Promoting our wonderful island

Hello Blogger Buddies. Sorry I didn't post yesterday, needed to catch up on a few things, and last night I decided to chill out and watch a bit of tele, which has given me the idea for this post.

So, this post is sponsored by the wonderful places visited by Julia Bradbury in her programmes, Wonders of Britain. I love finding out more about our beautiful island, reading travel books, looking up places on the internet, and reading maps. I think I have a pretty good knowledge about my country, then I learn something new and it makes me want to go there and see it for myself. The programmes about the Scilly Isles inspired me to go there, and numerous other places I have read about and visited have been ticked off my list. I like to pick up a book and read about places I have already been to as well, it  refreshes my memory of the trip and puts a smile on my face,  ahhh yes, been there.

My passport ran out a few months ago, I thought about renewing it, but won't bother at the moment. I like roaming around the UK, plenty of places I haven't seen yet. So, this is a shout out for good old Blighty, singing the praises of our wonderful homeland.

Julia is a very easy to listen to presenter, she injects enthusiasm for the subject matter with her body language and friendly disposition. I watched two programmes back to back last night, a wonderful couple of hours of free entertainment. I'll list a few of the places she visited here, with a few links, if you want to know more.

Wonders of Britain Series 1 episode 1   Beautiful Buildings
Wonders of Britain Series 1 episode 4  Industrial Revolution.
These links are on the ITV player and will not be available forever. 21 - 28 days. May be available on yoootooob (haven't checked) or may be repeated at a later date on the ITV site.

So where did she go.
Castle Howard, a stunningly beautiful stately building in North Yorkshire. The house is closed at the moment, due to open on the 21st of March. Visitors can walk around the grounds for a lower entrance fee during the winter months. Open every day except Christmas Day. I want to go there.

Eden Project in Cornwall. A brilliant place to visit, I have been twice, if I lived nearer I would go more often. It boasts the worlds largest rain forest in captivity, stunning gardens and world class sculptures. Always something going on, ice skating at the moment. Open most of the time, except a few dates in Jan - Feb. Check the web site.

Caernarfon Castle, a world heritage site, the most impressive castle in Wales. Check here for opening times and prices. I want to go there, it looks amazing.

Royal Crescent, Bath.  I have been here and I love it. There are thirty grade 1 listed houses arranged round a great lawn. It was built between 1767 and 1775. A must to see if you are in Bath.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. This has been called The stream in the Sky. The structure has 19 arches with the River Dee running below it. You can cross on a narrow boat, or if you are feeling brave you can walk across. The views are out of this world. On my list to visit.

All photo's taken from the relevant web sites.

I'll come back tomorrow with a few more places to visit. No need to travel anywhere else, we have it all here.
Toodle pip.

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She's a gudun, that Jack.

Read this with a Yorkshire accent.....Eee by gum, she's a reet plucky lass that Jack, int she? No, Jack doesn't talk like that, she is from daan saaf, that's doon sooth if you are from Scotland. I love accents, don't you. Did you see her on Question Time this week? I watched it on the BBC iplayer catchup last night.

Most of you have probably heard of the blog, A girl Called Jack, she is the young lady who struggled to make ends meet as a single mum, and invented a whole load of cheap recipes costing pennies so they wouldn't starve. She's been in the news a lot these past few months, having found her niche as an ambassador for Anti Poverty. Good on her, that's what I say. She isn't afraid to stand up and be counted. I wish I had had that gumption when I was her age.

She's come a long way from being a skint mum, to sitting on the panel at Question Time, she should be proud of herself. I see a rising star there. She sat on a panel with Kirsty Allsop, and some stuffy politicians, and gave her views live to the whole nation. Millions of people had their eyes and ears open to catch her words. She were reet gud was Jack.

Here is a link to her blog, there is a link to the programe on iplayer within it. Oversees readers may not be able to access it at this moment, but keep a look out on yoootooob for it. It hasn't been uploaded there yet, but it will appear eventually.

Got to go. Toodle pip.

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Inspiration for us all.

I was a bit late back last night after visiting my sister, then my uncle. Sis and hubby have a new bungalow, well not new exactly, it needs a lot of work doing to it to make it habitable. They have downsized, and are now living in their caravan, on site while the work is being carried out. All the rooms are bare, it will be a new bathroom, kitchen, and a conservatory built on the side. A big task to undertake. It's a bit like those tele programmes where someone buys a wreck at a knockdown price at an auction, then proceeds to turn it into a little palace. They have got a lot of work on there.

Ninety year old uncle is still getting on with his life, still as sharp as ever. When I told him about my sore ankle, it's more the heal actually, he got his ancient medical books out so I was able to look up the symptoms, and read what treatment is needed. I think I have a sprain, still a bit sore, and need to elevate the foot and put a cold compress on it. Easier said than done, I hate being immobile. Still, needs must and I have been sitting here with my leg on the dining room table, with a bag of peas on my foot, sewing, and watching catchup tv.

I've been reading about a new Channel 4 programme called Fabulous Fashionistas, it was broadcast on Tuesday night. My sis was also raving about it saying how good it is, so this morning I sat and watched it while I got on with the patchwork.

I have to say, it was pretty darn good. It's about six older women, in their seventies and eighties, who refuse to give up and die. They are living life to the full and having a ball. People often say I inspire them, but who inspires me? Women like these on this programme do. They all don't give a damn what others think of them, they are all fashionable, they go to work, one has a husband 27 years younger than her, they are just amazing. I must say, I felt like I was a teenager, 64, phew, just a spring chicken. These women are busy, they exercise, they look after themselves, and they love life. They mad me laugh, and I shed a tear. Definitely women to aspire to.

If you have a spare 47 minutes, have a look at it. It's on 4oD and yootoob, so everyone should be able to see it. I guarantee you will love it.

Fabulous Fashionistas on Channel 4oD

Fabulous Fashionistas on youtube

Happy viewing. Toodle pip

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