York Millennium Bridge

Friday 11th March 2016

I took this photo just before midnight. I crossed the Millennium Bridge when walking back to my hotel. It's existence made getting back much easier and shorter. It is also a cycle bridge and I spotted the next day lots of cyclists using it.

The Garden of India, York

Friday 11th March 2016

Dinner time in York and I went in search of a restaurant with some friends. We found the Garden of India on Fawcett Street. Food was reasonable but the menu was very difficult to read.



Small lettering on a black background in a restaurant that was not well lit. Take a torch and magnifying glass with you!

Walking York City's Walls

Friday 11th March 2016

I was in York for a conference so I didn't have much time to see the city. The conference was in the Barbican Centre opposite which is a section of the city's walls and Fishergate Bar (see photo above). That was where I was able to take the steps to the wall and take the short walk to Walmgate (see first photo below). I've walked other sections of the wall in the past but sadly this time I just had the opportunity to do this short section.

Gregory's Guest House in York

Friday 11th - Sunday 13th March 2016

Gregory's on Bishopthorpe Road, York is a small guest house in which I stayed for 2 nights in March. It has, I believe, only 4 rooms and is run by a friendly couple. One reason I chose it was because it was walking distance from the city centre (I was in York for a conference at the Barbican).

I especially recommend breakfast - this is the only hotel in which I've stayed where the bread is baked and the jam is made by the proprietor. Worth a stay.

The Northumberland village of Wall

Sunday 6th March 2016

We returned to Northumberland to go to the village of Wall, so named because of its proximity to the Roman Wall. It is small and comes with its own village green. A pleasant village where the 20th century developments have not detracted from the nature of the place.

Video: Stockholm waterfront

Friday 19th - Sunday 21st February 2016

I filmed this over the weekend we were in Stockholm. There are lots of rivers, canals and islands in Stockholm so taking the ferry is the best way to get around.

Video: Vasa Museum, Stockholm

Sunday 21st February 2016

The ship that sank only minutes into its maiden voyage and was then recovered and restored over 300 years later.

Video: Skansen Museum, Stockholm

Saturday 20th February 2016

Our visit to the Skansen Museum. Sadly, as it was February, many of the buildings were closed.

Video: Malardrottningen Hotel

Friday 19th - Sunday 21st February 2016

I shot this video on board the Malardrottningen, the yacht that is not a hotel in Stockholm.

Thomas Bewick Museum

Friday 4th March 2016

I made a brief visit to the Thomas Bewick Museum at Mickley in the Tyne Valley, Northumberland in March. The Museum is located in the cottage that was Bewick's birth place. He is the most famous of Northumberland's artists. A naturalist, be specialised in wood engraving and the Museum demonstrates how he carried out his work.

Taco Bar

Sunday 21st February 2016

Our last stop in Gamla stan, indeed in Stockholm, was the Taco Bar. We popped in for a beer. Another long, thin bar, just like the Corner Bar which was opposite and which we visited the day before. Beers consumed and then it was time to head back to the airport. Stockholm visit done.

Chokladkoppen

Sunday 21st February 2016

More walking around Gamla stan but temperatures were dropping. Time for another hot drink. We found Chokladkoppen. There is a clue in the name as the some of the drinks served up there. I had a hot chocolate. It was unbelievably sweet. I finished only because I hate waste and hate throwing away something for which I've paid!

Cafe Muren

Sunday 21st February 2016

It was time for a coffee and cake as we wandered around Gamla stan in Stockholm. We found Cafe Muren on Vasterlanggatan. Lots of lovely cakes and pastries, we were spoiled for choice. And if you wanted to eat in privacy, there was a good size alcove in which to hide.

Stockholm's Old Town - Gamla stan

Sunday 21st February 2016

We got off the ferry at the stop for Gamla stan, Stockholm's Old Town. Lots of narrow streets and the occasional square, the place has lots of cafes and shops, though I was more interested in getting a flavour of old Stockholm. We spent the rest of the day sampling cafes and wandering around the streets before heading back to the airport for the return flight to London.

Back on the ferry

Sunday 21st February 2016

After lunch we headed back to the old town, Gamla Stan. We took the ferry again. They are every few minutes and it only took about a quarter hour. An easy way to get around Stockholm.

Del Mar

Sunday 21st February 2016

After the Vasa Museum, it was time for lunch. Just around the corner, next to the ABBA Museum, we found Del Mar. A quiet restaurant, reasonable food though a touch on the slightly expensive side.

Vasa Museum

Sunday 21st February 2016

The Vasa Museum is another of the must-visit centres in Stockholm. The Vasa was launched in 1628 as part of the Swedish navy and sailed only 1600 metres before it sank. It remained preserved in the mud of the seabed before being raised over 300 years later and restored.

It only cost just over £10 (130 Kr) to go into the Museum though it was not possible to go onto the ship itself. Nevertheless, you can see the ship from every angle possible and from 7 different floors. There was plenty of information on what life would have been like on the ship (had it not sunk minutes into its maiden voyage) and how the ship was raised from its seabed grave. It would be easy to spend half a day in the Museum.