England's Northern East Coast Beach in February

Hadran's Wall, England

One day we spent visitingHadran's Wall, a series of old Roman forts connected by wall segments spanning the narrowest part of England, also marking the northern boundary to the Roman Empire.

This is The Bath House ruins, which had heated features, steam rooms and other luxuries.

The General's Quarters.



Part of the wall.

The wall goes from coast to coast for the most part.

Afterwards, we vetured to find a custom hat shop for Dan.

This was one of the unique "off the beaten bath" places we went to on our quest. It's a town in the middle of no where...kind of like Paisley only older and greener.

Countryside Drive, England

One day we drove out to see a stone circle.

The landscape was moving.

Newcastle, England

It was a blustery day but we went out anyway. Chrystal and I are pictured here standing on the roof top of Newcastle's Castle.

This is the cathederal clocktower standing next door to the castle and viewed from the rooftop.



There were lots of architeture details in the cathederal. This is just one piece that stood out to me. I enjoyed the stonework very much.

Yep. That's Dan's tongue as he's affectionately closing in on Chrystal. It must be true love! We had so much fun laughing and playing. The bridge they are on connects the castle courtyards.

Chris, standing in the hallway of the castle.

Dan and Chrystal on the roof top.

The Queen's Chambers. After all the Tudor novels I've read of ladies in waiting, keeping the Queen company in her chambers while she did needle point, etc ....I'm thinking this is not a big space for multiple people, but it's bigger than some people's homes for the time period.

It's what you think it is...the Queen's "other" chamber...a royal throne of sorts...
And just like modern closets, her bathroom is bigger than the King's. (funny tidbit.)

Castle stairwell.

Hexam, England

We took things easy the first day in England. Hexam was the closest town to the golf resort where we were staying. Chrystal and I wandered off while the guys were looking for the perfect hat and found Phat Kats cafe where Dan fell in love with a certain kind of hot chocolate dipper. This was the jump start for me of a week of soup sampling. I really enjoyed all the various soups England had to offer.

Chris finds an old Abby in Hexam that we all explore.






We saw many amazing pieces of stained glass at the Abby. This one depicts Christ's assention to heaven after his resurrection.

Just an Abby door...but it's so small! It's about as tall as I am.

Chris, my travel partner on the go.

The backroads were windy and narrow. Their was a one lane bridge we crossed many times coming too and from Hexam and Dan was a supurb driver!

Hexam also had some of our favorite restaurants. One of them we went to twice. Of course, it was Italian.

Edinburgh Scotland

This is where it all began.

Dan and Chrystal invited me to join them along with our good friend Chris on a trip to Scotland / North England for one full, fantastic week. Chrystal was already in Scotland for work. I flew in the night before and we had some girls only time. The guys caught up with us the next morning after their all nighter flight arrived. This is a picture of Day 1.



The streets of Edinburgh have a nineteenth century feel to them.




View from Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle with some parking renovations going on...

View from below

The locals I'm told do not walk through the middle of the heart. This iconic piece of sidewalk is said to offer bad luck in love if you step in the middle...always walk around.

Ferrari in Scotland.

No, this was not our rental...but that would be fun!

We drove through the countryside southbound through the afternoon, napping off and on until we got to Northumberland England where we checked into a posh vacation home, which even had a private sauna in Chris' bathroom. (We made him share.) I had a luxury sunken tub in my bathroom and Dan and Chrystal had a decked out master suite too. The whole property was exceptional with everything you could think of, thanks to Dan and Chrystal!

Louvre Musee, Walking Tours and More

Venus De Milo

Winged Victory of Samothrace
(A favorite of mine. I saw the Nike Goddess on tour in Greece years ago and this was just as impressive.)

The Lacemaker by Vermeer

Sorry, this is a terrible picture. Vermeer is on my top five list.

Reminded me of my own sisters, Jane Austin and other girly expressions.

Yep. Mona Lisa. Been there, done that.

This is my Parisian scarf with Paris icon's printed in greys. I bought it while I was out on one of my late night walks. As soon as I got it and put it on I felt silly realizing I looked even more like a tourist, but wore it around anyway.

Here we have Notre Dame, saved by Victor Hugo's famous novel.

I stood there listening to our guide tell the story and thought of my brother Seth that loves to write. What a powerful means for influencing history!

The Artist's Bridge where lovers initial their locks, clip them tot the fence and then toss the keys overboard symbolizing their everlasting commitment.

Our guide was hilarious...offering suggestions to the guys on how to save costs by only dating girls with the same initials, keeping a copy of the key so they can retrieve the lock for reuse and other antedotes.

St Christopher's Inn

I stayed in a multi-bunk hostel. It wasn't my first time and not too bad. I met people from all over the world; China, Brazil, Australia, Scotland, Germany and more. I'd do it again if it meant I got to travel.

Sacre' Coeur Basillica at night.

Hotel d' Invalides

...kind of like the local VA during Napoleon's reign...

Arnaud, our guide.

If anyone is going to be traveling in Europe I highly recommend NewEuropeTours.eu They offer free walking tours, working for tips only. I got a ton of info, saw highlights of Paris and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

This is Michael casting out Satan from heaven.

Foggy day standing outside the Louvre Gardens.

Entrance to the Louvre

One evening I walked to the Eiffle Tower and took the elevator up as far as it would go. I found myself in a solitary mood in the late evening looking out out on a clear lit cityscape and taking in the breeze.