2 posts tagged “england”

Tom and I decided that we needed to visit Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is a short drive from us.  I checked the weather forecast and found that it would be another nice day (6 sunny days in a row is a record around here right now) so we loaded up the car and headed out.  Although we were a little disappointed in the entry cost (Adult £7.90) it was a nice day.  We walked through the abbey complex and down to the lake and water garden.  I brought us a blanket so we could lie in the grass near the lake and relax.  Tom took some photos of Sofia which turned out pretty well except for the dust on the CCD of the camera.  Instead of backtracking, we had to go straight up a hill with the pushchair into the sun for about half a mile and then another half a mile down a partially shaded path which made us both a bit cranky.  Luckily Tom's car is air conditioned (unlike mine) so we could cool off. 

National Trust.  Before we left I went online to check into a National Trust membership.  An annual membership for two adults costs £77 if you purchase at a National Trust property or online directly.  If you pay by direct debit (monthly installments directly from your bank account) they give you a discount of approximately £20 and it is only £57.75 which is only available for your first year of membership.  But, if I purchase a Royal Oak membership in the US, which gives me exactly the same benefits, it only costs £40 for two adults.  They will even ship the membership stuff to you overseas for an add'l cost of £7.50 which still saves you money.  I ordered a membership packet to be sent to Tom's parent's house in NC where we will be visiting in a couple of weeks.  Just a little hint about how to save some money in this country commonly known as RIP OFF BRITAIN.

Some photos:

Fountans Abbey

Photo Shoot

1 comment

Did any other Brits/Scots/Welsh feel the earthquake tonight?  It occurred at 12.56am GMT.

Sofia was sleeping and I was reading emails when the house started shaking.  It felt like something was coming down the street roaring.  It didn't last very long but it scared me.  I have never been in an earthquake before.  It shook the house hard enough that Sofia woke up.

I checked out an earthquake website and the epicentre was about 30 miles south of Hull (which is about 20 miles from me).  It registered a 4.7 and was 6 miles deep.  Tremors could be felt right across the country.

Here is a link to the BBC news story. It doesn't even mention East Yorkshire where I am located.