|
Walkworth Castle. North of Amble. What can we say about a castle we didn't visit ? Interesting picture anyway. Taken from the speeding car as we zoomed towards the even more impressive Bamburgh castle 
England has 4792 (give or take a few and allowing for a Thatch exaggeration)castles that you can actually get into - find another one. Actually the castle is quite impressive on the outside. Inside is another story as the decorators obviously had more money than taste. Anyway Karen and Seona enjoyed it, but Thatch and I were less than impressed by the carefully concealed flyspeck print notice that was located behind locked doors in one of the lesser visited dungeons that announced that you could not take pictures indoors and only finding this out after you have already paid your money. Still with me? 
Bam Bam Bamburgh Castle again. (Please note - caption courtesy of Karen who wants credit for the captions I like as well as those I don't). Just as well caption writing is a team effort. 
The bears take Bamburgh by stealth, infiltrating security by hiding inside the Trojan backpack. 
St Jools of Lindisfarne walking on water ... almost. Think it's been done better before. 
This is Meg's Swedish kithouse B&B at Beale. Had a great outlook over Lindisfarne Island (now known as Holy Island) and Lindisfarne Priory. The island is accessed via a periodically flooded (tidal) causeway. 
Lindisfarne Priory - turn your back for 5 minutes and they rip off the walls and if that's not enough - oops, the roof's gone too! 
Called the Rainbow Arch, this feature has survived the neglect that came with the priory being closed during the Reformation in 1537. What little that survives has been lovingly restored. 
This is another view of the priory. Must have been very beautiful when it was in use. Bet they made great whisk(e)y too. 
Prior Poohster and his devoted acolytes make pilgrimage to Lindisfarne. 
It was closed, so this was as close as we got. Lindisfarne castle from the priory cemetery. 
Decrepit, broken down and trashed and the abbey was pretty much the same. Three weeks on the road takes it's toll. 
Glasgow ground to a halt (and so did the bus we were on) for the Millennium Marathon. A one hour tour of the city took three. 
City square in Glasgow named after king George but he pissed off the Glaswegians so much that they didn't put his statue up, but put one up of Robert Burns instead. 
Great looking pub, wonderful decor, but service a bit grim. 
Buchanan Street pedestrian mall from the steps of the Royal Glasgow Concert Hall.  Scottish Stepdance Company This group was the opening act for a concert in Glasgow we attended. They were excellent. Also check out the short video. 
After watching the opening act, we passed the comment, "Fiddlers Bid were going to have to be very good indeed", They were, very very good. See video. 
Apart from having 4 fiddlers, they had a harp player who also played piano. 
Finally arrived in Edinburgh and they put on a parade for us. I think it was the changing of the guard at Edinburgh Castle. 
Emerging from a tiny Edinburgh Close is like stepping through a wardrobe into a whole new world (complete with lamp post.) Note: the other side of these buildings is only 3 stories high - how steep is this? 
They were changing the guard at Edinburgh Castle, they usually keep out obnoxious assholes, but we got in anyway. 
These canon were presented to the castle as a gift after it was noticed that they had none. Problem is that they are front loading cannon and can't be moved, and so are mere ornamentation. 
A view of "Auld Reekie" from the battlements of Edinburgh Castle. Fortunately the city no longer lives up to its nickname. 
Another hard day at the Fringe Festival. 
For those of us who live beyond the walls of the Royal Mile of Edinburgh, we must live with the realization that "All civilized life" ended at the walls pictured here. Enjoy this picture - Thatch stopped traffic to take it - just. 
The old Tollhouse - but it's a pub now. The Royal mile was beginning to feel like the Royal 10 miles by this point. 
This is reputed to be the oldest building in the city, it may have been a pub too, but by the time we got there, we were too tired to care. 
Ok, folks, competition time. We know who the Knights Templar were, but who was Smollett? First prize for this creative writing and downright lying contest (Factual accounts will be disqualified - never let the truth get in the way of a good story.) Will be a bottle of Yellowglen. 2nd prize, is one of life's little lessons - there is no second prize. 500 words or less sent to "info@pretentia.com" The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Closing date - midnight October 2nd 2000. Please note that Sue Harridge was the first to enter the Smollet competition, but she was also disqualified for providing a factual account of Smollets life. |
| Last updated: 26/09/2000 |
|
