Point of Departure: Bristol and Bath, England

Bristol and Bath, England

Find Bath and Bristol in South Central of Map

   One day remains before departure to Yakima, Washington.....

    South West England....two incredibly beautiful cities.....so a touch of both Bristol and Bath follows:

Bristol, first charter granted in 1155 and has ranked among the top English cities from the 13th century.  It has been an important city of trade with European and North American countries.  It has also been an important shipbuilding and cultural center.

The following are a few photos from that short day's visit.

BRISTO,  ENGLAND

St. Mary Redcliffe Church in Bristol
A Beautiful Church
Continuous Services for 600-800 Years

Hundreds of Cushions with Needle Point Family Shields

William Penn's Father was  a Member of Church

Sculpture in Church

Graceful Train Station in Central Bristol

BATH, SOMERSET, ENGLAND

   Bath is a showpiece and was first established as a spa with the Latin name, Aqua Sulis, by the Romans sometimes in the AD 60s about 20 years after they had arrived in Brtain. The Romans built baths and a temple on the surrounding hills of Bath in the valley of the River Avon around hot springs.  Edgar was crowned king of England at Bath Avvey in 973.  Much later it became popular as a spa town during the Georgian era which led to a major expansion that left a heritage of Georgian architecture crafted from Bath Stone.  (The stone is very difficult and expensive to maintain.)

A few views of beautiful Bath, a World Heritage Site.

Georgian Architecture

Beautiful River Avon

Bath Stone Dwellings

Farewell, my friends for now......Hope you have arrived home sane and safe.....Happy 2014

Cornwall, England (UK)

Imagine..Narrow Lanes!
Rather Challenging

Today we left our Belfast hotel via a taxi to the George Best airport boarded the short flight to Cornwall on Flyby Air.   Paying almost $500 baggage fee (two small bags) for an air flight of less than two hours was such a shock.  We later learned from the locals that it is necessary to check baggage online before Flyby flights for a much reduced rate.

Landing in the Newquay airport in Cornwall we rent an auto and drive to an airbnb in Mylor Bridge, Cornwall, Southwest England.  A teaching companion and fan of Doc Martin thought Cornwall was a delightful English area to enjoy.

Mylor Bridge Village

After adjusting to driving on the left lane of the extremely narrow roads, crazy confusing round
abouts, difficulties finding our destination, and being rather tired, we arrived at our  destination: 2 Trevellan Road, Mylor Bridge, a tiny village on the inlet of Mylor Creek.  Cate and John Skinner, our fabulous airbnb hosts greeted us with open arms.  We were totally delighted to find the lovely home that you can view below.   A great setting to just enjoy.

Close to Paradise

View of Mylor Creek

View from Our Windows

Mylor Bridge Harbor

Our Market in Mylor Bridge

Reading Dates on Gravestones Was Fascinating
1600 Dates Were Plentiful

 Celtic Cross

Cornwall is a charming  part of England with temperate weather, beautiful semitropical landscape, many seaside towns, historcal remains,  and friendly people.  We have spent our days relaxing and visiting art galleries, museums, cemeteries, and restaurants in St Ives, St Agnes, Falmouth, Penryn, Truro, Redruth, as well as Mylor Bridge village.  

St. Ives in Full Sun
An Artist's Haven

Shops Along St. Ives Beachfront

Another View of St. Ives

barb

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Park

Perfect Meditation Abode
Near St. Agnes, Cornwall

Wonderful place to do be!  

Winding our way home we took train north via Plymouth to Bristol, visited  elegant Bath then air to Dublin and Yakima .

Winding Our Way With Fingers Crossed!

   Hope you enjoyed the journey.  

NORTHERN IRELAND

BELFAST

Popular Restaurant

Friendly low-keyed Belfast, capital of Northern Ireland, appears to be a very orderly and clean town.  People are sweet and so helpful to us.  

North Ireland is in the Northeast Corner

Detailed Map of Northern Ireland

Spirited Irish Lads

Street Scene

Extraordinary National Museum

Belfast Town Hall by Night

Inside Town Hall

"The Troubles"

Religious and political differences in Northern Ireland

Religious differences Still Divide People

  Unfortunately, one becomes aware of another element present in much of the city -  evidence of the Troubles .   This  refers to the violence, disaster and killings with those in Northern Ireland who want to remain with the English government, (Protestants), and those who want a separate republic,  (Catholics).  
   People don't talk openly about these Troubles, but the evidence is clear in many neighborhoods and sections of Belfast.  Below are billboards in the Catholic neighborhood.
   The Troubles are still brewing today and can erupt again at any time.  Even today, December 29, 2013, negotiators are meeting in Belfast to settle differences that seem to be increasing.  Hopefully, both groups continue to work together to strengthen their beautiful country.
   

Ulster,  Ancient Name for Northern Ireland Region

Catholic Sector

Bobby Sands/Hunger Strike Victim

Neighboorhood Border

Neighborhoods Divided

  En route to the northwestern most point of northern Ireland one can see remains of Norman fortresses and castles along the craggy coastline.

Giant Causeway

Most interesting is the Giant Causeway, located in the far northern corner of Northern Ireland, with as many as 40,000 interlocking basalt columns and strange mysterious hexagon formations.  Local folks have attributed many magical elements to these strange formations, but it seems that about 60 million years ago the cooling and shrinking of lava forms created this mystery.

Similar to Yakima Basalt Hillsides

Rock of Cashel

Rock of Cashel 

Thirteenth Century Project!

     On our return to Dublin we visited the Rock of Cashel, a well preserved Norman bastion with fascinating bas relief.  It is on a prominent green hill with an outcrop of limestone.  
     It seems to be a fortification with sturdy walls enclosing a round tower, a 13th century Gothic Cathedral with well preserved bas relief, and a fine 12th century Romanesque chapel.  

Rock of Cashel is South Central Ireland

   

 For over 1000 years, the Rock was a symbol of power and the seat of kings and churchmen who ruled in that region.  The O'Brien clan and McCarthy tribe were some of the many who vied for power.

What a Massive Structure

   This ancient fortress with Gothic and Romanesque architectural design almost takes your breath away at first sight!

Equisite Bas Relief

These Structures Built in the 12th and 13th Centuries!

     It was raining so hard that day, but who cares when there is such a magnificent structure to appreciate.  

     In a few hours we will be in Dublin and prepare for our departure to the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast.....Get ready!