Cruise stop Copenhagen

Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen
salty old queen of the sea

Tourists visiting the little mermaid #visitcopenhagen
The little mermaid

Copenhagen, in Danish Kobenhaven (merchant’s harbour) is Scandinavia’s largest city with a population of over a million. Originally a Viking settlement it became the capital of Denmark in the beginning of the 15th century . Since the completion of the transnational Oresund bridge in 2000 it has become increasingly integrated with the Swedish city of Malmo. It is now an important financial hub. Copenhagen university which was founded in 1497 is the oldest university in Scandinavia. Continue reading “Cruise stop Copenhagen”

A few hours in Tallinn, Estonia’s medieval capital

Tallinn the capital city of Estonia has a fairy tale quality with narrow cobblestone alleys, red domed towers and a beautiful orthodox cathedral.

Since I last updated this blog, Bill and I have been away  on a cruise from Bristol to St. Petersburg aboard M.S. Magellan with Cruise and Maritime Voyages (C.M.V.) I have long wanted to visit some more of the former Soviet Union countries of Eastern Europe and we were lucky enough to visit East Germany, Estonia and Russia as well as making brief stops in the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. I hope to share some impressions and photos over the next few weeks.

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An introduction to the history of Gloucester

The city of Gloucester has a fascinating history dating back to Roman times.

A skeleton displayed in Gloucester museum

The small English city of Gloucester is justifiably proud of its long history. In the centre of town  information boards give details of historical events and attractive modern mosaics on the pavements add a flavour of the past.

When we visited in early September they were celebrating Gloucester day which marks the end of the siege of Gloucester during the civil war and many people were in costume.

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Visiting Salisbury cathedral and medieval town centre

Salisbury is a small city in Wiltshire just eight miles from Stone Henge. The gothic cathedral boasts the highest spire in the U.K. and the best preserved copy of Magna Carta.

The beautiful gothic front of Salisbury cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury is a beautiful medieval town in Wiltshire just eight miles from Stone Henge. It is chiefly famous for its magnificent early English gothic cathedral which has the highest spire in England and the best preserved copy of Magna Carta. Continue reading “Visiting Salisbury cathedral and medieval town centre”

Walking from Chew Magna to Pensford via Stanton Drew

This week we followed the river Chew from the Chew Valley reservoir to Pensford stopping to visit the stone circle at Stanton Drew.

In a recent poll the Chew Valley reservoir came near the top of places for Bristolians to visit. However the river Chew which runs through the Chew valley and feeds the reservoir is not very well known.  The Chew Valley has been in the news this weekend as a group of metal detectorists have discovered a hoard of silver coins dating back to the battle of Hastings and valued at about five million pounds.

A crocodile of walkers walking p
The disused railway viaduct at Pensford

Continue reading “Walking from Chew Magna to Pensford via Stanton Drew”