Thursday, May 6, 2010

The European Tour - first leg

Just a few of the hundreds of photographs taken during Andrew and Renee Michelle's visit to the family in the UK.

Andrew and Renee Michelle arrived safely and so a photograph was taken in the back garden to show off the good weather and the flowering currant bush.


We travelled to Wales and stayed for a couple of days - the beach at Aberdovey was our first excursion - there were hazards on the way.

Andrew was taking no chances!

Having negotiated the dangers of the golf course we were able to cross over the sand dunes by way of the wooden bridge and walk along the beach.

The next day the sun was shining and Andrew and Renee Michelle stopped at the bottom of the chalet steps to admire the daffodils and to give time for the older members of the party to catch up.

Walking on the nearby hills, along the Pennal Mountain Road.

What goes up, must come down.

A visit to the ice cream factory is compulsory.

Ice creams eaten, Andrew set up the camera so that we could all be in this picture.

The Alternative Technology Centre is at the top of a very steep incline - fortunately there is a water-powered car to take you to the top.

So much to see - we spent a couple of hours wandering around, looking at a wide variety of displays. It was very quiet - there were hardly any other visitors there - Saturday tends to be journey day for holiday makers.

Renee Michelle looks pleased to be emerging from the underground display of life under the surface of the planet. It was very dark in there.

Andrew and Renee Michelle - researching which type of solar panels will be right for their home?

The day finished with a walk along the beach at Aberdovey - Renee Michelle is looking intently West - about 3000 miles and the island of Ireland in between the UK and home.

What did you you do when you went to the UK?
We collected litter from the beach and sand dunes and put it in the waste bin.
Very public spirited but how sad that some people don't think anything of leaving their rubbish to spoil the landscape.

On Sunday we visited the island of Anglesey and went to a beach near to Puffin Island, hoping to see puffins.

Taken at the base of the lighthouse in the previous picture. This photo brought back memories of the photograph taken in Washington DC at the base of the Washington Monument during a very happy holiday.

Puffin Island taken from nearby cliffs - we didn't see any puffins but we knew they were there.

On Monday, we visited Formby Sands, a National Trust Reserve near to Liverpool, hoping to see red squirrels (now quite rare in the UK). We did see ONE but he kept his distance and the photographs didn't show him to advantage.
It was pleasant walking through the pinewoods on the way to the beach.

On the beach, the tide was a long way out. In the distance the off-shore wind turbines can be seen. Renee Michelle walked barefoot. Again, we had the beach almost to ourselves because it was a school day, so there were not many holiday makers around.

On Wednesday we went to the Roaches, an area in the Peak District National Park. In the distance Tittesworth Reservoir could be seen on the Valley floor.

At first, the walk was gently uphill through wooded hillside. We heard a cuckoo in the distance, but we couldn't see him.

Then the walk got steeper and the vegetation sparser.
Andrew surveying the landscape - we could still hear the cuckoo but he kept himself hidden.

In spite of the grey skies it stayed dry and wasn't too cold.

Sherpa Pearson - this is the highest point on the Roaches.

OnThursday, the day of departure, it rained.

We had a farewell meal at the Soup Kitchen in Stafford. Then we made our way through the Park to the railway station - spot the British Rail Logo.

We allowed plenty of time to get to the correct platform.

While we were waiting for the train to Hull, a steam train came thundering through the station - not an everyday happening.

The final photo before Andrew and Renee Michelle got on the train to start the next leg of their journey. They look so happy - the week went very quickly - it's good to have the photographs as well as the memories.


PS - The onward journey was not without incident - but that is their story to tell.

4 comments:

Shawn said...

Thanks for posting this, looks like everyone had a great time! Some great pictures of the outdoors, looks like some great hiking.

Bernice said...

I also enjoyed the pictures. I am so glad they made it there.

Anonymous said...

Gill, thanks for putting up all these pictures. This is a wonderful way to remember our holiday. We have many happy memories of our time there.

alexis said...

yes, these are beautiful and I am impressed you got renee out in the wild! Indeed looks like some great hikes.