COTSWOLDS GARDENS (May 14&16)

(Cotswolds: sheep enclosure in rolling hills also linked in name to 'stone-cots' and 'wool-wold')

There are many and varied formal and informal gardens spread throughout the length and breadth of the Cotswolds in South Central England. It is a 'must do' to visit one or more of these great retreats even over a short 4 day visit such as ours. Here is a taste of a couple of gardens we have seen.

Our next gardens will be courtesy of the Emerald Isle

                                            NEW LANARK (May 12)

This world heritage site can be found in Lanarkshire, 40 kms southeast of Glasgow. The world heritage listing arose from New Lanark's development in the 1780's.
It was founded by David Dale, a cotton mill developer, taking advantage of the water supply provided by the River Clyde to operate the mill.
This venture was in partnership with an English entrepreneur Richard Arkwright and Dale's son-in-law Robert Owen.
It was the social progressiveness of Owen, a Welsh philanthropist and social reformer being years ahead of the accepted social norms and work practices, that has led to the world heritage listing.
New Lanark was a successful business and epitome of utopian socialism and planned settlement development.
Quotes of Owen's philosophy are printed around prominent parts of the old mill.

  

Our visit to this pretty special part of the world was made even more special by our close friends John, Jimmy and Sandra who we were able to catch up with to make this possible.

                         EDINBURGH (May 11-13)

Only 2 nights. Short train trip from Glasgow allowed early afternoon arrival which gave us time to explore Edinburgh Castle, only a short but challenging steep walk from hotel. The castle dominates the skyline being built in the 12th century reign of David 1. Was used as a royal residence until 1633 and it's principle role became one as a military garrison. This whole period can still be regarded as 'contemporary' as  archaeological evidence established human activity on and around the site from as far back as the 2nd century (iron age). 
The complex entanglement of Royal lineage over the centuries along with 'clan' and political turmoil and conflict leading to the place of Scotland in the UK is another story. The Castle was besieged 26 times in it's 1100 year history, more than any other place in Britain and the most besieged in the world. Suffice to say, the historical emphasis of the Castle museum celebrates this passage.
The Castle is probably more famous for us as the home of the renowned Edinburgh Military Tattoo, held on the Castle Esplanade, which we see on the tele every Xmas and what better way to open with a photo of the esplanade taken from a perspective not usually seen.

Section of National War Museum housed in Castle

                                     Castle Interiors 

                                               Exteriors

City views from the Castle walls

The historical connection with Edinburgh and it's Castle is best summed up by 'The Royal Mile'.
The Royal Mile is the name given to a succession of streets forming the main thoroughfare of the 'Old Town' of the City.
The thoroughfare is aprx. one 'scots mile' and runs downhill from the Castle and Holyrood Palace, home of the Scottish Parliament. 

                          The Royal Mile in Pictures

                And a Bonney Wee time was had by all

                                   WINDERMERE (May 9)

Unscheduled surprise visit to 'The Lakes District' and a ferry boat ride on Lake Windermere.

Let the pictures tell the story.