Bran Castle

We visited Bran Castle – allegedly Dracula’s castle, but really a royal residence – yesterday. It’s like a Disney house!

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Poppies for Remembrance Day – 100 Years

Thousands and thousands of handmade poppies at the Australian War Memorial for Remembrance Day, and a hundred years since the end of the First World War. Australia committed to the war before Britain even declared it, and Canberra turned on a sunny, hot, blue-skied, beautiful day for the occasion.

Because I live in Canberra, love history, and have a military father, I visit the War Memorial quite often. However, today was special, and because I’ve been overseas for much of the past few months, and today was the last day to see all the poppies before they go, (there are poppies at Parliament House, too, but they’re there for another week), I had to visit.

To China

I’m flying to Beijing today, and will be gone just over a week. Posts should continue going up, but I might not be around to see them!

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Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire.

Our trip to the enormous (and spectacular) Fountains Abbey yesterday (you can thank Henry VIII for destroying it!).

Irish Castles

Tully Castle in Northern Ireland, and Donegal Castle in the Republic of Ireland.

Derry/Londonderry

Few places in Northern Ireland were as politically charged during The Troubles as Derry (or Londonderry, depending on your views).

Below is the iconic (Catholic) sign – it’s not usually pink!, followed by the Unionist side of town (note the streets painted red, white and blue). Also a Catholic church, the Protestant cathedral, and an Australian flag with the Union Jack covered over!

Belfast 1630

Here is the oldest tavern in Belfast, where we had lunch yesterday. It is from 1630.

Belfast Fire

Here is the poor historical Primark building, which burnt down last week. There are still major disruptions in the city because the structure might not be sound, and you can still smell the fire in the air.

Titanic Belfast

Today in Belfast: the Titanic museum and the SS Nomadic, which is the only White Star Line vessel that still exists. Titanic was built in the city, and was a pride and joy of the locals. The museum has won international awards.

Victorian Belfast

Today in Belfast: the gorgeous Victorian Catholic church of St Malachy, which was very nearly destroyed by the Nazis in World War Two.