Nigel's Photo Blog

  Centre of Britain Hotel, Haltwhistle, England This evening, I am focusing on a hotel in central Britain which incorporates architecture and construction methods dating back to the 15th century.I have personally stayed at this establishment which proved an interesting experience going so far back in time. The images herein have been affected by the unusually harsh sunshine, unusual in Britain where we are more commonly used to various shades of grey! Features of the building include: Pele Tower, a defensible structure dating back to around 1417. This reflects the lawless nature of this region during the 14th-17th centuries during which neither Scottish nor English governments exercised control over the Borders Region leaving the power vacuum to be filled by local families known as Border Reivers who raided each other and across the border. An intramural staircase. Escape tunnel Old roof structures held together by wooden pegs. 5 foot thick walls ( former Pele Tower). Younges

This evening, I am reprising a one-day tour of the English Cotswolds region, about 100 miles north of London and very popular with visitors. Above image shows a herd of Red Deer at Batsford. Benefiting from dry and sunny weather, we continued our exploration of the Cotswolds as follows: Departed our Moreton-in Marsh base and drove to nearby Chastleton , a quaint village with historic 17th century mansion and historic church. It was very pleasant here in the early morning sunshine, with peaceful countryside, Spring flowers and locals out exercising dogs and horses. Here is an image of Chastleton House which has remained unchanged since the the 17th century, Next to the prehistoric stone circle at Rollright , which is about 5000 years old.   Next, through the village of Long Compton and the semi-private estate of Weston Park to Cherington and Sutton under Brailes . We stopped at the latter to photograph a thatched house.  Next, along a narrow country lane to Traitor’s

  Northumbrian landscape at Laing's Hill Farm Information on Northumbria Northumbria is a county in N.E England with a p opulation is 319,000. Details of tour  This morning, we departed our lodgings in Haltwhistle at centre of Britain and embarked on a trip as follows: First, a one hour drive north, traversing remote countryside, to Kirkharle, a small village which has become famous as the birthplace of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, a renowned British landscape gardener who was born in 1716. Brown was educated at a local school and then trained as a gardener on the Kirkharle estate until moving on at age 23 years ultimately to achieve celebrity status in his chosen profession.Kirkharle is now a visitor attraction with coffee shop and small craft and specialist shops. We also visited the local church, St Wilfrid's, where Brown was christened. Haltwhistle, Northumberland Kirkharle Coffee Shop Kirkharle Courtyard Kirkharle landscape Kirkharle Church Next, a 15 minut

 This evening. I am dipping into one of my key interests, namely the prehistory evidence in the British Isles as manifested in the numerous stone circles, burial cairns and rock carvings which survive from that era. Today, the landscapes of Britain and Ireland are littered with evidence of our prehistoric ancestors dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages ( 4500BC-1000BC). In course of visits to Ireland I was fortunate to visit Newgrange which is probably the premier prehistoric site in the country. Newgrange lies close to the town of Drogheda, north of Dublin , and forms part of a concentration of prehistory at the western end of the valley of the River Boyne which includes the passage tomb complex of Knowth and three great tombs at Dowth. Newgrange dates back to around 3000BC. It is a passage tomb surrounded by a kerb of 97 stones. The mound covers a single tomb consisting of a log passage and a cross shaped chamber. Above the entrance is the 'roof box' through which the

  Viking couple This evening I am posting images and a record of my visit to Jorvik , a major visitor attraction in the City of York in N.E. England. York was first a major Roman military garrison and civilian settlement names Eboracum . After the departure of the Romans in the early 5 th century the Anglo-Saxons arrived and then the Vikings, invaders and immigrants from Scandinavia, took control during the period AD866-AD1066. The Roman settlement named Eboracum evolved into Yorvik , and ultimately modern day York. During building work and excavations from the 19 th to mid 20 th century it became progressively evident that a major Viking settlement existed at York with particularly good archaeology evident in a site located between Coppergate and Castlegate . (Note that the word 'gate' derives from a Scandinavian word meaning road or street, not a barrier. Also, Coppergate is a corruption of cup making, not metal working.) Viking costume   To protect and display the arc

  First snowman of the year. This is constructed on a  rocky outcrop. Weather conditions today in Glasgow proved exceptional for landscape photography. Overnight there had occurred a light covering of snow which was followed by a coincidence of intense low-angle sun, blue skies and no wind. I set off with my cameras to nearby Rouken Glen Country Park and Deaconsbank golf course with latter offering a good high elevation platform with views to the north. The line of hills in the far distance are, variously, the Kilpatrick Hills and Campsie Fells. One-year old St. Bernard (minus traditional brandy cask). Perhaps he is planning to rescue the snow sport participants in the image below? The dog's owners mentioned he eats 2.5kg (5.5 lbs) of food every day.Clearly, a pet for a deep-pocketed person.  Fun time on improvised sledge Snowboarder putting golf course to alternative use. The following images are taken from the golf course looking north with Glasgow in the centre ground. The weath