English postcard #5

Arlington Row, Bibury, Gloucestershire

William Morris called it "the most beautiful village in England," and I think he had a pretty good eye for beauty.  This row of cottages was built in 1380 as a monastic wool store and converted into a row of weaver's cottages in the 17th century.  Please ignore the satellite dish.

English postcard #4

St. Michael's Mount, Cornwall

We were blessed with favorable tides and sunny skies on our visit to St. Michael's Mount, an island that is connected to the mainland by a causeway that is covered by the Atlantic Ocean at high tide.  We crossed when the tide was about at its lowest, enjoyed a tour of the castle on the mount, and crossed back less than two hours later before the causeway was closed to foot traffic.

English postcard #3

Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire

This abbey and the adjoining grounds of Studley Royal was one of the first historic sites Karen and I visited several years ago, but our girls had never enjoyed them.  The remaining structures of the Fountains Abbey grounds suggest a productive and prosperous community several hundred years ago.  One can only imagine the experience of visiting a place like this back then.

English postcard #2

Lake Windermere, Cumbria

For our friends back in Tremont we offer this view of the REAL Lake Windermere, not the 5-acre substitute in central IL.  This lake is truly a holiday destination, and we were glad to visit after the crowds had subsided.  The photo was taken from the roadside on our way over "The Struggle," a narrow road leading to the Kirkstone Pass.

English postcard

Lyme Park, Cheshire

We don't have many buildings like this in Illinois, and those that are this big and ornate are government buildings built with our taxes.  This building however, is a home.  At least it was originally built as a home when construction began in the late 16th century, but was donated to the National Trust in 1946 so we can all tour it and enjoy it.  Jane Austen movie fans may recognize this building.