Blogs from United Kingdom, Europe - page 12

September 21 Thursday Toronto Pearson Airport Gate 33 There was a moment when I thought I would have to tell Sherry this trip was cancelled ...luckily I could still walk with my wonky knee...but just barely. The drive down from Sudbury was uneventful except for the fact that I spilled the ice water which had been cooling my engorged left knee, all over the back seat of a brand new VW. No idea why that happened ...the seal on the ziplock bag seemed secure....what a birthday present ...hitting a big zero and falling apart immediately. The wonky knee must have happened when I was shutting down the summer house for winter. I did do the work of two days in one because of an unexpected delightful visit to a friends garage where all kinds of goodies ... read more

As I stood in the church aisle I was astounded at where the last year has gone to. It was this time last year that I stood in the same place and admired the quilts and the artwork that adorned the walls and the aisle . I had called in a few days earlier hoping to meet a friend . A work colleague I used to work with. Too long ago to remember . Sadly he was not around although I was told he would be in later hanging his paintings up for the exhibition . The ladies were extremely busy bring in wooden structures on which to hand their paintings . The put up a sign outside to advertise that the Wrexham Art Group and the local Quilters Association were using the church for the ... read more

So, this morning we looked at the places of interest that we still had on our list. We could go north along the coast to Seaton Delaval Hall (NT), St Mary’s Lighthouse and Tynemouth Priory (EH) OR we could go west to Aydon Castle (EH), Cherryburn (NT) and Prudhoe Castle (EH). To avoid using the Tyne Tunnel again and having to faff around paying the toll online we decided to … Go West! The SatNav was set for Aydon Castle. Syri directed us south westerly to pick up the A1 heading north. Ooh, déjà vu, as we flew past the Angel of the North again before taking the exit onto the A69 to start heading west. We only travelled a couple of miles on the A69 before we were heading off onto the B roads again. ... read more

Today we tried to break a record for the most English Heritage/National Trust properties visited in one day! After we settled up for breakfast – same breakfast, third different price in three days (at least the price was going down not up!) – we packed up all of our gear and programmed the SatNav for Edlingham Castle which is administered by English Heritage. Edlingham Castle was built in about 1300 by Sir William Felton at a time when Northumberland was relatively peaceful. The best-preserved part of the castle that remains today is the solar tower that was added in 1340-50 by William’s son. With the advent of Anglo-Scottish hostilities William (junior) also strengthened the defences with a gate tower and stone curtain wall. After passing to the Hastings and Swinburne families the castle was abandoned in ... read more

Up 6.15 and got bags outside the door at 7 am …. Went down for breakfast and on the bus at 8am weather still wet …. Drove through farm land lush and green to Glastonbury home of the famous 5 day music festival !!!… very hippy town and an old establishment dated 1425 !!! Had a look in there …. The town is very much influenced in King Arthur legend …. Had a cuppa tea and queen vic sponge cake …. DELICIOUS!!! Back at the bus 10.45 and through to BATH around mid day and spent a good hour exploring the old Roman Baths 55 AD the Romans pretty ingenious with their plumbing and engineering… had a look around Bath town centre and back on the bus at 2.45. Had a good trip through to Cardiff ... read more