Four Cities in the UK, 2025
In the summer of 2025, the family visited 4 cities in the United Kingdom: Edinburgh, Leeds, York and Nottingham.
Catalonian Sleeper – After taking every type of transportation available, the family finally took the overnight train from London to Edinburgh.
For more fun about this day read Carol’s blog by clicking HERE .
Ron and Carol (R&C) took the same train in 2002, but this was much nicer with a toilet that converts to a shower.
Edinburgh – The castle from Princes Street.
Edinburgh – Museum of Scotland. A wonderful museum. Here Theresa tries on an 18th-century formal court dress called a mantua. The family only spent a few hours there and came back another day.
Mary King’s Close. After a rest and a wonderful supper, the young people went to see Mary King’s Close. A ‘close’ is private alleyway, often covered. Mary King’s Close is probably the most famous and had become quite an attraction.
Mary King’s Close. Here Andrew chastises the plague doctor for failing to save his wife.
England/Scotland border. The next day the family took a day trip down the coast to Lindisfarne, the Holy Island. We stopped at the border. Here Andrew is in England, and Theresa is in Scotland and Zoe is not sure which country she is in.
For more fun about this day read Carol’s blog by clicking HERE .
Holy Island – Causeway. The walking pilgrims' path is marked with posts. In case they get caught in the 15 ft tides, platforms are available to ride it out.
Holy Island – Ruins of Lindisfarne Abbey. Andrew, Theresa and Zoe (A, T&Z) in the nave of the Abbey.
History:
Lindisfarne Abbey, located on Holy Island, was founded in 635 AD by St. Aidan and became a central hub for early English Christianity, known for St Cuthbert's cult and the creation of the Lindisfarne Gospels. The monastery was brutally sacked by Vikings in 793 AD, an event marking the beginning of the Viking Age. The original Anglo-Saxon monastery was eventually replaced by a 12th-century priory under Norman rule, which continued as a religious site until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century.
Holy Island – Lindisfarne Abbey. Carol finds her place in the kitchen. Ruins.
Holy Island – Lindisfarne Abbey. The 16th-century Lindisfarne Castle from the ruins. The castle has been in use over time and was opened to the public in 1945.
Alnwick Castle. The tour continued to Alnwick. AT&Z took the castle tour. Here the ladies at the Grand Cascade. (Conceived in 1997 by the Duchess of Northumberland.)
Alnwick Castle. A fortified site since 1096, it was in the 15th century that Henry Percy spent 40 years making it in to a mighty fortress. It has been the site of several movies. Here Theresa stands in the court yard where Harry Potter learned to fly on a broom.
Alnwick Castle.
Alnwick Village. The old folks decided skip the castle and spent the afternoon in the village. They had lunch in Market Plaza and then shopped at the many stores.
Edinburgh - Calton Hill. Next day, while Ron checked out a rather disappointing flea market, the rest of the family when up to Calton Hill. Here the view SW toward old town.
For more fun about this day read Carol’s blog by clicking HERE .
Edinburgh - Calton Hill. The view SW toward Arthur's Seat, an ancient extinct volcano.
Edinburgh – Museum of Scotland. Afterwards the family met at the museum to finish it up. Here Theresa at a display of 15th and 16th century ceremonial swords. The tall one is a claymore.
Edinburgh – Museum of Scotland. A hat made from hair moss, 1st century AD.
Edinburgh – Biblos Café/Bar. In the evening the family went to a Scottish dinner and show. Both were excellent.
While going to Holy Island and down to Leeds, the family kept seeing these weirdly stripped cows. They are called Belted Galloways. Also call “Belties” or “Oreo Cookie Cows.”
Leeds – Water Taxi. A really convenient way to get to the Royal Armory from the train station and our apartment.
For more fun about this day read Carol’s blog by clicking HERE .
Leeds - Royal Armouries Museum (RAM). A recreation of Italian pikemen repelling a French cavalry charge at The Battle of Pavia, 1525.
Leeds - RAM. Zoe standing in the Hall of Steel. The hall, built around a stairwell, features vast display of about 2,600 pieces of arms and armor.
Leeds - RAM. The museum had several fine live shows thru the day. This one was on swordsmanship.
Note, there are three Royal Armouries in the UK. This was Ron and Carol’s last one to visit!
Leeds - RAM. Indian Elephant Armor, 17th - 18th century AD. Carol bought an apron of this armor. This reminds Ron to stay out of her way in the kitchen.
Leeds - RAM. Everyone, except Ron, took the Crossbow Challenge. Each was given instructions and 10 bolts to shoot. Theresa out shot everyone with excellent grouping of about 3 inches.
Leeds. A canal lock near our apartment.
York – The Shambles. The next day everyone took the train to York. First stop was ‘The Shambles,’ a historic, narrow medieval street, famous for its well-preserved 14th-century timber-framed buildings with overhanging jettied floors.
For more fun about this day read Carol’s blog by clicking HERE .
York - York Minster Refectory Restaurant. Ron and Carol had a wonderful lunch here. It is an excellent building initially built for St Peter’s School in 1833. (A,T&Z continued on to York Minster.)
York Minster. The Altar. The current Gothic cathedral was largely completed by 1472.
York Minster. The Chapter House. A beautiful, octagonal 13th-century building located off the north transept.
York Minster. Carol giving scale to the huge organ pipes.
York National Railway Museum. A, T & Z went to this really fine railway museum.
York National Railway Museum – The Mallard. In 1938, the Mallard raced at 126mph to set a new steam locomotive world speed record. That record still stands.
York. Walmgate Bar (Gate). One of four of York’s Bars (Gates.) Ron and Carol took a Hop On/Off Bus a couple of loops around York to see all the medieval structures.
York Castle – Clifford’s Tower. The now ruined keep of the medieval Norman castle.
Leeds – ‘Just Grand! Vintage Tearoom.’ A formal tea for brunch.
For more info. see Carol’s blog at https://www.bucklesfamily.net/N4_146.htm . (Suggest new window.)
For more fun about this day read Carol’s blog by clicking HERE .
Leeds – ‘Just Grand! Vintage Tearoom.’
Leeds - Leeds Kirkgate Market. Shopping. R&C really liked this place. A HUGE Edwardian building with 800 stalls which attract over 100,000 visitors a week.
Leeds – The Corn Exchange. Built in 1863. The family met at this wonderful shopping mall. Zoe found some really fine outfits.
Nottingham – Warhammer World. The next day to Nottingham, and Andrew and Zoe (A&Z) went to Warhammer World, the home base for Warhammer gaming hardware. A&Z play Warhammer often with friends.
For more fun about this day read Carol’s blog by clicking HERE .
Nottingham – Warhammer World. Detail of a miniature. Andrew does some really fine miniatures, but this level is his goal.
Nottingham – Castle Gate. Meanwhile Ron, Carol and Theresa visited Nottingham Castle. The gate here is only remaining medieval building. There was a fine museum in the nice 19th century building.
Nottingham – Castle Walls. The Castle is built on a natural promontory known as "Castle Rock." Many tunnels have been dug into the rock over time, creating a labyrinth of caves.
Nottingham - The Nottingham Narrowboat Project. The family rented a narrowboat for the day. Here Skippers Andy Weston and Roger Hamilton are giving the safety briefing. The boat traveled on the Nottingham-Beeston Canal.
For more fun about this day read Carol’s blog by clicking HERE .
Nottingham Canal. The boat is named “Megan” and it is huge: 70 ft long, 6 ft 10in wide and weighs 70 tons (!), mostly ballast.
Nottingham Canal. Theresa and Zoe learned the ropes. Here Theresa turning the ‘windlass’ to open the sliding ‘paddle’ (valve) to let the water pass.
Nottingham Canal. Zoe pushing the ‘balance beam’ to open the ‘miter’ gate.
Nottingham Canal. Zoe at the helm.
Nottingham Canal. Theresa at the helm.
Nottingham – Canalhouse Restaurant. After boating, the family offered the skippers a pint in appreciation. The restaurant is a sponsor of the Nottingham Narrowboat Project.
Sherwood Forest. The next day everyone (except Ron) took the Sherwood Express Bus up to Sherwood Forest.
For more fun about this day read Carol’s blog by clicking HERE .
Sherwood Forest – The Major Oak. Probably the most famous tree in Sherwood Forest. According to local folklore, it was Robin Hood's shelter where he and his Merry Men slept. [In fact, it is not old enough; it was just a sapling in that day.] Named after Major Hayman Rooke who describes the Major Oak in his book on remarkable oak trees in 1790.
Sherwood Forest – Rotten Roger. The forest is full of wonderfully shaped trees that have been given names.
Nottingham – ‘Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem’ Inn. Est. 1189! Said to be the oldest in England. A, T &Z went there for supper our last night in the UK.
Nottingham – ‘Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem’ Inn. Inside the Inn. The ship in the case above Theresa is said to be cursed. They say anyone touching it will die!
London - Paddington Station. On the way home Paddington was our one stop.
For more fun about this day read Carol’s blog by clicking HERE .
Massachusetts, USA - Going in Circles. Things were great until we hit MA. Then the plane starting going in circles. A storm front was making its way through Washington DC. The plane diverted and all landed safely about an hour late. (Ron superimposed the travel map with the weather map.)