This post, from May 2016, features: Taipei, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Foguangshan Monastery, Chihpen, Hualien, several temples and lots of Plum Rain Taipei Checking-in with Air Asiana was straightforward while security at Incheon was slow & tedious – passport control was also slow – still, the Air Asiana flight left on-time – a grubbyContinue reading “45. Taiwan”
Author Archives: skiptondiaries
44. South Korea
This post, from May 2016, features: Seoul, Yongin, Songnisan National Park, Daegu, Gyeongiu, Bulguksa, Seokguram, Guryongpo, Homigot, Unmunsa, Busan, Gayasan National Park, Cheong Pung, Danyang, Goseong, Sokcho National Park, several temples and some motorway service stations… Seoul The timing of the flights was good – arriving at Incheon around 17.00 meant that by the timeContinue reading “44. South Korea”
43. Warwickshire
This post features: Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford on Avon, Coventry, Gaydon and Rugby Warwick The town of Warwick was founded on the banks of the River Avon in 914 AD by Æthelflæd, daughter of King Alfred the Great, as a defence against the Danish invaders, on a site overlooking earlier riverside settlements. It is built onContinue reading “43. Warwickshire”
42. The Levant
This post features: Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel & Palestine Levant, (from the French lever, “to rise,” as in sunrise, meaning the east), historically, the countries along the eastern Mediterranean shores roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Common use of the term is associated with Venetian and other trading ventures and the establishment of commerce withContinue reading “42. The Levant”
41. Hampshire
This post features: Winchester, Portsmouth, Southampton, Weyhill, Nately Scures, Alton and Odiham Winchester Alfred the Great: Born in 849, Alfred was the fifth son of Aethelwulf, king of the West Saxons. At the time the country was threatened by Viking raids from Denmark using fast mobile armies in shallow-draught longships, to raid the coasts andContinue reading “41. Hampshire”
40. Essex
This post features: Chelmsford, Thaxted, Saffron Walden, Southend on Sea, Finchingfield, Hartford End, Braintree, Hadstock, Ashingdon, Coggleshall, Colchester and Brentwood Chelmsford Chelmsford was granted city status in 2012 as part of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Thaxted Saffron Walden Southend on Sea Southend was granted city status in 2022 as a tribute to the late Sir David AmessContinue reading “40. Essex”
39. Oxfordshire
This post features: Wantage, Oxford, Woodstock, Sutton Courtney, Dorchester on Thames, Watlington, Wallingford, Henley on Thames, Abingdon, Burford and Witney Wantage King Alfred and the Market Place: The Church of St Peter and St Paul: The Town: Oxford The Saxons called the settlement, which grew up around the confluence of the Thames (Isis) and Cherwell,Continue reading “39. Oxfordshire”
38. Leicestershire
This post features: Leicester, Ashby de la Zouch, Loughborough, Market Harborough and Melton Mowbray Leicester Photos from visits in March 2016 and September 2023 The Cathedral: Old Leicester: St Mary de Castro: The New Walk: Museums: Granby Street: The Market: City Centre: Heart of Glass: Ashby de la Zouch Loughborough Market Harborough Melton Mowbray StContinue reading “38. Leicestershire”
37. Morocco
This post, from February 2016, only features Casablanca, Rabat and El Jadida. Casablanca Kenzi Tower Hotel: The Hassan II Grand Mosque: Casablanca Cathedral: The City: El Jadida Rabat Mosques: Chellah: The City:
36. Tunisia
This post, from January 2016, features: Tunis, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, Kairouan, El-Jem, Midès, Tozeur, Chott el Jerid, Douz, Matmata, Medenine, Korbous (Qurbus), Cap Bon, Kerkouane, Kélibia, Hammamet, Testour and Dougga Tunis Carthage Sidi Bou Said Kairouan El-Jem On the road Midès Tozeur Chott el-Jerid Douz Matmata Medenine Korbous (Qurbus) Cap Bon Kerkouane Kélibia HammametContinue reading “36. Tunisia”
35. Romania and Bulgaria
Bucharest – July 2010 Well, I never expected Romania to be so lovely – possibly Europe’s best kept secret. Even Bucharest is nicer than I’d been led to believe and the travel agent’s assertion that a day in Bucharest was more than enough is wide of the mark. The centre of Bucharest has some interestingContinue reading “35. Romania and Bulgaria”
34. Gulf States
This post features: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Dubai Bahrain – 2015 Kuwait – 2015: Oman – 2015: Qatar – 2015 When I was in Muscat last week a local chap paid for the bottle of water that I was going to buy – only about 30p but very kind all the same – &Continue reading “34. Gulf States”
33. Newcastle and the North East
This post features: Newcastle, Jarrow, South Shields, Sunderland, Hartlepool, Stockton on Tees, Middlesbrough, Whitley Bay, Tynemouth and North Shields Newcastle upon Tyne Riverside: Castle and Churches: The City: The Railway Station and the Vermont Hotel: Museums and Galleries: Byker and Ouseburn: Gigs: Jarrow South Shields Sunderland Vaux: The Museum: The Wear: The Minster: The City:Continue reading “33. Newcastle and the North East”
32. Manchester
This post features: Manchester, Bolton, Bury and Stockport but needs updating with less gloomy photos and the addition of Oldham, amongst other things… Manchester Cathedrals and Churches: Still to see: Cathedral of St James in Salford; Church of the Holy Name of Jesus on Oxford Road; St Augustine’s Church in Pendlebury Museums: Pubs and Politics:Continue reading “32. Manchester”
31. Kazakhstan
This post, from October 2015, features: Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana), Kyzylorda, Baikonur, Turkestan, Bayaldyr, Shymkent, Sayram, Taraz, Almaty and the Charyn Canyon Heathrow Astana (Nur-Sultan) Astana is an intriguing city – easy to wander round & explore the “new” city – it is quite spread out, so I did a lot of walking on my freeContinue reading “31. Kazakhstan”
30. Germany 2
This post features trips to Hanover, Celle, Bremen, Hamelin, Wolfenbüttel and Braunschweig and Berlin, Potsdam, Brandenburg – both trips in September 2015 Hanover Celle Bremen Hamelin (Hameln) Wolfenbüttel Braunschweig (Brunswick) Berlin Potsdam Brandenburg
29. The Oyster World Tour
February 2009 In October 2008 I resigned from my job but carried on as caretaker until the end of January 2009. At the time of the resignation I had no idea what to do next – until it was suggested that I go travelling. Once I had thought about it a bit I realised itContinue reading “29. The Oyster World Tour”
28. Yorkshire
Yorkshire is the largest county in England. It used to be split into three administrative regions or ridings: East, West and North. That all changed in 1974 with the introduction of South, West and North Yorkshire. The term riding (derived from the Viking for a third) was discontinued. That left Hull and Beverley in aContinue reading “28. Yorkshire”
27. Estonia
Tallinn – June 2015 Views Over The City: The Market Square: The Old Town: Churches: Bars and Restaurants: Quiet Corners: Monuments and Artworks: Street Scenes: The Open Air Museum: Harbourside: Kalamaja: At The Airport:
26. Finland
This post only features Helsinki and Lahti – one day I’ll get around to visiting Oulu, Tampere, Turku and several other places… Helsinki – May 2015 Cathedrals: Other Churches: Harbourside: The Fair: City Centre: The Esplanade: Walkabout: Bus Tour: Poor Old Sibelius: More Wandering Around: Lahti
25. Portugal
Lisbon – May 2015 Bus Tour: Along the Avenida da Liberdade: A City of Squares and Monuments: By The River Tagus: Rua Augusta: Wandering Around The City: The Cemeterio dos Prazeres: A City of Wall Art: Trobadores Taberna:
24. Berkshire
This post features: Reading, Maidenhead, Highclere, Windsor, Speen, Horton, Eton, Lower Basildon, Aldworth and Avington Reading Town Hall and Museum: St Mary’s Church: The Forbury Lion: The Abbey: The Museum of Rural Life: The Town: Maidenhead Kidwells Park: The Railway Station All Saints: The Town: Long Overdue Regeneration: From The Air: Highclere Castle Windsor SpeenContinue reading “24. Berkshire”
23. Spain
This post features: Madrid, from February 2015 and from June 2019: Barcelona, Zaragoza, Lleida and Girona Madrid Plaza de Oriente: Plaza de España: Parque de la Montaña: Cathedral of Santa Maria: Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa: Museums and Galleries: The Royal Palace: El Centro Canalejas: Street Scenes: Barcelona Gaudi: Other Churches: The Arc deContinue reading “23. Spain”
22. West Midlands
This post features: Birmingham, the Black Country Living Museum and Wolverhampton – most of the Birmingham photos need re-taking. Now that I have a better camera to do justice to the many fine buildings that have somehow survived… Birmingham Churches: Victoria Square: Victorian Splendour: Street Scenes: Modern Birmingham: Canals: The Christmas Market: Gigs: Black CountryContinue reading “22. West Midlands”
21. Iran
Tehran – December 2007 The flight from London left over 40 minutes late but we made up about 20 en-route. The crew were the worst I’ve ever come across & it has to be said that BMI Business Class was pretty hopeless, but it was a full flight… Arriving at Tehran was a bit unnerving –Continue reading “21. Iran”