Nigel's Photo Blog

  Tour Guest with Eurasian Eagle Owl in Ambleside. This evening, I am reprising a private tour from 2017. First,we departed our lodgings in Edinburgh , Scotland and drove south-west through rolling, green countryside of the Scottish Borders to the English Lake District . Our target was Ambleside which we approached via the banks of Ullswater and the Kirkstone Pass. Latter is high elevation and due to adverse weather, we were in cloud for latter part of the trip with attendant poor visibility. Ambleside town centre Ambleside from Kirkstone Pass, Lake District. Pleasure steamer on Ullswater. The Lake District is characterised by hills, mountains, waterfalls, lakes, many sheep and dry-stone boundary walls. Upon arrival at Ambleside we availed of a pub lunch followed by a short walk around the town entailing an encounter with a (tame) Eurasian Eagle Owl. Bridge House, Ambleside Eurasian Eagle Owl in Ambleside Next, we moved on to our next destination of York in nort...

Today's Times newspaper carries a report from the academic journal Plos One that the famous Stonehenge prehistoric monument was built on a site that had been inhabited by hunter-gatherers for thousands of years previously.The research was undertaken by a team from Southampton University who concluded that the people who built Stonehenge did so in an open habitat already maintained and used by earlier populations, possibly for rituals.   More information Here is a link to the academic report adverted to above. Here is a link to my Stonehenge 1.0 blog post.

  Tour Group at Castlerigg Stone Circle This evening I am reprising a one day tour of northern England. This morning we departed our lodgings at Henshaw in Northumberland and drove towards our first destination of Alston. This entailed narrow, single-track roads offering superb views of the local landscape. En-route we encountered: Grey squirrel. Pheasants ( many). Partridge. Many sheep, including on road. Cattle (on road) A well-preserved prehistoric stone circle dating back about 5000 years. Stone Circle near Alston. The provenance of this structure is open to question. Photo stop Sheep obstructing road.They are probably absorbing heat from the tarmac. Bovine Road Hazard Long and Winding Road, Northumbria. Next, we drove west towards our destination of the English Lake District through more stunning scenery, including a photo stop at Hartside Summit (1903 feet). We also passed a small shooting party ( guns and dogs) out for game birds. Shooting Party, Cumbria. Vie...

  Main entrance to Lincoln Castle This evening, I am focusing on Lincoln Castle in England. Lincoln is located 154 miles north of London in eastern England. Lincoln Castle dates from the time of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 but the actual site has a long history dating back to Roman times when it was occupied by a military fort. During the Saxon era the site was civilian and occupied by over 160 houses, with latter cleared to make way for the castle. This castle was a key link in the network of fortifications established by William the Conqueror to control his new kingdom. It has been used a court and prison for some 900 years. The court still functions today whilst the prison section closed in 1878 when a new prison was opened in Greetwell Road. Inside the castle can be seen one of the four remaining original copies of the 1215 Magna Carta and one of only two surviving Charters of the Forest from 1217. Key aspects of the castle are: East Gate and mai...

  Restormel Castle, Cornwall, England This evening, I am posting information on Restormel Castle in Cornwall, England. Location is close to the River Fowey and the medieval town of Lostwithiel. Restormel Castle, Cornwall, England This is a well preserved motte and bailey castle which was originally built around AD 1100 and then rebuilt by Edmund, Earl of Cornwall in the late 13th century. Defence aided by 17 metre dry moat and steep angled motte slopes . Motte and Bailey at Restormel Castle, Cornwall Whilst a ruin, preservation is good with keep, gate, great hall, kitchens and private rooms still visible. The Black Prince held court here in 1354. The castle’s final military role occurred during the English Civil War in 1644 when a defending garrison of Parliamentarians were defeated by attacking Royalists. As evidenced from the video clip below, the high vantage point affords excellent views over the local landscape.

  This evening, I am focusing on the pleasant market town of Evesham in central England. The name can be traced back to 709 and means ‘land in a river bend belonging to a man called Eof’. Evesham is perhaps best known for its horticulture and fruit. The Vale of Evesham benefits from fertile soil which produces apples, plums, asparagus plus other plants and produce. Other industries have developed including I.T. and processing. The prosperous town offers a good choice for wining, dining and shopping. Location is about 100 miles NW of London. Historically, Evesham is best known for (its now defunct) abbey and a medieval battle which took place in 1265. Here is a summery from a historic perspective: Abbey founded around AD 700. This survived and grew to become one of the wealthiest in England until the Dissolution in 1540 when it was destroyed and plundered by local townspeople.  Only the Bell Tower remains (see image below). Battle of Evesham August 4th 1265. He...

Searching for ancestors at Holme upon Spalding Moor This afternoon I am reprising a one day section of a private ancestry tour for a couple from the USA with English ancestry. First, we departed our lodgings in Boston eastern England) and then drove to the country town of Alford where the street market was in process. Here we visited the church which was open to the public. Next to the small village of Cadney and its small and historic church built on an ancient site dating to the Bronze Age. This church was also open. Next to the large town and port of Kingston upon Hull. Here we visited Holy Trinity Church which is the largest Anglican church (as opposed to cathedral) in England. Current building dates back to 1285. Inside there were various stalls selling produce and refreshments. Next to Holme upon Spalding Moor and its ancient church located a Short distance from the village on a high elevation. Here we had success in finding grave mar...