A Travellerspoint blog

By this Author: dianeski4

Doors

England

overcast

Doors. I had this thing with doors while touring England, especially in the countryside. So many beautiful doors and so much history. Who went through all these doors and what did they face in life? When one door closes, another one opens somewhere. Doors open our lives to so many adventures. I’m glad I have had such great ones these last couple of weeks.

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Posted by dianeski4 14:49 Archived in England Comments (0)

London

Big city!

overcast 55 °F

09000096-8BF7-47D9-8E76-6406EB48FEF1.jpeg1DD5FA89-BDD5-45B3-9AC0-0C0391C58DA1.jpegFDC53BE9-ECB6-47A5-A7F9-9072BB11B546.jpegWe left York early on Thursday and took a train into London. Our first stop Westminster Abbey. We lucked out by stepping into the Methodist Church and having a guide take us to the balcony where the media crews usually stand to take photos of the Royal possessions.
Then we met up with our group for a guided tour of this amazing building.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Abbey
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We followed that up by waking down Trafalgar Square where there was a huge back to nature rally going on that has been going on for days. They were causing all sorts of traffic nightmares. So between that and the Queen coming for a session of Parliament, so many roads are closed. We got back to near the hotel and had some Italian food and called it another day.
My body is so sore and tired from all the walking and standing we have been doing. I literally fell into bed.

Today we had the wonderful opportunity to take a private tour of Parliament buildings. Dave has a friend who knows Louise that is a tour guide there. She met us 2 hours before her regular shift to take us around. Because of the Queen coming we didn’t get to into The House of Lords. But we got into the House of Commons. lol But a nice police officer took us under the floors to see the private chapel, which isn’t open to the public. We were able to learn how Parliament worked and saw everyone getting ready for the queen to come.
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We left there and the next stop was a River boat ride on the Themes over to the Tower of London. We spent hours walking thru all the exhibits. We also saw the Crown Jewels. We saw the changing of the guards. Walked hundreds of stairs and walked around the walls. They were sure barbaric back then with their punishments. Hangings and chopping off heads and chopping up bodies.
We then walked the London Bridge, only part way across and we were exhausted.
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We met up with the Rick Steves group and had our final dinner together. Most of the group is leaving tomorrow. I’ve met so many wonderful people on this tour. So many cool personalities and experiences. It’s been a great two weeks together. One lady in the group had her bag stolen while she was eating lunch today. But that was the worst thing that happened. We’ve all been lucky to have such a safe trip.

Posted by dianeski4 13:42 Archived in England Comments (0)

York, England

Another amazing City!

rain 50 °F

Another outstanding day in England. We are in York! It’s a Beautiful city surrounded by an ancient wall that you can walk on. Beautiful small walking streets with amazing storefront displays.
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Last night we had a freezing cold city tour with lots of little walks through “snickleways” (alley ways that are long and narrow that can get you through the city quicker). We had an Indian feast for dinner. Quite the spicy affair. And one I used to have in Malaysia quite often.
This morning we toured the York Minister Cathedral! This took 250 years to build, but they are still working on it. The foundation is built on the remains of a Roman fort. Every part of this building is amazing. Beautiful gothic archways that stretch as much as 60 -100 feet high. We also got to see under the building where there are still working Roman viaducts in use. We got to see the foundation pillars.
Later that evening we came back for a glorious service with a choir and organ providing the most beautiful music and priests giving short sermons. The last song was for all of us to sing along to. The tune was In Humility Our Savior, from our hymn book, but differs words for this rendition.

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We then had lunch on the rivers edge. Followed by finding a TKMax so I could pickup a couple warmer shirts. I’ve been freezing.

Then it was off to a Huge, and I mean gigantic train museum that was amazing. Several hours later and after the Cathedral performance we had a Yorkshire Pudding wrap for dinner.
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Couple of photos with police officers. And views of the city.
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Then my roommate and I went on a ghost tour of the city. 7 miles of walking and 20,000 steps today.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Minster

Posted by dianeski4 14:08 Archived in England Comments (2)

Hadrians Wall

Northern England

overcast 55 °F

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400 years of occupation by the Romans and 9
Forts built in this area we visited today.
It began in AD 122. The largest Roman archaeological feature in Britain, it runs a total of 73 miles (117.5 kilometres) in northern England. Regarded as a British cultural icon, Hadrian's Wall is one of Britain's major ancient tourist attractions. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. In comparison, the Antonine Wall, thought by some to be based on Hadrian's wall (the Gillam hypothesis), was not declared a World Heritage site until 2008.

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the roman centurion’s song by rudyard kipling
26 Jun ’12

(Roman Occupation of Britain, A.D. 300)

Legate, I had the news last night – my cohort ordered home
By ships to Portus Itius and thence by road to Rome.
I’ve marched the companies aboard, the arms are stowed below:
Now let another take my sword. Command me not to go!

I’ve served in Britain forty years, from Vectis to the Wall,
I have none other home than this, nor any life at all.
Last night I did not understand, but, now the hour draws near
That calls me to my native land, I feel that land is here.

Here where men say my name was made, here where my work was done;
Here where my dearest dead are laid – my wife – my wife and son;
Here where time, custom, grief and toil, age, memory, service, love,
Have rooted me in British soil. Ah, how can I remove?

For me this land, that sea, these airs, those folk and fields suffice.
What purple Southern pomp can match our changeful Northern skies,
Black with December snows unshed or pearled with August haze –
The clanging arch of steel-grey March, or June’s long-lighted days?

You’ll follow widening Rhodanus till vine and olive lean
Aslant before the sunny breeze that sweeps Nemausus clean
To Arelate’s triple gate; but let me linger on,
Here where our stiff-necked British oaks confront Euroclydon!

You’ll take the old Aurelian Road through shore-descending pines
Where, blue as any peacock’s neck, the Tyrrhene Ocean shines.
You’ll go where laurel crowns are won, but – will you e’er forget
The scent of hawthorn in the sun, or bracken in the wet?

Let me work here for Britain’s sake – at any task you will –
A marsh to drain, a road to make or native troops to drill.
Some Western camp (I know the Pict) or granite Border keep,
Mid seas of heather derelict, where our old messmates sleep.

Legate, I come to you in tears – My cohort ordered home!
I’ve served in Britain forty years. What should I do in Rome?
Here is my heart, my soul, my mind – the only life I know.
I cannot leave it all behind. Command me not to

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hadrians-wall/?utm_source=Google%20Business&utm_campaign=Local%20Listings&utm_medium=Google%20Business%20Profiles&utm_content=hadrians%20wall&utm_source=Google%20Business&utm_campaign=Local%20Listings&utm_medium=Google%20Business%20Profiles&utm_content=hadrians%20wall

Posted by dianeski4 04:38 Archived in England Comments (0)

Conway Castle-Wales

overcast 50 °F

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Castles and more castles. Amazing. Wouldn’t want to live in one back then. Cold. Dark. Dirty. But I think the bathroom situation would be the worst thing to deal with.
But they are sure interesting to visit. We stayed in Conway 2 nights and I got to walk around and in the castle walls a few times.

https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/conwy-castle?lang=en

Posted by dianeski4 14:46 Archived in Wales Comments (1)

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