We arrive at our hotel on the outskirts of Chester The small black and white sign to the right of the glass door instructs us to push the black button to ring the bell. We look through the glass and see an empty hotel lobby. The interior is decorated like an Englishman’s study with a darkly stained and heavily carved oak reception desk. Continue reading The Walled City of Chester and Faulty Towers
Green Acres is the Place for Me
GPS can be unreliable at times, so Barry and Dawn, our gracious host and hostess for our next VRBO sent directions. If you are familiar with Timble, I’m sure they make perfect sense. Continue reading Green Acres is the Place for Me
The Road to the Ruins on a 30% Grade
We have driven into the Lake District National Park and have arrived at The HIllthwaithe House. The hotel is on the mountainside elevated above Windermere, the largest natural lake in England. The roads remain challenging, but I think Terry is getting the hang of the narrow roads and roundabouts. I hear a lot of mumbling under his breath, but so far so good. Our right side rear view mirror is still attached and that’s saying something! Continue reading The Road to the Ruins on a 30% Grade
Edinburgh, A City of Knights and Maidens
We have reached Edinburgh and will be staying in the Grassmarket area of Old Town. We turn the corner and there it is…..Edinburgh Castle perched on a magnificent basalt rock formation rising more than 200 feet above the surrounding landscape. This is the view we will enjoy every morning from our hotel. Continue reading Edinburgh, A City of Knights and Maidens
99,999 Puffins on the Wall. The Isle of May
Ever see “The Birds” by Alfred Hitchcock? Karen, the photographer, we worked with in Skye, has recommended we take a short boat cruise to the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth to see puffins. We aren’t birdwatchers but are curious about the puffins. Continue reading 99,999 Puffins on the Wall. The Isle of May
The Bridge of Sighs – St. Andrews
St. Andrews is on the east coast of Fife. The university is still standing and has been expanded. It is the third oldest in the English-speaking world and the oldest in Scotland. The cathedral, once the largest in Scotland, now lies in ruins. There has been a settlement on this estuary fringe of the rivers Tay and Eden from as early as 5,000 BC. The establishment of the present town began around 1140. Continue reading The Bridge of Sighs – St. Andrews
Ah, Inverness
I have romantic images in my head thinking of Inverness as we drive from Portree. I’ve seen photos of the city and loch. Statuesque buildings reflected on the surface of the River Ness; Loch Ness surrounded by the brilliant green of the trees reflecting the brilliant blue of the sky and then there is the myth of the monster. I’m excited to be staying in Inverness for a few days. Continue reading Ah, Inverness
Isle of Skye
The 12 hour ordeal to get to the Rosedale Hotel in Portree is behind us. Everything looks better in the morning after a good night’s sleep and we slept like babies. Our workshop begins this morning when we meet Karen Thorburn, www.karenthorburn.com, a photographer from Black Isle. Continue reading Isle of Skye
Glen Etive and The Dalness Lodge
Tom suggested we drive to Loch (Lake) Etive on our way from Glasgow to Inverness. It is at the end of a single tract road. He promises it will be worth it. We decide to go and add 90 minute detour to the 4 hour drive to the Isle of Skye. Continue reading Glen Etive and The Dalness Lodge
Photographing the Mural Trail in Glasgow
In 2014, the City Centre Mural Trail was officially launched to promote the growing portfolio of murals adorning buildings within Glasgow. The murals showcase a diverse range of talent and styles and are recognized as unique pieces of art in their own right. The sheer sizes of some of the murals, some several stories high, were overwhelming. Continue reading Photographing the Mural Trail in Glasgow