We were on the road reasonably early for the first day of our UK Ireland tour along with 35 others. 50% of the group were from Australia, while 25% were from USA and the final 25% were from Canada. The bus had been converted down to only have 40 seats for passengers. Therefore it was quite roomy and comfortable in bus for everyone. After a couple of hours on the road the first port of call was Stratford on Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. This is a photo of his birthplace and the current Shakespeare museum there.
The first night was spent at York. This photo shows a street called "The Shambles" and is a great example of how buildings jutted further out into the street as the grew taller, so much so that 'neighbours' on the top floors could reach out through their window and shake hands. It was this design of building which ensured the Great Fire Of London in 1666 was so devastating. This design also made walking down the street dangerous prior to the days of underground sewerage. It was very easy to get a bucketful as it was emptied from upstairs windows.
The weather took a turn for the worse at our first stop on the next day in Durham. Durham has become a town famous now for its University, seen here to the left. Below is a photo of Durham Castle. We spent an hour or so exploring Durham on foot. Lots of cobblestone streets were probably my lasting impression of this place.
That evening was spent in Edinburgh Scotland. Edinburgh Castle is a foreboding place as it stands out against the Edinburgh skyline. The view below is via one of the gun emplacements on the castle walls. It seems the greatest pastime for these people many years ago was killing each other, a theme which continued over the next 5 weeks of our stay in UK and Europe.
We had a great hotel room in Edinburgh with plasma TV etc. Behind the hotel was a hill overlooking the city. Here is a view from the top of that hill. A nearby Edinburgh Pub had a fish and chip as well as a bowl of soup meal for 7 pounds (about $14 in Aussie money). It was very enjoyable. The cold Edinburgh weather and icy wind were not so enjoyable though!
We were on the road reasonably early for the first day of our UK Ireland tour along with 35 others. 50% of the group were from Australia, while 25% were from USA and the final 25% were from Canada. The bus had been converted down to only have 40 seats for passengers. Therefore it was quite roomy and comfortable in bus for everyone. After a couple of hours on the road the first port of call was Stratford on Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. This is a photo of his birthplace and the current Shakespeare museum there.
The first night was spent at York. This photo shows a street called "The Shambles" and is a great example of how buildings jutted further out into the street as the grew taller, so much so that 'neighbours' on the top floors could reach out through their window and shake hands. It was this design of building which ensured the Great Fire Of London in 1666 was so devastating. This design also made walking down the street dangerous prior to the days of underground sewerage. It was very easy to get a bucketful as it was emptied from upstairs windows.
The weather took a turn for the worse at our first stop on the next day in Durham. Durham has become a town famous now for its University, seen here to the left. Below is a photo of Durham Castle. We spent an hour or so exploring Durham on foot. Lots of cobblestone streets were probably my lasting impression of this place.
That evening was spent in Edinburgh Scotland. Edinburgh Castle is a foreboding place as it stands out against the Edinburgh skyline. The view below is via one of the gun emplacements on the castle walls. It seems the greatest pastime for these people many years ago was killing each other, a theme which continued over the next 5 weeks of our stay in UK and Europe.
We had a great hotel room in Edinburgh with plasma TV etc. Behind the hotel was a hill overlooking the city. Here is a view from the top of that hill. A nearby Edinburgh Pub had a fish and chip as well as a bowl of soup meal for 7 pounds (about $14 in Aussie money). It was very enjoyable. The cold Edinburgh weather and icy wind were not so enjoyable though!
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