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Our European Adventure 2018

A 6 month trip on a shoestring Read more

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Day 102
Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 135 ft
England Foulby 53.646048, -1.39413453°38’46” N 1°23’39” W
Nostel Priory, Take Two!
August 11, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
We are staying in Wakefield for the weekend to visit Jacob and Jodie. Last time we were here, the house wasn't open, but it is today. The current family lives on the top floor, but the public can see the two lower floors. Construction started in 1725, but the first owner died and the family ran out of money to finish it. Finally the family came into more money during the Industrial revolution of the 1800s and more of the house was completed. However, there were tile floors and other features planned but never completed.Read more
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Day 101
Friday, August 10, 2018 at 1:00 PM
🌧 55 °F
Altitude: 46 ft
England Shropshire Union Canal 53.287945, -2.89194953°17’17” N 2°53’31” W
Porters Row Houses, continued
August 10, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌧 55 °F
In the 1930s, electricity and a gas stove were added. The parlor was used more often, such as on Sundays and holidays. The wireless became popular.

In the 1950s a small black and white TV was a luxury. Labor saving devices include hot and cold running water, an electric stove, vacuum cleaner, and hand-agitated washing machine.Read more
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Day 101
Friday, August 10, 2018 at 12:00 PM
🌧 54 °F
Altitude: 46 ft
England Shropshire Union Canal 53.287945, -2.89194953°17’17” N 2°53’31” W
Porters Row Houses
August 10, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌧 54 °F
These row houses were built in the 1830s and used by various workers and their familes. Each one is furnished to represent a different time period in which they were lived.

In the 1830s there was no running water, electricity, or gas, yet it was considered a comfortable working class home of that time.

In the early 1900s home, there was gas lighting and running cold water. A flush toilet is in the back yard! The parlor was only used for special occasions.Read more
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Day 101
Friday, August 10, 2018 at 11:00 AM
🌧 59 °F
Altitude: 46 ft
England Shropshire Union Canal 53.287945, -2.89194953°17’17” N 2°53’31” W
Canal Life
August 10, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
Navvies were the men who built the canals. They were not desirable people to rent to as they had a reputation for drinking, rowdiness, and thievery. So often they lived in huts near their work site.

Here are some photos of the beautiful ways the boats were decorated.

Also shown is a canal ice breaker, which was drawn by a large team of horses and rocked by as many as 20 men to break the ice.Read more
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Day 101
Friday, August 10, 2018 at 10:00 AM
🌧 59 °F
Altitude: 46 ft
England Shropshire Union Canal 53.287945, -2.89194953°17’17” N 2°53’31” W
Life Aboard the Friendship
August 10, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
Friendship is the name of a canal cargo boat that was owned by Joe and Rose Skinner. It was their home for 50+ years (until 1959), and we were fascinated to see their tiny cabin. They hauled mainly coal. It was drawn by a mule named Dolly, and they took good care of her.Read more
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Day 101
Friday, August 10, 2018 at 10:00 AM
🌧 59 °F
Altitude: 46 ft
England Shropshire Union Canal 53.287945, -2.89194953°17’17” N 2°53’31” W
National Waterways Museum
August 10, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
Ellesmere Port is located where the Shropshire Union canal meets the Manchester ship canal. There are docks, locks, stables, cottages and canal basins. The museum includes one of the greatest collections of historic boats in the world. We learned about how canal boats were built and what it was like to live and work in the canals system.Read more
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Day 99
Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 10:00 AM
⛅ 63 °F
Altitude: 525 ft
England Much Wenlock 52.597134, -2.55929652°35’50” N 2°33’33” W
Much Wenlock, Historic Market Town
August 8, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Not far from where we are house-and-dog-sitting, is a market town by the curious name of Much Wenlock. It was fun to see, and we were surprised to find out that Dr. William Penny Brooks started the Much Wenlock Olympics back in the 1800s as an effort to improve physical fitness. He worked to include physical education in the schools. And the founder of the International Olympic Games patterned them after this town's local activities.

The town is full of charming buildings. In this first one, the half-timbered building is the Guildhall (like a city hall) and had a butter market on the ground floor.

The last picture is of a farm in the town, which has been converted into condos. The farmers lived in town and worked their fields that were scattered outside of the village.Read more
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Day 98
Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 11:00 AM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 276 ft
England Coalbrookdale 52.641353, -2.49388552°38’29” N 2°29’38” W
Darby House, Coalbrookdale
August 7, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
Because Quakers refused to swear oaths of allegiance, they were excluded from professions such as legal, medical, teaching, the military, etc. As a result, most were involved in industry, commerce, and banking. At first they were shunned. Eventually they were viewed as good business partners, and thus became successful. Abraham Darby I and his family owned the Ironworks and lived near the factory. We visited their house to see how they lived. They dressed in plain clothes so as not to stand out. Eventually the way they dressed made them stand out, so many gave up the plain clothes.Read more
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Day 97
Monday, August 6, 2018 at 11:30 AM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 666 ft
Wales Chirk Castle 52.935382, -3.0894152°56’7” N 3°5’22” W
Chirk Castle Gardens
August 6, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
The gardens were neglected during World War II. They were revived almost single-handedly by Lady Margaret Myddelton, who moved in with her husband after the war.

There is a beauty around every corner of the garden!Read more
TravelerBeautiful
8/10/18Reply
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Day 97
Monday, August 6, 2018 at 11:30 AM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 666 ft
Wales Chirk Castle 52.935382, -3.0894152°56’7” N 3°5’22” W
More Castle Rooms
August 6, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
The library contains so many old books, including a Bible in Welsh. The owners didn't just collect books, they read them!

The Long Gallery contains the fantastic King's Cabinet, given by Charles II to Thomas Myddleton for his loyalty. The bedroom is called the King's bedroom, but it is doubtful that he slept in it, as it was on the side of the castle that was receiving battle strikes at the time!Read more
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Day 97
Monday, August 6, 2018 at 11:30 AM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 666 ft
Wales Chirk Castle 52.935382, -3.0894152°56’7” N 3°5’22” W
Chirk Castle State Rooms
August 6, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Entertaining in style! Since the castle has been occupied for centuries, the rooms are decorated and furnished for different periods.
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Day 97
Monday, August 6, 2018 at 10:30 AM
⛅ 64 °F
Altitude: 666 ft
Wales Chirk Castle 52.935382, -3.0894152°56’7” N 3°5’22” W
Chirk Castle, Wales
August 6, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
Built in 1295 when this area belonged to England, it was a defense against Welsh invasion. Now it belongs to Wales since the border changed. Chirk Castle is remarkable for having been lived in for over 700 years. The current owners use it as a holiday residence, but the public rooms are available to visit.

On display in the Cromwell Room are some really old weapons from the English Civil War (1642-51). The last picture is a plaster frieze from the same period, making it the oldest interior decoration in the castle.Read more
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Day 95
Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 217 ft
England Coalbrookdale 52.635402, -2.4907352°38’7” N 2°29’27” W
Coalbrookdale: Museum of Iron
August 4, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
We learned all about the iron industry, and the uses of cast iron which made this area so famous. It all started with the making of three legged cooking kettles (more stable than four legs), and expanded from utilitarian items to decorative ones. It became the style in Victorian times to have cast iron park furniture and home decorations.

In 1851, the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, or the first World's Fair, was held in Hyde Park, London, in a cast iron and glass Crystal Palace.Read more
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Day 95
Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 10:00 AM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 217 ft
England Coalbrookdale 52.635402, -2.4907352°38’7” N 2°29’27” W
Colebrookdale Museum: Enginuity
August 4, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
This is another one of the Ironbridge museums we visited. It is an interactive museum of design and technology for children of all ages, even those in their second childhood! It was a fun morning; reminded us of children's museums we used to take the kids to.

The Aga "cooker" (stove) in the last picture is like the one we are using at our current housesit, except the owners' is white. It was invented in 1922, is cast iron, and stores heat. It is used not just for cooking, but as a heat source, a clothes drier (racks are put on top of the cooker to lay clothes on), a toaster, and probably more. The top right oven cooks very quickly, so I have to check often to make sure the food isn't burning. The lower right oven works like a slow cooker, and makes good soups!Read more
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Day 94
Friday, August 3, 2018 at 11:26 AM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 292 ft
Wales Llangollen Station 52.969215, -3.1716652°58’9” N 3°10’18” W
Another Aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal
August 3, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
This aqueduct at Chirk is shorter (both ways) but spectacular because of the railroad viaduct next to it. The canal also goes through a tunnel here.

Farther upstream at the beginning of the canal is Horseshoe Falls, a U-shaped wall in the river used to direct water into the canal.Read more
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Day 94
Friday, August 3, 2018 at 10:26 AM
🌧 70 °F
Altitude: 292 ft
Wales Llangollen Station 52.969215, -3.1716652°58’9” N 3°10’18” W
Lovely Llangollen Canal
August 3, 2018 in Wales ⋅ 🌧 70 °F
This 46 mile canal is a very popular one, due to the Welsh scenery and the huge aqueducts that carry the canal over river valleys. The Pontcysyllte is the tallest navigable aqueduct in the world, at 126 ft above the River Dee. Completed in 1805, it is a cast iron trough mounted on 18 stone pillars. We walked the 1000 ft length of the aqueduct and back, for some glorious views, and got to see family groups guiding their rented narrowboats across. What a nice holiday adventure they were having!Read more
TravelerLove the flowers in the front.
8/8/18Reply
TravelerThe English love their flowers!
8/8/18Reply
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Day 93
Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 1:03 PM
⛅ 75 °F
Altitude: 174 ft
England Coalport 52.62363, -2.46475152°37’25” N 2°27’53” W
St Mary the Virgin Church
August 2, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
This church is located near the Tile Factory Museum. It is made of various colors of bricks donated by the local brickmaker, and decorated with tiles from the Tile Factory.
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Day 93
Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 12:03 PM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 174 ft
England Coalport 52.62363, -2.46475152°37’25” N 2°27’53” W
Some Very Elaborate Tiles
August 2, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
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Day 93
Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 11:03 AM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 174 ft
England Coalport 52.62363, -2.46475152°37’25” N 2°27’53” W
Jackfield Tile in English Homes
August 2, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Here are some displays showing how decorative tiles were used in homes.
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Day 93
Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 10:03 AM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 174 ft
England Coalport 52.62363, -2.46475152°37’25” N 2°27’53” W
Jackfield Tile Museum
August 2, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
This is one of the ten museums of the Ironbridge Trust, housed in the old factory buildings. Decorative tiles were produced in Jackfield from early 1700s. We have always admired tile, and more so now that we understand some about the process. It was such a large collection of tiles, which were decorated in various ways, and we saw examples of how they were used. It became very popular in Victorian times as a way to make surfaces sanitary as well as decorative.Read more
TravelerYes yes yes 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🧡🧡🧡🧡
8/6/18Reply
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Day 91
Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at 11:02 AM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 259 ft
England Ironbridge 52.628385, -2.48132452°37’42” N 2°28’53” W
Coalport China Museum
July 31, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Victorians loved their tea! This increased the demand for china. Coalport bone china was made in the Ironbridge area from 1795 to 1926. We saw so many beautiful original patterns, and learned how it was made.

This is a bottle kiln. It is a chamber within a chamber, with coal fire pits all around the inside chamber. The clay pieces are put into containers called saggars; the saggars are then stacked into the inside chamber, and the fires lit. It a week to load the kiln, fire the china (1230 Celsius for the first firing), and let it cool. Then the pieces were dipped in a glaze and fired again. Finally they were decorated, fired at different temperatures for each color and fired once more after the application of gold. Of course, only the wealthy could afford to buy it!Read more
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Day 90
Monday, July 30, 2018 at 3:02 PM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 259 ft
England Ironbridge 52.628385, -2.48132452°37’42” N 2°28’53” W
Making Victorian Products
July 30, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Dean enjoyed seeing a project that a plumber did for fun. We also saw how molds were and are still used to make replacement pieces for old buildings.
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Day 90
Monday, July 30, 2018 at 2:02 PM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 259 ft
England Ironbridge 52.628385, -2.48132452°37’42” N 2°28’53” W
Victorian Childhood
July 30, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
During the Industrial Revolution jobs increased and the need for cheap labor meant more children than ever before were working. Legislation to limit child labor started in 1833, and more laws were passed over the remainder of the 1800s, but many chose to get around them. By 1900, laws required children to be 12 or older to work, and also required schooling under age 12.Read more
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Day 90
Monday, July 30, 2018 at 1:02 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 259 ft
England Ironbridge 52.628385, -2.48132452°37’42” N 2°28’53” W
2
Life in the Victorian Town
July 30, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Three houses showing different levels of society. The Industrial age helped many more people rise in status than previously.
Interesting to see the homes of three different social classes. Sherri C
8/7/18Reply
Traveler We thought so too.
8/8/18Reply
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Day 90
Monday, July 30, 2018 at 12:02 PM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 259 ft
England Ironbridge 52.628385, -2.48132452°37’42” N 2°28’53” W
Blists Hill Industries
July 30, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
Some of the industrial areas on Blists Hill, and a portion of the actual Shropshire canal. The first boat is an ice-breaker: horses would pull it along from the towpath and teams of men would rock the boat side-to-side to break up the ice on the river or canal. The other boat is made of iron, and is pulled by horses.Read more
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