, LONDON

Every day, thousands of London's residents and visitors hail a licensed taxi, a unique vehicle that is as much a symbol of London as Big Ben and the double-decker bus. The operators of these taxis are legendary for their encyclopedic knowledge of the British capital but the fascinating history of the vehicles they drive is less apparent to the casual observer. Usually they are black but look at this picture that I took while I was walking round The City last April....

DIRLETON CASTLE, SCOTLAND

A couple take time to watch the world go by in the gardens of Dirleton Castle, In Scotland. Isn't it romantic ??

SEVEN SISTERS, EAST SUSSEX

The Seven Sisters of the chalk headland of Beachy Head near Eastbourne stretch from Birling Gap in the east to Cuckmere Haven in the west. These sheer white cliffs drop to a depth of 200 metres while their tops undulate softly. Until they were worn away by the sea (the last one disappeared in 1854) the Seven Sisters had seven brothers known as the Seven Charles. This picture was not taken by me (of course) but by a professional phtographer. But I really wanted to share it with you, I just love it! So next time you go to England, go to Eastbourne (Mind you nice place to visit too) and walk along the beaches to Seven Sisters, bring a picnic with you, wear comfortable shoes and off you go.....

TULIPS AND BIG BEN

Not much to say about this one, except that you may have a glimpse of BIG BEN. You know that flowers are everywhere in London so just enjoy and tell me what you think of that.

THE COTSWOLDS, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Look at these Cottages!!! The Cotswolds are well-known for villages of mellow stone, rolling hills, winding rivers and water meadows. Centuries old towns, like Stow on the Wold, Burford with its so antique shops. Everywhere houses covered in climbing roses such a delight in summer but nice at any time of year. It's the Perfect place for short breaks, weekends or romantic breaks .....

AVEBURY STONES, WILTSHIRE

Ninety miles west of London and twenty miles north of Stonehenge stands Avebury, the largest known stone ring in the world. Older than the more famous Stonehenge, and for many visitors far more spectacular, the multiple rings of Avebury are cloaked with mysteries which archaeologists have only begun to unravel.
On this picture, you can see some of the stones. I don't know the people walking near the stones, but they provide a nice idea of scale.....and what about the greeness of the scene...

CAMBRIDGE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

The City of Cambridge is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Britain. Situated in the quiet east of England, amid the rural countryside of Cambridgeshire. On this photo you can see the wonderful setting of a common by the river Cam. A very special place for a quick nap. You can also read a good book or listen to some music...and after that you can go Punting!!!

NEW FOREST, HAMPSHIRE.

These ponies are wild and you should not attempt to feed them as they are unpredictable and can kick and bite. These were seen where the Beaulieu Road branches off the A35 at Lyndhurst but they are to be seen all over the forest on the open ground. The scenery is great and you would certainly doubt it is in somewhere in England...

A THATCHED COTTAGE, SWAN GREEN, HAMPSHIRE

Hampshire is, perhaps, the most diverse of the counties in Southern England. Based mostly on chalk it includes part of the South Downs, which also runs into Sussex, and the New Forest - 100 square miles of forest and open heaths. Hampshire was part of King Harold's Wessex in Saxon times.This part of the South Downs is clad with 'hangers'. I really like those cottages, they look like Human Beings and they are so cosy. I dream of spending some holiday there!!!

QUIZ: MYSTERY PHOTO (1)

Today, let's have a little game for a change... I would like you to tell me where this picture was taken and what this is all about. I'll give you a few days to ask me questions or just post your guesses.

Enjoy!!

WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER, SUSSEX

Here's a nice picture from the famous cliffs of Dover. They were mentioned by Julius Caesar in his account of the Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC. Shakespeare too makes reference to them in King Lear and the lines beginning "There is a cliff, whose high and bending head looks fearfully on the confined deep" are commemorated by Shakespeare Cliff to the west of the town. These chalk cliffs were formed in the Cretaceous Period, which commenced about 136,000,000 years ago.(waooh!!) Apart from these technical elements, they're just wonderful.

CANTERBURY, KENT

Here's a nice one showing a typical old street of Canterbury. About the town Virginia Woolf said in 1904 'There is no lovelier place in the world...and I have seen Venice too.' The small and compact city centre is closed to traffic during the daytime to enable the narrow streets and the many attractions to be more easily and safely accessed by visitors. So go there and visit the world famous Norman Cathedral...

GOUGANE BARRA, CORK, IRELAND

This picture was taken during a hike around Gougane Barra in the county of Cork in South Ireland. This is a fairly picturesque spot, famed as the source of the river Lee which runs through Cork City, and as the hermitage of St. Finbarr, the patron saint of Cork (indeed, legend has it that he founded Cork city in the eighth century.) The church itself is on a small island. How peaceful!!!

A HOP FARM, KENT

Kent is famous for its hop farms and fields. At one time Kent had over thirty thousand acres of hop farms; the industry was vital to the local economy and employed thousands of people during harvest time. Nowadays a hop farm’s harvest is gathered with the use of a little more technology and the produce sold to the breweries. This photo was taken in the countryside near Maidstone.

THE NEEDLES, ISLE OF WIGHT

The Isle of Wight Needles.
The Isle of Wight Needles are one of the island's most spectacular natural landmarks and consist of three huge towers of chalky rock jutting out from the sea, close to Alum Bay, on the western side of the Isle of Wight. A fourth rock tower collapsed in 1764 and the third rock is now the base for an automatic lighthouse. But there's so much to see on this wonderful island!!!!

URQUHART CASTLE, SCOTLAND

This is a picture of the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle in Scotland. They are situated 2 miles from Drumnadrochit on a rocky peninsula on the banks of Loch Ness.
You cross over a wooden gangway which now lies in place of the original drawbridge across the defensive ditch. First you pass through the main gate-house - look for door on the left leading to a small exhibit about Historic Scotland - go up a couple of steps and you can peer into the tiny prison cell which was guarded by the gate-keeper. In the other (south) lodge of the gate-house, you can see the remains of an old kiln where grain was dried.
It is a wonderful place to be if you want to get a chance to see « Nessie » (The Loch Ness Monster). Have a picnic and watch carefully...

THE GHERKIN, LONDON

30 St Mary Axe is a building in the City of London. It is informally known as "The Gherkin", and sometimes as The Swiss Re Tower, after its owner and principal occupier. It is 590 ft (180 m) tall. The building is famous for its daring architecture by Sir Norman FOSTER and ex-partner Ken Shuttleworth.It was completed in April 2004. Woody Allen's 2005 film MATCH POINT features scenes of the interior of 30 St. Mary Axe. The character Christopher "Chris" Wilton works in an office in the building...

ABERYSTWYTH, WALES

Here's a picture of the fishing port of Aberystwyth (what a difficult name to pronounce!!) It is situated on the West Coast of Wales, in the centre of Cardigan Bay. The town nestles between three hills, and bravely faces seaward in a colourful curved terrace of three and four storey Victorian hotels and boarding houses. There are two shingle beaches, a lively pier, a picturesque harbour and on the headland between the harbour and town beach are the remains of the late 13th Century Aberystwyth Castle.

THE TURF TAVERN, OXFORD

This is a picture of the board at the Turf Tavern, where Bill Clinton hung out while he was a student at Oxford. Apart from this anecdote, The Turf Tavern is a historic pub located just outside the Oxford city walls. With foundations dating back to the 13th century, its city centre location makes it one of Oxford's oldest pub. Getting to the Turf can be quite tricky!! I can draw you a map for your next visit to Oxford... Everybody in Oxford loves the Turf Tavern and it certainly is my favourite pub in Engalnd. Its hidden location does nothing to damage this pub’s popularity, with its great real ale selection and beer gardens. All year round you can sit back contented, be it by the cosy fire in winter or outside basking in the summer sun.

EVANTON, SCOTLAND

Look at this lovely typical village shop! It is situated in the Scottish village of Evanton.There you'll find a small Hotel (The Novar Arms where you could purchase a very good cooked breakfast for £5) and a bar. There is a good village shop which is open late in the summer, a caravan and camp-site, a library, craft shop/tea room and churches. Evanton is an excellent place to stay for a visit to the Highlands (North Scotland) because it is so handy for the city which is about 18 miles away and it has so many places which are just a day trip away. For the Harry Potter's fans Black Rock Gorge is being used as a backdrop for at least one scene in Goblet of Fire where Harry is chased into a gorge. It is a very deep and narrow 21,000-acre estate that is 125 feet (38 meters) deep, and one mile (1.6 Kilometers) long.

THE HIGHLAND COW, SCOTLAND

Today let's go to Scotland in order to meet the Highland Cow. It has been living for centuries in the rugged remote Scottish Highlands. The extremely harsh conditions created a process of natural selection, where only the fittest and most adaptable animals survived to carry on the breed. They will eat plants other cattle avoid. They look nice, don't they?

TRAFFIC, LONDON

Yes, It is Friday and everybody's longing to get home as early as possible. So traffic is heavy....
But as we are not stuck, we can enjoy this nice picture. have a nice weekend! The taxi has decided to take another street. Bright colours anyway.

BLEINHEIM PALACE, OXFORDSHIRE

Situated just 8 miles from Oxford, Blenheim Palace is the home of 11th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Set in beautiful parkland of 2100 acres, which was landscaped by 'Capability' Brown in 1760's, the Palace is surrounded by sweeping lawns and formal gardens. This is for me probably the most extraordinary place in the UK. You could easily spend hours and hours just walking around.

BRIGHTON, THE LANES

Situated on the South East coastline of England, Brighton is one of the most enchanting, exciting, extraordinary seaside city in Britain. However brazen that may sound, it is no exaggeration.
The Lanes is the oldest area of Brighton and is a great place to shop and eat. After the Brighton village was burnt to the ground by French invaders in the 16th century it was rebuilt along the same streets. Some of the buildings have been updated but the narrow streets give you an idea of what medieval Brighton was like. You can easily spend a whole day there.

CAMDEN LOCK, LONDON

Camden town has several markets and it is one of the most visited attractions in London. The market is very popular at the weekends. When you exit Camden Town station turn right which will take you to the markets. You will come across bazaars selling cheap clothes, second hand clothes and jewellery. The open air market is full of small tiny shops that sell stained glass, hand made jewellery, leather belts and bags. You will also find all sort of clothes, and if you like vegetarian food; well this is the place to be. You can also pick up books, records, carpets, antiques and even have your palm read. If you get fed up with shopping you can make your way to one of the pubs. It's a wonderful place for the atmosphere although it can get really crowded at weekends. But if you're tired, just get some take away food and walk towards the canal, find a quiet place and unwind.... Weather permitting of course!!!

YOUGHAL , IRELAND

In August 2003 I spent two weeks visiting the South West of Ireland, I'll show you some other pictures if you're interested. The first one is maybe one of my favourite. I love this house! We found it by chance on our way to Ballymacoda near Youghal. We had the pleasure to meet the owner of the house and chat with him. He's a very kind man who is really proud of the work he's done in this house. Congratulations ....

SPRING IN THE COTSWOLDS

This is the footpath leading out of the Cotswold village BIBURY. If you enjoy walking, try this footpath. It will go up people's driveways, through their yards, out into farmer's fields, through fields of cows or sheep. Sometimes you feel like the path might just lead you into someone's living room. These are all public right of ways that must be kept open. Most of them are frequently travelled. Unforgettable.

SOHO SQUARE, LONDON

In London, there is a very pleasant shady square, not too far from Oxford street.Today, as well as the office buildings, Soho Square has London's one remaining French Protestant church and St Patrick's Catholic church. But what you can see on the photo is that unusual mock Tudor building at the centre of the square. It is a Victorian garden shed. Soho Square is a popular picnic spot for everybody and I often go there in good weather to unwind. Of course, it may be a bit crowded sometimes...

STONEHENGE, WILTSHIRE

Stonehenge is surely Britain's greatest national icon, symbolizing mystery, power and endurance. Its original purpose is unclear, but some have speculated that it was a temple made for the worship of ancient earth deities. It has been called an astronomical observatory for marking significant events on the prehistoric calendar. Others claim that it was a sacred site for the burial of high-ranking citizens.
While we can't say with any degree of certainty what it was for, we can say that it wasn't constructed for any casual purpose. Only something very important to the ancients would have been worth the effort and investment that it took to construct Stonehenge.
The ruins stand on the open downland of Salisbury Plain three kilometres west of the town of Amesbury in the county of Wiltshire, in Southern England. A must see on you next (first) visit to England.

CHRIST CHURCH, OXFORD

Famous for its beautiful architecture OXFORD is a vibrant and multi-cultural city. The University founded in circa 1096 is the oldest English speaking University in the world with 39 official colleges and 7 private halls. Oxford University has produced gifted men and women such as Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, actor Hugh Grant and Olympic gold medallist Matthew Pinsent. The city is famous for its beautiful parks and gardens, the most famous being the University Parks which have existed for almost four centuries. The picture has been taken from the park on the way to CHRIST CHURCH.

FIRST PICTURE

Here you'll find some interesting photos about the UK, Ireland, the United States and even Australia...
Most of them were taken by me but some others may be collected from the Web.
So enjoy and of course feel free to comment them.

The first one is a picture of London. I particularly enjoy the colours and the hazy atmosphere.