Tag Archives: England

Winter in England can be grim: cold, wet, and dark early. Finding something to do outdoors with young people in inclement weather can be tricky. I was staying in Hereford late last winter and had friends coming to visit me. I wasn’t sure what they would be interested in, so I sent them a list of […]

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The term “black and white village” refers to several old English villages in the counties of Herefordshire and Shropshire in the West Midlands of England. These villages are known for their timbered and half-timbered houses, some dating to medieval times. The framework of the houses was made from unseasoned green oak, which darkened over time; painting the beams black was a relatively recent innovation. The panels between the beams were covered with plaster – or […]

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The Tiverton Canal Co. calls it: “The Fastest Way to Slow Down!” I think they are right. Being transported up a canal, towed by a slowly plodding shire horse, makes one imagine English country life as it must have once been. Scenes from Thomas Hardy novels spring to mind. It was towards the end of July – the last […]

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Rumour has it that Great Britain has experienced a true summer this last July. This “heatwave” has health professionals worried, while other Britons head to the beach to bask. Of course, it isn’t usually so. Last July, when we visited Brighton Beach for two days, the weather – rain and black clouds with intermittent sunshine – was probably more typical […]

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The last time I was in London, back in the late 70’s, you couldn’t put a bag down anywhere without being suspected of being an Irish terrorist. It was nervous times in England.  As a young female travelling alone, I was also a soft target for would-be grifters and pan-handlers: whenever I stood still with […]

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