Another pub update. Including our visit to the Lake District, I now sit at over 175 pubs individual pubs visited.
Dare I attempt to reach 200?
166. Ladbroke Arms: Nice enough little local type place, but inside has gone gastropub. Grab a pint and sit outside in front.
167. The Uxbridge Arms: Tucked away from the rush near Notting Hill, this is a great small traditional “local” pub. Nice little wrap-a-round bar with a friendly atmosphere.
168. Windsor Castle:(Notting Hill) Simply a great place, a rambling mix of interconnected small rooms with VERY low doorways in the partitions making for an almost maze-like feel. One of those quirky type places I enjoy so much.
169. Churchill Arms: Inside and out considered one of the great pubs of London. COVERED in blooming flowers on the outside, the inside is an eclectic mix of all sorts of decorations. Go see it for yourself!!
170. Watermill Inn:(Ings, Cumbria) Great pub that brews its own ales. Several rooms with a lodge feel: low ceilings and wood burning fireplaces. Try their Collie Wobbles ale. Good stuff.
171. Queen’s Head Hotel: (Troutbeck, Cumbria) Excellent inn-styled pub with several local ales and nice food. Two separate fireplaces and a quirky four poster bed bar and to its character.
172. The Golden Rule: (Ambleside, Cumbria) Nice enough place that’s popular with the walkers. Cozy with several well kept regional cask ales.
173. Drunken Duck: (Cumbria) Out of the way place that is known for brewing its own ales and its views. Seems now it’s more interested in being a restaurant rather than a pub. View? Only if you are interested in crossing the road and sitting on their picnic tables.
174. Badger Bar: (Rydal, Cumbria) Part of the Glen Rothay Hotel. Lovely rustic pub feel with a great assortment of regional ales. Beamed ceilings, old school furnishings and creaking floorboards. My kind of place. I quite enjoyed it.
175. The Sun Hotel: (Coniston, Cumbria) Pub associated with the 16th century inn. Some places maintain their rustic, authentic feel, but this place just seemed a bit run down.
176. The Duke of Lancaster: (Lancaster) Avoid this place like the plague. Seriously.
23 October 2008
19 October 2008
Friday through Sunday 10-12 Oct 2008
This past weekend, we travelled up north to visit our friends Christine and Mark, and also take in what most may consider the most scenic part of the U.K., the Lake District.
Our base camp for the weekend was the lovely Queen's Head Hotel in Troutbeck, a 17th century Elizabethian four poster bed inn. It was a great authentic place, with low ceilings, creaky floors, excellent food, very nice beer/pub and our room, without a doubt, had probably the BEST door ever!!!
One of the first sites we took in was that of the Bridge House in Ambleside. Built sometime in the 16th century this tiny structure served as an apple store, a weaver's mill and at one time was the home for a lady with SIX children!!
The area is known for inspiring the works of poet William Wordsworth. We visited Dove Cottage, his residence for a bit, and also walked the path that is said to have inspired his work, Daffodils. Down further that path is the very scenic waterfall, Aira Force. Well worth the small climb to reach.
Most of time though, when the weather cooperated, we dropped the top on Christine's convertible and just took in the great scenery.
Occasionally, we stopped and walked a bit on the several paths available.
Our base camp for the weekend was the lovely Queen's Head Hotel in Troutbeck, a 17th century Elizabethian four poster bed inn. It was a great authentic place, with low ceilings, creaky floors, excellent food, very nice beer/pub and our room, without a doubt, had probably the BEST door ever!!!
One of the first sites we took in was that of the Bridge House in Ambleside. Built sometime in the 16th century this tiny structure served as an apple store, a weaver's mill and at one time was the home for a lady with SIX children!!
The area is known for inspiring the works of poet William Wordsworth. We visited Dove Cottage, his residence for a bit, and also walked the path that is said to have inspired his work, Daffodils. Down further that path is the very scenic waterfall, Aira Force. Well worth the small climb to reach.
Most of time though, when the weather cooperated, we dropped the top on Christine's convertible and just took in the great scenery.
Occasionally, we stopped and walked a bit on the several paths available.
Along with the scenery, we enjoyed some of the local fare including several excellent rustic pubs and regional ales, but most of all it was a relaxing weekend with good company.
18 October 2008
Saturday through Sunday 27 Sept - 5 Oct 2008
One last post about our Austrian-Bavarian trip that I want to capture. It seems that with the furor of rushing through in an attempt to SEE everything, sometimes the simple sights are the ones that leave the most impression.
Whether they are the churches at almost every turn...
The colourful winding valleys of European city streets...
The quaint sleepiness of the Bavarian villages...
The subtle changing of the seasons...
or the drastic impression of the Alps themselves.
As much as I try... pictures can never capture the moment.
Whether they are the churches at almost every turn...
The colourful winding valleys of European city streets...
The quaint sleepiness of the Bavarian villages...
The subtle changing of the seasons...
or the drastic impression of the Alps themselves.
As much as I try... pictures can never capture the moment.
16 October 2008
Monday 6 October 2008
I am SO behind in my blogging responsibilities.
After just celebrating my 49th birthday with beers in Munich, nothing helps one feel younger than watching 60+ year old men dressed up in leather pants and performing their collection of rock tunes.
Thanks to a free ticket (danke Elizabeth. Seeeee, I’m still speaking German), I took in what turned out to be a quite entertaining concert at The Royal Albert Hall by The Moody Blues. Since Nights in White Satin was always a popular song "back in the day", rivaling Stairway to Heaven as that ONE slow dance opportunity during high school dances, it was an evening of flashbacks.
They are still quite popular here and didn’t disappoint the packed house. There were a couple songs where they showed their age, but can you REALLY be disappointed in a show at The Royal Albert Hall?
Of course not.
After just celebrating my 49th birthday with beers in Munich, nothing helps one feel younger than watching 60+ year old men dressed up in leather pants and performing their collection of rock tunes.
Thanks to a free ticket (danke Elizabeth. Seeeee, I’m still speaking German), I took in what turned out to be a quite entertaining concert at The Royal Albert Hall by The Moody Blues. Since Nights in White Satin was always a popular song "back in the day", rivaling Stairway to Heaven as that ONE slow dance opportunity during high school dances, it was an evening of flashbacks.
They are still quite popular here and didn’t disappoint the packed house. There were a couple songs where they showed their age, but can you REALLY be disappointed in a show at The Royal Albert Hall?
Of course not.
13 October 2008
Saturday through Sunday 27 Sept - 5 Oct 2008
Neuschwanstein Castle
Mad KingLudwig’s homage to his muse, Wagner, this 19th century castle not only is the most photgraphed building in Germany, but was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle.
This was one of the sites on this trip I was looking most forward to seeing. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate as it rained during our excursion and we couldn’t take photos of its over-the-top interior.
But I was a man on a mission. As Amy, and most everyone else in our tour group, chose to find warmth and something to eat, I scrambled looking for “that perfect picture”. St. Mary’s bridge is located above the castle and was to be a perfect vantage point for taking such a photograph. I was off, bundled up as the temperatures dropped and precipitation fell I scoured up the mountain only to get…
“Ellsworthed”
Yes… seems the castle was undergoing renovations. So… see Pat? It’s not just you.
Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest
Built for Hitler as his 50th birthday gift, this chalet styled building sits high atop the German Alps. I expected more of the building itself actually… but the views from its location were spectacular.
Dachau
The Nazi’s first concentration camp and the prototype for the rest of the camps. This was just a very sobering experience.
I’ll let the images do the work.
The overcast day highlighted the somber tone of the entire visit. It was almost fitting as the sky and the Memorial to the victims leave one with an almost haunted image.
Mad KingLudwig’s homage to his muse, Wagner, this 19th century castle not only is the most photgraphed building in Germany, but was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle.
This was one of the sites on this trip I was looking most forward to seeing. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate as it rained during our excursion and we couldn’t take photos of its over-the-top interior.But I was a man on a mission. As Amy, and most everyone else in our tour group, chose to find warmth and something to eat, I scrambled looking for “that perfect picture”. St. Mary’s bridge is located above the castle and was to be a perfect vantage point for taking such a photograph. I was off, bundled up as the temperatures dropped and precipitation fell I scoured up the mountain only to get…
“Ellsworthed”
Yes… seems the castle was undergoing renovations. So… see Pat? It’s not just you.
Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest
Built for Hitler as his 50th birthday gift, this chalet styled building sits high atop the German Alps. I expected more of the building itself actually… but the views from its location were spectacular.
DachauThe Nazi’s first concentration camp and the prototype for the rest of the camps. This was just a very sobering experience.
I’ll let the images do the work.
The overcast day highlighted the somber tone of the entire visit. It was almost fitting as the sky and the Memorial to the victims leave one with an almost haunted image.
Saturday through Sunday 27 Sept - 5 Oct 2008
Munich
Munich was a blur. We only spent one full day there and gave a valiant effort to see as much as we could, which included a drive through bus tour.
We did walk about the Marienplatz with its Town Hall and got to watch the Rathaus-Glockenspiel in action. Built in the early 1900’s it is a cachophony consiting of 43 bells and 32 life sized figures re-enacting 16th tales including a knightly joust.
Munich was a blur. We only spent one full day there and gave a valiant effort to see as much as we could, which included a drive through bus tour.
We did walk about the Marienplatz with its Town Hall and got to watch the Rathaus-Glockenspiel in action. Built in the early 1900’s it is a cachophony consiting of 43 bells and 32 life sized figures re-enacting 16th tales including a knightly joust.
It was also the last weekend of Oktoberfest whilst we were there, and… um… how can I put this? It was a zoo.
We never made it into the fest fairgrounds, but did make it into the legendary Hofbrauhaus, and… um… how can I put this again? Oh yeah, a zoo. Not a bad thing, mind you, just thousand upon thousands of beer drinking, sausage devouring, stein swinging revelers. Was quite the experience, JUST to see it.
Just because we didn’t get to experience the TRUE Oktoberfest pagentry, it didn’t stop us from sampling the some of the more healthier Munich cuisine, pig’s knuckles and beer.
It was a wonderful week in Austria and Germany. Yes, I sang a bit, had a few beers and a few sausages...but I did NOT eat pigs knuckles. We met some nice folks on this tour and Ray forgot to mention that he picked up a Black Forest Cuckoo clock to go along with my Venetian chandelier from last year!
Saturday through Sunday 27 Sept - 5 Oct 2008
Salzburg
Against its Alpine backdrop and renown as the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg proved much more than just Sound of Music opportunities. Well… for some of us.
Sitting perched high above the city on Festungsberg hill, the High Salzburg Fortress made for some very picturesque city views.
And the occasion picture postcard sunsets.
Against its Alpine backdrop and renown as the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg proved much more than just Sound of Music opportunities. Well… for some of us.
Sitting perched high above the city on Festungsberg hill, the High Salzburg Fortress made for some very picturesque city views.
And the occasion picture postcard sunsets.
08 October 2008
Saturday through Sunday 27 Sept - 5 Oct 2008
Innsbruck
Located at the foot of the Alps and host to the Winter Olympics in 1964 & 1976, Innsbruck was my favourite city visit of the trip. It’s pedestrian friendly main square and side streets were lined with colourful 17th and 18th century style buildings.
The Golden Roof
Highlighting the main square in Innsbruck is House with the Golden Roof, which was constructed for the royal family by the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I.
Wilten Basilica
We also made a stop at the gorgeous Wilten Basilica which was built in the mid 1700’s
Located at the foot of the Alps and host to the Winter Olympics in 1964 & 1976, Innsbruck was my favourite city visit of the trip. It’s pedestrian friendly main square and side streets were lined with colourful 17th and 18th century style buildings.
The Golden RoofHighlighting the main square in Innsbruck is House with the Golden Roof, which was constructed for the royal family by the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I.
Wilten BasilicaWe also made a stop at the gorgeous Wilten Basilica which was built in the mid 1700’s
Saturday through Sunday 27 Sept - 5 Oct 2008
Vienna
This capital city was once the seat of the Austrian Empire and the playground for the wealthy Habsburg Monarchy.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Considered to be the most important religious building in Vienna, St. Stephen’s is the seat of the Catholic Church in Austria. A combination Romanesque and Gothic building its construction began in the 12th century.
The exterior highlight is its ornately decorated coloured roof which consists of over 200,000 glazed tiles.
Opera House
Vienna has always been synonymous with the greats of classical romantic era music. Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss all lived, composed and played in Vienna. One of Vienna’s prime performance venues is its Opera House, and it was something else.
The Habsburgs
This family was in power in Europe for almost 6 centuries acquiring immense wealth and truly didn't hesitate to show it off. We visited the Palace Treasury and Amy decided that instead of a new house, she would like this tiny emerald.
They even showed off in death as you can see from the sarcophagi in the family crypt.
Schönbrunn Palace, built in the late 1600’s, was patterned after Paris’ Versailles and is a close second in its grandeur and incredible formal gardens. Basically, the Habsburgs used it for entertaining purposes throwing grand parties here. Not a bad summer cottage.
Culinary Delights
Some fancy, some not so fancy, but in each instance, OH so good. One of my “missions” on this trip was proper sausages. While I’ve quite taken to British fare, I really don’t care for their sausages. I reached nirvana when I introduced myself to a käsekrainer, a german styled sausage with cheese included in the meat. Grilled by street vendors and served in a roll, I had one at every opportunity.
Then we enjoyed a proper original Viennese treat. Sitting at a table outdoors of Hotel Sacher, we sampled a Sachertorte at its place of origin.
This capital city was once the seat of the Austrian Empire and the playground for the wealthy Habsburg Monarchy.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Considered to be the most important religious building in Vienna, St. Stephen’s is the seat of the Catholic Church in Austria. A combination Romanesque and Gothic building its construction began in the 12th century.
The exterior highlight is its ornately decorated coloured roof which consists of over 200,000 glazed tiles.
Opera HouseVienna has always been synonymous with the greats of classical romantic era music. Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss all lived, composed and played in Vienna. One of Vienna’s prime performance venues is its Opera House, and it was something else.
The HabsburgsThis family was in power in Europe for almost 6 centuries acquiring immense wealth and truly didn't hesitate to show it off. We visited the Palace Treasury and Amy decided that instead of a new house, she would like this tiny emerald.
They even showed off in death as you can see from the sarcophagi in the family crypt.
Schönbrunn Palace, built in the late 1600’s, was patterned after Paris’ Versailles and is a close second in its grandeur and incredible formal gardens. Basically, the Habsburgs used it for entertaining purposes throwing grand parties here. Not a bad summer cottage.
Culinary DelightsSome fancy, some not so fancy, but in each instance, OH so good. One of my “missions” on this trip was proper sausages. While I’ve quite taken to British fare, I really don’t care for their sausages. I reached nirvana when I introduced myself to a käsekrainer, a german styled sausage with cheese included in the meat. Grilled by street vendors and served in a roll, I had one at every opportunity.
Then we enjoyed a proper original Viennese treat. Sitting at a table outdoors of Hotel Sacher, we sampled a Sachertorte at its place of origin.
07 October 2008
Saturday through Sunday 27 Sept - 5 Oct 2008
The hills are alive...
With the sound of…
Amy singing Sound of Music songs in my ear.
We FINALLY can check off that last “must see” trip as this past week we ventured into the land of the Von Trapps, lederhosen, yodeling and um…. Beer. We flew out of London, landed in Vienna and then proceeded across Austria via coach with various stops that included Salzburg, Innsbruck and finally ending in Munich just in time for the last weekend of Oktoberfest. This was one of those non-stop, see as much as you can in as short a time as possible type adventures that left us quite dizzy, but in the end will be one we remember for quite a while.
There was SO much to do; I will have to publish this in installments, so…
Let’s start at the very beginning.
A very good place to start.
Let’s not kid each other. As most of you know, this tour has been on Amy’s list from the start of our time here in the UK and we tried to squeeze in as MUCH of the Sound of Music items as we could.
She saw Alps (which… if you’ve been with her to a Sound of Music sing along - you know this rhymes with yelps).
She stood on the steps and near the fountain in Mirrabelle Gardens in Salzburg where the children sang Do, Re, Mi.
She “hid” in the cemetery. .. Yes, she's there-
And she visited the actual church where the wedding was filmed.
And no… she didn’t sing.
Not once. Yeah, right....
With the sound of…
Amy singing Sound of Music songs in my ear.
We FINALLY can check off that last “must see” trip as this past week we ventured into the land of the Von Trapps, lederhosen, yodeling and um…. Beer. We flew out of London, landed in Vienna and then proceeded across Austria via coach with various stops that included Salzburg, Innsbruck and finally ending in Munich just in time for the last weekend of Oktoberfest. This was one of those non-stop, see as much as you can in as short a time as possible type adventures that left us quite dizzy, but in the end will be one we remember for quite a while.
There was SO much to do; I will have to publish this in installments, so…
Let’s start at the very beginning.
A very good place to start.
Let’s not kid each other. As most of you know, this tour has been on Amy’s list from the start of our time here in the UK and we tried to squeeze in as MUCH of the Sound of Music items as we could.
She saw Alps (which… if you’ve been with her to a Sound of Music sing along - you know this rhymes with yelps).
She stood on the steps and near the fountain in Mirrabelle Gardens in Salzburg where the children sang Do, Re, Mi.
She “hid” in the cemetery. .. Yes, she's there-
And she visited the actual church where the wedding was filmed.
And no… she didn’t sing.Not once. Yeah, right....
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