Postcards from the UK !

Thanks for your nice presentqtion, Karim

City of Bath ( 06/04/10 )

The first of my 2010 escapades around England took me to a place I so long awaited to discover being a fan of Jane Austen's novels and fine 18th century architecture, and I must say that Bath and its many charms truly enchanted me.

My first glimpse of the town was a stunning view over the river and one of the most charming bridges I have ever seen.

Then a stroll through the town took me from the Roman Bath to the beautifully preserved historic part of the town where almost every building is an enchantment in itself.

After a spot of lunch at Sally Lun's, I embarked on the City Sightseeing Bus which took me around the town to the Royal Circus, the Royal Crescent and beyond up the hills which offer a stunning view over the city.

The Royal Crescent was of a scale I truly had not imagined and with the surrounding lawn areas filled with daffodils, a unforgettable sight in itself.

The nearby Victoria Parc was beautiful with its great entrance guarded by two giant lions statues and the lake so peaceful in the late afternoon.

I love Nature and my visit to Bath coincided with one of the first lovely Springtime days of the season has truly enchanted my senses.

Britain truly is a one of the best places in the world to enjoy Springtime in all its glory !

I do hope to have the pleasure of visiting Bath again for its Christmas markets...

Here are a few pictures of my escapade to Bath...

By the Pulteney Bridge



By the River Avon



Lunch at Sally Lun ( how could I resist honouring a French refugee from 300 years ago !



Funny Picture ( yes I know, childish to say the least  )



The Royal Crescent and Daffodils ( a sight of beauty in itself ! )



Posing in a field of daffodils as a celebration of Springtime !



Just like for the City of York, certain areas of Bath will for ever be associated with fields of daffodils which are my favorite fowers for what they represent of renewal and refreshing touch of Spring after a long winter !

Karim:)

The next escapade took me to the City of York...

City of York ( 15/04/10 )

Unlike Bath, I did not have much expectations from York and I must admit that my knowledge of the town was quite limited to the House of York so I visited for the first time on a beautiful Spring day with a totally opened mind and was I in for a pleasant surprize indeed !

I left my car in the carpark outside the city walls and just could not resist climbing up the steep and narrow staircase leading to the walls and walk around the town as the first visitors would have done and seeing these perfectly preserved walls filled with thousands of daffodils in bloom on each side were a truly unforgettable sight !

I then ventured into the town through a very pleasant street with a great variety of shops leading to the Bridge upon the River Rouse and the other side viewed from the bridge was pleasant indeed.

But the surprise - I should say the amazement - really came when I entered the Medieval District which is very large in size and wonderfully preserved with a unique architecture and a variety of shops second to none.

At its very heart, one finds the truly magnificent Minster which Nortern Europe's largest Gothic Cathedral and standing at its feet truly gives a scale of insignificant can a human being be compared to the sheer size of some monuments.

The nearby parks were in bloom and very pleasant places to sit down and enjoy.

And last but not least, the cherry on my cake undoubtebly was the National Railway Museum which features some of the rarest locomotives of the world including a replica of Stevenson's Rocket, The Mallard and the Flying Scotsman to name but a few. Being a passionate modeller ever since I was 7yo when I started building my first railway model network on a HO scale, I simply cannot express my joy at seeing those "giants of steam" standing in front of me.

I maybe French but I love finding quaint little places for my afternoon tea and the place I found was just one of the cutest I have seen so far as it was in one of the towers at the entrance of the bridge over the River and a cappuccino and a Victoria Lemon sponge were the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Yes ! I truly was enchanted with my visit to York and its many charms !

Here are a few personal pictures of my day in York...

York's City Walls with thousands of daffodils on their side



The City Walls with a Cherry Tree in Bloom



A view of the town accross the bridge on the River Ouse



The "Shambles" is the oldest street of the Medieval District



The Majestic Minster or Northern Europe's oldest Gothic Cathedral



A view of the Minster from the Medieval District



A detail of an ornate street clock



A view of a square with the most interesting architecture



In one of York's enchanting park a black and white cottage in bloom !



Ruins of an Ancient Abbaye with thousands of daffodils



The following pictures will depict my visit to the National Railway Museum which is free, if you please !









And for those who are amateur of a 5' o clock tea in quaint places, why not having tea in this adorable Tea Room ?







Karim:)

Welcome to London Town ( 16/04/10 )

Living in Windsor, I have been to London hundreds of times but guess what, just like a Villager, I have my boundaries and only go to certain places over and over again and often neglecting others.

On this very windy and rather chilly day of mid-April, I was meeting my Friend Christine whom I had not seen in a while and we decided to spend the day gallivanting around London. Unlike myself who like a certain level of comfort when I travel, Christine is a true Explorer with a keen interest in countries which are yet to be discovered and her trips around the world took her from Siberia to Ethiopia, Yemen to Afghanistan. Needless to say that she loves walking and so do I so we made a quite energetic pair in London that day.

We met at the Opera House and walked to Covent Gardens which are a place I love to visit and revisit and which are celebrating their 200 anniversary this year ! This a vibrant place where there is always something happening and that day was no exception.

We then walk all the way to Westminster where we intended to take our first boat ride in years ! Isn't this a shame going to London at least 3 times a week and never have taken a boat ride

As we were approaching the Thames, the wind got very intense and rather chilly so we opted for a spot of lunch before embarking on a mini cruise that would be by all means "refreshing" to say the least !

We found an old pub near Whitehall where we enjoyed a heartwarming hot meal with a pint of Guinness for me and Cider for Christine.

Revived by this collation, we embarked on the sight seeing boat and courageously went onto the top deck. The cruise took us from Westminster Pier to Tower Bridge passing by the Tower of London and with a good view of the London Eye, the Tate Gallery, and so on.

I was especially attracted to the London Bridge which truly is a sight when approached by the river.

We then walked by Westminster and Big Ben until we reached the delightful St James Park which took us to Buckingham Palace Road and Green Park, Jermyn St and then Picadilly St which was our destination for afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason.

Fortnum & Mason has been my favorite place for afternoon tea for years for its unique old world charm, charming etiquette and delightful cakes and ice creams.

Needless to say that after braving all day winds which would not have been out of place in Mary Poppins and walking miles upon miles, sitting down in front of pot of Orange Pekoe was pure heaven

Here are a few pictures of our day in windy London, a great moment to remember !































Karim:)

Vale of Evesham - Blossom Tour ( 21/04/10 )

As England was embracing Springtime with the first warm sunny days, I decided to tour the Vale of Evesham through the Blossom Trail and was I in for a lovely surprise

My first stop was in my favorite village of the Cotswolds, Broadway or the "Show Village of England" where I had a coffee and strolled through the streets filled with quaint little shops and Art galleries.

I then headed to the town of Evesham upon which I knew very little and I really enjoyed discovering its history and heritage at the Almonry Museum, then walked through the old town to the Church of All Saints and the beautiful Abbey Bell Tower which dominates a lovely park which strolls down to the river Avon.

I decided on a light spot of lunch and the weather was so fine that I embarked on a mini river trip that took me along the banks of the river on a old fashioned boat.

I then took the "Blossom Trail" from Evesham which is also famous for growing Asparagus, hence its very popular Asparagas Festival in May, through the Lenches with its beautiful villages ( Church Lench, Atch Lench, etc. ) until the lovely little town of Pershore which also hosts a popular Plum Festival in August.

The Evesham Vale was already famous for its orchards ( Apple, Pear, Cherry, Plum ) in Medieval times and is well worth a visit, especially at Springtime

The perfect ending to a perfect day was a visit to the Evesham Countrypark with its farmshops and fun narrow gauge railway

Village of Broadway





Evesham - Abbey Bell Tower



Evesham - Church of All Saints in bloom !



Evesham - View of the River Avon in bloom !



Evesham - Afternoon River Trip on the River Avon







Evesham Country Park - Narrow Gauge Railway

Karim:)

Hello Karim,

Your topic is highly creative and innovative. It's awesome.

Feel like visiting UK, straight away...

Keep us posted with more postcard views.

Regards,
Sheetul

Birmingham Botanical Gardens (22/04/10 )

I discovered these gems of Botanical Gardens two years ago after attending a fair at the Birmingham NEC and was I in for a pleasant surprize

They are of course much smaller in scale and variety than places such as Kew Gardens, though 15 acres in size, but they are definitely well worth a visit especially at Springtime.

They are located in Edgbaston, a few miles away from Birmingham in a very leafy residential area.

They were created by leading Gardener J. C. Loudon and opened to the public in 1832.

At the time of my visit, the Botanical Gardens were holding a very interesting exhibition on the life and work of Charles Darwin.

Here are a few pictures of my visit this Spring to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in bloom, to say the least

The Pleasure Gardens viewed from the Loudon Terrace



The Loudon Terrace viewed from the Pleasure Gardens



The Victorian Flight Houses in bloom !



Inside the Victorian Flight House



The Shrubbery in full bloom by the Japanese Garden's Pond !



A beautiful Peacock which just happened to be passing by...



Fountain by the Pleasure Gardens



A Glorious "Piece of Sky"



A Cascading Pink Camelia



The Victorian Flight Houses in bloom !



Inside the Mediterranean Glass House



Inside the Victorian Flight Houses



Indoor Fountain in the Tropical Glass House

Karim:)

Stratford upon Avon ( 27/05/10 )

I fell in love with this quintessential English town long before I first visited it and each new visit is a delight in itself

Shakespeare's birth town is attractive in all seasons and  I love walking though the historic streets with their beautiful buildings and delightful shops, cafes and restaurants.

Over the years, Startford upon Avon has really succeeded in its gracious transformation and I love the visual presentation now available at the Shakespeare's Bitrthplace which really takes you back in times with a very effective introductory "3D" presentation.

After years of building works, the canal area is finally complete and I just loved the way the Garden Designers laid English mixed borders rather than simple flower beds in the areas surrounding the magnificent bronze statue of William Shakespeare by the canal and its boats as the effect is simply stunning and yet so refreshing.

I love Nature and outdoors so I could not resist re-visiting Anna Hattaway's Cottage in bloom and Mary Arden's Tudor Farm and spent a delightful afternoon there as the weather was just perfect.

I highly recommend the Tudor Festival which takes place in May at Mary Arden's Farm for its joyous mix of country scenes and period costumes !

Stratford upon Avon truly is a delight of a town, whatever the season:)

William Shakespeare's Bronze Statue by the Canal



Hamlet's Statue - To Be or Not to Be ?


The delightful newly designed River Avon Canal Area





William Shakespeare's Birthplace in bloom



A Wall Tapestry of Wisteria in Bloom by Shakespeare's Birthplace



Anne Hattaways' Cottage in bloom !















Mary Arden's Farm - Tudor Festival

Karim:)

Llandudno ( 03/06/10 )

As the UK was embracing its first days of warm weather in early June, I decided to visit a place which I knew was famous for its Victorian festival early May each year, but which was nothing but a name on a map as far as I was concerned, and was I in for a pleasant surprise indeed

Llandudno is a beautiful Victorian seaside resort located in the Conwy County of Wales, and offers amongst its many charms a breathtaking Promenade overlooking the sea and the beaches located between the Great Orme and the Little Orme.

Elegant buildings so representative of the Victorian and Edwardian area are everywhere to enjoy, and the crown jewel certainly is the majestic Grand Hotel overlooking the pier.

The beaches were boasting with life and activity and so was the crowded pier with all kinds of animations and shops and while relaxing at the end of the pier with a pint of cider in my hand to cool down the heat of this glorious day, looking at the endless sea was a moment of pure bliss.

Llandudno truly is a treasure of its own !

Here are a few pictures of my day in Llandudno ...

Llandudno viewed from the Promenade





A romantic seaside resort by excellence !



Cooling down the heat of a summer day !



The Majestic Grand Hotel overlooking the bay



View from the Pier















The Bay of Llandudno and its beaches located between the Great Orme and the Little Orme...

Karim

Welcome to Warwick Castle ( 23/06/10 )

Britain's Ultimate Castle ! Quite a statement indeed !

I first visited Warwick Castle on a cold January afternoon and although I could appreciate the sheer size and medieval magnificence of the Castle, I saw virtually nothing of its grounds still under the spell of winter.

So when I revisited the place this year in late June, it was with a totally opened mind and I decided to walk to the Castle fron the town that bears its name.

Warwick is a pretty town filled with manicured gardens and picturesque black and white buildings which offers a nice selection of restaurants and tearooms.

I accessed the Castle from the Gate located just a stone thrown away from the High St through delightful back gardens in bloom and discovered the delightful Thomas Oken Tearoom, an old black & white building which serves a delicious blend of teas and homemade cakes in a tea set which would not be out of place in a novel of Lewis Caroll. A must when visiting Warwick

From the moment I was greeted by the flying standards of the Bear Tower Gate, entered the Central Courtyard where knights were fighting in armour, climbed to the top of the ramparts to have almost an aerial view of the Castle and its grounds, met the Victorians of the Royal Week-End recreation throughout the magnificent appartments, discovered the Art of Falconary with live eagles, entered the delightful Orangerie Gardens with their flying peacocks - I did not know until now that they could fly at all - not to forget the enormous Trebuchet Machine in action by the river, the water mill with its ingenious Victorian machinery and finally spent an hour in the exquisite Victorian Rose Garden discussing the cultivation of old roses, I can say with confidence that my visit to Warwick Castle was a pure enchantment.

I have tried to capture the different atmospheres and "colors" of my day in the following pictures:)...

View of the Bear Tower



Actor posing at the entrance of the Central Courtyard



Flying Standard in the Central Courtyard



View of the Castle from the Ramparts



View of the Castle from the top of the Ramparts









View of the River Avon





Caesar's Tower viewed from the Central Courtyard



Knights fighting in the Central Courtyard





Still a long way to become a Knight



Royal Week-End Party Exhibition



















Actors & Armors in the Great Hall







Falconry Show on the Oak Tree Lawn





The Orangerie Garden and the truly magical ballet of the Peacocks



















A Medieval Camp with Standards



View of the River Avon



Warwick Castle viewed from the River Avon





The exquisite & confidential Victorian Rose Garden in bloom





Actor posing at the entrance of the Central Courtyard

Karim:)

Welcome to the Severn Valley Steam Railway ( 10/07/10 ) !

If you were asking me what my favorite attraction in the UK was, I would certainly list in my top three attractions the Severn Valley Steam Railway which runs from the town of Kidderminster to the town of Bridgnorth.

I discovered it back in 2008 while organizing a week-end around Stratford upon Avon and the Cotswolds with my Friend Christine and our Sunday spent in the Severn Valley Steam enchanted us then and still enchant me now.

So it is with great anticipation that I revisited this almost confidential attraction which is well worth a visit by all steam train enthusiasts and amateurs of unspoiled natural sceneries alike.

As soon as one enters the old fashioned train station of Kidderminster, one steps back in the time when magnificent steam trains were ruling the scenery of England and beyond and the feeling really last throughout the day as one boards the comfortable wagons listening to the whistle of the steam engine.

The Severn Valley Steam Railway runs between Kidderminster and the medieval town of Bridgnorth through 16 miles of unspoiled beautiful English countryside including the stunning Victoria Bridge and is punctuated with the prettiest little train stations one can possibly see most of them straight out of a picture book with hanging baskets overflowing with colorful flowers.

The medieval town of Bridgnorth accessible through a funicular host a busy market and offers the Visitor a great variety of restaurants, pubs and tearooms in beautiful balck and white buildings.

The fact that the Severn Valley Steam Railway is mostly run by 200 unpaid volunteers who pride themselves on maintaining the tracks, buildings and rolling material brings authenticity to an experience which is everything but a fake recreation.

The Smiles, simplicity and knowledge of real People will greet you everywhere whether you are looking for a facility or wish to discuss the Golden Age of Steam Trains.

Those who remember my visit to York's National Railway Museum earlier this year know how much of a train enthusiast I am and the Severn Valley Steam Train keeps enchanting my senses.

The following pictures will take you on my journey as I was stepping back in time in the Golden Age of Steam Trains …

Karim:)

Bournemouth ( 27/07/10 )

As the United Kingdom is slowly recovering from one of its coldest and earliest winter offensive in almost a century, the single thought of walking in the surf on a warm summer day is enough to have us all dreaming about soft summer breezes.

I had not yet visited Bournemouth that I already loved it and I must say that I succumbed to the many charms of this famous Victorian Sea Resort which spreads over 7 miles of golden sandy beaches.

I arrived on the perfect summer day and found the beaches surrounding the Pier already very busy with cheerful sun bathers and swimmers and with the sheer size of the 7 miles beach one can do exactly as one pleases with regards to finding the perfect spot !

The Bournemouth Pier is a very busy place with colorful arcades and outlets offering souvenirs, snacks and drinks.

If you wish to have a spot of lunch with a view, I warmly recommend the excellent Harbour Lights located at the top of the Waterfront Building which commends breathtaking views over the Pier and the surrounding beaches.

A visit to Bournemouth is not complete without discovering the famed beach huts which comes in an infinity of styles and colors ranging from rustic to luxurious and can be hired per day, week, month or even an entire season.

The Pleasure Gardens which link the beach to the town of Bournemouth offer a refreshing alternative to a hot summer day as one can sit under the shade of the centenary trees which spread over two miles of lush vegetation and water features.

The town of Bournemouth offers to the Shopper elegant arcades with shop catering for every taste.

I have loved every minute of my time in Bournemouth and looking back at these pictures, I feel a little bit less wintery now…

I wish you all a Happy & Healthy New Year !!!

Karim:)

Chester !

Should you ask anybody in France what Chester is about, they will undoubtedly reply "The Cat, of course !" as us French call Lewis Carrol's famous character "The Cat of Chester" !

Long before I first visited Chester, I had visions of black and white buildings as I once applied for a position at the Grosvenor Hotel before heading instead to Corsica ! Foolish youth !

After visiting this gem of a city, I can safely say that it really is one of Britain's best kept secrets which has so much to offer to the Visitor with its incredible variety of treasures.

I first was greeted with the smile of the Pride of Chester Guide, then started my day by walking around the incredibly well preserved medieval walls which surround the city and offers great views of Chester as well as of the beautiful River Dee and were the perfect introduction to my day in Chester.

I then ventured in the town through the Eastgate Clock which is the second most photographed clock in England after Big ben and offers a truly magnificent view on Eastgate St and its beautiful medieval black & white buildings including the national treasure "The Chester Rows" which have delighted Shoppers for over 700 years and counting.

Wandering through the streets of Chester is a pure delight for anyone intersting in history, architecture or simply beauty as it is everywhere for you to enjoy from the majestic Tudor buildings to the exquisite wood carvings and statues of their facade.

The City even offers a fascinating Roman Heritage in the shape of Britain's largest Roman Amphitheatre dated back to the times when Chester was a busy port importing all kinds of luxury goods from wine to fine pottery.

After exploring the town, I really enjoyed a refreshing walk by the River Dee which is of a great natural beauty and I finally came back for a spot of late lunch at the Brasserie Gerard while listening to classic French songs playing in the background !

The saying "it has it all" could not be more appropriate than to the amazingly beautiful City of Chester which is guaranteed to make a lasting impression when you will decide to visit it

Karim:)

Hartlepool 2010 Tall Ships Race ( 09/08/10 )

The most anticipated event of my own calendar in 2010 !

Ever since I first heard of the 2010 Tall Ships Race in Hartlepool, I booked the week-end off months in advance.

I have always loved Tall Ships for as long as I can remember and the last time I saw some of these sailing giants gathered in a port was in St Malo back in the mid eighties.

Judging by the incredible popularity of this event, I was not the only one and the figures simply speak for themselves :

3 millions Visitors over three days for the largest free event of 2010 in the UK !

And was it worth of my expectations !

The Organizers of the 2010 Hartlepool Tall Ships Race had prepared everything to perfection including a perfectly readable and very attractive website which highlighted the events scheduled over the three days celebrating the Golden Age of Sailing Ships.

The race started at Anwerp in Belgium then called at Aalborg in Denmark, then Kristiansand in Norway and arrived in Hartlepool on 07th August 2010 covering a total of 998 miles.

As soon as I arrived in the specially designated parking area next to the marina, I was greeted by a forest of tall masts all dressed in the flying colors of a multitude of little flags.

And the first sight of these Sea Giants anchored together was simply breathtaking !

From the wonderful details of sculpted figureheads to the towering masts to the elegant lines of the ships, everything invited the Visitor to step back into the time of the Golden Age of Sailing Ships.

And I did step aboard a few of these magnificent vessels with their immaculate wooden decks and shiny brass.

The celebration would not have been completed without a selection of food from around the world and one could enjoy Carribbean delights while another tucked into French Crepes and the many other delicacies available in the dozens of appetizing stands.

But my time In Hartlepool was far from over as I still had to discover the Maritime Experience Museum and what an experience this has been !

The Maritime Experience is a unique concept which evolves around a recreated 18th century port completed with shops reminiscent of the era down to the smallest detail and the crown jewel of the Museum is the magnificent HMS Trincomalee, a frigate of the Napoleonic era and the oldest British warship still afloat.

The Hartlepool Maritime Experience has to be the most amazing and unforgettable of all attractions I have seen so far in the UK and I only hope that my pictures will do it justice.

Boarding the HMS Trincomalee is an experience like no other, and wandering through the delightful shops filled with artifacts of the era and even the typical sounds of an 18th century port is magical !

The cherry on the cake came in the shape of members of the Hartlepool Victorian Society which reenacted scenes of the 18th century in “Meet the Georgians”, a truly delightful experience.

Hartlepool has exceeded all expectations I had about my visit and will remain one of the finest experience I have enjoyed in my travels so far .

Karim:)

Hi and welcome on the forum Amine1980

I would suggest you to do present yourself on a new topic on the England forum

Regards
Armand

Thank you Arnaud

The presentations are done !

Karim:)

Blists Hill Victorian Town ( 31/08/10 )

I invite you to step back in the Victorian Times on a journey through one of the most beautiful, unique and accurate recreation of a Victorian Town at Blists Hill in the County of Shropshire !
 
This amazing recreation takes place over 55 acres at the very location where the Industry or more precisely the Industrial Revolution took place 200 years ago.
 
Today, the remains of the iconic "Blast Furnaces" are now derelict cathedrals of brick from a different time standing in silence amongst a Nature that has claimed back its rights but still speak volumes of the misery, unimaginable hard work and sometimes tragedy that accompanied the everyday life of the workers who braved the defeaning sound, the heat and the many dangers of the well named "Blast Furnaces".
 
The Blists Hill Victorian Town is an open air museum which presents a unique insight in the everyday life of the Victorians through a wonderful collection of traditional shops ranging from the Chemist to the Draper and the Grocer to the Photographer faithfully recreated down to their smallest detail and selling Victorian goods.
 
Blist Hills Victorian Town is about life in the Black Country located between the towns of Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall , which saw the birth of the Industrial Revolution and became synonymous with coal mining and metal working.
 
The first sensation to hit the Visitor while visiting this one of a kind museum is the smell of coal in the air, a smell that stays with you throughout the day as a reminder of the Industrial Revolution legacy.
 
Blist Hills depicts a Victorian town miles away from the stereotyped image of frivolity sometimes associated with that era and one can easily imagine what life was about in the nearby Blast Furnaces.
 
Being a strong railway enthusiast, I was delighted to watch a replica of one of the world's first locomotives in action, created by the Father of Steam, Richard Trevithick.
 
Walking through the paths of the 55 acres which covers this open air museum will take you from the colorful shops of Canal St to traditional workshops such as the Plasterer, the Candle Maker, the Glove Maker in which real Artisans are demonstrating the techniques and expertise of their trade. One can marvel at a collection of carriages, shivers while passing in front of the undertaker workshop, and watch the Baker take out freshly baked loaves of bread out of the oven and enjoy traditional Victorian street scenes.
 
There is lovely pub which serves old fashioned meals and beers while a couple of entertainers are taking over the old piano to sing Victorian tunes to the greatest delight of the audience.
 
I walked in silence as I passed the Blast Furnaces in respect of the men who dedicated their lives to the Industrial Revolution and made my way towards a wonderful example of a “trow” or flat bottom boat used for the transportation of coal and other raw materials on the river Severn .
 
Nature has regained its rights on the site and it is quite an experience to admire the lush tranquility of a Victorian cottage yet so close to the once fierce blast furnaces.

In the afternoon, I followed the meticulous preparation of the opened carriage drawn by the magnificent horse “Casey”.
 
There is so much to do, see and learn at the Blists Hill Victorian Town Museum that I was able one day to step back in the times of these Victorians who pioneered a new era for man kind and shaped the world as we know it today thanks to their incredible ingenuity,courage and spirit.

Blists Hill Town Notice Board



View of Canal St





The Victorian Draper Shop





Richard Trevithick, the "Father of Steam" and the world's first ever Locomotive

This clanking wheezing contraption was the first railway locomotive in the world. It was designed by Richard Trevithick and built by the Coalbrookdale ironworks in 1802. It wasn't a great success, but this, and Trevithick's other engines, showed what could be done and inspired the engineers who made steam powered railways a practical proposition.

For the first time in history fast, cheap transport was available – to transport finished goods, raw materials and people from one place to another and to carry perishable foodstuffs from the countryside to the towns and cities of Victorian Britain. - and all this was thanks to Richard Trevithick and his experiments at Coalbrookdale.











Victorian Carts





The Victorian Sweet Shop





A Victorian wagon advertizing the Sufragette's moto “Vote for Women” !



The Plasterer Workshop





The Grocery Store















The Chemist Shop





The Victorian Printer Shop





Victorian Street Scenes





The Victorian Pub & Restaurant ( delicious traditional lunch with a Victorian beer and the merry tunes of a Pianist & Singer singing away popular Victorian songs ! A great moment ! )







The Baker Shop ( The loaf of bread was truly delicious ! )



The Carpenter Workshop




The Candle Maker Workshop



The Glove Maker Workshop



The Locksmith Workshop



The Iron Monger Workshop



Victorian Classroom





Blists Hill Blast Furnaces







Blist Hills "David & Sampson" Blowing Engine

A blowing engine is a large stationary steam engine directly coupled to air pumping cylinders. They deliver a very large quantity of air at a pressure lower than an air compressor, but greater than a centrifugal fan.

Blowing engines were used to provide the air blast for furnaces and blast furnaces





Blist Hills Mission Church



Spry, the last remaining "trows" of the River Severn

The forests lining its banks have provided timber not only for the building of the Severn trows, the flat-bottomed, two-masted, open-sided boats, weighing upwards of 100 tons, but frigates, barges and wherries, as well as the narrowboats worked and lived on by whole families who endured hard and cramped lives aboard as they tried to make ends meet shifting merchandise up and down the rivers and canals. The trows, built mainly in Ironbridge and operated from Bewdley , were built for transporting coal, china clay, timber, charcoal, salt and many other basic raw materials as well as finished goods such as ironstone, pottery, bricks and machinery the length of the Severn and further. Vast amounts of cargo were sent abroad and much of this was loaded onto seagoing vessels at Bristol . Although capable of travelling under sail, the Severn trows were mostly hauled by gangs of men. The trowmen had to be tough, and were said to be hard-drinking, hence the number of riverside pubs. Handling the trows could be dangerous.



Casey, the magnificent horse and the preparation of the Victorian open carriage

Karim:)

Seasons Greetings !



I wish you all a happy and healthy new year 2012 filled with new horizons and wonderful discoveries !

Between a Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games, the UK will take centre stage in 2012 and I invite you to follow my wanderings on the back roads of a sometimes poetic, often picturesque country which simply never ceases to amaze me.

Karim:)

Hello fellow travellers !

After a long absence, here I am again with a few new postcards of my travels accross the UK which I will share with you in the weeks to come ...

Stay tuned !

Karim

Excellent thread.
May I offer a suggestion?
Much of what you see is just the surface. Look below.

I noticed you mentioned, Whitehall but wonder if you have any idea of its history or what is underneath the fairly modern frontages everyone sees.
I've been inside and into the cellars, I sight most people will never see because of the security restrictions, and it opens your eyes to so much more than the thousands of tourists ever see or suspect.
Read up a little; you strike me as the sort of guy who'll love it.

Thank you so much for the tip

I will look into it this afternoon

Have a great week-end !

Karim

Welcome to the Costwolds !

Moreton in Marsh & Bourton on the Water



Map of the Cotswolds



The Cotswolds



"Cotswolds" is derived from the word for the stone sheep shelters or "cots" (we still use the word in dovecote), plus the word "wold" for the rolling hills. That tells us about a time in the past when sheep were the mainstay of the economy

The Cotswolds is designated 'An Area of Outstanding Beauty' and is the largest in England and Wales, stretching from Chipping Campden, in the north, to Bath in the South (80 miles), covering an area of 2038 sq. kms (790 sq. miles) and comprises farmland over 80% of its area. It has the largest number of conservation areas of any region.

The Wool Trade

In the Middle Ages the Cotswolds was well known throughout Europe as the source of some of the best wool. The Cotswolds were ideal for sheep so the Abbeys and monasteries raised huge flocks of the 'Cotswold Lions'. These native sheep were large animals with golden long fleeces. Merchants became rich and spent much money on the wool churches as well as building fine houses for themselves such as Grevel's House in Chipping Campden. At that time 50% of England's economy was due to wool.

Silk Production   

At the time of James 1st the production of silk was encouraged, it was he who was responsible for the planting of the white mulberry (the black mulberry does not attract the silk worm) on what is now the site of Buckingham Palace, however the gardens became a meeting place of women of ill-repute and his dreams of the gardens being important in the production of silk were dashed.

Silk was an important part of the Cotswolds industry, with mills being in many Cotswold locations amongst them being Winchcombe, Blockley and Broadway.

Coaching Routes   

Stage Coaches were in general use from the mid 17th century for about 200 years, with coaching inns or what was known as Staging Inns usually spaced some 7 miles apart, many offered very basic facilities whilst others had a blacksmith or a wheelwright attached to their premises or in close vicinity.

It was accepted that whilst there were empty beds available inns could continue serving drinks which meant almost 24 hour drinking, wayfarers and stragglers were acceptable.

Coaching routes through the Cotswolds generally followed the Roman Roads, Broadway was on the main route to London from Worcester and was an important staging point, Fish Hill was a steep climb for horses so frequently additional horses needed to be hitched to the coaches.

As it was a much frequented stopping place it was a place of many staging inns, it has been said that at one time there was as many as 40 places offering accommodation for coach travellers.

More to come soon ...

Karim

Moreton in Marsh



Moreton-in-Marsh is one of the principal market towns in the northern Cotswolds situated on the Fosse Way and now served by the main line railway from London Paddington. It grew up in the thirteenth century as a market town with a wide main street, narrow burgage plots and back lanes. There still is a busy Tuesday market with about 200 stalls attracting many visitors. See image of Tolls charged in 1905.

Moreton has been a traveller's town for at least 1700 years and was used as a coaching station before the coming of the Oxford to Worcester railway in 1853.

Bourton on the Water



Bourton on the Water is an extremely popular tourist destination that attracts visitors to the Cotswolds throughout the year and is just as appealing in the Autumn and Winter months as it is in the Summer.

Bourton-on-the-Water is located along the Roman Fosse Way, an ancient route stretching from the mouth of the Humber all the way down to Devon.

Bourton is beautiful, picturesque village that is a must see for anyone spending time in the Cotswolds.

Cotswolds towns and villages

Bibury   Home to the famous and picturesque Arlington Row

Bourton on the Water    Bourton on the Water is sometimes known as "The Venice of the Cotswolds"

Broadway   One of the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds, and probably England

Burford   Burford is a beautiful town on the river Windrush

Chipping Campden     An historic town with impressive buildings such as one of the finest wool churches

Chipping Norton     The highest town in Oxfordshire and sometimes known as "The Gateway To The Cotswolds"

Cirencester   One of the oldest and most beautiful market towns in the country

Fairford   Gloucestershire town, probably most famous for being the home of RAF Fairford

Lechlade   Lechlade is a small market town on the southern borders of the Cotswolds

Moreton in Marsh     Moreton-in-Marsh is in the heart of the Cotswolds, located at the head of the beautiful Evenlode valley

Nailsworth   Situated about 4 miles from Stroud, Nailsworth is a charming town with winding streets and a plentiful supply of nooks and crannies to explore

Northleach   A charming, under-developed Cotswold village

South Cerney     One of the largest villages in the Cotswolds

Stow-on-the-Wold     Stands along the old Roman Fosse Way on a 700 foot high hill

Stroud   The oldest market town in Gloucestershire

Tetbury   A centre for antique shops and home to The Market House built in 1655

Westonbirt   Home to the world famous Westonbirt Arboretum

Witney   Famous for Witney blankets

Woodstock   Home to Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill

I highly recommend a luncheon at the White Hart Royal Hotel in Moreton in Marsh which offers a fantastic value for money with itsTuesday Market's Menu made from fresh local products for less than ten pounds including a pint of my beloved Guinness

And why not indulging in a pre-taste of life in the Cotswolds through Agatha Raisin's murder mysteries all set in the area where its author, M. C. Beaton lives and sometimes dedicates her books at the local bookstore. Starting with Agatha Raisin's first murder mystery...



More to come soon ...

Karim

Here are a few pictures of my wonderful day in the Cotswolds ...

Moreton in Marsh























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Karim

Bourton on the Water

















More to come soon ...

Karim

Bourton on the Water

























Thank for following this escapade to the Cotswolds and stay tuned for my next postcard soon ...

Karim

Autumn Colors at the Westonbirt Arboretum !



As England welcomed Autumn Color Changes with clear blue skies, I decided to visit the Westonbirt National Arboretum and its unique collection of trees on glorious October Sunday.

The Westonbirt Arboretum features the Silk Wood which origines are dating back to the 12th century and the Old Arboretum both covering 600 acres of land and offering more than 17 miles of paths and hosts a unique collection of rare trees including Maples.

Visiting the Arboretum on a crisp and sunny day like this allowed me to capture the Autumn Color Changes as Mother Nature was dressing the trees in reds, oranges and gold.

I spent the morning walking through the Old Arboretum and the afternoon in the Silk Woods.

For lunch, two large barbecue stands were offering made to order scrumptious hotdogs and beef burgers and needless to say that after walking miles in Nature, the smell of the barbecue was heaven !







More to come soon ...

Karim

History of the Westonbirt National Arboretum

The Holford Family



The Holfords are thought to have come to Britain at the time of William the Conqueror and were granted land in Cheshire by one of the Barons who helped William to subdue the English. They anglicised their surname in 1316, from de Runchamp and are thought to have chosen their name “Holford” from a small hamlet near their land located in the Plumley area.

The earliest of the Holfords known in Gloucestershire was Richard, a 29 year old barrister who married Sarah Crew a 16 year old girl who had been left Westonbirt Manor by her father, John Crew. At this time the estate consisted of arable and pasture producing wool and grain. The dew pond dates from this time. Little is known of Sarah after her marriage and she is thought to have died young and childless. Richard eventually had three wives, the third wife being Susannah.

On Richard's death, the estate passed to his son, Robert, who by his own account was not entirely happy with the estate. Indeed in 1730 he wrote:

“When my father died he left me a small estate in Gloucestershire about 3 miles from Badminton with a large house upon it, and entailed it so that I could not dispose of it, for it being a good way off and I having no great liking to ye country, I did once think of endevouring by Act of Parliament to disencumber myself of it”

Thankfully this ensured the estate remained in the family, and it duly passed to Peter Holford (1719-1803) when Robert died in 1753. Peter was the grandfather to Robert Stayner Holford (1808-1892) the original creator of Westonbirt Arboretum. He was also at one time the Governor of the New River Company – the source of the Holford's wealth.



Robert Holford inherited Westonbirt aged 31 in 1839. His wealth was considerable – he had inherited a million pounds and six estates from a batchelor uncle in 1838. It is also rumoured that a wheelbarrow full of gold was found in the cellar of the house that his uncle had owned on the Isle-of-White. This allowed Robert the freedom to develop the arboretum as we see it today.

His son George Holford (1860-1926) continued his work and is responsible for many of the original maple and rhododendron plantings. Sir George is also credited with expanding the arboretum across the valley into Silk Wood.  Planting here involved clearance of the semi-natural woodland that had occupied the site for many centuries.  The three drives, Willesley Drive, Broad Drive and Waste Drive, were created with wide verges and bays for ornamental trees.

Sir George Holford died in 1926 leaving no heir and the estate passed to his nephew, the Fourth Earl of Morley.  In 1927 the mansion was sold to become a girls school and so the estate was split.  The Fourth Earl died in 1951 and the estate passed to his brother, the Fifth Earl.  By now, lack of maintenance, greatly exacerbated by the war, had left the arboretum in a poor state and the new owner decided to part with it. In 1956 the entire 240 hectares (600 acres) were handed over to the Forestry Commission and a new chapter in its history began.

More to come soon ...

Karim

Here are a few pictures of my refreshing day out inthe Westonbirt National Arboretum ...



















More to come soon ...

Karim

More to come soon ...

Karim

More to come soon ...

Karim

Thank you for following this escapade to the beautiful Westonbirt National Arboretum and stay tuned for my next postcard soon ...

Karim

Welcome to the Birmingham German Christmas Market !

The largest Christmas Market outside of Germany ( in association with the town of Frankfurt )



As England was welcoming Winter with freezing temperatures and the first snow falls, I decided to revisit a place I always enjoy visiting at that time of the year : The Birmingham German Christmas Market which is the largest of its kind outside Germany, in association with the town of Frankfurt.

Located in the pedestrian area of Birmingham better known as New St and more than a long mile, the German Christmas Market brings a touch of magic in this busy town and is full of the colors, scents and excitement of Christmas.

Whether you are looking for handmade Christmas ornaments which you will find in all shapes and forms from glass to wood, my favorite being the wooden painted soldiers from the Nut Cracker, to traditional linen and even fur, something will definitely catch your eyes.

And for those who enjoy food, the Birmingham Christmas Market is a paradise which caters for all tastes from the fresh fruits on a skewter dipped into chocolate, to pancakes, apfel strudel and other German pastries, not to forget the amazing hotdogs filled with a variety of german sausages.

Wherever you are in the Market, freshly cooked food will appeal to your senses and why not indulging in a hot glass of Gluhwein ( Mulled Wine ) "spiced up with Rum" or a pint of refreshing German beer ?

Millions of visitors are expected to visit this now traditional Birmingham landmark and the market can get very busy on Saturdays and Sundays but definitely worth a visit for those like me who enjoy the spirit of Christmas or those who are just looking for some inspiration



Map of Birmingham



More to come soon ...

Karim

A History of the Christmas Market



A Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, and Weihnachtsmarkt, is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany and Alsace but are now being held in many other countries.

The history of Christmas markets goes back to the Late Middle Ages in the German speaking part of Europe. The Dresden Christmas market, first held in 1434, is one of the oldest Christmas markets. It attracts between 1.5 and 2 million visitors a year and has over 60 stalls.The Bautzen Christmas market was even older, first being mentioned in records in 1384.The Vienna "December market" was a kind of forerunner of the Christmas market and dates back to 1294.

In many towns in Germany and Austria, Advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the Christmas market or "Weihnachtsmarkt". In southern Germany and Austria it is sometimes called a "Christkind(e)l(s)markt" (German language, literally meaning "Christ child market"). Generally held in the town square and adjacent pedestrian zones, the market sells food, drink, and seasonal items from open-air stalls, accompanied by traditional singing and dancing. On opening nights (and in some towns more often) onlookers welcome the "Christkind", or boy Jesus, acted out by a local child.

Christmas Markets around the World

Famous Christmas markets are held in the cities of Erfurt, Nuremberg, Dresden, Stuttgart and Augsburg making them popular tourist attractions.The Nuremberg and Dresden markets draw about two million people each year; the Stuttgart market attracts more than three million visitors.

Strasbourg, France has been holding a Christmas market, "Christkindelsmärik," around its cathedral since 1570, when it was part of the Holy Roman Empire of German Nation.

Christmas markets are traditional in Alsace and most of the towns have their local Christmas market.

In 1982 Lincoln, England established an annual Christmas market in early December, and this remains the most extensive such market by area in the United Kingdom, with a claimed total of over 300 stalls attracting more than 100,000 visitors over its four days. Large Christmas markets are also held in England in Leeds and Birmingham, with visiting traders from Frankfurt. The Birmingham Christmas Market was the largest in the UK in 2009 attracting over 2.8 million visitors over four weeks.

To warm you up on these cold winter nights, here...

The recipe of the German Gluhwein







A 750ml bottle of inexpensive dry red wine

2/3 cup of raw cane sugar or white sugar, or non-artificial sweetener of your choice
Juice and peel of one small lemon
2 cardamon pods
4 cloves
2 bay leaves
2 cinnamon sticks

Put everything in a heavy bottomed pan. Stir to melt the sugar. Heat the mixture over low heat, and leave for about an hour - it should never boil, just sort of seethe.

Serve in small mugs (straining out the peel and spices), with optional shot of brandy, kirsch or other liqueur.

More to come soon ...

Karim

Are you ready to follow me through the many charms, colors and smiles of the Birmingham Christmas Market ...



















More to come soon ...

Karim

Welcome to the Birmingham German Christmas Market !

Karim

Karim

Karim