All posts by Cathryn

Wanderings Day 17

Before we leave the UK and head back to New Zealand, we have to stop briefly at the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London!

I have visited this incredible experience twice and I have hundreds of photos. It was so difficult to choose a few to share for this virtual wander. I settled on some from my winter wander. It was Christmas at Hogwarts. Pure magic!

I love how this little person is eyeing which pressie to vault the rope and grab…. and yes, I definitely enjoyed a coffee on arrival… and then a butter beer once on tour!
Dumbledore’s office
Potions class with Professor Snape
Umbridge’s office
The Weasleys’ kitchen
The Knight Bus

The magic is in all the little details you discover. The pics will never do this justice. Even if you are not a big fan of the movies, this experience is still worth a visit.

Signing off this post with a couple of great J K Rowling quotes:

It is our choices… that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.

Anything is possible if you’ve got enough nerve.

Wanderings Day 16

Today I am all about my Celtic roots.

Edinburgh skyline from Calton Hill
Abbey at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

I remember my first visit to Scotland so vividly. It was a “travels with mom” adventure circa 2003. We drove up from London to Glasgow. Overnight in Glasgow and then on the train up to Mallaig, overnight in Fort William and the next morning more train to Edinburgh. Then a couple of days taking in the sights and sounds of Edinburgh. It was April but it was freezing!! A deep fried Mars bar was an experience, as was trying to understand a Glaswegian accent! Ben Nevis was jaw dropping to behold. But most overwhelming for me was how at home I felt, instantly on arrival. Me and Scotland – love at first sight.

Entrance to Edinburgh Castle

I have been back a couple of times now – solo traveller. Still love it. Could live there if the opportunity presented.

Dream of going north to John o’ Groats and the Hebrides.

Today’s virtual wanderings take in a winter wander – Edinburgh and the Highlands including Loch Ness. And then another set of pics of a summer stay – Edinburgh, Stirling and Loch Lomond.

Wanderings Day 15

London town! I was in the city for a Mindfulness in Education Conference a while back. Remembering a grey January day and a winter wander all over London.

Wanderings Day 14

It should be said that I am not normally a city girl. But just like Bath from yesterday’s post, Oxford is another English city which I really enjoy wandering the streets of.

Just like wild spaces have a spirit to them, I believe some urban spaces do too. Perhaps something of the history and culture of a place seeps from the pavements up into your feet?

I suppose the extra pull of Oxford for me is how much time Professor Tolkien spent here.

I love the architecture. I have had the privilege of visiting Oxford in the summer and in the winter. There is something magical in the way light changes, reflecting off the buildings, intriguing the senses the way it does in natural places.

And then, of course, there are the happy memories of visiting Oxford with precious family that make the wandering all the more special.

These pics are of a January day enjoying a wander through the quiet, chilly streets of the “City of Dreaming Spires”.

Wanderings Day 13

Off to the UK today… the city of Bath specifically. Spent an excellent New Year’s there a few years ago.

We wandered the streets in the wintery rain. Still all the lights from Christmas so a definite magical quality to our wanderings. A Sally Lunn bun and tea at Sally Lunn’s Eating House 1680.

Delicious history and interesting architecture.

And, of course, a visit to the Jane Austen Centre.

Fabulous portrayals of Austen’s male characters on screen – two Mr Darcys, a Mr Knightley and, my favourite, Colonel Brandon.