Posts Tagged ‘henry VIII’

The “B” List

Friday, August 4th, 2017

Too much of travel is checking off items on a bucket list. There is not much depth or satisfaction,and the world famous location does not become part of you. They become photos proving you were there.

I discovered “B” list travel on a trip to Washington DC several years ago (see D.C. blog) and now I seek them out.

Today I was on the trail for local crafters; a glass blowing studio,a pottery firm,and a candle maker. Each of the locations were delightful and gave us a chance to engage local artisans. Conversing with a native Irishman, accent and all, make them friends for a time; a glimpse into a life lived in Ireland.

Doing ones homework about a location and its history makes that Castle or Abbey ruin come alive with the distant echoes or battles, unrequited love, or selfless sacrifice. I’m learning a lot about Oliver Cromwell and his hate for all successful Irish enterprises. Why does that Castle only have 3 sides? Well Oliver Cromwell’s troops blasted one side down to make it indefensible.

Then there’s Henry VIII !

He didn’t like the monasteries having so much power and money so he had his troops take the roofs of the churches and monasteries and it immediately dispersed the monks and brought the massive places of worship into ruin.

In Ireland there are stone circles and Celtic carvings with ancient auras that don’t have lines or need an admission fee like Stonehenge.

The point being go deeper, go eager for the bigger story and always talk to people!

The tourist sees what he has come to see, but the traveler sees the bigger picture.

Jerpoint Abbey

Jerpoint Abbey

HenryVIII

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

henryviiiGail has pulled out all the stops with our mad-cap visit to Lancashire. This was not your typical Sunday as we were priviledged to spend an hour with THE Henry the VIII. Our time together was an education in architecture, word origins, and the Church. Salmesbury Hall was the venue, which was preceeded by a trip to the flower market for M-Day flowers, and  ending with a late lunch at the BEST Pub ever! We had a delicious meal of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding…only equaled by my grandmother’s. Last night we looked up the 1911 Census for the area and “found” my grandmother, Marion Mc Nabb Fear, who was born only 70 miles from here in Baron in Furness. We ‘Googled-earthed” it and found the actual house still in service! This is where I feel my roots.