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.

RYE, EAST SUSSEX

For a most rewarding stroll in Rye, visit this incredibly picturesque cobbled street. It retains many of its late 15th - 17th buildings. The Mermaid Inn is to the right. It is a 15^th century half-timbered pub rich in tradition. It was also a notorious meeting place for smugglers. At the end of the street is an elegant18th-century house called « Lamb House » .The American author Henry James (1843-1916) spent the last years of his life and wrote the novels « The Wings Of The Dove » in 1902 and « The Golden Bowl » in 1904.

HAMPTON COURT, HEREFORDSHIRE

Hampton Court near london is a castle on the meadows of the river Lugg, backed by a steep wooded escarpment and surrounded by woodland and grounds of 1,000 acres. Founded by King Henry VIII in the early 15th century the castle has been completely restored. The Gardens at Hampton Court are spectacular. you should see the famous MAZE.... Some of you went there with me a feew years ago... Mind you nobody eventually got lost.

CORFE CASTLE, DORSET

The village of Corfe Castle stands in a narrow gap where the road from Wareham to Swanage passes through the Purbeck Hills. It is dominated by the ruins of the mediaeval castle, after which it is named.
Much of the present day village was built in the 1700's to a consistently high standard of craftsmanship. There followed a decline in prosperity when the centre of the Purbeck Stone trade moved from Corfe Castle to Swanage. As a result, the village has retained a remarkable unity and a picturesque quality which makes it unique, and the setting for several historical feature films.

ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, LONDON

St Paul’s, with its world-famous Dome, is an iconic feature of the London skyline, but there is so much more to Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece than its impressive facade. Look at this photo taken at night from the Millenium bridge (South Bank). I love the ancient - modern blend.

PRIMROSE HILL, LONDON

Lying between St John's Wood and Chalk Farm/Camden tube stations on the jubilee and northern lines respectively, Primrose Hill is a beautiful parkland area near Regents Park. The green space is next to Primrose Hill 'Village' which has now become a favourite spot for many of the capitals media stars and personalities.

Primrose Hill lies at one of the highest points in London (though admittedly being quite a flat city, this still isn't very high!) which means that there are very good views to be had looking out from one of the park benches which have been strategically placed to maximise this view. As a result of this position at the geographical top of the city, it has also attracted many writers and artists over the years as a place which provides inspiration. Take a stroll around Primrose Hill and the Village itself to see where the other half live in this stunning London enclave.

MORECAMBE BAY, LANCASHIRE

Morecambe is located on the north coast of Lancashire (north west), just after Blackpool and before the English Lake District. Morecambe has become a new seaside venue for millions of visitors each year. It is also a major migratory stopover for many species of birds.

FRESHWATER, ISLE OF WIGHT

Freshwater Bay golf course is one of the most spectacular golf courses in the UK. Set on the ISLE OF WIGHT overlooking the English Channel, this course is 5,725 yards long, par 68 which provides a challenge for golfers of all abilities.

This is a beautiful part of the Isle of Wight and an excellent base for a holiday. Landmarks include Freshwater Bay, The Needles, Tennyson Down, Fort Victoria, Alum Bay Cliffs and Yarmouth Castle but there are other places like Newtown Creek - an unspoilt haven for wildlife, Hannover Point with it's dinosaur footprints on the rocks, the ancient standing stones at Mottistone and Hulverstone and beaches ranging from safe and sandy to wild and rocky!

KEW GARDENS, LONDON

The Royal Botanic Gardens, usually referred to simply as Kew Gardens, are extensive gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in southwest London. It is an internationally important botanical research and education institution with 700 staff and an income of £44 million a year, as well as a visitor attraction. This is a picture of The Palm House built between 1844 and 1848. A tropical rainforest habitat is created in this massive greenhouse.

HAMPSTEAD HEATH, LONDON

Hampstead Heath (locally known as "the Heath") is London's largest ancient parkland covering 320 ha. The Heath is hilly, there are ponds, recent and ancient woodlands, a lido, playgrounds, a training track. South of the Heath is Parliament Hill, a focal point and one of the highest points in London with the view protected by law.

The Heath has long been a popular place for Londoners to walk and take the air. Running along its eastern perimeter lies a chain of ponds - including three open-air public swimming pools - which were originally reservoirs for drinking water from the River Fleet. It's a fantastic place if you like walking. I love the peace and quiet of this place.