During this year I shall be posting photographs from places around the UK, many of which have not been published before. Where I have previously blogged about a location I will provide a link to the post, though you won’t be able to comment on it as I restrict comments to six months.
G is for Grasmere
Is there any landscape more beautiful in England than the Lake District? Known for its glacial ribbon lakes, rugged fell mountains and historic literary associations. Throw in a few market towns, lakeside walks and cruises, good food and fresh air. Lots of fresh air.
Reflections in Grasmere Lake
It has links with the Lake Poets: William and Dorothy Wordsworth lived in Grasmere for 14 years and called it “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found.”
During this year I shall be posting photographs from places around the UK, many of which have not been published before. Where I have previously blogged about a location I will provide a link to the post, though you won’t be able to comment on it as I restrict comments to six months.
F is for the Falls of Bruar
The Falls of Bruar are a series of at least three pretty significant waterfalls on the Bruar Water in Scotland, about 8 miles from Pitlochry in the council area of Perth and Kinross. The start of the trail is behind the House of Bruar, Scotland’s most prestigious independent store and shopping outlet.
The Lower Falls
One of the Falls most famous visitors was Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, who wrote a poem about them. “The Humble Petition of Bruar Water to the Noble Duke of Atholl” was a plea to the landowner to plant trees along the banks as Burns was not impressed by the lack of trees and shrubs.
“Would then my noble master please To grant my highest wishes He’ll shade my banks wi’ tow’ring trees And bonnie spreading bushes Delighted doubly then my Lord You’ll wander on my banks And listen mony a grateful bird Return you tuneful thanks”.
The Middle Falls
It is a pleasant walk through the larch and Scots pine trees alongside the river though we turned around at the middle falls as signs to the upper falls suggested it was rather precarious and we didn’t fancy a broken ankle or worse.
“This path is steep and rough in places with severe exposed drops into the gorge.”
Pathway through the trees to the falls.
When Burns died the duke created the forest in his memory, and landscaped the area with decorative bridges and paths.
During this year I shall be posting photographs from places around the UK, many of which have not been published before. Where I have previously blogged about a location I will provide a link to the post, though you won’t be able to comment on it as I restrict comments to six months.
E is for Edinburgh
The capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh lies on the east coast just north of the Border country with England on the Firth of Forth. Renowned for its heritage, culture, and festivals it is a compact city with a medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian ‘New Town’.
Panoramic Views over Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth from the Argyle Battery on Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh castle looms over the city and from there you have fantastic 360 degree views.
Edinburgh CastlePanoramic Views from the Argyle Battery (Edinburgh Castle). The new Queensferry Crossing can be seen in the far distance on the left. The 1.7 miles (2.7km) structure is the longest 3-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world. It is also by far the largest to feature cables which cross mid-span.
Arthur’s Seat is an ancient volcano which is the main peak of the group of hills in Edinburgh and you can find several monuments on Calton Hill – Nelson Monument (built in memory of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson) and The National Monument of Scotland (inspired by the Parthenon of Athens) which has never been completed.
Arthur’s Seat on the right and Calton Hill on the left with its range of monuments.
The city is full of things to do with historic places to visit, galleries, museums, restaurants, pubs, a Botanic Garden, the famous Princes Street Gardens, the unusual Hortus Custodiorum (Archivists’ Garden) shops and theatres. Definitely a city that you could easily spend a week and not be bored.
The Alpine House in the Royal Edinburgh Botanic Garden
During this year I shall be posting photographs from places around the UK, many of which have not been published before. Where I have previously blogged about a location I will provide a link to the post, though you won’t be able to comment on it as I restrict comments to six months.
D is for Dartmoor
Dartmoor National Park is a vast moorland in the county of Devon, in southwest England. Dartmoor ponies roam its craggy landscape, defined by forests, rivers, wetlands and tors (rock formations).
Wonderful views from Pork Hill car park
We had an incredible day driving around Dartmoor National Park back in June 2022, stopping in various places to have a short stroll to admire the views.
During this year I shall be posting photographs from places around the UK, many of which have not been published before. Where I have previously blogged about a location I will provide a link to the post, though you won’t be able to comment on it as I restrict comments to six months.
C is for Chilham
Renowned for its beauty and charm, the Kentish village of Chilham lies high above the valley of the River Stour in the picturesque Kent Downs. The market square is full of historic medieval buildings, timber framed houses of Tudor origin, the 16th century church and the imposing Chilham Castle.
Chilham Castle – sadly the gardens are only open on Tuesdays during the summer months.
Chilham lies on the routes for the North Downs Way and the Pilgrims Way to Canterbury.
Half timbered cottage gable end which you pass on the way to the Free Parking just outside the village.Featured in the book ‘A Thousand Best Churches’ by Simon Jenkins, the XIII century church is noted for its stained glass windows and fine monuments. My visit coincided with the Harvest Festival and the church was exquisitely decorated.Beautiful container gardenMuch of the village is designated a heritage conservation area, in recognition of the historic value of the many of the buildings. Because of the beautiful old buildings, Chilham is often used as a setting for film and television productions.
My visit was in September 2010. I often accompanied my OH in those days when he attended conferences in nearby Canterbury (yet another C well worth exploring) and whilst he was busy in meetings I was busy exploring the Kent countryside, towns and villages and gardens.
TRAVEL WORDS 