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.

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.