A couple of shots from London Pride

Yesterday was London Pride. Of course we missed the parade itself (we always seem to miss the parades for some reason) but caught a couple of colourful costumes around Trafalgar Square and in Soho.

Canterbury tales

When waking up on Saturday morning Maria suggested a road trip. We haven't been in a while and she thought we could go to Bath. We discussed a bit and decided to go east. We started with Charles Darwin's house outside of London and then continued east to Kent and Canterbury. Despite its size (43,000 people live there), Canterbury is one of the most visited places in England.

As in many places in England it is very green and nice in the area

We ran into some cows

Once in Canterbury, which really is a lovely little town (we had dinner at Trapiste, a Belgian restaurant that we really recommend) we started out with the cathedral.

Very beautiful...

...and peaceful

Once done we took a short stroll in the town. We ran into a somewhat crooked house... Over the door was a quote from Charles Dickens...

After Canterbury we drove on in search of other sights. We found a cross and a viking ship...

Finally we had dinner in lovely little Margate. We drove by a sign advertising for a Soviet restaurant in and decided to check it out. Lovely food and very good service. Overall, the service in this part of the country really surprised us and we really enjoyed the people - so friendly!

Sort of saw The Queen at Windsor

Exactly one year ago Maria and I went on our first road trip together - to Windsor Castle, one of The Queen's official residences. When she's not staying there it is open for public (same rules apply for Buckingham Palace). It's a magnificent castle - huge (difficult to get a sense from the pictures how large it really is) and obviously well preserved. And Windsor is such a nice little town.  

Outside the castle we ran into some girls in old fashioned clothes... 

The crooked house - can't go to Windsor without taking a picture of it!

Coolest telephone booth I've seen!

The Queen is calling

Searching for white horses in Wiltshire

When we went of a road trip in Wiltshire (we were on our way to Bath) some weeks back we ran into a white horse (see picture below). When examining the map we realised there were several white horses around so we decided to try to find as many as possible. Sounds like fun doesn't it!? 

There are or were at least 24 of these white horses in Britain, of which 13 are in Wiltshire and another just over the border in Oxfordshire. As you can see below we managed to collect 7 of these...!

Of the 13 horses known to have existed in Wiltshire 8 are still visible. Contrary to popular belief most white horses are not that old. Only the Uffington white horse is of certain prehistoric origin, being some  3,000 years old. Most of the others date form the last 300 years or so, but it's impossible to decide with certainty. 

The first horse we saw was the Westbury or Bratton white horse. According to www.wiltshirewhitehorses.org.uk it is the oldest in Wiltshire (although the Uffington is pre-historic - not sure how that works out...). In any case, here we go:

Dad is overlooking the nice landscape from the top of the Westbury horse 

Green

Some horses are more difficult to identify afterwards. After some detective work I have concluded that the one below is probably the New Devizes White Horse. 

Alton Barnes 

The Marlborough white horse

The origin of the Hackpen White Horse below is uncertain. 

Broadtown was one of the hardest ones ones to find. We looked and looked and drove and drove along the Marlborough Road, but could not find it. Just when we were about to give up we saw it!! The horse was on a steep slope and apparently in a depression. It has suffered from neglect through much of its history, but in 1991 the Broad Town White Horse Restoration Society was formed, and they restored it. 

The Uffington horse is one of only four that faces to the right. This is by far the oldest of all the white horses and is of an entirely different design than the others. Whether is is indeed intended to represent a horse, or some other creature instead, has been debated but it has certainly been called horse since at least medieval times. In any case, the place in commonly known as the White Horse Hill. 

Maria's mom

Maria

A couple of pictures from Piccadilly Circus

We went to see Les Miserables at Odeon at Leicester Square this evening and on the way there and after we passed by Piccadilly Circus. Lots of people as always, but because of the warm weather there was even more than a usual Saturday evening. It's fun taking pictures at Piccadilly (almost as fun as Time Square) and especially at night. Still haven't caught it after a rainy day, when there would be lots of reflections and this time I didn't take on any buses. But why do everything at the same time?

Sitting in the grass in Hyde Park

Finally we have gotten some nice weather and for once we stayed in London! We were going to take some pictures of a lady and her son in Hyde Park, but the lady never showed up so we headed into the park ourselves. We found an empty spot of grass where we relaxed for a bit. As you can see it was a lovely day!

First Vyshyvanka Mega March in London ‹ Fotoble

Fotoble photos from the Ukrainian national embroidery parade event in London, the First Vyshyvanka Mega March.

First Vyshyvanka Mega March in London

More event pictures from Fotoble here: http://fotoble.com/events/