North of the Border...

I have previously covered specific aspects of Scotland, but this time, I will deliberately be more vague!  In other words, I have just put together a wonderful selection of photographs to describe visually the beauty of the nation.

Six Gold Martlets...

No, this isn't something from an alternative version of The Twelve Days of Christmas!  Martlets are simply small birds used as a heraldic design.  A type of swallow, they are traditionally depicted without feet.  Specifically, the English county of Sussex uses six gold martlets on a blue shield as the county flag, and this post is all about Sussex!

On Yer Bike...

...motorbike, that is!  The Americans always boast about their Harley-Davidsons and Indian, the Japanese have their Yamahas and Kawasakis, and there are several other nations who are rightly proud of their motorcycle heritage.  One nation that doesn't immediately springs to mins - certainly not to the Americans, anyway - is Great Britain!

Blue is the Colour...

... of a number of round plaques found across Britain.  They are markers indicating a location of historical significance, or more usually, denoting a link between a particular location, and a noted person who lived or worked there.  These plaques, often erected by English Heritage, but also by other various organisations, can refer to individuals from all walks of life.

Bridging the Gap...

One architectural feature of Britain that is very under-rated (in my honest opinion) is the good old bridge!  Of course, foreigners know about Tower Bridge, the Severn Bridge etc, but we do have a lot more than that - in a remarkable variety of materials and designs.  Here a few that you might not be familiar with...

South of the Solent...

...is the lovely county of the Isle of Wight.  The only island county in England, it is also - strangely enough - the only county I have never visited!  What makes that particularly surprising is that it really so close to Surrey, and the fact that I have so much time all along the south coast!

Way Out West...

Not the "Wild West", or indeed, anywhere in the western United States!  Today, we we look at one of England's "less-fashionable" counties, so to speak.  A wonderfully rural county, full of rolling hills, fields, and other areas outstanding areas of natural beauty, I am talking about...

Those Were They Days...

Today is a day for memories.  I have been going through some stuff online, and looking at how the area in which I grew up has changed in recent years.  In particular, I have been checking out all the pubs, shops, businesses, and various other buildings that have disappeared - or at least, are not the places they once were - so here a few of the things I remember...

Rye...

This is not about the grain!  One of the oldest and most picturesque villages in the south of England, the East Sussex port of Rye is always well worth a visit.  With cobbled streets, quaint pubs, and an old castle, it is a tourist trap, but is also very, very relaxing.

The Holy Island...

Lindisfarne is a small island off the coast of Northumberland on the northeast coast of England, and is also known as Holy Island.  With a history dating back to at least the 6th Century, it was for many years an important centre of Celtic Christianity.

Dorset...

The only visit I have made previously here is a poetical one; this time, I am returning to show you some of the delight of this wonderful county in south-west England.  As a child, I spent many happy summer holidays travelling around Dorset.

At the Bottom of the Garden...

Great Britain is home to some of the most wonderful scenery found anywhere in the world.  Much of this is found in the simple landscape of the garden, and here are some of the most beautiful public gardens you will ever see.

Over the Sea...

... to the lovely Scottish island of Skye.  Made famous in the Skye Boat Song, the Isle of Sky is the largest island in the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland.  With a population of some 10,000, the island's main industries are tourism, fishing, agriculture, and whisky-distilling.

Alnwick, Northumberland...

Alnwick (pronounced "Annick") is a town in North-East England, in Northumberland.  Surrounded by hills and valleys, ancient castles, and of course, the North Sea, it is a wonderful area to visit.  Here are some views of the area...

The Second City...

With only the capital city of London being more populous, Birmingham is often referred to as "The Second City".  During mediaeval times, Birmingham was a small market town. The industrial revolution brought international prominence as a manufacturing centre, and despite widespread damage during WWII, that has never changed.

Some Random Photos...

Last week, I posted some photos of famous graves I have visited over the years.  Today, I will share a few other pics I have taken on trips back to England.  You may be able to detect that photography is something of a hobby of mine!

Scottish Castles...

There are many wonderful old castles scattered around the British Isles, and Scotland is certainly no exception.  However, they are often a little different to those found in England and Wales.  It's not that they are any less imposing, but many of them look more like stately homes and palaces than they do castles.  Here are a few of them.

The Lake District...

Today we will have a look at one of England's most beautiful regions.  The Lake District in Cumbria is very popular with tourists, and you should see why.

Scilly, Scilly...

The Isles of Scilly (pronounced "silly") are a group of islands situated off the coast of Cornwall, 28 miles from Land's End.  The group consists of five inhabited islands, and over 100 small rocky islets.  Despite being part of the county of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly have their own local authority.

Up North...

I am back online now after my brief hiatus, and will be posting regularly again.  We start back with some wonderful photos from the North of England.