So many Great places to visit in Britain.

Hello. So many places to see and not enough time, the UK really does have a lot to offer. Here are a few more of Julia's Wonders of Britain. Pictures from the relevant web sites, and Wikipedia.

St Pauls Cathedral, London.  There has been a Cathedral here for 1,400 years, built and rebuilt five times. The present cathedral is the masterpiece of Britains most famous architect, Sir Christopher Wren. It's world famous dome is an iconic feature of the London Skyline. I have been here, but didn't go inside, must do that next time.

Manchester Town Hall is on Julia's list. It was five years ago when I was in Manchester for the day and went to see it. I can say it is a fabulous building, if you are there go inside and have a look round. It was designed by Architect Alfred Waterhouse and was completed in 1877. The Town Hall is open Monday to Saturday, check on the web site which rooms are available for viewing. Free entrance.

Julia chose The Watercress Line as her favourite steam train destination. The Mid Hants Railway runs between New Alresford and Alton. I love steam trains and was lucky enough to get a ride on one  here when my friend Carol who lives in Hampshire, took me for a visit. There are many special events planned for 2015, check the web site for details.

SS Great Britain is a museum ship and former passenger steamship, built in Bristol. She was the first steamer to cross the Atlantic between Bristol and New York, which she did in 1845 in a time of 14 days. She was designed by Brunel for the Great Western Steamship Company. Oh my, does she look magnificent or what. This has to go on my list, I need to go to Bristol. The picture and additional information can be found on Wikipedia. 

I went to visit the National Coal Mining Museum near Wakefield, and can report that it is fantastic place to visit. You can read about my trip here.  Julia also enjoyed it, taking the same underground trip as I did. It really brings it home to you just how hard the work of a miner was at the coal face. Entrance to this site is free, there is a small charge to go down to the coal face.. Here is the web site. 

Julia also visited The Leadenhall Building, a new skyscraper in the centre of London, which has been nicknamed The Cheesegrater. It looks a fascinating place, I've been reading up about it. I haven't any plans to revisit London any time soon, but if you are there, maybe this is a good place to visit. The picture and more information can be found at Wikipedia.

These are some of the places that Julia Bradbury visited on her Wonders of Britain tour, I am sure that there are many more that would be worthy of inclusion. Hope you have enjoyed this small selection.  Blimey, I've got a lot of travelling to do before I die, I need to get a move on.
Are you going travelling this year? Tell me where. Toodle pip.

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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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Day 1 Humber Bridge to Towthorpe.

Hello, here I am at the start of  long walk number 7. My friend Paul dropped me off on the South bank of the Humber Bridge at 9.15, just as a group of ladies from the Barton Slimming Club were starting their weekly get fit walk across the bridge. What a nice start to my walk, to have the company of a smiley bunch of ladies. None of them wanted to join me for the rest of the day, ha ha, so we parted company after 1.25 miles when they turned round and went back.    

The weather was misty but quite warm so it wasn't long before I took my jacket off and put it in my rucksack. I walked along the river on the north bank following the Trans Pennine Trail. The rescue services were out practicing in their boats.

Goodbye to the Humber Bridge.

When I reached North Ferriby I turned right and walked through the village. Then it was a case of walking on minor roads following the main A63 road, a major trunk road between Leeds and Hull. Through Melton, Welton, Elloughton, Brantingham, and South Cave. I have walked some of these paths before. A quick lunch was taken next to the the duck pond at Welton Church.

I crossed the A63 four times altogether over steel footbridges. This is the war memorial in the centre of Brantingham. Sadly it looked a bit neglected. The area around it was fenced off, the grass was long and unkempt, and the memorial itself looks like it could do with a good clean. Behind it the low wall looked like it was topped with a dirty sewage pipe, not very attractive at all.  Come on villagers, get your scrubbing brushes out.

I have posted this picture before, it's the entrance to the hotel at South Cave.

Love these pink flowers.

Some of you may remember seeing this tree on a previous walking post, it's on the side of a house at North Cave. Worth another posting I thought.

I then walked through the grounds of Hotham Hall and village, no pics because they are elsewhere on the blog. On this first days walk I am passing through places I have already been to. Then across some fields and onto the road for a long straight walk to Market Weighton. On entering the village, or is it a town, I stopped to check my list of B & B's. I could push on to Pocklington but it would be late when I got there, and the B & B I rang yesterday didn't reply to my message. There was another one halfway between Market Weighton and Londesborough, it's on the Yorkshire Wolds Way, so I rang the number. YAY, success, they have a room, and at �30 a very reasonable price. I popped in Tesco and spent �2.10 on two cheese and onion pasties, and a packet of donuts. These will do for my tea, along with the boiled egg and tub of couscous I have brought with me. There is enough for snacking tomorrow as well. A few quick snaps as I passed through. The church. 

And a monument, can't remember who this chappie is.

I picked up the Yorkshire Wolds Way again, beautiful blossoms in the hedgerow.

And here we are, arrived at Towthorpe Grange.

A cheery welcome from the owner.

The room is very comfortable, an easy chair to relax in and watch the tele. Tea and coffee provided, the bathroom is next door. As far as I am aware I am the only guest tonight. Breakfast will be served at 8am.

I've made good progress today, and covered 21.25 miles. I will head for Pocklington in the morning, then Stamford bridge, and on to York, probably bypassing it to find my next bed on the north side as I head towards Thirsk. Thanks for coming with me. Catch you tomorrow.

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