Nigel's Photo Blog

  Big Ben, London, England This evening, I am focusing on Big Ben, one of London’s most famous landmarks. Technically the name ‘Big Ben’ relates to the 13 ton Great Bell which strikes the hour but the name has been expanded to include the tower, bell and clock. A brief history of Big Ben is as follows: The concept of a clock was added to a design for the re-build of the Palace of Westminster in 1836. Construction commenced 1843. Edmund Dent was appointed to build the clock in February 1852.Dent died 1853 and work was completed by his stepson Frederick in 1854-at cost of GBP2500.00 The clock was installed 1859, upon completion of the Clock Tower, and began keeping time  May 31st 1859. The clock was fitted with a revolutionary ‘Double Three-Legged Gravity Escapement’ which ensures accuracy and subsequently fitted in clocks around the world. April 2002 marked the conclusion of a five year restoration project costing GBP80.0M (USD93.0M today). Big Ben, London , England Big Ben

  Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace, London This evening, I am focusing on Buckingham Palace, the principal residence of the British monarchy and a major tourist attraction. Here are some key facts: Originally built 1705 for the Duke of Buckingham. Acquired by King George III in 1761. Enlarged in 19th century by architects John Nash and Edward Blore. Became an official Royal residence on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. Queen’s Gallery was built and opened in 1962. Located at opposite end of the Mall from Admiralty Arch and close to a triumvirate of parks: Green Park, Hyde Park and St James’s Park. Open to the public during August and September each year. The famous Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place at 11.30am every day in summer and on alternate days during winter. Here is a video clip: Buckingham Palace, London, Buckingham Palace A visit to the Palace and/or Changing of the Guard  is almost  mandatory in course of a tour of London

  Chester Roman Amphitheatre Chester is a city in N.W. England which is located about twenty miles south of the port of Liverpool. Chester can trace its origins back to the Roman legionary fortress named Deva Victrix built by the Romans in the mid 70s AD. Just outside the south-east corner of the fortress was built an amphitheatre which was probably used both for entertainments and for practising troop manoeuvres and weapon training. Summary information: Today, only about two-fifths of the structure is visible which includes two entrances. The stone structure seen today had an outer wall 9 feet (2.7 metres) thick, marked out by concrete slabs set in the grass. Inside it ran a corridor linking the entrances that led to stairways taking the spectators up into the seating area. Inside the arena was a  room with an altar dedicated to the goddess Nemesis, who was believed to control the fate of the performers. The two entrances visible today were used by the performers.

  Canal Boats at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Wales This evening, I am reprising a trip on the Langollen Canal in North Wales. Location is about 50 miles south of Liverpool in NW England. First, we drove about four miles along a mountainous back road to the town of Llangollen (in North Wales) which has been a tourist destination for about 200 years. Llangollen is very tourist orientated and is a good base for touring the local region. The town straddles the River Dee, is adjacent to the popular Llangollen Canal and features a steam train which runs over a short distance of track. Video clip of River Dee at Llangollen. River Dee at Llangollen, Wales Our focus was the canal. We joined a two-hour canal boat trip which chugged through the local scenery at a sedate pace with journey culminating in a crossing of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a stunning piece of engineering dating from 1795-1805 which transports the canal over the valley of the River Dee at a height of 38 metres (125

This evening, I am indulging in horticultural matters focusing on a spiny shrub named Sea Buckthorn. About five years ago I saw a TV programme reporting on a grower in southern England who had established a plantation of the shrubs with aim of harvesting the berries for their medicinal benefits. The shrub is actually native to sand dunes along the east coast of England but is planted in other areas to help stabilise dune systems. It forms dense thickets with thorny twigs. Although it has small green flowers the shrub is most noticeable in the autumn (fall) when an abundance of bright orange berries become evident.  Following enquiry at my local garden centre I was advised not to grow the shrub as it was not suitable for the clay based soil in my (SW Scotland) locality. However, I went ahead, purchased some young shrubs online, and -lo and behold- after five years the young shrubs have grown to heights of about 15 feet.Of equal importance is the extensive crop of berries which have emer

  This evening, I am posting information on the pleasant town of Ballycastle which is located on the northern coast (Antrim) of Northern Ireland and about 55 miles north of Belfast. Key facts and information: Well endowed with shops, restaurants and hotels. Is home to Ballycastle Golf Club. Nearby, are the ruins of the Bonamargy Franciscan Friary , which dates from 1485. Benefits from a sandy beach and a marina. Offers views of Rathin Island and Scotland’s coast. Provides a good base for touring the Causeway Coast and Game of Thrones sites which include: Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge Larrybane Whitepark Bay Giant’s Causeway Bushmills Distillery Dark Hedges Ballintoy Harbour The Diamond (main square) Ballycastle The Diamond (main square) Ballycastle   Holy Trinity Church, Church of Ireland, 1786.   The Diamond (main square) Ballycastle   The Diamond (main square) Ballycastle Ballycastle Marina   Bonamargy Friary, 1485.   Ballycastle Beach

  Model of Bignor Roman Villa This evening, I am providing summary information on Bignor Roman Villa which is situated about 10 miles from Chichester (formerly Roman Noviomagus Regnensium) in southern England. First discovered in 1811 and excavated 1812-1819 the 1920s then 1956-62,. Earliest phase dates from first century AD comprising a farmstead with a ditched enclosure. The first stone built house was a simple building constructed in mid third century and comprised only four rooms. Extended in late third century with addition of hypocaust (central heating), a portico, more rooms and impressive facade. Further expansions occurred comprising north and south wings, a new gate in the east wall and enlarged baths. This may have been the high status home of a family or extended family which had grown wealthy from farming. Location close to Stane Street which linked the villa with Noviomagus Regnensium was probably intended to impress passers-by. In its final form Bignor Roman

  Stained Glass window at Holm Cultram Abbey This evening, I am posting information on Holm Cultram Abbey in the village of Abbey Town, North Cumbria. Abbey Town is  close to the Solway Coast, S.W. of Carlisle in N.W. England. Founded by (Roman Catholic) Cistercian monks in 1150, the buildings survived the 1540 Dissolution because of the refuge they provided to the local population during turbulent times, including attacks from the Scots. The building which remains is the heavily restored and repaired Abbey Church which is now the local Parish Church within the (Protestant) Anglican Communion. Holm Cultram was founded by monks from Melrose Abbey in Scotland who may well have been attracted by the local resources which included rich farmlands, fishing, salt extraction and quarrying. In medieval times monks were expert at managing the local economy and the Abbey accumulated wealth and prestige through supply of wool and farming. Unfortunately, Holm Cultram was situated i

  Glassblowing This evening, I am posting images and information on the Bath Aqua Glass Glassblowing studio in Walcot Street, Bath. (Bath is a popular visitor destination which is located about 120 miles west of London in southern England.) This craft operation was inspired by designs from the Roman and Georgian eras. Bath was an important Roman city named Aquae   Sulis . (Georgian architecture dates from late 18th/early 19th  centuries and represents a  complete contrast to the preceding medieval style) The particular type of glass known as ‘Bath Aqua’ is made by adding copper oxide to molten glass which results in a aquamarine colour. At this particular craft site visitors can view the process and participate in the glassblowing . There is an on-site shop selling glass wares. Craftsman at work  Craftsman at work   Craftsman at work  Craftsman at work Glassblowing   Craftsman at work

This evening I am reprising a tour of historic sites in Yorkshire and nearby Durham. First, we departed our York lodgings and drove north to visit our objectives of Middleham Castle and Rievaulx Abbey. At end of the day we also managed to fit in a late visit to Durham city and its Cathedral. MIDDLEHAM CASTLE Middleham Castle was probably built around AD1170-80, possibly by Robert FitzRanulph. Ownership passed to Robert de Nevill in 1270 under whose descendants the castle was extended. In 1472 Richard, Duke of Gloucester acquired Middleham and used it as a residence. He later became Richard III, having been crowned in 1483. Richard stayed at the castle for a short period in 1484.He was killed at Bosworth in 1485. After the death of Richard III the castle passed to the new Royal line and Henry VI but was used for administration rather than a Royal residence. In 1604, the castle was granted to the Linley family and later played a minor role in the Civil War. Post 1662 the