It Was Raining in Birmingham, England

I am traveling back in time again.It is almost four years now since I visited England. One of the places which my friend showed me was Birmingham, a city in the West Midlands of England. It is quite an interesting city full of sights and other things that a tourist can expect.

One of the sights we visited was the Council House. It is the home of Birmingham City Council and is located in Victoria Square.

The Council House in Birmingham taken during my visit last Oct.-Nov. 2008.

Sightseeing in Stratford-Upon-Avon

Let's go travel the world again. I had the pleasure to travel some of the interesting destinations in Europe. This time I will bring you to one of the lovely towns in England. Almost four years had past since my last visit in England. One of the interesting places I visited during my three weeks trip there was Stratford-Upon-Avon. I love this historic town in south Warwickshire. It is truly a worth-to-visit one.

My trip to England was not actually planned. I just found one of those cheap flights online while browsing the internet. I also decided to go there because one of my friends invited me to visit England.

There are a lot of affordable flights when you want to go for a holiday to any destination in the United Kingdom. You can also find affordable British Airways flights when flying to England. International BA flights originate from London Heathrow and a number of routes from London Gatwick and Manchester.

Here are some of the sights I visited when I was in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Shakespeare's Birthplace- It is amazing how this house was preserved and can be visited until now. This is a must-see when visiting the town. It is located in Henley Street, one of the town's oldest street. It is the home of the famous playwright and poet William Shakespeare. You can also found a garden in the area.

Shakespeare's birthhouse during our visit last November 2008.

Holy Trinity Church- If you want to see the burial of William Shakespeare, you have to visit this church. I am honoured to visit even just the tomb of Shakespeare and his immediate family. Entrance is free inside the church but but those viewing the grave are asked to make a donation. I guess to forgot to give when I was there.

A Walk to the Waterside & Southern Lane- This is one thing I loved during our visit in the town. The are runs from the foot of Bridge Street that crosses River Avon to Holy Trinity Church and leads directly off Sheep Street and Scholars Lane. It runs alongside the River Avon and offers access to the Waterside Theatre and all areas of the RST. We did not see any street performers in the areabecause it was winter when we visited it. It is only during summer months when you often see street performers performing to the public on the lawns.

A bridge that crosses River Avon.

We also passed-by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Clock Tower and a walk to the Sheep Street. I still wish to go to Stratford to visit Ann Hathaway's Cottage. We were not able to go to this romantic cottage due to lack of time. We also missed the Falstaff Experience there. So far, it was an interesting trip we had in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Visiting Shakespeare in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England

I might not be able to meet William Shakespeare in person but it was an honor for me to visit his birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon. I believed you are very familiar about this famous English playwright and poet who was considered as a the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a historic town located in the English county of Warwickshire. We had a day sightseeing in this town and it was truly a great one. We had a walk around the old town. Some of the sights we visited are the birth house of William Shakespeare, the Holy Trinity Church where the rest of Shakespeare was buried and the old town itself.

The Welcome sign in Stratford-upn-Avon during our visit last October 2008.The house or location of Shakespeare's birth, and definitely the home of his early years. It was a pleasure seeing the birthplace of one of the most important people in the poetry world.

The Town Hall of Birmingham, England

Thanks to the invention of digital camera where we can always easily retrieve and share photos online. I am also happy to share some travel photos with you through this blog. It been over three years now since I visited England. One of the cities where my friend showed me was Birmingham. This city is considered to the populous city in England.

What I have below is an image of Birmingham Town Hall. You might be wondering why it is lighted. It is because Christmas is almost approaching during my visit there last 2008. In fact they also a Christmas market located very near to this building.

The Town Hall is located near Victoria Square. Aside from being use as a concert hall, it is also now used as the venue for Graduation Ceremonies of Aston University every year.

The lighted Birmingham Town Hall during our visit last November 2008. You can see the embedded date in my image here.

Visit To Warwick Castle in England

It was exactly three years ago when I had the chance to visit Warwick Castle in Warwickshire, England. This is a medieval castle located on a bend on the River Avon. This is where I spent the All Saints Day last Nov. 1, 2008. Thanks to my friend Loloy from UK for touring me here.

The castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068 within or adjacent to the Anglo-Saxon burh of Warwick. It was used as a fortification until the early 17th century, when Sir Fulke Greville converted it to a country house. It was owned by the Greville family, who became earls of Warwick in 1759, until 1978.

a black and white photo I took when we visited it last Nov. 1, 2008.

while on our way to the main entrance of the castle..you can see a lot of pumpkins laying everywhere inside the castle compound.

Bullring Birmingham, England

Let's go travel and visit some places in Europe again! We are visiting Birmingham today. For sure, most and maybe all women out there would be happy visiting the famous mall in Birmingham, England. Bullring is a commercial in center in Birmingham located near St. Martin's Church. It is considered to be the busiest shopping center in the United Kingdom. You can find inside the mall one of only four Selfridges department stores, the fourth largest Debenhams and the first Forever 21 store in Europe.

It was an interesting experience visiting this part of Europe.

I had the chance to walk on the Parametric Bridge which connects the Selfridges store to the car park. It was raining when we visited Birmingham last Oct. 28, 2008. During my three weeks vacation in England, I had been to Birmingham a lot of times because this is where we always rode trains going to London, Harrogate, Manchester, Stratford Upon Avon and some other places in England. I miss my visit in England. I am still hoping to visit it again.

Europe Travel in Windsor Castle in England

I wish I live in this castle! Not as queen or princess but even just an ordinary worker. I am just kidding guys. Anyway, don't you know that there are more than five hundred people who currently live and work in Windsor Castle? That is the reason why it is so far the largest inhabited castle in the world.

This is a medieval castle located in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire. This is also a royal residence of the British royal family.

I had the chance to visit this castle last 2008. Thanks to all my friends who toured me in England during my three weeks vacation there.

I am happy visiting one of the major tourist attractions in Britain, the Windsor Castle. That visit was worth it. Sad to say during our tour, no pictures are allowed to take inside the castle rooms.

striking a pose in Windsor...with the St George's Chapel and the Round Tower as the background.

The Chamberlain Square in Birmingham, England

I am trying to remember my travels again. I was browsing my travel images awhile ago and found some pictures which were taken in Birmingham. It is located in West Midlands and by local authority district became Britain's second largest city.

The image you see below was taken in Chamberlain Square, a public square in Birmingham. It was named after Joseph Chamberlain, a famous and influential British who is a statesman, politician and businessman. This square is adjacent to Victoria Square.

The buildings located in this square include the Town Hall, the Central Library of Birmingham, the Council House, Big Brum, Birmingham Museum of Art and Gallery and Paradise Forum.

The Chamberlain Memorial and the Town Hall in the background. I believed the other monument is either of James Watt or Joseph Priestly. This was taken during my visit last Oct.-Nov. 2008 in Birmingham, England.

My Euro Travel in Warwick Castle in England

What do you see when you are visiting Europe? I believed you are expecting a lot of old and historical sights, monuments, buildings, architecture and etcetera! Yes, that is true. Some might not like it but I do and will always love it. In fact, I would love to see and experience all of Europe. I keep trying and need to save a lot to do it.

I am sharing some snapshots I made during our visit to the medieval in Warwick. I am so happy seeing this castle last November 2008.

Warwick Castle a medieval castle in Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire, England. It sits on a bend on the River Avon. If I am not mistaken the castle's construction began in 1068.

The interior of Warwick Castle as viewed from Ethelfleda's Mound during our visit last November 2008.

The walls and towers of Warwick Castle. I was playing with my camera before and had this image. I guess this is a sepia color. I love visiting castles in Europe.
This image reminds me that I spent the Halloween in Warwick Castle last November 2008. I had a pose with the white lady in the castle.

Visit to the Cadbury World Birmingham, England

I remembered my visit with a friend to Cadbury World as I was browsing the images I had during my vacation in England. If you happened to eat any Cadbury products, I know for sure that you know about Cadbury UK. It is a Bristish confectionery company, based in the Bournville suburb of Birmingham.

It was November 2008 when I had the chance to visit this factory. Of course, I bought some chocolates here.

striking a pose in front of Cadbury's sign.

the Cadbury shop that sells chocolates of all kinds, souvenirs and many more.

HISTORY OF CADBURY

In 1824, John Cadbury began vending tea, coffee and, later, chocolate at Bull Street in Birmingham and sometimes in India. The company was known as "Cadbury Brothers Limited". After John Cadbury's retirement, his sons, Richard and George, opened a major factory in the purpose-built suburb of Bournville, four miles south of the city.

After World War I, Cadbury Brothers Limited undertook a financial merger with J.S. Fry & Sons Limited. In 1969, it merged with Schweppes to form the international confectionery and beverage company Cadbury Schweppes (now Cadbury plc). In 1989, the company purchased Trebor Bassett, forming the UK confectionery subsidiary "Cadbury Trebor Bassett".

As of August 2004, Cadbury Trebor Bassett had 3,000 members of staff in eight factories in the UK, including Bournville, Sheffield, Marlbrook and Somerdale.

In 2009, Cadbury Trebor Bassett was renamed Cadbury UK and in early 2010 was taken over by American giant Kraft.

A new chain of Cadbury Cocoa House cafes was opened in October 2010, created by four British entrepreneurs and operating under licence. The first branch opened at Bluewater shopping centre in Kent, UK. more here

Christmas Market in Birmingham, England

It is still Christmas market fever in Europe. From the different towns and cities in Germany to countries like Switzerland, France, England, Austria, Czech Republic and other European cities that held it, all are worthy to visit.

If I am not mistaken the Christmas markets in Germany will last until the 23rd of December. So hurry up and take time to visit before it is over.

I am also sharing some images from the Christmas market in Birmingham, England. I am happy that I was there with a friend last November 2008. Most traders in Birmingham's Christmas market are from Frankfurt, Germany. It is considered to be one of the largest Christmas market in the United Kingdom. It attracts more than two millions of visitors every year.

the carousel ride at the Christmas Market.

One of the lighted stalls in Birmingham's Christmas Market.
taken during my vacation in England last 2008.

My Euro Travel in Warwick Castle, England

Hello folks! let's go travel again! How you love to see and visit one of the most interesting castle in England? For me, this is a very beautiful castle. I don't know why but everytime I visit a castle, I am always enchanted by its architecture and history. Do I live in the castle in my previous life? I am just kidding folks!

Here is a picture of Warwick Castle in England. I am happy to visit and spend my Halloween in this castle with a friend from England last November 1, 2008.

The interior of Warwick Castle as viewed from Ethelfleda's MoundI am striking a pose in Warwick Castle. I don't remember now which part of the castle is this. I bought a book about this castle but I left it in my friend's house in Birmingham.

LOCATION

Warwick Castle is situated in the town of Warwick, on a sandstone bluff at a bend of the River Avon. The river, which runs below the castle on the east side, has eroded the rock the castle stands on, forming a cliff. The river and cliff form natural defences. When construction began in 1068, four houses belonging to the Abbot of Coventry were demolished to provide room. The castle's position made it strategically important in safeguarding the Midlands against rebellion. During the 12th century, King Henry I was suspicious of Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick. To counter the earl's influence, Henry bestowed Geoffrey de Clinton with a position of power rivalling that of the earl. The lands he was given included Kenilworth – a castle of comparative size, cost, and importance, founded by Clinton – which is about 8 kilometres (5 mi) to the north. Warwick Castle is about 1.6 kilometres (1 mi) from Warwick railway station and less than 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) from junction 15 of the M40 motorway; it is also close to Birmingham International Airport. source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warwick_Castle

The Town Hall of Manchester, England

Manchester is a city of Greater Manchester, England. It is located in south-central part of North West England. It is home to two Premier League football teams, Manchester City and Manchester United.

What you see here in my image is the Town Hall of Manchester. It has a Victorian-era and Neo-gothic architecture. It was completed by architect Alfred Waterhouse in 1877. It is use as ceremonial headquarters of Manchester City Council and also houses a number of local government departments.

Manchester Town Hall in Albert Square, seat of local governance, is an example of Victorian era Gothic revival architecture.
You can see the embedded date during my visit last 2008.

The Tower of London in England

The Tower of London, also known as Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress is historical castle located near the River Thames in London, England. Its foundation can be traced in 1066 during the time of Norman Conquest of England. It served as a royal residence during those times and was also used as a prison around in 1100. The Tower served as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public records office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

you can see the embedded date on the image here, that was the time when I visit London and saw this tower. Sad to say, I was not able to go inside. maybe in my next visit, I will go there.

Harrogate, England

It's TGIF again! I randomly selected this picture below which was taken in Harrogate, England. I visited a friend here for some days and we took some trips in the nearby cities like Leeds, York and Knaresborough. Harrogate is known to be a tourist attraction especially for its spa waters.

I am striking a pose in front of Victoria Mall (if I am not mistaken).

Harrogate (or Harrogate Spa) is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a popular tourist destination; its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens and Betty's Tearooms are world famous visitor attractions, and the town serves as an ideal location from which to explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. The town originated in the 17th century, with High Harrogate and Low Harrogate as two separate settlements. It lies adjacent to Knaresborough, with which it forms a single urban area, and is in the Nidd valley. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrogate

The O2 in London, England

I have here again another interesting architecture from London, England. This is the O2 which is a large entertainment district on the Greenwich peninsula in South East London, England. It is formerly called as the Millennium Dome. I took this image as I was in Canary Wharf in London. It is just across to this place. I was using a not so good camera that time. I wish to go back there again in the future. This time I might have with me a better lens camera and vga cable with audio. I never expect that I was able to view this interesting place in London. Thanks to my friends Rey and Joy for touring me here. Don't you know that an O2 Arena which is a multipurpose indoor arena is also located in this place and can host around 23,000 people? Imagine how huge it is! No wonder a lot of big events are held here. Just enjoy watching the image here.

The Fountain in Trafalgar Square, London, England

I am here again to give you an update about my Europe Travel and Adventure. Sometimes I am thinking what to share and feature here. Finally, I decided to share about one of the famous squares in United Kingdom which is Trafalgar Square. I thought I can only see this place on travel catalogues but I was there last 2008. During our visit here, it was raining so hard that we could hardly take a good picture of this square. It was autumn in October 2008 when a friend accompanied and toured me here in London. I also read that Trafalgar Square ranks as the fourth most popular tourist attraction on Earth with more than fifteen million visitors a year. I therefore concluded that I am one of those lucky and happy tourists who had seen personally this famous attraction not only in United Kingdom but in the whole world as well.

Here is a picture I took during my visit. More images to come next time!

The Fountain in Trafalgar Square England..This was taken during my three weeks vacation in England.

The name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), a British naval victory of the Napoleonic Wars. The original name was to have been "King William the Fourth's Square", but George Ledwell Taylor suggested the name "Trafalgar Square".

The northern area of the square had been the site of the King's Mews since the time of Edward I, while the southern end was the original Charing Cross, where the Strand from the City met Whitehall, coming north from Westminster. As the midpoint between these twin cities, Charing Cross is to this day considered the heart of London, from which all distances are measured.

In the 1820s the Prince Regent engaged the landscape architect John Nash to redevelop the area. Nash cleared the square as part of his Charing Cross Improvement Scheme. The present architecture of the square is due to Sir Charles Barry and was completed in 1845. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafalgar_Square

Postcard from London, England

I am thinking to share this postcard today. This is one of the postcards I bought in London during my visit last 2008. You can see in this postcard the London Eye, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, River Thames, London Tower and I guess St. Paul Cathedral. It was a great experience visiting one of the most interesting city in Europe! right folks?

My Euro Travel in Tower Bridge, London, England

It's time to travel again! This time we will visit London and I am sharing some pictures from Tower Bridge. Let me tell you guys, Tower Bridge is very much different from London Bridge. If you remember the song, "London bridge is falling down", I guess it's not. It is the Tower Bridge that is falling down. Here are the pictures taken during my trip to London last 2008.

taken during my visit in London last 2008.

Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, which gives it its name. It has become an iconic symbol of London.

The bridge consists of two towers which are tied together at the upper level by means of two horizontal walkways which are designed to withstand the horizontal forces exerted by the suspended sections of the bridge on the landward sides of the towers. The vertical component of the forces in the suspended sections and the vertical reactions of the two walkways are carried by the two robust towers. The bascule pivots and operating machinery are housed in the base of each tower. Its present colour dates from 1977 when it was painted red, white and blue for the Queen's Silver Jubilee. Originally it was painted a chocolate brown colour.

DESIGN
The bridge is 800 feet (244 m) in length with two towers each 213 feet (65 m) high, built on piers. The central span of 200 feet (61 m) between the towers is split into two equal bascules or leaves, which can be raised to an angle of 83 degrees to allow river traffic to pass. The bascules, weighing over 1,000 tons each, are counterbalanced to minimize the force required and allow raising in five minutes.

The two side-spans are suspension bridges, each 270 feet (82 m) long, with the suspension rods anchored both at the abutments and through rods contained within the bridge's upper walkways. The pedestrian walkways are 143 feet (44 m) above the river at high tide. more infos here

Visit to Canary Wharf in London, England

I am done with Windsor Castle. Let me share this time about Canary Wharf. My friend from London told me that Canary Wharf is also considered to be one of the financial centers in this area. It is like Manhattan in the United States where you can see tall and high buildings. During my visit here last November 2008, there are still skycrapers that are being erected. I am curious how many millions of industrial supplies are being used in constructing these buildings.

Canary Wharf is Located in East London in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. You can also see here three of UK's tallest buildings which are One Canada Square also known as the Canary Wharf Tower, or even just Canary Wharf, 8 Canada Square and the Citigroup Centre. I am still hoping to see this place once again.