Blogs from Cheshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 25

Friends and Family, I have finally escaped the confines of Vancouver, B.C. to escape abroad again. Just a quick week-long trip to bonnie olde England to visit more family and friends. Some of whom I haven't seen in 6 years. I've added a couple photos to show some highlights. I did a quick run around of London and took photos of some of the famous places for Cara. I had the weekend in Oxford with Rich and Rhiannon and their new baby, Owen. We bumped into James Bond punting on the River Thames. No seriously, we actually saw Pierce Brosnan in Oxford punting. He was in town giving the University Union Address. Then I was off to Manchester on Monday. The metro was broken, but I managed to find a train to Altrincham to get in ... read more

This 7,650 mile journey by train across 2 continents was a great adventure stirring the emotions and far exceeding my expectations. It took me nearly half way round the globe providing the opportunity to see vast contrasts of scenic beauty, culture and climate in a short space of time. The thoughts and recollections from the journey will no doubt continue way into the future. For those who think the 'Trans-Siberian' is just another train journey, apart from it being the longest train journey in the world, it is much much more than that : it’s an adventure and one of the very few left on our planet that can be completed by absolutely anyone. So go on ... do it ! ... read more

This time a visit to a corn mill dating back to the mid 1700's.Unique in the fact that inside the building there are two water wheels,the first spilling water onto the second.The internal oak beams seemed to be hand carved into arches and took one right back in time to a bygone age.At the rear of the mill is a holding pond for water storage and at one time was well stocked with fish a supply for the local squire. Now all manner of wild life are supported by the water and woodland that surround the mill. Start of edit xxxx xxxx bxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx... read more

On a fine summer day in August a trip to Jodrell Bank seemed like a good idea it was.Although the place carries a lot of restricted areas the whole experience was quite awe inspiring.First of all the grounds were exeptionally tidy and one was struck by the peace and tranquillity of the place but at the same time one began to wonder what was going on behind the scenes.Is there really something out there,I suppose only time will tell.A walk round the grounds is well worth the visit because at the actual telescope site there is not a lot to see,you cannot go inside the thing.So the only thing to do is to listen to a lecture on a visit to distant stars wearing a pair of 3D glasses,part of it was quite clever but I ... read more

I can't honestly remember the last time I slept in a double bed! I seem to have accustomed myself to the metal dorm beds of hostels because I didn't know what to do with myself. Mike and Janet have been wonderful...I even recieved tea in bed this morning! Am I dreaming? After a long walk through the fields I met two lovely donkey's...it was love at first sight. Lucky for them we brought a carrot. It seems a bit odd to have nothing to do all day, I miss the pace of exploring a new city, meeting new travellers, and fending for myself. I feel a bit odd being looked after, although I can't complain when I have a free bed for the night. Mike took me for a ride in his Triumph TR6...which I soon ... read more