Durham & London 29 Oct - 6 Nov 2011

For the photographs of the preceding days, please refer to: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/london-26-281011_28.html

On the morning of 29.10.2011 (Day 17), I took a train from King Cross Station to Durham City in North East England. The train journey took over 3 hours. Durham sits on a peninsular surrounded by River Wear which provides the scenic backdrop for the City.

While over there for 4 days till 2.11.2011, I took the opportunity to explore the town especially Durham Cathedral and Castle. The cathedral is regarded as one of the finest examples of Norman architecture and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site along with nearby Durham Castle. The treasures of Durham Cathedral include relics of St Cuthbert and the remains of the Venerable Bede. Durham Castle was built as the residence for the Bishop of Durham. The seat of the Bishop of Durham is the fourth most significant in the Church of England hierarchy.

I also took two easy day walks, each taking about 3 hours. The first was a 4 km Riverside and Farmland Walk to North of Durham and second was an 8 km Riverside and Woodland Walk to South of Durham.

I returned to London on 2.11.2011. Over the next few days, I did some shopping, visited London School of Economics (LSE) and paid a second visit to St Paul Cathedral. On the eve of my departure, I went to Southwark Park to join the British revelers to witness firework display to mark the foiled attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up London Parliament and King James I on 5.11.1605.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/12114.

London 26-28 Oct 2011

For the photographs of the preceding day, please refer: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/outside-london-23-251011_26.html

For the next three days (Day 14 to 16), we spent our time roaming London using the Tube and our legs as the main modes of transport.

One Day 14, we tubed to Leicester Square and commenced our 5 km walk passing through Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Bridge Street, Victoria Street, St Jame’s Park, Green Park and Constitution Hill before ending at Knightsbridge Station. Attractions viewed included the National Gallery, Nelson Column, Admiralty Arch, Horse Guard, No 10 Downing Street, Big Ben, Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Canada War Memorial, Wellington Arch and Harrods.

From Knightsbridge Station, we took the tube eastward to Tower Hill where we commenced our second leg of our day walk of about 7 km passing through Tower Bridge, along the river bank of Thames, through Millennium Bridge, Ludgate Hill, Fleet Street and Kingsway to return to our Hostel at Tavistock Place. We spent considerable amount of time taking night shots of the Tower Bridge and the surrounding areas, including Southwark Cathedral and St Paul Church.

On Day 15, we decided to take the tube to High Street Kensington Station to start our 9 km walk through Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road, Victoria Embankment, and Westminster Bridge before returning by tube to our hostel at Russell Square. Along the way, we visited Whole Foods Market selling all natural and organic food (at high prices), Kensington Palace, Prince Albert Memorial, Royal Albert Hall, Marble Arch, Covent Garden Market and London Eye as well as Big Ben (again) for the night shots.

On Day 16, the eve of the group trip, we opted for an easy day. In the morning, we selected to visit the Camden Market (ala Malaysia Pasar Pagi & Malam) while leaving the afternoon for last minute shopping. In the night, we attended a free talk by Anwar Ibrahim on the topic “The struggle for Justice and Democracy in Malaysia’ at University College London.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/12112.

Next Durham: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/12/durham-london-2910-6112011_1.html

Outside London 23-25 Oct 2011

For the photographs of the preceding day, please refer to http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/lake-district-pt-221-221011_21.html.

On the morning of 23.11.2011 (Day 11), it was drizzling when we left Ashleigh Guesthouse for Windermere Train Station. We were told by the Station Master that we were required to make 3 train changes instead of 1 owing to a change of train schedule due to unforeseen circumstances. This was a long train journey. Starting at 11 a.m. we arrived at Euston Station London at 4.20 p.m. after making changes at Oxenholme, Preston and Manchester Piccadilly. The train from Preston to Manchester Piccadilly was totally packed like sardine due to the rescheduling of trains. Consequently, the First Class Coach had to be converted to Standard Coach to buffer the overcrowding.

At Euston Station London, we also lined up for more than ½ hour to buy our Oyster Cards (deposit £5 + amount prepaid – all refundable upon surrendering the cards).

After checking into Generator Hostel, where we would be staying for 6 nights, we went to China Town for dinner and did a walkabout at Piccadilly Circus as well as Soho.

For the next two days, we decided to capitalize on the free train rides by travelling outside London.

Salisbury and Bath Spa (Day 12)

For Salisbury, we took the underground to Waterloo station where caught a train. From Salisbury train station, we took the Stonehenge Bus Tour to view Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Old Sarum Salisbury, the site of the earliest settlement of Salisbury. We also checked out the fine medieval Salisbury Cathedral before training to Bath Spa in the afternoon.

At Bath Spa, we did a walkabout to view the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Royal Crescent of Georgian Terraces, Jane Austen Souvenir shop and the elegant curved terraced weir to Pulteney Bridge, one of the sights that helped Bath become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 200-year-old bridge is lined with shops.

Stratford-Upon-Avon and Oxford (Day 13)

The next day, we took the underground to Marylebone station to train to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birth place of Shakespeare. As usual, we did a walkabout to admire the town medieval buildings especially the birthplace and school of Shakespeare as well as the site (New Place) where he died.

It was late afternoon when we left Stratford-Upon-Avon for Oxford to have a look around before returning to London. At Oxford, we visited Oxford Canal and Oxford Castle. We also did a short walk through the town to view the many old buildings. Photography was limited due to poor lighting.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/12110.

For London sightseeing , please refer to: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/london-26-281011_28.html

Lake District (Pt 2) 21-22 Oct 2011

For the photographs of the preceding day, please refer to http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/lake-district-pt-119-201011_20.html.

On the morning of 21.10.2011, Rabbie’s took us to view thee dramatic Whinlatter Forest Park, the rural village of High Lorton, Crummock Water, Buttermere and the Honister mountain pass leading to Honister Slate Mine before leaving us at Keswick Bus Station to proceed to Ambleside.

After checking into the lovely Ashleigh Guesthouse, we set out to explore Ambleside town. Notwithstanding the wet and gloomy weather in the late afternoon, we climbed up to Orrest Head for an aerial view of Windermere Lake. We did not get very good view due to poor lighting and mist.

For the following day (22.10.2011), we opted for a circular hike covering Stockghyll Force Waterfall, Wansfell Pike, The Hundreds, Troutbeck, Skelghyll Wood and Jenkin Crag. We returned to Ambleside Bus Station (where we started off at 10 a.m.) at 4 p.m. after hiking for 6 hours. Except for the high cold wind velocity at Wansfell Pike, the hike could be classified as moderate and pleasant with wonderful 360 degree view of the surrounding area, including Windermere Lake.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/12108.

We continued our journey to London the next day: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/outside-london-23-251011_26.html

Lake District (Pt 1) 19-20 Oct 2011

On the morning of 19.10.2011, we left Edinburgh with Rabbies for a 3-day tour of the Lake District, the Borders and Hadrian’s Wall. For the photographs on Scotland, please refer to:
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/scotland-pt-113-161011.html and
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/scotland-pt-2-17-181011.html.

Places visited for that day included the stunning views over the Borders, the River Tweed and the Eildon Hills that separate between England and Scotland as well as Jedburgh to tour the Castle Jail, the Abbey and Queen Mary of Scots museum. We even did a short steep climb of Hotbank Craggs at Steel Rigg to better view of the remnant of Hadrian’s Wall, built by the Romans to mark its frontier, before moving to Keswick where we spent the two nights in Keswick Youth Hostel.

The following morning, we visited Castlerigg Stone circle, did a forest walk to see the mighty Aira Force waterfall and climbed up to Post Knott and Brantfell to have a 360 degree view of Lake Windemere and surrounding areas. On the way to Windermere, we passed Kirkstone Pass, a rugged mountain Pass offering panoramic views. It is also the highest pass (454m) in the Lake District. In the afternoon, we explored Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter country around Coniston water, Hawkeshead and the charming village of Grasmere.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/12106.

For the next part on Lake District, please refer to http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/lake-district-pt-221-221011_21.html.

Scotland (Pt 2) 17-18 Oct 2011

For the preceding part of the Trip, please refer to http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/scotland-pt-113-161011.html.

The following day at Fort William, we visited the Neptune’s staircase which is the southern-west end of the 100km long Caledonian Canal. From here, the Ben Nevis range looked so surreal against the gloomy skyline. Thereafter, notwithstanding the poor weather, we took the challenge to hike to Steall Waterfall. The 3 ½ hour return hike took us through a very vibrant Glen Nevis forest punctuated with a few lovely waterfalls. It was past 12 noon when we left Fort William. Enroute to Edinburgh, we stopped at Glencoe which was reported to possess a spectacular and beautiful landscape. The third Harry Potter movie was filmed on locations in Glencoe. Unfortunately, the weather was not in our favour and views were limited by mist and fog. Historically, Glencoe has been associated with the Massacre of MacDonald clan by the guests who had accepted their hospitality, on the grounds that the MacDonalds had not been prompt in pledging allegiance to the new monarchs.

We also passed through the scenic Trossochs National Park. It was late evening when we hit Edinburgh to check into Ibis Hotel situated on the famous Royal Mile. After checking in, we sent back the car to Airport and returned by bus to City.

On Day 6, we spent the whole day exploring the historic City of Edinburgh, starting from the famous Edinburgh Castle located on the east end of the Royal Mile to Calton Hill on the opposite end. We also take a short climb up to Arthur’s Seat where we were rewarded with a fantastic 360 degree vista of Edinburgh City and its surrounding areas.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/12104.

For the next leg of our UK Adventure on Lake District, please refer to http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/lake-district-pt-119-201011_20.html.

Scotland (Pt 1) 13-16 Oct 2011

On 13.10.2011, four of us flew via MH direct to Heathrow and thereafter took a domestic flight (BMI) to Edinburgh. It was near 12 midnight by the time we checked into our Premier Inn hotel after collecting our Vauxhall Insignia car from the airport deport of Alamo. Despite the long journey, our ace driver Ong did not show any sign of fatigue and requested for an early start of our adventure the following morning. So on Day 2, we drove 400 km through the Scottish highland from Edinburgh to the beautiful Isle of Skye. Along the way, we stopped and explored the following places of interest:

1) Pitlochry, well-known for its 310 metre salmon ladder
2) Edradour Distillery, the smallest distillery in Scotland
3) Laggan Dam over River Spean
4) Spean Bridge best known for its historical links with the Allied Commando Training during the Second World War
5) Caledonian Canal at Fort Augustus
6) Urquhat Castle located on the shore of Loch Ness
7) Eileen Donan Castle where three Scottish Lochs meet

Our agent, Great Britain Holiday had arranged for us to stay at Broadford Backpacker Hostel for two nights while in Isle of Skye. The hostel room and facilities were clean and comfortable and guests were allowed to use the kitchen.

The topography of Isle of Skye is amazing with breathtaking coastline and also glorious mountains, moorland and lochs. The setback was Isle of Skye or Misty Isle has a terrible reputation of rainy and foggy island with fleeting sunlight. Photography was certainly challenging in the ever changing weather. Apart from a half day hike to the Man of Storr, we spent time driving around the Isle taking wonderful photos.

On Day 4, instead of using the bridge, we took a ferry from Armadale to Malliag and thereafter drove to Fort William for a night stay at Mytle Bank, an attractive Victorian villa with a magnificent view of Loch Linnhe.

The drive was scenic. We took the opportunity to stopover at Glenfinnan and hiked up a hill behind the Visitor Centre to enjoy the picturesque vista of Glenfinnan Monument against Loch Sheil and the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct among the steep autumn mountains. Glenfinnan Monument marked the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie rallied for support in the Jacobite Rebellion against the throne of England in 1745 while the Glenfinnan Viaduct was the bridge which the 'Hogwarts Express' passed through in the Harry Potter movie.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/12102.

For the next part of the Trip, please refer to http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/scotland-pt-2-17-181011.html.