Robert the Bruce (immortilised), Stirling

Stirling was all about Robert the Bruce who led his army to a famous victory against the English in 1314 in what became known as the Battle of Bannockburn. His army numbering 5,000 men 0vercoming 20,000 Englishmen.

Judging by the weather when we were there he likely had some divine help from above.

Whitby

The town where Captain Cook was based as an apprentice mariner, and sailed from on many of his voyages of science and discovery, was based around a harbour fringed by low hills. There were many attractions based on him,or his exploits. We settled for a look through the house where he lived, furnished in 1750's style.

On a sadder note his widow, Elizabeth, outlived not only Cook, but all her six children who all died childless.

Whitby looking through the window in the bedroom Cook occupied.

Whitby abbey

The heads through which Captain Cook sailed.

We were lucky to see the Yorkshire Moors heather in full bloom. The moors are very beautiful with quaint villages and very hospitable people.

We were fortunate to spend a night at Mike and Estelle's place where we were treated to yorkshire pudding.  Another addition to our ever increasing waistlines.

Captain Cook's monument

The school Captain Cook attended

Scarborough

The bathing sheds were nice and bright, but the absence of any swimmers was testament to the water temperature. Venturing any further than the sand would have endangered body appendages.

Lincoln, UK

Our main reason for visiting Lincoln was to see one of the four remaining original copies of the Magna Carta. Unfortunately we were to be thwarted. The Magna Carta exhibition, at Lincoln Castle, he been relieved of possession of the Magna Carta due to humidity problems and the Magna Carta taken to a highly secret location in York.

So instead of visiting the castle we went to the Lincoln Cathedral, the third largest cathedral in the UK. And very big and grand it was too.

Lincoln Cathedral, above and below.

The Magna Carta less castle.

Cambridge, UK

The river Cam flows through the centre of Cambridge, and is crossed by a series of ornate bridges, that give Cambridge a quaintness missing in some other cities. It reminded us a lot of the Avon in Christchurch, but without the water quality and construction work.
The city itself was very very busy with tourists, reinforcing our need to make our way north as soon as possible.

The Mathematical bridge was supposedly designed by a student of Sir Isaac Newton. The design uses a series of radials and tangents that form triangles and give an illusion of curvature despite all timbers used being straight. The original bridge was fixed only to the angled concrete supports by gravity.

Bridge of sighs - named by Queen Victoria after the Venice version.

Lavenham, UK

Part of our journey through the UK is to visit some of the places our ancestors inhabited. First off the block was Lavenham in Suffolk.

The village has the distinction of being very cute and of being used as a filming location in Harry Potter films.

Apart from language and getting reacquainted with driving on the left hand side of the road, the biggest difference we are having to get to grips with is the number and enthusiasm of parking wardens. We obliterated our weekly budget by getting a 50 quid fine on our first day back, and it was only due to Tony laying on the charm (that was a joke) that we avoided copping another fine. The fine was for parking over the marked lines, notwithstanding the facts that there were no other cars near us and our van was too fat to fit in the carpark.

The sooner we make it to Scotland the better.

The above buildings were both used in Harry Potter films - 'Harry Potter in the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 and 2).

Main street

Church completed in 1525