This weekend stayed with friends in village of Lower Failand (near Bristol). They had invited us to join them on a walk in Wales, just across the Severn River from their home.
Continue reading Clytha and Coed y Bwnydd walk in Wales
Tag: castle
Warwick
Another town we were told we shouldn’t miss is Warwick, on the banks of the Avon River about 15 km upstream of Stratford-upon-Avon. It is about a 30 minute train ride from Birmingham so we arrived by mid-morning yesterday. Continue reading Warwick
Ludlow
When we heard that the medieval town of Ludlow on the edge of the Shropshire Hills is one of the most attractive in the country, it shot to the top of our list for a day’s outing. We had to change trains at Shrewsbury, so it was nearly lunchtime by the time we arrived. Continue reading Ludlow
Warsaw
The capital of Poland is a very different scale to any of the other cities in the country, all of which are under a million people. The population of “Varsharva”, as the locals pronounce it, is over 3 million. This makes it the 8th biggest city in the European Union, and it has one of the highest numbers of sky-scrapers.
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Last day in Neuchâtel
Saturday is a big market day here in Neuchâtel, so we decided to walk into town for breakfast, then do some shopping. On the way we called in to look at the castle, which was completed in 1276 and gave the town its name (“New Castle”). The collegiate church attached to the castle was open, so we looked inside and were impressed by the deep blue ceiling painted with stars. Continue reading Last day in Neuchâtel
La Gruyère
It’s been another blistering hot day here in Switzerland. Felicity and I spent most of the morning working, but about 11.00 am we walked into town to make some purchases at the market. There are lots of melons, berries and stone fruit available, especially cherries which come in about five different varieties. Continue reading La Gruyère
Karlštejn Castle
When I looked out the window this morning the sky was blue and the sun was shining – ideal conditions for a bike ride. After breakfast I walked over to the Holiday Inn to meet up with Barry, and discovered a coffee shop just around the corner that makes an excellent brew – an auspicious start to the day. Continue reading Karlštejn Castle
Bingil Bay
From the deck of our backpacker’s hostel we could see the ocean through the trees, so the first thing we did this morning was to drive down to Bingil Bay and walk up and down the beach. There were signs warning about crocodiles, but I overheard a local saying that all the north Queensland beaches now have these signs so they are not particularly meaningful.
Continue reading Bingil Bay
Inveraray
We have picked up a hire car in Inverness and are on our way back south to Oxford. We are making a detour through Argyll where Felicity’s Campbell ancestors originated.
Dornie, by Kyle
This afternoon we crossed the new Skye Bridge back to the Scottish mainland, and are now parked up for the night on the hill behind Eilean Donan Castle.
Continue reading Dornie, by Kyle
Bothwell and Craignethan Castles
Bothwell castle is on a cliff above the Clyde river, upstream of Glasgow. In the middle of the 13th century Walter Murray started building what would have been one of the largest castles in Scotland, but before it was finished he got caught up in the wars of independence, and the castle was captured by the English, recaptured by the Scots, etc, etc.
Continue reading Bothwell and Craignethan Castles
Doune and Stirling Castles
We were very excited last night to learn that the first castle on our list for today was the one used by Monty Python in the Holy Grail movie. The Pythons actually stayed in the same hotel that we did, possibly in the same room!
Continue reading Doune and Stirling Castles
Castle Campbell
Our accommodation in Selkirk last night was very pleasant. Outside the window next to my bed, a waterfall trickled gently all night; the stream running under the building and out onto the common next door.
Continue reading Castle Campbell
Tantallon and Dirleton Castles
Our walking tour has come to an end due to Felicity injuring her leg. So it looks like we’re going on a castle bagging expedition instead.
Continue reading Tantallon and Dirleton Castles
Edinburgh
We arrived back in Edinburgh yesterday afternoon on the train, dropped our gear at the apartment we are staying in, and set off to explore. Just down the road we discovered the museum, and that took up most of our time.
Continue reading Edinburgh
Dysart
I intended to be restrained this morning, and ordered bacon and eggs instead of the “full Scottish breakfast”, but when Felicity asked for haggis I succumbed to peer pressure and asked the waiter for some as well. She only ate half hers, and Judith didn’t eat any after a Google search informed her what it is made of. So after polishing off the lot I was in need of a lot of excersise today.
Continue reading Dysart
Dolwyddelan Castle
We decided we couldn’t visit Wales without seeing a ruined castle, so this morning we took a bus to the village of Dolwyddelan, where there is one built by a local king, Llwelyn the Great in 1210 -1240.
Continue reading Dolwyddelan Castle