Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle on the Northumberland coast is a grade 1 listed building. There gave been fortifications on the site for several hundred years and the core of the current structure dates back to the time of the Normans. For a long time it was in the hands of the monarchy but ended up in private ownership with a number of restorations over the years before being acquired by the Victorian era industrialist Willima Armstrong who completed the restoration to the condition seen today. I visited the castle 21 years ago but we went again yesterday although, unfortunately, the weather turned very inclement soon after we arrived which limited my desire to take many pictures and this also resulted in the interior being very full of visitors which was also limiting but here is some of what we saw. Additionally there is an on site avaition related museum reported on here.

Preston Pele Tower

This tower in Northumberland was built in the final decade of the 14th century. It was a defensive structure built to protect people and their livestock in times of ongoing troubles between the English and Scottish. It has stood the test of time well and is currently fitted out as it likley would have been in the 14th century. Access to the top of the tower is possible affording good views of the Northumbria countryside.

Howick Hall

Howick Hall in Northumberland is the ancestral home of the Earls Grey including Charles 2nd Earl Grey the Prime Minister from 1830 - 1834 after whom Earl Grey tea is named. The house originates in 1782 although there have been changes over the years, notably some remodelling after a serious fire in 1926. However, it remains a family home although much of the ground floor is open to visitors. The main attractions though are some impressive gardens and woodland walks and the family church which is within the grounds.

Place de las Bastille

The Bastille was originally built over 750 years ago and became a state prison in the 17th century. It primarily housed political prisoners and religious prisoners but also other undesirables and gradually gained a reputation associated with horror and oppression. Then on 14th July 1789 amidst the French revolution the Bastille was stormed and ultimately destroyed. The area previously ocupied by the Bastille is now a large open square with a commemorative column marking the revolution of 1830 and the overthrow of King charles X.

Gare de Lyon memorials

There are at least two memorials at Gare de Lyon station, Paris. Inside can be found a memorial to railway workers who died during wartime, specifically WWI and WWII. The memorial was initially inaugurated in 1925 and subsequently modified to reflect the later conflict.

The second memorial is outside of the station and commemorates the Chinese workers that provided logistical services to the allies in WWI. Over 20,000 lost their lives.

Re-dedicated memorial

This memorial has been re-dedicated as part of the Ramsgate 'Little Ships' commemorations in recent days.

Operation Dynamo/The Little Ships +85

In May 1940 retreating allied troops, including the majority of the British Expeditionary Force, found themselves trapped on the beaches at Dunkirk, they numbered more than 300,000. The shallow waters meant that it was not possible for naval vessels to get in close to rescue them. The British Ministry of shipping therefore sought out as many shallow draught boats as possible from the Thames and around the south coast and took them to Ramsgate. Many were requisitioned and manned by naval personnel and experienced sailors but some were crewed by their owners. From Ramsgate around 850 of these private 'Little Ships' headed to Dunkirk and either ferried troops to the waiting navy destroyers or picked up troops and headed back to Ramsgate, often returning to the beaches to collect further troops.The result was that over 9 days more than 330,000 soldiers were rescued and a military disaster became a story of heroism. All of this was 85 years ago but to commemorate this a goodly number of surviving Little Ships have gathered in Ramsgate again and will set sail for Dunkirk once more in a few days time. A special event is underway to mark the return of the ships and a replica Spitfire, a few renactors, and a handful of military vehicles are on hand - along with vintage music, a funfair and other attractions.