The flight from Vancouver overnight to London then by train to Bath where we continue the travels.

The Royal Hotel in Bath is just across the street from the railway station so no need for a taxi to our accommodation.

The whole of the city of Bath is listed as a world heritage site.  Made famous for the warm springs supplying the bathhouse for the Roman occupation of southern England. The spread of the Roman empire was drawn to this area of England due to the source of lead and tin used in the making of pewter.  It was also fortunate that the springs were also handily located.

Now continues as a tourist attraction but no-one permitted to bathe in this one although he seems hopeful.

The fist floor has a balcony overlooking the pool and...

...also gives vistas to surrounding city buildings.

Alcoves at pool level enable intimate meeting places.

Interesting hollow ceramic "bricks" used in part of the construction.

While the Romans may have initiated the development, the focus has continued on the location being within easy reach of London.

Magnificent residential building and open space with well manicured grass.

Close by it appears as an economy measure the pedestrian direction arrows only come in one version. The inscription, both top and bottom, was upside down.  The post, it it is after all a world heritage site, so old is in its place.

The Royal Crescent is truly crescent shaped with motor access restricted to residents. However...(below)

...the rear is not so impressive.

Old and preserved is the theme of the city typified in this street ornament.

Private housing came some time after the bath house,.

Sallies house as it is today, over 500 years later.

The street leading into the city centre from the railway station.

 Some newer building have been constructed, probably before World Heritage Site designation.  The demolition of a block of building and replacement by building such as shown here was much to the disgust of a tour guide on a city bus tour.  He had lived in the city for many years.

The Avon River has its source in the region to the north and flows through the city on its way to sea through Bristol to the east.

A closer view of the bridge visible in the above photograph has shops along each side of it across the river.

It is then quickly out into the countryside leaving this old city and its history behind.

2018 travels

Plans for 2018 involve traveling to the UK and basing ourselves with Andrew and Gemma, together with their daughter Amy (2yrs) and new baby James.

First stopover is Vancouver for two days to take a break on the long haul to UK.

On arrival at Vancouver in the early afternoon the Radisson Hotel, only 5 minutes from the airport by courtesy van is very convenient.  This view from the hotel room looking Northwest.  Vancouver Island in the distance and the airport on the flats to the left just beyond the buildings.  Immediately below the hotel is the rail link into Vancouver city from the Aberdeen station, Richmond, across the street.

A day trip by local transport, train, bus, ferry to Bowen Island off Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver.  This small island located below Howe Sound a short distance offshore appears to have become a bit of a nature hideout for many who work on the mainland having excellent vehicular BC ferry services.

Leaving Horseshoe Bay...

...and the way across...

...then after a short trip arriving at Bowen Island.  The foreground indicates the local recreation.

Some larger vessels for an aging generation.

Some even like to hide their vessel in the trees, disguised and looking like a space craft, by adding a cover over the cabin.

 Forest walks for humans and their dog but don't camp overnight or light fires.

Enjoy the views to the south where the USA - Canada border weaves between the various islands.

 Mountain tops on the mainland where there are many provincial parks and ski fields within easy travel of Vancouver.

It was spring and evidence of a former hilltop garden. 

A very small bird came close by and...

 ...much larger one kept its distance at the waters edge.

A small deer emerges onto the roadside.

How about a canoe trip back to the mainland or...

...a leisurely BC Ferry trip.

A short stop over in Vancouver was about to end.

Aberdeen to Portsmouth - South England - quick trip

The tripping around the UK really ended in Aberdeenshire and was followed by a quick trip down to Portsmouth for our crossing to France for the World Equestrian Games (WEG).   Staying the first night in the Northumberland area.

Kath here taking a short break in Corbridge on 24 August not far from our overnight B&B and also Hadrian's Wall. Look up Google for its history or our 2011 blog.

The countryside in that part of Northumberland  is generally sheep and cattle grazing, some more intensive than others with the occasional crop.

 Sometime just rough pasture.

 While other times more intensive farming.

As seen here and above.

It was then south through Lincolnshire and Norfolk where we had not previously traveled.  More industry and population requires more electricity where there is more reliance on coal (or maybe gas) fired plants.

 While not far away near Kings Lynn intensive crop production on fertile flats.

Crops vary depending on demand and price. Above a cereal and this view sugar beet.

Some hot house crop just seen in the picture.

Also isolated horticulture with a small area of flower production spotted.

 This picture to show "monoculture" as well as crop side by side.

 Brassica seed crop, probably rape seed for oil.

Pig hutches in the grain growing area.

Harvesting under way, the last row in this field. We stayed at a B&B at Bradford Combust, a short distance south of Bury St Edmunds, in Suffolk.  They specialized in Strawberry growing, with some apple orchard but also leased some land out for cereal grain cropping.  From here it was a relative short trip skirting around the east of London to Portsmouth where we returned our rental car (or rather left it at the hotel car park for the company to collect) and stayed over night and boarded the ferry to France next morning.