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Historical New Years Events In London

 OK who is this?

 

Every Henry VIII fan needs to visit these places in London

 

Catherine of Aragon was King Henry VIII’s first wife and his longest marriage. After his brother died, Henry obtained a papal dispensation to marry his wife, Catherine, as he had been in love with her for some time. For 23 years, Henry and Catherine remained married and produced a daughter named Mary.

Meet All Of Henry VIII’s Wives — And Learn About Their Grisly Fates

 

 

Ah yes I started my interest in the UK from a book I found in the library at school, when I was in 8th grade  The book was on the Tower of London    (Click for a youTube tour by a professional guide–free)                                               and it’s dark history including the death of two of Henry’s 6 wives (check out the article above on Henry and his wives for more details on that) two of which,  Anne and Katherine are both buried under the floor in the Tower’s chapel along with Lady Jane Gray who was pushed by her father into contending for the throne against Bloody Mary– and who lost her head under Mary’s reign-Henry’s first child an undesired daughter who remained  true to the Catholic faith despite her father usurping the Church in England away from the Church of Rome.   It was a prison for many including a major Nazi during WWII.  But watch the video and find out more.

 

 

New Year’s Eve tours and cruises in London

 

 

Places That Closed Down In London 2022

 

 

New Years Eve events in Rome

 

 

Do you know how and when Pompeii was destroyed?

 

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Pompeii (Updated 2022)

 

Pompeii was destroyed when Vesuvius errupted on August 24, AD 79    That eruption also destroyed the cities of Herculaneum, Stabiae, Torre Annunziata, and other nearby communities.

 

Resurrecting Pompeii | History – Smithsonian Magazine

 

 

Virtual Tour of Pompeii: A Window into the Ancient World

This is a city or rather the remains of one,  that have long interested me and is one of several that were lost that day to the horror of the hot death that come from the mountain.   And while it’s on my wish list it is not one that I have seen but it is one that I have spent time and energy reading about and researching—which is something you can do and while it doesn’t count as an actual tour it does count on my list as DOING SOMETHING and getting your self prepared for you next (or in some cases your first) adventure.

New Year’s Eve 2022-2023:         Fireworks and entertainment at Naples’ waterfront

 

 

 

New Years Eve events in Key West

Is there anything to do in Key West anymore—Really?

 

23 Best Things to do in Key West (2022)

The best thing about Key West is that wonderful, surprising things happen where life is more relaxed and people feel free to be themselves.  It’s in the way people dress, and the lack of pretense.    That little bar you find by accident may become your special “place” for the next 20 years, or breakfast by the pool may produce afternoon companions who become friend for life.  Key West is more than a place, it’s an attitude.

Duval House Key West

 

 

[4K] Key West, Florida 2021 – Duval Street Walking Tour & Travel Guide 🎧 Binaural Sound

Now this is a town I have spent many long periods of time in—was here for my honeymoon and many times after-Key West–it is a laid back town that caters to tourist but it’s citizens are a crazy bunch that spends only part of their time catering and the rest living a life at the end of the USA and the beginning of craziness…..Fantasy Fest is a must for a visit (if you don’t mind alott of nudity and craziness and that kind of stuff)–but so is off season and Christmas is nice too—-try it if you are up for a bit of free spirit and hardy partying.

And don’t forget you can get here by plane—-or drive down by  Miami and  on to Flagler’s Overseas Highway–and see all the other fun islands along Hwy 1—

Miami to Key West Drive in July 2022 – YouTube

 

New Year’s Eve ‘Drops,’ Festivities and Fireworks to Dazzle Florida Keys Revelers

 

 

Choose from two amazing pub crawls

 

 

 

 

New Year’s Eve

at London’s Swan

 

New Years Eve and Day events in Texas’ Hill County

What was the profession of Charles Simmons the man that built the railroad that was key in the founding of Jourdanton, Texas?

 

 

25 Amazing Things to Do in the Texas Hill Country

 

 In 1909, patent medicine magnate Charles Simmons built a railroad through Atascosa County to a water rich area called the Artesian Belt.  Jordan Campbell helped found a town at a stop on the Artesian Belt Railroad, and Jourdanton became a livestock and cotton shipping center.  Having attracted a railroad, local sucessfully campaigned in 1910 to relocate the county sat from Pleasanton.  Centuries old Jourdanton celebrates its heritage through the restored 1912 Mission-style Atascosa County Courthous–rehabilitated through the Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program–and a replica of the county’s 1856 log cabin courthouse.

Exploring the Mystique of Central Texas

 

 

Things to do and see in the Texas Hill Country of Fredericksburg  You tube

New Years Eve events in Fredericksburg Tx.

 

 

Celebrate the end of a year and the start of a new one with happenings throughout St. Pete/Clearwater

What famous Artist has a museum in the Florida coastal City of

St. Petersburg?

 

32 Best & Fun Things To Do In St. Petersburg (Florida)

 

The glass-bending geodesic building is home to the largest collection of works by the Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali

The Dali Museum on Dali Blvd

Let time melt away as you take a deep dive into the avantgarde.

Orlando Weekly:  City Guide

St. Petersburg

 

 

St Pete / Clearwater, Florida | BEAUTIFUL BEACHES | Full Episode of Eric the Travel Guy

The Bay area of Florida is full of fun things to do and has zoos, museums—parks like Bush Garden, lots of great restaurants, beautiful beaches and I could go on and on—I’ve spent a lot of leisure time in the area and driven there for work as well—and you couldn’t find a more accessiable and of course fun and exciting area in the state.

New Year’s Events in Tampa, fl 

 

 

 

 New Years Eve 2023

What Baltic Island had its origin in a giant’s misfortune?

 

 

12 Best & Fun Things to Do in Rügen, Germany (2022 Guide)

 

The hilly coast of  the Baltic island of Rugen (Germany) has, according to legend,  its origin when in order that a local giant might cross dry shod from  this island to the shore of Pomerania, the fellow thought to fill the sea in between.  But the bulging sack which he hauled the stones he had collected for the task was ripped open by the steeple of a church, the great stones fell out, to be wasted  in a line of useless hills.  So with that, the giant quit in vexation and left the area for good.

The Enchanted World:  Giants and Orges

 

Rügen Island – German Nature | Exploring Germany’s Biggest Island on the Baltic Sea

Not a place I’ve been and am just aquiring knowledge of—-lookin’ good though.

 

 

Events on New Year’s Eve

 

 

 

 

World’s Best New Year’s Eve Parties==Travel Channel

 

The 10 best New Year’s Eve parties in the world ===Contiki

 

 

Cheers to a New Year!

Science On Tap

Sip, Savor, SCIENCE The 2nd Annual Science on Tap Beer Festival Saturday, January 21, 2023 | 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Outdoors in Loch Haven Park] https://www.osc.org/visit/events/science-on-tap/

A Complete Guide to Walt Disney World New Year’s Eve Events

 

 

 

Where to celebrate New Year’s in Central Florida

 

 

 

 

Nine Delicious Holiday Drinks From Around the World

 

 

 

5 Ancient New Year’s Celebrations

 

 

16 New Year’s Apps That Ring In the Yum

 

 

 

New Year’s Eve at Orlando Museum of Art

 

 

 

Here’s wishing that You have a wonderful, sucessful and fun 2023 and of course HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘

         , one of the oldest holiday drinks, is named after the Anglo-Saxon phrase “waes hael” or “good health.” Wassail was originally made with mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and sugar.  The Surprising History of Christmas Traditions

Yule at Sutton Hoo

 

An Anglo-How did the Anglo-Saxons celebrate Christmas? Christmas is, after all, an Anglo-Saxon word: Cristesmæsse…An Anglo-Saxon Christmas

 

Celebrating Christmas across the world

Well while we’re not having a blizzard like New York,  Florida is getting ready for the coldest weather  for Christmas in maybe 30 year or so—and while you guys up north are saying “Oh is that all”—-We’re trying to cover up plants—keep our water lines from freezing and hoping the electric stays on which runs the majority of our heating systems….Gonna feel like the Teens and 20’s here—but so far the hard freeze is predicted to stay north of us….gonna be chilly around here for a couple or more days—–we’re gonna be 25 degrees below normal for us this time of year—–GRRRR—down to 29 degrees Christmas Eve night.  OH MY.

 

Snow in Florida-–oh and that included one Christmas:   December 25, 2004: Locations along the Florida Panhandle receive a dusting of snow

 

 

5 Unique Ways Christmas in Florida is Better

 

 

Ded Moroz, Saint Nicholas, Gwiazdor, or Santa? – Slavic Christmas Gift Bringers – Slavic Saturday   youtube

 

 

When someone murders Santa during Juniper’s annual holiday party in Crescent Cove, she’s determined to find out who’s responsible — but with no witnesses to share their accounts, will she be able to solve the mystery in time for Christmas? Cozy Mysteries $4.99

Barnes and Noble

 

 

Places to Go to Learn About Europe’s WWII History

Today it is hard to imagine, with the conspicuous consumption and commercialisation of a modern Christmas, how families coped during World War Two..  A World War II Christmas

 

 

10 Places to Explore World War Two’s History in England

 

 

At one time, Christmas was effectively outlawed in Scotland (Image: Travelpix Ltd / Getty Images)

It’s strange to imagine what December would be like without Christmas at the end of it, but that is exactly what it was like in Scotland for almost 400 years.     The history of why Christmas in Scotland was banned for nearly 400 years

 

What’s on in Canterbury this Christmas

940 AD   Dunstan:  Appointed the Abbot at Cantebury  he led a revival  that re-introduced Benedictine monks into the major abbeys where in some cases the resident cannons had to be forcibly ejected.  It was after Dunstan became abbot that Glastonbury Abbey became established as one of the most powerful and influential of the Archbishops of Canterbury.

 

 

CHRISTMAS IN GLASTONBURY 2022

 

9 Catholic traditions that highlight the Christmas season

Top 10 places to spend Christmas in the UK

I have been to all those 10 places just not at Christmas—hey right now Florida is too cold for me and no way I will comment on all the religious fighting over Christ birthday…..I love the holiday season as it is a time to be kind unto others—to love Your neighbors…..I feel that it is a chance to share a positive thought—a kind word—contributing to charities that feed the poor and shelter the homeless and that can’t be all bad—-Right?!!!

 

 

21 Best Christmas Destinations In The World For Magical Christmas Celebrations

 

 

A Child’s Christmas in Wales

 

 

Selfridges, Love Actually

The infamous gift wrapping scene with Harry and Rufus takes place in the luxury section of Selfridges. This isn’t ~that~ surprising considering we know he’s shopping in Selfridges in the film, but here’s to hoping they’ve got a gift wrapping stand with cinnamon sticks in real life, too.

 15 Christmas film locations you can actually visit IRL

 

 

Fury’s Christmas Ultimate Adventure H2.0

Historically Key West Quivers with Excitment when a Movie Company rolls into town.  From the 1940s through the 60’s society page editors at the Key West Citizen Published daily gossip and dozens of photographs showing the stars rehearsing lines or signing autographs—usually on the lawn of the Casa Marina o at La Concha, where the companies often Head-quartered.

Explore Key West:  A Seasonal Guide to the Island.

 

Filming Location Matching “Key West, Florida Keys, Florida, USA” (Sorted by Popularity Ascending)

 

GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS ISLAND

 

 

Yes, if you’re a regular reader you know that I  have spent many days and nights in the Keys a considerable number of them in Key West even a few Christmases.  We were even there when they were photgraphing that Timothy Dalton, James Bond movie—I actually liked him as Bond though I know a lot of you didn’t.

 

 

The 41 Most Magical Christmas Light Displays Across the U.S.

 

 

 

 

 

 Lit Key West Christmas Tour LIVE – A Locals Tradition -LIGHTS LIGHTS LIGHTS 🏝🎄 [1080p60fps]  You Tube

 

 

13 ‘you-don’t need-to-tell-us-twice’ reasons Cornwall is best for a winter break

 

 

CHRISTMAS IN PENZANCE 2022

 

You cannot visit St Michael’s Mount without visiting the Castle. It is the crown jewel of this tidal island. The Castle is rich in history. Over the years, the Castle has been inhabited by monks and the St Aubyn family. It has been a fort and the stage for conflict. The Castle has hosted Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in recent times. If you visit you will be able to view evidence of the Castle’s rich history.

St Michael’s Mount: A Great Holiday Destination

The Cornish kept Christmas when the rest of Britain had given up on it.

 

 

 

London – City Christmas Tour 2022| Southbank Christmas Market & Lights| Central London Walk [4K HD You Tube

I was amazed that The Smithsonian magazine had feature—on the cover and the inside, of the same little town that you can learn all about if you go back to June 2016 on this blog—I had been there once before with friends and decided it would be a wonderful place to spend a month on my own in the UK—-and now it’s featured in this very prestigious journal—but I beat them too it!!!  Ok so my blog isn’t prestigious, but, I like to think it’s fun….

 

 

100+ Of The Best Santa’s Grottos and Santa Experiences in 2022

 

 

Christmas in New York  You Tube

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imagine Christmas in a Castle!

Close your eyes and think of Christmas dinner in a stone-walled dining room or opening presents beside a giant, traditionally-decorated tree. We can introduce you to the best castles for Christmas, so make this Christmas a special one

5-Star Christmas

Hire your own Welsh Castle: 

Looking for somewhere spectacular to stay on your next British holiday?  Maybe you’re planning a reunion with family and friends and would like to book in somwhere special.  Roch Castle, a 13th c former fortress near St. Davids in Pebrokeshire, Wales, has been restoreed into a beautiful exclusive- hotel.  With accommadations for up to 12 guests, its position on a rocky outcrop  along St. Davids Penninsula provides panoramic views over Pembrokeshire and St. Bride’s Bay.

Discover Britain

 

Ho, Ho, Holy Land: What does Christmas look like in Israel?

So that’s it for this week—–am getting the last of my Christmas done tonight—guest tomorrow and still gotta fix the pecans so they’ll be good tomorrow—some for the sweet potatoes and some like candy only good for you.  So Please be safe and well—wishing you

 

 

CHRISTMAS IN SPAIN:  What You Need To Know

 

 

Merry Christmas—-have a wonderful day and HAPPY HO HO HO !!

 

 

The Evolution of Santa Claus

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Customs in the USA and Germany

 

 

Celebrating Christmas at Vatican | Christmas 2022

 

 

8 mood-boosting things to do if you are spending Christmas alone

 

There are also regular rail services between Manchester Piccadilly Station and Chester and Liverpool Lime Street and Chester.

Click here for more:

Interesting facts about Chester

 

 Fascinating Walking Tours Of Roman Chester With An Authentic Roman Soldier

 

       So I promised I’d get another blog out to finish up on what I have (through research and not a visit—SADLY—-now I wish I’d skipped a less interesting—-BUT …..) here we go more of what you might like to see and do in Chester.

 

 

More Than a Shop – a Talking Tour of Chester

 

 

Chester Music Society’s Christmas Cracker

 

Deva Roman Experience

Closed for Christmas

December 19th @ 6pm – January 3rd

Here you’ll find all manner of hands on activities, interactive displays and more to let you experience 2,000 years with a rare combination of ancient archaeological remains and modern technology to learn of the Romans, Saxons, and Medieval sites that have been, among other things, discovered here.

Did you ever feel you could just walk down a hall or an alley and find an ancient age that you had often read of—that’s the feeling places like this bring to me.

 

Anglo-Saxon Christmas

 

 

Sparkling Christmas activities at the Grosvenor Museum

 

 

The Grosvenor Museum

Here you will find wonderful treasures from the past including period rooms and less common items like Roman tombstones–which were discovered being used to repair a building’s walls–and the less bizzare stories of their life and times in the city of Chester.  There are all manner of antiques here of course,  from silver to period costumes

and on the next street behind the main Museum building is another part of the museum,  a period house with rooms depecting society and times from the 17th c to the 1920’s

 

 

A Medieval Christmas

 

 

 

A Dickens of a Christmas

High Cross

Marking the center of the city, in front of  what, long ago, would have been a vast Roman Legionary headquarters, is now a weathered sand stone cross.

 

9 Facts about a typical British Christmas you may not know

 

The strongroom of the Roman military headquarters in Hamilton Place, just off Northgate Street. This was a secure storage area for the army’s pay chests.     Chester’s Archaeological Remains

 Flip Out Chester’s Christmas wonderland and ‘big’ snowball fight returns

Roman Remains (you tube look at some of the ruins)

The column we mentioned before is near the town hall.  If you move around the corner and down a tiny alley at the end–you can peer down on walls (protected by glass) just behind what could have been the vast precipus.

 

Why Is Christmas in December?

 

 

A City, a Christmas to Reconnect

Ye Olde King’s Head

 

Here at the Kings Head they strive to bring history back to life
in their 400 year old building, one drink at a time.   Being one of the Uk’s most haunted buildings, they insist they draw inspiration from those same spirits within the building pictured above walls aswell as what’s on the bar.

Ok what’s a visit to an old city without a visit with at least one haunted building—and this one you can both drink, eat and sleep at…WOW.

One of the things that drew me to learn more about Chester were the beautiful, stunning and magnificant  black and white timber framed buildings  and this is most definately one of those.

It dates from the 16th century and is still operating hotel, restauant and bar.  In the descriptions I have read it’s described a having low-beamed interiors with wooden partitions, as well as stained glass panels and time worn pews and sounds very atmospheric.

But wait if you stay at the inn or stop for a meal and/or a few drinks you might come across some much older but less substantial residents of the ancient Inn.

For instance

Room 6:  The Daresbury Room

Guests who have stayed here have described icy breezes from the wall by the bed often including the crying of a baby (reportedly even when there’s no actual babes staying in the inn).

Room 4

The permanent resident in this room is quieter and just writes notes on the bathroom mirror.

In the restaurant

they tend to just annoy the wait staff by rearrange eating utensils and the like.

 

 

But over all they seem to make the inn more interesting and are a draw to the Inn and other facilities rather than detraction and don’t seem to me to try to scare gueste away.  Besides people like me would be disappointed if they didn’t have a ghost or two–wouldn’t you?

 

 

A Chester Christmas on a Budget

Shoemakers, cooks and Ironmonger Row

 

 

Major buildings: The Rows

Pepper Street

 

 

Row Almshouses

With plaques to indicate whether the impovished residents were to be buried at St.Olaves or St. Michael’s parrish

 

 

 

La Brasserie at The Chester Grosvenor

 

 

St John the Baptist, Sutterby. Song of the Nuns of Chester Kate Witney

 

 St. John the Baptist

                                   St. John Street

The city’s original Cathedral now a parrish church—-this 12th c church is a fine example of Norman architecture.

The Streets nearby reflect the city’s prospity in Gorgian times. 

 

 

Medieval Coffin of St John’s

Vicar’s Lane/Little John St.:  the Parrish church which has active services  set within the area of the original much larger Cathedral with it  structure providing ruins in the same area—-the size of the former cathederal allowing for a parrish church to florish within its space that has been restored within the site.

 

Local tradition after the Battle of Hastings is that King Harold lived in Chester.  Though History sayes Harold died in battled at Hasting–there are several legends that disagree with this.  In fact one says that he settled as a recluse here,  in the Anchante, a small rectangular house perched on top of a sandstone outcropping.  Supposed for hermits, the cell can be seen down a foot path, along side the church, which leads to a river side walk.

 

 

 

Watergate, Chester

 

 

Sedan House

Stanley Place

Which is now an office Building.  Close to Stanley Palace.  Watergate St.  Late 16th c. town house.  Sedan Chair porch with doors on either side for the chair to stop

 

 

10 Best Christmas Movies Set In The UK

 

Treasure Hunt Chester – The Romans and The River – 2-2½ hours  Dec 17

 

 

Tudor House

Lower Bridge Street

Built during Henry VIII’s reign

 

 

16 quirky British Christmas traditions Americans may have never heard of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20 cracking ideas for Christmas days out in the UK

Ye Old Custom House on Watergates Street

Water Tower and Water Tower Gardens

 

 

 

We Spent 1 Day In Chester & Totally Fell In Love With It

 

 

 

VIENNESE CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR BY CANDLELIGHT

Chester Racecourse

Established in 1539, this famous racecourse is recognized as the world’s oldest still in operation.

Called Roodie Race Track

it was once the site of a busy harbor where wine, oiive oil and other goods were unloaded from ships that docked at the city walls—but eventually the Dee silted up and changed it’s course.

 

 

The History of Hogmanay

 

 

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Once Upon a Pantomime: The Christmas Mansion

Grosvenor Park

Just outside the city walls is oasis of peace and tranquility with magnificent floral displays.  Also a minature Railway

Christmas as we celebrate it today has its origins in Victorian Britain.

 

 

 

 

Chester Christmas Market 2022

 

The River Dee

Was and is the center of Chester’s development

 Make your own Victorian Christmas

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Chester & Liverpool Guided Walks

Chester Meadows

England as it was

 

How ‘A Christmas Carol’ became a holiday classic

 

 

The Bear and Billet

 

 

Manerva Shrine

 

Just over the Dee in the old legionary quarries.  She was protector of warriors and craftsmen.  Now eroaded wood cuts show figures with a spear and an owl on her shoulder

See Chester and the surrounding areas shining bright this Christmas

Santa’s Enchanted Grotto

 

 

Edgar’s Field

Roman Quarry

Across the Medieval Old Dee Bridge at Handbridge on the south side of the river.  Remains of quarry (AD 100) from when the Romans rebuilt the wooden fortress in stone.

 

 

England Originals

 

 

British vs American Christmas Traditions!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more things you didn’t know about  Chester go here:  Ten great facts you might not know about Chester

Oh and a Hypocaust:

 https://www.britannica.com/technology/hypocaust

 

 

 

Chester Christmas Market – 10th Anniversary

 

 

CHESTER – AT A GLANCE

Chester is an English city I have never been to  and I’ve been to several—infact had plan to included it in my next visit to UK—but all kinds of things messed up my plans and though we’re getting a 2023  trip ready Chester didn’t make thee final cut—VERY SADLY.

 

 

A Walk Through Chester, England

 

But doubt this city will miss my friends and I very much….she’s said to have been around for close to a thousand years—That’s good for even the UK.    Seems it all started out with the Romans building a fort on the River Dee….these walls of defense inspired the city walls whose lines they followed—and surprise those walls with their circuit of 2 miles of rampart walk from which if you take the walk will give a good view of the city.

Christmas at the Crimson

Along your walk you’ll see King Charles I Tower where King Charles I is said to have watched his army defeated by the Parlimentarians in 1845,  and has a exhibit of the Civil War.

 

 

 Take a tour through Christmas’ past

 

 

 Water Tower, Chester

 

There’s the Water Tower also with an exhibit—this one illustrating medieval Chester.

 

 

Where to see Santa in Cheshire this Christmas

The Goblin Tower

The Goblin Tower is also Pemberton’s Palour (he was reportedly a rope maker who worked around here.

Christmas at Cheshire Oaks 2022 – Winter Village, German markets, Santa Experience

 

Haunted Chester: Ghost stories and spooky goings on from throughout history

 

 

This location also has wishing steps where if you can run up and down and up once more with out breathing in you will be granted a wish—think I’ll skip that one.

 

 

Pantomimes and Christmas Performances

 

Roman Amphitheatre – Chester

East of New Gate you’ll find a Roman Amphithatre.

 

 

BeWILDerwood Presents Christmas

But let’s leave the walls and see what else there is to offer—

AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Rows, Chester

I mean this is what Chester is really known for–a design of Rows of double tiers full of shops giving you and your fellow gawkers a place to walk about and see the sights as well as the shops.

 

 

 

 

MORE SPIRITS THAN YOU BARGAINED FOR AT THE PIED BULL

THE PIED  BULL

 

A hostelry since the Dissolution. when it was called Bullmansion.  It was at that time owned by Richard Sneejd.   But reportedly it hit its high point when a Chester family named Grindetch (sp) owned and operated it in the 16th century. Today it has a modern staircase.

 

 

The Rows Christmas Bazaar

 

 

 

Burrow Mump

Which among other things has evidence of Roman occupation.

 

 

Christmas Party Night

 

 

Welcome

Chester Cathedral

12 Abbey Square on Old North Gate Street

According to the legends there was originally a Druid Temple here, after which came an equally pagan Roman one dedicated to Appollo.  Christianity became a state religion of Rome in the temple became a church—while others insist that the first Christian church was founded by King Alfred’s daughter (Mercins) to house the St Werburgh in 907.   Some say that there is doumentation that there may well have been a church here as early as 660.

Most seem to agree it was built in the 10th century for a shrine for  St Werburg

Who was a Mercian Princess whose shrine became a medieval site (which contained 875 of her reics)for pilgrimage.

1092 found a Norman Earl of Chester, Hugh Luyus (the Wolf) a nephew of William the Conqueror–who  founded a  Monastery here in the heart of his administration under the religious authority of Anselm an Abbot also from Normandy—It was done in Romanesque Building Style with rounded head arches and solid masonary.  The last domestic building–the Charter House was done in 1250, with the church re-built for the first time in 1260.

 

Building and remodeling continued on and off until the Dissolution under Henry VIII in 1539 when the monestaries and Charter House and other Monk related organization was ceased forever.  The last Abbot became the first Dean of the Cathedral while the senior monks became the first canons.

It was named a Cathedral in 1541

In 1742 Handel rehearshed the Messiah here for the first time.

Restoration began in 1830—with the majority being during 1868 – 76…and then later work being done in the 20th and 21st century

 

The church contains 14 c carved chior stalls and the buildings here are considered to be some of the finest in Britain.

The city wall here is said to be the best preserved in the town.

There also is:

Refectory Cafe       (open 9:30 – 4:30 )                                  Built in 13th c                                       it was a dining hall for the monks who belonged to this community.

There is a tour available that takes one behind the scenes and is said to provide “unparralled level of public access.”     And a Tower Tour which involces both Medieval and mondern evens and facts.

 

Sunday Brunch with Santa

 

Chester Heritage Center

This was the first of it’s kind in Briton when it was established and tracks how the city developed over its many years among other things

 

 

 

 

Operating since 1924.  Open top buses

40 min tour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downtown Kissimmee

Holiday Golf Cart Street Parade

 

Old Town: 5770 W.  Irio Bronson Memorial Hwy,  Kissimmee.  This perennial Osceola County attraction offers “classic American fun” and we don’t doubt it a bit.  There’s shopping, restaurants, thrill rides, a carousel and even a haunt.

Orlando Weekly

37 Best & Fun Things To Do In Kissimmee (Florida)

 

 

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/yorkshire-heritage

 

35 Magical Christmas Events in Yorkshire 2022

 

www,KWVR,co.uk

 

The zoo opens doors to founder’s historic home

 

Chester in the 1930’s it’s heart was Oakfield Manor–a redbrick Victorian (1885) mansion for former Lord Mayor.

 

 

Chester Christmas Festival

 

 

 

 

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park

Historical Florida

In Ms. Rawling’s house you see all the issues of living in rural Florida in this era:  because of the heat and humity of summer the houses were built with porches and breezeways and of course an infinate number of windows—but don’t forget that that dampness can make the cooler days of winter which accounts for the fireplaces which heated the bedrooms for instance.

But  Miss Rawlings had the resources to improve on the country residence and when you visit here you will find a simply furnished home but with an indoor bathroom—a pure luxury in the place and time of this house—her favorite writing table which is a table top set on a cabbage palm.   By 1941 she had a second husband (Norton Baskin) and a second house (in St. Augustine) but she continued utilizing the Cross Creek home for her retreat where she would write and relax, enjoy the landscape and collect country recipies as well.

 

Marjorie departed this mortal realm at age 52 (1953)and is buried near here home at Cross Creek

 

 

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ Cross Creek Christmas 2020

 

 

 

We drove in England and Ireland (this is Ireland) and we found that driving on the other side of the road was less of a problem than finding that you didn’t have enough room for two lanes and hence two cars.

Christmas in Ireland

 

 

Sunken Gardens

Sunken Gardens:  1825 4th St. N.   St. Petersburg.  Plant enthusiasts take note.  Nearly 100 years ago, a plumber so loved gardening that he drained the lake on his property to create more room—-and fertile grounds—for his beloveds.  Today, the living museum is home to some of the oldest tropical plants in Central Florida.

Orlando Weekly

 

Celebrate the Holidays in Tampa Bay: Christmas Events, Lights, and More!

 

 

 

AN UNMISSABLE VISIT FROM JUST £7

Taking decisive action against possible invasion from Catholic France and Spain, Henry VIII built several fortifications along the south coast of England including St. Mawes Castle in Cornwall.

Heritage Series:  Britain’s Castles

Susi Hodge

 

England Christmas activities

 

 

https://www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org/

In the east end of London lies an area  that was settled by Huguenots—French Protestants who fled their home over a century and more—with the Edict of Nantes in 1685 increasing this exodus with an end of religious tolerance.  They were a good influx for the city as they were skilled in processing everything from silk to silver and more.  And when they weren’t doing that they were civilizing their host with such thing as the use of ox-tails—in soups and the like—something the British took to so well that it’s now considered SO ENGLISH…..

 

 

Christmas traditions: Are the Brits more creative than the French?

 

 

Toffee-Making, Torch Processions and Plygain Singing on Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning

 

 

          This is from my first trip to the UK—did a Camel Buck tour with my hubby and then I stayed two week by my self in London and on a 3 or 4 days to Wales…..I’ve kept it but not the memory of it…….crazy person that I am—but I keep it as it is still a memory of a kind.

 

 

 

Destination Diamonds: Discover Tips for Visiting South Africa

The Cullinan Daimond, which was discovered in 1905 in South Africia, is the largest diamond ever found. It was presented to King Edward VII in 1907 and later cut into nine stones.  Some of the stones are now in the Crown Jewels , and some are found in the Queen’s personal collection.

Town & Country:  Special Issue

Queen Elizabeth 1926 – 2022

 

TICKETS FOR THE CROWN JEWELS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parramor packs a punch with historic depth and modern charm.  To really understand this neighborhood’s history visit the Wells’ Built Museum of African Amerian History and Culture.  Take a look and maybe make a donation to help support the Black Bottom House of Prayer’s restoration efforts.  Dating from 1925.  It’s one of the oldest chuch buildings in Orlando and recently received historic  preservation stutus, but a roof collapse in 2019 means there’s hard work on the horizon..

Orlando Weekly

 

 

10 WAYS TO CELEBRATE A WONDROUS HOLIDAY SEASON IN ORLANDO

 

 

 

 

 

Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science

 

Takes visitors back in time through exhibit of Victorian furniture, Indian tools and pottery and the renaubs if extubct animals.  As for naturwal history the musum maintains an extesive shell collection and 22 acres of nature trails.

Brevard County tour offers insight into local Black history

 

 

 

 

2022 Cracker Christmas

Florida Historical Society 

Library of the Florida Society: 

 

Houses 60,000 item collection of the Florida historical Soiety, Florida’s oldest cultural organization, including books on Florida, papers of prominent Floridains, historical maps, photos of people and landscape and family histories.

 

CHRISTMAS IN COCOA 2022

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

Historic Cocoa Village

Brick walways, cobblestone patios and lots of shade trees add to the historic atmospheric downtown.  Lots of shops, resturants and other establishment in the 15 or so blocks.  Restored low rise buildings from the turn of the last century…and you can find all manner of things from hardware to antiques.

Enjoy a Variety of Cuisines

 

 

 

Melbourne:  https://ci.ovationtix.com/35545/production/1110438

 

 

Henegar Center For the Arts:  Proscenium style featuring state-of-th-art sound and lightening systems.  THe historical treasure of generations past is now a vibrant center for the arts.  Art exhibits are presented in the lobby gallery.  Art exhibits are prsented in th lobby gallery.

 

 

 

Melbourne:  https://ci.ovationtix.com/35545/production/1110439

 

 

The Christmas Lights Road Trip Through New York That’s Nothing Short Of Magical

 

 

 

 

2022 December Sarasota
Events Calendar

                       Ringling MUSEUM OF ART:                                  The State Art Museum of Florida               

Building on a Legacy:  The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is the remarkable legacy of circus entrepreneur collection of art, and financier, John Ringling and his wife, Mable.  Blessed with entrepreneurial genius, John Ringling (1866 – 1936) and his brothers founded the Rngling Bros. Circus, which continues today as th Ringling Bros and Barnium & Bailey.  The Greatest Show on Earth.  WIth his belovedd wife, Mable (1875-1929), John created a lasting legacy.  Upon his death, John Ringling left his art collection and estate to the people of the State of Florida.  In 2000, the State of Florida transferred stewardship of the Ringling Museum to Florida State University, establishing the Ringling estate as one of the largest museums/university complexs in the country.  John and Mable’s legacy and vision continues to endure and grow, refleected and preserved in the museum, education center, grounds and gardens of the Ringling Estate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DECEMBER ACTIVITIES EVEN STUDENTS THAT DON’T CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS CAN DO

Texas Hill Country Trail Region

 

 

Johnson City

This is a town in Texas named after James Polk Johnson who moved the county seat here from Blanco in 1890—-you are probably more knowledgable of one of his relatives Lyndon Baines Johnson–you know LBJ—he was a present a long time ago.

 He (LBJ) didn’t make it here until he was 5 (1913) and brought by his parents.  But he did put his mark on the town and it is now part of the

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Here you can see the wood-frame cottage with family and period furnishings which is said to look like it did in 1937 when LBJ launched his political career from here.  The visitor Center has films, photographs etc of LBJ’s humble betginnings  and also tells you about Lady Bird—his wife.  You can also see his grandfather’s (1850’s) dog trot log cabin a short walk to Johnson Settlement with relics of farming and ranching in this area of texas.  There’s even a stone barn of a German immigrant who lived here.  There a store with historic exhibits and legend says LBJ spent time listening to tales of Texas’ past from the old timers who told them.

  There is a second unit of the National Park as well as a State Park and historic site 14 miles to the west in Stonewall

Texas Hill Country: Top 7 Things to Do During the Holidays

 

 

 

WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY

It was one of the most bizzare events in U.S. history.  On April 23, 1982, the tiny remote Island city of Key West, Floria, secceded from the Union and proclaimed itself to be a sovereign and independent nation called the Conch Republic.  Then it declared war on the United States.

 

 

 

Florida Keys Holidays to Sizzle with Sparkle and Warmth

 

 

 

ANNUAL ABACO CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL