Nigel's Photo Blog

  Video clip of Egglestone Abbey This evening, I am focusing on Egglestone Abbey in northern England. This is a ruined Premonstratensian abbey which existed between 1195 and its dissolution in 1540. Location is about forty miles SW of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The name Egglestone may originate from Old English and mean ‘farmstead of a man called Ecgel’.  Key facts concerning Egglestone Abbey: Located on a bleak and exposed hill close to a bend in the River Tees. This is on the border between Yorkshire and Count Durham and just 1.5 miles from Barnard Castle . The location may have been influenced by proximity to the river and a source of building stone. Premonstratensians were occupied with pastoral work in the community (relief for the poor) and later became known as the ‘White Canons’. The ruined church contains unusual carved mouldings around pointed lancet windows. There is also an elaborate toilet drainage system.  Post Reformation the site was used as a private residence and l

 This afternoon, I am reprising what proved to be an adventurous and satisfying day tour. First, we departed our lodgings in Ambleside   with aim of commencing the tour with a drive along the remote Hardknott   Pass . However, despite aids   from maps and GPS the start of the narrow Pass eluded us resulting in an adventure along extremely narrow roads and ultimately to a dead-end marked by a ford which was deemed too risky to cross. However, we were compensated by stunning scenery in a ‘picture postcard’ environment. With help from locals we eventually connected with the Hardknott   Pass, a narrow, mainly single track road, which took us in a westerly direction at a high elevation offering stunning views from both east and west. We witnessed a para glider en-route.Our first principal stop on the Pass was the well-preserved site of a 1st century AD Roman Fort, a superb ‘command and control’ location which offered excellent views of the valley comprising Es

   This afternoon, I am reprising a day tour of the English Lake District in NW England. The weather progressively improved from dull and wet to dry with sunshine. Our tour itinerary went as follows: Departed our Ambleside base and then to the nearby quaint and picturesque village of Troutbeck . The directly north to another village also named Troutbeck via the K irkstone Pass and Ullswater (lake), stopping for some pictures of a small herd of Highland Cows. Next, west a short distance to Castlerigg Prehistoric Stone Circle , near Keswick. This dates from around 3200 BC and ranks as one of the oldest extant circles in the British Isles. Next, we by-passed Keswick and embarked on an anti-clockwise loop passing through the Derwent Fells, Buttermere (village and lake), Buttermere Fell to Rosthwaite . This particular section featured very narrow mountain roads which were heavily populated by cyclists, perhaps up to 100.On the way back to Keswick we visited the Ashness Brid

  Landscape view of Berwick -upon-Tweed This evening, I am reporting on the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed ("Berwick") which is situated on the NE coast of England just 2.5 miles south of the Anglo-Scottish border.Population is about 12,000. Historically, Berwick's key border position resulted in the town being embroiled in Anglo-Scottish conflicts and frequently changing hands as a result. The dominant town walls, ruined castle and old prison cells are evidence of a violent past. The castle was rendered obsolete by the construction of modern ramparts around Berwick during the reign of Elizabeth 1 in the late 16th century following which it went into decline.  Facilities for visitiors include beaches, parks, events, nature trails and golf. There is a wide range of visitor accommodation available.  Location of Berwick is 56 miles SE of Edinburgh (Scotland) and 34 miles N of Alnmouth in England. The town is served by both road and rail. Images featuring herein were taken from

Front elevation at Castle Howard, England This evening, I am reprising a one day tour of historic sites in Yorkshire, northern England.First, we departed our lodgings in York and drove north for 15 miles to Castle Howard, a 300 year-old grand house which is the home of the distinguished Howard family. Features at Castle Howard include: Baroque architecture with hints of Catholicism. Great Hall with high dome and frescoes, carvings and wrought ironwork. Ornate chapel with work by pre-Raphaelite artists including William Morris. Temple of the Four Winds located away form the main building and offering 360 degree views. Garden statues. Ray Wood with extensive botanical collection. Grand entrances. Lake with water birds. Connection with Brideshead Revisited, both T.V. series and film. Spring blossom at Ray Wood, Castle Howard, England Grand bedroom at Castle Howard, England Great Hall, Castle Howard, England Atlas Fountain, Castle Howard Castle Howard viewed from Temple T

   Alnmouth Tonight, I am reporting on Alnmouth, a coastal village in N.E. England with a population of about 450 persons.  To date, I have only seen the village from distance in a fast moving train but, nevertheless, have been impressed. Alnmouth benefits from: Pastel-coloured houses strung out along the River Aln. A diversity of bird and wildlife species. A tranquil beach where the River Aln meets the North Sea. An area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A railway station situated on the main line betyween London and Edinburgh . Proximity to Alnwick Castle , a top visitor site in the region. My wife and I have determined to take a break at Alnmouth in the future and are looking forward to the experience.  Alnmouth NB: The images shown here were taken from a fast moving train.

Today, June 15th., I paid a brief visit to the small town of Thorne, near Doncaster in Yorkshire. According to Wikipedia, Thorne is a market town and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England. It was historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire until 1974. It has a population of 16,592, increasing to 17,295 at the 2011 Census. Thorne is about twelve miles N.E.of Doncaster and benefits from good road and rail links. Historically, Thorne's prosperity was linked to industries such as deep coal mining (Thorne,Hatfield and Bentley ) boat building and brewing. However all the foregoing industries are no longer active leaving the town dependent on services and other businesses. According to research on the web 6.7% of people living in Thorne/Doncaster have never worked or are long term unemploye d   - this is 1.2% higher than the average across Yorkshire and The Humber, which stands at 5.5%.This is broken down into   5.2% that have never work

  Minster (church) in background with River Don in foreground. This evening, I am reporting on Doncaster in northern England, a city which has a population of about 312,000. In fact I am writing this from Doncaster where I have stayed for one full day and two nights. Frankly, I have been impressed with the experience so far. The city is easily accessible by road, rail and air. The core of the city centre is largely pedestrianised, a feature which enhances the visitor experience, especially as most of the space is taken over by market stalls operated by a wide range of independent traders.  Stall in street market The name translates as 'Roman Fort on the River Don' which exactly describes the occupation during the 1st-4th centuries AD. More information on the Roman period can be found here . After departure of the Romans the Anglo-Saxons (from north Germany) moved in and established a settlement around AD 450. Thereafter Doncaster's development more-or-less mirrored that of