.”Let this coming year be better than all the  others. Vow to do some of the things you have always wanted to do but could not find the time…time.  Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you do not think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You will look 10 years younger. Do not be afraid to say, I love you. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.”

– Ann Landers

 6 Fun Facts About the NYE Ball Drop

7 of the Craziest Predictions for the Future, From the Past

Ancient Egyptian culture was closely tied to the Nile River, and it appears their New Year corresponded with its annual flood. According the Roman writer Censorinus, the Egyptian New Year was predicted when Sirius—the brightest star in the night sky—first became visible after a 70-day absence. Better known as a heliacal rising, this phenomenon typically occurred in mid-July just before the annual inundation of the Nile River, which helped ensure that farmlands remained fertile for the coming year. Egyptians celebrated this new beginning with a festival known as Wepet Renpet, which means “opening of the year.” The New Year was seen as a time of rebirth and rejuvenation, and it was honored with feasts and special religious rites.        Ancient Egyptian Wepet Renpet

Pickles, Potatoes and a Muskrat?! Top 10 Weirdest New Year’s Eve Celebrations in the U.S.

Orlando, Florida, plucks honor from Big Apple as best city in America to celebrate New Year’s Eve

ORLANDO, Fla. – Can you believe w’re just days away from the new year? The end of 2023 is approaching and it’s time to ring in the new year! Hello, 2024: Celebrate at these New Year’s Eve events in Central Florida

Let’s Get CRAZY For New Years!! (MEGA COMPILATION)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/80s-new-years-eve-party-with-weird-science-band-tickets-769268050447

8 Creative Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Without Alcohol

Gonna stay home–safer, cheaper, less straining the next day—I could go on forever on this.

But if you’re doing the big celebration at home how about a disaster theme…..make the house or place you’re doing it look a bit damaged—Put up some signs—there”s actually a Titanic White Line sign...as well as some (fake) Titantic Memorabillia out there….There’s even a movie:  A Night to Remember that you can get to round everything out

Check out this one I found on line—-Host a “Last Night on the Titanic” Dinner Party—for some great ideas or check out some of those movies and then take it from there on your ideas or relax and try the Last Night—-or combine everything.

Other ideas that have lots of stuff you can buy either like above or trying out secondhand stores and the like.

Subjects:  1920’s or make it 1920/30’s Gangsters—You can do it for instance as a Speak Easy and have the  gangsters  —  like Bugsy Siegel and of course Al  Capone- (and their dolls of course)–don’t forget lawmen like Elliot Ness and the likes would work to raid the place and keep law and order….

Other ideas a Sherlock Holmes theme—current or past they have both nowadays—-you could have a murder (fake of course)—-or have all the guest come as the great Sherlock (or other famous detectives)–have the murder set up and work it all out and get somebody—- be the murderer.

So any of those and hundreds of other idea would be great and make for a nice intro into a more creative New Year.

“Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people. So overweight people are now average. Which means you’ve met your New Year’s resolution.” – Jay Leno

Yabba Dabba Do! A Brief History of “The Flintstones”

Want a look at 2024 a bit different—-

get a T-Rex Yoga Calendar or a Farm Yoga/or a Lama and finally a Sloth—-

Or A Disney Villains

Best New Year’s Eve Activities In Massachusetts!

https://allevents.in/jamesville/new-years-eve-party-crazy-neighbours-pattys-tavern/200025898212321

The Real Story Behind the “Happy Birthday” Song

In Spain, one New Year’s tradition is to eat 12 grapes, one for every strike of the clock until midnight, to ensure prosperity. If you can finish them in time, you’ll have good luck all through the coming year. The flavour of the grapes -whether sweet or sour – also predicts what the year will bring. The tradition of the las doce uvas de la suerte (the 12 lucky grapes) is said to have originated in 1909 when a Spanish region has an exceptionally good grape harvest.

• Heritage & Culture:10 Unusual New Year’s Eve Traditions From Around The World

History of New Year’s Eve

https://krushbraupark.com/krampuscon

117 Fascinating Finds Revealed in 2023

The first New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square was held on December 31, 1904; The New York Times’ owner, Adolph Ochs, decided to celebrate the opening of the newspaper’s new headquarters, One Times Square, with a New Year’s fireworks show on the southern roof of the building to welcome 1905.       Times Square Ball – Wikipedia

The History of New Year’s Resolutions

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/power-up-2024-new-year-true-you-discover-your-strengths-virtual-event-tickets-767076445297?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Tower Bridge tells people to stay away during London New Year’s Eve fireworks

2024 WALL CALENDARS:  A year of inspirational artwork for your wall:  https://www.amberlotus.com/wall-calendars

13 Tips for Sticking to Your Resolutions

2024 New Year Resolutions as per your zodiac sign

 “We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives… not looking for flaws, but for potential.” – Ellen Goodman

Storms Bring 1 Meter / 40“ of Snow to European Alps for Christmas

Who will have a wet, white or a whiteout Christmas? Find your forecast here

6 Amazing Facts About Elves

The History of Christmas Elves

A 1960’s Christmas

How to Have an old Fashioned Christmas

Wet and very windy build up to Christmas–UK

17 Holiday-Themed Mysteries and Thrillers

Christmas Old Fashioned

Things To Do In London On Christmas Day

Best Christmas Chex Mix Snack

7 Cute New Year’s Eve Outfit Ideas for Every Kind of Celebration

Video: Origins of Santa Claus

THE CHRISTMAS MANSION:  Christmas Home Tour    Now thru Jan. 20, 2024

Glazed Doughnut Pancakes

   When you leave Southwark Cathedral you will head south (away from the Thames) on Borough High Street also called A3—toward Duke St.

Christmas Eve At  Southwark Cathedral

Next stop is the George Inn or just The George–London’s only remaining example of an

old style coaching Inn. 

The road from London Bridge (the only way to cross the Thames for hundreds of years—-) and this road from that bridge  was lined by many inns like the one we’re going to visit.

Continue to Follow A3  0.2 mi

London’s Best Christmas Cocktails: Where to Find Them

The George was well established by the reign of

Henry III,

and some claim it dates back to Chaucer day, est. 14th c.  In 1676 it was destroyed by the Great Fire of London–also called the Great Fire of Southwark 1212  but rebuilt within a year, the ungalleried external walls date from then.  Until 1844, when London Bridge Railway Station opened, the George was the main stagecoach inn in Southwark

Christmas Day Menu 2023 | George Southwark

Turn Left onto Talbot Yard

Destination will be on the left in 112 feet

British Christmas Traditions that Might Surprise You

Among the famous people who have reportedly drunk here include

Winston Churchill

Samuel Johnson

and perhaps even Shakespeare.

Charles DIckens mentioned it in Pickwick Papers and Little David

The George         75 Borough High St.

London SE1 NH

It is open during regular pub hours.  The building was rebuilt after the great fire as i mentioned before.  Originally here would have been 3 wings around the courtyard where Plays were staged in the 17th c.  In 1889 the north and east wings were demolished, making way for the railway–so only one remains today.

Owned by the National Trust, but still operated as a pub and restaurant by a private company that rents the building—It also holds occasional plays,

Morris Dancing              

and others both traditional and modern productions—often performed in the yard during the summer,

But now we move on—heading northwest on Talbot Yard toward Borough High St/A3

There was a Roman Settlement (some call Southwark one of London’s earliest suburbs)  in this area.  In Medieval times it was famous for its inns, handy for travelers who arrived after the City Gates were closed.

The City of London didn’t actually take possession—even though it was granted by Edward VI in 1550 But that didn’t include the large estate of the

Bishop of Winchester which was called the

Liberty of the Clink—-and interestingly under the control of  the Bishop who allowed it to operate as a Red Light district with prostitutes (Winchester Geese) who operated “Stews” (what we call brothels) .  In fact these woman and others of ill repute actually were even licensed by the Bishop.  In later years (under successive bishops) theaters (with first just male actors playing all parts and both sexes and eventually prostitutes—i.e. Nell Gwyn mistress of Charles II going into the women’s parts.  In additional to these there were Beer Gardens—-and the people who kept these did so freely under the bishops—however non Catholic heretics usually found themselves in the Clink Prison.

Be sure to turn onto Borough HIgh Street which is still A3 and only about 0.2 miles from where we left the inn.

This area was used to hide in during the beginning of the English Civil War, but as things progressed the Liberty of the Clink was ignored by Press Gangs desperate for recruits.

Turn right onto Little Dorrit Ct,  in 217 feet

Though this was a land belonging to the Church much of the people who resided here and claimed sanctuary were evil persons and the area converted to please them with Bankside becoming known for its bear baiting, prostitution, gambling and the evilest of all the theater (ha ha).  The area of sanctuary ended in 1697—but it is said that it is still an issue in this area with speeches and debates taking place in today’s time.

By the way the Cathedral had a different name before the reformation:  The Church of the Priory of St. Mary Overie–Over the River–there is another in the area:  St. Saviour’s Bermondsey—both existing within the borders of the present borough.

Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London’s Bawdy Borough

Turn left in 185 feet—5 min (0.2 miles) to next destination

Little Dorrit’s Park

Named after a Dickens’ character, it is a public playground ans small park North of Marshalsaea Road .

It was once called Falcon Court, and was described as “a horrible rookery of tumbled-down, dirty hovels.  The park began as a small public space in 1902–Called Little Dorrit’s Playground and opening on the north side of the present Road.

A WALK THROUGH DICKENS LONDON–A Free Tour

The area here has associations with Dickens and he even had lodgings in Lant Street  to the south as a child

when his father was in the Marshalsea debtor’s prison nearby in 1824.   The setting for Little Dorrit was based on a lot of the area around the prison and his lodgings. Little Dorrit was baptized and married at a local church,

St. George the Martyr,

at the Southeast end of this road and close to the playground.

The history of Borough Market goes back over  a thousand years and it is London’s best known  and most popular food market. It was in former days located on High Street where it was  surrounded by numerous taverns, brothels and other houses of ill-repute.  One can only speculate what chaos was found in this market in these former days.  But finally this chaos  brought reactions and in 1756 it was shutdown by the authorities and  a stipulation that the market be eventually reopened—but away from the high street where it had been located for years.  A site was found and the market as we will visit it today was reopened on March 25, 1756, the same year it had been closed.

Turn left onto Borough  High Street/A3

While the change in location changed the market from its chaotic origins it did not prevent it’s growth and it becoming by the 19th c the city’s most important fruit and vegetable wholesaler., which was helped by the area experiencing  rapid industrial growth and the coming of the railroad.

Turn Left onto Southwark St (A3200)  in 115 ft. 

Wet and very windy ahead of Christmas

Borough Market

8 Southwark Street

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (hrs may vary)

 

Authentic London Food Tours

 

 

While today’s market is not crazy as the original market it grew to what most described as the city’s most important fruit and veggie wholesaler in the 19th c.  This was enforced by new buildings of iron and steel to house the expanding market and into the 20th century when the market remained primarily a wholesale market—-but by the latter part of the 20th it began to decline contributed to by the rise of the rise of the supermarket.  It has more recently re-invented itself with a series of highly successful gourmet events in the 1990’s hosted in the halls now deserted by the fruit and veggie people.  It has become a must stop now for any good tour of London.

Some Bourough Market’s current restaurants:

Padalla Pasta

Wright Brothers

Ginger Pig

Ultimate London Food Tour: Borough Market & Southwark

The guide to 5 areas to avoid in London

and a bit of my house decor

Huntsville Pure Texas

Adventure Awaits You:  Conroe, Texas

Montgomery Texas:  Birthplace of the Texas Flag

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23 US Cities That Go All Out for Christmas

In Search of the Northern Lights

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13 of the Most Interesting Historic Towns in North Carolina (Important Places for Your Next Adventure!)

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6 Important Tips for Decorating a Christmas Tree

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Known as the City of Discovery 

The Secret Coast…….Ocean Springs, Mississippi, serves as a great home base, especially if you like art.  The late, former painter Walter Ingilis Anderson, a preeminent 20th-century Southern artist, lived in Ocean Springs.  See his work at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art.  Walter’s brother Peter was a renowned potter and the annual

Peter Anderson Arts and Crafts Festival                                                                            is a major Gulf Coast event…..”We’re like Mayberry                                                                        with culture.”.

Big Sun and Small Crowds:  A Small Town That’s Big on Art/AARP Magazine — Oct/Nov 2023

A GLIMPSE OF OCEAN SPRINGS ART CULTURE

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LUCILLE BALL DESI ARNAZ MUSEUM

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Templar heritage in Europe

Who were the Knights Templar?

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Inveraray Castle. An Iconic Scottish Visitor Attraction.

Inverary–Archibald Campbell

Earl of Hay and third duke of Argyll rebuilt Inverary Castle and founded  Inverary  New Town, a pioneering effort in town planning that  was largely implemented by architect Robert Myine during the era of the fifth duke

Scotland:  A History–Edited by Jenny Wormald

Clan Campbell Tour

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7 Places You Can Visit in London That Were Meaningful to Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth II

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A STORE AT THE HEART OF THE CORVETTE LEGACY

National Corvette Museum

With jaw-dropping exhibits on the history of the Corvette, virtual thrills in the Corvette Racing Simulator, elevated dining in the Stingray Grill, shopping in the Corvette Store, experiencing the performance of a new Corvette or high-speed karting at the NCM Motorsports Park, and seeing the assembly process of the C8 Corvette at Bowling Green Assembly Plant, our Corvette Campus offers something for everyone.

Plan A Visit

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FLORIDA CAVERNS STATE PARK

Panama City Area Florida:     Blue Hole Spring

                          Cavern State Park                              3345 Caverns Road
Marianna FL 32446

This park has a sunny pleasant swimming area and provides a chance to  experience a spring cavern as well as a natural bridge all created by a sink.  There are other underground caves but most of these are submerged which is expected in places as low as Florida—so obviously this are is at least a bit higher and contain Florida’s only large cave system, which in fact have been in use since prehistoric times.  Blind cave salamanders, which are eye-less and a strange white,  still do inhabit the caves.

Marianna

Popular must-dos in Los Angeles

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20 Top Dog-Friendly Vacation Destinations for You and Your Best

Travel Buddy

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Explore Alhambra Palace Architecture and Design

It was well before dawn when I set off on foot through

Granada’s

oldest neighborhood,

El Albaiein,

an intricate brocade of cobbled streets overhung with fragrant jasmine trees.  The first glow of sunlight revealed the titanic walls and turrets of the palace-fortress complex called Alhambra looming above me on a spectacular crag.  Poets have rhapsodized about the structure’s fairytale beauty since the finest craftsmen of the Arab world built it nearly 800 years ago.  For over two centuries in the Middle Ages, it was the crown jewel of the

Emirate of Granada,

which stretched across

Spain’s Mediterranean Coast

from modern day

Gibraltar

past the snow-capped

Sierra Nevada.

Smithsonian  Tales of Andalusia By Tony Perrottet

Sept/Oct 2023

Andalucia Small-Group Tours – Get The Free Trip Itinerary

Alligator Reef Light House’s building was delayed by a Civil War—The USA’s in 1861 especially after Florida joined the South in their with drawl from the union.   After the war things were slow to resume in the defeated south and it was 8 years after that that it was completed.  They used a steam engine that lifted the beams and a pile driver—-each blow drove the beams one inch into the coral rock leaving a sure and long lasting foundation  which has endured more than a hundred years (completed 1873 at a cost of $185,000—which due to bad weather and bad working condition was $85,000 than had been first estimated).

The Perfect 5-Day Islamorada, FL Travel Itinerary – AFAR

]

Three Tuns  

4 Broad St.

Hay on Wye, Wales

This building  which contains a Grade II Pub  is reputed to be the oldest building in the town of Hay on Wye and was devastated by fire in 2005.  A couple of local are said to have saved the day and the pub, saving many features including crunch tress beams, a dog-leg staircase (which was a period feature) as well as a large fireplace.

Michelin in Eating Out in Pubs (2013)

lists typical offerings as

Black Mountain smoked salmon

followed by

Ginger cake with poached pears

An insider’s guide to Hay-on-Wye

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Things to Do Around Winter Springs

Restaurants in Winter Springs

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Visit | Covent Garden

Covent Gardens  in the north east of  Trafalgar Square  

where begins the maze of narrow streets and alleys is where we find Covent Gardens.  Here in the ancient heart of London has been markets for over 300 years—-but the place was originally a Covent garden that rest here until that anti convent English ruler—Henry VIII dissolved the gardens along with all the church etc he took issue with.

Today the center of Covent Gardens lies a cobble stone plaza (compliments of

Inigo Jones)

It also includes a superb steel and glass market pavilions constructed  in the 1830’s for stalls to hold flowers, fruit and vegetables.  This market was eventually moved to south of the river

In the 1980s the Garden was changed from market to an area of restaurants,shops and cafes.  It has also become a venue for street performers.

Covent Garden Street Performers Recorded live

Covent Garden | Shopping, Dining and Culture Destination

London in November: A Rich Tapestry of Experiences Awaits

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20 Best Vacations for a Group of Friends

 

It sets high above the city of Edinburgh — in an area that has been inhabited and fortified (though nothing near as fine as you see now) back to pre-history—–the base it sets on is part of an ancient volcano—which has a long slanting incline that runs about a mile

The Royal Mile

at that  — down to another Castle—this one much newer and it’s origins was a church (Holy Rood) that set here from much earlier times and whose ruins can still be seen on the grounds).

But back to the castle– has  a bit different place that that for executions and even a prison— American Sailors during the War of 1812  and Nazi prisoners during WWII to name a few.

St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, stands high on Edinburgh Castle’s upper level.

It was built by King David I for his mother

Queen, later Saint Margaret after she passed away.  This in memory of his mother who would become a saint in 1250.

New Advent

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Screams Halloween Theme Park is the ultimate Halloween experience

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Have you?

–and if you haven’t

some direction if you might be interested:

Been divorced————-Las Vegas Strip – Plan Your Future Trip Today

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Ok I got there in April and not March.

THE CHARTER HOUSE, LONDON – A UNIQUE TOUR THROUGH 700 YEARS OF HISTORY

 THE SECRET LONDON WALKING TOUR:  A WALK BACK IN TIME

Had plans to just show some of my odd moments in London as given my feeling 100% better than my two companions I was out and about on my own quite a bit on that last trip.

This particular picture is from The Charter House but this particular part is a hall where the monks cells used to be many hundreds of years ago—Only one of the cells is in existence today—you can see that door ahead on your left….but this has nothing to do with any specific place—it is just that over the years I have visited many historical places and I developed this one impression that some day I would come to a particular place with a long hall in an ancient site at which end I would see a door and that I would walk down that hall and open that door and be lost in Time Past somewhere in the history of the world—-as I look now and when I looked then I thought that this door might well be that one—but I continued on with my tour and didn’t walk into time.

OK so now that I have confirmed (something you may have suspected for quite awhile) that I’m crazy we can proceed on with the blog.

Uber Boat By Thames Clippers – Welcome Back On Board

Canal and River Cruises

I had never seen an Uber boat until London—We took a tour and came back on an Uber boat which was really nice—

Cruise Along the River Thames

Hadrian’s Wall Damaged by Sycamore Gap Tree Felling, Inspection Confirms

They are comfortable and offer a good viewing range of both sides as well as vision above the boat—-great addition to the fleet

When is the best time to visit London?

We were in London in April this last time and at that time of the year—as well as alot of the rest it is a place of flowers—one year we went to Amsterdam expecting to see a great abundance of tulips—but London’s count—or at least what we saw —beat Holland out by a mile.

A detailed guide to spring in London, England: when and where to see spring flowers

23 places to see spring flowers in London

The flowers were apparently put on this car parked in a small drive thru with misc. parking spots along it.  Then there was a metal fence and a bit of green lawn—up to a sidewalk and on the other side of that the street —-the flowers remained their for day dying and decaying until finally they were removed.  Whether by the person who rejected them or the rejected depositor one will never know…unless you are one of those two.

Flower Power: 17 Of London’s Prettiest Floral Restaurants & Cafes

Self-Guided Walking

For every large thing—like the Tower that one sees— there are maybe thousands or more items to attract the observant traveler’s (tourists need not apply) attention and lens.

17 BEST BOOKS ABOUT THE UK TO READ BEFORE YOUR TRIP

Make memories this Christmas at Chester Cathedral

 another little thing picture

Around London In 14 Lions And Lionesses

 another little things picture

Best London walks

Digging Up Britain: Ten Discoveries, a Million Years of History

The Oldest Bookstores in London: A Journey Through Literary History

10 Christmas Things to Do in London

Saturday, 16  Christmas  Crafts at Brompton Library

and yes they have a bit of a fog now

and then— nothing like what they use to have—a lot of which was pollution–

Great Smog of London

Located at the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe, by the River Thames

I have friends who say they don’t want to go to London cause they just detest all that OLD STUFF  But London has lots of modern buildings and the like.

The lastminute.com London Eye: The Official Tickets Website

SEE PICTURE ABOVE for a very impressive and large way to see the old and new London from above the maddening crowd.]

EXHIBITION

The City of London will have 11 new skyscrapers by 2030

And a great selection of doctors to choose from.

Tourist Doctor London 

I’m sure they’ll work with Travelers too

Tourist & Hotel Doctor London

Regarding cell phone use in UK???

They still have the old fashion phone booths but most of these aren’t what they appear to be—-check below for the real deal details:

 The last phone boxes: broken glass, cider cans and – amazingly – a dial tone

London Underground: the Tube

Mandatory buses of course just like in the USA—and ads on the sides..—–Have I convinced you yet of the current state of London is a BIG MODERN CITY yet??

Public transport in London

Differences between British and American emails

The same kind of issues—-I wonder if we could do this in the USA?

The UK postal service: guide to the Post Office, Royal Mail

Getting around London

I can deal with the signs and all that—but driving on the other side of the road is a bit crazy for even me—-and yes I did do it—driving all over Devon, Cornwall and into Wales—and to tell it and my friend who was on this trip too drove when we went on to Ireland—-and we are still around to tell about it.

TIPS FOR AMERICANS (OR FIRST TIMERS) DRIVING IN THE UK

How the city’s street signs unlock a place and time in London history

Best 20 Places to Stay – Live Like a Local in London

We stayed in Paddington  (last time) and there are multiple hotels just in the area that you’re looking at in the picture—most included a bit of breakfast or there are some decent restaurants within a five minute walk….the rooms were with bathrooms ensuite and clean, quiet and with helpful staff,

Top Paddington Hotels from $56 – London

Number of pet dogs in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2011 to 2023 

If you don’t like dogs you might not like the UK—-and no you can”t bring yours without some major activity–see site below.   Oh and FYI—I have seen few (less than 10 on all my trips) that were disobedient, or troublesome, or fought with other dogs and that were not friendly even to a Yank like me.

Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain 

This is very involved

Drama & Arts

I took this picture in the Paddington area near where we stayed

Cycling in London & Bike Rental

 Almost three years after we started deploying e-bikes in London, we’re so proud to be working with Transport for London to provide e-scooters to Londoners.

And they are earth friendly too.

Walking in London

 

And yes we had some rain—I personally don;t feel that they’re any worse than Florida—But

London and Orlando Weather Comparison

OK there you have it London is cooler—but we were checking rain fall and Orlando wins that one all year long—so the rain is lesser which for vacation adventure I’d say that is better there than in my USA dwelling areas.

Best Times To Visit London, England

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Outlandish: Walking Europe’s Unlikely Landscapes

100 Countries 5000 Ideas 2nd Edition: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do

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Tired of visiting the same old places, standing in long lines to see the same things as everyone else? Travel to Vietnam where you can paddle Ha Long Bay, then make your way to Dinan, France’s only walled city. In South Africa, head out on a safari adventure, while history buffs will be fascinated by a three-country WWII tour. Whatever your pleasure, this guidebook has the trip—and country—for you, with photos, travel tips, and additional information on each destinations

50 States 500 Campgrounds: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do

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For more info:  www.LongwoodFL.org

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On Safari: Tanzania’s Great Migration

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Go in search of the thundering herds of the legendary wildebeest migration on a wildlife safari in Tanzania. Experience the power of the migration up close in the vast savannas of the northern or southern Serengeti, depending on the season. Take in extraordinary vistas of the Great Rift Valley, and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater to spot lions, cheetahs, elephants, and more.

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Bradlee-McIntyre House and Museum

While there for the festival be sure to this historic house—click above  for details on tours,location of house and more—-It will be open Both Sat and Sunday that weekend.

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Charles II’s Great Escape from the Battle of

Worcester

A rare prayer book, owned by a priest who helped save the life of King Charles II–first his body, then his soul–is to go on display at 

Moseley Old Hall 

near

Wolverhampton.

Artefact: A King’s Savior/Discover Bitain

The Dubious History of the Name ‘King Charles’

Given Charles’ behavior with the multiple women in his life I guess my idea of being save by religion and the priest’s differs a bit—but I would have been a strong supporter none the less.

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HOLIDAYS IN THE HIGHLANDS (Bok Tower Gardens) PRESENTED BY CITIZENS BANK & TRUST

That is a picture I clicked on one of my visits to this lovely Garden in Florida—-you could drive there for the day from Orlando—–and it’s just a bit southwest of Disney and Universal

2023 Christmas Events in Lake Wales, FL

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The Hauntings of the Alamo

OK I can’t give up Halloween inspirations yet—I always was a spooky girl.

I found that in the US Texas was big on the list as most haunted —But the

 Texas Chain Saw Massacre

isn’t  on that list as there was never was such a massacre —it was fiction and it is 

said to have originated from  

Ed Gein’s

–as was Psycho—which  didn’t take place in Texas

Oh and

the Alamo

is considered  by many of the most haunted site in the state

Top Haunted Places to Visit in Texas

20 Of The Creepiest Places In California

 Prospect of Whitby, built in 1520, is the oldest riverside tavern. All sorts of people from sailors, smugglers and cut throats to British movie stars and politicians have tread over our original 400-year-old stone floor.

17 of the best Christmas markets in London for festive fun

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Is It Better to Buy or Adopt a Dog? (or a Cat)

10 Reasons Every Person Should Have a Pet

There are more ways to DO  SOMETHING than just travel

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30 Christmas Volunteer Opportunities and Ideas

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Prayer and Pilgrimage

The cross in the churchyard

 Lesnewth, 

What is a pilgrimage?

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London Dinner Cruises

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Regent’s Canal

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See where the upper crust live(d) and love(d)

A Look at the 30 Homes Owned by the British Royal Family

Queens of England

by Norah Lofts

Chronicles the lives and the characters of all of England’s queens, whether reigning monarchs or wives of kings, from Boadicea through Elizabeth II

Royal Residence Tours

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Cornbread

Since 1997, Jeanine Taylor has offered the best of contemporary folk art in an atmosphere of authentic Southern hospitality. She has followed a “bob and tack” path from educator to corporate salesperson to creative entrepreneur. Her life’s purpose of fostering creativity affects all who enter the gallery – artists, collectors, customers, and guests.

Our Story

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SPONSOR PEOPLE SEEKING REFUGE IN THE UNITED STATES

Spend some time helping others

HOW VOLUNTEERS CAN ACCESS SUPPORT SERVICES

You don’t have to just help Ukraine—-there’s so many places that could use assistance all over the world

UNICEF IN
UKRAINE

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Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch, Southwark Playhouse

2024 is shaping up to be another vintage year for London theatre — here are some of the shows we can’t wait to see. And the good news is, some of them start very soon indeed.

The Devil Wears Prada, Dominion Theatre

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Murder mystery events for team building

Pediatrician Kent Abner received the package on a beautiful April morning. Inside was a cheap trinket, a golden egg that could be opened into two halves. When he pried it apart, highly toxic airborne fumes entered his body―and killed him.

After Eve Dallas calls the hazmat team―and undergoes testing to reassure both her and her husband that she hasn’t been exposed―it’s time to look into Dr. Abner’s past and relationships. Not every victim Eve encounters is an angel, but it seems that Abner came pretty close―though he did ruffle some feathers over the years by taking stands for the weak and defenseless. While the lab tries to identify the deadly toxin, Eve hunts for the sender. But when someone else dies in the same grisly manner, it becomes clear that she’s dealing with either a madman―or someone who has a hidden and elusive connection to both victims.

“The 50th book proves this series truly is the gold standard.” ― Associated Press

6 Murder Mystery Weekends

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Christmas Market Voyages

Celebrate an Old World Christmas on one of Europe’s great rivers. Glittering cities across France, Germany, Austria and beyond light up with Christmas markets offering hand-carved toys and ornaments. While you shop, sample hot chocolate, spicy glühwein and aromatic gingerbread.

Mississippi River Cruises

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“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.” — H.P. Lovecraft, “Supernatural Horror in Literature”

Halloween

Ok—thought I’d do my blog which was due last weekend—the day before All Hallows Eve—better known here in the USA as Halloween—to be sure you all were in the mood for some scary fun.  If you want something to do Halloween has a lot to offer.

How Halloween is celebrated around the world

• “‘Tis the night—the night of the grave’s delight, and the warlocks are at their play; Ye think that without the wild winds shout, but no, it is they—it is they.” –Cleveland Coxe

Canterbury Cathedral shrine of St Thomas Becket reconstructed

One place that never occurred to me as being haunted was churches—It just didn’t look appropriate for that kind of thing—then I thought about

Canterbury Cathedral

and the fact that Thomas Becket a Bishop (though admittedly he was appointed by Henry II and not the church (which was not uncommon back in those ancient times 850 years ago–he died 12/29/1170)—he was in

fact killed by some of the king’s nobles in reply to the king request that some one would rid him of the troublesome bishop—  which they did but though there have reportedly been at least one incident—at least that’s what the photographer said

or thought he saw I didn’t see that much in the picture– but the thought did interest me.

• “

• Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!” -Count Dracula, Dracula

The History of Trick-or-Treating Goes Back Centuries

OK do you have candy yet—-or are you going to darken the house and or pull the heavy blinds so they won’t break down the walls—-and a little yard decorations is fun for you and them—at least the front porch–front door and entry they’ll see when you open to give them — the creatures of the night–some treats.

50 Easy DIY Outdoor Halloween Decorations to Impress Your Neighbors

• “There is something haunting in the light of the moon.” – Joseph Conrad

Attending their own funeral–Pensacola, FLT

Old Christ Church, Pensacola, Fl.

This church was completed in 1832–in 1839 Rev. Joseph Saunders died of Yellow Fever and was laid to rest beneath the church vestry room.  In later years the vestry was torn down and the church enlarged, eventually a total of 3 rectors were buried below the church.  As is not uncommon eventually the location of all 3 bodies was forgotten and many years later the University of Florida took up the job of locating them—which they did and the church relocated them to a new locations.  Soon after this these three were sighted walking about.

Is Pensacola haunted? These 12 places might make you believe in ghosts

Night is a stealthy, evil Raven, Wrapt to the eyes in his black wings. – Author: Thomas Bailey Aldrich

History of the Halloween Costume

For the kids costumes should be visible—with lighter parts—like face masks that are skulls—or carrying some type of light that will reveal them—you can also put reflectors on their costumes—just a few ideas that might help.

We’ve all experienced it: That eerie feeling that something or someone was watching us; that an inanimate object had, in actuality, come alive.

Ghosts and Grave Stones

‘If They Don’t Let Us Play, They All Go Away’: Haunted Dolls That Would Scare Even Chucky

In Key West you can visit a museum with one of the scariest dolls there ever was–Robert.  

There are stories of a young woman from the islands introducing her charge (Robert (Gene) Otto, who was 4 years old) to the doll and establishing a relationship between the two—of him continuing to keep the doll and a friendship (??) with it even after he became an adult and married—he would paint in the upper tower of the house with the doll as company.

Eventually he passed away — Gene, not Robert and there was all manner of children telling adults of Robert watching them and more from his continue location at the top of the house. When I first heard of Robert the tour guide told us that when Gene’s widow sold the house it was on condition that the doll be part of the purchase.

Eventually he ended up at

the museum

where it is said that you should ask his permission to take his picture and to be respectful—there are all manner of people who failed to do so and write long letters of their sufferings.

Key West’s Haunted Directory

7 of the Best Halloween Parties and Celebrations Around the World

If you’re going to a party or just handing out candy do you have a costume—do you want one?

It’s a bit late to buy one but you probably can make your own—I was working at a Monster Dash this last weekend and I wore black slacks and blouse—this added one of the huge and gaudy Halloween Witches hat I have—also dug up a pair of plastic glasses that fit over mine and whose frames were in the shape of spiders….I work a spider (on one wrist) and a lizard bracelet (on the other) picked a moon earring and a strange neckless and carried a small witches broom that they sell now days and had all manner of people telling me have great the costume was—little muss or fuss but a good impression—see what you have around the house that might work.

25 vacations every horror buff should take in their lifetime

“We all go a little mad sometimes.”           Norman Bates, Psycho

Is the West Virginia Penitentiary Really Haunted?

West Virginia has lots of crazy stuff and Moundsville

is a prime example including the above Penitentiary

(which is across the street from an ancient Indian Mound

Called Grave Creek}

The Penitentiary has a history of multiple executions dating back to a time when hangings were carried out here.  There have been several riots and the like–and probably a few murders of all manner of persons with in it’s walls.  It even has a creature call the

Shadow Man

that roams it’s grounds.

Other places of interest in W.V.:

The Mystery Hole, Ansted, West Virginia

The Mystery Hole (where things roll up hill)

John Brown Wax Museum

Where John Brown’s Fort once stood.

West Virginia ghost stories:    Northeastern West Virginia -Harpers Ferry

The Wells Inn— Sisterville, WV-–A haunted place that you can stay

 Halloween Health & Safety Tips

One of my safety tips is to always have someone preferably adult in the house while I’m passing out candy just to be sure I’m not the one to get a scary treat.

Also most places stop passing out candy around 9 pm.

Does Crime REALLY Spike On Halloween? Surprising Facts About Danger to Your Home

“They’re coming to get you, Barbara.”‘Night of the Living Dead’ (1968)

Top 5 Haunted Restaurants in the French Quarter

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Louisiana

Loyd Plantation

Where the ghosts include a London personage killed by Union Soldiers for being a double agent.  This was followed by several other deaths most of which are

represented by ghosts.

Oh did I mention that this is also a Bed and Breakfast?

Haunted Louisiana Plantations That Take Your Breath Away

The Hanging Jail in De Ridder

Featured on the Travel Channel 

It is said to be haunted by two men who killed a cab driver and were later caught and held here as well as being executed inside the building.

Connect with the Hanging jail on Facebook

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Louisiana’s Halloween Events

“Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep.”   ‘A Nightmare On Elm Street’ (1984)

The last three pictures are from a neighbor’s decor this year—-her– daughter is my heir to the crazy collection of Halloween stuff–which the rest of the decorative pieces are mine—as is the skeleton picture at the top—It’s a large picture which I drew from a card I got a few years ago.

So that’s it for the Day Before Halloween—please enjoy and stay safe—-

“I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.”  ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

Plan Your Niagara Falls USA Trip

If you read me regularly you’ll know that I had a big vacation planned for this year Originally scheduled for 2020—–But another Covid  loss—-we finally went this year but ended up with a long crazy vacations with down and out participants—except me and a lot of loss of plans and time out and about for two of the 3 of us—one about 75% and one a bit less and me getting out and about all the time, but not being able to move into the places we were planning on going or doing…..

Trip bundling is growing: Here are 6 places you can plan a trip from start to finish

Travel Photography: 27 Ideas for Documenting Your Travels

I have been doing some lay outs of what we had planned on doing and going and pictures from on line sources since we didn’t make it there—-but I thought I’d try to show you what I did—and was some time accompanied by one or two of the crew—kin\da an idea of how you can save a very plagued vacation trip—like we had.

10 tips on how to create a great travel videos.

World’s Best Travel Tours

Found all manner of things to do on my own—-the area we stayed in had a lot of history (not unusual for London I know) and old buildings to wander around—I had some walking tours and followed the most interesting  (for me we all vary on that) sections.  I visited churches—stopped at interesting looking pubs and restaurants for a nosh and a drink just to see what they had….and of course I took no  end of pictures

Our 10 best City Guides, according to readers

Now London has many places were you can get those things (walking guides and the like) but you may want to bring a good guide to the towns and or regions you’re staying in so you’ll have something to give you a direction in case there’s a glitch in your systems.

UK CITY GUIDES

Historic Plaque Program:  Toccoa, Georgia

In fact London and several other larger (and smaller) cities have plaques like this one that tells you who lived here or there—what happened here—and like that which I find enjoyable—-but then you know I’m into that kind of thing.

 When it Comes to Historical Markers Every Word Matters

Harrods

Most of us enjoying buying a great gift or some hot looking outfit often at a cheaper price (only in some places) and brag where we got it—-but London (and I am sure Paris and Rome etc) has a store or more that every time I plan a vacation for a groups at least one person must see this department store—there is also a very unusual grocery store in London as well to name a few.

Fortnum & Mason: The First 316 Years

Over-the-counter medicines: Global perspective and Indian scenario

Of course there all kinds of stuff you have to take with you—If you forget or don’t take enough or even heaven forbid loose it.

AROUND THE WORLD ITINERARY: 13 MONTHS & 35 COUNTRIES (just an example of what you can do—

Your medicine —Prescriptions and the regular over the counter, but over the counter medicine varies with the location you’re going to—I have found most things in the UK—and stuff that wasn’t available in the US or that are available there but required an Rx in USA.

Traveling Abroad with Medicine

and what if you need to see a doctor–or loose a prescription things like that!

Your Health Abroad

20 Surprisingly Affordable Luxury Hotels Around the World

One thing I always look for is location, like when staying in London for instance I stay in areas that are near all manner of transportation—This time if was close Paddington Station which has multiple trains all over the country and across the street a huge underground station.  There are bunches of cabs available there.  And this was easily close enough to walk to when we traveled in country—and only needed one smaller piece of luggage.

Luxury Travel and Exclusive Vacations

I also confirmed that they had an area where you could store your luggage safely as we could check in but couldn’t get into our room till afternoon—our flights to England get in early–I hadn’t been able to get into that same hotel after we went north to see some thing about the country but I was able to transport the suit cases and have them put up for us until we returned–so I only had to take one piece of luggage not a months worth (the flight we took on Virgin has mid class ticket  which allows for you to take 2 bags at 50 pounds each on check in and one 20 lb bag with you  and put above your seat.

Best Travel Agencies

Most hotels that I have stayed at in London and other parts of the UK supply breakfast—these vary from full to rolls, bread and other breakfast finger food.  But always check—this time when we returned to London we didn’t get breakfast with our rate, which I had assumed and missed that fact (you could get breakfast with a higher rate), but I also picked an area of town with lots of reasonable and a wide variety of restaurant all with in a block or two—We picked one there and ate their on our way to our bus, train or whatever for the day, were well taken care of and even got hugs and kisses from everyone our last day in London Town

Best and Worst Hotel Booking Sites for 2023

How to Avoid Fighting on Your Family Vacation

Oh and another about food—-some of the items they eat in England resemble USA items—-But on sight only—the names are UH>>>>different.

For instance Bangers and Mash—-Ok Give me a guess—-come on you can do it.

Ok the mash part is pretty simple—think potatoes…but the Bangers:

Bangers and mash is a staple of the country’s overall cuisine and is a popular pub dish. The term bangers supposedly originated during World War I, when meat shortages resulted in sausages’ being made with a number of fillers, notably water, that caused them to explode when cooked.

Bangers and mash | Traditional, British, Comfort Food

10 WEIRD AND BIZARRE DISHES YOU WILL FIND AROUND THE WORLD

Section 2. Building Relationships with People from Different Cultures

10 Secrets for Surviving a Family Vacation

The first time I went to London  and then a couple of years later I took 2 one week tours one to Ireland and one to Scotland with a flight from Dublin to Scotland between trips.  Since then I have returned about every four years (longer during the Pandemic) and have planned my own trips as a general rule—but while I do the planning I often go on day tours out of what and where ever I’ve been staying—this is an easy way to see multiple areas like the all over the Cotswalds with little or no effort on my part but able to see so much of the area.

But when I’m going to some place like York I can take a train, and have or get various tours on line for walking about the city-or take one of the on and off  tours which are narrated and stop at regular locations (and you get a listing when you purchase your ticket as to what there is to see at each stop)–see what I can see for a day and then catch a train back to where ever I’m staying in a few.  An alternative is to go to York and get a hotel for a day or two do that and then go back—to London and my hotel or another around the same area.

11 Things You Should Do the Day Before You Leave for a Vacation

Punch | British Puppet Character & History

The sign is for a pub

Minimum Legal Age Limits  for Alcohol—includes countries where alcohol is banned.

11 Things You Should Do the Day Before You Leave for a Vacation

Where Should You Go On Vacation Next?

So that’s basically my thoughts and some o the things I do planning a vacation—which may or may not work for you but basically there to get you thinking on the subject…I have as usual given you all manner of info from agents and companies that evaluate and provide on how and what and where to find   information etc, etc.—-so I figure that will show you that some of my stuff might work and some that might not when it is applied to your pland—we’re all very different and so we learn from many sources—-Mostly what I want to encourage you to keep going and giving you directions on what way to start looking for that perfect get away or the weekend fishing trip or…..well you take it from here.

This Quiz Will Tell You What Type Of Vacation You Need In Your Life

All the pictures (except the bangers and mash} are photos from England in April