Uh, Oh!

This is where you don't want to enter by boat.  It is part of the St. Thomas Tower next to the Tower Bridge (for which was named).  In London's past, if a subject was sent to the tower, and came through this entrance by boat, he or she was considered a traitor and usually never came out again.

                              

Local Sightseers

These young men in their prep school uniforms were on a field trip to St. Thomas Tower.  They were so well-behaved, but you can tell by their looks that they didn't know what to make of me!

And When Visiting London.......

One of the best ways to tour the capital of England is to take a boat down the Thames (remember, it's pronounced Tems).  I encourage you to visit.  If you take your grandma, she can get a senior discount on the trains and public transportation.  Just tell her to bring her passport to the station to get her discount card.  It's a minimal fee.  Mostly, tell her to relax and have fun!

The Ruins at the Rivermouth

Gabe Davies and Lauren McCrossen live in Tynemouth in northern England close to the Scottish border.  It's a surfing town, but you had better wear a very, very thick wetsuit, even in the summer.  There are ruins everywhere, everywhere.....forts, castles, monasteries, huts, churches.....the list goes on and on.

Brrrrrr.........Breathtaking

It was very cool and windy in June and I was shivering a little as I looked towards the River Tyne as it flowed out to the North Sea.  Make sure if you visit there in the summer, you bring a winter coat!

And off the Beach

Just steps to the water and surfing waves, Gabe and Lauren and their cocker spaniel, Coco, have a huge garden across from their apartment.  It's theirs to use.......rented from the Duke of Northumberland.  The Duke has property all over England.

Dear, Dear Sandy

Here I am with Mom and my very good friend, Sandy Kerr.  He leaves Tynemouth in the winter and comes to visit me on the North Shore of Oahu because he loves to surf.  He's in heaven when he's in Hawaii....the waves, the sun, and the warm trades put a smile on his face.

Oh, Goody!!!

Yum, Yum, Yum..........milkshakes, smoothies, AND dogs welcome.  This is my kind of shop!

Mom's Favorite Place to Be

Yep, there are flea markets and swap meets and farmers' markets all over the world.  And if there is one in a town where I am visiting with Mom, she will find it.  So.........here we are.  Mom's smart......she knows how to shop and get a bargain.  I guess that's from living in Hawaii for 40 years.  You'd better be a good shopper there, the cost of living is ridiculous!

Yummy, Yum...Mary's Cupcakes!

I love flea markets that serve up pastries, but I won't eat too many of these!  Promise!

Bargains Galore

So.....when visiting Tynemouth, make sure you make it over to the train station on Sundays and hit the flea market.

Put on Your Sunscreen

I am at a spectacular beach in Tynemouth called Longsands......it's sunny and cool, and absolutely gorgeous.  This stretch of sand is popular year round with all the locals and has been for generations.  It's a destination and it was my destination.  I have loved every minute of my adventure here in northeast England on the North Sea.

Northern England.....

I love flowers.  They make me happy.  I am in my friends' garden close to the Scottish border.

A River with Soul

The River Tyne has a long history........the headlands were settled during the Iron Age, it was occupied by the Romans, and has been used in recent years to transport coal from Newcastle to the sea. 

David and Moira, My Wonderful Hosts

I was so happy to make friends with this fabulous couple.  They took me all over their city of Newcastle upon Tyne to show me the sights. We are standing on a walkway above the River Tyne at Sage Gateshead, a spectacular concert hall.

A Fine Arts House

I was treated to dinner, a poignant documentary about the River Tyne, and Northumbrian Pipe music and dancing at the Sage Gateshead.  Lucky me, I have many wonderful, generous friends.

Oh, How Lovely

This is a stained glass window in David and Moira's beautiful home.  It took my breath away with its simplicity, motif, and colors.

Right Up My Alley

Because I am a "green" dog, this room at David and Moira's intrigued me.  It's in the middle of the house on the second floor.  It's a laundry drying room and the toastiest room in their home.  They line dry lots of their clothes.  Saving electricity and energy is good for them and the planet!!  Keeps the CO2 level down.

Back to Mom's Roots.......West Cornforth

This is the town, near Newcastle upon Tyne, where Mom's great grandmother was born.  David and Moira took us around looking for evidence of the past that might connect Mom to this town in northeastern England.

First Stop......the Local Library

I just love libraries......for so many reasons.  This one in Cornforth, County Durham, was small and quiet and had a great children's section.  The librarian was so helpful and directed me to the historian of the town to see if Mom could backtrack and find information about her great grandmother, Ruth Luce.

A Cup of Tea?

Even though there was a jar of instant coffee at hand, tea was offered to library visitors.  What a charming little nook with tea and biscuits (that's England's English for "cookies") for guests of the Cornforth Library.

Taking Care of Its Own

This area of northeastern England is a former mining center.  These rowhouses were built to provide shelter for retired miners.

Back in London..........

I am with my very dear friend, Jane.  We are just getting ready to see "Swan Lake" performed by the English National Ballet!  We did not ride our bikes, but we could have, or we could have rented one of these "town" bicycles.  Hope Honolulu does this sometime soon.......let the "greening" begin!!

Hello, Hello

I felt like I was in a movie when I stepped inside this telephone booth......Bond, James Bond.  How do I sound?  How do I look?  

In the Round.......

Oh, oh, oh.    I am just about to step into Royal Albert Hall and getting very excited.  Swan Lake, here I come!!

Dining before the Ballet

In Royal Albert Hall there is a very fancy restaurant and a slick red piano.  You can make reservations for the Elgar Room, have a delightful, delicious dinner before the show.  You might just hear someone famous playing that ivory keyboard. 

Your Seat, Sir

Joanne showed me in and, oh, my, did I ever get the best seat.....almost front row next to entrance and exit to the stage.  The whole floor was the stage because there were dozens of swan ballerinas. 

Lights, Camera, Action

Swan Lake is ready to begin...............much anticipation in this famous London landmark, Royal Albert Hall.  I was panting!

Bravo, Bravo!

The white swan, the prima ballerina was fantastic!  I was enraptured.........how fortunate to have friends take me to the ballet in London.  Thank you, Auntie Jane.

Friends Abroad

Here is one of my best surfer friends, Joel Gray, standing in front of his home in St. Agnes.  A former teacher from northern England, near Scotland, Joel now is the coach for the "Monster" Surf Team in Europe!!  He invited me by when I was in his neighborhood. I love my friends!

Gardens, Gardens, Everywhere

One of the best things about England is the plots of flowers and shrubs.  The English have always been known for their herbs and healing plants.  It continues today.......vistas of beauty and health.

This is my kind of place!

When and Where?

If you remove the telephone pole, the streetlight, and the asphalt off the street, the entrance to St. Agnes, in southwest England, could be from the 1600's or earlier.  If you get a chance to visit here, bring your surfboard too.  Epic surf, sometimes!

Riding the Rails......Leaving St. Agnes

 I am on my way back to London from Truro.  Harrison, the porter, met me at the train station and showed me the warmest place to stay until the train arrived.  It was so cold in mid June......in  the 50's.  Yikes, I am definately not used to being chilly.

Cup of Tea? An Apple Perhaps? Cocoa?

I got to spend the night in a very fancy hotel north of London in Kilworth House.  Lucky I have friends that are well-to-do and take me along on their adventures.  As the English say, "This place is POSH." 

Yes, This Hotel is Posh

My very own bathrobe!!  Heaven.......perfect for after my lavender bubble bath.  I am getting a little soiled as I travel all over England and Mom props me up on truck bumpers, window ledges, and ever so many other places.

Step into the Past

I love old hotels.  They have so much charm that it makes me swoon.  I'm a sucker for history!  I love learning about the past.  Did you notice the subject of the painting on the wall.  Do you know what that basket is next to the dog?  I have one......it belonged to Mom's grandpa, Bampy.  (Remember, click on the photos to enlarge them.)

Jane's Nanny

This wonderful, happy lady is Ann Mary Stephenson.   Many years ago in Turkey, she was the nanny to Jane, Mom's good friend from London.  Ann Mary took me into her greenhouse to show off her veggies.........can you believe the size of her heads of lettuce.  I was impressed!

A Wedding in the Village

I'm in St. Agnes, in Cornwall, southwest England, just passing by a very fancy wedding!!  That car was right up my alley, which is an idiom for, "I really liked it!  Don't you?

I Do, I Do

Hopefully, the weather will hold and it will stay bright and sunny, today, and all the tomorrows that follow.  Are you reading between the lines?

Ready to Toss Rose Petals?

This little English Rose is all dressed up to celebrate the Wedding Day! 

I AM in England

Fish and Chips is probably the most popular dish in this whole island country.  Chips are really French Fries, if you didn't know!

Well, Well, Look Who's Here!

My very good friend, Perry, was showing me around St. Agnes and we ran into a big, big poodle.  This pooch was friendly and polite, like all the English people I meet.

Take Your Pick and Stay Healthy

Just one of the St. Agnes village shops, the green grocer.   Remember to eat your fruits and veggies..........you'll be so much better for it!!

Say Cheese!

Be a Locavore...........eat from the farmers and ranchers and dairymen in your neighborhood like I did in St. Agnes, and all over Europe.

And on the Way to the Beach

After I left St. Agnes, my stomach was growling so I stopped at a smoothie shop and had a delicious lunch......yum, yum.  Check out the menu and the owners, Ceri and Skippy.

Walkin' Down to the Shore

I was so taken by the scenery in Cornwall, southwest England.  The coast was spectacular....so much green everywhere.  Did you notice the old tin mines on the distant mountaintop?

Take My Breath Away!

Take a trip to St. Agnes and visit this glorious part of southwest England.  It's a short train ride from London and you'll make new friends along the way.  Everyone is so friendly, especially to dogs!  And make sure you bring your surfboard!