Day 2, Stonehenge and Salisbury

The plan posted for us the evening before.   Our itinerary reads as follows:

Marvel at the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths of Stonehenge and learn about the primitive builders who managed to create such an enduring monument.  Stop in Salisbury, a charming old city where the cathedral boats the tallest spire in England.  Arrive in Tavistock, a market town on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.

Our stop was a quick one.  For one it was raining, not everyone even opted to hope off the coach.  But, my friend Jane and I donned our ball caps and rain coats and walked around the circumference of the circle.  We lucked out in that we were there before other tour groups so it wasn't crowded.  My understanding is it's often quite crowded and hard to get a picture.  You no longer get to walk right up to or among the stones, but it's still quite impressive to see.

If you click the picture to enlarge it, you should be able to see some people on the left hand side of the picture.  This should give you some perspective as to the size.  This is an UNESCO site, one of the first in England.  It's a powerful witness to the people in the Neolithic and Bronze ages.  The building of this site began 5,000 years ago, but why it was built is unknown.  What it was used for is also unknown.  Some of the stones (as they are not all the same type of stone), came from the south of Wales.  How would simple people without modern day tools get stones this large and heavy from one place to another?  It will continue to be studied, and perhaps in years to come more will be learned.

Again, look at the size.  This is stone laying down tethered to a sled of sorts
See the people on the left.

Examples of grass huts can be toured behind the circle.  You get a feel for what a village would have looked like.

A launderette outside a rest stop.  Rest stops in Europe are nothing like rest stops here in the US.  The ones we saw in England had gas, public toilets and a large facility with 2 coffee shops, some fast food options, and grocery items; as well as gift items to purchase.  The launderette is a combined washer and dryer.  We watched a man put his laundry in, add the money and then went inside to eat and shower possibly.  The soap is also already in the machine.  As you can see you select which size load you have.

The Salisbury Cathedral, the tallest spire in England at 123 meters, a little over 400 feet!!  As you can see some work is being done.  No doubt that's a perpetual situation given the age of the cathedral.  The building began in 1220, and took 38 years to build.  It houses The Magna Carte among other artifacts.  Half a million visitors tour the cathedral annually.

A few of the many gorgeous stained windows.

This is an embroidered copy of the Magna Carte.  We did see the original, but you are not permitted to photograph it.  It's kept in a tent to keep light off it and only 3 people are permitted in the tent at one time with a docent controlling the entrance and exit of the tent.

Remember to click to enlarge so you can read the explanation.

A very detailed model of the cathedral.

A hot Cappauccino and shot of whiskey (can't remember what we had), was just what the doctor ordered.  Was a pretty cool, damp day and we needed a pick me up as we were walking around the town a bit.

In the pub where we enjoyed our whiskey and Cappuccino.  Forgot to make a note about the name of the pub, it was quite old.  Might have been named Ye Olde Pub or something like that.

Not a photo I took, but one from their website.  It looked like a castle, and was quite old.  Many older hotels in Europe do not have AC or elevators.  This hotel fell into that category.  We ran into trouble on night one there, as we were without electric.  3 different staff members came up to our 3rd floor room to see if they could fix it.  Something to do with the breakers.  Each plug had their own.  We lucked out in that one light did work, so we weren't in the dark; but were unable to charge our phones.  They didn't have a room they could move us too, as they were full.  They did get it fixed for us the next day.  A rather charming hotel with a warm and very nice staff.

PLEASE leave me a comment when you come visit, so I know you were here. Your visits and comments are very special to me. AND remember, leave your name and url and not your profile link. Name and url takes me right to your blog post so I can reciprocate the visit.

Park City Utah, Yarn and Baskets and More

 Wasatch and Wool, located at Kimball Junction Shopping area.  1635 Redstone Center Drive.  I visit this yarn shop everytime I'm in Park City.  The staff is always fun, friendly, and helpful.  The shop is stuffed to the gills with lots of wonderful yarn.

The inventory is phenomenal.  It's a small shop, but that hasn't stopped them from having lots of variety in types and prices of yarn, as well as colors.  Sometimes inventory at smaller shops is limited; not here at Wasatch and Wool.

We've been coming to Park City every summer now for 10 years, and as soon as I found out I could hope the city bus for FREE and get to this yarn store, I've taken advantage of that.  Often hubby is golfing during the day.  I can get where I'm going either on foot or by bus so his having the car doesn't slow me down at all.  Our daughter often is able to travel with us and she too has enjoyed this shop and remarked about what a wonderful inventory they had.

Park City Silly Sunday, always a treat.  It's a fun fair, with music and food right on Main Street every Sunday in the Summer.  I look forward to it and enjoy all the artist; but was really excited this year to get to spend time talking to Betty.  The hand made baskets and purses are fantastic.  They're all made by women in Africa and support women in Africa.  The workmanship of each piece is extraordinary.  I had a hard time making my selections because everything is so pretty and colorful.  AND you like supporting something so worthwhile.  The Website is AfricanEverything.com  MaendeleoImports@gmail.com.  The business card says contact #BasketMary.  I hope to see Mary again next year and plan to bring an extra piece of luggage so I can get one of the larger baskets on the plane with me.

We stay at The Marriott Summit Watch while there in Park City, right on Main Street.  I've posted often here with pictures of the area and our lodgings, but this year we had something special! (click that link to see some of the posts about Park City)

It's a really great spot in the summer, fishing, hiking, golfing, art festivals, free bus and a great yarn shop!



PLEASE leave me a comment when you come visit, so I know you were here. Your visits and comments are very special to me. AND remember, leave your name and url and not your google+ profile link or your blogger profile link. Name and url takes me right to your blog post so I can reciprocate the visit. Profile pages do not.

Day 6, Leaning Tower of Pisa

Day 6, Pisa, and Lake Maggiore.  Our itinerary for the day says  stop at Pisa for the Leaning Tower from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity.  See the splendid cathedral and baptistery decorated with mosaics.  Journey past the marble quarries T Carrara, used since the time of Ancient Rome.  Travel through the Apennine Mountains to the fertile valley of the River Po. and continue to your lakeside resort on beautiful Lake Maggiore.

The town of Pisa is one of the areas where tour coaches aren't permitted.  We toured several areas where the coaches have to park some place outside the city, and tourist need to walk in, or find other transportation.  From memory, believe this was the 2nd time the coach had to leave us outside city limits.  Partially due to the distance, and perhaps because of our lady in the wheel chair, Vivian; arrangements were made to ride these little trains into the area where The Leaning Tower of Pisa,  and Cathedral were.  We weren't the only tour group here that morning, so the trains must be common place.

And even after you leave the train outside the walled area, you still must walk to your actual destination.  ERnie in right foreground.

As you approach, you see the Cathedral on your left and The Leaning Tower beyond.  They look connected in this picture, but they aren't.  It's just the distance.  But, comparing it to the building near it, you see better how much it's leaning.

A different view where were almost in front of the Cathedral, gives you a feel for the size.

We considered briefly doing the shot where you find the right spot and look like you're holding it up, but the line of younger folks waiting to do that...we moved on.  The Leaning tower is the bell tower for the Romanesque Marble Cathedral, built in 1372.  Even at the time it was built, it leaned.  Later due to it leaning so much Italians were afraid it would fall over, devices were used to secure it.  Over time it was beginning to straighten the tower......which would ruin the tourist attraction, so alterations had to be made to allow it to continue to lean.

The Cathedral was beautiful even from the outside, and as you can see the line to enter was long, so was the line to buy the ticket to enter.  Knowing our time table here, we elected to walk around the community instead.  I don't believe anyone in our group made it inside the Cathedral.  There was also a long line to use the bathroom, which was one of the many paid public toilets we encountered during our travels. (more on bathrooms in a later post)

One of the side streets with shops and places to eat.  We were there early enough, many weren't yet open for the day.

This was gorgeous.  Look at the wooden wheels!  I couldn't read the sign posted with it, but we assume it's for hire to site see from.

 Some views out the window of the coach.

We're approaching Lake Maggiore.  We did pass the marble areas mentioned in the itinerary for the day.  It was visible from the coach, but not such that a picture was obtained.  A very steep hillside where marble was selected and the difficulty of getting the marble to the artist/builder etc was discussed.  We could see very primitive roads off in the distance.

**Pop back in for Lake Maggiore.

Day 2 in Rome Italy, before the Tour

 Breakfast was to be included with our hotel but, we were so tired we slept too late to get our breakfast buffet at the hotel.  So, we rested and ventured out on our own with a plan to head to The Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Neighborhood.  It was our understanding those weren't on the list of things we'd see with our tour group.  As we wondered around we came upon what is called The Old Roman Wall (Auirelian Walls).  These walls were built for defenses of the Eternal City way back in the 4th century BC.  The 6th King of Rome Servius Tullius initiated the first defensive walls built from large blocks of volcanic tufa that were about 10 meters high.

There was about 500 years of peace in The Roman Empire, during the Golden Age and little need of defensive walls.  However, later as Rome grew and more lands and peoples were involved that changed.  The Barbaric Hoards were a problem so Aurelian, who was then the Emperor had the walls rebuilt and it included all of the 7 hills of Rome and Trastevere district south of the Tiber River.  It only took 5 years to build these walls that covered 3500 acres, as the Emperor used Rome Citizens, not just the military.  It was completed just after the death of Aurelian.  Later Maxentius doubled the height of the walls to increase protection.  There were 381 square watch towers built at 30 meter intervals with 18 gateways in and out of the city.

These walls, and gateways remained after the fall of The Roman Empire.  After 16 centuries the walls were breached at Porta Pia on Sept 20th 1870, which was the beginning of the unification of Italy under King Victor Emmanuel II.  Though Italy is old...very old, it has not been a unified country for very long.  A little confusion on the date, as I also read the date of 1861 as the date The King declared the country unified, so perhaps Porta Pia was a battle after the fact.

These walls are the largest monument in Rome as they extend into everyday life.  You see the walls, you still go through the gateways, some of the walls are included in peoples homes and other buildings throughout the city.

Hubby, as we were walking about.  I needed to prove he was there. LOL- This was a park near the above wall and gate.  

 We made our way to The Spanish Steps, but it was terribly crowded, and quite hot.  So we walked around a bit. 

Us half way on The Spanish Steps with Trinita dei Monti Church behind us.

Lots of shopping around The Spanish Steps

Trying to get a feel for the steepness of the steps down into the square.  The Spanish steps were built to link the Church at the top of Piazza di Spagna to the Spanish square below.  

Another view of the church

Was hot and we needed a break so found a little place for lunch, Trinita Snack Bar.  We shared a sandwich and had our first very cool Italian Gelato after lunch.  Sparkler included!  I did not find a webpage for this little restaurant, but did a favorable review on yelp, and here's the link to their facebook page.

Beautiful statues everywhere, as we continued on walking after lunch.

 Even at Government Buildings, which is where these very steep steps go.  We found shade though!

 Even the streets are pretty, notice the mix of color between the white government buildings.

Statues abound.  At this point, I was done.... (broke my foot in March and not totally healed, as it takes they say a year), so we called Uber and made it back to the hotel to rest a bit, and get showers in order to meet up with a tour guide and group members for a welcome dinner that evening.

A wonderful and full day before our tour.

Packing for Ease of Travel

This piece of luggage is called The Ghost Cruiser from REI. It's the luggage I took to Ireland and Scotland last fall (those posts were interrupted on this blog, by me during a blogging lapse). It weighs only 5 pounds empty and is a 27 inch rolling...duffel of sorts.

Trying to show the two openings here.  It's main compartment and a smaller top zip compartment.  It has a good study handle, and stand which keeps it upright nicely.

Empty insides show you two side pockets that zip that are good for a pair of shoes, or misc under things.  I am able to put a sandal and a dress shoe(flats) in each pocket.  I find not putting the pair together is helpful.  The sandals obviously are smaller and compact better than a dress flat, so one of each works well.  I've also been able to put panties, and footies in each of those compartments along with the shoes.  Additionally a top flat pocket with zip works well for file folders, rain gear, or jacket you want to have quick access to; as well as a dress you might not want to scrunch.

All of that packed nicely in above suitcase for a recent 2 week trip to Park City, Utah.  Notice 4 packing cubes, Zip lock bag of coffee, zip lock bag of yarn, ditty bag (red), zip lock bag of cooking spices (which I don't take on tours like Ireland, but do when we go to a timeshare vacation).  A few misc items like a hat, umbrella, and rain coat folded in a zip lock bag, and a Martini shaker (also not something I take on tour, lol).

Please notice the green cube, 2nd from the right.  It's the largest of the 4 you see and it contained 2 flare skirts, 2 dresses with flare skirts, 7 sleeves dress tops, 1 t-shirt, 1 bra and a handful of panties and footies.

Now I can't recommend this luggage, because they no longer make it, but they do have some that are similar.  REI (an outdoor store with excellent equipment fully guaranteed).  We've belonged to the co-op for years.  So even though you might blink at the cost of their equipment, it's very high quality that they stand behind....and as a member, you get annual dividends.  

I like a suitcase I can lift.  It's not possible to worry about weight with this suitcase.  You can't put 50 pounds in it.  I'm sorry it's no longer made, because both hubby and I have been very pleased with our purchase.

I plan to to use this suitcase again later this year when we go touring again in Europe, this time Italy.

**I highly recommend using packing cubs.  Different colors is helpful too.  Perhaps I'll go into more detail on that in a different post.  

***I should also mention all the above weighted 39 pounds...well beneath the 50 pound limit, which includes several things I purchased while there, including an extra pair of shoes.

Gaudi's Güell Park in Barcelona, Spain

 WOW, even on a cloudy morning, what a view.  We're high up on the hill at Güell Park in Barcelona, Spain.  You can see how densely populated the city is.  Güell Park named for Euseb Güell, a friend a benefactor of Antoni Gaudi'.  In early 1900 there were a half million people in Barcelona and growing.  The world's fair was held there in 1888 which showed the world what a metropolis it was.  Antoni Gaudi' a visionary who believed art should model nature, and in nature there are no straight lines.......nature flows.  The two men were friends and people who wanted to solve a problem.

 The problem, a fast growing Barcelona with noise, pollution and sanitation problems that caused heath problems.  Barcelona was a city of art, of modern new ideas.  They decided to build a housing development.  Well, perhaps the term housing development isn't quite right.  They wanted to build a planned community with 60 triangle shape plots, space for community to gather.  A space that couldn't be more then 1/6th development for the wealthy folks in Barcelona.  Gaudi' the talent and Güell the money behind it all.

 So up on a hill away from the hustle and bustle that was Barcelona the development started.  Lots of tile work, walking paths, gardens, trees, planned viaducts, water collections systems...truly a marvel for it's time.  However,

 Only 1 lot sold and in 1914 Güell discontinued work on the project.  After his death, his family offered the vast lands to the city.

 In 1922 the city acquired the beautiful space and 4 years later opened it as a public park.  Even on an overcast day you can see how brilliant the colors are, how interesting the art work, how unique the buildings are.

 Why didn't it sell?  Transportation.  Even the wealthy had no decent transportation to get from the city to the planned development and then to climb the hill.

 Our fabulous tour guide, Patrick Ducher, whom I've mentioned before, but am again living the link to the wonderful reviews......HERE, knew all the best spots to place Hubby and I for photo's that he took for us.  Thank you Patrick.  Patrick and his group have a superb rating with travel advisor, check it out HERE

 All the pictures you see taken from the top are up these steps, where a large open space exited for parades, festivals and community to gather.  Further up the hillsides was the area were the houses were to be located.

 Mosaics with every possible color of the rainbow.

 One such house, were Gaudi' lived until his death.

 Purposeful art, incorporated into a bench.

Do put this on your list of must things to see when you visit Barcelona, and be sure and arrange a private tour, you'll learn so much more then trying to do this on your own...ask for Patrick, he's awesome!

**REMINDER, please leave the url to your actual blog post, NOT your google+ page, NOT your blogger profile/dashboard page. Use the name and url option, or leave a hyperlink. **After the close of April's A-Z, I plan to continue to write a post a day in the month of May using again the A-B-C's as my guide. My focus for the month of May will be Spain.