“I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived. Curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

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DOG-FRIENDLY VACATIONS IN FLORIDA

 

 

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

 

 

Traveling with Your Pets?

 

Halloween in Tampa: spooky trails, haunted houses, concerts, pumpkin patches and more

 

 

 An Eerie Evening at the Tampa Bay Hotel

October 27 – 29, 2 pm – 8 pm

The annual Halloween event returns to the Museum! Tickets are available online and are $35 for not-yet-members and $25 for Museum members.

This is your chance to explore the former Tampa Bay Hotel and see some of the spookier items in our collection, as well as oddities borrowed from local businesses and collectors. Join us for a moonlit weekend and learn more about death and funerals, mourning, and spiritualism in the 19th century. Motivated visitors will have the opportunity to find hidden clues and decode a mystery as they explore. Eerie Evening at the Tampa Bay Hotel is intended for visitors ages 12 and above.

401 W. Kennedy Boulevard 

Tampa, FL 33606

813.254.1891

Please email Dan Carpenter to purchase member tickets.

Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm and
Sunday: Noon – 5 pm
Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and Independence Day    

Breadstick Bones and Dip Halloween Appetiz]er

The 11 most haunted places in Florida

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MYSTICALMYTICANDLES
Collection:   
Sprays, Waters, Soaps, Powders
m/Store information:  
                                         https://mysticalmysticandles.co

25 Wonderful Weekend Getaways in North Carolina (For Families, Couples, or Just Yourself!)

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Halloween Events in York

Places to visit  in York

Museum entrance

The National Railway Museum

3 giant halls full of fantastic trains and interactive fun,

 

The Yorkshire Museum

Some of Britain’s finest archeological treasures and galleries of animals,birds and fossils.

 

Two women walk down the centre hall of York Castle Prison

York Castle Museum

One of Britain’s leading museum of everyday life,  Displays everyday articles as well as well as recreating rooms, shops, streets and even prison cells.

 

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HISTORY TRAVEL TOUR

AD 45:   Emperor Cladius began the  Roman conquest of Britain and in late summer triumphantly entered the town of Camulodunium (Colchester). 

Rome Underground Archaeology Tour with Vicus Caprarius

 

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THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Oregon – 2023 (with Photos)

Orlandoatplay.com

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Summer Trips That Will Take You Back To The 50’s!

 

 

 Take a Vintage Vacation at This Oklahoma 1950’s Retro Hotel

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ZORA!   ® FESTIVAL SEASON

 

Come and visit and see for yourself yourself!

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HENRY VIII AND TUDOR ENGLAND TOUR 

 

Where did all the Tudors Go

In my last episode of the Tudors we looked at Henry VII’s chapel at Westminster Abbey and learned who was buried there—today we’re gonna look at the man who put the Tudors on the map—if he had been like his father we probably would not think much of him and his dynasty would have gone to the Scottish Kings much earlier (maybe?)

To begin with Henry was a spare who became king because of his older brother Arthur died when he was just in his teens and  had never set the throne (check last B&P 2 wks ago for all that details)-

1525 Timeline Henry VIII,the Reign

Henry a bit of a dandy who was proficient in jousting and all manners of the art of war and led troops into battle that I remember against the French — and he was also said

play a mean game of tennis.

 

Catherine of Aragon’s Victory at the Battle of Flodden | History

 

Oh and he also endevored to out dress and spend the most money on decking out his court members who attended the Field of Gold  (don’t forget the horses and tents) as well as the aforemented invasion of France (while his pregnante wife was leading troops to Scotland the Scotts were allies of the French, and she won there–)

THE FIELD OF CLOTH OF GOLD

You heard about Catherine of Argon a couple of episodes ago—she was a princess—her mother and father sent Columbus to the new world and took Spain back from the moors —both of them leading armies against the invaders—so Catherine took after both parents.

Catherine of Aragon, by an Unknown artist, oil on panel, c. 1520, L246. By permission of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Church Commissioners.

After Athur’s death Henry eventually married Catherine who insisted that Arthur had never consumated the marriage (there was a prohition against marry your brother’s wife.

She bore him only one child that lived, a daughter named Mary—we’ll talk about her at another time.    But she was 6 years older than Henry, who after several years of marriage became bored with her.  And if boredom and no more desire wasn’t enough Henry’s father  (the 7th) had instilled in his son the importance of having a male heir (as well as a spare) thru constant reminders of the fact that they had only had that crown for one generation—–it it was on him to continue them on into eternity—or something like that—I wasn’t there so can’t be exactly sure.

Henry had several mistresses over the years including one name  who had a son who many have thought was his son…But she was married during this time so who knows and besides we’ll hear more about the Boleyn’s next time.

 

The Duke of Richmond and Somerset

Portrait miniature by Lucas Horenbout, between 1533 and 1534

 

“Henry VIII had many suspected    illegitimate children but only  acknowledged one, Henry Fitzroy the first Duke of Richmond and Somerset, born 15 June 1519. His mother was Elizabeth Blount, a lady-in-waiting of  Catherine of Aragon”

How many children did Henry VIII have?—Royal Museum of Greenwich

Henry Fitzroy was made Duke of Richmond and Somerset

He was married to Lady Mary Howard another last name we’ll hear more of as we continue to try to untangle the Tudors.

He died 23 July 1536 (aged 17)

Died at St. James’s Palace, London and is buried at a Tomb at Framlingham, St Michael’s Church, with his wife Mary

File:St Michaels church in Framlingham - Henry Fitzroy tomb (geograph 1934366).jpg.

His character appeared in aTV show:       He was a 470  -year-old vampire, who helped with supernatural investigations.

Blood Ties  (TV Series 2007)

 

We’ll deal with Catherine and  Henry’s other wives next episode

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18 Famous Lighthouses to See Around the World

Hardcover Lighthouse Encyclopedia: The Definitive Reference Book

The Lighthouse Encyclopedia:  $29.95

 The most complete reference book available on lighthouses, this beautiful volume contains everything a lighthouse lover or maritime historian wants to know about lighthouse history, including the height, age, elevation, optic type, and status for more than 150 lighthouses around the world. Packed with over 400 full color and vintage photos throughout. Hardcover, 296 pages

Lighthouse Tours

 

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Black Cat Coffee

 

 

The 32 Best Places to Spend Christmas Around the World

 

 

Top 10 Charities That Help Children at Christmas Time

 

 

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The 26 Best Fall Festivals in the U.S. for 2023

When the air becomes a bit crisper that’s when you know fall festival season has hit North Dakota. It’s all about eating apples, building scarecrows, tractor shows, parades, and more.  Welcome the start of the most scenic and spooky season by heading to one of the best fall festivals in the state!                                                       The 7 Best Fall Festivals in North Dakota!

 

7 unmissable Fall Festivals around the world

57 Best Fall drawings ideas | drawings, fall drawings, fox art

 

50+ Unique Fall Activities & Things To Do For Spooky Season

 

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When Did Persia Become Iran and Why?

Persia

Persia’s ancient glory was only temporarily extingushedby Alexander.  In the third century AD, the Sassanids over threw the Parthian over lords and  founded a dynasty that shook the power of Rome herself.  They carved reliefs like their predecessors, to commrate their great deeds.

Western Asia Before Alexander

Karaysser Encyclopedia of Archaeology General Editor:  Gilbert Charles-Pecard

 

Iran Travel Advisory

 

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43 Most Haunted Places in the World, from Japanese Castles to Underwater Graveyards

 

Haunting Sunshine: Ghostly Tales from Florida's Shadows

Haunted Ft. Clinch

“Standing with in the state park of the same name, one would initially think it would be paradise of a duty station.  Situated along part of the beachfront of Florida’s northern most barrier island, the fort is close to everything that

can offer.  Within the fort, however, careful preservation and living history Volunteers reveal the real hardships that made military service there a true service and not a vacation.  The Volunteers act as if they really are living in the 1800’s.

So do the ghosts.

Top Seven Haunted Battlefields – From The Civil War To Stalingrad

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FANTASY FEST 2022:
CULT CLASSICS & CARTOON CHAOS==Videoes

FANTASY FEST

2023 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Creatively Costume yourselves at all times at Fantasy Fest Events!

Schedule is subject to change and will be updated as our event partners update their event details with us for 2023.

How to Take the Ultimate Florida Keys Road Trip

 

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We use to go to every other Fantasy Fest—we missed this one but had a crazy Party at home.

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Sobering Sites of Nazi Europe

 

THE MURDER OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

 

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Travel And Follow In The Footsteps Of Marilyn Monroe

 

Worth $150,000 – $200,000 (and that was a few years ago.)

 

Marilyn Monroe’s Los Angeles Tour

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How Burger King’s Uniforms Have Changed Over The Years

 

 

Fast-food fashion gets eBay play

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Spirits on Campus: Unravelling the UK’s Most Haunted University Ghost Stories

Cambridge: 

Girton College

Taylor Knob Staircase late 1800’s:  A gray lady was see here on the stairway.  Rumored to be Miss Taylor who died before starting the college.

Also when it was first built it is said to briefly being the home of a Roman Centurian, but he has not been seen recently.

Mysterious Britain and Ireland

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History

Plan Your Visit

 

THE CHARTERHOUSE, LONDON: BLACK DEATH AND GHOST

 

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Lake George: The Perfect Day Trip from Astor, Florida

The Phantom of Lake George

“There is a folk story about a ghost ship seen on various occassions, through the years in the mists of Lake George.  Several commerial fishermen have claimed to have seen this phantom boat, one fellow described what he saw as “a stern wheeler, you could make out the name of the boat, it was Iris.”  Another account comes from an elderly widow living in Crescent City–she said that her late husband had seen the spirit ship in Nov. 1943.”

Strange Florida, The Unexplained and Unusual.

Charlie Carlson

10 Haunted Islands That Will Creep You Out

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20 of the Creepiest Places in California

The Most Beautiful Villages And Towns Of California

Author: Joan Tapper. Nik Wheeler, Photos.        $9.98

 

Explore California’s 12 Regions

 

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APRIL 13th: It is eerie being all but alone in Westminster Abbey. Without the tourists, there are only the dead, many of them kings and queens. They speak powerfully and put my thoughts into vivid perspective. A. N. Wilson

Where to eat around Whitehall and Westminster

So we actually got started to this one before one of my friends got dizzy and I had to take her home—so only one–not me went on this tour—so I’m just giving the info on the tour:

With this tour—-

Westminster–3 Hour Walking Tour and Visit Churchhill Rooms.

Here are similar tours—it doesn’t appear they give the one we had and I describe below anymore:  London: Walking Tour and Churchill War Rooms Entry (continue after this tour directions for additional similar tours.

Take the tube to Green Park Station.  

The Ritz has  a charming 

Afternoon Tea at the Mayfair

which is served in the spectacular surrounding of the

Palm Court. 

 

According to what I read The Ritz London is the only hotel in the UK to have a certified Tea Master, Glandomenico Scanu, who travels around the world to various tea plantaton to source the Ritz’s wonderful teas.

THIS IS OUR DIRECTIONS For THAT Tour that isn’t listed anymore just an example of what you might get to help you find the meeting place for the tour:

At Green Park Underground station, take the left hand exit.  You will see a set of stairs and a ramp leading out of the station.  Take the stairs.  Head northwest on Piccadilly and you will need to make a slight right to stay on Piccadilly  Walk past the Big Bus Company people and in front of you, you will see the Ritz Hoteland the meeting point.  The Tour commences on time so be sure you get there maybe a half to a quarter hour early.

You can make you reservations and pay on line and  you can print out your reservations to take with you.  This is true of many of the tours on line.

 

Where to eat, drink and plot in Westminster

 

THE RITZ LONDON - Updated 2023 Prices & Hotel Reviews (England)

This tour meets outside the Ritz at 9:50 a.m (155 Piccadilly) next to the two red telephone boxes and the two souvenir stalls–and departs at 10 a.m.  (they do not wait or give refunds to perons who don’t arrive in time.)

 

Tours include Local Fun Guide. Walking tour of the top sights of Westminster (3 hours) and entry to

Churchill’s War Rooms

(group tours are not permitted so you enter on your own and use an Audio Guide for your tour).

After this formal tour ends we were planning on posible tour or at least walk around the outside of Westminster Palace Building–what we Yanks call  Parliament

A white church with two towers.

 

Secrets of Westminster: The attractions you never knew to look for

 

 As for Westminster Abbey I had arranged an admission in time for the last

Verger Tour

of the day.

Other areas to see at the Abbey

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries:  High above the abbey floor in the beautiful 13th century trifodum display some of the abbey’ s greatest treasures while telling the story of it’s thousand-year history.

 

Charter House and Pyx Chamber

Information on other things including info on visits and  nourishment at the Abbey:

 

Prices and entry times

Food & drink 

Check out reviews of restaurant at the Abbey:  “A BEAUTIFUL CAFE IN WHAT USE TO BE STORAGE FOR MONKS”

 

St Margaret's, Westminster - Wikipedia

 Next to Westminster Abbey on Parliament Square is

St Margaret’s Church

It has been called Parliament’s church for many years.

Sir Walter Raleigh

–yes the one that was saved (or maybe not) by Pochantas in the colonies– but that as just temporarily- yes really am not kidding– seems he was beheaded in England under the reign of James I and buried here inside this church.

Why Sir Walter Raleigh Was Beheaded

 

It is where Winston Chuchill was married and where he brought the House of Commons to pray in Thanksgiving at the end of World War II.

 

Of course you can skip a formal tour—this area isn’t huge and can be walked—-done it more than once myself—other places you might enjoy and are in the area:

 

Admiralty Arch

St James

 A Royal Park which was named after a Medieval Hospital

 which was named after

St. James the lesser

which stood here in earlier times

–At one time the park was enclosed and contained deer herds for Henry VIII to hunt.

and today at  the site of the old hospital you will find:

 

Though St. James’s Palace is technically never open to the public click here to find the exceptions

St. James has been a Royal Residence from Henry VIII (whom had it built here) to Victoria (over 300 years)–today it is again home to several member of the Royal family and their households.

Oh there is also a ceremonial  parade ground on the edge of St James Park where the

Trooping The Colour parade

takes place each year on the second Saturday of June (the King’s Birthday).

 

Buckingham Palace Timings | Opening Hours, Closing Hours, Best Time To Visit

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace Opening Times

Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of the British Sovereigns since 1837.   Today it is actually the administrative headquarters of the Monarch

Royal Mews

At Buckingham Palace and the people who work here are responsible for all road travel for the King and the Royal Family.

 

Queen's Gallery - Wikipedia

THE QUEEN’S GALLERY

Guess where—yeah Buckingham Palace the gallery is used to exhibit portions of the queen’s much larger art collection. The present building was built as a gallery specficially for the Queen’s collection replacing a building previouly at the site–which was destroyed by bombing of the city during WWII.

A view of the Great Hall and its ceiling decorated with paintings by Sir Peter Paul Rubens at the Banqueting House.

The Banqueting House

Is  the largest part of the little that is left in London of the Palace of Whitehall—a palace once belonging to the Catholic Bishop of York (called York Palace) but lost to Henry VIII when Cardinal Wolsey failed to obtain the marrying King a divorce.  It stayed with the crown and  this particular building which is all that remains of Whitehall, was in fact the execution site of the 2nd Stewart King Charles I when the  Puritan Parliament deposed and beheaded him just infront of it—-Londoners were said to be unhappy with the legislature’s action and a civil war resulted and an eventual return of the Stewart Kings (next one was Charles II).

THE WHITEHALL FIRE OF 1698

 

Victoria Palace Theatre external view with their lights on

Victoria Palace Theatre

Hamilton is currently playing

 

Tours and Tickets to Experience Whitehall

 

Touchscreen multimedia guides

The Household Cavalry Museum

A living museum in the heart of the Household Guard at Whitehall

Parliament and Big Ben Tours

 

Big Ben

Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster and the bell tower itself is probably the most recognized location in London by your average American.  And this is definately the most memorable clock I’ve ever seen.  It is by the way part of the Parliament complex so you need to note to include it when you go there (just kidding if you miss it you probably will have passed parliament and are half way into the Thames.  Oh and Ben’s tower it was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.

 

London in a Day: Tower of London Tour, Westminster Abbey & River Cruise

Next week bits and pieces and in two weeks we’ll do April14 a daytrip to Canterbury, Leeds, Dover and the Naval College & River

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Life is about the adventures you take and the memories you make. So travel often and live life with open eyes and an open heart.” ― Katie Grissom

 
Donnelly Park
 
 
Oktoberfest Mount Dora 2023
presented by
Mount Dora Boating Center and Marina Boat Rentals
Saturday, October 7th in Donnelly Park!
Get your lederhosen & dirndl ready for Oktoberfest Mount Dora!
Come and enjoy German Food, Beer, Music, and Fun!
Experience Local Craft Beers and German Food from our vendors,
Dance, and Sing along with the Sonnenschein Express!
Make it an even more memorable experience in the Hollerbach’s VIP Bierhaus with Hollerbach’s. They will serve a German Buffet, Beer, and exclusive seating!
Tickets are available now!
General Admission is $10 per person.
Hollerbach VIP Bierhaus is $100 per person
VIP includes admission to event, Hollerbach’s VIP Buffet, 2 Hollerbach’s Kolsch Beers, reserved seating, exclusive Lounge area, private cash bar, charging stations, air-conditioned bathrooms, preferred parking, souvenir beer stein.
Lawn chairs welcome.
No coolers or outside drinks allowed.
  • Oktoberfest Mount Dora 2023
    Saturday, October 7th in Donnelly Park!

    Get your lederhosen & dirndl ready for Oktoberfest Mount Dora! Come and enjoy German Food, Beer, Music, and Fun!

    Experience Local Craft Beers and German Food from our vendors, Dance, and Sing along with the Sonnenschein Express!

    Make it an even more memorable experience in the Hollerbach’s VIP Bierhaus.

    Buy tickets online to speed up check-in at event!

    Rain or shine event, lawn chairs welcome, no coolers allowed.

     

    Early Bird General Admission $10 per person

    Hollerbach’s VIP Bierhaus $100 per person

     

    Hollerbach’s VIP Bierhaus includes:
    Admission to event, Hollerbach’s VIP Buffet, Hollerbach’s Beers, reserved seating, exclusive Lounge area, private cash bar, charging stations, air-conditioned bathrooms, preferred parking, souvenir beer stein.

     

  • WILLKOMEN! OKTOBERFEST IS HERE!
    DON’T MISS OUT ON THE FUN!

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    My Jewish Learning – Judaism & Jewish Life

     

    • The Ritual Bath: The First Decker/Lazarus Novel (Decker/Lazarus Novels, 1) Mass Market Paperback –

    • Detective Peter Decker of the LAPD is stunned when he gets the report. Someone has shattered the sanctuary of a remote yeshiva community in the California hills with an unimaginable crime. One of the women was brutally raped as she returned from the mikvah, the bathhouse where the cleansing ritual is preformed

    • The crime was called in by Rina Lazarus, and Decker is relieved to discover that she is a calm and intelligent witness. She is also the only one in the sheltered community willing to speak of this unspeakable violation. As Rina tries to steer Decker through the maze of religious laws, the two grow closer. But before they get to the bottom of this horrendous crime, revelations come to light that are so shocking, they threaten to come between the hard-nosed cop and the deeply religious woman with whom he has become irrevocably linked.

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      Forest Lake Academy (2023-24 Profile) - Apopka, FL

      50 Things to Do in Orlando, Florida Beyond Disney’s Parks

  • Out and About in Florida

  • The Seventh Day Adventist established Florida Sanitarium north of Orlando in 1908—Though that building is gone they still have a presence there—you might have heard about it Florida Hospital—now operating under the name Advent Health

  • In 1925 the same Seventh-Day Adventists bought around 500 acres in Central Florida and moved their Winyah Lake Academy to Forrest City and re-named it Forrest Lake Academy. The school, like the hospital much changed still remains in the same spot that it was was orginally set, but much improved.

  • Forest CIty is unincorpoated.

  • Best Things to Do near

     Forest Lake Golf Club in Apopka, FL

     

    THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Apopka – 2023

    Apopka

    The first settler came to the area while the Second Seminole war was going on.  Peter Buchan, who was a Scottish silversmith  settled in La Grange, Georgia but like a lot of us he  and his family eventually came to Florida in the late 1830’s lured by the rumors of it’s fine, winter weather.   He first went to Palatka by wagon–then by water to the St. John’s river and up the Wekiva River.  He homesteaded outside of Apopka near Clay Springs.  He planted crops, raised cattle and other livestock while continuing his silversmith trade.

    The settlement was originally called The Lodge after the first Masonic meeting place in this area was built here (1856).  By 1882 it was incorporated as Apopka CIty (became just Apopka in 1887)   The word has been associated with the Creek tribes (“aka” and “papka” Eating Place)

    This area saw the first indoor foliage businesses in the state and grew Boston Ferns which were moved from  Orlando’s Lake Eola.

    A freeze in 1917 forced the growers growers to move south, though.  But the fern growers remained and the city aquired the nick name

    “The Fern City”  

    The industry suffered as did the  state and country in the 1930’s and it’s Depression and  this resulted in an industry with more diversity and variations including more indoor foliage.

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    • Visit the Bradlee-McIntyre House and Museum

      Track

      Schedule

      Friday

      10AM – 6PM –

      Early Packet Pickup

      Saturday 

      7:00 AM – Late Packet Pickup
      7:15 AM – DJ Starts Spinning Music
      7:35 AM – Opening Announcements and Welcome
      7:45 AM – Kid’s Dash
      8:00 AM – The first wave of 5K starts
      8:05 AM – The last wave of 5K starts
      8:15 AM – First of the runners are finishing
      9:10 AM – Last of the walkers are finishing
      9:15 AM – Awards Ceremony and Costumes

      Become a Sponsor

       

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      Best Kissimmee Hidden Gem Attractions

    • Welcome to Kissimmee,  Find a world of vacation fun in the big, bold heart of Florida. There’s never been a better time to embrace beauty and adventure in Kissimmee. Discover sunny blue skies, winding rivers, and sparkling lakes alongside world-famous theme parks and larger-than-life attractions. Plus, you’ll find an amazing array of hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals in the Vacation Home Capital of the World®.

       

    • Activities in Kissimmee For Kids &

    • Grandparents

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  • The 13 Most Amazing Buildings From The Middle Ages That Are Still Standing

     

     

    THE FIVER – FIVE OF THE BEST WALKS IN LONDON

    Where Have All The Tudors Gone?

     

    • Ok we went thru all members (almost) of Henry VII family–the first King in that line and 6 of his children, one son’s name isn’t listed at least where I was looking and Henry VIII will be In my blog in two weeks as the second generation of the family that took over from Wales to England.

       

       

    How Lady chapels gave birth to cathedral choirs
    • The Lady Chapel built for Henry VII ha been described as exquisite–and the last great materpiece of English medieval architecture and today it holds the bodies of 15 kings and queens all at the far eastern end of Westminster Abbey.  

       

    • After conquering

    •  England he went on to set his mark in London and building this chapel for his family was one of the ways he did this.  The cost of the chapel which was finished and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary  in 1503 for 14,000 pounds.  Built in the

    • Perpendicular style and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin it became known as the Henry VII Chapel.

     

    • Henry VI

    A Medieval Pilgrimage in Modern Times by Rick Steves

     

    • Interestingly enough Henry had intended it to be the burial site and shrine for Henry VI–Henry’s half Uncle.  A man who was probably more paranoid than pious (all kidding asside–as a nurse it would seem apparent to me that he suffered from catonic  schizophrenia. —

    • He was murdered in the tower but exactly which of Edward jailers was resonsible for his death is questionable,  but all might agree it was most benificial for Edward IV—at least until his death and his sons disappeared from that same building and may possibly been killed too and of course all  became hit plays for Shakespeare.

    How does someone become a saint?

  • After he became King , Henry tried to have Henry VI canonized but this failed to occur and so when Henry’s Queen Elizabeth died in childbirth (1508) she was interred in the tomb and Henry joined her later–Their Bronze effigies was sculpted by

  • Pietro Torrigiano,

  • who studied with Michaelangeio.  There it stands to this day enclosed in a brass screen (chanty).  (see last bits and pieces for a picture)

Your Ultimate Guide to Exploring Tudor Places

 

 

DAVIDSTOW (ST. DAVID) CHURCHYARD

 

CornwallDAVIDSTOWStDavid(royhughesCC-BY-SA2.0)1

Best Things To Do & Days Out In Davidstow, Cornwall

Finding the real Cornwall

Davidstow

Our first church (above) is St David’s     Located in Davidstow

Davidstow means David’s Place and according to legend the church was founded by St David in the 6th century, whilst visiting his mother at nearby Altarnun—click on the following site & please scroll to the the bottom of the site for info on nearby churches

 site for more St. David info.

The current tower of the church reportedly dates from the 15th c  but available records only covers its existance after it’s restoration in 1875.  The rebuilding has given the interior of the church a spacious feeling due to the redone windows and other items added in the 19th c.

St. David’s Day is March 1st which is also the first day of Lent—some locals comment that this may have been placed on that date since Lent is a time when celebration is discouraged and thus could save the church a lot of money.

 

St David – Patron Saint of Wales

 

The Story Behind the Patron Saint of Wales - Best of Scotland

By the way the Patron Saint of Cornwall is:        St. Piran

Boscastle

 

Forrabury Church

This Cornish church stands “square and proud up the hill, but many churches do that in Cornwall.  It is only one of 3 churches in England dedicated to

St. Symphorian

who was a person in

Roman Gaul

-a young native of

Burgandy

who was killed in 282 AD,  for protesting against the worship of the

goddess Cybele

This saint reportedly first found his way to England with the troops of William the Conqueror

Crosses, Saints & Holy Wells in Cornwall

 

Boscastle (Minster) Church

Minster Church

Rather than a hill this church rests in a hidden glen and is often just stumbled on by visitors walking along

Valley Vale

 It is said that the  best time to visit this church is in the spring when it is surrounded by a multitude of woodland flowers.  It is also said that

St. Madryn 

a Welsh saint is buried here.  Legend says that this daughter of a Welsh Prince came here to seek peace and she stayed on when she found it in this vale.  She spent her time either in prayer or healing those who sought her out with water from the holy well. Though the she is no longer here many feel healing still occurs during the evening worship at this church.  

Madyrn is celebrated on April 9th

 

Eating and shopping at Boscastle

 

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Fall festivals, Halloween events to enjoy in Central Florida

 
Decorating should be fun—this time I just put a Halloween Themed (pumkins) across the regular bed spred and put some paper—glossy and heavy enough sto stand up —one on each pillow for a cute but not crazy Halloween decor.  The stan on the left has a plastic white faced blue cad ghoolie lamp that lights ou nicely that black item below it isa paper bat again the thinker paper ones flying under the radar. ..I added some assorted Halloween nick nacs on the head boad

 

Donation Center & Thrift Store Locator

 

want to find a place to get kids all packaged up costumes?   At exceptional prices????

 

10 outrageous Halloween events in the US

 

Items like this give you something extra around the house or on your desk at work.

Creating a Haunted House for Charity

 

11 Halloween Fundraising Ideas That Work

   

14 best Halloween events to visit in the UK

And remember wreaths aren’t just for  Christmas anymore and they aren’t that hard to make—you can even use old beat up Christmas ones—as beat up works for Halloween so you save money and get to be creative.

 

Visit the Top 10 Most Haunted Places in Europe, If You Dare

 

 

This Terrifying Haunted House Will Give You $20,000 If You Can Make It to the End — but No One Ever Has (Video)

Set down with your kids and find out what they want to go as.  And then you can get them to go with you to the store to help pick items out….make the even more theirs that way and bring out their creative side

 

What to Do When Your Child is Scared of Halloween

 

Halloween Costume Contest: Do’s and Don’ts

Worried about the kids going out for Halloween plan a block party and get everybody involved—this won’t work in all neighborhoods but may in alot of others—–one with lots of familes with children—cul de sac streets work well—and you can set up all manner of fun things from trick or treat with a twists or all manner of things.

HOW TO THROW A SPOOKY FUN HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY

 

A ghostly shopping list: All the items for Halloween you need

IF you’re in Florida or California you have the theme parks providing a great list of things to do without you having to do much but produce some cash.

 

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 at Universal Studios

 

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

 

 

37 Easy and Fun Halloween Crafts for Toddlers and Preschoolers

 

Haunted Houses & Halloween Attractions in Florida

 

and where did I get all these pictures of Halloween items????

 

??? Which stores???

\

 

YES all these are at Goodwill—just one store in Central Fl.

 

 

If you go to the top of this article there a link to go to that will allow you to find a store near you  I was there about a week or a little more so don’t know what’s left 

Goodwill – Casselberry/Longwood

1795 Sunshadow Dr, Casselberry, FL 32707  

Take 17-92 

Turn  right if  you are coming north

or left if coming south

Onto 434 

Turn right at first light — it’s at a shopping center

the GoodWill is on the left  with lots of parking near it

 

 

Part II–Chelsea & Belgravia: An absolutely new idea is one of the rarest things known to man. Thomas More

Chelsea Old Church | National Churches Trust

History

Sir Thomas More

Lived in Chelsea for around 14 years until his attainder in 1535.  He would come here to escape London and the court and to spend time with his family and his own literary pursuits and he also entertained friends, including Erasmus and Holbein.  It is thought by some that the latter designed the capitals in the More Chapel, in the Old church (1528).

  • Statue of Thomas More outside Chelsea Old Church

There is a Statue of More outside the churchyard and only a short distance from here is:

The Thomas Carlyle’s House

Carlyle's House - Wikipedia

Immediately west of the church stands

 

Trfihi Parks | Parks | Ropers Gardens

Roper’s Garden, Chelsea, London – See Around Britain

 A public green space which is said to be the same site as a garden given by More to his daughter and her husband.

  At one time More seemed to be headed for a more holy life—he spent his younger days at the Carthusian Monastery near Lincoln Inn—he even wore a hair shirt —-a habit that he continued off and on thru his entire life.  But he opted for a chaste husband rather than a priest.

He married Jane Colt, daughter of a gentleman farmer whom he taught Latin among other subjects not common in the normal education of a female in those times.  He would later educate his daughter as well—infact she was the first non-royal English woman to publish a work in translation.  All this may have been one of the reasons that his house built here in Chelsea is said to have rooms which were set up to promote quiet study and of course prayer.

Go into the church’s grounds

There has been a church here since the 8th c.  In the 13th a new church was built.  There was a chancel in 1326 north south chapels were added and in 1670 a tower.   One chapel—-the north belonged to the Lawrence family who were Lords of the manor of Chelsea.  Another to Sir Thoma Lawerence, an Elizabethan merchant.

The chancel entrance was designed by Hans Halbien, a court painter who did portraits for Henry VIII and his court.

Oh and by the way Henry VIII and his third wife (Jayne Seymore-and mother of his only son—she died shortly after that birth) worshiped here.

Lady Jane Grey (who later was executed for being involved in a rebellion against Henry’s daughter Mary taking the throne after the early death of her brother Edward—the rebellion was due to Mary being a catholic) took communion here when she spent time (along with her cousin Elizabeth) here with Henry VIII’s widow Katherine Parr at her estate from her late Henry—as she was his surviving widow—something that really was an accomplishment for a wife of Henry—-there was one other surivor—Anne of Cleves who he didn’t like —he’d only seen her in a portrait — with her agreement (she was from the upper class in what would later become Germany) he had the marriage annualled and she was offically declared a sister of the king and give a few palaces and money to support her—she outlived all the Henry’s wifes—including the first which he divorced and the last who died in childbirth when she married another courtier—who was her 4th husband  (Henry only beat Kathern Parr by 2 marriage partners—hers except for the last were old to begin with) the first three died of natural causes including Henry—the last outlived her but not for long—he was the brother of that Jane Seymour and pissed off with his brother alot of equally powerful people in England,  trying to run the prince their nephew and thus the country.

 

Memorial to Lady Jane Cheyne and Charles Cheyne

There is also a 17th c memorial to Lady Jane Cheyne–after whose husband Cheyne Walk was named.  This is a grandiose Renaissance Tomb by Bernini .

  John Wesley preached from the pulpit here and the church was later painted by both JMW Turner and then James Whistler

The present church was rebuilt after WWII.  It  is a replica of the medieval church which was heavily damaged during the bombing of London. Much of the damage happened when a parachuted landmine fell nearby and the tower was blown over onto the church in 1941.   Most of the church was heavily damaged except for More’s Chapel (re-opened 1950).  Later the Lawence Chapel  was restored and opened (1954) and then reconstruction of the church was completed (1958).

 

Among the church’s treasurers are the only chained books left in London:  includes The Vinegar Bible (1717)—it has a printer’s error which makes the parable of the Vinegaryard  instead  the parable of the Vinyard.

It is considered fashionable to be married here.

Enter the church.

The present arch leading from the chancel is a reproduction of the original 14th c one that collapsed in 1784 and has only been partly restored.

Go to the chapel.

The Chapel on the South rebuilt in 1528, by Sir Thomas More as his private chapel.  The capitals of the pillars here are said to represent the symbol of More’s offices in the Church and the State.  This is an absolute freehold, and beyond the control of the bishop—it was allowed to fall into disrepair but was purchased by a Mr. R.H. Davies and transferred into control by church wardens and trustiess and has been mostly restored.  The church was enlarged in the 17th c and the heavy brick tower at it’s western end was built.

The church is known for its array of monument including an ornate 1753 memorial to Sir Hans Sloane.  He had prior to his passing donated several rare books to the church including the Vinegate Bible which we mentioned previousy as well as a copy of Foxe’s Book ofMartyrs (1684).

When you’re finshed with viewing the chruch leave and return to Old Church Street turning right and continue on Old Church

Restaurant of the Week: The Chelsea Pig, Chelsea | House & Garden

#35:  Chelsea Pig (formerly the Pig’s Ear)

This might be a nice place to take a break or stop for lunch. 

British modern pub dishes, complimented by a selected group of beers, signature cocktails and a nice wine list.

34, 36 and 38, Old Church Street SW3, Chelsea Riverside, London

Across the Street

The Chelsea cows | The story behind Wright's Dairy and its surprising musical legacy | Memoirs Of A Metro Girl

is

#46  The Old Dairy

Which was built in 1796 when there were still cows grazing here

Continue on Old Church until you come to King’s Road where you will turn right

King's Road London - 11 Reasons You Need to Discover This Street

King Road is Chelsea’s main route

Cross over King’s street and then turn right

Carlyle Square

It was said of London in the 18th c was “such a huge city.”   But by todays it would have, I’m afraid, been considered small and  a bit rural.   Though it was no longer just the square mile of the original city there were still open fields to be viewed north of Oxford Rd at this time–infact Chelsea was still a seperate village then.

Immediately on your left

Carlye Square

This is a garden square, laid out on market gardens which originally was called Oakley  Square.  It’s present name became its name in 1872 in honor of the writer Thomas Carlye.  The garden at the center of this square was the site of an annual summer party held by David Frost,   All manner of people many of note from British and international society, politics and broadcasting and it was described in 2008 as “an importent fixture for London media and political party sessons.

The square has been known for flower stalls and fountains.

After seeing the square take two left turns to go around the square and continue to your left on King’s

Up market residential area of Chelsea King’s road stands for all the youthful rebellion that Britain as well as the rest of the world had in the 60’s,  The botiques here were the first to make and sell  the mini-skirt and other gear for the1960’s and later Punk was born here.

If you’re into antiques and collectibles you’ll like the 3 warrens of stalls on the south side of King’s Rd.

 

pheas.jpg

 

Pheasntry —152 Kings Road

The site’s name comes from a Samuel Baker who had a business here where he developed new breeds of oriental pheasant as well as cattle and foxes.

It is estimated that the building here now was constructed in the mid-nineteenth century.

The Companion Guide to London

The Campion Guide to London sayes that a family, the Jobets bought this building in 1889 and added “significant amounts of agricultural decoration including a “flamboyant Louis XV facade and a triumphant entrance arc to it’,s front courtyard.

 

 

The house was occupied in the early 20th c by Eleanor Thonton a model of artist Charles Sykes, whom legends sayes used her for his Rolls Royce mascot the Spirit of Ectasy.  She drown in 1915.

In 1916, there was a ballet academy in part of the building—ran by Serafina Astafaieve, a neice of Leo Tolstoy, who trained many dancers of fame.

In the 30’s the basement became a restaurant and drinning club popular with actors such as, Humphrey Bogart and Francis Bacon.  It closed in 1966 when the owner died.

 

By the 1950’s it was a british studio of the Italian painter Pietro Annigoni for 6 months.

By the late 60’s the building contained apartments.  Tenants included Eric Clampton who actually escaped a drug arrest here with the assistance of another tenant.

The King’s Road, London

Continue down King’s Road

King’s Road was once an exclusive royal road used only by King Charles II—and his staff and the theives who robbed the royal goods and related people who used it to provide services and goods to his palace

Cross over to the other side of King’s Road

Chelsea’s position on the north bank of the Thames and its Bohemian atmosphere attracted artists, writers and painters  over the years. with the like of  J.M.W. Turner, Henry James, T.S. Eliot, George Elliot, Mick Jagger (as well as his band mates), Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde to name but a few of it’s famous and infamous residents.

Past Baywater St.

 

Markham Square

Markham Square

A garden square laid out in 1836 that is accessed from King’s Road.  There was once a Congregational chapel at the north end of the square, but it was demolished in 1953.

Past Markham Street

Wren built a soldier’s home here after the Great Fire of 1771,

The second Earl Cafoan married Elizabeth Sloane, daughter of the physician Hans Sloane,  Her marriage partition included a big portion of Chelsea which was soon transformed from meadows and market gardens into fashionable residential areas.

If you would like to visit

 

Michael Hoppen Contemporary - Gallery - visitlondon.com

Michael Hoppen Gallery

3 Jubilee Pl.

Art Gallery–spacious international gallery showcasing established as well as up and coming fine art photographers

Turn right on Jubilee

Once you’re finished at the gallery,     return to King and continue the way you were going beforethe turn.

Past Godfrey Street

The Cadogam famiy is immortialized in 1 pier, 2 squares and 4 streets named for them in London.  The Solanes in 9 streets, 2 squares and a crescent that carry their name.

Past Chelsea Manor Street

Across the street you can see 

Newly refurished Grade II Victoriana buildingthat has not long been restored to it’s original glory, and now being used as an event venue.

The pleasure gardens on the south side of the river were very popular in the evenings—-but there were imitations north of the river.

Ranelagh at Chelsea was the most popular of these,  It opened in 1742 with 150′ in diameter rotund center piece.  Mozart played here as a child and there was a nearby lake and Chinese pavillion Canaletto

Entry fee included tea and coffee, 2 shillings on fireworks night, 5 shilling (a shilling was worth 20 pence–or a 20th or a pound).

 

4K - DUKE OF YORK SQUARE | KING'S ROAD CHELSEA LONDON | Spring May 2021 - YouTube

Duke of York Square

Pedestrianized enclave of boutiques and restauants with statues of Sloane and cooling fountains.

Saatchi Gallery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Saatchi Gallery

This is London’s Gallery for contemporary art, which was open by Charles Saatchi in 1985 to exhibit his collection to the public.  It has occupied different places, first in North London, then South Bank by the Thames and finally here in Chelsea.

Continue on Kings Road till it ends at Soane’s Square

Then turn right —the tube station is a short distance on your left.

Your are now on your own as to where you want to go from here—back to hotel, somewhere

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“STOP DREAMING ABOUT YOUR BUCKET LIST AND START LIVING IT.” — ANNETTE WHITE

10 Public Places Where You Can Make the Most of Your Alone Time

Please note that I look for places on line that offer travel and other things that might give you some ideas of what to do and where to go—-I have no personal contact with the persons who have these sites, I recieve no money for putting them on my blog and I can’t document the site—I am merely giving you some place to start for your search for a more adventurous, less lonely, more fulfilling (whatever you’re looking for) life style.

 

SOLO TRAVEL:  Travel solo but never alone 

 

Tudor Rose pin badge

This card dates from 2014—–but check here for current offerings..

visit an art gallery that’s laid back and fun with not only shows, but with several artist studios that are accessible on site that you can look at what the individual artists have done and often are able to actually meet the artists and talk to them about their work—some even give classes on all manner of artistic subjects.

 

Art Galleries in Sanford

 The Best Ancient Roman Sites in Italy

From its inception to its collapse in 476 A.D., ancient Rome had three distinct periods: Regal Rome, (753–509 B.C.), when monarchs ruled; Republican Rome (509–27 B.C.), when Roman elected its governors; and Imperial Rome (27 B.C.–476 A.D.), when a supreme ruler oversaw the empire, and in early years did so alongside the elected senate. Over that time, Rome was ruled by scores of kings, dictators and emperors who expanded it from a small city to an empire spanning nearly 2 million square miles and consisting of, historians estimate, anywhere from 50 to 90 million inhabitants.

11 Roman Emperors Who Helped Mold the Ancient World

Augustus born Gaius Octavius Thurinus known as Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus 63BC - 14AD First emperor of the Roman Empire

10 Ancient Roman sites to explore outside Italy

Our Vermont

Our Vermont

 

Our Vermont brings you the traditions, people, and places of the Green Mountain State. Highlights of the brand-new Fall 2023 issue: Immerse yourself in spectacular fall color of the Northeast Kingdom, savor comforting meals for crisp fall days, and raise a glass to Vermont craft beverages. Plus, take an enchanting view of  the ‘witch window’ with their distinctive slanted design.

Brought to you by:
The Vermont Country Store

 

Where Have all the Tudors Gone?

Part 2

King Henry VII’s Signature

Signature of King Henry VII

Henry VII, builder of Richmond Palace

So an obscure Welsh family named Tudor came to the throne of England after the Plantaganete King Richard III was killed in battle.

 

25 Ways to Volunteer in Your Community

Wars of the Roses: the UK’s 10 best heritage sites

 

Henry VI upon taking power married Elizabeth (the sister of the princes who disppeared from their apartments in the tower and niece to Richard III) on 18 January 1486 and during their marriage Henry and Elizabeth had eight children. (all the sites say 8 children but I can only find 7  names–3 boys and 4 girls).

Full Tour of the Tower of London

 

15th century drawing of Perkin Warbeck

The Execution of Perkin Warbeck

Henry’s reign (1485-1509) was troubled by revolts, sometimes involving pretenders (such as Perkin Warbeck            and   Lambert Simnel) who impersonated Edward V or his brother. With this in mind, in 1485, Henry formed a personal bodyguard from his followers known as the ‘Yeomen of the Guard’ (the oldest military corps in existence today).

Henry VII (r. 1485-1509)

 

 

The Gruesome History of Tyburn Tree

 

Their Oldest  child, a son  Arthur was born on Sept. 20, 1486 as the first born son of the King he was the crown prince–The Prince of Wales.  His birthplaces was St. Swithun’s Priory in Winchester.  It is said that he was named after the legendary King Arthur, some historians say his father believed was his ancestor. And the little prince also became the Duke of Cornwall at birth.  

 

St. Swithun’s Shrine
at Winchester Cathedral

He was reportedly a healthy baby despite the fact that he was born a month early  there is no records that show that he was frail or unhealthy.   He began his formal schooling at age 5 yrs.  

 

12 little-known facts about Catherine of Aragon

 

On November 14, 1501 Arthur married the Spanish Princess Catherine of Aragon in Old St Paul’s Cathedral (which stood on the site of the church of the same name stands today (w/out the “OLD” of course)– but was destroyed in the

Great Fire of London

in 1666)

 

Arthur died at age 15 in 1502

 

A Glimpse Through the Squint: Tudor Heraldry on Prince Arthur’s Chantry

and was buried at

 

Tudor Tombs and Burials

The 400 Mile Medieval Pilgrimage | Pilgrimage With Simon Reeve | Chronicle

Worcester Cathedral  and Arthur’s tomb is still here as is his chantry  (a chapel, altar, or other part of a church endowed for priests to celebrate masses for the soul),  Located to the right of the High altar, near the tomb of King John, still survives and includes heralic carvings symbolising York, Lancaster, Beauort, and even his wife Catherine of Argon’s pomegranate.\e.

We’ll pick up with Catherine again later in our chronicals as she makes a return performannce

Worchester Cathedral:  Visit Us,

             Henry born | 28 June 1491—-we’ll deal with his life and death in a further episode about the same time as Catherine of Aragon reappears—-but quite awhile after she departs– if it all turns out like I planned.

 

Elizabeth :  2nd July 1492 – 14th September 1495

 

Edmund  21 February 1499 – 19 June 1500

Katherine:  2 February 1503—-died the day she was born

These three children were all buried near each other at Westminster Abbey

Elizabeth of York never recovered from the birth,  which was her eighth pregnancy

 

 

There were two daughters that suvived—

Margaret, Queen of Scots (28 November 1489 – 18 October 1541)

Margaret died at Methven Castle –Her burial was at The Carthusia (Monastery) Priory of St John in Perth…which unfortunately was attacked during the Scottish Protestant Revolution in 1559 and fell into decay.

 

&

Mary, Queen of France (18 March 1496 – 25 June 1533).  Mary was 30 years the King’s junior and his third wife—they had no children and she outlived him and married again becoming the Duchess of Suffolk.  

 She died, at Westhorpe Hall, Suffolk having never fully recovered from the sweating sickness she caught in 1528.  She was buried at Bury St. Edmunds abbey.   Five years later, when the monastery was dissolved (don’t forget her brother was that anti-monk King–Henry VIII) Mary’s body was removed to nearby St. Mary’s Church, Bury St. Edmunds.

 

Henry VII’s Queen:      Elizabeth died of a post-pregnancy infection on 11 February 1503, her thirty-seventh birthday.

Henry Died:   April 21, 1509 (aged 52)

EnglandTitle / Office:  King (1485 – 1509)

Though it is said he died in April 21 it could have been April 22, the confusion comes from it not being annouced until the 23rd as it took a while to reach the new King:  Henry—now VIII  which needed to be done before they could announce it.  By the way King Henry VII died at Richmond Palace…….

and we’re not sure what he died of—-it has long been deemed TB—-but that is not my reading and training as a nurse indicated to me–and more recently there have been other thought on it:

“A tuberculosis death seems less likely given Henry’s lasting strength and older age, but an asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease diagnosis is interesting. The effigy shows prominent trapezius and sternocleidomastoid neck muscles when compared with the overall lean build.

“That suggests a degree of lung damage from emphysema. These accessory muscles of respiration work hard in Type I respiratory failure, while the heart still pumps adequately and respiratory drive is sustained. Such patients are therefore thin and pink, unlike the next stage, when the drive to breathe declines and the heart fails, causing cyanosis and edema. Did Henry simply die of common heart disease? He was keen on the development of artillery. We now know that gunpowder smog induces pulmonary inflammation, which could have triggered his chest disease. Even modern military small arms can reduce lung function slightly—how permanently needs further research.”

The Secret Death of Henry VIII’s Father, King Henry VII

 

Effigies of Elizabeth of York and King Henry VII in the Lady Chapel of Westminster Abbey

Henry and Elizabeth are buried together—-Henry did not marry again–infact there is no record of him  having any bastard children or even of him taking a mistresses during their entire time together nor after her death—-In Westminster Abbey—-Henry VII’s Chapel (also called the Lady’s Chapel).

 

Oh and Part III  2 wks from the date this was posted—will deal with a chapel in Westminster Abbey that deals with alot of persons about Britain.\

Open House Inviation from

Wekiva Wilderness Trust& Wekiva Springs State Park :

Volunteers Needed  all ages to assist projects in park

—-For More INFO:  wwt-cso.com

Wekiva Wilderness Trust
Wekiva River Basin State Parks
1800 Wekiwa Circle
Apopka, FL 32712
844-727-5998  
info@wwt-cso.com

 

The 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel, now a National Historic Landmark, is home to The University of Tampa and the Henry B. Plant Museum

 

 

 Historic Architectural Walking Tour

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The Below is about A Viking Thing in York—Check it out:

With a verger, you’ll get to see special parts of the Abbey, such as the Tomb of St Edward the Confessor, not accessible to general visitors. 

Juniper Springs Recreation Area

 Juniper Springs Campround—Ocala Area

Very popular and attractive recreation area that is run by the National Forest Service.  It is a busy area at the head of a spring and has dressing rooms, water wheel and lots of simming area, as well as canoe rental—-there is a seven mile run as wellas dense growths of trees randomly places camping sites.  It i located on Hwy 40 just a few miles W. Hwy 19.

 

Springs In The Ocala National Forest

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Zymarium Logo

 

Orlando’s First Meadery!!

1121 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL

Thursday 5pm – 12am

Friday 5pm – 12am

Saturday 12pm – 12am

Sunday 12pm – 10pm

21+ only, after 6pm

Service Animals Only

Outside Food Welcome

What Is a Meadery?

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Booked: A Traveler's Guide to Literary Locations Around the World

 

35 Used from $7.15 

 

A must-have for every fan of literature, Book inspires readers to follow in their favorite characters footsteps by visiting the real-life locations portrayed in beloved novels including the Monroeville, Alabama courthouse in To Kill a Mockingbird, Chatsworth House, the inspiration for Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice, and the Kyoto Bridge from Memoirs of a Geisha. The full-color photographs throughout reveal the settings readers have imagined again and again in their favorite books.

 

Best Beaches in the World for 2023

Beach Bucket List: 60 Fun Things to Do at the Beach

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Punta Gorda: No Longer A Fishing Village at Mouth of Peace River (includes directions to some of older buildings in town.)

Punta Gorda today sets overlooking Charlotte Harbor on the mouth of Peace RIver……it use to a real fisherman’s village down the street from the town–a charming village with shabby tin-roofed cottages and the like.  There was also a pier 50 years ago The CIty FIsh Docks,  but that was destroyed in fire which destroyed building and the like.  But the city still offers a variety thing to see and places to go in Florida

 

Things to do in Punta Gorda

 

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LAVENHAM -The most beautiful village in the world | A walk round Lavenham Suffolk England

 

 

Lavenham

This medieval village is in the heart of Suffolk and near Bury St. Edmund (where one of the Tudors we talked about prevously was buried and re-buried) as well as  Sudbury. 

 

 

Image may contain Housing Building Cottage House Roof and Villa

Never heard of it—-you might know it better as:     Godric Hollow

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 Walkthrough – 21 – The Streets of Godric’s Hollow

 

This is the site where the boy wizard was born in Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallow.

Lavenham Harry Potter Guide – Real Godric’s Hollow Filming Location (2023)

Not really into Harry Potter—well there’s more here:

 

The Guildhall

The village was a great success in the wool trade which paid for the construction of the

Guildhall of Corpus Christi 

(above) and the

Church of St. Peter and St. Paul

with cathedral like proportions and immense 1411 tower was once the of the 14th richest Tudor settlements in 1487, Henry VII fined several families for displaying too much wealth.

 

Lavenham, St Peter and St Paul - A Church Near You

Today, Lavenham is rich in historic architecture, with some

very fine shopping

too.

 

2021 – THE MYSTERIES AND MAGIC OF LAVENHAM – Historic Tour of Best Preserved Medieval Village

 Lavenham Contemporary - Lavenham, Suffolk

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10 Best Charities for Helping Orphans (Complete 2023 List)

 

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The Rise of the Royal Mistresses – YouTube

 

MEET the MISTRESSES of Louis XV at the Palace of Versailles | Google Arts & Culture

Just finished this book—-it’s a historical view of 500 years of Sex,

Royalty and all manner of everthing from Sex with the King which is the first chapter to Monarchs, Mistresses and Marriage which is chapter 12 the last.  It’s a good read and covers monarchs of multiple countries and centuries and even includes King Charles III—though when this book was written (2004) he was just a prince not yet a king.  Adults only please.

Note the site listed here (below)  is a bit confusing and has weird ads—BUT it has multiple palaces and visiting info—-the last listed are three side by side with a picture to click on:  Madam Pompador — Palace Film Locations and  The Prettiest Castles in the Czech Republic.

Palace of the Royal Mistress

 

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Next week with more of the trip to UK see you then

“When exploring London, you will come across lots of excitement by chance, so try to take everything in rather than just rushing around to all of the major tourist haunts.” – Richard Branson

All Places in London

A wonderful young lady who allowed me to take this picture—I took it to show you what lovely Ladies London has.

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Ok here we go on a planned tour that wasn’t done due  to some of the crew felling ill——But I thought somebody might enjoy so here goes one of my unused adventures.

Special Note:  This has multiple stuff to see and do in Chelsea & Belgravia—-But it will be impossible to do it all—I would recommend a walk about with just stopping at the top of you list items—- or pick what you want ro see and then take a couple of days  (or more) to get to it….its up to you and  of course do your own directions as what I have here are basic—may do the directions on your phone  and that kind of thing as things change and I might have missed something etc etc.

 

Chelsea, London.-. | London living, London house, London townhouse

Chelsea & Belgravia—–London

We had planned to take the underground leaving from our area we can walkfrom our hotel and catch a train from Paddington Station.

 

File:16 Cheyne Walk 02.JPG - Wikimedia Commons

I have read that Chelsea has the “character of Knightsbridge and Kensington without their stuffiness.”  I might note that both had a high point in the 19th cetury when Cheyne Walk was the location of persons like

Edgar Allen Poe,

George Elliot,

Dante Gabariel Rosseti,

Oscar Wilde,

J.M.W. Turner,

John Singer Sergant

and

James MacNeil Whistler. 

But that wasn’t it’s only claim to fame. For in the 50’s and 60’s (of the 1900’s) it’s King Road produced the mini-skirt and punk rock.  But today the area now has become a place of wealth and you will find littlle if anything radical there now.

Take the tube to Sloan Square Station

A view toward the Sloane Square tube station from the hotel entrance. - Picture of Sloane Square Hotel, London - Tripadvisor

Today we’ll walk about from Thomas Moore to James Bond and walk around and by.  We will

have lunch at a place  that looks worth a stop.

and dinner around our exploration area or back by our hotel.

Remember to use caution when using walking directions as they may not relect real world conditions

Sloane Square – Pronounce London

Sloane Square

Named after Hans Sloane (1660 – 1753) who contributed to the Chelsea Physic Garden, invented milk chocolate and help with early development of the British Museum.

 

Best Things to do in Sloane Square: An Insider’s Area Guide 

 

Sloane Square - The 'Venus Fountain' which stands in the centre of the square was designed by sculptor Gilbert Ledward and constructed in 1953.The fountain depicts Venus, and on the basin section of the fountain is a relief which depicts King Charles II and Nell Gwynn by the Thames. Sloane Square, Gwynn, Thames, King Charles, Gilbert, Fountains, Amazing Art, Places Ive Been, Basin

The Fountain at the middle of the square wasn’t erected till 1953 and is of  Venus, The fountain depicts Venus, and on the basin section of the fountain is a relief which depicts King Charles II and his mistress Nell Gwynn by the Thames, which was used in relation to a house located close by that Nell Gwynn had used.

During Parliament (think Puritans) rule of England the theatre was not greatly in favor and prior to Charles II’s reign all parts (no matter the sex) were played by men.  Charles was VERY fond of ladies and he encouraged the theaters to use female actors for feminine roles.  And the aforementioned Nell was a big part of that —she started as a young girl on the street selling oranges and went on to be an actress,  and and not the least was mistress to the king as well as mother to some of his children.

 

Chelsea in the 18th centuy was one of London’s centers for porcelain making as it had an easy access to the river which was needed due to the damage often done on over land transport.

 

Head southeast on Holbein Pl toward Whittaker St.  0.1 mi

Several hospitals and former hospitals are known formally or informally as Royal or simply The Royal, indicating some form of royal patronage, such as sponsorship, usage, or creation by royal charter.

Royal Hospital Wikipedia

 

Turn right onto Pimlico Rd/A3214     

223 ft,

In 1681, responding to the need to look after many soldiers, King Charles II issued a Royal Warrant authorizing the building of the Royal Hospital Chelsea to care for those ‘broken by age or war’. Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to design and erect the building.

 

The Founding of the Royal Hospital Chelsea

 

Continue onto Royal Hospital Rd/B302          0.1 mi

 The initiative  to build this place is said to have come from Nell Gwyn according to Peter Cunningham’s

“The Story of Nell Gwyn” [1851].

Turn left onto Franklins Row–Restricted usage road   59 ft. 

Soldiers are eligible to be posted here if they are over 65 and have a history of Army Service.

Continue onto East Rd.  Restricted  usage Road.  141 ft 

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is a retirement home and nursing home for some 300 veterans of the British Army. Founded as an almshouse, which was the ancient word “hospital”, it is a 66-acre (27 ha) site located on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea.

Turn right Destination will be on the right in 256 ft.    

Royal Hospital Chelsea - Wikipedia

Royal Hospital Chelsea

The Chelsea Pensioners are the iconic faces of the UK’s veteran community. They reside at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, their 326-year-old home founded by King Charles II in the heart of London.

The facility is modeled on Louis XIV Hotel de invalides (Paris) founded 1670 to provide food, lodging and medical care for veterans.  The architect as was mentioned earlier was Christopher Wren, who  was responsible for the restoration alot of London (especially the churches) after the

Great Fire

–this being his first major secular job (he built St. Paul’s by the way).

His building (The Hospital) was described as almost barracklike simplicity but of great dignity”.  The building that you see today was extended  between 1809 and 1817 by Sir John Soane—note the Soane’s Stables to the right of the entrance. Robert Adare also added appointments later on.

The men who live here wear red uniforms in the summer and blue in winter.

After seeing the acessiblle areas which include the Museum, Light Horse Court, Figure Court, Heritage Berth, Great Hall, Chapel, Gift Shop, Post Office and Coffee shop.

We will go on to:

 

Ranelagh Gardens - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

When you’ve finish visiting the gardens return to where you originally entered the main builing and contine on the direction you were transversing  ( ie:  away from the way you came)

Turn right on West Road

Then left on Royal Hospital Road

On the left in the center of the road is a statue of Chales II

 

The statue of Charles II

was commissioned by Tobias Rustat, who was a member of the court.  Grinling Gibbons designed it (1682) at a fee of 500 pound.  It was originally in another part of London, only being moved here near the Royal Hospital in (1685).

Annually on 5/29,

Oak Apple Day.

a day of celebration of the

Restoration of Monarchy

in 1660,

the statue is decorated with wreaths of oak leaves.

 

The story behind the statue

Continue walking and you will come to

 

Plan a visit | National Army Museum

 The National Army Museum

The entry to this museum and all its exhibitions are free for everyone, and no need to book in advance, Many have been refreshed in the last few years.  The galleries showcase many objects from their collections.  There are Battle and Society galleries as well.

Once you complete viewing what you’re interest in here—or if it doesn’t interest you

then continue on Royal Hospital 

Past a

Gordon Ramsey Restaurant

You will come to

Chelsea Physic Garden | The Garden Gate is Open

Chelsea Physic Garden 

Check site above for cost and hours prior to going there

1923 was the 350 year anniversary

Historic greenhouse and gardens.

When you leave cross over to the oppositeside of the street

When the road forks continue straight ahead on Cheyne Walk

Until Chelsea Embankment was constructed, Cheney Walk was

a pleasant riverside promenade.  Now it over looks a busy road that has destroyed much of its charm.

4 Cheyne Walk - Wikipedia

       #4 Cheney Walk                                                           Blue Plague:  George Elliot

 George Elliot, who by the way was really Mary Ann Evans, was a Victorian writer and poet who wrote Middlemarch and The Mill on the Floss.  She moved here in 1880 but alas after a few weeks at this address past away from a kindney infection.

One of the residents, an Italian doctor named Domenichetti….and this is one of the larger plots on the walk—so the doctor decided to open a Medicinal bath house here where he would get people to come to be cured of several various illnesses.  And word is that thousands came here for his cures—unfortunately I can’t find any record of anyone ever really being cured and the opinion on him was “massive fraud”.    Oh and this all happened between 1765-1782.

 

#16 Cheney Walk                                                      Blue Plaque:  Dante Gabriel Rossetti

This house is famous for being a bit crazy as the home of Dante Gabriel Rossetti for 20 years from 1862.   After his wife’s death–reportedly from an overdose on Laudanum.  He seems to have gone off the curb after this eating six eggs and 6 kidneys for breakfast (maybe he was really hungery?) and “obsessively” collecting antique furniture (they didn’t define why it was obsessive so no comment).  There were also rumors of multiple pets including kangaroos, wombats and armadillos here in the house….but again all I got was rumors and one author questioning how he could have got a kangaroo on the subway.

 

Henry VIII’s Manor House - Cheyne WalkHenry VIII’s Manor House - Cheyne Walk

#10 – 26 Cheney Walk at it’s joining Cheney               Mews                                                                                          King Henry VIII Manor House,                                                                Memorial Plaque

Although Cheney Walk gets its name from William Cheney, Viscount Newhaven who was the owner of Chelsea Manor until 1712, the first address to be officially built on the road belonged to that king with all the wives that messed with the monasteries—you remember the 8th one—-Henry,  I think.

Turn right on Oakley

 

 

#52 Oakley

                                 Blue Plaque: Robert Falcon                     Scott  Artic Explorer

Continue a bit further north

 

Circular blue plaque to Bob MarleyBrick and stucco facade of terraced house, 42 Oakley Street, Chelsea, London - Bob Marley's former home

#42 Oakley

                                    Blue Plaque Bob Marley’s House

Bob Marley went to London in 1976 after an attempt was made on his life on his home island of Jamaica.   While in London he and his band The Wailers recorded Exodus The LP featured their biggest hits, including ‘Jamming’.

Continue north

Turn left on upper Cheyne Row which continues around the park.

 

 

                          #22 Upper Cheyne Row 

                                    Leigh Hunt Plaque

Return to Cheyne Walk

and continue the way we were going before you made the turn

 

I'm Pregnant

#48 Cheyne Row

Former Home of Mick Jagger

One of the most famous residents to grace Cheyne Walk, Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones. He was said to have purchased the house in 1968 for £50,000 and lived there with Marianne Faithful.

Mick sold the house in the 70s, but it’s reported that he moved back here more recently purchasing

Isambard KIngdom Brunel’s

former home

 

Marc & Isambard BrunelSir Marc Isambard & Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Turn right on Cheney Row

 

For Sale: Carlyle Mansions, London SW3 | Inigo
                             Carlyle Mansions
Named in honor of the sage, who lived neaby and is often called “The Writers’ Block”
#19:  T.S. Eliot
#21:  Henry James and more lived here in this six story apt. building close to the embankment.  James who called it “The haunt of the sage and the seagull, died here in 1916. 
Continue on Cheney Row 

Carlyle's House - Wikipedia

Carlyle’s House Museum

#24 Cheney Row

March to Oct

19th c, 4 story house, now a Victorian museum of furniture and more.

Thomas Carlyle owned house, who gave up a life in the clergy for writing and was called “the Sage of Chelsea.  

Moved in here with his wife June in 1834

It became a museum in 1896. offfering a condensed view of Victorian life.

Carlyle was also a historian and founder  of the London Library.

He wrote The French Revolution and Frederick the Great considered some of his best works here on Cheney Row.  It is said that his presence made the neigborhood more fashionable and guests at his home here included Novelists Charles DIckens,

and Wilson Thackeray,

poet Alfred, Lord Tennison,

naturalist Chares Darwin

and

philosopher John Stuart Mill.  

The house is said to look now as it did at that time.

Others that lived here included

Henry James,

T.S. Eliot

and

Ian Fleming.

 

Turn around and continue along from the way you came

When you get to Cheney Walk continue right

Cheyne Walk, SW10. On for £2,500 per week with Strutt & Parker Chelsea

#74 Cheney Walk

                         James Abbot McNeil Whistler

 

Whistler was called the Gadfly of Victorian Artists.  He reportedly signed his paintings with butterflies. He flunked out of West Point, went on to train in Paris and ended up in London and while there he became friends of the leader of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Dante Gabriel Rosseth.

He called modern city life (19th c London) unromantic–possibly influenced by the view of the Thames from this area at this time covered with wharfs and warehouses.

In 1877 he sued an art critic, John Rukin, but the legal fees left him broke and he had to sell this house (which was just completed).  He did continue to live in Chelsea for 41 years (1862 – 1903) and 10 differet houses.  He spent his time with the likes of Monet,’

 Degas,

Toulouse Lautrec

and

Oscar Wilde.

It is assumed that he got his house back because his obituary states he died there.

On the left

Ropers Gardens (London) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Roper Gardens

Small park near Chelsea Old Church, named for Margaret Roper who was

SIr Thomas More’s daughter and her husband William who wrote

More’s biography.

Infact the lands here were a gift from Moore to his daughter and son-in-law at their wedding.

Sir Jacob Epstein, the sculpture worked at a studio on this site (1900 -1916). 

There is a stone carving by him commemorating the fact.

The Gardens stand on a former bomb site from 1941.

The gardens were laid out in 1964 with a raised terrace of sheltered seating overlooking the lawn with its shrubbery, flower beds and trees.

Cross over Danvers Street

 

It is interesting to note that in the 18th century Chelsea had a private madhouse belonging to someone named Dufield which was apparently a private rather than city institution.

 

Crosby Hall

15th c Hall that originally stood at Bishopgate.  Fire destroyed most of it in the 17th c.  The “small” bit you see was moved to its present location in 1911.  It was placed near where

Sir Thomas More’s

house once stood (blt 1520).  That hall was demolished in the 1740’s.

It has been described as the most important surviving domestic building in London.

John Crosby was the man who built the building you see.  He was the son of a wealthy fish monger who became a freeman of the Grover’s Company in 1452 -54.  He traded in luxury textiles with a warehouse just off Poultry.  He would later become a diplomat, politician and eventually a Yorkist. knighted by Edward IV

Across the way is the Battersea Bridge

File:Battersea Bridge.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Ok  that’s more than enough reading material for now—-get this finished and I will have more on this area back to you in two weeks

We must change to master change. – Author: Lyndon B. Johnson

Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, Ireland  (Main Picture) 

Been there twice, once on a tour and another with Suzi and kids on a trip we set up ourselves.        —–BEAUTIFUL and a Must see

 

St Kevin’s Way & Glendalough Walking Tour

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Art in the Form of Film:

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022) – Paul Marino

Friday, September 15 – 5:45-9pm

The Hub on Canal

32 Canal Street,

New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168

Tel: (386) 957-3924

Facing financial ruin and a stalled acting career, Nicholas Cage, playing a fictionalized version of himself, accepts a million-dollar gig to attend a superfan’s birthday party. Only problem is the superfan, who lives off the coast of Spain, is head of an international crime family, and is wanted by the CIA. Cage is enlisted to help capture the man, but in his interactions with the superfan, the two of them come to develop a bromance. Complications ensue and plot twists follow in this highly enjoyable comedy.

More

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Treasures of Sicily

 

The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes 

These were the last 12 stories Conan Doyle wrote about Holmes and Watson. They reflect the disillusioned world of the 1920s in which they were written, and Doyle can be seen to take advantage of the new, more open conventions in fiction.

I love Holmes and enjoyed these stories by his originator

 

SHERLOCK HOLMES TOUR

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Plan a Day | City of Montgomery Texas

 

 

Old Montgomery Steak House

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New Smyrna Beach 

Laid-back luxury, looks as good as ever.

 

Second Annual Fall into Jazz Weekend

 

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Stephen King’s House

 

13 Haunted Places You Can Visit in the U.S.

 

  • Beautiful can be spooky as shown in this picture which was up till not long ago Stephen King’s home in Bangor, Maine- wanta check it out click above for the house details.

 

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO 27 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BANGOR MAINE

The house by the way is an Italianate style dating to the Victorian area (1840 – 85). It has the romance of the Italian and a rambling floor plan and don’t forget those cupolas and/or towers for when you’re tired and just want to watch the world go by.

Victoria Mansion (Portland) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

This house museum is in Portland, Maine is another example of that same house type as Stephen Kings

 

BEST THINGS TO SEE + DO IN GREATER PORTLAND, MAINE

 

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Historic District | Longwood, FL

LongwoodhauntedHistoryTour

 

 

A Walking Tour of Historic Longwood, Florida – YouTube

 

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10 THINGS TO DO IN SEPTEMBER

Southern Decadence, Fried Chicken Fest, and More

In New Orleans, romance is everywhere you turn. You don’t need to spend a ton of money to impress your date—just take them to one of these places. Here are 25 cheap date ideas for romance on a budget. Remember, while these activities are easy on the wallet, always be sure to budget extra to tip musicians, servers, and any other hospitality workers wherever possible.

THE BEST BEIGNETS IN NEW ORLEANS

 

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Where have all the Tudor’s gone?

Now I know the Tudors were originally from Wales as Henry VII was born at Pembroke Castle in Wales 

and it was the Welsh who provided troups when Henry VII invaded England and defeated Richard III.

 

 

Richard III–Allison Weir Tours

 

So I looked further to the meaning of the name:  According to Ancestery:  Tudor Family History

Tudor Name Meaning:  Welsh: from the personal name  Tudor a derivative of British Celtic Toutorix literay ‘People’ and ‘King’

 

Castle Hotels in the Heart of England

 

 

On 22 A

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Center

Even the man who killed Richard was Welsh—and you’re saying so what most of the people fighting against him were—but this guy wasn’t fighting for the Welsh–Read On:

In 1485 on a battlefield in Bosworth, Leicestershire, King Richard III, the last of the Plantagenet kings, was dealt a death blow by the man who had sworn loyalty to him only a few months earlier. That man was Rhys ap Thomas, a Welsh lord, master of Carew Castle in Pembrokeshire. For his service that day he was knighted on the field of battle by Henry Tudor.  Rhys ap Thomas’s life had been inextricably linked with both Richard and Henry; all three young men grew up under the shadow of the Wars of the Roses, suffering losses and betrayals. Ironically, on his death Rhys chose to spend his final days at the Grey Friars in Carmarthen and was buried by the monks just as Richard had been almost forty years before, perhaps in an act of remorse.This is the story of the man who helped forge the course of British history.        Amazon

Next question:

How did a Welshman become an heir to the throne of England when the two countries had been at Odds for soooo many years.

well technically his claim came from his mother Margaret Beaufort

 In short, Henry Tudor’s claim to the throne of England comes through his mother, Margaret Beaufort. Her direct line of descent goes back through John of Gaunt to Edward III.

Margaret Beaufort: Country Castles & Cambridge Colleges

However, that line was explicitly barred from ever inheriting the throne



of England. So technically, Henry Tudor did not have a legitimate claim to the throne. But that is not the end of the story…

Ok we’ll be back to Part II of the Tudors—where did they go and locations you can visit to learn more about that.

 

The Tudors in Wales

Theory: Margaret Beaufort Killed the Princes

Lady Margaret Beaufort has often been touted as a suspect killer because of her evident determination to get her son Henry Tudor’s backside onto the throne. One hypothesis that has been put forward says that Margaret secretly had the boys killed or hidden and then, with the princes out of the way and with the blame shifted on to Richard, she was safe to propose her son as a candidate that the princes’ supporters could then follow, sealed with the promise that Henry would marry Elizabeth of York, the princes’ sister.

 

THE MYSTERY OF THE ‘PRINCES IN THE TOWER’: WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?

Henry Tudor’s Wales and the Route to Bosworth tour

But wait I forgot something

Sir Owen Tudor 1400 – 1461.  The Grandfather of Henry VII was the second husband of Queen Catherine (widow Henry V)  and the grandfather to Henry VII Founder of the Tudor Dynasty.

 

Stories of the Tudors: Owen Tudor

 

Owen Tudor execution plaque, High Town

After becoming involved in the Wars of the Roses–he was captured and taken to Hereford, where he spent the night at the Green Dragon Hotel  (it was located on Broad Street  The elegant Victorian hotel we see today stands on the same site.)   He was beheaded  on the morning of 4 February there in Hereford and his head was placed on the market cross steps there.  After the execution, Tudor’s body was taken for burial to the Carmelite monastery of Greyfriars outside the city walls.  That site is now a housing estate and no evidence of the friary can be found above ground.

Archeological Travel:  MONASTERIES & ABBEYS IN WALES

 

Sleep in a castle  in Wales

 Edmund Tudor was the father of King Henry VII. He was captured during the Wars of the Roses  and imprisoned in Carmarthen Castle in South Wales, where he succumbed to plague (other scources say from wounds which he received during the battles) and was buried in Carmarthen Grey Friars. On the 30th March 1538 the Carmarthen priory was surrendered to the crown during the dissolution of the monasteries. In 1539, eighty-three years after his death.   Edmund’s remains were moved to

St. David’s Cathedral, Pembrokeshire

on the orders of his grandson, King Henry VIII. The tomb which is of Purbeck marble was placed in the choir, in front of the high altar. The inscription reads

Under this marble stone here inclosed resteth the bones of that most noble lord Edmund Earl of Richmond father and brother to kings…”

 

Get your walking boots at the ready — it’s time to get out and explore Wales like never before…

 

 

Cultural relationship between the Welsh and the English

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A Dolly Parton Tour of Tennessee: 7 Must-Visit Destinations for Dolly Fans

 

Growing up amid Kansas wheat fields and airplane factories, the author of the National Book Award finalist

Heartland witnessed firsthand the strengths and vulnerabilities of women in working poverty. Meanwhile, country songs by Dolly Parton and other female artists played in the background, telling powerful stories about life, men, and surviving. While explaining how Parton’s songs have validated women who go unheard, Sarah Smarsh recounts key events from the singer’s life, using them as a springboard for examining the intersections of gender, class, andculture.

                                            Daedalus Books

 

Women in WWI | National WWI Museum and Memorial

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10 PERFECT VACATION IDEAS FOR ANYONE LOOKING FOR NEW BEGINNINGS

 

front exterior of the pearl hotel

For those stuck in a rut, small changes to routines can increase happiness, energy, and creativity.  Approaching regular tasks in new ways can provide opportunities for growth without adding extra to-dos to one’s plate.  When one’s actions and values are disconnected, this produces the sense that life is not “on track.”

7 Signs That You Need a Change

Psychology Today

 

Five walks to save the world – how ‘psychogeography’ can help you confront the climate crisis

 

A garden bench surrounded by tall grass and wildflowers.

 

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Out of the way in Pennsylvania:

)

20 Must-See Attractions in Huntingdon County

 

1.  Penn-Roosevelt State Park

 

Hiking at Penn-Roosevelt State Park

Huntingdon, PA. 16652

in Harris Township, Centre County

Features:  Hiking & Backpacking

Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, picnic tables

  More difficult hiking   |   Point-to-point trail   |   Orange blazes

21 Best Hikes in the World

2.  Buzzard’s Swamp Wildlife Area National Forrest 

Closest town:  Marienville, PA

Wildlife Viewing &  X-C Ski/Hiking Area

Excellent protected area (no motorized vehicles allowed in swamp area) to view wild life.  It is maintained as a migratory waterfowl propogation area.

15 Best Countries To See Wildlife

 

MT Pisgah State Park, Pennsylvania - YouTube

Located between the boroughs of Troy and

Towanda\

 

3.  Mt. Pisgah Sate Park

75 acre Stephen Foster Lake Named after the song writer that penned many songs—like Swanne River—about the south—but was from this area in the north.  It is stocked for fishing and you can bring your own boat or rent a variety there at the park.    There’s even a mile long self-guiding nature trail.

In March and April they have demonstrations on how to make Maple syrup, which you get to sample.

 

A 2023 Compilation Of 59 Weirdest Places Across the World You Should Stop By

 

Six places to honor Stephen Foster without being racist

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the 250th anniversary of the boston tea party

A Year Filled With Revolutionary Events

Experience the historic 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party all year long. Dubbed “The most magnificent movement of all” by John Adams, join us as we celebrate each month with dynamic programming, unique installations, and unprecedented collaborations across Boston.

28 Top-Rated Things to Do in Boston

Colonial Town Hall Meeting Reenactment

 

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10 BEST PLACES TO CELEBRATE ARNOLD PALMER

 

 

21 Summer Vacation Destinations for Sports Fans

 

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37 HISTORIC LOCATIONS OF THE FLORIDA KEYS YOU CAN VISIT TODAY

 

ALL ABOARD the Conch Tour Train - One of the most popular Key West Attractions

 

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Fort Clinch State Park | Florida State Parks

Ft.  Clinch State Park

  Surrounded by the Amelia River,

Cumberland Sound

 

and the Atlantic Ocean is located on the northern point of the island.  The brick fort was built in 1846 and remains in excellent condition.

3 Reasons to Visit Amelia Island in the Winter

There is a post office,  nice beaches, an   oak forest, as well as                                   campsites,

a fishing pier,

picnic tables,

great bird watching,

hiking trails,

and it is a good place for biking.

 

 

Friends of Fort Clinch - Cannons on the Plaza - June 11, 2022

Volunteers uniformed like soldiers of the period provide history re-enactments, taking the fort back to 1864===check the fort’s web site for information on exact schedule:

FORT CLINCH STATE PARK

Also there are usually night tours of the fort during summer house (these require reservations)—check the site above for more information on these too.

Day Trips

Donna Ballard Lawerence

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14 Incredible Destinations If You Need Peace and Relaxation

 

 

How to Take a Relaxing Vacation Without Stressing About Work

 

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What to do In Clermont, FL,

 

erikastearoom.com

 

Day 13 April 10 Return to London: “London is a world by itself. We daily discover in it more new countries, and surprising singularities, than in all the universe besides.” – Thomas Brown

A beginner’s guide to Train travel in Britain

So we check out of the hotel and get a cab to the train depot

 

UK Train Companies

 

 

Introduction to public transport in the UK

 

Then on the train-–our tickets on the High Speed Train at the time was $71  and leaving York for the city of London.

Where we met some lovely people.

 

And spent some time watching the miles going by

     York to London train routes

 

Best places to visit in England other than London

Crossing From Scotland To England – Restrictions?

 

Yorkshire dialect

 

 

and now we’re in London Kings’ Cross Station

Private Tour: Harry Potter Black Taxi Tour of London

If you remember  Harry Potter this is the station where Platform 9 3/4 is located…and it is now marked and you can pose here for pictures between Platforms 9 and 10.  (while in the movie there is a brick yard between platforms 9 and 10 at this real location these platforms are seperated by tracks–)-but the picture source for platform 9 3/4 is on the wall by the station concourse

 

King’s-Cross-station-front

and now it’s a cab to our rooms—we are staying on the same street as before on Sussex Garadens at the

Royal Cambridge

So where ever you stay  go there and after you check in and get settled then we’re off again

In 1889 Henry Tate, an industrialist who had made his fortune as a suger refiner,  offered his collection of British nineteenth-century art to the nation and provided for the first Tate Gallery/

Grab lunch on your way

 

11 OF THE BEST MAYFAIR RESTAURANTS

This is from our hotel —–just go on Google and put in where you wanta start and they will give you the way–charges for underground and the like and you’ll be all set

 

Then we’re off to London Paddington (Tube) where you can get lunch

The Tate Britain is the flagship of the Tate museum group and has been a fixture in British art since it opened in 1897.

Paddington Station to Oxford Circle Underground station 

Tate Britain is the world centre for understanding and enjoyment of British art and promotes interest in it.  It shows the development of art in Brtain from Tudor times to the present day.  The displays are presented in several ways.

 

Change trains — go to Pimlico underground station 

Tate’s collection display art made in Britain, arranged by date.  Each artwork tells a story–a glimpse of a moment in history, the life of the artists or subect, or how and why the work is made.

Then walk to the Tate Britain

Tate Britain Official Discovery Tour

Tate Britain

Millbank, London

Open Monday  to Sunday  10:00 – 18:00

Free admission—-note that while general admission is free some independent showings may have a fee

when you finish return to your room or wander around a bit in this area of Westminster call “Millbank”

The name ‘Millbank’ is from the mill for Westminster Abbey, which is to the east of the gallery.  The distance between Tate Britain and Westminster Abbey is 3162 feet.

Proposals: The tower as it would look extended by three storeys (Picture: Motcomb Estates)

Things to do near the Millbank Tower

 

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Musicals    Disney   Kids   Fantasy

from   £35.4

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Other Things

 A view along the Thames to the buildings and dome of St Paul's cathedral - my list of the 22 top things to do on the Thames, London with kids or without

River Thames Dinner & lunch cruises

 

london-at-night-3.jpg

15 Fun Things to Do in London at Night

 

good-luck-charms-maneki-neko-cat

I’m getting this to you early as with The storm coming into the gulf

as we have this one coming in about  8 ish  tomorrow

So power may be off or my internet down or

what ever——Please send us positive thoughts  or Prayers if you do those…..that Florida manages it.and we all come out well…….high and Dry please.

Please enjoy This smaller  offering today—-and will let you know how we’re doing when I can

 

 

 

Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. -Benjamin Franklin

Main  picture is, obviously, an ancient building in Tintagel, Cornwall UK

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In 1853, after Catherine Miller is murdered for daring to become a doctor in a field full of men, a molecular fusion between human decay and natural rebirth transforms her into a Northern Red Oak. One hundred and seventy years later, she remains a mute but sentient tree, rooted near a secluded Northeast Ohio house. After she watches in horror as the newest homeowner murders one of his PhD students, Catherine is resolved, somehow, to see that justice gets served.

Fractured Oak by Boyd, Dannie

Books-A-Million    https://www.booksamillion.com ›

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Magical places to visit with children…. before they grow up

 

Wand:  A symbol of the magican with power and ability to make change.  Acts as a conduit to concentrate Magical energy.

 

Guided Tours to Spiritual Locations in Egypt, France, India …

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Pirate Den: Tortuga

In 1630 a group of French and English buccaneers  who made their way attacking Spanish ships established a base on the island of Tortuga, a rocky place off what was at that time  Hispaniola in the Caribbean which would become a major location for pirates and settlers over the following years.

6 Famous Pirate Strongholds

 

Tortuga is located in Haiti

Tortuga
Tortuga
A map of Haiti with Île de la Tortue to the north.
Coordinates: 20°02′23″N 72°47′24″W

 Pirates made  the formerly English Port Royal in Jamaica their base in 1655, and by 1662 the Welsh Pirate Henry  Morgan and a Royal Navy Captain  jointly raided Santiago de Cuba.

 

The Pirate’s Cave, recreational cultural center in Varadero

Nausau in the Bahamas became a full fledged English pirate Republic with Blackbeard among those dwelling there in 1713.

 

A Day In Nassau Designed For Pirate Lovers

1713 also saw peace being declared between England, France and Spain which put many British Sailors out of a ship to earn a living on and many of these sought births with pirates instead.

St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum 

 

NEW! Pirates, Pressgangs and Smugglers – Wapping Pub Tour —- London

 

May 23, 1701 Captian Kidd, Scottish born pirate, was hanged here in Wapping.

The following is from

 Historic UK:  Execution Dock 

This was in Wapping  the  paragraph below is from that UK web ( site click on Historic UK above) on pirates punishment and the like there,  I encouage you to read the whole article about this area in London—it may well be an area in the city you don’t know much about.

 

Perhaps the most famous pirate to be tarred and hung in a cage was Captain Kidd (see image), the inspiration for Treasure Island. In 1701 he was convicted of piracy and murder and was taken from Newgate Prison and executed in the same year. Rather gruesomely, on the first hanging attempt the rope broke and he only died on the second attempt. Even more gruesomely, his body was left tarred and gibbeted in an iron cage on the Thames riverbanks for more than twenty years!

 

The Wreck of the Quedagh Merchant

Edward “Blackbeard” Teach Famous memorial

BIRTH

1680

Bristol, England

DEATH

22 Nov 1718 (aged 37–38)

Ocracoke, Hyde County, North Carolina, USA

 

Balckbeard was killed off the coast of NC by other pirates just a bit over a month after he was pardoned by the British Goverment.  Note I found some assorted stories so it is possible to find other (alternative) fact on the same subject.

 

WALK IN BLACKBEARD’S FOOTSTEPS IN NORTH CAROLINA

 

 

Halloween Pirates

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Knights Templar’s Important Castles And Churches

GreaterLondonCITYOFLONDONTempleChurch(stusmithCC-BY-ND2.0)1

The Temple Church

is the collegiate Chapel of Inner and Middle Temple, two of

London’s four ancient legal colleges ‘the Inns of Court’ 

The Church had been built by the Knights Templar who owned the whole of the present ‘Temple’:   the Templars were suppressed in 1314.  In 1608 King James I gave the Temple to the two inns, on condition that in perpetuity they use it for the education and acommodation of lawyers and maintain the Temple Church.  Inside the Church and around the Temple you will see the two inns’ crests:  the Pegasus (winged horse) of the Inner Temple, and the Lamb and Flag of Middle.

From A guide to the Church to aid your visit.

 

Knights Templar Tours in Portugal

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www.fleydistillery.co.uk

 

Flickering Lamps:  History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past…

 

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Guide to Robin Hood: history of the legend and best places to visit

 

Edwinstowe:  One mile south of Sherwood Forest VIsitor’s Center

Church here is the

Church of St. Mary

where Robin and Marian were married.  The tower and part of the nave date from Robin’s time.

 

A Beginner’s Guide to Robin Hood

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The Chisholm Trail
Rides Again

Places to visit along the trail today

San Antonio

This was the beginning of the cattle drive—cattle were rounded up near here and herded onto the trail that would eventually end them in Kansas.

 

Texas Pioneers, Trail Drivers and Rangers Museum

Filled with home-made exhibits by family members, and wonderful old photographs. It defies description, you must see it for yourself. It is next door to the

Witte Museum

in the 3800 block of Broadway.

 

 

The Buckhorn Museum and The Texas Ranger Museum

Kick off your (cowboy and cowgirl) boots and stay awhile! With the full Texas experience under one roof

The Old Chisholm Trail

 

A fan wears a glowing cowboy hat at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday October 1, 2021.
A fan wears a glowing cowboy hat at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday October 1, 2021.

10 Dude Ranches Near Austin

Herds of cattle on the Chisholm trail crossed the Colorado River near Austin on their drive north

 

Hotel Ella – Hotel in a Historic Mansion – Historic Boutique Hotel

Primary image

Driskill Hotel

Built by prominent Texas Cattleman Col. Jesse Driskill who came to Austin in the 1870’s.  He founded this hotel —–it has been more recently restored but still carries much of that area for you to see.

Historic Hotels in Austin

Littlefield Building, Austin

A curated guide to Austin’s places and spaces

.Near the above Hotel is the

Litlefield Building

Which was constructed by

George Littlefield,

a promient cattleman and banker who drove cattle on the trail.

 

Tours & Sightseeing in AustinBullock Texas State History Museum (Austin) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

The 19 Best Museums in Austin, Texas

 

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum

Features state-of-the-art exhibits and interative experience that trace Texas history, including extensive memorabilia dedicated to Texas’ trail driving days.

Texas Trail Rides

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David Bowie’s London: 13 places connected to the star’s life and career

 

 find a grave

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John Lennon’s Home: The Dakota Apartments | Architecture of the DAKOTA APARTMENTS in New York

 

The Dakota is arguably the best-known residential address in the world, home to dozens of New York City’s most famous artists, performers, and successful executives. The rare sale of an apartment there, usually at jaw-dropping prices, is newsworthy, as is the financial and architectural health of the building itself, a landmark in every sense of the word.

The Final Moments of John Lennon – Visiting The Dakota & His First NYC Apartment / Strawberry Fields

The first true luxury apartment house built in New York City, more than 130 years ago, the Dakota is still the gold standard against which all other apartment buildings are weighed. Historian Andrew Alpern tells the fascinating story of how the Dakota came to be, how Singer sewing magnate Edward Clark dared to build an apartment building luxurious enough to coax the city’s wealthy from their mansions downtown for ultra-modern living on what was then the swamplands of the Upper West Side. Redrawn plans of the entire building, published here for the first time, show how Clark created apartments glamorous enough that they made living under a shared roof as acceptable in Manhattan as it already was in Europe’s grand capitals, forever revolutionizing apartment life in New York City.

THE DAKOTA:  NYC  GHOSTS  Including John Lennon’s

This internationally renowned building is now accessible to us all—at least in print, if not in its ultraprivate and well-guarded reality.

https://www.amazon.com/Dakota-History-Best-Known-Apartment-Building/dp/1616894377#:~:text=Historian%20Andrew%20Alpern%20tells%20the,of%20the%20Upper%20West%20Side.

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13 Lost Treasures of Florida

 

         Mel Fisher Maritime Museum                          200 Greene Street | Key West, Florida 33040

 

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St Pancras railway station - Wikipedia

 

St Pancras

Described by Professor David Piper as a great Gothic phantasragoria  which provides a complete contrast to

King’s Cross.

It stands on the site of

Agar Town,

a shanty settlement so wretched that

Dickens called it an English suburban Connemara….. he said “the stench on a rainy morning is enough to knock down a bullock.”

 

CHARLES DICKENS LONDON GUIDED WALKS AND TOURS

 

There is a glass and iron rain shed (689′) which was consider a wonder of Victorian engineering including a large span of arches–reportedly the largest in the world at the time.

They also had to make a way across the

Regent Canal

which blocked entry to the station—they solved this by building platforms that were 20 feet above the surrounding area and contained cellars which were used by the brewers

of Burton-on-Trent

to hold barrels of beer until they were distributed to various London pubs.

Charles Dickens Museum

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  • Beautiful, handcrafted in Bali, Buddha busts

    $3.60 while supplies last!

    Snag Buddha 

     !
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Create Your Own Creature Workshop - HOLIDAY EDITION!

Create Your Own Creature Workshop – HOLIDAY EDITION!

Jeanine Taylor Folk Art

211 East 1st Street

Sanford, FL 32771

Eat Play Stay: Sanford

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Virtual Tour: Belfast and The Troubles

 

Titanic Belfast - Wikipedia

Getting Here: Belfast

There must be something in Belfast, sea air.  This city built the

most famous ship in maritime history,

inspired works of literary history,  by authors like C.S. Lewis

Inspired the settings for

scenes in the wildly popular TV series Game of Thrones

and in 2021, was awarded the prestigious Unesco CIty of Music title

Northern Ireland’s capital has certianly, earned its share of acolades

Belfast

Richards Franks

Discover Britain

Tourist Information for Northern Ireland

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Best Whitby Hidden Gem Attractions

 

We ate here when we visited Whitby in April—I recommend it highly.

HOW DRACULA CAME TO WHITBY

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HAVE FUN AND MAKE A SPLASH IN ORLANDO NORTH

 

The Museum of Seminole County History Building

 

Museum of Seminole County History

Sanford, Fl.

Formerly the “Old Folks Home” the museum depicts the daily life of pioneers through exhibits, photo galleries and the building itself.

Attractions in Sanford and Seminole County, Florida

and

A&H – Art & History Museums Maitland:

A&H Conversations: Katie Benson on André Smith

August 30 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Art & History Museums – Maitland

 

Why Maitland Florida is Popular Among Young Adults

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Golfing the British Isles: The Weekend Warrior’s Companion
by Peter Gray (Author)
\

Family Holiday Ideas with Golf | Family Golf Trips to Europe

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Things To Do on Dry Tortugas

 

Dry Tortugas National Park

 

If you haven’t been to the Dry Tortugas you should go—I’ve gone several times by the Ferry, but never by air—It certainly  looks like a wonderful Adventure and this is definately a place to see.

 

How Samuel Mudd Went From Lincoln Conspirator to Medical Savior

 

 

DRY TORTUGAS HISTORY

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Brett

Bodine Speaker & Booking Information

 

Racing Adventures

Brett Bodine is a former driver  long time fans remember competing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series for almost two decades. Younger fans might know him as the pace car driver on Sunday afternoons.

Where are they now? Brett Bodine’s post-racing career

 

‘Where are they now?’: Brett Bodine enjoys his new career

 

NASCAR Nostalgia – Historic Speedways & Museums

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National Geographic – Discover New 2023-2024 Trips

Egypt: Ancient Wonders of the Legendary Nile

Enjoy an exclusive, after-hours visit to the Egyptian Museum, home to spectacular relics recovered from King Tutankhamun’s tomb, including his throne and golden burial mask.

Venture away from the crowds to lesser visited sites, including the pyramids at Dahshūr, the Valley of the Queens, and the stunningly painted tomb of King Seti I.

Visit the ancient stone quarry at Jabal as Silsilah, and learn about ongoing National Geographic–supported excavations at the site.

Experience the rhythms of daily life along the Nile River as we cruise from Luxor to Aswān, past ancient temples and farming villages.

11 days from $8,795/person

 

ACCOMMODATIONS

 

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Kate Middleton marks National Portrait Gallery reopening - BBC News

 

London’s National Portrait Gallery Reopens After a $53 M. Refurbishment with an Updated Vision of Its Collection

 

If you had been a regular, you might be confused.

The entrance to the

National Portrait Gallery in London

is no longer on St Martin’s Place—that’s now the way out—but on Ross Place, where an imposing statue of

Victorian stage actor Henry Irving stands. At this new entrance, three windows have been converted into three-panel doors covered in 45 bronze low reliefs featuring “every woman, throughout time,” a commission by Tracey Emin.

Yevonde
Life and Colour

 

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May be an image of wine, ice cream and text that says 'NEW SHOPS OPENING! Announcing the opening of our new shops: 御 East India Ice Cream Brandywine's Sassafras Sweet Shoppe WVIO WINTER PARK CHAMBER COMMERCE JOIN US FOR THE RIBBON CUTTING Friday August 25th 12:00 AT THE WPHM 200 W. NEW ENGLAND AVE. WINTER PARK HISTORY MUSEUM'

The Winter Park History Museum is supported by:

The City of Winter Park

Central Florida Foundation

Joe & Sarah Galloway Foundation

Charles Hosmer Morse Foundation

Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation

Membership dues and private donations

 

The history of York is said to be the history of England. It is an ancient city with Roman walls and Viking remains, and the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe towers over the Medieval streets.

10 Alternative Things To Do In York England

The first picture is not from York but was one of the last I took at Whitby—Met this great guy and thought he rated a top spot—-

thanks for making our trip better with laughter and making us feel welcome too.

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York we weren’t able to see this time

Welcome to Fairfax House

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We started our day (our last full one of this trip in York) at our hotel on St. Maurice’s Road Double Tree by Hilton.  With it’s great location in central york and only yards from our first destination:

 

 

Where once there was a church: St Maurice’s | York Stories

 

 

MYO4226 - YORK CITY WALLS (Bootham Bar) - York Historic Environment Record

Bootham Bar

 

 

Bootham Bar

2-4 High Petergate

Do not enter the opening in the wall—rather turn  right and continue until you see the the base of the stairs built into the wall take a left and mount the stairs up to the wall.

A porcullis is on the left (Middle English: from Old French porte coleice ‘sliding door’, from porte ‘door’ (from Latin porta ) + coleice ‘sliding’ (feminine of couleis, from Latin colare ‘to filter’).  and a 19th c wall on the right. The window here is the original, as did’t expect attacks from the York side of the bar.

 

From the top of the steps going up to the bar look down the steps and to the right to see where the wall starts again

Its about 100 meters away from the other side of the road, that York’s corporation built through the walls in 1930s,

 

 

York, England Real Diagon Alley Walking Tour 4K | York Gallery to Fossgate St.

 

King's Manor

The King’s Manor  is to the right of this and was built around the

House of the Abott of St. Mary’s Abbey which  

Henry VIII confiscated it in 1538.

 

York / William Etty

Then the Statue of  William Etty in the middle of the square

It is said that Etty is shown looking at the bar because he was a leader of the fight to save the walls from destruction by the Corporation and for use as a public path.  He is shown painting as he was a professional artist who did paint the wall, but was better known for his nudes.

 

 

 

St Mary's Abbey walls | Secret York

and on the right of the  square  the defensive walls of St. Mary’s Abbey

If you go the the 19th c slit window you ccan look out into York along Petersgate,

said to be one of York’s best streets which is added to by it being mostly car free, this street actually follows the line of one of the main road running though the Roman Fort, but not quite as staright as it was in the time of Rome.

You are walking on a Victorian built wall and beside battlements that were built at the same time.

  But the majority of the walls are basically medieval.  They are built on earth ramparts that were started by the Romans and then grew to cover what was left of those originals.

 

About 100 ft before you get to

The Robin Hood Tower

The Robin Tower is Victorian and the small slit windows you see along here would never accommadate the weapons of Medieval England—however the tower does have some items you might be able to use including some benches and a view of the next bit of the wall

 

(At the angle of the corner)  You get your Good first view of the

Minster to the right..

York Minster from the city walls

This building took 250 yrs to build so it has windows of all 3 Gothic styles. The “decorated” style of the towers.  The simple spear shaped in the center–closest to the wall, are the oldest of the present Minsters and are early English (1220), the gardens below belong to the dean of the abbey who is in charge of the Minster and its rounds.

 About 250′ further and you come to some steps which you can access .  There’s also another good view of the Minster here.

You can go down to the gardens and then return up the stairs—-or you do the garden another time and continue on the wall If you continue you will come to a 3rd view of the Minster.

The top the next tower is also a Vicorian addition with its small, pretty, but silly when one looks around at it’s location of this tower.

 

At the end of the corner you’ll be at  Monk’s Bar. 
  This is one of  the four fortified gateways on York’s  walls.  It was built in several stages starting in the 14th c. when there were threats from a hostile Scotland.   The second story dates from 1484 and the reign of RIchard III  and had a roofless well enclosed to guard the approach to the main gateway.  There was a series of murder holes overhead which allowed the defender to drop missles and the like on the attackers.  

 As well as being part of the Defenses Monk Bar has also been used as a temporary prison and a police house.  It retains two medieval toilets (known as garderobes).  The figures on top of the bar are said to represent a man hurling boulders.

 

 

Richard III Museum, Monk BarRichard III  Experience at Monk Bar                                                                                 (formerly known as the Richard III Museum)

While the bars is mostly 14th century Richard III did have the top part of the chamber here completed in 1484–probably paying for it himself.  Now it continues to work for Richard and since the discovery of the king’s body within the last few years the museum is now the Richard III experience.

 

There use to be a Heny VII museum at Micklegate Bar but that has been permanently closed.

History of York

The Tudor Troubles

and

Impact of the Reformation

Return to Bootham Bar where you started.  

Named “Eboracum” in Latin—York was at one time the military capital of  Roman Britain

Museum Gardens in 2000 from a hot-air balloon

and traces of Roman garrison buildings are visual along with other palaces in the Yorkshire Museum Gardens.

Now head southeast on High Petergate toward Duncombe Pl

The foundation of York Minster rises from the remains of the principal Roman Garrison headquarters

 Continue onto Low Petergate

Following the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th c an Anglo Saxon town grew up over the ruins of the Roman Fort.

Turn right towards the Shambles

On Christmas Eve 627 AD the North Thursston King Edwin introduced Christianity to the area when he was baptised in a little wooden church in York

Slight left onto the Shambles

 

It's a Shambles – but it's the most picturesque street in Britain | Yorkshire holidays | The Guardian

The Shambles name comes from the butchers that were so prominent the street and means slaughterhouse or meat market and if you can imagion that in the days of lack of hygiene this mondern street left much to be desired for those of us that live in the present days.  There would have been all kinds of animal remnants thrown into it.  On some properties even today you can see the meat hooks outside.  Meat is still sold in the Shambes, although it mainly comes in pasties!  Other shops in today’s street have fudge makers, gift shops and an Earl Grey Tea Rooms where you can sit under the oak beams and sip your teas surrounded by tapestries.

Head South on the Shambles

The Shambles, York

Europe’s oldest shopping street was mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 and is best known for its period properties that almost touch across the street as the levels go up.

Turn right onto Pavement

York Shambles Tea Room sign (www.free-city-guides.com)

Hundreds of years ago these were ordinary homes lived in by people some professional—today it’s streets cater to visitors.  It gets busy as the day goes on and is also tiny so it’s a bit limiting at its peak times.

Turn left onto Coppergate

The walls you just recently walked were once just earth rampats put up by the Viking who once ruled her, to repel raiders.

Turn left onto Coppergate Walk

 

The sights, sounds and even the smell of the Viking Age are brought to life as you enter this next destination which takes you back 1,000 years supported by the findings at the Coppergate dig.

        Destination will be on the right 

 

Jovik Viking Centre   

This Viking museum has rides and reproduction of the Viking dwellings and camps—complete with smells and sounds—Oh and the people depicted are computer generated repoductions of people who once lived here develop from the skeltons and skulls found at the digs

When you leave Jorvik head southeast on Coppergate Walk toward St. Mary’s Square

 

The Merchant Adventure Hall  is of major importance and is a Grade1 Listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument.

It was built between 1357 – 1361.  Before most of the craft and trade guild’s halls in Britain, making it one of the largest buildings of its kind and date in Britain.  It is very unusual to be able to see in one building the three rooms serving the three functions of a medieval guild:  business and social in the Great Hall, charitable in the Undercroft and religious in the Chapel.

turn left onto St. Mary’s Square

The Company’s art collection, most of which is on display in the Hall, is a valuable record of  York in the past 5 centuries. The walls are hung with pictures (water colors, prints and drawings) portraying the Governors of the Company who were important York citizens as well scenes of York.

Turn Left toward Piccadilly

The Gardens, in comparison to the Hall are a fairly new addition.  For centuries the hall was surrounded by houses and hops with a track or road down to the RIver Foss.

Turn left towards Piccadilly

The lower part of the Hall is constructed mainly of bricks from a ruin of a Carmelite Friary that was close by

 

Merchant Adventurers' Hall

The Merchants’ Adventurer’s Hall  Fossgate, York

When finished here:  Head southeast on Coppergate Walk toward St. Mary’s Square

Beware if you’re Scottish (I’m about 60% Scott, 20% Norse and 20% misc—if you visit on a Sunday—there’s a law allowimg Scotts to be shot with a bow and arrow—Oh but relax—there hasn’t been any  one doing so for at least the last 20 years,

Turn right onto St. Mary’s Square

Because of the strategic position on the River Cruse York developed during both the Noraman and the Pantagenet times (11th thru 14th century)and became a trade center and a inland port, espically for exporting wool to Europe.

Take a slight turn left onto  St Mary’s Square

The Minster (second only to Canterbury Cathedral in  the Church of Englands church’s pecking order) is a sign of Yorks wealth.

Turn right on St Mary’s Square

Archbishop William Fitzherbert who became a saint in 1224 and 100 yrs later he got a shrine thanks to another Archbishop who gave 20 pounds to create it.

Continue onto Costle Walk

But 20 pounds went further back then and it was one of the largest shrines in England rivaling even Thomas Becket’s at Cantebury.

Turn right toward Tower St.

In fact it went along with the supply and demand as when it became extremely busy a second shrine was created in 1472.

                      Turn left in 98 feet

It is belived that other shrines were dismantled during the reformation, no later than 1541.  It is also said that they were broken up ad buried along this court as in 1835 sections of both shrines were uncovered and later in 1928 more pieces were found in an excavation.  And no one would be suprised if more pieces were found below the houses along the court.

 

York Castle Museum - Wikipedia

York Castle Museum is housed in a former prison.  It has over 400 years of York’s history on display.

The home of Kirkgate, a reconstructed Victorian street,

 

 

The museum also has other period rooms including a Victorian parlor, Jacobean dining room and a 1950s kitchen.  You can even visit the cells where it is speculated that Dick Turpin was once held.  The most recent addition to the new exhibition 1914:  When the World Changed Forever– opened to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War.

Exit the castle 

and go North toward York Castle Street 

Turn right on York Castle  go about 95 ft Stop at the bottom of the stairs going up a hill with a small fort at top

The building at the top is the ruined Norman keep at the center of York Castle and like a lot of history this tower’s name is named from one of its commanders but was not named for him of what he did—but whether was punishment of those deeds.

 

Roger de Clifford was hanged here for treason back in 1322.

Ok climb on up those stair but use care they are steep and takes a bit of effort to get there.

Stop half way up to catch some breath

Before the tower got its name this small area was the site of even worse loss of life.  One of the worst anti-Semitic massacres of the Middle Ages took place in York in 1190.  The city’s entire Jewish community was trapped by an angry mob outside this tower.

Complete your climb to the  tower site on the hill top.

 

 

Clifford's Tower | York

Clifford’s Tower

Tower St., York Y01 9SA UK

On March 16th 1190 a wave of anti-Semitic riots culminated in the massacre of an estimated 150 Jews — the entire Jewish community of York–who had taken refuge in the royal castle where Clifford’s Tower now stands.  The Chronicier William of Newburgh described the rioters as York acting “without any scruple of Christian conscientiousness” in wiping out the Jewish community.

Accounts of this time can be found in the Chronicies of the Abbey of Meaux in East Yorkshire, and Roger of Howden

Go ahead and explore the tower then return to the head of the stairs

Anti Semitic feeling was running high throughout western Europe in the 12th c, stoked by the Christian fervour of the Crusades, that directed aggression against Jews across England, France and Germany as well as against Muslims in the Holy Land.

England’s new king Richard I was infact about to set off on a Crusade himself.  Rioting had spread throughout England since proinent Jews, including Benedict of York, had been denied entry to King Richard I’s coronation banquet in 1189.  Benedict was the wealthiest Jew of York and he was mortally wounded in the rioting at Westminster.

Return back down to the street

The Jews were officially protected by the king as his feudal vassals and sought protection in the royal castle, barricading themselves into the wooden keep. It is said that the rioters were egged  on by members of the local gentry who saw this a good chance to wipe out the extensive debts they owed the the Jewish money-lenders in the city.

Head Southwest toward York Castle

Turn left at York Castle

In 98 ft turn left

–   Many members of that community chose to commit suicide rather than be murdered or forcibly baptised  making them Christain by the attackers.

-the men killed their women and children and then set the wooden keep that set then where the stone one is now—becoming martyrs rather than being force to give up their faith.

In 20 feet turn  right

But  Richard I did not forget that these people were under his protection and an inquest was held and the city received a heavy fine, but unfortunately  by that time those that had instigated the whole thing had escaped.

Turn left onto Piccadilly

Turn right onto Pavement

Then Left into the Shambles

 

What a Shambles: a walk around York's ancient walls and alleys | York holidays | The Guardian

and pick a place to have dinner before returning to your hotel room

 

15 Things To Do In York, England | UK Travel Guide YouTube

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DRAGONS BRING TREASURERS BACK TO THEIR CAVES