Destination: United Kingdom

Photos: England: The Final Act

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 | By graynomadsusa | Photo Gallery

Welsh Castles of Edward I

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 | By graynomadsusa | Views [526]

WHEN ENGLISH KINGS WEREN’T MOUNTING a Crusade or at war with France, they kept themselves in shape by battling the Scots or the Welsh. Decades before he dealt with Scots William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, Edward I, who succeeded  his father ... Read more >

Pembrokeshire Coastal Trail

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 | By graynomadsusa | Views [471]

HIKING HOLIDAYS ARE A BIG DEAL IN WALES. Unfortunately Wales is also know for its terrible weather; only one day in three is sunny. We took advantage of a rare bit of Welsh sunshine and headed for the rugged Pembrokeshire coast. Temperature in the mid-... Read more >

St. David, Saint Davids and St. Davids Cathedral

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 | By graynomadsusa | Views [465]

SANT DEWI YW NAWDDSANT CYMRU. Saint David is the Patron Saint of Wales. Now I understand why we feel so disoriented—we didn’t even know that Cymru was Welsh for Wales! Next time I want to strengthen my password, I’ll write something ... Read more >

Photos: Wales

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 | By graynomadsusa | Photo Gallery

York Minster Cathedral

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 | By graynomadsusa | Views [763]

DURHAM CATHEDRAL WAS COMPLETED IN ONLY forty years—it took two centuries longer to build the “Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York.” I guess Gothic cathedrals must be holier than Norman ones. As with the City Walls, ... Read more >

Olde Yorke

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 | By graynomadsusa | Views [371]

CHRIS AND ROSE GUIDED US ON A DAY-TRIP to York in 2011, but with lunch and travel time we just had a sniff of the city. With three full days we should be able to make some memories. We will miss the National Railroad Museum again—all of the free ... Read more >

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne and Bamburgh Castle

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 | By graynomadsusa | Views [485]

AFTER CHECKING BOTH THE WEATHER and tide-tables, we decided to re-visit the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. The Holy Island is accessible only during low tide, something that hardly bothers its 160 permanent residents but greatly affects the 650,000 visitors ... Read more >

Durham—Second Chance for a First Impression

Sat, 8 Apr 2023 | By graynomadsusa | Views [358]

THIS IS OUR FIRST “OFFICIAL” VISIT TO DURHAM—our “drive-by” in 2011 hardly counts. I wrote nothing in my journal and can’t find a single photo, not even of Durham Cathedral. And as I remember, we were busy scooting ... Read more >

Photos: England: Durham and York

Thu, 6 Apr 2023 | By graynomadsusa | Photo Gallery

Riverside Museum and the National Gallery of Scotland

Tue, 4 Apr 2023 | By graynomadsusa | Views [392]

THE ARCHITECTURE OF GLASGOW'S RIVERSIDE MUSEUM on the banks of the River Clyde is as impressive as its collections. The contemporary design by architect Zaha Hadid stands in juxtaposition to the nostalgic transportation systems of Riverside’s collection.... Read more >

Scotland: Stirling and William Wallace

Sat, 1 Apr 2023 | By graynomadsusa | Views [469]

FACT—5000 SCOTSMEN UNDER WILLIAM WALLACE defeated the much larger Army of Edward I at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. You may remember the battle and Wallace’s blue face from the popular movie, Braveheart. Most everything else in ... Read more >

Scotland: National Museum in Edinburgh

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 | By graynomadsusa | Views [383]

GREETINGS FROM THE UK; SCOTLAND TO BE precise; Stirling to be preciser. After flying from Palma to Barcelona then over the Pyrenees to Manchester and spending two nights in soulless hotels, it’s wonderful to be back in an AirBnB. We are in the ... Read more >

Photos: Scotland

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 | By graynomadsusa | Photo Gallery

Snorkeling in the Pantanal

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 | By angelas_away | Views [162]

Angela's Away is back for another exciting instalment. This entry is out of order for the current trip as i only just