Wheathampstead Heritage Trail

The village of Wheathampstead recently inaugurated a heritage trail around the village and attached a plaque on all the historic buildings. I will publish in the future a selection of the buildings and plaques with a history of the relevant buildings. I hope you find them of interest.

Hatfield Country Fair
During the summer months in England we have a series of country fairs. This photograph was taken in Hatfield in Hertfordshire. Hatfield House was at one time the country residence of Queen Elizabeth I (Queen Elizabeth the First). Hatfield House is just 20 miles from London and if you are in England it's worth a visit.  There is a train station direct from London stopping directly outside Hatfield House.
The horses are shire working horses, used historically on farms and to pull heavy farm carts.

A Mechanical German Clock

On a recent visit to Einbeck in Germany, on visiting the local church in this delightful German town I was surprised to see on the entrance to the church this mechanical clock which is powered by a large weight the wire of which can be seen to the right of the clock dial. The significance of the clock is the passing of time for us all in this life. Another highlight of this visit to Einbeck is the well-known beer brewed in the local brewery which is rather pleasant to drink in one of their very pleasant squares.

An unusual horse trough

One of the attractions in Bruges in Belgium is the horses and carriages that can be hired for a sightseeing trip around the city. Sitting in a local cafe opposite this horse trough, which I didn't think was in use, I observed the owner of a carriage open a door on the side and fill a bucket of water for a very appreciate horse. One of the many attractions in this interesting city. As a cyclist I watched in fascination the hundreds of bike ridden here from young children on tandems with their parents to elderly folk like me,and they all looked very fit. Time to get that bike out?

A visit to Belgium

On a recent visit to Brugge in Belgium I visited the First World War cemeteries of British and Commonwealth forces at Tyne Cot where over 40,000 are buried. Nearby is the memorial to Canadian troops killed in action. Close by is the cemetery to the German soldiers killed in the war. I also visited Sanctuary Wood (Hill 62) where some of the trenches are preserved, Sanctuary Wood being on high ground in an otherwise very flat landscape and therefore of strategic importance to the surveillance of the surrounding countryside. I know perhaps I should't put these on my blog but I will not comment on these events and hope you my find them of interest.

A Hertfordshire Bluebell Wood

On a bright spring morning in Hertfordshire I took photos of these bluebell woods. Bluebells are native to Hertfordshire and come into bloom before the sunlight is obscured by the tree canopy. I hope you like these photos. A nice ride of 26 miles this morning.

City of St Albans Clock Tower

On a recent visit to the city of St Albans, Hertfordshire, with its many interesting buildings, one of which is the clock tower. I am afraid the view is a bit obscured by the ever present 21st century motor car.If you can enlarge the picture you will notice the walls are made of flint, which is known as napping, nothing to do with a quiet half hour on the sofa!


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