Category Archives: England

Stonehenge

IMG_2549Stonehenge had also been on my bucket list and I was so pleased to hear this world heritage site was part of this year’s tour. It was a little more of a production than I expected with the parking area being some distance from the site. But the folks that run it do provide transportation.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument that originated between 2000 and 3000 BC and because of the age of the monument, there is a great deal of mystery. I did learn that:

  • It is a burial site
  • The Druids would hold ceremonies here
  • For the most part, the public is no longer aloud to walk up to the stones
  • That over the years the stones have been straightened when in danger of falling over
  • The visitor’s center opened in December 2013 and I could have happily spent more time there
  • According to some myths, the stone were healing rocks

Here is a short BBC video on this history of Stonehenge and here is the official visitors webpage.

IMG_2553

Chester

Their website states “Chester is arguably the richest city in Britain for archaeological and architectural treasures preserved to this day from the time of the Roman occupation.” We had an hour or so to walk around this lovely town.

http://www.cityofchester.org/

 

Roman Baths

We I learned that we were visiting the Roman Baths, I initially pictured ruins in the countryside. But the opposite is true. The Baths are restored for the most part and situated in the middle of a vibrant city, Bath.

For more information, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Baths_%28Bath%29

and http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/

Diamond Jubilee in St. Jame’s Park

The Queen is having her Diamond Jubilee this year, marking 60 years on the throne. To honor the occasion, this topiary was created to replicate in flowers the queen’s crown during her coronation. There is a nice write up of it here http://www.jannaludlow.co.uk/My_Brush_With/Jubilee_2012.html

Tower of London

The Tower of London, more formally known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress, is a World Heritage Site. I loved walking the hallways, climbing the circular stairs and seeing the crown jewels! The website is here http://www.hrp.org.uk/toweroflondon/

Off to the United Kingdom, the London Eye

The London Eye, on the banks of the River Thames in London, is 443′ tall and has 32 sealed compartments. What surprised me is that the Ferris wheel doesn’t stop for loading and unloading, it moves so gradually that visitors just step on or off. The exception being those that actually need more time.  The black and white photo was taken with Hipstamatic from the Hungerford Bridge (which can be seen in the color photo).

I was delighted to accept an educational trip to the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). Though I had good intentions of continuing my “New Place of the Day” Blog, it simply got away from me. So, I’m catching up now, with brief entries for each day 😀