FROZEN SOUTHBANK LONDON

Frozen London in December 2010. The offices are eerily quiet. Many people are snowed in and couldn't get in to work. The Southbank gets a rare moment to itself - devoid of people, tourists and fast-pacing salarymen. A stunning backdrop in white punctuated by the rare sight of human lives dressed in black; the only time the colour of misery contrasts sharply with the colour of fantasy

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Arthur's Seat is the main peak of the group of hills which form most of Holyrood Park, a wild piece of highland landscape in the centre of the city of Edinburgh, about a mile to the east of Edinburgh Castle. The hill rises above the city to a height of 251m (823 ft), provides excellent panoramic views of the city, is quite easy to climb, and is a popular walk. Though it can be climbed from almost any direction, the easiest and simplest ascent is from the East, where a grassy slope rises above Dunsapie Loch. If you go to Edinburgh for a visit don't forget to go there.

CLIFTON, SOMERSET

The Clifton Suspension Bridge, spanning the picturesque Avon Gorge, is the symbol of the city of Bristol. For almost 150 years this structure has attracted visitors from all over the world. Its story began in 1754 with the dream of a Bristol wine merchant who left a legacy to build a bridge over the Gorge. Designed in the early 19th century for light horse drawn traffic it still meets the demands of 21st century commuter traffic with 11-12,000 motor vehicles crossing it every day.

OXFORD, THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS

Hertford Bridge is a skyway over New College Lane in Oxford. This bridge is often referred to as the Bridge of Sighs because of its similarity to the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice. However, it was never intended to be a replica of the Venetian bridge, and indeed it bears a closer resemblance to the Rialto Bridge in the same city.

The bridge links together the Old and New Quadrangles of Hertford College, and much of its current architecture was designed by Sir Thomas Jackson. It was completed in 1914, despite its construction being opposed by New College.

FORDE ABBEY, DORSET

Forde Abbey is a treasure in an area already known for its outstanding beauty. More than 900 years of history and romance are encapsulated in this elegant former Cistercian monastery and its 30 acres of gardens.

BASS ROCK, SCOTLAND

After a few days in Scotland I had to post something about it. So here it is.

Only a few miles from the centre of Edinburgh and situated in the Firth of Forth, lies a rock tooth island. This is the renowned BASS ROCK famous for its history and amazing wildlife. The Bass Rock is the closest sea bird sanctuary to the mainland and was the first to be studied by ornithologists during the 19th century. This colony is the largest on the east coast of Britain and holds approximately 10% of the world population of North Atlantic Gannets.

THE ROYAL CRESCENT, BATH, SOMERSET

The Royal Crescent is a residential road of 30 houses, laid out in a crescent, in the city of Bath, England. Designed by the architect John Wood the Younger and built between 1767 and 1774, it is among the greatest examples of Georgian architecture to be found in the United Kingdom and is a grade I listed building.

The houses have been home to various notable people for over 200 years. Changes have been made to the interiors, however the facade remains much as it was when it was built.

The Royal Crescent now include a hotel and museum with some of the houses being converted into flats and offices. The buildings have been used as a location for several films and television programmes.

LOCH OSSIAN, SCOTLAND

Loch Ossian (Scottish Gaelic: "Loch Oisein") is a fantastic narrow loch that is about 5 km long on the north eastern edge of Rannoch Moor, on The Corrour Estate, with its western corner 2 km east of Corrour railway station. It is drained by the River Ossian, flowing north into Loch Guilbinn and ultimately to the River Spean. Mind you Loch Ossian is remote from public roads, and the nearest access is from Corrour railway station. That is why it remains unspoilt..... Just enjoy the picture.

THE GOTHIC TEMPLE, STOWE PARK

Stowe House is a Grade I listed country house located in Stowe in Buckinghamshire.
It is a fantastic Landmark. A James Bond film ('The World is Not Enough') starts with this Temple as its back drop for a funeral scene. (cleverly shot to double as a Scottish castle).
It has an amazing domed ceiling inside with a gallery.
There are wonderful views across Stowe Park with its landscape of buildings, statues and bridges.

KYLEMORE ABBEY, IRELAND

Kylemore Abbey is the oldest of the Irish Benedictine Abbeys. Unlike many Abbeys we can visit, Kylemore Abbey is no ruin, it is a working boarding school. Before you get too excited about visiting the Abbey; only five rooms are open to the public. Nevertheless, it is worth visiting the gardens and grounds of this picturesque site. The Community of nuns, who have resided here since 1920, have a long history stretching back almost three hundred and forty years.

LONDON IN THE SNOW

Road and rail transport are severely disrupted, some of the airports are closed and the Thames is nearly freezing over. It looks like a catastrophe but it's great for unusual pictures... So enjoy!

A MYSTERY PHOTO (10)

I know you've been desperate about another mystery photo. It has been quite a while but stop complaining... Here's another little Mystery Photo. So, Ready, Steady, Go! Where is it????? You can ask as many questions as you wish (not the place, though!) I want the exact place and not only the Town. Good Luck!

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

This is a cobbled street in Stockbridge. Stockbridge is an area of Edinburgh located towards the north of the city, bounded by the New Town and by Comely Bank. The name is Scots stock brig stocc brycg, meaning a timber bridge, in particular, a footbridge. Originally it was a small village incorporated into the City of Edinburgh. The actual "Stock Bridge" was built in 1801 and spans the Water of Leith.

BIBURY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

This picture shows Arlington Row in the village of Bibury in the Cotswolds. This picturesque row of weavers' cottages with higgledy-piggledy tiles on their low roofs, cheerful window-boxes, deep-set windows and sloping gables, mellowing grey local stone is a vision of rural England past.

William Morris, who had his summer home nearby, declared Bibury “the most beautiful village in England”, the photographers, artists and tourists have been flocking here. Arlington Row is probably one of the most photographed views in the Cotswolds, although nowadays you’d be lucky to get a shot that didn’t include a tour bus.

LANGDALE, LAKE DISCTRICT

Langdale in Cumbria 's central Lakes is a superb corner of a hidden Britain , a favourite of many and home to some of the most dramatic and diverse scenery. Famous as the home of the Langdale Pikes, Little Langdale, Great Langdale, Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle, Langdale hosts some of the most photogenic scenery in the whole of the Lake District ,especialy along the stunning river Rothay, passing t hrough Skelwith Bridge and the Skelwith falls . The surrounding area is really awe inspiring.

NORWICH, NORFOLK

Norwich (pronounced (NORR-idj) is a city in Norfolk, East Anglia (Eastern England). During the 11th century Norwich was the second largest city in England, after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom.

TORQUAY, DEVON

Let's go to the beach!! Brightly coloured beach huts are an essential part of the British coast. They go together with ice creams, sandcastles and the unreliable British weather. Recently the spirit of nostalgia for the British coast has meant that beach huts, in some locations, can sell for more money than houses in other areas. This picture was taken in Torquay in South Devon. Torquay has been one of the UK 's top holiday destinations since Victorian Times when the gentry promenaded, bathing huts were wheeled down to the beaches and anyone who was anyone had an attractive villa overlooking the sea.

HASTINGS, EAST SUSSEX

Hastings Castle is located high atop a cliff overlooking the old town of Hastings and the North Sea towards France. It was from this location that William the Conqueror built a wooden motte and bailey castle and rested his army before heading north to face King Harold at the Battle of Hastings.

Hastings castle evolved from a wooden castle to one made of stone which included an outer curtain wall and central Keep. The Keep and curtain wall along the edge of the cliff are now gone as the edge of the cliff gave way causing those sections of the castle to fall over the edge.

Today only small ruins remain, but the history of the castle and its ties to the Norman Invasion still make it an important location in regards to the History of England. The castle ruins are also still home to a few spirits....

A MYSTERY PHOTO (09)

I know it may look a bit easy but it is the first attempt of the year, isn't it?*
So let's go to work: WHERE IS IT and WHAT IS IS?

BOSCASTLE, CORNWALL

Boscastle is a natural harbour along the North Cornwall Coast. A hundred years ago the village was a thriving port. Boscastle village, complete with cottages clings to the side of the beautiful Valency valley. You can explore the delightful High Street, many of whose properties have stone and slate porches, and large slate flagstones leading up the garden path. Craft and gift shops, a Museum of Witchcraft, a former water mill, newsagents, tea gardens, restaurants, even a bakers. Old inns such as the Napoleon dating from the 16th century, and the Cobweb, once a warehouse, both full of character. If you want to know some more or prepare your next trip ( Edmée !!) click here.