Nigel's Photo Blog

  Tour Group at Vale of Rheidol Steam Railway This evening, I am reprising a segment of a custyom tour of North Wales which was focused on steam trains and sightseeing. In the morning we departed Porthmadog and embarked on a trip encompassing two attractions as follows: First to the unique, architect designed village of Portmeirion which was built by architect Clough Williams-Ellis commencing in 1925 when he purchased the 70 acre site overlooking the Traeth Bach tidal estuary. Italianate architecture is augmented with an environment of lakes, temples and gazebos. We spent about three hours here with experience enhanced by the sunny weather. Portmeirion, Portmeirion, Wales Next to the Vale of Rheidol Steam Railway. This Railway is a 1 ft 11+3⁄4 in narrow gauge heritage railway in Ceredigion, Wales, between Aberystwyth and Devil's Bridge; a journey of 11+3⁄4 miles. It opened in 1902, and from 1968 until 1989, it was the sole steam-operated line on the 1948 nationalised British Ra

Britain is home to a large number of small scale steam railways. Most are operated by enthusiasts on a not-for-profit basis. In many cases the enthusiats have taken over short lengths of track which were considered redundant by the continuing rail network. Thereafter, they acquired old steam engines, in many cases from scrap yards, which were lovingly restored back to working order.  Tonight,I am focusing on the West Lancashire Light Railway at Hesketh Bank near Preston. This location is about thirty-eight miles north of Liverpool in N.W. England. Tour group at West Lancs Light Railway The West Lancs is a narrow gauge passenger carrying railway started by enthusiasts in 1967. Although the line extends for just half a mile the railway is home to a remarkable collection of locomotives comprising seven steam engines plus others powered by diesel, battery and petrol (gasoline). Our hosts provided a very generous welcome, allowing tour guests to drive a diesel locomotive provided a tour of

Archway detail, Lady Chapel This evening, I am posting information on Glastonbury Abbey in S.W. England. There is a rich tradition of legends surrounding the history of Glastonbury Abbey pointing to the site as one of the earliest Christian churches in western Europe.In the 12th century Glastonbury was closely connected with European court culture whilst in the 13th century is featured in an early map of the world. The monastery accrued huge wealth during the late Saxon and medieval periods. Monastic life at Glastonbury came to an end in 1535 when it was dissolved by King Henry VIII. Subsequently, the site experienced various changes of ownership and use. Today, the site is in the care of an independent charitable trust which preserves the site for public benefit. View from High Altar. The Crossing Lady Chapel. Lady Chapel Inside St Patrick's Chapel. The city of Bath is about 27 miles to the N.E. whilst Glastonbury Tor is nearby.

This evening, I am posting information on Glastonbury Tor, Somerset which is part of England's West Country. Location is about twenty-seven miles S.W of Bath and six miles west of the site of the Glastonbury Festival  (a five-day festival of contemporary performing arts). View of Glastonbury Tor from road    St Michael's Tower on Glastonbury Tor The Tor is a conical hill which, many thousands of years ago, before draining of the local landscape would have formed an island. (Tor is an Old English name for rocky hill.) The site appears to have had spiritual significance for local people both pre and post Christianity. The terracing on the hillside has been dated to Neolithic times, around 3000 BC. In the 10th or 11th century the top was levelled to facilitate construction of a church which was itself levelled by an earthquake in 1275. A smaller church was rebuilt on the site in 1323 and lasted until the demise of  nearby Glastonbury Abbey in 1539. After the Reformation the repl

    Grey-crowned Crane This evening, I am reporting on the Martin Mere Wetlands Reserve in Lancashire, N.W. England. Location is twenty miles N.E. of Liverpool. This facility extends to 600 acres and is home to over 150 species of bird from various parts of the world with up to 50,000 wetland birds (in January). Below are images of some of the birds which I found interesting. Red-breasted Goose. Great Crane Flamingos. Black-necked Swan Muscovy Duck South African Shelduck. Ruddy Shelduck Blue-winged Teal. Flamingos. Common Shelduck Berwick's Swan.

  Cutty Sark This evening, I am reporting on the Tall Ship, Cutty Sark which is now moored at Greenwich , London and a major tourist attraction.This was once the most famous of the fast sailing ships, or clippers, of the nineteenth century that traversed the world’s major trading routes. Summary information on this vessel as follows: Built in a Scottish shipyard and launched at Dumbarton in 1869.  She was a masterpiece of sailing ship design.The combination of composite timber and iron hull provided strength whilst the three masts with a full spread of canvas could propel the ship at up to 17 knots. Spent the 1870s speeding across the high seas, establishing a reputation as one of the fastest ships afloat excelling at bringing the new tea crop from China to Victorian Britain where the drink was fashionable and in high demand, The advent of steamships and the Suez Canal rendered sailing ships unprofitable in the tea trade and by the late 187os the vessel had to find alternative cargoe

  Florist Shop This evening, I am posting information on Maryport which is now a fishing and tourist based community situated on the Solway Coast in N.W. England .Location is about thirty miles S.W. of Carlisle. Going back into the Roman occupation period of 2nd-5th centuries, Maryport was home to a major fort, Aluana, which formed part of the defences which secured the S.W.flank of Hadrian's Wall . Aerial view of the unexcavated Roman fort at Aluana. Note typical 'playing card' layout.  The town has a connection with Scotland in that it took its name from being the landing place of Mary, Queen of Scots on her flight from Scotland in 1568. Maryport evolved out of a small fishing hamlet and grew to prosperity during the Industrial Revolution on the back of coal exports, ship building, railways and other industries which included shoe manufacture, food production, buttons and baby wear most of which is now defunct. However, the town remains prosperous with a diversity of sho