Back in Glasgow

August 2, 2024

Upon entering my room in the Motel One I’ve been away from the Clyde for too long so the first thing was a walk to the river then out to the Green Very nice, very expensive.  Met a friend and his brand new wife In support of Madiba the city changed the name of the […]

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Ayr #2

August 1, 2024

Ailsa Craig, the Fairy Rock,  is an island of 99 ha in the outer Firth of Clyde, 16 km west of mainland Scotland, upon which microgranite has long been quarried to make curling stones. So few people on a great beach on a sunny summer’s day I couldn’t find put what this pile once was […]

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Ayr

July 31, 2024

3.5 hours on the train.  Newcastle to Carlisle to Glasgow Central to Ayr.  Had to try and relieve the back pain with a wander to the beach. The plinth was so worn I couldn’t make out who this is Whatever this building was, it’s now part of a kids play area The shore is very […]

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Return to Newcastle on the Tyne

July 30, 2024

I stayed at the EasyHotel 6 years ago.  Clean, large, inexpensive room with a great pub next door, many more within walking distance and near the Quayside.  I heard them before I saw them.  Kittiwakes. Usually found on wee cliff outcroppings, the buildings in Newcastle were ideal to creaet the largest inland colony in the […]

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Durham Cathedral

July 29, 2024

The walk to the cathedral from the train station wasn’t as bad as the walk back! Nice square Hard to capture the bright colors of stain glass There will be 15,000 paper Peace Doves hangin in the nave once assembled Here lies the Venerable Bede The ticket included the tower.  The 328 steps said to […]

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Saltburn & Redcar

July 25, 2024

At this time of year the butterfly bushes, which are ubiquitous, are in full flower. They have been credited with doing so much damage to some building the only remedy was to tear them down.  I’ve yet to see a butterfly though. And there are white morning glory type flowers everywhere too My friend, Mick […]

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Birmingham

July 24, 2024

Bill Bryson’s Small Island looks much bigger from the air.  One forgets (hedgerows block the ground view) how much farm land there is in England Apparently, hours after the downstairs pub closes, folks gather and drink until morning. Impossible to make to what one is seeing when looking at New Street Rail station Unfortunately the […]

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The Holy Island of Lindisfarne

July 23, 2024

In 635AD Saint Aidan came from Iona, where I once had the place myself,  and chose to found his monastery on the island of Lindisfarne. From here the Christian message flourished throughout the world. I met Tess Kellman and her husband 6 years ago at Chesters Roman Fort.  Tess uses a wheelchair and the one […]

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Riga 3

July 22, 2024

Velta was tending the bar with few customers so we chatted a bit.  Bartending whilst creating a career in the film industry.  We will keep in touch on FB Back to the Disterers Republic try their gin The bartender understood my instructions on adding Blue Curacao to change a martini to a “Blue Whale” (albeit […]

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Middelesburgh

July 20, 2024

Usual reasons.  Never been an on the way to next destination. Room located near the Teeside University so a nice walking area. I had a good time with the lads here.  Got a little crazy when the owner let a Hen Do in.  Lots of them tonight One lass took off her bra and insisted […]

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