Nigel's Photo Blog

  This evening, I am reprising a Suffolk, England ancestry tour for Americans of English descent. First, we departed our lodgings at Colchester and then continued our ancestry themed tour of East Anglia with first stop at Great Bromley where we received a warm welcome from the local churchwarden. This is a massive church with strong New England ( U.S.A.) connections via the Stone family who still maintain links with the area. Video and images are provided below. Great Bromley Church On passing Flatford, we took the opportunity to call in at Flatford Mill on River Stour, subject of famous English artist, John Constable’s famous painting. Flatford Mill Thatched Riverside House at Flatford Next, we moved on to Assington, Groton (which also has close New England links) and Woolverstone. We stopped for lunch at Woolverstone Marina which offered a good aspect over the harbour. Assington Church Groton Church   Woolverstone Church   ...

 Today proved very productive and satisfying albeit not as anticipated. First, we travelled into Glasgow to view a screening of new film release Operation Mincemeat .This is a fact based WW2 record of a clever deception by the allies which is estimated to have saved thousands of soldiers lives and shortened the war. A 1950s  version of the same military operation was known as The man who never was .The Operation Mincemeat film is highly rated by the critics and deservedly so.  Unfortunately, our schedule for the day was upset because, having turned up for the late morning screening, the theatre encountered technical problems and could not show it. We therefore decided to take a three hour walk around Glasgow and take in some lunch before the next screening. Because Glasgow is such an old city we are able to cover a wide range of interesting sites in a relatively short distance of about 2.5 miles, as illustrated below.  This statue, on the bank of the River Clyde, is...

  Cloisters at Norwich Cathedral, England Today, I am reprising a section of an ancestry themed tour of East Anglia. First, we departed our Cambridge lodgings and continued our visit of key sites connected with personal ancestry. First stop Dennington Church, as shown in images below. Dennington Church, England Dennington Church, England Next to Norwich to meet with genealogist, Gill. We had lunch here, near the Cathedral and then a short walking tour around key central Norwich sites. The Cathedral dates from 1145 and represents a combination of English Gothic and Norman architectural styles. Norwich Cathedral, England Norwich Cathedral, England Norwich Cathedral, England Pull’s Ferry, England Next to Newton Flotman Church. Newton Flotman Church, England Final church visit of the day was Hemsby. Hemsby Church, England This evening, we are staying at lodgings on Great Yarmouth sea front. Very lucky with the weather which continues warm and sunny. Tomorrow we vis...

Above image shows a Kayaker at Aasleagh Falls This afternoon I am reprising a section private tour of N.W. Ireland. The weather was characterised by a wet morning and dry, cloudy afternoon. We departed our Galway lodgings and then drove north through Connemara, a landscape of rugged mountains and lakes, to our first stop at Aasleagh Falls near Leenane. Here our arrival coincided with a couple of Kayakers displaying their skills in the fast running water. Next, we continued north, through the Partry Mountains to a lunch stop at the pleasant town of Westport close to the West Coast. En-route we encountered a stray herd of cattle. Scenery en-route to Westport Irish Traffic Hazard   Westport Next, to Sligo and then west to Glencar Lake and Waterfall in County Leitrim. Glencar Waterfall Glencar Lake Next, through more rugged scenery to our lodgings near Londonderry (Derry).

  Main Street, Larne, Northern Ireland Tonight, I am focusing on Larne, a town with a rich and varied history on the west coast of Northern Ireland . Population is about 20,000. Today, Larne is an important ferry port with direct links to the West of Scotland. The Cairnryan to Larne crossing takes two hours and (subject to visibility) provides excellent views across the Irish Sea. Cairnryan, west of Scotland Crossing the Irish Sea In order to allow visitors to connect with Larne’s long commercial and industrial history the local museum has established a Heritage Trail which includes: The Promenade with its early sea bathing facilities. Waterloo Lime Kiln. William Bald Memorial. ( Bald was a talented Scottish engineer from the 19th century.) Chaine Tower ( In memory of a local 19th century entrepreneur). Princess Victoria Memorial ( A passenger ship which sank with loss of 133 passengers in 1953.). Memorial to UVF ( paramilitaries) gunrunning in 1914. Larne Harbour, where a ...

  Llandogo, Monmouthshire, Wales This evening, I am posting information on the village of Llandogo which is located in Monmouthshire, Wales. Llandogo is built on hillside terraces in the Wye Valley overlooking the River Wye and across into the Forest of Dean. Population is about 550. Location is between Chepstow and Monmouth, just two miles from the tourist attraction of  Tintern Abbey.  River Wye at Tintern There is a pub, shop and B&Bs. A waterfall, Cleddon Falls, feeds into the River Wye. Hikers are attracted by the nearby Wye Valley Walk and Offa's Dyke Path.  Local road near Llandogo Llandogo rose to prominence as a port because it was the highest point on the (tidal) River Wye that large boats could reach. Before advent of the railway, the River Wye was a busy commercial thoroughfare used by flat-bottomed boats known as trows, many of which were actually built at Llandogo.

   This evening, I am reporting on Hill Top Farm. This is a visitor attraction, run by England's National Trust, which is centred on the Beatrix Potter connection. Beatrix Potter was born in London in 1866 and died near Sawrey in 1943. The farm dates from the 17th century and is located near Sawrey, Hawkeshead, Ambleside in the Lake District , NW England. Construction is an example of Lakeland vernacular architecture with random stone walls and a slate roof. The farm was purchased by Beatrix Potter with proceeds from sales of the first of her children's books, the Tale of Peter Rabbit. She wrote thirteen of her twenty-three books whilst residing at Hill Top.  Beatrix Potter was very committed to the conservation of Herdwick sheep. She had her own Herdwick flock and and was keen to breed the best animals. She succeeded in this, winning awards at local agricultural shows and the respect of local Lake District farmers.  At the farm is a shop, eatery and fascinating ve...