Aberdeen, Shetland and Inverness

Shetland is an island archipelago between UK and Faroe island in Norway. There is a cluster of 100 islands only 16 of which are populated.ย  So it was a long journey from mainland UK. Day 1: London - Abardeen This was long day started at morning in Hemel Hempstead. We had to travel all the way Kings Cross and then take the train Abardeen. It`s one of the longest train journey in UK ( longest one is ย Aberdeen to Penzance) of more than 7 hour . We reached Abardeen in late afternoon…

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Isle of Wight

So finally its time for a relaxing family holiday. Getting to Isle of White is starightforward . There are mainly three Ferries from UK mainland, Southhampton - East Cowes, Portsmouth - Fishbourne and Lymington - Yarmouth. We took train to Southhampton and then the Ferry to East Cowes. From East Cowes we took bus to Sandown beach . The place we were staying is inside a holiday park and pretty close to beach .   We were staying there for 3 nights. I went for an afternoon stroll in and around the…

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Eridge Circular – ancient Rock formations and Manor Houses

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง   We started off in the idyllic village of Eridge, nestled in the northern borderlands of East Sussex next to Kent. Following the picturesque views across the Kent and Sussex countryside. Our trail revealed and abundance of lush countryside demonstrating why Kent is known as the Garden of England. Bright and open woodlands including Broadwater forest are home to abundant wildlife. We then hiked to the impressive Harrisonโ€™s rocks - a collection of rock outcrops that date back about 135 million years but that owe their dramatic and striking…

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Eden Valley – Garden of England. Ancient woodlands and medieval landscapes

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง We started off in Tonbridge village, with its idyllic manors and picture postcard castle. As we reach Haysden Country Park, our hike opens up to the breath-taking greens across parkland, woodlands, open fields and low hills. The High Weald is considered to be one of the best surviving medieval landscapes in Northern Europe. The area boasts the highest proportion of ancient woodland in the country and is one of the most densely wooded landscapes in Britain. Following a sunken lane, we start treading in the steps of Saxon drovers.…

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Hertfordshire rolling hills

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง We started off at Hitchin - a picturesque town with a medieval layout and traditional cobbled streets. From there, we proceeded towards Oughtonhead Common - a tranquil nature reserve home to numerous bird species, a little stream and a small waterfall. Continuing on the Icknield Way Trail, we reached the ancient village of Pirton, known for its medieval architecture and we pass High Down House - a stunning Grade I listed building. Through shady woods and lush rolling hills we reached the Pegsdon Hill and Hoo Bit Nature Reserve. Considered one…

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Seven Sisters coastal – The Chalk Cliffs of Sussex

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง This hike treated us with many iconic views and fresh sea air high up on the cliffs. The Seven Sisters are a series of white chalk cliffs and are set within the Seven Sisters Country Park. They are remnants of dry valleys in the South Downs and were formed at the end of the last ice age by glacial meltwater. There are in fact now eight sisters as an extra one has been created by coastal erosion. Our hike started in the coastal town of Seaford which is home to a…

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Hiking and Picnic on the Jurassic Coast.

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง One of Dorsetโ€™s most iconic landmarks, Durdle Door is the first natural World Heritage Site and a must-visit for those wanting to see the spectacular beauty the Jurassic Coast offers. We started our picnic on the beach in Durdle Door , after the picnic and relax time, we walked along the Jurassic Coast to make some shots and discover the wonderful landscape that the coast has to offer us. The hike was approximately 2/3 or 4 hours (depend on the time we spend at each place), there were small steep hills…

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๐ŸฅšEaster break … St. Briavels and Wye valley

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡งย ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡งย ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง This was one rare exception where I just booked the stay but did not plan anything, hoping others will do it. Nevertheless we arrived very late at Chepstow because lots of planned engineering work was going on M4. Weather was terrible on Friday , it was drizzling all the day. We checked-in at 5.30 and there was nothing else to do for that day. It is not everyday you can stay in a castle that too without breaking the bank. YHA did a fabulous job to maintain and renovate the castle…

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Saturday Cycle ride in Essex villages

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡งย ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡งย ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง We cycled out of the beautiful historic village of Ingatestone with its 11th century church and cycled through the woods towards Highwood and then to the pretty village of Blackmore where we stopped for morning tea and cakes. Then through a series of little villages: Norton Heath, Willingdale, Fyfield (where we hadย  lunch at the Black Bull), Birds Green, Shellow Bowells(!), Roxwell, Newney Green, then past the Agricultural College and into towards Chelmsford on the lovely cycle path by the river. I wasย on the train that leaves Stratford at 9:25 getting…

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Around Glasgow

๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟย ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟย ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ We did Clyde river Cruise yesterday. It was a very long day , came back to my hotel at 12 in night. Our flight was at 8 in evening , so decided to take the day easy. We checked out from our hotel at 10. Our first destination was "city chambers" , however 25th Sept was festival holiday in Glasgow , so it was closed. Next we walked from there to Glasgow cathedral , built before theย Reformationย from the late 12th century onwards and serving as the seat of the Bishop and…

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