An impromptu Scotland road trip presented fascinating nature, fairytale castles, stunning scenery, and even a bit of Harry Potter magic. Our initial plan took us only to Edinburgh. However, Scotland captivated us and we had to see more. With blue skies and unseasonably delightful 24c (75f) degree temperatures in May, we were lucky. Rather than …
Travel to the U.K., Ireland and Norway
Oslo in One Day: Ski Jump, Sculptures, Vikings Ships
Attempting to see the highlights of Oslo in one day, we disembarked our cruise ship in the capital of Norway. This is not the optimal way to see this beautiful city. However, for us, it was our only option as it is the final port of our cruise through the majestic Norwegian Fjords before we …
Flam, Norway: Waterfalls and the Fountain of Youth
As we continued to cruise north along the Norwegian coast towards Flåm the days got longer until it was never dark outside. The sun did dip just below the horizon for a few hours in the middle of the night, but it remained dusk. For a moment I wished that we had an interior cabin …
Giant’s Causeway Coastal Route: Rock Features, Rope Bridge, Ruins
Driving the Giant’s Causeway coastal route of Northern Ireland, we found ourselves instantly entangled in the mystery of the region. Volcanic activity created the Giant’s Causeway 60 million years ago. Standing at its base, I could begin to appreciate its magnitude. Across the Inner Seas sits its mirror, Fingal’s Cave on Scotland’s Isle of Staffa. …
17 Images of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal (Yorkshire, England)
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal are amongst the several old abbeys, castles, and monasteries in Yorkshire that we visited as we drove from Oxford to York. Lush and green, the gently rolling hills of the British countryside reminded me of our home in New Zealand, although the frequently overcast sky confirmed that we were in the …
Our Broomstick Flying Lessons at Alnwick (Hogwarts)
What could be more exciting than taking broomstick flying lessons at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? You read that correctly, we took the Alnwick Castle broomstick training in the same field where Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and even Draco Malfoy learned to fly. Alnwick is a classic “living castle” situated along England’s …
England Road Trip: Oxford to York and Beyond
Driving through the British countryside from Oxford to Alnwick, we passed through Stratford-upon-Avon, Oakham, the Sherwood Forest, York, several abbey ruins, and finally to Alnwick. Oxford – the starting point of our England road trip One of the most beautiful cities in England, Oxford is somewhere to stay for several days after which you can …
Classic Architecture: Touring Oxford in a Day
Leaving the modern world behind, we entered a fairy-tale as we stepped out of the car in Oxford, England. The architecture takes us back, but to when? The city boasts examples of every English architectural period since the 11th century. There is plenty to see in this town and trying to see Oxford in a …
Walking through History: Alnwick Castle (Hogwarts) in England
We each stepped inside Alnwick Castle for different reasons. For Jeff and I, it was part of the journey through time in the British countryside. Downton Abbey fans find it a familiar Christmas backdrop. And, for our girls and other Harry Potter fans around the world, it’s Hogwarts. Alnwick is a real working castle and home …
Norway in Vibrant Colour: Waterfalls, Fjords, Flowers and more
Norway sits proudly near the top of the world. Like our home in New Zealand, it’s a photographer’s paradise, a country to savour, to visit slowly, and to bring a camera. Last week I featured dramatic black and white Norwegian photos from an overcast, rainy day in one fjord: Lysefjord. Mixed reactions inspired me to search …
Dramatic Black and White Photos of Lysefjord in Norway
Norway’s fjords are one spectacular masterpiece of nature after the next. Despite the mist and rain, Lysefjord stood out as my favourite of the fjords we sailed through. Maybe it was the smaller boat that made it more attractive, but more likely it was the majesty of huge cliffs, the dramatic contrast created by layers …
The Picturesque Ruins of Rievaulx Abbey in England’s Countryside
Rievaulx Abbey captured my imagination. Now picturesque ruins, this former abbey was once one of the wealthiest monasteries in England. That is until Henry VIII of England dissolved the Cistercian abbeys in 1538. Founded in 1132, Rievaulx Abbey was the first Cistercian abbey in the north. From the first moment I saw it, I was delighted. Captivated by …
Classic Stonehenge Photos: Europe’s Most Famous Megalithic Circle
A wonder of the world, the classic Stonehenge image is one I needed to see for myself. Archaeologists believe it was constructed around 3100 BC. It’s an impressive inspiration, an icon of Britain, and is probably Europe’s most famous prehistoric site, although not its oldest (we visited an older megalithic complex in Portugal and an older tomb …
Photo Tricks: Shattering the Illusion of Broomstick Flying
Several years ago the girls and I took broomstick flying lessons in the same English courtyard that Harry Potter learned to fly. They were timed to fall just after the “On Location” tour of Alnwick Castle, an actual castle that was used as portions of Hogwarts during filming. To this day, people still ask me …
Bergen Norway Offering View from Above and an Historical Village
Bergen is stunning, a magical town that caught me by surprise. Not always a good surprise, but it kept me on my toes. Bergen is the second largest city in Norway. Arriving via cruise ship, we opted not to do an official excursion from the ship, but rather to do things on our own. Visually, we were in …
