Franklin Graham Haiti Festival

A promo of Samaritan's Purse in Haiti

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1w3Uj0mrv0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

and the link to the festival -

samaritanspurse.org/haitilive January 9, 2011 130 pm EST

Haitian Earthquake - Anniversary coming up

It will be one year since an earthquake devastated the impoverishe country of Haiti.

January 12, 2011 will mark the year anniversary of this - - -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Haiti_earthquake


I will land in Haiti on January 8, 2011, eager to join the Samaritan's Purse Cite Soliel medical team. Pray for safety, and for the skills needed to help.

Samaritan's Purse link

http://www.samaritanspurse.ca/ourwork/reliefwork/haiti/webinar.aspx

Follow this link to see Samaritan's Purse work in Haiti. This is the team I am priviledged to join January 7th, 2011

Violence in Haiti

Sure hoping that peace will come to haiti soon.....

http://beta.ca.news.yahoo.com/haiti-candidates-move-toward-direct-confrontation-count-continues.html

Haiti - the map

Global Outreach - the compound or base where we will stay

Vaccinations for Haiti.....

This is the list of vaccinations suggested by Samaritan's Purse/World Medical Missions foe Haiti - - -

A number of vaccines are recommended for travelers to Haiti. See your doctor before you travel to make sure you have had all necessary vaccines.
Routine: Be sure that you are up to date on vaccines such as...

Tetanus – EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!!!!
Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
Diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT)
Polio
Seasonal and H1N1flu
Varicella (aka chicken pox)

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG): Even if your departure is imminent, one dose of hepatitis A vaccine provides adequate short-term protection for healthy people. For long term protection, a second dose is required 6–18 months after the first dose, depending on the brand of vaccine used.

• Typhoid: There are 2 vaccines available for typhoid prevention. The injectable vaccine may be preferable to the oral vaccine in cases where travel is imminent but is only good for two years. The oral vaccine requires refrigeration and 4 tablets taken every other day over one week but provides coverage for up to 5 years.

• Hepatitis B: If your departure is imminent, the first in a 3-dose series (day 0, 1 month and 6 months) may provide some protection. An accelerated dosing schedule may be used (doses at days 0, 7, and at 21–30 days with a booster at 12 months).

• Malaria: Occurs in all parts of Haiti. Ways to prevent malaria include:
Taking a prescription antimalarial drug
Using insect repellent and wearing long pants and sleeves to prevent mosquito bites

Sleeping in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms or using bed net
No antimalarial drug is 100% protective, so it is important to use all three ways to prevent malaria. All of the following antimalarial drugs are equal options for preventing malaria in Haiti: Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone), chloroquine, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Each drug has its own side effects, contraindications, and precautions. You will need to talk to your doctor to decide which of these drugs would be best for you. Additional information can be found on the Drugs to Prevent Malaria at www.cdc.gov.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness either while in Haiti or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor that you have recently been in Haiti.

• Dengue: Dengue is a common infection in Haiti. Dengue is a disease caused by a virus transmitted to people by the bite of an infected mosquito.
No vaccine or medications are available to prevent or treat dengue.
The best way to reduce your risk of dengue is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Symptoms and signs are high fever, chills, headache and muscle pain. Additionally, a faint rash on the trunk and upper arms may appear on the second to third day of illness. Treatment is supportive with fever-reducing medicines and fluids.

These are being organized right now - - I will have sore arms!!

Haiti - the run up to..........

Hi all,
Did get the word yesterday from Samaritan's Purse, World Medical Missions, that I will be added to a volunteer medical team going to do cholera relief clinics. Lots of preparations to make for the trip, so probably a good thing that my date to leave is January 7 to fly to Miami, and January 8 to fly with team members to Haiti.

Preparations so far:

Visit to family doctor to arrange vaccinations (wow, there are a lot....) and a personal medical kit for 'just in case". Did this yesterday, and will be picking up the vaccines today I think.

Have to start fairly soon with the anti-malarial meds and start to gather some personal effects I will need.

I spoke last night with my family and presented the full plan to them, and asked for input and if anyone really didn't want me to go. Everyone seems fine with it.

Had a long talk with the contact from Samaritans Purse this morning, and got a few more details. I will be working at a cholera relief camp hospital. They do run other medical facilities in Haiti, but this is what I will be doing. Shifts will be 12 hours long, 6 days on, one day off. Will be tough physically in the heat and humidity. Also, they are in their rainy season and the mosquitos are quite a problem. I will be searching out some high concentration DEET for this.....

SP will be sending me a package of information today by email, so will be able to start looking at the finer details.

So I am excited.... and just hoping like crazy that I will be equal to this challenge.

Adventures, not for Adventure's sake - Change in Direction

Hello,

Been a while since I blogged. Have felt the need to volunteer to go to Haiti on a medical relief mission. Application just in amd waiting to hear.

So - different blog - not all fluff and fun.... more real life. Keep me in your thoughts if I am choosen to go.

Melrose Abbey - The Scottish Borders

There has been a monastery at Melrose, or Mailros, since about 650AD. The first monastery was founded here by St Aidan of Lindisfarne and monks came from St Columba's monastery on Iona. This monastery was located in a loop in the River Tweed two miles to the east of today's Melrose, now known as Old Melrose.

In 1136 King David I asked Cistercian monks from Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire to found an abbey at Melrose. David intended this to be on the site of St Aidan's monastery, which had been destroyed by Kenneth Mac Alpin and the Scots in 839. The Cistercians, however, needed good farming land within which to place their abbey, and negotiated instead for a site two miles away in what we today call Melrose.

Melrose Abbey was first staffed by an abbot and 12 monks from Rievaulx, who set to work constructing the abbey buildings. The east end of the Abbey Church would have been built first, and a service of dedication for it took place on 28 June 1146. Other buildings in the complex were slowly constructed over a period of at least another 50 years. The best known monk at Melrose during this period was Jocelin, who rose to become the the 4th Abbot of Melrose Abbey in 1170. In 1150, only 14 years after its own foundation, Melrose was asked by David I to found a daughter house at Kinloss Abbey in Moray.

In 1322 Melrose Abbey and the town that had grown up around it were attacked by the English army of Edward II. Much of the abbey was destroyed and many monks were killed. The subsequent rebuilding was helped greatly by the generosity of Robert the Bruce. This link was later formally recognised when Robert's embalmed heart, encased in lead, was buried at Melrose Abbey.

In 1385 the Scots invaded northern England (see our Historical Timeline). This was not a wise move. Richard II of England defeated David II of Scotland and pushed the Scots back as far as Edinburgh.

Over a hundred years of reconstruction followed, possibly even started by the English under Richard II and later continued by the Scots. Parts of the work was still unfinished when James IV paid a royal visit in 1504, and it is thought that the west end of the Abbey Church may never have been completed to the original plan.

But what was built was magnificent enough, as you can see for yourself: virtually everything on view today can be dated back to this last round of reconstruction.

English armies returned to southern Scotland in 1544, this time in support of efforts by Henry VIII to persuade the Scots to betroth the infant Mary Queen of Scots to his son. Melrose and its abbey were both badly damaged. By 1556 the remaining monks complained that unless repairs were carried out the abbey would not be able to continue to function over the approaching winter.

After 1560 the monks at Melrose Abbey embraced the Reformation in an effort to ensure their personal security, but they did so within a badly damaged and rapidly deteriorating building. The last resident monk died at Melrose in about 1590.

In 1610 part of the central portion of the nave of the Abbey Church was converted into a parish church for Melrose, with end walls and windows inserted into the existing structure. This continued in use until replaced by a new church elsewhere in Melrose in 1810.

Melrose Abbey today comprises the fairly complete ruins of the truly remarkable Abbey Church with, to their north, the foundations of the extensive ranges of buildings which once comprised the rest of the abbey. At the eastern end of the complex these extend through the Lay Brothers' Range as far as the millstream constructed to divert water from the River Tweed.

At the north end of the site is the Commendator's House. The Commendator was an appointed abbot, in latter years usually someone with powerful friends or relations wanting to benefit from the income attached to the post. The house dates back to the 1400s and 1500s and is today used as a museum to display various finds from the abbey.

Crieff - Perthshire (Oldest distillery and first library)

Crieff is the second largest town in Perthshire, after Perth itself. It is wrapped around the slopes of the Knock of Crieff as they descend to meet the River Earn in its valley to the the south west. The High Street tends to follow the line of the hillside with intersecting roads either rising or descending from it.

Crieff was already well established as a town by the time the River Earn was bridged here in about 1690. The following year it became the site of Scotland's first public lending library.

The town's growth and wealth stemmed directly from its excellent communication links both to the Highlands and the Lowlands. By 1700 vast herds of highland cattle from across northern and western Scotland were driven along the traditional drove roads to the trysts, or cattle markets, at Crieff. Each year up to 30,000 cattle arrived on foot for sale in the town, and Crieff gained a reputation for wildness as Highland drovers far from home enjoyed the fruits of their efforts after the sales.

There were setbacks in 1716 and 1745 when successive generations of Jacobites attacked Crieff but overall the 18th Century saw continued growth in the wealth and the size of the town.

General Wade's military road-building efforts of the 1730s placed Crieff on the main route from Stirling to Perth, and provided a much better all weather route north to Aberfeldy and beyond.

In 1775, Glenturret distillery in Glen Turret, a little to the north of the town, was licensed. And although it was closed between 1923 and 1957 the distillery now has a visitor centre offering tours and tastings. Glenturret advertises itself as "Scotland's oldest distillery", taking the word "legal" for granted: there were certainly stills in the Highlands before 1775, though it is doubtful many had quite such a pleasing product or such a beautiful location.

By the 1770s cattle tended to head to markets in Falkirk rather than Crieff, leaving Crieff increasingly as a resort. It was popular with the rich and famous of the day, who wanted to take advantage of the town's attractive scenery and south facing slopes.

The railway arrived in Crieff in 1857, by which time Morrison's Academy had been set up in the town. Today the school occupies an attractive site just uphill from the High Street.

Today's Crieff is a far cry from the frontier town it was in the days of the cattle droves. Modern visitors find a bustling and prosperous town offering a wide variety of accommodation, shopping and other facilities: plus its long standing advantage of a central location equally well placed for Highland and Lowland destinations.

St. Abbs - The Scottish Borders

I have included quite a few pictures of St. Abbs Harbour, and St. Abbs Head, so here is some of the history of the area - - -

The story of St Abbs is closely tied to that of its inland neighbour, Coldingham. The village of St Abbs itself only developed from 1833 after the Edinburgh brewing company Ushers invested in a fishing station here. The harbour was built a mile south of St Abbs Head in a rocky bay previously known as Coldingham Shore.

The name of St Abbs is much older then the village that bears it. In 635 a Northumbrian Princess called Aebbe founded a monastery close to St Abbs Head. She later became a Saint, St Aebbe. St Abbs is simply the name by which St Aebbe is remembered.

One story suggests that the nuns used to bathe in the sea in the bay now occupied by St Abbs harbour, their modesty protected by a wheeled device that allowed them to enter and leave the sea unobserved. Or perhaps not: there were reports of disorderly behavior amongst the nuns and monks at the monastery leading, many felt at the time, to the fire which burned it down in 683.

By the mid 1800s St Abbs had become a busy fishing harbour. It must have taken great imagination and faith to build a harbour here at all, for it is built between sharp black rocks and projects beyond them to provide a secure entrance to its haven. The main building in the harbour itself is the lifeboat station, which was first established here in 1911.

Though small, there are two distinct parts to the village of St Abbs which grew up around the harbour. The harbour itself and the lower part of the village forms one. Here you can wander the quays and watch the boats, the divers (humans and birds) who frequent the harbour, or simply the sea and the surrounding rocks. Indeed, visit St Abbs on a summer weekend and you find a real playground for those intent on enjoying the sea.

The harbour is home to many dive boats catering for the scuba divers who flock here: and those not diving from boats do so from the rocks outside the harbour itself. But not everyone is dressed in rubber. St Abbs harbour is also very popular with yachtspeople and fishermen, again both in boats and on the many rocks in the area.

Duns - The Scottish Borders

A really pretty little town, and an interesting history. The market town of Duns was for much of its history the county town of Berwickshire, an odd arrangement made necessary when Berwick-upon-Tweed itself finally ended up on the English side of the border in 1482. Duns itself was frequently caught up in the cross border wars between England and Scotland and the town you see today dates almost entirely to the years since 1545. That was when Henry VIII's troops destroyed the original town of Duns, located a little to the north of the current site and nearer to Duns Castle.

The original Duns probably dated back to the 1000s, and in about 1320 Duns Castle was built as a tower house. One of Duns' earliest claims to fame was as the birthplace in 1265 of the philosopher John Duns Scotius. He claimed that religion was based on faith not reason. This was a deeply unpopular view in his day and the word "dunce" became part of the language as a description of an educational under-achiever.

Henry VIII's troops arrived during the "rough wooing", his efforts to persuade the Scots that the young Mary Queen of Scots should marry his son (see our Historical Timeline).

After its destruction Duns was very quickly reestablished on a site a few hundred yards to the south of its old location, where you see it today. The remains of the old town were only cleared from the park around the castle in the late 1700s.

Over the centuries following its rebuilding, Duns was the main market town for a large agricultural hinterland. In the mid 1800s it was connected to the railway, a connection that lasted only until the 1960s.

Duns today remains a bustling commercial centre. Its core surrounds the large market square, which in turn surrounds the mercat cross. Much of the through traffic is carried away from the centre, which helps the look and the feel of the market square. Just to the north of the centre is the Jim Clark Room, set up to commemorate the twice world motor racing champion.

The areas of Scotland

I thought in order to tell more about my trip, I would write bits about some of the great places I have travelled..... and in order to do that, I need to describe the different regions of Scotland. There is a wee map included here which shows all 15 of them.

So when I highlight a town, and give some facts and info about about it, I will also share what region it is in.

Deacon Brodie - the real man behind "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"

Deacon William Brodie was a very respectable citizen of the old town of Edinburgh, by day a cabinet maker, the top of his profession. When his father died in 1780, he inherited the family business, the home in Brodies Close and £10,000. A sum that should have set him up for life.

But he had some bad habits: He used to drink, and gamble and he had not one, but two mistresses. This life style took quite a lot of his money. So by night he used to rob the houses and businesses in the area.

It was not hard for him to find the opportunity: As a cabinet maker he would often go to people's houses to measure up in order to make a cabinet. In those days people used to keep their keys on a latch on the back of the door. He would wait until their attention was distracted and would make an impression of the keys in a piece of putty. He would then give it to his locksmith accomplice George Smith who would make a duplicate set of keys.

Late night robberies became common place in the old town of Edinburgh and of course no one suspected the respectable Deacon. But his ambitions grew and he decided to rob the excise office. However Deacon Brodie was recognised and fled from the scene, but he was eventually caught and sentenced to hang.

Always inventive he even now tried to cheat justice.
He employed a surgeon to insert a metal pipe inside his throat, the idea was that his wind pipe would not be crushed as the rope tightened around his neck. When his body was cut down his friends rushed him to the surgeon. His plan failed however, they could not revive him, he was dead. Ironically the very gallows that he had designed had sealed his fate.

Deacon Brodie's double life of good and evil was the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's work
"The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde".

Darvel

The village where my grandmother grew up..... and where my cousins still live

Culzean Castle

Some info on Culzean Castle.......

The first written reference to a Tower House at Culzean dates to the 1400's, although it is possible there was a building here even earlier. Then, it was known as 'Coif Castle', or the 'House of Cove', taking it's name from the caves below. This name was altered to 'Cullean Castle' in the 1600's and the present spelling adopted sometime in the 18th century.

The recorded history of Culzean properly starts in 1569 when Sir Thomas Kennedy was given the Culzean estates by his brother, the 4th Earl of Cassillis. He began building and enlarging the tower house around the 1590's. An account of 1632 describes 'THE HOUSSE OF THE COVE buildid with grate cost and expensse, some 40 zeirs agoe by Sir Thomas Kennedy of Culzeane, Tutor of Cassiles'.

As times became settled, Culzean became more of a family home. By the 17th century terraces and pleasure gardens had been constructed. Since even then Culzean was rarely lived in all year round, improvements to the house were haphazard.

In the 18th century a chain of events occurred that transformed Culzean Castle from a relatively modest tower house into a neoclassical mansion. It was not so much a sudden influx of real wealth or power that brought about this transformation but, rather, the desire to create a trophy house, a building that said, even shouted, that the Kennedy family had arrived.

What you see at Culzean Castle today is a result of many years of careful restoration by the National Trust for Scotland, that has united the different stages of Culzean's aesthetic history. It reflects the different stages of Culzean's past, from Robert Adam's additions to the medieval tower house, to its heyday as one of the grandest houses in Scotland.

Crabbit and Blether.... two great Scots words

Strangely, two t-shirts followed me home from Scotland - both bearing Scots words for two different characteristics - neither which apply to me AT ALL.

I will type out what they say, just in case the words are not legible on the photos I have posted - - -

Crabbit - Dialect, chiefly Scot - adjective 1. ill-tempered, grumpy, curt, dis-agreeable; in a bad mood (esp. in the morning - crickey was this written for ME?) (Often used in "ken this, yer a crabbit get, so ye are"). Noun - See crab - one who by their nature or temperament conveys an aura of irritability. HA. see - doesn't apply to me at all.........

and

Blether - Dialect, cheifly Scot - noun 1. per4son who chatters incessantly, someone who babbles on and on ("That wee yin o' yours is an awfy blether gettin'"). Verb 2. to engage in conversation, long-winded or idle talk (as in "Ah met yer granny doon the toun, we hud a richt guid blether the gither") {see also sweetie-wifie}
Also - obviously has no bearing on me..... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

The Scots language so rich and descriptive!!!!

Home and recovering

Wow - home now and can't believe it really is 4 days or so since I posted last! I had thought I would have had lots of time to catch up on the blog while I was in London for 3 nights, and had the best of intentions....... but strangely the wireless service at the hotel in London was dealy slow for uploading photos, so I gave up! (Plus, I was so busy shopping, ha ha ha ha). Have I ever mentioned how much fun shopping is in London? One of the biggest and craziest cities on this planet? I believe there are deep skid marks on my visa card now from the experience.... (not really, but you get where I am going with that!).

So I will pick up the story from flying out on the 27th of Sept bound for London. I found a really cool old hotel to stay in that is in the district next to the one the Queen lives in..... and yes, very posh and cool. An old 4 floor Victorian walk up, billed as a 'private members club and hotel'. Just as you would expect from such a thing, the hotel was very glamorous and a real experience. Look it up at:
http://www.no11london.com/home.html and you will see how ridiculously beautiful and quirky this place was. I did take a couple pics on my phone as I didn't want to seem TOO much like a tourist, as I was working very hard on pretending I was not totally in awe of the place - you know - like I am cool or something - and was too embarrased to whip out my camera ha ha ha. Anyway, google it and see..........

The nicest thing about it was how they treated you - and of course the huge bathtub, a real luxury in travel in the UK, as showers are really the norm there.

So the first night - I had a bath.... and drank alot...... then slept like the princess I am - oh never mind, actually I guess I am old enough to graduate to Queen....... with the 72 pillows that filled the bed and watched a really strange movie about Hitler....... then spent the next couple days pretty much just walking around seeing the local sights. (Oh, and shopping.... did I mention that the shopping in London is FAB - oh I did say that already????? ha ha ha).

Did jump on and off the tube a few times, and as always totally enjoy that, very efficient and the people watching is just nuts - - folk in London don't really talk to anyone else, and is really funny to just strike up a conversation with someone on the tube as they so totally don't expect it. (Felt like wearing a button that said - don't mind me - I am Canadian and prone to outbreaks of friendliness).

So London was fun, but I was ready to make my way home when the time came. Maybe it was a good buffer between Scotland and Canada, as I may not have come home at all had I had to leave direct from Scotland.

Flights were good, but all the hurrying up and waiting at airports in through security etc etc make one weary. And I definitely left a piece of my heart in Scotland so another trip there is a certainty. No untoward events on the planes, so I was consigned to economy class, which is alright I guess since I seem to have slept half the long flight anyway.

So as I have in the past, I will add more pictures to the blog and also some information pieces about some of the places I went to see. I have an outstanding video of some wild coastal weather that I have been trying to upload here, and hope I am successful, as it was pretty impressive. Otherwise you will just have to drop around for tea and I will bore you with the photos and video in person ha ha ha.

So, for your viewing enjoyment, I will flesh out the blog some with more drivel!

Farewell to Scotland, for now

I write with a heavy heart today, as I take my leave and fly to London, then in a few days home. Thrilled of course to be moving towards home and hearth - friends and family... and kitties. But unwilling to let go of Scotland and its people..... fantastic.... friendly.... funny....... hardworking...... wise...... warm........ so many words but just not descriptive enough for the place and her people. The love affair I have been carrying on with Scotland for as long as I can remember will continue of course, stronger and more assured now that I have been here, felt the wind and the sea spray on my face, gazed in awe at heather covered hills, and travelled its windy roads - coming upon beautiful scene after beautiful scene at every turn. And the people, weel - they have marked my heart indelibly, and I really canna wait to return. :)

Planes, trains, and automobiles

Well, ok, just trains really today - - - depart for the westcoast of Scotland today around 1 by rain to see my relatives, Maureen and Reid Ross. Very excited to meet them, and have heard a rumour that we could be going to the pub quiz night tonight.... so hopefully won't be a daft article when there!! Looking forward to seeing the countryside go by on the train - the trains here very smooth and sweet - cheap too! Plan is to stay a couple nights and then find my way back to Edinburgh and then for the last 3 nights in London. I promise to flesh out the blog more while in London, computer access a little sketchy here at times, and have really been too busy living the adventure to actually write about the adventure, hahahahaha. This morning I am off to the port of Eyemouth or St. Abbs to see the ocean in its storm majesty - big gale blowing last night and today. Impressive, proper Scottish weather !!!

Am hoping to take some good photos of the wild water, but we will see!! Don't worry... I will hold on tight to the pier........

Off to Edinburgh!

An early start this morning for Edinburgh. Going to see the sights, especially excited to see Edinburgh Castle! Wahoo!! Fill you in when I get back!

Immersed in the Beauty

Hi all - well this is post #100 - hard to believe I have had that much to say, even harder still to believe that anyone but me would want to read it hahahahahaha!

Did not take the laptop along on the trip from the Borders into the Highlands...... really wanted just to be living it, and no so much recording it..... did take some pics and have posted a few - they do not do the scenery justice at all. Every turn in the road, and every hilltop brough new vistas of such magnificence, it really would be impossible for me to describe them with mere words. The rich, full scent of the mountainsides of pine, bracken, and heather....... cold, clear pristine rivers and streams, majestic mountains, and stunning valleys (known here as glens).

Enjoyed going alongside of the famous lochs here, Loch Lomond, Loch Tay, and Loch Earn - beautiful little towns along the way. Had tea in the oldest Inn in Scotland (Kenmore), and completely enjoyed the windy roads everywhere we went. Enjoyed drinks in The Craw last night, lots of talking and laughing, truly fantastic!

Sometimes when on a trip, my head is just so full of what I have seen, and done, that it takes a wee whylie to let it develop and come to the surface. Such is how I feel today....promise to write more when I am able to articulate it...............!!

Away to Stirling and Crieff....

Nice weather this morning, wee bit windy. Making the journey to Strling today, and perhaps to Crieff. Hoping some of the busy-ness from around the visit of the pope will die down.

A beautiful day in the making!

Bright, bright, sunshiny day!

Good morning from Scotland,
Lovely day yesterday, watched the cattle being brought in and penned for the winter,quite a production, and youcan really start to see that the beasts have such different personalities! Been to St. Abbs Head, an absolutey stunning natural area, steep, STEEP cliffs down intothe beautiful blue sea. Quite windy that day, and stayed well away from the edge! Watched a fishing boat making way inthe whitecaps, would have been a very rocky ride!!

Went along to the pub last night, The Craw, just the neatest place, warm people, great company and the gin and tonic good too!!

Country road meandering yesterday and later this morning. Helped pick some plums off the tree for freezing... they are delicious!!

Off to Eyemouth today, coastal fishing village, and perhaps a fish dinner tonight. This is such a beautiful country and the people absolutely the best, warm, friendly, funny... really all that I had ever imagined it would be.

Note of interest- the Pope will be in Glasgow and Edonburgh today, so lots of hoopla and road closures, so will stay well clear of that!!!

Enjoying the pastoral beauty,
Michelle, the mellow traveller

PS will try to post some pics tonight!!

Scotland the BEAUTIFUL!!

Greetings all from Scotland!
Arrived into Edinburgh last night around 7 pm in a really brisk rain and wind storm. Good Scottish weather I am told, LOL. Met up woth some really friendly folk also bound for Edinburgh at London Heathrow Aiport yesterday, sooo friendly, and helped me find my way through the labarinththat is LHR. Such an amazing variety of people at the airport, being the hub of truly international travel. Not hard to imagine you could hear at least 100 different languages at any given time. Some of the best people watching anywhere!! I am such a looky-loo!!

Staying at a beautiful farm in the Scottish Borders and today is sunny and beautiful. Feel jet lagged so not much on for today. Watched the offloading of the seed grain for winter barley, and just walked around a little to see the animals, and have made good friends with the cat! Will start to post pics just as soon as I start taking some, ha ha ha

So, now have my feet firmly on Scottish soil, and can not believe I have waited so long to be here!

mwah to all!!

YVR!

Greetings from Canada's best big city - Vancouver!
(never mind that their hockey team is CRAP...!)

So have been lounging in the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge - enjoyed a lovely dinner of oriental beef with rice, had a muffin, and a drink.... ok, that's not totally true - several drinks (ok I am really on dark rum and coke #3.....)

Feeling much more relaxed about flying - just decided that I am being ridiculous, and really, took a firm hand with myself there. OR, if truth be told, the rum has helped maybe a teensy tinesy bit...... hahahahahaha.

55 minutes until I board the aircraft bound for London Heathrow (hey, time enough for one more rum - wahoo!). Hoping, as always for a quiet flight (NO patients), and a good movie to watch on the way. Maybe this one will work out well and my body really will believe it should be asleep...... and them with any luck I WILL be asleep....

Gotta love the International wing of the airport (hehehe no pun intended), so many different people - interesting cultures and many different languages. Cool to see tourists going back home loaded up with bags of maple syrup (seriously though, does anyone LIKE that stuff??), stuffed teddy bears with Olympics hats on, and the inevitable t-shirts and all. Hopefully someone at the Edinburgh airport will think I am as adorable - armed with a bagful of teddy bears shaped like haggis, adorned with a Scotch bonnet, and a bagful of Scotch.........

Well I see time is indeed passing and I have to reasemble the carry on bag - stow the laptop, figure out how to turn my blackberry to no data roaming, and find my shoes which have migrated under the chair.... somewhere....... what the heck?!? I am sure all the high class folk who frequent this lounge rue the day that commoners such as myself could just BUY a pass and come into the inner sanctum.... hehehehe power to the people I say!!!

I can't quite do the math (that's the rum I think....) but I leave here in 50 minutes..... get into LHR at... sometime tomorrow, hop the flight to Edinburgh, if I can make the terminal change and organize a boarding pass in time... and finally will set my feet upon Scottish soil at around 1810 tomorrow, British Summer Time. Remember that's 8 hours ahead of us in time. I suppose really it will be the Scottish lino first in the airport, then the concrete of the road... but soon after I will find some actual Scottish soil, or maybe even grass, and put both my feet and my hands upon it. Can't wait really.

So, dear readers, I will update as soon as I can, remember I am electronically challenged and have a hard time sussing out networks...... but update I will!!

So... I will speak with you next in Scotland.... or London, if I can't make the connection hahahahahaha.

Travel Day - September 12, 2010

So the day has finally come to start my journey to Scotland! Proud, as always to be travelling as a Canadian (Strong and Free, Denise!!) especially when it seems tensions in the world are on the rise again, with intolerance sparking even more intolerance. The 9th anniversary of the 9/11 catastrophe being fresh in everyones minds, and the provocative buring of Korans in the US set the stage for tension today.

My own tension - recall I do not care much for flying, LOL. Not enough to keep me from doing it.... but......!

So the bags are all packed, and it wasn't as bad as it has been before. I take along with me some really great swag from "Strong and Free" - check out Denise's site at www.StrongandFreeEmblem.com, a beautiful emblem which for me really captures what I feel it is to be Canadian.

Thank you to all who helped me prepare for the trip! Will do my best to take you along on the blog, all the way from the south in The Borders of Scotland to Lands End in the North at John O'Groats (for those who follow the Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman trip - the Long Way Down - this was their starting place on a ride to Cape Town South Africa). Then all over to see the sights, and to the Western side to meet up with my relatives Maureen and Reid Ross. A quiz night in Darvel, and family!

The back to London, for three nights just sightseeing, riding the tube, etc in one of the very greatest cities in the entire world!!

As always, I feel totally blessed to be able to go, and thank my kids for allowing their mama to go off and have these experiences.

On my way at 4:30 pm, PST ----- touchdown in Edinburgh at 1810 BST 13 Sept (1010 am PST 13 Sept)

Will close with a quote from one of my favourite Scots (Ewan McGregor) - -


"I feel that this is where I belong, to be seeing what I am seeing, and meeting people I am meeting. I feel I absolutely belong in this moment, it's where I should be - and luckily it's where I find myself!"
Ewan MacGregor - The Long Way Round

The Map

Influences and Inspiration.......

I have indeed been struck by the travel bug once more. Plans for Scotland in the fall are beginning, and here are a few things that are on my list to do-

Visit with my Scottish relatives in Darvel, and see the area around Maybole where my Grandmother was born.

Edinburgh!

Glasgow!

Stirling, Bannockburn

The coastal route all the way up to John O'Groats (which was the starting point for the epic motorcycle journey done by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman called The long Way Down - John O'Groats, Scotland to Cape Town, South Africa!)

Hadrian's Wall

A field of heather - somewhere!

Spean Bridge and the Commando Memorial in the Great Glen

The Stone of Scone (aka the Stone of Destiny, Coronation Stone)

St. Giles Cathedral, St. Magnus Cathedral, St. Mary's Cathedral

Will start doing my reading research, as as I do I will share it with you. Also will share some of Robert Burns works, and some fun Scots/English language translations. Aye, will be braw!

Revival!

A few months of downtime on the blog, and happily, I find myself thinking and beginning to prepare for a trip to Scotland! Am a lucky girl...... England/France in February and April, and Scotland in September. I have family in Scotland, and can't wait to go!

So..... hold on to your bonnets...... let's go!

Itchy feet..........

Ah yes.... I have itchy feet - a sign and symptom that I have been bitten by the travel bug, and not that I need to shower more!

As soon as my back is feeling better I shall be working more, and have less time ti think and dream and plan..... which would be good in a way!! But given that I am on the sideline for a short time, I have been thinking....... Scotland!!

My wish list - -

Oh so many things I want to see and experience in Scotland - by have always wanted to wander alongside Hadrians Wall. Will do more research, but the basic tenet of the wall, built in the Roman times (by Hadrian, you might have guessed!) was to keep the warlike and unpredictable Scots in the north so the Romans might do what the like in peace in England....... and now I better do the actual research and learn some actual facts!!

I have family on the South west coast, in Maybole and Darvel, and buckets of family history there waiting to be discovered. So, I shall plan to be there!!

Anyway, am thinking the Fall might be night in Scotland!!

Winchester Cathedral

Winchester Cathedral at Winchester in Hampshire is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe. Dedicated to the Holy Trinity, Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and Saint Swithun, it is the seat of the Bishop of Winchester and centre of the Diocese of Winchester.

The cathedral was originally founded in 642 on an immediately adjoining site to the north. This building became known as the Old Minster. It became part of a monastic settlement in 971. Saint Swithun was buried near the Old Minster and then in it, before being moved to the new Norman cathedral. So-called mortuary chests said to contain the remains of Saxon kings such as King Eadwig of England, first buried in the Old Minster, and his wife Ælfgifu, are also housed in the present cathedral. The Old Minster was demolished in 1093.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1079 under bishop Walkelin, and on April 8, 1093, in the presence of nearly all the bishops and abbots of England, the monks removed from the Saxon cathedral church of the Old Minster to the new one, "with great rejoicing and glory" to mark its completion. The earliest part of the present building is the crypt, which dates from that time. William II of England and his older brother, Richard, Duke of Bernay are both buried in the cathedral. The squat, square crossing tower was begun in 1202 to replace an earlier version which collapsed, partly because of the unstable ground on which the cathedral is built. It has an indisputably Norman look to it. Work continued on the cathedral during the 14th century. In 1394 the remodelling of the Norman nave commenced to the designs of master mason William Wynford, this continued into the 15th and 16th centuries, notably with the building of the retroquire to accommodate the many pilgrims to the shrine of Saint Swithun.

Much of the sturdy limestone used to build the structure was brought across from the Isle of Wight from quarries around Binstead. Nearby Quarr Abbey draws its name from these masonry workings, as do many local places such as Stonelands and Stonepitts. The remains of the Roman trackway used to transport the blocks are still evident across the fairways of the Ryde Golf Club, where the stone was hauled from the quarries to the hythe at the mouth of Binstead Creek, and thence by barge across the Solent and up to Winchester.

After King Henry VIII seized control of the Catholic Church in England, and declared himself head of the Church of England, the Benedictine foundation, the Priory of Saint Swithun, was dissolved (1539) and the cloister and chapter house were demolished, but the cathedral continued.

Restoration work was carried out by T.G. Jackson during the years 1905–1912, including the famous saving of the building from total collapse. Some waterlogged foundations on the south and east walls were reinforced by a diver, William Walker, packing the foundations with more than 25,000 bags of concrete, 115,000 concrete blocks, and 900,000 bricks. Walker worked six hours a day from 1906 to 1912 in total darkness at depths up to 6 metres (20 ft), and is credited with saving the cathedral from total collapse.

Events
Important events which took place at Winchester Cathedral include:

Funeral of King Harthacanute (1042)
Funeral of King William II of England (1100)
Coronation of Henry the Young King and his queen, Marguerite (1172)
Second coronation of Richard I of England (1194)
Marriage of King Henry IV of England and Joanna of Navarre (1403)
Marriage of Queen Mary I of England and King Philip II of Spain (1554)
Funeral and burial of Jane Austen (1817)[2]

Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight

Carisbrooke Castle is a historic motte-and-bailey castle located in the village of Carisbrooke, near Newport, Isle of Wight, England. Charles I was imprisoned at the castle in the months prior to his trial. On my gander around the castle, I visited the bedroom King Charles was kept in. Beautiful, but a prison all the same.

The site of Carisbrooke Castle may have been occupied in pre-Roman times. The existence of a ruined wall suggests that there was a building there in late Roman times. The Jutes may have taken over the fort by the late 7th century. An Anglo-Saxon stronghold occupied the site during the 8th century. Around 1000, a wall was built around the hill as a defence against Viking raids.

From 1100 The castle remained in the possession of Richard de Redvers' family, and over the next two hundred years his descendants improved the castle with stone walls, towers and a keep. This was until 1293, when Countess Isabella de Fortibus, the last Redvers resident sold it to Edward I, after which the government was entrusted to wardens as representatives of the crown.

In the reign of Richard II it was unsuccessfully attacked by the French (1377). Anthony de Wydville, Lord Scales, later Earl Rivers, obtained a grant of the castle and rights of Lordship in 1467. He was responsible for the addition of the Woodville Gate, now known as the Entrance Gate.

The keep was added to the castle in the reign of Henry I, and in the reign of Elizabeth I; when the Spanish Armada was expected, it was surrounded by an elaborate pentagonal fortification by Sir George Carey.

Charles I was imprisoned here for fourteen months before his execution in 1649. Afterwards his two youngest children were confined in the castle, and the Princess Elizabeth died there of pneumonia. Most recently it was the home of The Princess Beatrice, daughter of Queen Victoria, as Governor of the Isle of Wight, 1896-1944. It is now under control of English Heritage.

Carisbrooke was the strongest castle on the Island, though it does not dominate the countryside like many other castles.

There are traces of a Roman fort underneath the later buildings. Seventy-one steps lead up to the keep; the reward is a fine view. In the centre of the castle enclosure are the domestic buildings; these are mostly of the 13th century, with upper parts of the 16th century. Some are in ruins, but the main rooms were used as the official residence of the Governor of the Isle of Wight until the 1940s, and they remain in good repair.

The Great Hall, Great Chamber and several smaller rooms are open to the public, and an upper room houses the Isle of Wight Museum. Most rooms are partly furnished, but on the whole it is the fireplaces and other features of the rooms themselves which are most interesting. (I will post pics of these)

One of the main subjects of the museum is King Charles I. He tried to escape from the castle in 1648, but was unable to get through the bars of his window.
The chapel at Carisbrooke is beautiful, and is called the Church of St. Nicholas in Castro and is located next to the main gate. In 1904 the chapel of St Nicholas in the castle was reopened and re-consecrated, having been rebuilt as a national memorial of Charles I. 9A little ironic, a memorial to the King who was imprisoned there, and later executed.....) Within the walls is a well 200 feet deep and another in the centre of the keep is reputed to have been still deeper.

Constable's Chamber
The Constable's Chamber is a large room located in the castle's medieval section. It was the bedroom of Charles I when he was imprisoned in the castle, and Princess Beatrice used it as a dining room. It is now home to Charles I bed as well as Princess Beatrice's large collection of stag and antelope heads. This room was used as the castle's education centre up until recently.

The Earthworks
Surrounding the whole castle are large earthworks, designed by the Italian Federigo Gianibelli, and begun in the year before the Spanish Armada. They were finished in the 1590s. The outer gate has the date 1598 and the arms of Queen Elizabeth I.

It is truly astonishing to be able to walk the grounds of such a place..... history is very much alive there..... to stand in the bedroom of the imprisoned king, and wonder what thoughts he must have had, as time slipped by bringing him closer to his execution.

Home safe and sound

Home tonight, looking forward to a hot bath and crawling into my bed. My body has no idea what it should be feeling.... jet lag is such a strange thing! Slept some on the long flight, had no patients to look after! Read, listened to good music, and watched the newest Harry Potter movie, which was entertaining. Bella very happy to see me, and thanks to all for taking such good care of home, hearth, and Bells - especially the Cheung family! MWAH!

So will go run a bath, and see if I can't just slip into bed and a deep dreamless sleep right after. Tomorrow will be good to start getting things ship shape in the yard and putting all those garden thoughts and ideas to more concrete use.

In a day or so I will upload more pics to the blog and do a little more research and 'flesh out' some of the things we did and saw.

Glad air travel seems to be almost back to normal..... funny how reliable it is.... and when something happens to make it break down.... makes you feel just a little vulnerable.

Packing up....

Back from a fantastic weekend to the Isle of Wight. Was relaxing and a lot of fun. Walked the beaches, picniced on the cliffs, explored a castle, walked upon the downs, peeked in a nunnery, rode the ferries, ate at the Queen's house, and generally had a very fine time.

Just booked the bus ticket from Southampton to London Heathrow... so am hopeful Air Canada is flying. Funny how big a crisis the ash cloud was not very many days ago, and still so many stranded around Europe. Still grateful I didn't end up diverted to somewhere really strange.....

Anyway, am glad to be coming home to family and friends, and cat....!

So. Pray for a safe trip home, and will let you know along the way if I can, how things are.

Thanks for following along, and will see you soon.

The Wight Facts

The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, 3–5 miles (5–8 km) off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent. The island is known for its outstanding natural beauty, its world-famous sailing based at the town of Cowes, and its resorts, which have been popular holiday destinations since the Victorian times.

The island has a rich history, including a brief status as an independent kingdom in the 15th century. Until 1995, in common with Jersey and Guernsey, the island had its own Governor - most notably Lord Mountbatten from 1969–1974, after which he became Lord Lieutenant until his assassination in 1979.

It was home to the poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, and to Queen Victoria, who built her much loved summer residence and final home Osborne House at East Cowes. The Island's maritime and industrial history encompasses boat building, sail making, the manufacture of flying boats, the world's first hovercraft and the testing and development of Britain's space rockets. It is home to the Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival, Bestival and the recently-revived Isle of Wight Festival, which, in 1970, was the largest rock music event ever held. The island has some exceptional wildlife and is one of the richest locations of dinosaur fossils in Europe.

In the past, the Isle of Wight has been part of Hampshire. In 1890, it became an independent administrative county, though it continued to share the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. In 1974, it was reconstituted as a non-metropolitan and ceremonial county, with its own Lord Lieutenant, and recognised as a postal county. With a single Member of Parliament and 132,731 permanent residents in 2001, it is also the most populous parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom.

It is easily accessible from Southsea by hovercraft. Several ferry services operate across the Solent: the route from Southampton to Cowes is 10 miles (16 km), Portsmouth to Ryde 5 miles (8 km), Portsmouth to Fishbourne 7 miles (11 km), and Lymington to Yarmouth 4 miles (6 km).

The Isle of Wight is approximately diamond-shaped and covers an area of 380 km2. Slightly more than half of the Island, mainly in the west, is designated as the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Island has 258 km2 of farmland, 52 km2 of developed areas, and 92 km of coastline. The landscape of the Island is remarkably diverse, leading to its oft-quoted description of "England in Miniature". West Wight is predominantly rural, with dramatic coastlines dominated by the famous chalk downland ridge, running across the whole island and ending in The Needles stacks — perhaps the most photographed aspect of the Isle of Wight. The highest point on the Island is St Boniface Down, at 241 m which is a Marilyn.The rest of the Island's landscape also has great diversity, with perhaps the most notable habitats being the soft cliffs and sea ledges, which are spectacular features as well as being very important for wildlife, and are internationally protected. The River Medina flows north into the Solent, whilst the other main river, the River Yar flows roughly north-east, emerging at Bembridge Harbour at the eastern end of the island. Confusingly, there is another entirely separate river at the western end also called the River Yar flowing the short distance from Freshwater Bay to a relatively large estuary at Yarmouth. To distinguish them, they may be referred to as the Eastern and Western Yar.

The south coast of the Island borders the English Channel. Without man's intervention the sea might well have split the island into three; at the west end where a bank of pebbles separates Freshwater Bay from the marshy backwaters of the Western Yar east of Freshwater, and at the east end where a thin strip of land separates Sandown Bay from the marshy basin of the Eastern Yar, east of Sandown. Yarmouth itself was effectively an island, with water on all sides and only connected to the rest of the island by a regularly breached neck of land immediately east of the town.

Island wildlife is remarkable, and it is one of the few places in England where the red squirrel is flourishing, with a stable population (Brownsea Island is another). Unlike most of England, no grey squirrels are to be found on the Island, nor are there any wild deer. Instead, rare and protected species such as the dormouse and many rare bats can be found. The Glanville Fritillary butterfly's distribution in the United Kingdom is largely restricted to the edges of the crumbling cliffs of the Isle of Wight.

A competition in 2002 named the Pyramidal Orchid as the Isle of Wight's county flower.

The island is known as one of the most important areas in Europe for dinosaur fossils. The eroding cliffs often reveal previously hidden remains.

Ocean waves at Shanklin, Isle of Wight

Greetings from the beautiful Isle of Wight

So, get your google on, and google the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England. Magical. Wonderful. Friendly. Awe inspiring.
I took the ferry Friday evening from Southampton to the Isle of Wight. The crossing, just an hour at sea, calm and sunny. Passed by the refinery at Fawley (Exxonmobil). Gigantic place.....biggest refinery in Europe.... cool to see all the ships lined up at the marine terminal either bringing products, or picking them up.....

Lots of lovely sailboats out in the Solent as well, a really pretty evening! After finding the way to the hotel in Sandown called The Lawns, I explored the room and enjoyed the view of the white cliffs. Was outstanding to watch the sky change and darken, and the lights come on..... hmmmmmmmmmmm

Enjoyed a bagette sandwich for dinner in the room with a bottle of Sangria and creme brulee...... hmmmmmmmm..... a quiet and beautiful night ~ closing a wonderful evening with a midnight walk down to where thought the seaside was..... (oops made one wrong turn...)

Had a nice slow start to the say, a tasty breakfast at the hotel and then off to the summer market at Ryde. My friend bought some lovely lettuce plants, and has the beginnings of a really nice little garden! The plants came on tour with us, walking down to the seaside in Ryde, and back up the hill, stopping for a chocolate confection at the Chocolate Apothecary. Really enjoyed strolling around and just being there.

Then off to the Lavendar Farm - yes, its true, there is a LAVENDAR farm here on the Island.... really..... does it get better than that?????????? OK, maybe it does, if you visit said farm, then go and have a picnic lunch overlooking the sea on a cliff... with wine, good olive oil, bread, cheeses, grapes, pickles, and balsamic vinegar, and then have a nap on the picnic blanket listening to the sea....

Have headed back to the hotel for another nap (yes.... life is tough, I agree....)

So, I shall rouse myself briefly to hie to the luxurious bathroom with clawfoot tub, which I believe has lavendar scented bubbles and hot water already awaiting me...... I shall soldier on..... har har har.....

Tonight's plan to go to the town of Ventnor which is a world heritage site for dinosaur fossils - the Jurrasic coastline...... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

to London and back!

Well, a little while since I sat and wrote... sorry about that! Left for London on Wednesday morning by train from Southampton, a very pleasant journey. The trains here so smooth and nice. Very interesting to see the countryside from the rails, as you see it differently than you would on the highways. Got to London, and as I have been before, completely awed by the station there, and the comings and going of so many people, and yet there does seem to be some sort of chaotic order to it...? Anyway, hopped on the tube (yay!) and found the way to just half a block from the hotel, a nice little bed and breakfast hotel, and handy because it was so close to the tube. Checked in, compained about the room, got another one, and off running to see the south bank of the Thames, gardens, and just general gandering around. Found some wonderful shops in the train station, and bought some cheeses, breads, tomatoes, and some very tasty shortbread for dinner at the hotel, and also visited Covent Garden Market, which was fun to look around. While there, bought a ticket to the live stage show "Grease" for that night. The show was very good, and I totally enjoyed the music! On the way back from the show, stopped to buy some snacks and a bottle of red wine, and headed back to the hotel.

Next morning I got up, was a little home sick (I hate that...) and it took me a little while to get going. Off to the Ace Cafe in London, which is a very cool cafe that caters to bikers and car enthusiasts of all kinds.... this is one you should google.......
http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/default.aspx
It has a very interesting history!!

Then it was off to the British Museum, which was truly extraordinary.... collections from every time period imaginable..... pretty overwhelming!! Wandered through there for a couple hours, then took a leisurely stroll through the big park next to the museum, and had a nap on the grass in the sun. (aye, that is becoming a habit!!)

Did more walking around the town, along the south bank, which is incredible... the London Eye is there (should google that as well!!) and the waterfront is just so busy and there is soooo much to see!!

I was excited to go on the "Jack the Ripper walking tour" of London.... but chickened out in the end.... was a bit worried it would be too scary.... but my legs were too tired by that point in the day. Next time!! So instead, I headed back to Leister Square (beautiful, vibrabt!!) and sat outside at a Mexican cafe and enjoyed natchos and margaritas and people watched. Wandered around Leister Square and Piccadilly Circus areas, took in the sights, and then got back to the hotel to collect the bag and head off on the tube to the train station. Got back in to Southampton around 1130, and back to Hythe by midnight. Tons of fun... slept pretty well..... all worn out!

I am catching up on some laundry and of course some e-mail and downloading pictures to the blog.

I am off to the High Street in Hythe shortly to go to the store to pick up some wine and supplies for the weekend on the Isle of Wight. I am totally enjoying my picnic backpack, and plan to use it again this weekend. Ferry for the Isle of Wight leaves at 6:30 tonight, so that's when I will be on my way. Back Sunday night. There is wireless at the hotel there, so I will update from there.

London, at night

Ahhhh!! The TUBE!!

London

Late night last night in London, and early morning this morning. Will write tonight from Hythe when I get back on the train.

Off to London to visit the queen!

Well, not really..... but off to London to see the sights! Staying one night at the Alhambra Hotel, and coming back on the train Thursday night.

Treasures, Majesty, Highway Mayhem, and Saints!

A really amazing and interesting day today.... started off nice and slowly, and then wound up with lots of activity! Off to a very pretty town called Romsey, where I visited a reclamation yard CHOCK full of treasures... such beautiful things.... sigh.... bummer there is a baggage restriction on Air Canada (if they are flying that is....). Enjoyed looking around at all the cool things that have come from old houses, and dreaming of new uses for such things. A fave was the chimney pots... the old terra cotta toppers for chimneys here... would make amazing planters for outside... all with beautiful patina...!! So many neat sizes and shapes too.

From Romsey to Winchester, to enjoy a walk through the medieval town and visit the famous cathedral there. Really sweet town.... too picturesque really to capture on mere film, everything was so beautiful and had such history. Bought some pasties for lunch and had brought along the picnic backpack - used the ground sheet and enjoyed the meal, then had a nap in the sun.... VERY pleasant!! Watched the comings and goings from lawn in front of the cathedral with quite a few others who had the same idea in mind. Very pleasant in the sunshine :)

Did a walking tour of Winchester Cathedral..... soooo beautiful..... the Norman portion of the cathedral being built in the 1079's..... staggering to think about. The oldest wall paintings in England are found in Winchester Cathedral, and they were discovered after some plaster cracked, and these were found preserved underneath... painted in the 1100's....... unbelievable. This is the fourth cathedral I have visited, and I can say with certainty that all four are so different, even though they were built within 200 years of each other. You can see in Winchester the earliest part of the cathedral is a very simple design..... begun by the Normans, and the later design they had obviously changed engineers/architects... the design changes so much, becomes finer, and more polished. Really amazing the strides they made in learning and building.

After an amazing afternoon in Winchester, headed back to Hythe to get ready for the Saints football game in the evening. On the way back on the highway, I spotted a plume of dust (never a good thing on a paved highway) and had just come upon a motorcycle accident. I grabbed my gloves from my purse (yes, I always carry a pair of gloves somewhere) and stopped the car before I flew out the door..... guy had crashed his very nice big motorcycle into a guard rail as he was trying to avoid a car merging on top of him..... was the only medic on scene for a little bit, with an off duty policeman - we were very happy the other was there.... and soon of course fire and ambulance were on the scene, so I gave my report to the paramedics and then was free to leave the scene and turn "Trevor" over to their tender care. He was very lucky.... looked at first glance to be a fractured clavicle and scapula.... and hopefully nothing more. Totally amazing for a motorcycle crash at 100 km/hr.... we will take that miracle and say a quiet thanks!! Traffic was a mess for hours afterwards, but I did manage to stay ahead of all that and made it back to the football game on time!!

Donned my Saints scarf and went off to St. Mary's Stadium to watch the Saints play Oldham..... an entertaining game, and the fan atmosphere just an amazing experience!!! Loved the songs and the chants, and just the total energy.... so much fun!!! Was sad that no goals were scored, so a tie game, which didn't help the Saints for a playoff position..... but a ton of fun to watch!!

Back to base for a drink, and doing some research for a hotel in London tomorrow night. Off on the train in the morning, and just staying one night, and doing lots of exciting things! So will wind this up for the night, and put some pics on.... and update tomorrow from London!!

Morning here, and almost midnight there!

As you sleep in your beds, I am just up and having a cup of tea. Then off to pick up a football ticket for tonight - the Saints play at home, and then to Winchester to see the old town and cathedral.

Intrepid Adventurer

Have been out and about today just in Hythe.
Headed off from Hythe to Southampton this morning, walked down to the long Hythe Pier, hopped on the ferry to Southampton, and a bus to the mall there. Buzzed around in the mall for a while, and then reversed the whole process and came back to Hythe, enjoyed walking the High Street and doing some window shopping. HAHAHAHAHA I didn't buy any windows though....... did a little grocery shopping for dinner, and then headed back to the apartment. Didn't get lost, do anything totally foolish (I think), or get arrested, so figure I am doing all right!! Just putting my feet up for a few minutes now!

Weekend adventures

The Jurassic Coast - Dorset - Bridport - SAINTS! - Yeovil - Long Bredy - Abbotsbury Garden, Weymouth, Sunray Room Carvery, Poole Quay, home sweet home

Well, all sorts of adventures on the weekend to tell you about! Obviously, there was no available internet where we were, so could not blog.

Set off Friday afternoon by car for Bridport, on the south coast of England. Beautiful weather, spring-like sunny and warm! Travelled some on the big highways, but more on the backroads, taking in tiny hamlets and villages as I found them. Views out over the countryside absolutely gorgeous!! Arrived in Bridport early evening, and found the rented cottage.... very nice.... and homey! Walked some of the interesting streets in the town, and got a sense of the place of Bridport. Historical industrial town of rope and net makers, and part of what is called the Jurassic coast due to the rock that is explosed at the coast. Beautiful cliffs, and fossils.

Saturday morning enjoyed breakfast in the cottage, and a walk out behind the cottage, along a little stream, very pretty...... Then it was off to the Saturday market in Bridport - whole streets packed with vendors, baked goods, local cheese (yummy!!!), vegs, books, antiques - almost anything you can think of!! Bought some bits and pieces to pack a picnic lunch to take to the Saints Football game!

Off to the big football game in the afternoon - and I was so unprepared for the excitement and electric atmosphere of an important game! WOW!!! I brought along a picnic lunch, and found a nice place on the grass outside the football stadium to enjoy it, and also stretched out on the grass in the sun to have a wee nap afterwards. Then, went in and found my seat. Was fascinating to watch the skill and agility of the players, an exciting game, and very happy to report that the Saints win, 1-0!!! When the goal was made the fans completely erupted - very exciting! Totally enjoyed my first football match!!

Also enjoyed the trip back to Bridport, beautiful scenic little villages I passed through.

Sunday morning I enjoyed a cooked breakfast at the cottage, and took my time getting packed up and on the road. Drove through the gorgeous Dorset countryside and arrived at Abbotsbury Garden and did a beautiful walk through - so many gorgeous tropical plants, and a fantastic look out point over Chesil Beach and the sea. Took many beautiful photos, which I will post. Spent a few hours walking the gardens, enjoying the chatter and song of the birds present, and the scents and sights to delight the senses! Hmmmmmm!

Travelled back through the seaside city of Weymouth - an energetic seaside holiday place. The beachside crammed with things to do, and people obviously enjoying themselves there. Stopped at a nice pub Sunray Room to enjoy carvery for lunch, hmmmmmm!!!! From there off to Poole - and what I can say about Poole - - is that Poole is COOL!! Another seaside town, and a real no-nonsense working quay. Tons of people out on the quay enjoying the beautiful day, interesting sights, and just a really fun atmosphere. Even saw a number of luxury yachts in the Poole harbour, as it is the manufacturing base for Sun Seekers yachts.... yikes..... massive boats..... and absolutely stunning!!

From Poole to base, bathed up, and a late snack for 'dinner'. A lovely, fun weekend.... enjoy the pics!!

Friday morning!

I have caught up with my e-mails and the blog. Didn't manage to take any pictures yesterday, did try to take some nighttime shoreline pics, but guess I was not in the correct mode!!

With all this crazy volcanic ash, you would think you would be able to see the stuff.... but even at Heathrow yesterday - busiest airport in the world - it didn't look any different. Maybe just a little hazy. Was curious about that, and watched the BBC news this morning to see if there is an explanation. Apparently, this ash plume is at about 18,000 feet. The disruption, in full or in part, will be a problem for some time. It does appear that in the next day or so some flights may be allowed to come or go from Belfast in Northern Ireland, and Glasgow, Scotland. Obviously following the problem with some interest, and of course COMPLETELY grateful that I got in.... so many stranded all over Europe. There was a point on the flight at which it was said we might have to detour and land in Paris or Prague. Well.... there are worse places to be diverted to!!

Have a cottage booked for 2 nights in the Dorset area, in a place called Bridgeport (or Brideport... will check later), and I am looking forward to watching the football game in at Yeovil tomorrow - a Saints away game! Go Saints!! I have the picnic back pack organized, and off I will go! Let's hope they have some wireless for me...... so I can keep you up to date and share some pics!

Well, jet lag is telling a little, though much better than the first time I came over. Think I will go back to bed for a little while, to be ready to go for later!!

Volcanic Eruptions of Icelandic Magnitude.....

First time in United Kingdom living memory...... all air that traffic in and out of the UK - and yes - London Heathrow Airport.... ground to a halt. I was so fortunate... can't believe it, but was the last to land at Heathrow before the airport was closed. Apparently, jet engines do not function well in ash clouds.....

Suffice it to say, was very happy to arrive safely! So.... until I could actually reach Heathrow - and we were the last flight allowed to land.... I was unable to tell anyone we were ok!! Was a little eerie coming out of Heathrow on the bus and seeing ALL the planes parked, and no planes landing, taking off, or circling in he air.

So!! Here safely, happily!! Enjoying some fish and chips, which I took to Calshot Beach to eat.
More tomorrow..... need sleep!

On my way!

Helloe from Calgary, Alberta. Well on my way, so far so good!!! Boarding soon......yipee!!

Can't wait!!

Today..... and tomorrow....

So, flying day today!! Yipee!! All is packed, and by the front door ready to go. Gettings kids off to school, and then Aft is coming to get me for the trip to the airport around 0930. (Don't fly till 12:30.... but ya know...... I have to be there super early..... I am weird that way!!)

Cat is anxious, she knows what it means when the suitcase comes out..... but she will have the kids, and they will have her. Sami steps into the role of house Mother for the next while, and I am sure they will have a blast. Thanks Sami!!

So, I will try to find some wireless network in Vancouver, or Calgary, but you know how that goes.

By tomorrow at this time, I will be there :)

Up, up, and away!!!

One more sleep in my own bed......

Well!! Time does indeed march on, never varying in its cadence, even if it feels like it moves too slowly, or too quickly! Last full day at home for a little while will see me finishing up some laundry, and tying up a couple loose ends (no, I don't mean the kids!!) Going for a pedicure this morning at 0900 and then do a little running around. But, camera batteries are charged, bits and pieces are gathered, and all that is left to do is put it all in a suitcase. The weather forecast for the Southampton area, and it sounds very nice, as does the forecast for here.

I will be arriving in Southampton at 0730 PST Thursday morning (3:30 pm BST).

Then Friday morning will be spent recovering from jet lag, and then are off Friday afternoon to the area of Dorset, where I will spend a night or two perhaps, and have a ticket to watch the Southampton Saints Football Club play Yeovil Town in Yeovil. Have got my Saints scarf packed, and of course something red and white to wear - so handy the Saints share the same colours as our wonderful country!! Can't wait to be part of the large group of Southampton supporters going to this away game!!

I am taking my Canadian mitts, and maybe for fun we will take those and photograph them in different places.... so watch for the signature red mitts!!

There will be a lull in communication when I am flying, sometimes I can pick up the web in airports, and sometimes not. Anyway, As I go, I will attempt to connect, but if I can't - please don't worry!! I won't be taking my BlackBerry with me as it is not a 'world' phone, but will be in e-mail contact as soon as I am in Hythe. One more post from me tomorrow morning.... and then off I go!!

T minus 3 days and counting.........!

3 more sleeps......
4 more days........
Until I am off on my UK adventure!

Had some fun last night out in the backyard - - you just have to love Canaadian Tire, especially in the Spring! Robin and I went there to buy a fire pit..... and came home with two! One for enjoying a real fire outside on the deck, and the other a funky table top fire that runs on small propane bottles! A little strange - but quite beautiful! Robin and Alyssa assembled the large fire pit - what bright girls!! Think we will try it out tonight....... I managed to screw the propane bottle into the base of the 'mini fire' and lit that up - all with Emily's encouragement!! Think I will ban the use of any fire device while I am away..... seeing as how we had issues with water last time!!!!!

Well, a true Prince George spring is upon us..... some warmth, some sun, some rain, some high winds..... and yes, some snow and sleet!! I have been monitoring the weather in Southampton quite carefully.... and am hoping for some warmth. If the weather turns foul when I get there I guess we will know who is to blame!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I used to fit all my stuff in a saddlebag on the back of a bike....

And now - - I can't seem to be able to imagine getting it together in one rather large suitcase!! When did it happen that I feel I need to bring everything I own?? Crickey!! Is it age?? Gender?? Lack of self esteem?? All of the above?? LOL

Well, quite determined that only one suitcase is going, so will have to get brutal with myself (Sami, I probably need your help - - again - - LOL)

I am sure it will get sorted out....... and soon....... only 5 more sleeps until I take to the skies!! Can't wait!!

Getting Ready to fly..... one week today!

Cold morning, blowy and overcast here in Prince George. Wouldn't be too surprised to see some white stuff today... though would be discouraged if it did happen :(

Did a little clothing shopping yesterday, and found a nice white spring coat (a difficult colour for me... though I will TRY to keep it looking white and crisp!!) with a nautical look to it, some black legging/capri (which I hope to wear if it is warm enough), a lovely linen dress, and a long white flowy blouse, which should look nice with the black capri. Now will be on the look out for some flat shoes that to complete the look.

Hair appointment (Friday 0930) and pedicure (Tuesday 0900) organized, then fly Wednesday! Will be a few hours enroute as I leave Prince George at 12:30 pm on the 14th and arrive into London Heathrow at 11:15 - so 24 hours by the clock plus 8 hours added to make it to GMT is 36 hours travelling. Should be able to find some time in there to have a little nap (or two... or 5 or 6!)

We will see if my role as Air Canada's fave paramedic will continue on these flights!!

So the small collection of things I don't want to forget when I pack are already on the dining room table, and the suitcase is hauled up out of the garage. I am getting excited!

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter all!! Only 11 more sleeps !!

12 sleeps...... less than two weeks!

Hello blog readers! So...... worked a 24 hour shift, should be sleeping now...... but can't..... and back to it this afternoon at 3:30 for another 24. Watched Third Watch for a while.... got too wound up.... now watching Bridget Jones' Diary (still can't believe Rene Zellweiger isn't British - her accent is perfect!!) and have given up on sleeping again, until tonight..... hopefully kilo will be quiet!! At any rate, the cat is very happy I continue to try to sleep hahahahaha!

Anyway! So only 12 more sleeps until I go. Keep saying can't wait, but its true! The 'bucket list' is growing, and I have started to set aside a few bits and pieces to pack...... note to self again.... don't need to take everything I own..... only ONE suitcase this time.....! Yikes!! (J - - still have resisted tramp shoes!! hahahahaha)

OK, will shut up and try put my head down for a while and try again to sleep.... sigh.
M

CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER! Changed my flight to TODAY!!

Yep, its true...... can't wait to go, so I fly tonight out of PG, but won't be there until early Saturday morning! Not the greatest connections. Am doing panic packing..... might have to do some laundry when I get there!! I shall simply call in sick at work, dump all my shifts (sorry guys) and take off. Only cost $200 to change my reservation on Air Canada!!

So.... the coach from London Heathrow terminal three (National Express bus 203) should get in to Southampton around 15:00....... So here I come - maybe the Easter Bunny will still be able to find me there.....(April Fools!)

Even though it is how I feel, I have not in fact changed my flight date - it still is two weeks yesterday that I fly, and two weeks exactly until I fly.

And yes, I will be there for my shifts on the weekend :) We will be enjoying Easter Weekend Paramedic style!
M

Wind down..... for now!

Hi all, well, thanks for following this blog, hope it was interesting - was tons of fun to do!

With Spring (almost) here, and household tasks becoming unavoidable (painting, kitchen flooring, etc tec) - and - since I risk sounding too much like a history teacher if I continue...... it makes some sense to take a wee sabbatical.

The adventure continues in April.......................!

Going Underground!

When I was in London, I travelled everywhere I wished to go using the underground train system - the Underground, or also called the Tube! I loved the tube! Fast, efficient, and a good way to get around. I was doing a little research about it, and find that it is the worlds first underground rail transport!

So I include a little history here....


The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and neighbouring areas of Essex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire in the UK. With its first section opening in 1863, it was the first underground railway system in the world. In 1890 it became the first to operate electric trains. Despite the name, about 55% of the network is above ground. It is usually referred to officially as 'the Underground' and colloquially as the Tube, although the latter term originally applied only to the deep-level bored lines, to distinguish them from the sub-surface "cut and cover" lines that were built first. More recently this distinction has been lost and the whole system is now referred to as 'the Tube', even in recent years by its operator in official publicity.

The earlier lines of the present London Underground network were built by various private companies. Apart from the main line railways, they became part of an integrated transport system in 1933 when the London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB) or London Transport was created. The underground network became a single entity in 1985, when the UK government created London Underground Limited (LUL). Since 2003 LUL has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London (TfL), the statutory corporation responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London, which is run by a board and a commissioner appointed by the Mayor of London.

The Underground has 270 stations and about 400 km (250 miles) of track, making it the longest metro system in the world by route length. It also has one of the highest number of stations. In 2007, more than one billion passenger journeys were recorded, making it the third busiest metro system in Europe after Paris and Moscow.

The tube map, with its schematic non-geographical layout and colour-coded lines, is considered a design classic, and many other transport maps worldwide have been influenced by it.

I saw some wrapping paper for sale with the 'tube' map on it....... wish I had purchased it, figured I would see it again in my travels.... but did not :(
Guess I will just have to head back over there and pick some up!!

Shepherd Huts!

My first little foray into the countryside took me to Dorchester, and Bere Regis..... looking for a very cool place called Dorset Reclamation, where all the bits and pieces from old buildings are saved when they are demolished or renovated. We enjoyed our afternoon of poking around this yard, with so many interesting treasures in in.... old mirrors, mantles, doors, windows, garden benches, old paving slates, roofing tiles - you name it, they have it!

On the back to Hythe from there, I stopped for gas, and across from the service station we spied a cool little green building, on iron wheels parked on the side of the road. I include pictures to the right.

An interesting website with lots of pics of 'upscale' shepherds huts - http://www.cotswoldshepherdshuts.co.uk/


Later when I got home, I looked shepherd huts up on the net, and here's what I found.

The first evidence of a wheeled Shepherd's hut is 1596 (!!!)

Whilst most think that the Shepherds hut is a relatively invention, maybe late 18th or early 19th Century, we were amazed to find out that these old beasts have been around a lot longer than that. Thanks to the presence of a few very early publications, we have traced a reference to a wheeled Shepherds hut from the 16th Century during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Leonard Mascal, reputed to have become Chief farrier to King I, produced a number of very early works regarding rural life. His titles covered such subjects as fishing, plants and one entitled 'Government of Cattel' published in 1596 was split into three sections. The third devoted to discoursing the order of sheep, goats, hogs, and dogs, with true remedies to help the infirmities that befall any of them : also perfect instructions for taking of moales, and likewise for the monthly husbanding of grounds.

The small yet important description appears in this book "in some place the Shepheard hath his cabbin going upon a wheele for to remove here and there at his pleasure". This is probably the very first mention of a shepherds hut in the form that we currently recognize. It is also the first glimpse that the Shepherds accommodation from as long ago as the late 1500's was in line with his status as a very important member of the farming community. Those in more rugged terrain such as Scotland, Wales and Moreland areas of England had to deal with the elements it seems, a hut on wheels needs a track suitable to take it. Boggy ground or hilly areas rule out ease of access for a portable hut. In these cases a more permanent building, sometimes referred to as a 'lookers hut' was built to protect the shepherd from his sometimes bleak environment.A shepherds hut was a big investment to a farm or Estate, costing the equivalent of up to 6 months of the Shepherd's salary. However it seems that ownership in most cases stayed with the Landowners rather than the Shepherd.

The decline of Large flocks

Before the advent of artificial fertilizers, on many mixed Farms distant pastures from the farm which were normal inaccessible to the large farm manure wagons would have had a visit from the Shepherd and his flock of Sheep. The Sheep were not allowed to wander freely but were kept enclosed behind wooden hurdles. This process was called 'folding'. Once the forage crop had been grazed, the Sheep, Shepherd, his dog and mobile home; his Shepherds Hut, would move to pastures new. The land would then be ploughed, returning the nutrients in the droppings to the land. The Hut contained a small stove, a straw bed over a cage where lambs could be kept (known as a Lamb rack) and a simple medicine cupboard containing various potions. This regularly included a bottle of to revive a sickly lamb (or Shepherd). However the First World war would see big changes in farming practices. Large scale production of Ammonium Nitrate used in the manufacturer of explosives provided for the first time a cost effective solution with regards to a concentrated feedstock for the land. Combined with the advent of the tractor at the same time, the need for large flocks to fold the land went into steep decline. Many fields normally used for grazing could for the first time be turned to the plough and more lucrative cereals replaced one time grazing meadows. The final straw was the rising importation of Lamb from abroad due to improved meat transportation, including early forms of refrigeration.

The medieval woolen trade had long since declined in favor of cotton and although there was a peak during the two World wars, it was too little too late for an industry in decline. By 1939, many old huts found a new lease of life as home guard outposts, in fact in some parts of the country we have heard the term 'Home guard roofs' used when referring to a pitched roof on a hut. Many were also used at the end of the second World war to house prisoners of war in as temporary accommodation. Many farms being allocated one or two laborers from a large number of POW camps set up towards the end of the war.

A few huts carried on providing comfort and shelter to their Shepherd, but by around 1950, most were either pushed into a wood to provide somewhere for the gamekeeper to store his Pheasant feed, abandoned on the edge of a field or worse, being broken up and burnt as they had became redundant.

Southampton

The largest city close to my base, is Southampton. I visited Southampton a few times, and walked the old walls there. It has quite a history, and has been an important shipping port probable since people decided to take to the water! Here is a little history on Southampton

Southampton was once known as the gateway to the world and people have long traveled through the city on the way to distant and exotic locations. But as one of the country's foremost commercial ports, Southampton has a unique cultural heritage and a few treasures of its own to offer.

The Titanic

The 20th century put the town on the map, when the magnificent but ill-fated Titanic sailed from Southampton docks on 10th April 1912. Glamorized on both television and celluloid, most famously in James Cameron's lavish Hollywood blockbuster, the doomed maiden voyage and its victims have long been honored with the city's own monument. Located in East Park, the Titanic Engineer Officers Memorial is a true testament to those who died, particularly to the locals - in one school alone, 140 children lost a father, brother, cousin or uncle.

The Mayflower

But not all of Southampton's sea-faring past has been blighted by tragedy. The Mayflower, which proudly bore aloft America's founding Pilgrim Fathers, set sail from here in August 1620. The Mayflower Memorial, outside the Maritime Museum, and Southampton's premier theater The Mayflower commemorate this historic quest.

From Canute to Henry V

It was in Southampton, in 1014, where the Viking Canute defeated Ethelred The Redeless and was pronounced King of England. According to a famous tale, Canute commanded the mighty waves of the Solent to retreat and had an impromptu paddle.

Following the Norman Conquest, Southampton grew prosperous as the main port of transit between Winchester and Normandy. During this time the town walls began to take shape, the remains of which are some of the finest examples in the country. But this is largely due to the fortifications which took place after the devastating raid by the French in 1338. The town became one of the strongest fortresses in the land - its encompassing wall measured up to 30 feet high in places and had no less than 29 towers and seven gates.

In 1415, Henry V left with his troops for France and the Battle of Agincourt. Prior to their departure, however, the King had to deal with a plot for treason. The traitors were tried and executed outside the Bargate, the medieval entrance to the town, and their heads were gruesomely displayed on spikes for the delight of the public.

From the 1700s to the 20th Century

Southampton's seawater hasn't always been the reason behind its popularity. From the 1750s to the 1800s, Southampton enjoyed its heyday as a spa town. People flocked to drink from the mineral springs and enjoy sea-bathing. The original queen of the spa town, Jane Austen, is said to have visited in 1807 and danced the night away at the The Dolphin Hotel, which survives to this day. The patronage of George II's son, Frederick Prince of Wales, who bathed there in 1750, probably did nothing to harm Southampton's reputation either. Sadly the water does not seem to have returned the favor, as he died the following year.

The 20th century was a turbulent time for Southampton. For the first time since 1338 the town was devastated by enemy attack. The German bombers of the Third Reich reduced 630 buildings to rubble and damaged a further 3500. But Southampton was not defeated, for it was from its docks that more than three million troops left for Normandy in the D-Day landings of 1944.

Southampton Today

Alternative glories Southampton has since enjoyed include the football team's FA Cup win in 1976, a triumph yet to be repeated, but hopes have been lifted with a new state-of-the-art premiership stadium. A city facelift in general has enhanced a broad spectrum of facilities, including the Quays Swimming and Diving Complex and the country's seventh largest shopping mall – the enormous WestQuay shopping center.

So while travelers pass through Southampton's port on their way to distant cultural capitals, shoppers flock to the High Street, which is actually on the site of an old bull-ring and just around the corner from the site of a Norman Castle, which in its time was host to Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Richard the Lion-Heart, who spent his only Christmas in England there. The parks, popular for picnics and walks, were once the town's arable land and main source of food. Their preservation makes Southampton unique among English towns.

And finally, whilst some visitors may stop to admire the QE2 harbored in Southampton's docks, it could possibly surprise them to know that Southampton is also the home of the fighter plane "Supermarine Spitfire" or "Spitfire" for short designed for use by the RAF in World War II.

Timeline of Southampton
c. 70 The Romans build a town on the site of Bitterne

407 The Roman army leaves Britain. Afterwards Roman towns are abandoned

690-700 The Saxon King Ine builds a new town on the site of St Marys Church

950 The town declines as the Itchen silts up and it is eventually abandoned. A much smaller town is built on south of Bargate

1066 After the Norman Conquest Normans settle in Southampton. The Normans build a castle in the town.

1217 A mayor of Southampton is first mentioned

1237 Friars arrive in Southampton

1250 A suburb grows up at Newtown

1260-1300 Stone walls are built around Southampton

1338 The French attack Southampton

1500 Southampton is in decline. The port is less and less busy.

1541 Despite the economic decline Southampton is described as 'handsome'.

1554 A grammar school opens

1563 Plague strikes

1567 Belgian Protestants settle in Southampton.

1581 Plague strikes again

1596 A survey shows Southampton has a population of 4,200.

1600 Southampton is described as a 'decayed' port.

1618 The king sells Southampton Castle, which is now in ruins

1700 Southampton has dwindled from being a major port and town to being a 'decayed' port

1750 Prince Frederick goes swimming in the sea at Southampton and the town starts to revive

1761 Assembly Rooms open

1770 Southampton grows north of Bargate. The street are paved and cleaned

1778 Southampton gains its first bank

1782 The streets are lit by oil lamps

1801 The population of Southampton is about 8,000.

1820 The port of Southampton is reviving strongly

1822 A paddle steamer begins running between Southampton and the Isle of Wight

1823 Paddle steamers begin running to France

1829 The streets of Southampton are lit by gas

1838 The Royal South Hants Hospital opens

1840 The railway reaches Southampton

1849 Cholera kills 240 people

1860 Many new houses are built in Shirley as Southampton grows

1865 The Cholera kills 151

1879 Horse drawn trams begin running

1889 The first public library opens. The first electric street lights are switched on

1900 The trams are electrified

1919 Cunard make Southampton the terminus of their Atlantic service. The first motor buses run.

1920 The boundaries of Southampton are extended

1923 A flying boat service to the Channel Islands begins

1919 The first motor buses begin running

1932-39 The Civic Centre is built

World War II 641 people are killed by bombs

1949 The last tram runs

1954 The boundaries of Southampton are extended again

1964 Southampton is made a city

1988 Merchants House Museum opens

1989 Bargate Shopping Centre opens

1991 Marlands Shopping Centre opens

1996 An Oceanography Centre opens

2010 Michelle walks the walls, enjoys the Titantic Museum, takes the ferry, and shops!