Currently traveling

Our European Adventure 2018

A 6 month trip on a shoestring Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Share

Footprints
Photos

Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 77
Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 11:33 AM
⛅ 64 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
England Castle Hil 51.179402, -3.44975851°10’46” N 3°26’59” W
Dunster Castle, First Floor
July 17, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
In England, first floor is what we call second floor. This is where the bedrooms and bathrooms are located. When the castle was remodeled in the Victorian era, they put in modern conveniences like flush toilets.Read more
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 77
Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 11:33 AM
⛅ 64 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
England Castle Hil 51.179402, -3.44975851°10’46” N 3°26’59” W
Entertaining at Dunster Castle
July 17, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
Imagine being a guest at this table! One time the host asked for the curry to be prepared very spicy, except for his. He thought it was pretty funny when everyone else except himself was gasping.

The Cleopatra and Anthony wall hanging is made of leather, and is part of a set that tells their story. They were in the dining room, but are now displayed in a central room at the top of the stairs.

After dinner the ladies went to the drawing room (derived from the word "withdraw") for sherry and gentile conversation, and the men to the smoking room or the billiards room, probably for other conversations!Read more
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 77
Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 10:28 AM
⛅ 64 °F
Altitude: 230 ft
England Dunster Castle 51.181589, -3.44375251°10’54” N 3°26’38” W
Dunster Castle
July 17, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
This National Trust property was once a castle, and has been lived in by the one family and their descendants for the last 600 years. It was remodeled and added onto in the Victorian era, making it into an elegant country home.

The garden is terraced and planted with beautiful flowering trees, shrubs, and other plants, and overlooks the Bristol Channel and the Southern Wales coast.Read more
What amazing adventures you are having. Love seeing your photos and comments. Glad it's been such a great time for you.
7/20/18Reply
TravelerThank you!
7/20/18Reply
TravelerWhat a beautiful show place! Don’t you just live the English countryside and gardens! It looks like you are having good weather-enjoy! SC
7/21/18Reply
TravelerYes, it's great! This summer has been unusually warm and dry for England.
7/21/18Reply
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 76
Monday, July 16, 2018 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 56 ft
England Taunton Bus Station 51.015313, -3.10483451°0’55” N 3°6’17” W
Taunton Housesit
July 16, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
We moved to Taunton to care for two 5 year old cats named Darcy and Lizzie (brother and sister). They are very affectionate. We are staying in a new townhouse; the owner just moved into 2 weeks ago. We are looking forward to exploring a new area!Read more
TravelerReally enjoying your travels! You are learning so much. Thanks for sharing. Sherri
7/17/18Reply
TravelerThanks for your feedback!
7/19/18Reply
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 73
Friday, July 13, 2018 at 3:00 PM
🌧 73 °F
Altitude: 614 ft
England Yanworth 51.822774, -1.90955751°49’22” N 1°54’34” W
3
Chipping Campden: Wool Market
July 13, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌧 73 °F
This town was the home and marketplace of the richest wool merchants. The High Street (main street) is one of the prettiest in the Cotswolds. The old Market is dated 1627.
Traveler What is the building in the center of the photograph used for?
7/17/18Reply
Traveler This old market hall used to be where local traders sold cheese and other goods. It is still used occasionally by vendors, but it's too small to house the monthly Farmers Markets now.
7/18/18Reply
Traveler Thanks for informing me. I love the building.
7/18/18Reply
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 73
Friday, July 13, 2018 at 1:00 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 614 ft
England Yanworth 51.822774, -1.90955751°49’22” N 1°54’34” W
Roman Baths
July 13, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Romans bathed in groups, men separate from women. They went into a warm room heated by hot air under the floor. Then servants massaged them with olive oil, and they went into progressively hotter rooms, had the oil, sweat, and dirt scraped off of their skin, and plunged into a cold pool. It was social, and probably felt good, but passed germs around.Read more
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 73
Friday, July 13, 2018 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 614 ft
England Yanworth 51.822774, -1.90955751°49’22” N 1°54’34” W
Current Archeology Work
July 13, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
This month archeologists are unearthing some more of the mosaic floors. They strip off the sod and asphalt sidewalks, remove the layer of soil, and then carefully brush the dirt away to expose the tiles.

The last two pictures show the beautiful mosaics in the grand dining room, and the hallway outside.Read more
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 73
Friday, July 13, 2018 at 11:00 AM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 614 ft
England Yanworth 51.822774, -1.90955751°49’22” N 1°54’34” W
Chedworth Roman Villa
July 13, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Romans lived in this villa (rural dwelling) starting in the second century AD. It was enlarged and refined over the next two centuries, reaching its peak in the mid 300s. After the Romans left Great Britain around 410, it fell into disrepair and eventually was buried by the surrounding soil. It was discovered in1864 by a gamekeeper. Archeologists unearthed mosaic floors and walls, marking boundaries with local stone, and opened it and a museum to the public.

There are remains of 150 Roman villas in the Cotswolds, with more in the Southeast of England. The Villa sites would have been chosen because of a natural spring or other water source.

This is what people would have seen if visiting the site in Victorian times. The house was lived in by the curator, and part of it was the museum.

A model of the villa: houses on each side, owners house at the far end, with bathhouses in the upper right corner.Read more
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 72
Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 3:10 PM
☀️ 75 °F
Altitude: 49 ft
England Gloucster Park 51.859308, -2.25075551°51’34” N 2°15’3” W
2 1
The Cloisters
July 12, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
If these cloisters look familiar, it's because they were filmed in scenes of Harry Potter movies.
Traveler Nice looking couple
7/17/18Reply
Traveler Oooooo that one on the right is scary 😂
7/18/18Reply
TravelerI recognized the arches right off as the potter thing although I’ve never watch any of them I remember them from all the trailers they ran ..... but WOW beautiful architecture..... great photography
7/18/18Reply
Mark says "Looking Good"
8/21/18Reply
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 72
Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 3:10 PM
☀️ 75 °F
Altitude: 49 ft
England Gloucster Park 51.859308, -2.25075551°51’34” N 2°15’3” W
Gloucester Cathedral Chapels
July 12, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
Some of the chapel windows have been replaced with modern works.
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 72
Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 2:28 PM
☀️ 75 °F
Altitude: 49 ft
England Gloucster Park 51.859308, -2.25075551°51’34” N 2°15’3” W
Monuments in the Cathedral
July 12, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
King Edward II was an unpopular King who was murdered in 1327. His son Edward III commissioned the tomb's construction in 1330, and this spurred the reconstruction of this end of the cathedral in the new Perpendicular Gothic style. It was because Edward was a relative that King Henry VIII didn't dissolve this cathedral.

The next monument is for Robert of Normandy, eldest son of William the Conqueror, never became king due to a rocky father-son relationship.

Saint Kyneburga was the first abbess here, from 679-710. She governed both monks and nuns.

The fourth memorial is for a young wife who died during or shortly after childbirth, while the family was at sea. It looks like she is rising to heaven on a wave--very poignant.

"Layered Memories of Conflict": A sculpture about the repetition of conflict and war.

Monument to stonemasons who worked on the cathedral. The origin is unknown, but it looks like a stonemason fell.Read more
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 72
Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 1:15 PM
☀️ 72 °F
Altitude: 49 ft
England Gloucster Park 51.859308, -2.25075551°51’34” N 2°15’3” W
Gloucester Cathedral
July 12, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
The main part of the church has a fantastic altar, ceiling and floors. In the ceiling is a carved gilded image of Jesus surrounded by angels at the apexes--use your magnifier to see them!
TravelerThese huge castles and churches would make me feel very small
7/18/18Reply
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 72
Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 1:00 PM
☀️ 72 °F
Altitude: 49 ft
England Gloucster Park 51.859308, -2.25075551°51’34” N 2°15’3” W
Gloucester Cathedral
July 12, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
What a beautiful cathedral! It is being kept up very well, unlike many others we've seen.

The part with huge pillars is the older, Norman architecture. Where it shows thinner structures with delicate carving, it is Gothic.Read more
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 72
Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 12:09 PM
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: 49 ft
England Gloucster Park 51.859308, -2.25075551°51’34” N 2°15’3” W
Gloucester Folk Museum
July 12, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
This building was a Tudor merchant's house, built in the 1500s. The interior is shown as it would have been in those days, with its beams exposed and painted designs on some of the walls.

It includes an exhibit on the pin factory that operated in this building from 1745-1853. It really never crossed our minds how pins were made, and we found it interesting.

There was also an exhibit of bridal gowns and how the styles and traditions changed.Read more
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 72
Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 11:30 AM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 49 ft
England Gloucster Park 51.859308, -2.25075551°51’34” N 2°15’3” W
1
Gloucester
July 12, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
As we walked around, we thought, "What a nice city!" It was very clean, locations were easy to find, and altogether pleasant!
Traveler Scary I had a little deja vu it looks exactly like a place I spent a day at and around in 1976 when I was there, but there must be a lot of shops like that around
7/18/18Reply
2 likes
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 72
Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 10:00 AM
⛅ 63 °F
Altitude: 46 ft
England Gloucester 51.863269, -2.2516751°51’48” N 2°15’6” W
Gloucester Victorian Docks
July 12, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Gloucester is on the canal system, and is the farthest inland port in England.
The Britannia Warehouse (the one on the right) was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt using the same bricks.

The pleasure boat, Queen Boadicea II, was one of the little ships used during WWII to rescue the stranded soldiers and sailors at Dunkirk. We just saw that movie since arriving in England. It makes everything much more real when we are here.

The Sailors' Chapel is right at the docks, where many a sailor has prayed before departure, and given thanks for a safe return.
.Read more
2 likes
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 71
Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 2:32 PM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 253 ft
England Wotton-under-Edge 51.633909, -2.346251°38’2” N 2°20’46” W
Newark Park Grounds
July 11, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
The 18th Century Summerhouse, discovered by Robert Parsons, the restorer of the manor, when chasing a pig in the undergrowth.
TravelerI love that red flower with the purple vine
7/15/18Reply
TravelerMe too. I don't know what it is, but I've seen them in many places.
7/15/18Reply
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 71
Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 11:00 AM
☀️ 66 °F
Altitude: 253 ft
England Wotton-under-Edge 51.633909, -2.346251°38’2” N 2°20’46” W
Newark Park, National Trust
July 11, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
The National Trust preserves historic homes, gardens, and other special places in the United Kingdom. We joined when we went to Snowshill, since we will be in the UK for the summer, and we have time to take advantage of the membership. We can get in to all these places for free, so once we've been to 4 or 5 of them, the membership has paid for itself.

Newark Park was a Tudor hunting lodge that was added onto, becoming a Georgian manor. Over the years it fell into a terrible state before it was bequeathed toThe National Trust. In 1970, a Texan architect began living in it, paying rent of one pound per year, and restoring the house and gardens.Read more
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 70
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 4:00 PM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 128 ft
Wales St Fagans Castle 51.487941, -3.26859851°29’17” N 3°16’7” W
St Teilo's Church, Welsh National Museum
July 10, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
This church was built in the late 12th century, and added to over the years. The last service was held in 1970. When it was disassembled to be moved, beautiful paintings were discovered under centuries of whitewash! It has been refurbished to represent how it appeared in about 1520, with copies of the paintings using medieval techniques.Read more
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 70
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 3:24 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 128 ft
Wales St Fagans Castle 51.487941, -3.26859851°29’17” N 3°16’7” W
St Fagans Manor
July 10, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
This Manor, often called the Castle, is original to the grounds, and the Museum was built around it.
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 70
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 2:30 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 128 ft
Wales St Fagans Castle 51.487941, -3.26859851°29’17” N 3°16’7” W
Iron Workers' Terrace Houses
July 10, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
The six houses and their contents and gardens are displayed at different periods of their history, from 1805 to 1985. Each home contains a living room and small kitchen. A steep circular staircase next to the fireplace takes you up to the bedroom. A small pantry with a second bedroom above are located at the back.Read more
TravelerLooks very cozy
7/15/18Reply
TravelerIn other words, small!
7/16/18Reply
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 70
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 2:08 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 128 ft
Wales St Fagans Castle 51.487941, -3.26859851°29’17” N 3°16’7” W
More Welsh Heritage Buildings
July 10, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
In 1916 the Workmen's Institute was built for the coal mining community, for their social, educational and cultural activities.

The Toll house was a one room building, with a business end, and a living quarters. It was very unpopular among rural people. In the 1843 Rebecca Riots, many toll gates were destroyed by men wearing dresses and blackening their faces to disguise themselves.

Late 1700s Tannery, where leather was made--the process took 18 months and was very smelly!

1600s cockpit: after cockfighting was outlawed in 1849, it became a pig weighing center, and more recently, a garage.Read more
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 70
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 1:08 PM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 128 ft
Wales St Fagans Castle 51.487941, -3.26859851°29’17” N 3°16’7” W
Recreation of a Village
July 10, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
A lot of work went into putting these displays together! In the General store, most of the items are copied from the ones they were able to find.

On the right side of the store is a cast iron Victorian urinal. There were no public toilets until the Public Health Act of 1848, and virtually none for women. The British term "Spending a penny" came from the cost of using the public toilet.Read more
TravelerNo Dean behind the screen 😂.
7/15/18Reply
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 70
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 12:25 PM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 105 ft
Wales St Fagans: National History Museum 51.486836, -3.27305751°29’13” N 3°16’23” W
1610 Farmhouse at St Fagans
July 10, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Much of Wales has its own language, but this farm was from the Southeastern peninsula, which has always spoken English. The house is red to protect against evil spirits. The barn is attached, but on many farms, the barn and the house are one building, with a common door in the middle.

This house has more than one upstairs bedroom, meaning that the farmer was well off. Look at the woven straw mats lining the ceiling--that was unusual. They are tied to the timbers and to the thatched roof, to keep the roof in place in case of storms.Read more
TravelerDon't think I would have liked that...I definitely don't like barn smells! Yuk! Bill asked if he would have to take off his shoes before coming in....dumb question!
7/14/18Reply
TravelerI don't think they took off their shoes--there are boot scrapers by the doors. Hopefully they remembered to use them!
7/15/18Reply
1 like
Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 70
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 12:10 PM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 105 ft
Wales St Fagans: National History Museum 51.486836, -3.27305751°29’13” N 3°16’23” W
Museum of Welsh Life, St Fagans
July 10, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
This is an open air museum of significant historical buildings from around Wales. They were dismantled, parts labeled, and reassembled here. We always enjoy these types of exhibits.
TravelerI think Bill would like that also.
7/14/18Reply
1 like