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Bristol South West England

May 19, 2015 by David Herd

Riverside cafe

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

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

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

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.

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 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

Heading off to dinner with Bill Austin and his friends.

The Wild bunch

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.

Holiday Inn

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.

Brussels for mussels

Upmarket Portofino

Barcelona

Prague way back in 93

Amsterdam

Sarajevo

Beautiful Budapest

Fabulous Dubrovnik

Ancient Lisbon

Summer in St Moritz

Pattaya live webcam

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Split Dubrovnik Croatian coast

May 10, 2015 by David Herd

Leaving Split

Split Dubrovnik Croatian coast

Split Dubrovnik Croatian coast, five hours hugging the coast by bus. You must cross Bosnia around the coastal town of Neum just north of Dubrovnik.

The fleet

The coastal route takes a little longer but I’m guessing it is more interesting.

Mountains hug the coast

I’m certainly glad I decided on the coast road to Dubrovnik, the scenery is excellent.

Split Dubrovnik Croatian coast

Lots of small villages squeezed between the mountains and the sea.

Halfway between Split and Dubrovnik

So far no traffic problems and the bus driver seems quite competent. 🙂

Small rail big drop

That safety rail does nit seem high enough for my liking.

Neum in Bosnia

Neum is the only coastal town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It comprises 24.5 km of coastline, the country’s only access to the Adriatic Sea. In 2009 the municipal population was 4,605 and in 1991 the population of Neum town was 4,268.

Neum

Neum has steep hills, sandy beaches, and several large tourist hotels. Prices tend to be lower than in neighboring Croatia, making it popular with shoppers. Tourism, and the commerce it brings, is the leading contributor to the economy of the area. Border formalities with Croatia are relaxed at peak times. Neum has around 5,000 beds for tourists, 1,810 in hotels with the remaining capacity in motels, villas, and in private accommodation. Tourism in Neum is active only in the coastal region. The inland area behind Neum has a rich archaeological history and untouched wilderness and is starting to develop agricultural tourism.

Lunch break in Nuem

Time for a sandwich and a coffee before the final leg to Dubrovnik.

Neum in Bosnia

The scenery so far has not varied too much at all. It seems like a nice quiet place to live.

Franjo Tuđman Bridge

On the edge of Dubrovnik is this wonderful structure. The original bridge design was developed in 1989, however construction was stopped at the onset of the Croatian War of Independence.

Franjo Tuđman Bridge

This bus trip will finish a couple of kms over the bridge.

Dubrovnik

My first glimpse of this ancient city, I’m getting excited.

Pile gate Dubrovnik

Well here I am, now if I can only find my apartment. Many thanks for visiting my Split Dubrovnik Croatian coast photo blog.

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Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you

book through these links below. Book now & pay later.

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That’s all folks

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River Kwai Bridge Kanchanaburi

February 19, 2015 by David Herd

The Burma Railway

River Kwai Bridge

River Kwai Bridge Kanchanaburi was of special interest to me due to my late uncle Allan Herd, who spent 2 years as a POW on the Burma Railway. In fact I urge you to read his amazing story, you can find it by following this link which will take you to “One Soldiers Incredible Story”.

War Museum

The war museum shows you how the poor prisoners lived and died at the hands of the brutal Japanese army and their incredibly cruel Korean guards.

Forgive but not forget

The sign outside the museum says it all.

River Kwai Bridge war graves

The cemetery is beautiful kept, I was really surprised by the diverse number of nationalities buried here as well as their ages, many were so young.

What a waste of lives

Forced labour was used in its construction. More than 180,000—possibly many more—Asian civilian labourers (romusha) and 60,000 Allied prisoners of war (POWs) worked on the railway. Of these, estimates of romusha deaths are little more than guesses, but probably about 90,000 died. 12,621 Allied POWs died during the construction. The dead POWs included 6,904 British personnel, 2,802 Australians, 2,782 Dutch, and 133 Americans. After the end of World War II, 111 Japanese and Koreans were tried for war crimes because of their brutalization of POWs during the construction of the railway. 32 were sentenced to death

Some of the weapons

They look very ancient indeed.

River Kwai Bridge guard tower

That’s my brother Warren Herd inspecting the five star facilities.

Dheva Mantra Resort

We stayed at this very nice hotel on the river about 15 minutes walk to the bridge. Restaurants and rooms were good and a terrific pool area and grounds. Book the Dheva Mantra Resort here.