Taking the Lakes in Stride

I've had the most pleasurable 5 days in the lakes. I had a day in Carlisle with my friend Amy (from first year at Tollbar), 4 wonderful days with my Aunt, Uncle and cousins and then the best drive home with my friend Cath and her family.  I am so thankful for friends and family who've shown me around this beautiful country I've seen sights that many Brits have overlooked.  But the best part is getting to know these wonderful people better.

This is part of the Carlisle Cathedral.

My cousin Brenda and I took in the beauty of Eskdale.

Then we headed over to an old church with another Viking cross.

Cath(teacher and friend from Tollbar), invited me to join them on a walk before heading back to Grimsby.  We walked through a few sheep pastures near Keswick and for little creatures they sure are intimidating.

Thanks everyone, you all make my time here so enjoyable, I hope you know how much I appreciate you all.

Wales Part Two

My last three days in Wales were packed with some of the most beautiful sights I have seen since the last time I wrote.  We visited  Anglesey, and Aienf;aierj;aenka/difieen/a/ or as you may know it…… Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (lan-vire-pool-guin-gith-go-ger-u-queern-drob-ooth-clandus-ilio-gogo-goch) is a Welsh word which translates roughly as "St Mary's Church in the Hollow of the White Hazel near a Rapid Whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the Red Cave".  Then we visited Danny's birthplace of Holywell, which by coincidence, is where my Uncle Tom used to live.  Then before catching a train (4trains) to visit my Aunt and Uncle in the lakes, we took in the sights of Chester.  And WOW, what a beautiful city.

This is Beaumaris Castle in Anglesey. King Edward I built it but it was never finished.  This disappointed me greatly, I like to envision who lived there and how they lived.  But it would have been grand if it had been completed.  I've also discovered a new effect in my camera "the miniature effect" I might overuse it but it is fun.

Looking out over the town and below over the river.

This is the gift shop at the most photographed train sign in the UK.

University of Bangor main arts building's front door.

We took a very long walk to castle ruins, note the mini effect, I LOVE it.

Selfie with Danny.

This is Holywell's claim to fame.  A well with believed healing powers.  I would claim healing just so as not to go into the water, it was freezing cold.

An abby ruins nearby, again the mini effect.

These three pigs will have a purpose somewhere in our camera club contests I'm sure.

Our final evening together and we took in an incredible show, Little Shop of Horrors.  We had incredible seats and the show was fantastic.  It was "West Side London" quality.

Chester Cathedral.

Inside the cathedral were these massive heating units.

After years of renovating, this clock tower had the official unavailing while we were visiting.  Even though we arrived on time, we somehow missed the event.

Thanks Danny and Josh.   You gave me an opportunity to see another country in a way no tourist ever could, someday I hope to do the same for you both.  And to all the friends whom I've made whilst here, who have made this journey so incredible, please come visit me in Waterloo. 

In Wales

I'm spending the first few days of half term with my friend and colleague Danny, in his home country of Wales.  That's right, Wales is a country within the country of England, you learn something new everyday.  He and Josh invited me to see this incredible country last year and I am finally here.  It's similar to the lakes but with higher "hills" and their own language.
Yesterday we went to Liverpool and explored the home of the Beatles.

The County Court House.

Court room, and I have some exciting news about another courtroom, similar to this one…..

Warner Bros. is filming the new Harry Potter movie here, this is the lighting truck for the production.

Many weddings were going on and at no point did I wish to be their photographer.

This is one of those arcade games where you use a remote controlled arm to grab a prize.  Here the prizes were shoes.  This is part of a shoe store and if you get the shoe to the hole, you win a pair of new, expensive shoes.  Below is the line up of people willing to try there hands at winning.

Danny took part in a sausage taste test.  Good news, he picked the right brand and won a package of sausages.  We enjoyed them tonight for dinner.

Today we visited some of Wales, we went to the Pontcysysllte Aquaduct.  And yes that is the correct spelling, or (and I quote the sign) "the stream in the sky".

This is Danny BTW

That is the aqauduct with a longboat traveling across and people walking.

This is from on top of the aqueduct.

And this is from the longboat bow, we took the cruise across.

There is only a railing on one side

Why did the boat cross a thousand foot high bridge?  Yes, to get to the other side.

This view is looking back at the small bridge I photographed above.

This is Wales' version of the "Horseshoe Falls",  it was beautiful but I can't wait to show Danny and Josh our version some day.

And this is Trixie, Josh and Danny's beautiful and charming, white boxer.  She is one very spoiled pooch.