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Edinburgh Scotlands Capital

May 30, 2015 by David Herd

A very interesting city.

Edinburgh Scotlands Capital

Edinburgh Scotlands Capital

Edinburgh Scotlands Capital in November 2011 was the first stop on our road trip to Glasgow through the Scottish highlands.  Incidentally in the pub shown above I spent all my time looking at the blond not the band.

The Beehive Inn

Edinburgh Scotlands Capital

My friend Bill Austin and I had a good night at the The Beehive Inn before heading off on our road trip to Glasgow through the Scottish Highlands.


 

Edinburgh from the castle.

Edinburgh Scotlands Capital

Here is my friend Bill admiring the view from the Edinburgh Castle.  

Edinburgh Castle.

Edinburgh Scotlands Capital

Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland from its position on the Castle Rock. Archaeologists have established human occupation of the rock since at least the Iron Age (2nd century AD), although the nature of the early settlement is unclear. There has been a royal castle on the rock since at least the reign of David I in the 12th century . 

Edinburgh Scotland’s Capital, Bobby’s Bar

Edinburgh Scotlands Capital

 Greyfriars Bobby was a Skye Terrier who became known in 19th-century Edinburgh for supposedly spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner until he died himself on 14 January 1872.

Edinburgh Old Town

Edinburgh Scotlands Capital

Edinburgh has a medieval Old Town and an elegant Georgian New Town.

Old Town  

Edinburgh Scotlands Capital

 This area has many underground vaults and hidden passages, relics of previous constructions.

Petit Paris

Edinburgh Scotlands Capital

 Oozing with Parisian charm, this intimate French restaurant in Edinburgh’s historic Grassmarket has been delighting Scottish Francophiles with its Gallic goodness for over a decade.

Edinburgh Scotlands Capital

  Edinburgh Scotlands Capital

St John’s Church at Royal Mile in old town.

Ghost tour anyone?

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I must admit I didn’t join any of these tours preferring to focus on the many Edinburgh pubs. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Edinburgh Scotlands Capital photo blog.

For a very good discount on your Edinburgh hotel room just use THIS LINK.

  

   Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets EuropeHungarian Parliament Building (2)The Walkie Talkie (5)   

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837IMG_7425Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South VietnamMain Square (3)Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
Pattaya live webcam
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

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The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Fascinating London Facts

May 28, 2015 by David Herd

Tower Bridge London

Fascinating London Facts

Fascinating London Facts

 Fascinating London Facts, here is a collection of interesting facts about this wonderful city that has been around for 6000 years.

Although the bridge is an undoubted landmark, professional commentators in the early 20th century were critical of its aesthetics. “It represents the vice of tawdriness and pretentiousness, and of falsification of the actual facts of the structure”, wrote H. H. Statham, while Frank Brangwyn stated that “A more absurd structure than the Tower Bridge was never thrown across a strategic river”

Trafalgar Square

Fascinating London Facts

It is situated in the City of Westminster. At its centre is Nelson’s Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. The name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory of the Napoleonic Wars over France and Spain which took place on 21 October 1805 off the coast of Cape Trafalgar, Spain.

Nelson’s Column

Fascinating London Facts

 Nelson’s Column is a monument in Trafalgar Square in central London built to commemorate Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The monument was constructed between 1840 and 1843 to a design by William Railton at a cost of £47,000.


Fascinating London Facts

Fascinating London Facts

 Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between Charing Cross Road and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as “Covent Garden”.

Westbourne River

Fascinating London Facts

 The waters of the Westbourne or Bayswater were originally pure and in 1437 and 1439 conduits were laid to carry water from the Westbourne into the City of London, for drinking. In the nineteenth century, however, the water became filthy and impure by its use as a sewer, and the rise of the water closet as the prevailing form of sanitation.

London Underground

Fascinating London Facts

 The idea of an underground railway linking the City of London with some of the railway termini in its urban centre was proposed in the 1830s, and the Metropolitan Railway was granted permission to build such a line in 1854

Overtaken by Tokyo

Fascinating London Facts

In 2015 London’s population has hit 8.6m people, according to the Greater London Authority – and the last time it was that big was 76 years ago. The metropolis is already Europe’s largest city and the 6th richest place on Earth. Here are some key facts about the capital.

Another lost river

Fascinating London Facts

London’s rivers are invisible threads, binding London together under the surface while the city roars above. They were here long before people or buildings arrived. They are a hidden system for cutting through the layers on which London stands, and revealing the many places London used to be.

Winston Churchill

  Fascinating London Facts 

Widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th century, Churchill was also an officer in the British Army, a historian, a writer (as Winston S. Churchill), and an artist.  

 Great fire of London

Fascinating London Facts

The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the English city of London, from Sunday, 2 September to Wednesday, 5 September 1666. The fire gutted the medieval City of London inside the old Roman city wall. It threatened, but did not reach, the aristocratic district of Westminster, Charles II’s Palace of Whitehall, and most of the suburban slums. It consumed 13,200 houses, 87 parish churches, St Paul’s Cathedral and most of the buildings of the City authorities.

It is estimated to have destroyed the homes of 70,000 of the City’s 80,000 inhabitants. The death toll is unknown but traditionally thought to have been small, as only six verified deaths were recorded. This reasoning has recently been challenged on the grounds that the deaths of poor and middle-class people were not recorded, while the heat of the fire may have cremated many victims leaving no recognisable remains.  

Fascinating London Facts

Fascinating London Facts 

The arch also stands close to the former site of the Tyburn gallows (sometimes called ‘Tyburn Tree’), a place of public execution from 1388 until 1793.

Harrods

Fascinating London Facts

  Up to 300,000 customers visit the shop on peak days, comprising the highest proportion of customers from non-English speaking countries of any department store in London. More than five thousand staff from over fifty different countries work at Harrods.

Tower of London

Fascinating London Facts

The Tower of London has become established as one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. It has been a tourist attraction since at least the Elizabethan period, when it was one of the sights of London that foreign visitors wrote about. Its most popular attractions were the Royal Menagerie and displays of armour.

The Crown Jewels also garner much interest, and have been on public display since 1669. The Tower steadily gained popularity with tourists through the 19th century, despite the opposition of the Duke of Wellington to visitors. Numbers became so high that by 1851 a purpose-built ticket office was erected. By the end of the century, over 500,000 were visiting the castle every year.  

London Bridge

Fascinating London Facts

By the end of the 18th century, it was apparent that the old London Bridge — by then over 600 years old — needed to be replaced. It was narrow and decrepit, and blocked river traffic. In 1799, a competition for designs to replace the old bridge was held.  

Thanks for taking the time to visit my post on Fascinating London Facts.

    As well as Fascinating London Facts here are some of my recent London posts.     
Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposite the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
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               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Pattaya live webcam
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Hyde Park Kensington London

May 19, 2015 by David Herd

Coffee by the lake

Hyde Park Kensington London

Hyde Park Kensington London

Hyde Park Kensington London has something for everyone. You can enjoy swimming, boating, cycling and skating. There are pitches for team games, tennis courts, tracks for horse riding and a spectacular children’s playground. The Park has two lakeside restaurants which are licensed and serve everything from a three-course meal to a quick cup of coffee.

The Serpentine

Hyde Park Kensington London

 Although it is common to refer to the entire body of water as the Serpentine, strictly the name refers only to the eastern half of the lake.


Beautiful gardens

Hyde Park Kensington London

Hyde Park London covering 142 hectares (350 acres) and with over 4,000 trees, a large lake, a meadow and ornamental flower gardens.

Peaceful paradise in the heart of the city

Hyde Park Kensington London

A beautiful oasis in the middle of London.

Hyde Park Kensington London interesting tree

Hyde Park Kensington London

An amazing tree.

Peaceful setting

Hyde Park Kensington London

Hyde park is a must to see if you are in this great city.

I wonder who lives here?

Hyde Park Kensington London

There are so many photo opportunities here in Hyde Park.

Look closely you may see a puppy.

Hyde Park Kensington London

Puppy, what puppy? I don’t see a puppy.

Hyde Park Kensington London Wellington Arch

Hyde Park Kensington London

 Wellington Arch, also known as Constitution Arch or the Green Park Arch, is a triumphal arch located to the south of Hyde Park in central London.

Hyde Park Kensington London Cafe

Hyde Park Kensington London


A perfect peaceful and serene location to relax and enjoy a coffee.

Another cafe restaurant

Hyde Park Kensington London

Thanks for visiting my Hyde Park Kensington London photo blog.

One of my favourite songs about London.

Piccadilly             London skyscrapers          London 2015

 

 More posts for you to see

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f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Pattaya live webcam
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Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Bristol South West England

May 19, 2015 by David Herd

Riverside cafe

Bristol South West England

Bristol South West England

Bristol South West England was fairly close to where I was staying in Beckington with my friend Bill Austin. We paid a visit to some of his work colleagues who had contracts to install security camera for Trowbridge council.

All throughout England the camera surveillance is everywhere. Who can blame them with the shocking acts of terrorism they have experienced over the years.

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Bristol South West England

 The bridge is a distinctive landmark, used as a symbol of Bristol on postcards, promotional materials, and informational web sites. It was also used as a backdrop to several films and television advertising and programmes.

Avon Gorge

Bristol South West England

It’s a very long way down to the Avon river.

Bristol South West England

Bristol South West England

 To distinguish it from a number of other rivers of the same name, this river is often also known as the Lower Avon or Bristol Avon.

Sitting on the dock of the bay.

Bristol South West England

I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay watchin’ the tide roll away, ooo I’m just sittin’ on the dock of the bay wastin’ time…..

Bristol South West England

Bristol South West England

Bristol did not inspire me, I doubt very that I would ever visit again. I think there are far more interesting cities in this part of the country. I’m probably being a little unfair as I didn’t have enough time to explore other parts of the city and surrounding area.

Bristol at night

Bristol South West England

Heading off to dinner with Bill Austin and his friends.

The Wild bunch

Bristol South West England

Here I am with friends Bill Austin and Simon Wilmont and two of the lads from Select Electrics Ltd in Bristol. They were a good bunch of guys who like most Englishmen I know, really love a beer.

               Thanks for visiting my Bristol South West England photo blog.

                More posts for you to see

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          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

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                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South VietnamMain Square (3)Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
Pattaya live webcam
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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London cold winter wind

March 5, 2015 by David Herd

The Shipwrights Arms

London cold winter wind

London cold winter wind

 London cold winter wind & lots of great pubs. I arrived March 1st 2015 the same date I arrived in 2014, at least unlike last year there was no rain, just icy cold wind. At least there are hundreds of great pubs to visit and escape from the wind.

The Hereford Arms

London cold winter wind

about 300 meters from Gloucester Road underground, a delightful little pub with a nice atmosphere and good food.

Hereford Arms

London cold winter wind

About a 8 minute walk from my hotel the Villa Kensington, I had dinner here on 3 occasions.

The Villa Kensington 10-11 Ashburn Gardens SW7

London cold winter wind

This excellent budget hotel is in a great location, only 2 blocks from Gloucester Road underground and surrounded by dozens of good restaurants. I booked through Agoda as usual and stayed in a newly renovated room for only 50 Quid or $98 usd including breakfast. Get a good discount through THIS LINK.

London cold winter wind

London cold winter wind

London cold winter wind and sunshine, but as I said before, the wind was icy. 🙂  

 Enoteca da Luca

London cold winter wind

I stumbled this delightful Italian restaurant at 21 Wattling St which is very close to St Pauls Cathredral.

Enoteca da Luca

London cold winter wind

  The Terrine was excellent as was the red wine. I found the wine a little expensive however sadly I think that is just the norm in London.  

Here is Julia at Enoteca da Luca

London cold winter wind

An excellent wine selection at Enoteca da luca, apparently there are a couple of other branches of this restaurant as well.

Jamie Oliver Barbecoa

London cold winter wind

  Also is Wattling Street is this fabulous Jamie Oliver butchery.  

London cold winter wind at St Pauls Cathredal

London cold winter wind

     It’s so cold even the statues are hugging.

The Walkie Talkie and The Gherkin

London cold winter wind

  There are some incredible glass skyscrapers being built in London.   Check out my post of these exciting new buildings.

The Tower Bridge

London cold winter wind

The Tower bridge is still one of London’s best places to visit and photograph.

Leadenhall Market

London cold winter wind

Quite a beautiful old building.

The Bloomsbury Tavern 236 Shaftsbury Avenue

London cold winter wind

Typical London architecture.

The Princess Louise

London cold winter wind

Princess Louise 208 High Holborn is a traditional English pub that is very popular at lunch time. I enjoyed a nice sandwich and a couple of bloody Mary’s.

For London & UK hotels there are great discounts through this link.

The Princess Louise

London cold winter wind

One of the great joys of visiting London are the unique pubs.

Little Venice near Paddington station

 

London cold winter wind

My first visit to this area triggered by a crime novel I recently read. 🙂

Nice cafe in Little Venice

London cold winter wind

Coffee and cake at this delightful cafe.

Newton Abbott in Devon

London cold winter wind

I an find only two reasons anybody would want to visit Newton Abbott in Devon. First I understand it is quite famous for horse racing, secondly, and this was my reason, there is a low security prison where I paid a very good friend a visit. This is the 4th English prison I have been to in the last 8 years. Last year it was Stafford, before that Dovegate and finally Dorchester.

London Underground

London cold winter wind

If you are spending a few days in London make sure you buy an Oyster Card for the underground as well as the London busses. Only 30 Quid for unlimited travel, a terrific saving.

Holiday Inn Kensington

London cold winter wind

  This is also a terrific location, in fact it is opposite my budget hotel the Villa Kensington. There is a huge price difference, 300 Quid for the Holiday inn  and 65 for Villa Kensington.  

One of my favourite songs about London.

Thanks for visiting my London cold winter wind photo blog.

                   Please check out these fabulous posts

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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
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               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Pattaya live webcam
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

 

Here are the fantastic new London buildings

 

Before I arrived in London I spent 4 days in Istanbul

 

Check out my blog on the rest of my fabulous trip.

 

A stand out feature of this trip was my selection of hotels and apartments, everyone of them was in a perfect location…

Posted by Travel blogger Fivestarvagabond.com” on Thursday, March 26, 2015

Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

 


Counter only started June 16 2020.

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London Shard Gherkin Walkie Talkie

March 3, 2015 by David Herd

The Gherkin

London Shard Gherkin Walkie Talkie

London Shard Gherkin Walkie Talkie

London Shard Gherkin Walkie Talkie are some of the ultra modern glass skyscrapers that are starting to dominate the London skyline. Not all Locals are happy about this break from tradition, however it is very difficult these days to stop progress.

On the building’s top level (the 40th floor), there is a bar for tenants and their guests featuring a 360° view of London.  A restaurant operates on the 39th floor, and private dining rooms on the 38th.

Tower 42

London Shard Gherkin Walkie Talkie

 Tower 42 is the 3rd tallest building in London after the Shard and 122 Leadenhall Street.

The Shard

London Shard Gherkin Walkie Talkie

Londoners seem to like giving nicknames to their new buildings.

The Shard

London Shard Gherkin Walkie Talkie

London’s tallest building, I intended to visit the lookout at the top however a price of 30 Quid talked me out of it. 🙂


 

The Walkie Talkie at 20 Fenchurch Street

London Shard Gherkin Walkie Talkie

This is my favourite building in London, there is a great story about how it magnifies heat and melts cars. During the summer of 2013, when the reflection of a beam of light up to six times brighter than direct sunlight shining onto the streets beneath damaged vehicles parked on the street nearby, including one on Eastcheap whose owner was paid £946 by the developers for repairs to melted bodywork. The reflection also burned or scorched the doormat of a shop in the affected area. The media responded by dubbing the building the “Walkie Scorchie”.

The Walkie Talkie

London Shard Gherkin Walkie Talkie

    This is certainly my favourite modern London building.

122 Leadenhall Street

London Shard Gherkin Walkie Talkie

    Lots of steel and glass in this fantastic skyscraper.

Lloyd’s Building

London Shard Gherkin Walkie Talkie

    What style would you call this, modern metal? 🙂

 London Shard Gherkin Walkie Talkie

London Shard Gherkin Walkie Talkie

  The Shard of course is one the opposite side of the Thames.

The Walkie Talkie

London Shard Gherkin Walkie Talkie

The Walkie talkie is still my favourite, how many buildings do you know of that can destroy motor vehicles? 🙂

 More posts for you to see

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Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
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                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Pattaya live webcam
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First stop on this trip was Istanbul

 

Check out these great photo blogs.


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Bath South West England

January 2, 2015 by David Herd

Wonderful city of Bath

Bath South West England

Bath South West England

Bath South West England is quite a beautiful city. Located 97 miles (156 km) west of London and 13 miles (21 km) south-east of Bristol. In 2011, its population was 88,859.

The Royal Crescent in Bath

Bath South West England

Many notable people have either lived or stayed in the Royal Crescent since it was first built over 230 years ago, and some are commemorated on special plaques attached to the relevant buildings.

The Royal Crescent now includes a hotel and a Georgian house museum, while some of the houses have been converted into flats and offices. It is a popular location for the makers of films and television programmes, and a major tourist attraction in its own right.

The Empire is a landmark building

Bath South West England

Like many other cities I visit I took advantage of the open top tourist bus to see many interesting parts of the city.  The Empire is a landmark building in Bath in the heart of the city was built in 1901.

Inside the Empire is Garfunkel’s an interesting restaurant and is part of a chain with branches in London and Edinburgh.


Roman Baths

Wandering around South West England

Bath is famous for the Roman Baths that date back to when the first shrine at the site of the hot springs was discovered by the British king Bladud who built the first baths in 836 BC.

Bath South West England Pulteney Bridge

Wandering around South West England

Pulteney Bridge  was completed by 1774, and connected the city with the newly built Georgian town of Bathwick.  Pulteney Bridge is open to pedestrians, but only buses and taxis can drive across.

The weir at Pulteney Bridge

Bath South West England

Quite an impressive sight.

Bath Abbey

Bath South West England

The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul,  commonly known as Bath Abbey, it is an Anglican parish church and a former Benedictine monastery. Founded in the 7th century, Bath Abbey was reorganised in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries.

Bath South West England

Bath South West England

It is a pleasure to walk around this lovely city.

No motor vehicles here

Bath South West England

Beautiful walkways with no traffic.

Bath South West England red wine with lunch

Bath South West England

David Herd, Bill Austin and Simon Wilmont enjoying a nice lunch in Bath.

St Christopher’s Inn

Bath South West England

Here is cheap accommodation in the heart of the city.


Sleeping rough in Bath

Bath South West England

Hoping to earn a few quid playing the flute.

Very distinctive architecture in Bath.

Bath South West England

 Typical homes in Bath South West England

County Hotel Bath

Bath South West England

Bath celebrity chef Martin Blunos has returned. This well known Chef has opened his latest venture at the County hotel. Martin became a fixture on the Bath culinary scene in the 1990s with his restaurant Lettonie which earned two Michelin stars. Simply named Blunos, the new restaurant will be dedicated to serving fresh fish and seafood and Martin says it will be very different from Lettonie.

Holburne Museum in Bath

Bath South West England

The first public art gallery in Bath is home to fine and decorative arts built around the collection of Sir William Holburne. The foundation stone was laid in 1796 and the building was ready by 1799. Bath South West England is certainly worth a visit, not far away on the same river is Bradford on Avon, put it on your itinerary.

                     Thanks for visiting my Bath South West England photo blog.
 
   Here are some more posts to check out

   Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets EuropeHungarian Parliament Building (2)The Walkie Talkie (5)   

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837IMG_7425Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South VietnamMain Square (3)Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
Pattaya live webcam
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

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Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

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The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

                              Bangkok Hotels                    London Hotels           

            Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.

         

   Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets EuropeHungarian Parliament Building (2)The Walkie Talkie (5)   

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837IMG_7425Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South VietnamMain Square (3)Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
Pattaya live webcam
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

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Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

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The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

 

 

For something different check out the Italian coast

 

The Italian alps is a nice area to visit

 

Another of my favourite cities is Lisbon.

 

 

 

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Ancient Roman Bath House

April 25, 2014 by David Herd

Roman Baths

Ancient Roman Bath House

Ancient Roman Bath House

Ancient Roman Bath House complex is a site of historical interest in the English city of Bath. The house is a well-preserved Roman site for public bathing. The Roman Baths themselves are below the modern street level.

The name Sulis continued to be used after the Roman invasion, leading to the town’s Roman name of Aquae Sulis (“the waters of Sulis”). The temple was constructed in 60-70 AD and the bathing complex was gradually built up over the next 300 years. During the Roman occupation of Britain, and possibly on the instructions of Emperor Claudius, engineers drove oak piles to provide a stable foundation into the mud and surrounded the spring with an irregular stone chamber lined with lead. In the 2nd century it was enclosed within a wooden barrel-vaulted building, and included the caldarium (hot bath), tepidarium (warm bath), and frigidarium (cold bath). After the Roman withdrawal from Britain in the first decade of the 5th century, these fell into disrepair and were eventually lost due to silting up, and flooding. TheAnglo-Saxon Chronicle suggests the original Roman baths were destroyed in the 6th century.

Steam rising

Roman Bath House

The water that flows through the Roman Baths is considered unsafe for bathing, partly due to its having passed through the still-functioning original lead pipes, and up until World War II, it was advertised on the basis of the radioactivity it contained. However the more significant danger is now considered to be infectious diseases. In October 1978, a young girl swimming with the Bath Dolphins, a local swimming club, in the restored Roman Bath contracted meningitis and died, leading to the closure of the bath for several years. Tests showed that Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba, was in the water. The newly constructed Thermae Bath Spa nearby, designed by Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners, and the refurbished Cross Bath allow modern-day bathers to experience the waters via a series of more recently drilled boreholes.

Fascinating place to visit

Ancient Roman Bath House

Probably was exactly the same many centuries ago.

Ancient stone coffins

Ancient Roman Bath House

I would not have enjoyed being a pallbearer. 🙂

  Acting the part as the English love to do.

Ancient Roman Bath House

Taking a bath was not a simple chore. There was not one bath to use in a large complex such as the one at Bath. A visitor could use a cold bath (the frigidarium), a warm bath (the tepidarium) and a hot bath (the caldarium). A visitor would spend some of his time in each one before leaving. A large complex would also contain an exercise area (the palaestra), a swimming pool and a gymnasium. One of the public baths at Pompeii contains two tepidariums and caldariums along with a plunge pool and a large exercise area.

Ancient Roman Bath House

Ancient Roman Bath House

Does not look too inviting does it?

That water looks very unhealthy

Ancient Roman Bath House

This is no place for a swim.

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Entrance to the Baths

Ancient Roman Bath House

                   The entrance does not indicate the treasure inside.        

Thanks for visiting my Historic Roman Baths in Bath photo blog.      

                           More posts for you to see

English restaurants             City of Bath                     Lands End

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
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               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
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Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Pattaya live webcam
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Beautiful Historic English Village

April 22, 2014 by David Herd

Bradford on Avon

Beautiful Historic English Village

Beautiful Historic English Village

 Beautiful Historic English Village Bradford on Avon is a town in west Wiltshire, England with a population of about 9,326. The town’s canal, historic buildings, shops, pubs and restaurants make it popular with tourists. The history of the town can be traced back to Roman origins.

The town lies partly on the Avon Valley, and partly on the hill that marks the Vale’s western edge, eight miles southeast of Bath, in the hilly countryside between the Mendip HillsSalisbury Plain and the Cotswold Hills

Tithe Barn in Bradford on Avon

Beautiful Historic English Village

 One of the best surviving examples of a monastic tithe barn in England, located in a peaceful setting beside the river Avon on the outskirts of Bradford-on-Avon. A lovely walk leads along the river between the town and the barn. 

Tithe Barn

94842369-2664-4fb5-ba62-39c588fcf725

 The barn was built in the 14th century by Shaftesbury Abbey, and it formed part of a complex of farm buildings run by the abbey, so if you want to be pedantic you could say that it is not actually a tithe barn at all, but part of a monastic grange. Most of these grange buildings were arranged around a rectangular courtyard, with the barn on one side of the yard. Most of the other buildings are gone now, but the barn still stands as it has done since the very early 14th century. 

Tithe Barn

Beautiful Historic English Village

The most impressive feature of the barn is the cruck roof, crafted of thick timbers bent to support the heavy slate tiles. How heavy? It is estimated that the roof weighs 100 tons, so the cruck frame had to be incredibly strong to survive for so many centuries. 

Houseboat

Beautiful Historic English Village

The Kennet and Avon Canal is a waterway in southern England with an overall length of 87 miles (140 km), made up of two lengths of navigable river linked by a canal. The name is commonly used to refer to the entire length of the navigation rather than solely to the central canal section. From Bristol to Bath the waterway follows the natural course of the River Avon before the canal links it to the River Kennet at Newbury, and from there to Reading on the River Thames. In all, the waterway incorporates 105 locks.

The Bridge Tea Rooms

Beautiful Historic English Village

The building dates back to 1502 and it has retained its character. low ceilings and exposed beams, you can hear every floorboard creak from the first floor.

Waitress in traditional dress

Beautiful Historic English Village

For local news bookmark this link for the Wiltshire times.

Scones, strawberry jam & cream

Beautiful Historic English Village

Here is my lovely niece Laura enjoying a traditional English afternoon tea.

The Swan Hotel

Beautiful Historic English Village

 The Swan is a hotel in Bradford on Avon with the character and charm of an old country inn. 


Beautiful Historic English Village

Beautiful Historic English Village

Beautiful trees on the river banks, thanks for visiting my Beautiful Historic English Village photo blog.

 

Here are some more posts to check out

 Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets EuropeHungarian Parliament Building (2)The Walkie Talkie (5)   

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837IMG_7425Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South VietnamMain Square (3)Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
Pattaya live webcam
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

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Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

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Stafford West Midlands village

April 22, 2014 by David Herd

Visiting a friend in prison.

Stafford West Midlands village

Stafford West Midlands village

  Stafford West Midlands village was a pleasant train ride from London, but why go to Stafford you may well ask? Well apart from being a nice West Midlands village there is a prison there where a good friend of mine was residing as a guest of Her Majesty.

Stafford was founded in about 700 AD by a Mercian prince called Bertelin who, according to legend, established a hermitage on the peninsular named Betheney or Bethnei.

A type of bull terrier called the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was bred for hunting purposes in this county. They are known affectionately as “staffs”, “staffies”, and “nanny-dogs”. Staffies should not be confused with the considerably larger American Staffordshire TerrierAmerican Pit Bull Terrier, and (English) Bull Terrier.

Town center

Stafford West Midlands village

The town center has a relaxed feel about it, like many other English towns cars are banned from the centre so you can stroll casually and take in the scenery.

 St Chad’s Church

Stafford West Midlands village

 The oldest building now in Stafford is St Chad’s Church, dating back into the twelfth century.

Ancient High House

Stafford West Midlands village

Behind the street buskers is The Elizabethan Ancient High House in the town centre is the largest timber-framed town house in England.

The Bear Grill

Stafford West Midlands villageLooks like a typical British pub to me. 🙂

Ian’s Kitchen

Stafford West Midlands village

Well the day I was there Ian didn’t seem to be doing much business even though he sits in a prime position in the town centre.

Farewell Stafford

Stafford West Midlands village

After a few pleasant hours in this nice town where I saw my friend in the local prison, I boarded the train and headed back to London. The following day I was on a flight to South Africa. Finally I must relate a nice story surrounding my visit to Stafford prison. My friend had recently been moved from Uttoxeter so I could not arrange a regular visit, instead a visit was organized through the prison chaplain Jeff Bird. As it turns out Jeff was a New Zealander and a very nice man. He gave me a tour of the prison and pointed out some of the interesting prison history, I would like to thank him for his kindness.

The infamous Australian Rolf Harris now resides in Stafford prison, read about it here.

My friend Alan

Stafford West Midlands village Here is the friend I visit with his Brazilian wife in Rio de Janeiro in 2006. He expects to serve 13 years behind bars.

Thanks for visiting my Stafford West Midlands village photo blog.

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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

Pattaya live webcam
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