Nigel's Photo Blog

This morning, with benefit of sunshine and blue skies, I took the opportunity for a hike around Pollok Park in south Glasgow. Pollok is Glasgow's largest park and the only Country Park within Glasgow . Here can be found extensive woodlands and gardens which provide a quiet sanctuary for visitors and wildlife alike. Within the park is Pollok House and the famous Burrell Collection. I noticed a considerable uplift in both facilities and traffic management since my last visit which enhanced the quality of the experience. Pollok Park is well known for it's herd of Highland Cows which is actually owned by Glasgow Council.The animals were resplendent in the sunshine. Overall, I covered about four miles in the park.   Highland cow with calf Another Highland Cow with calf. White Cart Water (River) Another aspect of the White Cart Walk through the woods Sticker on street furniture. J.K. Rowling is the author of the Harry Potter stories and is a leading protagonist in the transgender d...

This evening, I am reporting on the ancient church at Escomb near Bishop Auckland in northern England. This church is very ancient and ranks as the oldest intact Saxon church in England dating from around 680 AD. Name origin: In the 10th century AD Escomb was recorded as Ediscum which translates as 'Place at the enclosed parks or pastures' . There is actually a tangible link between the church and nearby Binchester in that, it is highly likely that the stonework was recycled from the Roman fort including an intact arch which forms the entrance to the chancel. Escomb Parish Church. Interior of Escomb Parish Church Early Anglo-Saxon altar cross Chancel arch recycled from Roman Binchester 7th century AD sundial

  Stan Laurel Pub Sign This evening, I am posting information on the market town of Bishop Auckland in County Durham, N.E.England. Summary facts and information: Located close to the merging of the rivers Wear and Gaunless. Has a history dating back to Roman times. Located on Watling Road which was the Roman Dere Street.Nearby is the Roman archaeological site of Binchester. Close by at Escomb, is an Anglo-Saxon church which may be the oldest church in Britain. Names is derived from the residences of the Bishops of Durham. Population is about 25,000. Was a colliery town (deep coal mining). Comedian, Stan Laurel spent his childhood years in the town and was baptised there is 1891. Bishop Auckland Town HalL Statue above Pittal Boy Alley, Bishop Auckland Entrance to Bishop’s Park, Bishop Auckland Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland Central Bishop Auckland Town hall, Bishop Auckland Bishop Auckland architecture

  Stanwix Tower, Rickerby, Carlisle, England This evening, I am posting information on a Victorian folly tower in Cumbria, N.W. England. A folly is a building which has no productive use. Such towers, turrets and similar structures were in vogue during the mid-late 19th century, typically status symbols built by wealthy landowners. Stanwix Tower is located in a cultivated field close to Rickerby Park and the River Eden near Carlisle . The Tower is octagonal in shape and has no roof.  It was built by local mayor, magistrate and banker, George Head Head who owned nearby Rickerby House In 1840 Head attended an important convention on anti-slavery where a painting records his involvement. .

Introduction Welcome to Canterbury, an ancient and historic city in S.E. England parts of which have been declared a World Heritage Site.   Skyline with Cathedral tower. Information on Canterbury Canterbury has a population of about 43,500 and is situated about 65 miles (105 km) S.E. of London . The name means ‘stronghold or fortified town of the people of Kent.’ There has been occupation on the current site dating back about 2000 years to pre-Roman times. Today, Canterbury is best known through its Cathedral which is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Anglican Church. City centre The location was occupied in the pre-Roman, Iron Age era. The Romans occupied Britain from AD 43- AD 410 during which time Canterbury was known as Durovernum Cantiacorum, apparently a non-military, civilian settlement. In AD 597 missionaries from Rome converted the King of Kent to Christianity and established a Cathedral subsequent to which Canterbury has been the se...

Introduction Antonine Guard   In AD 43 a force comprising some 45,000-50,000 men comprising four legions (II Augusta, IX Hispana, XIV Gemina and XX Valeria) successfully invaded what is now Southern England, an event which was the precursor to the Roman domination of mainland Britain which lasted until AD 410. Overall, Britain was subject to Roman influence for a period of some 450 years. Despite the long period of time, Britain was always at the edge of Roman influence and never achieved the wealth, status and sophistication of countries at the heart of the Empire. However, in Britain the Romans left a massive physical legacy as manifested in roads, towns, cities, villas, palaces,   hoards of coins   and valuables and engineering feats that we can still appreciate today. Towns in Roman Britain:   Londinium   (London) , Durovernum (Canterbury), Verulamium (St. Albans), Camulodunum (Colchester), Venta Icinorum (Norwich), Calleva (Silchester), Regnum (Chichester),...

  Tonight, I am reporting on the holiday location of Mossyard Beach near Auchenlarie Holiday Park, about 5 miles SW of Gatehouse of Fleet in Galloway, southern Scotland. Hopefully, the images speak for themselves. I came across this pleasant spot by chance when looking for suitable landscapes to photograph during a drive along the A75.  Clearly, there is a good expanse of sandy beaches combined with the placid water conditions of Wigtown Bay which in turn is part of the Solway Firth, a border between England and Scotland.  This is a popular holiday destination albeit on a modest scale which looks very inviting, especially for paddle boards and the like. A quiet spot with no commercial razzamatazz. May return next year. MORE INFORMATION FOR THE VISITOR The publication, Visitors’ Guide to Scotland extends to some 800 pages.This book is heavily illustrated and contains a wealth of information. The ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. Also available via Kindle.