By Brian Wilson
UK Correspondent
Special to Cruising Squared
If your cruise ship calls into Palermo (the capital of Sicily) you may think of visiting the town – but to our mind there is only one thing to do – visit Monreale.
Look up into the hill side that surrounds Palermo for a small town set in a panoramic position on the slope of Monte Caputo overlooking the fertile valley of La Conca D’Ora that is famed for its citrus fruit trees – that’s Monreale.
Just take a taxi, or a local bus (if you are feeling “brave”), to this beautiful town that boasts one the gems of Sicily – the Cathedral or Duomo. The town is set on a promontory with a defensive setting and is a microcosm of Sicilian history.
As you journey up to Monreale think of the Bishop of Palermo who, in 831, had been “banished” when the Arabs took control of Palermo. Not wanting to leave Palermo, the bishop and his community found refuge in Monreale’s defensible position – and it overlooked their old home.
Showing posts with label Brian Wilson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brian Wilson. Show all posts
Friday, September 20, 2013
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
CRUISING IS BIG BUSINESS IN THE U.K.
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| Cunard's Queen Elizabeth |
UK Contributor - Cruising Squared
There are now more Cruising opportunities –
Everything seems to be possible!
Cruising is big business in the UK.
The British economy benefited from $3.8 billion of expenditure from the Cruising industry in 2012, according to a report from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
This reflected money spent in the UK by cruise passengers as well as by companies, on staff salaries, ship maintenance and other areas to support their operations.
Expenditure in the UK was up 3.7% on 2011, while the number of British jobs supported by the industry last year rose by 2,000, or 3.5%, to 66,059.
Britain is the second biggest employment market for the cruise industry in Europe after Italy, where it supports 99,556 jobs. Among the UK jobs were 14,677 crew and administrative staff.
The UK is also the biggest market in Europe for cruise passengers, with more than 1.7 million Britons taking to the seas last year.
More than 1.5 million holidaymakers joined or left their cruise in Southampton, making it the busiest cruise port in Europe.
Let’s look at some of the cruise options you can find here in the UK.
Friday, June 21, 2013
B&B IN BEAUTIFUL BATH, ENGLAND - PART 3
By Brian and Mo
UK Correspondenst
Copyright Brian Wilson
BATH --You
will find yourself at the right hand side of this photo – just take in the
grand expanse of this iconic sweep of Georgian architecture.
You are standing outside No 1 the Crescent- one of the most luxurious houses designed to meet the needs of the Georgian aristocrats who came to “take “the waters”. It is now a museum – so you can see how your ancestors lived in luxury (or, in our case, how our ancestors they served their employers!!)
If you want to get the fullest view of The Royal Crescent, retrace your steps and take a path to your right and walk down until you reach the road that cuts across Victoria Park.
“Vicky Park” was once the pastoral garden for The Royal Crescent – it is now a public open space. Walk until you can see the full panorama – just taking it all in will take some time.
Many
of the houses in The Crescent have been turned into flats – but what flats,
with such a fantastic view!! You can even stay in The Crescent as The Royal
Crescent Hotel can be found at No 16 – prices range from £250 (Classic) to £850
(Master Suite) per night.
Finally – walk towards The Crescent and you will come to a dip in the lawn facing a wall. This is a “haha” – a simple device to keep animals off the well-kept grass in front of The Royal Crescent (this is still private property) – yet, if you looked out from The Crescent you would just see a pastoral scene.
Bath has so much to offer – and the surrounding area is full of “delights” - the countryside, the buildings – and the people!!
UK Correspondenst
Copyright Brian Wilson
You are standing outside No 1 the Crescent- one of the most luxurious houses designed to meet the needs of the Georgian aristocrats who came to “take “the waters”. It is now a museum – so you can see how your ancestors lived in luxury (or, in our case, how our ancestors they served their employers!!)
If you want to get the fullest view of The Royal Crescent, retrace your steps and take a path to your right and walk down until you reach the road that cuts across Victoria Park.
“Vicky Park” was once the pastoral garden for The Royal Crescent – it is now a public open space. Walk until you can see the full panorama – just taking it all in will take some time.
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| The interior No. 1 at the Royal Crescent |
Finally – walk towards The Crescent and you will come to a dip in the lawn facing a wall. This is a “haha” – a simple device to keep animals off the well-kept grass in front of The Royal Crescent (this is still private property) – yet, if you looked out from The Crescent you would just see a pastoral scene.
Bath has so much to offer – and the surrounding area is full of “delights” - the countryside, the buildings – and the people!!
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
B&B IN BEAUTIFUL BATH, ENGLAND - PART 2
By Brian and Mo
UK Correspondents
Copyright Brian Wilson
The Circus and the Royal Crescent ...
These are two of Bath’s many beautiful buildings. From the center of Bath walk into The Circus; designed by the architect John Wood, the Elder, who never lived to see his plans put into effect as he died less than three months after the first stone was laid. The whole Circus was completed circa 1766.
The Circus includes three classical Orders, (Greek Doric, Roman/Composite and Corinthian) one above the other, in the elegant curved facades. The Doric frieze is decorated with alternating pictorial emblems, including serpents, nautical symbols, devices representing the arts and sciences, and masonic symbols. The parapet is adorned with stone acorn finials.
In 1800 The Circus residents enclosed the central open space as a garden, now home to a group of old plane trees.
Between 1758 and 1774 number 17 The Circus was home to Thomas Gainsborough and used as his portrait studio. But we must remember that Georgian Bath was a property entrepreneur’s dream – buildings were put up with an eye on a quick sale – everything was designed for show. So if you walk from the Circus towards The Royal Crescent you’ll notice that whilst the front of the buildings were made out of the best stone and festooned with beautiful carvings, the rear of the houses are made out of any old stone – everything was for show – your friends only looked at the front of the house
Now walk along Brock Street that leads form The Circus to The Royal Crescent – have a meal at one of our favourite restaurants –The Circus Café – and you will find yourself at one end of The Royal Crescent. Take a look at the wide expanse of one of Bath’s gems.
To be continued ....
UK Correspondents
Copyright Brian Wilson
The Circus and the Royal Crescent ...
These are two of Bath’s many beautiful buildings. From the center of Bath walk into The Circus; designed by the architect John Wood, the Elder, who never lived to see his plans put into effect as he died less than three months after the first stone was laid. The whole Circus was completed circa 1766.
The Circus includes three classical Orders, (Greek Doric, Roman/Composite and Corinthian) one above the other, in the elegant curved facades. The Doric frieze is decorated with alternating pictorial emblems, including serpents, nautical symbols, devices representing the arts and sciences, and masonic symbols. The parapet is adorned with stone acorn finials.
In 1800 The Circus residents enclosed the central open space as a garden, now home to a group of old plane trees.
 |
| The front |
 |
| The back! |
To be continued ....
Monday, June 17, 2013
B&B IN BEAUTIFUL BATH, ENGLAND -- PART 1
By Brian and Mo
UK Correspondents
Copyright Brian Wilson
BATH, ENGLAND --Bath is a fantastic City – the city full of Georgian Architecture and Roman Baths – Mo and I are so lucky to live so close to this beautiful World Heritage Site.
As a visitor you can stay in Bath itself – but you may well find parking is not only difficult to find - it can be expensive. So why not stay just outside Bath and drive in – or take public transport?
Only 5 miles from Bath you will find the lovely village of Box, snuggling in the Wiltshire Countryside – and here you can stay at Lorne House.
Guests appreciate the free off-street parking, the recently refurbished interior, beautiful solid oak floors, wonderful soft furnishings and stunning furniture - Lorne House is a stylish Bed & Breakfast providing visitors with an elegant charm and friendly welcome – your center for a relaxing break or a pleasant business trip. As for the breakfasts – they will “set you up for the rest of the day”. Cooking is to a high standard (we know all this as the owners – Fran and Mike Ralli – are personal friends of ours.)
But why choose Box? Well apart from better value and more choice of places to visit – you can freely upon public transport (bus) to take you into Bath, or you can use your own car. Fran and Mike will give you all the local advice and information you will ever need.
If you are a “train fan” then you will find that Lorne House is the place for you. It is just a few yards from the world famous Box Tunnel, one of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s masterpieces. It is also the childhood home of the Rev. W J Awdry, author of Thomas the Tank Engine books
What to do in Bath? Well if you only have a short time then make sure you visit The Royal Crescent and The Circus.
To be continued ....
UK Correspondents
Copyright Brian Wilson
 |
| The Circus, below, leading to the Royal Crescent |
As a visitor you can stay in Bath itself – but you may well find parking is not only difficult to find - it can be expensive. So why not stay just outside Bath and drive in – or take public transport?
Only 5 miles from Bath you will find the lovely village of Box, snuggling in the Wiltshire Countryside – and here you can stay at Lorne House.
Guests appreciate the free off-street parking, the recently refurbished interior, beautiful solid oak floors, wonderful soft furnishings and stunning furniture - Lorne House is a stylish Bed & Breakfast providing visitors with an elegant charm and friendly welcome – your center for a relaxing break or a pleasant business trip. As for the breakfasts – they will “set you up for the rest of the day”. Cooking is to a high standard (we know all this as the owners – Fran and Mike Ralli – are personal friends of ours.)
But why choose Box? Well apart from better value and more choice of places to visit – you can freely upon public transport (bus) to take you into Bath, or you can use your own car. Fran and Mike will give you all the local advice and information you will ever need.
If you are a “train fan” then you will find that Lorne House is the place for you. It is just a few yards from the world famous Box Tunnel, one of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s masterpieces. It is also the childhood home of the Rev. W J Awdry, author of Thomas the Tank Engine books
What to do in Bath? Well if you only have a short time then make sure you visit The Royal Crescent and The Circus.
To be continued ....
Monday, December 24, 2012
A HISTORY OF CAROL SINGING IN PUBS
Editor Note: In the spirit of the season here are a few words from our correspondent in the U.K., Brian Wilson. Thanks for sharing, Brian, and the merriest of holiday wishes to you and Mo! -- Gerry and Pam
By Brian Wilson
UK Correspondent
Special to Cruising Squared
In my youth I can remember carols being sung in pubs (bars). In Georgian times e.g. 1700 to 1800's, before country churches could not afford an organ, the church choirs would include a collection of instruments that would play during services.
Choir and "orchestra" (for it would often just include 4 players) would play in a gallery. Many new tunes were composed to well known words - and "Whiles shepherds watched" was one of them
Here is a version - called "old Foster" - no videos just pics and a good sound - yes it was taken that quickly as people enjoyed their singing (any why not!!)
By the way - you may ask "why were carols performed in pubs/bars?"
The answer is that after church service, the choir and players would tour the local houses and bars singing - and getting paid in drink.
So, by the last service of the day you can imagine the "quality" of the music!!
In early Victorian times the clergy were getting "worried" about the "goings on" in the choir gallery and the level of drinking. So, with the advent of smaller and cheaper organs even the smallest church could afford to disband these gallery choirs!
If you want to find out more you could read some thomas Hardy (books based around his native County of Dorset) e.g. http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/h/hardy/thomas/under/chapter7.html
By Brian Wilson
UK Correspondent
Special to Cruising Squared
In my youth I can remember carols being sung in pubs (bars). In Georgian times e.g. 1700 to 1800's, before country churches could not afford an organ, the church choirs would include a collection of instruments that would play during services.
Choir and "orchestra" (for it would often just include 4 players) would play in a gallery. Many new tunes were composed to well known words - and "Whiles shepherds watched" was one of them
Here is a version - called "old Foster" - no videos just pics and a good sound - yes it was taken that quickly as people enjoyed their singing (any why not!!)
By the way - you may ask "why were carols performed in pubs/bars?"
The answer is that after church service, the choir and players would tour the local houses and bars singing - and getting paid in drink.
So, by the last service of the day you can imagine the "quality" of the music!!
In early Victorian times the clergy were getting "worried" about the "goings on" in the choir gallery and the level of drinking. So, with the advent of smaller and cheaper organs even the smallest church could afford to disband these gallery choirs!
If you want to find out more you could read some thomas Hardy (books based around his native County of Dorset) e.g. http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/h/hardy/thomas/under/chapter7.html
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
LETTERS FROM VENICE
Letters, we get letters. Or more precisely, emails. You may recall the wonderful travelogue our UK correspondent, Brian Wilson, contributed recently. As a result, Brian shares this response from the hotel where he and Mo stayed:
Dear Mr&Mrs Wilson,
Buongiorno da Venezia e da Cà San Giorgio!
We perfectly remember about you and your wife: we are happy to hear that you are planning your next trip to Venezia.
We have read your article, and, what can we say…we really want to thank you for everything you wrote about your staying here with us, and all your kindness!
By the way, it is really useful for all the people planning their trip to Venezia to read your tips about how to move, where to go…as travellers, we truly appreciate this kind of informations: they are precious, just because written by real travellers!
We will surely forward your comment to the restaurants you mentioned in the article, they will be happy about it.
Once again, thank you!
Camilla and all the staff of Cà San Giorgio
We can hardly wait for Brian and mo's next travel adventure! -- Gerry
Buongiorno da Venezia e da Cà San Giorgio!
We perfectly remember about you and your wife: we are happy to hear that you are planning your next trip to Venezia.
We have read your article, and, what can we say…we really want to thank you for everything you wrote about your staying here with us, and all your kindness!
By the way, it is really useful for all the people planning their trip to Venezia to read your tips about how to move, where to go…as travellers, we truly appreciate this kind of informations: they are precious, just because written by real travellers!
We will surely forward your comment to the restaurants you mentioned in the article, they will be happy about it.
Once again, thank you!
Camilla and all the staff of Cà San Giorgio
We can hardly wait for Brian and mo's next travel adventure! -- Gerry
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