Nigel's Photo Blog

 Type 26 frigates under construction at Govan This evening, I am reporting on an announcement by Britain's Defence Ministry that BAE Systems has won a GBP10.00bn (USD 13.5bn) bid to build at least 13 anti-submarine Type 26 frigates. These will be built at the BAE  yard in Govan with a minimum five ships to be built for the Norwegian navy. The contract amount includes eight frigates for the Royal Navy. The Type 26 is a multi-mission warship designed to support anti-submarine warfare, air defence and general purpose operations.   The fleet will operate jointly in northern Europe to respond to increased Russian activity. The deal is reputed to support 400 British businesses   including 103 in Scotland. There will be support for 4000 U.K. jobs into the 2030s. Work at the Glasgow shipyards will support 2000 jobs. BAE is a leading British multinational defence, aerospace and security company known for advanced technology solutions and significant global presence....

  Introduction This evening, I am reporting on the Mar Hall Hotel which is rated five stars and located about 15 miles NW of Glasgow city centre. It is correctly known as as a Golf & Spa Country Hotel. Information on Mar Hall Hotel This Tudor-Gothic mansion dates from 1845.It was originally built at the behest of the 11th Lord of Blantyre, one of the Earls of Mar. Locally quarried stone was used in construction. Specific Facilities and Information: Comprises 41 bedrooms and 12 suites. Popular as a weddings venue. Features luxury interiors.  Set in 240 acres of woodland overlooking the River Clyde.  From 1916 on (then known as Erskine House) the building served as the Princess Louise Scottish Hospital for Limbless Sailors and Soldiers. Later is became the administrative offices of the Erskine Hospital. Home to a par 70 championship golf course.  In 2004 a £15,0M re-fit converted the building into a 5 star hotel.  Ownership of the hotel now rests with with th...

Introduction  This evening, I am reporting on a couple of important historical and architectural sites in London , England.   London panorama from atop St Paul’s Cathedral  Information on the trip Unfortunately, photography was restricted and inhibited by a combination of poor weather conditions and restrictions at the two sites visited. However, all was not lost because I was able to obtain a selection of a aerial views of London city and the Thames from atop St Paul’s Cathedral. Grey clouds and rain featured throughout most of the day. St Paul’s Cathedral This was first call. This building was designed by famous English architect, Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1711. Christian places of worship have stood on the same site since 604 AD. The design deliberately departed from the traditional Roman Catholic style to emphasise England’s switch to Protestantism (Anglican). There are few burials and memorials other than those to such famous Britons as...

 Introduction This post is a continuum of my record of a recent visit to Scotland's Culzean Castle , on the Ayrshire Coast. Information on the Culzean Walled Garden  The garden dates from.1786. It is very extensive and surrounded by a high wall to protect from frost and wind.During the first 125 years or so the garden would have been the principal source of vegetables, flowers and fruit for the family and staff at the castle which may have totaled at least 50 persons. Fortunately, our visit seemed to have coincided with peak displays of colour and vegetable maturity. Entrance Arch with date.  Busy Bees  Vibrant Colours  Pear Tree  More varied colour    Interesting contrasts  A wide variety   A neat corner block  Tall flowers with gardeners cottage in background  This image indicates scale of garden   Where the bee sucks.....  Vegetables  An interesting wicker man/gardener  Vegetable section  P...

 Walkers Shortbread Shop at Aberlour , Speyside .  Introduction This evening, I am posting information on Walkers Shortbread which, together with the likes of  Haggis, Clootie Dumpling, and Cullen Skink   ranks as one of Scotland’s best known and recognisable food products. The Walkers company is Scotland’s biggest food exporter. Information on Walkers Shortbread  Walkers has long-standing links with the town of Aberlour-on Spey, Speyside, in the Scottish Highlands where the business was started in 1898 by 21 year old, Joseph Walker. Subsequently, the business has grown and expanded into a global brand under family ownership. In addition to shortbread, the product range now includes cookies, biscuits and crackers. There is a dedicated outlet shop in the company’s manufacturing operation in Aberlour where visitors can peruse-and purchase-the range of products on offer.  Inside Walkers Shortbread shop at Aberlour-on-Spey, Scotland ...

Introduction This evening, I am focusing on the historic Church of Holy Trinity at Stratford-upon-Avon , England. This is famous because it is the church where playwrite, William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was baptised and buried.  Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon, England  Information on Holy Trinity Church   The building dates from 1210 but on a much older Christian site going back to  at least 713 when a Saxon monastery was built. Church Interior   Font at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford    Oldest sections are the tower, transepts and nave pillars. The North and South aisles were added in the 1300s and the Chancel in the late 1400s. William Shakespeare, his wife Anne and members of his family are buried here. There is also a bust of Shakespeare on the wall which was erected in 1623 by Shakespeare’s widow and friends. The High Altar is pre-Reformation (1540) and survived because it was hidden at a  critical time. The...

Introduction This evening, I am posting highlights information on the town of Stratford-upon-Avon in central England  River Avon and Church of the Holy Trinity, Stratford   Information on Stratford and Shakespeare. Stratford is forever associated with famous playwright and poet, William Shakespeare ( 1564-1616) who was both born and buried in the town. In addition to birth and burial places (both of which are open to visitors) there is also the famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre . More information: Stratford is a prosperous town with a population of about 26,000. Located about 104 miles N.W. of London. Situated on the banks of the gentle flowing River Avon. Boat trips are available. Shakespeare’s burial-place is inside the 13th century, Church of the Holy Trinity which itself is an interesting medieval structure. The town centre is well populated with ancient, black and white, timber-framed buildings dating back hundreds of years. To accommodate high volumes of visitors St...