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Europe & UK
  • Duncan Grant
Jul – Aug 2019

Europe & UK

7July - 20 August 2019 Read more
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  • Trip start
    July 7, 2019
  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant

    Rome Day 1

    July 8, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    After our long flight a little siesta was required. In the evening we had spoilt ourself with a private evening tour around the city of Rome. We visited famous landmarks, The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Spanish steps and the Piazza Venezia. We were treated to a beautiful sunset overlooking the city and took time to have a sit in the small orange garden overlooking Rome. Our little companion Mawson wasn't too tied to join us but as the saying almost goes - you can take a penguin to Rome but all he wants to do if find water.!! We experienced the delight of the secret keyhole where if you look through the keyhole in the big green door you will see a garden and through the center of the garden is the Dome of St Peter's perfectly centered. Our trip completed with a complementary bottle of bubbles to help celebrate a Roman holiday. 🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant

    Rome

    July 8, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Arrived in Rome after a tiring 20 + hour trip with a 2hr flight change at Bangkok.

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant

    Rome Day 2

    July 9, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Today we did a combined tour covering the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill in the morning, after lunch, Vatican Museumes, SistineChapel and St Peter's Basilica. The day was very hot with lots of walking and lots of crowds, peak tourist season in mid summer 🌞
    Our morning guide was fantastic, full of knowledge and passion, the afternoon guide, whilst still good was tired and lacked luster. The Palatine Hill is the area Rome was founded. The Colosseum is a symbol of Rome to the world. The amphitheatre created to entertain ancient Roman citizens with bloody shows of gladiators, animals and at times cruelty. We walked along the original path of ancient Rome along the Via Sacra and viewed the Temple of Vesra, Antonio and Faustina, the ancient Basilica Julia and Aemilia, a vision of Rome glorious past.
    The Vatican Museums are within Vatican City and comprise several exhibitions housed within several museum galleries and hold important world art collections, exquisite tapestries, geographical maps, statues and other works. The breathtaking Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling, began to be painted by the young Michelangelo's May 1508 and was completed 1512 depecting stories from the book of Genesis.
    The greatest church in Christendom is St. Peter's Basilica with Michelangelo's mighty dome an iconic Roman landmark and it is within this Church that the tomb of St Peter can be found.    Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant

    Naples

    July 10, 2019 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 29 °C

    On our tour to Pompeii, we visited the city of Naples on the Mediterranean coast. The day was very hot and overcast making our veiw from Vomero Hill over the bay of Naples limited. It was not possible to see the Island of Capari, however our guide assured it was there even though not visable. The buildings boarding the sea were so colourful, huge cruise ships dominated the wharf. Just beyond all the glamour of the coast you could see how the workers lived, housing not so glamorous and washing hanging from every window. Poor visibility and cloud made the still active volcano Vesuvius not the dominating presence it would hold on a clear day.Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant

    Pompeii

    July 10, 2019 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 30 °C

    Under the watch of the sleeping Mount Vesuvius is the town of Pompeii. The ruins at Pompeii are one of the most important archaeological sites in the world : a UNESCO world heritage site. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD destroyed the city, killing its inhabitants and burying it under tons of Ash. The site was lost for about 1,500 years until its initial rediscovery and the objects beneath the city have been well-preserved for centuries. We walked along the ancient streets taking a glimpse into the lives of the Romans, seeing evidence of ancient houses, bakeries, shops and images of everyday life at the time of the eruption. We saw the haunting image of a man attempting to shield himself from the ash, now captured in time. Large earthenware pots, a stone bed, stairs, streets and original lead pipes that carried water around the town, we wondered just how many of the inhabitants were effected by the lead ! We saw house number 29 our home number,but the 29 is actually the excavation site number. Today, active digging can be seen in the ruins.
    Adjacent to the ruins is the current thriving town of Pompeii, there was even Pompeii bingo which gave us a laugh, who said Pompeii is in ruins, just the people playing Bingo 😆    Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant

    London

    July 12, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    We have spent a few busy but fantastic days in London. We both really like this city, so many green spaces and the people enjoying their parks, so many stretched out on the grass, or simply sitting on the grass soaking up the serenity.
    Yesterday we took a full day tour of London, seeing the expanse of green grass and huge trees of Hyde Park, Westminster Abbey, changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and beautiful St. James's Park. We crossed over the famous Tower Bridge and our guide took us through the Tower of London with a good look at the spectacular crown jewels, and then on a guided tour of the magnificent St Paul's Cathedral. Our trip concluded with a cruise down the Thames, which was made so much more entertaining by the hilarious running commentary by the Captain
    With a lot of help from family before arriving in London we managed The Tube with no problems. Today we hope to head off to Kew Gardens, just waiting for the showers to clear up.    Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant
    11

    Natural History Museum, London

    July 12, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    The Natural History Museum in London is a museum that exihibits a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history. Some of the many photos we took are :
    1 The nest of the Maiasaura, a duck billed plant eating dinosaur that herded across Northern America was discovered in Montana
    The hatchling were brought seeds, leaves and berries by their parents.
    2 Through the large molten rock you entered the world of volcanos, earthquakes and other vast forces that bent and twisted the Earth to create the structure we have today.
    3 The Woolly Rhino, a creature from another climate, inhabitanted the cold northern hemisphere, this specimen was preserved so well because it was trapped in a natural oil seep. The chemicals of the oil destroyed most of the hair and horn but the skin and skeleton survived This woolly rhino is 45,000 years old.
    4 The museum, a grand structure in itself.
    5 Pele's hair is the beautiful thread like hair that formed when tiny pieces of magma are thrown in the air and spun by the wind into volcanic glass.
    6. The vast forces that bend and twist the earth's surface are recorded in these folded bands of light and dark material, the rock being created as it was heated and squeezed deep underground.
    7.The fossilised tortoise dating up to 34 million years ago, USA
    8. A large replica of the moon
    9.Human evolution.
    10.Every earth history needs a dinosaur head,!    Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant

    St Pauls Cathedral, London

    July 13, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    We had a guided tour of St Paul's Cathedral which is crowned by the magnificent dome that is so much a part of the London skyline. The cathedral was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London in 1666, and is one of the largest churches in the world. In recent years it has seen the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer and more recently, the thanksgiving services for both the Diamond Jubilee and the 80th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. Designed by the famous architect Christopher Wren, it boasts both an outer and inner dome. The cathedral was hit by several German bombs during World War 2. One was removed before it exploded, had it done so, it would have totally destroyed St Paul's.
    The cathedral 's crypt is the largest in Western Europe and extends the entire length of the building.
    Sir Christopher Wren was the first to be buried in St Paul's Cathedral. The cathedrals largest monument is that to the Duke of Wellington, depicting the Duke riding a horse.    Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant

    Kew Gardens

    July 14, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    A visit to one of the largest, 121 hectares, botanical gardens in the world is a perfect break from the London city vibe. There is a diverse collection of beautiful plants, especially the many majestic trees, stunning landscapes and the magnificent recently restored glasshouse. Along one of the many pathways was a sign to announce the entrance to a hidden badger hole - a little treat us Aussies don't see.Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant

    Dale Chihuly Exhibition - Kew Gardens

    July 14, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Mexican born, Dale Chihuly is an innovative artist working with glass. Kew Gardens hosted a stunning selection of his work from the past 50 years. Many of the pieces were set against the unique backdrop of the gardens, other pieces were displayed in one of the art galleries at the gardens.
    The exhibition was named " Reflections on nature" and the artist had said
    " I want my work to appear like it came from nature, so that if someone found it on the beach or in the forest, they might think it belonged there"    Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant

    Swansea

    July 16, 2019 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We spent time in Swansea, Julia's partner Adam's hometown, staying with Adam's Mum and Dad, Nettie and William. First class hospitality at its best. Swansea is a seaside city on the south coast of Wales, with a population of 300,000 +The Gower Pensinsula is known for sandy beaches such as Rhossili Bay. Mumbles Peir is a long boardwalk, with a must stop at the famous Joe's ice creamy, yum yum. A feature of the area is known as The Common, open unfenced grazing fields with sheep and horses free to roam. We passed many groups of ponies just like the ones in the attached photo. The streets are made bright and cheery with colourful window boxes and hanging baskets full of beautiful bright mixed flowers, stunning.Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant
    1

    Rhossili, Wales

    July 17, 2019 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Rhossili Bay has been voted one of the best beaches in the UK. We drove along the Gower, although only a small area, it includes rolling hillsides, craggy clifftops, golden sands a shipwreck or two, whitewashed cottages and the most captivating coastline. The magnificent Three Cliffs Bay, with a trio of triangular crags and sandy coast. Rhossili, a vast west facing beach unfolding beneath a steep, windy headland. Worm's Head sees a spactular end to the headland. To the west of Rhossili is Llangennith probably Wales's best surfing spot. It was interesting to see all signs in Wales to have both English and Welsh lettering, as much a we practiced we have no grasp on any words. For those with some space still empty on their bucket list, a walk along the entire glorious Gower coastline approximately 50 Kms, would be a definite addition.Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant
    1

    Ireland Tour, Day 2

    July 22, 2019 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Today we were northbound, pass Drogheda, the scene of the battle of the Boyne in 1690, then through the fertile landscape of the Boyne Valley. We then crossed the border into Northern Ireland, driving past the Mountains of Mourne to Downpatrick, the burial place of Saint Patrick, Ireland's Patron Saint, then onto the city of Belfast.
    In the late 20th century Northern Ireland was troubled by conflict, the violence mainly took place with in the boarders of Northern Ireland, at time spilling over into the Republic of Ireland. The conflict beginning in the late 1960's was deemed to have ended 1998. The key issue was the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. Loyalists/unionists who were mostly protestants wanted Northern Ireland to remain within the UK, Irish nationalists/republicans who were mostly Catholic wanted Northern Ireland to leave the UK and join a united Ireland. More than 3500 lives were lost due to this conflict.    Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant
    1

    Down Cathedral, County Down.

    July 22, 2019 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Many relics reside in this medieval Gothic Church which is believed to be the burial site of Saint Patrick. The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity is known as Down Cathedral. It is a place of pilgrimage and prayer. Standing prominently on the Hill of Down, overlooking the ancient and historic town of Downpatrick.
    It is an ancient esslestical site with a church dedicated to the Holy Trinity recorded in 12th century. It has suffered from the forces of an earthquake 1245, burned down in 1315 and subsequently rebuilt and destroyed several times. Crosses from the 9th, 10th and 12th centuries are preserved in the Cathedral. The last restoration took place between 1985 to 1987.
    Accompanying photos include the Cathedral, the granite grave stone believed to be of St Patrick, the graveyard with the mountains of Mourne as the backdrop, stained glass windows, the large pipe organ and the ancient baptismal font which is a bullaun stone, these are linked to early medieval church sites.    Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant
    1
    21

    Belfast

    July 22, 2019 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Belfast is Northern Ireland capital, with a population of 333,000 and stands on the banks of the river Lagan. The city was former industrial powerhouse with a troubled past. Belfast became a major linen producing centre, rope works, tobacco factory, aerated water factory, tea machinery factory, tea manufacturers and distributors, dry dock, and shipyards. The ill-fated ship RMS Titanic was built in Belfast, and today boasts a Titanic museum with hands on displays and guided tours.Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant
    1

    Ireland, Day 3

    July 23, 2019 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Today we headed to the Northern most aspect of Ireland, and thanks to the clear weather were able to see some of the islands of Scotland. At the northern most aspect, the Causeway Coast, there was a small footbridge between two of the landform which no doubt would be somewhat scary on a windy day.
    We then visited The Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Years ago volcanic activity created these steplike hexagonal columns. The Giant's Causeway has long been associated with Irish mythology with the story of Fionn the giant. .
    We then went to the city of Derry passing once again through Ireland's 50 shades of green. Lush green fields, stone or hedge fencing, fat healthy cattle and numbers of content sheep, picture perfect.
    We travelled to Donegal, the ancient town founded by Danish Vikings, and home of the O'Donnell Clan. We drove along Donegal Bay with small fishing ports and beaches. A stop at the town of Drumcliff gave us a chance to see not only the grave site of the famous Irish poet W B Yates but also share time with Angela's kinfolk who are also buried there. A table top mountain provides a glorious backdrop to the cemetery. Our stop for the night was Sligo.    Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant
    1

    Cliffs of Moher

    July 24, 2019 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    These sea Cliffs, located on the south western edge of the Burren region in County Clare, run for 14 kilometres. At the south end they rise 129 meters above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag's Head and eight kilometres to the north they reach their maximum height of 214 meters. Their formation is believed to have take place between 313 to 326 million years ago. Today the Cliffs are subject to erosion by wave action. There are also estimated to be some 30,000 pairs of birds living on the Cliffs, including Atlantic puffins. Although we didn't see any we saw a picture telling us about them. This picturesque landscape was made complete by the abundance of native flowers, including wild poppies that adorned the area.Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant

    Thatched roof cottages and gardens

    July 25, 2019 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Adare is a lovely Irish village, with its main street lined with thatched roof cottages, each boasting colourful gardens.

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant

    Ireland Tour day 5

    July 25, 2019 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Today our early morning start took us to the quaint thatched roofed cottages at Adare. Then it was on to view all the breathtaking scenery the Dingle Peninsula has to offer. The 51 kilometer Slea Head drive affords magnificent vista's of the Atlantic Ocean. We viewed the Blasket Islands and their unique literary traits of being Gaelic speaking. Our evening began with a 3 Course meal at Tralea near Killarney where we attended a performance at the Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre where the legendary heritage of Ireland is reenacted in compelling songs and dance. This truly wonderful performance all in Gaelic, brought Irish history, culture, myth and legend to life with haunting songs from the women, men folk and children at play, and musical rhythms, both lively and sombre, and with wonderful tap dance routines.Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant

    Beehive huts Dingle

    July 25, 2019 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    The most common surviving house on the Dingle Pensinsula was the clochan, a round house built using local stone, and roofed in either stone or thatch. The bee hive like structures date back to the 6th to 10th centuries AD and are the houses where the people lived. We called into the site of several of these homes, now semi set up for the tourist. Photo opportunities were presented including the opportunity for photos in a small farm yard, farmhouse, with the dogs,the friendly seagulls or adorable baby lambs. As usual all at a cost of a few euros!!Read more

  • Duncan GrantEurope & UKDuncan Grant

    Ireland Day 6

    July 26, 2019 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    Today took us on the 100 mile coastal panoramic drive of the Ring of Kerry and featured sparkling seascapes, mountains, bright farmhouses and town shops, and a local or two entertaining the tourists with some Irish ways - like Tim with his donkey Paddy and Colleen, his little dog, perched on Paddy's back. We also saw some stacks of peat blocks on the roads edge.Read more

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