by Helen Kain | Sep 29, 2022 | England, Entertablement Abroad, Recent, Scotland
The Big Family Trip has been long in the planning. Originally on the docket for 2020 (sigh), it was pushed out to 2022 so as not to overlap with the Clans and Castles train journey Glenn, and I had booked for 2021 to celebrate our respective significant birthdays (you...
by Helen Kain | May 27, 2022 | Castles & Stately Houses, Entertablement Abroad, Recent, Scotland
Castles have a long and complex history, much more so than stately homes. Fortified structures built during the middle ages by the nobility or royalty, their primary purpose was defence—keeping those inside the castle walls safe and keeping the violent attackers out....
by Helen Kain | Jan 8, 2022 | Beautiful Towns, England, Entertablement Abroad, Unique Places to Stay
Following our time in England in the Autumn. Determining which train to take to Chichester was more complicated than I had envisioned. Staff shortages, line repairs, and similar disruptions ruled out the usual route from Victoria Station. Lauren and I eventually...
by Helen Kain | Nov 7, 2021 | Beautiful Towns, Castles & Stately Houses, Cathedrals & Abbeys, England, Unique Places to Stay
The long-awaited, oft-rescheduled trip to England was a heady mix of emotions: apprehension as to how difficult it might be to navigate changing requirements, elation at the freedom of travelling again, disappointment and frustration with the National Trust, amusement...
by Helen Kain | May 3, 2020 | Cathedrals & Abbeys, England, Entertablement Abroad
As cathedrals go, Ely Cathedral is one of the biggies. Literally, at 537 ft long, but also because of its story, which began in 672. A lot has happened in the intervening 13+ centuries. Not just the usual political squabbling and overly ambitious clerics, but...
by Helen Kain | Apr 19, 2020 | Castles & Stately Houses, England, Entertablement Abroad
Most of the grand manor houses we see in England have a history involving a lot of ups and downs. Sudeley Castle is the veritable Snakes & Ladders of the genre. The tale began innocuously enough with a commonplace event: William le Boteler of Wem married heiress...