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Showing posts with the label uk
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Now Back Home In Britain I Had To...... After such an epic, five month long adventure, traveling through Europe and North Africa, I decided that I should become familiar with my own shores. The British Isles are a beautiful collection of islands and I knew nothing about them apart from what I had learnt in my history and geography classes at school. So, now back home in Britain I had to plan another trip. My initial idea was to hitchhike and backpack up to and through Snowdonia and Anglesey, two gorgeous areas of North Wales. An area that always intrigued me…it was calling. Having consulted maps and photographs of the area I decided to head straight into the mountains (and National Park) of Snowdonia. I wanted to camp on Mount Snowdon's slopes, and hike the beautiful valleys at my leisure and for my pleasure. So packing my rucksack, once again I set off. I ‘thumbed’ my way up to North Wales in the space of a day. It was an uneventful trip and eventually I found myself in the tiny v

Afrique

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Afrique ! I’ve been asked to write a little more about my 'escape' from the British Isles, that took place many years ago. As I previously mentioned, I was a 17 year old who needed to get away from the 'woes' of my life. I had decided to embark on a backpacking and hitchhiking trip, across Europe and into North Africa. Now remember, this was in the days before mass tourism, and we were going to a place that was having trouble of its own. North Africa, namely, Morocco, and Algeria were in the throes of Civil wars, that we knew little about....but more on that in another blog. My friend and I (he is also a Rick Steves guide now) had agreed to meet on the outskirts of Bath, our hometown. It was a wet and very windy evening. It was also dark. We laughed at each other as we stood there with our military style backpacks and gear, our wind cheaters on and a bedraggled piece of cardboard in my hands. That piece of cardboard was our secret weapon ! On it was written the one word

My North Wales- Snowdonia Tour

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My North Wales- Snowdonia Tour Wales is a land that continually surprises me. I’ve been heading up there with my small group tours for several years, and I always eagerly anticipate it. The land and seascape is rugged, it’s unforgiving, and yet it’s welcoming. I have developed a 10 day tour that is based in one boutique style hotel in a splendid Victorian seaside town called Llandudno. It’s a perfect base for striking out into the mountains or reaching into the heart of Anglesey. The whole tour came about after a discussion on a hilltop with local legend, tv personality, author and farmer, Gareth Wyn Jones ( he’s also a friend of mine).i wanted to do a regular bus tour of Wales, but also spend time with him and his family, absorbing his culture, lifestyle and Welshness. He wanted to show off his farm, his knowledge and his generosity to more curious people. The discussion turned into a lengthy Welsh whiskey ‘session’, and the tour idea had taken route. Welsh history,

Enjoying A Few Days in Plymouth

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Plymouth Is not the first place you’d think of visiting, if you travel to Britain. It’s a large city that was devastated during the Second World War because of its status as a significant naval seaport. Much of the city that was rebuilt after the war was quite shoddy and unattractive. However...  and I emphasise that word.. HOWEVER, the oldest part of the city survived the blitz and retains a wonderfully atmospheric charm about itself.  The seafront or Hoe, as it’s known, radiates Victorian wealth and power. Tall Victorian hotels and apartments, line the park area that slopes down to the cliffs that overhang the sea. Built into the cliffs are a number of cafes and restaurants that lure you down to enjoy the views at all times of day and night. You may even see a Royal Navy vessel cruising by as it conducts the ‘Defense of the realm’. There are numerous monuments surrounding the park, commemorating the fallen through centuries of warfare, and a mighty fortress called th

Living With The Stones

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Growing up as a boy, I would wander the high cliffs of North Devon in SW England, learning about the flora and the fauna of the area... it’s still a part of whom I am today. However, I was fascinated by the standing stones that dot the area, as well as the numerous ‘hill forts’ and ‘ring forts’ that would be found close to them. The footpaths that I would use, were not footpaths, but ‘ancient trackways’. These simple statements were profound to me. A distinction was being made to me, by parents and teachers, that these things were old and curious, but largely ignored. As I grew up and became more interested in the Ancients, I realised each of these things... the great banks and ditches of the forts, the stones, the paths and even the shape of the fields, around which I walked,... were creations of my ancestors and your ancestors. However, as I studied the subject more, I realised that however important ( or not) that they are today, it does not reflect their importance or eve

Seymour Travels Small Group Tour - Cotswolds

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The Cotswolds - A small group tour. In June of 2021, I shall be leading a very small group of 6-10 people into the heart of a region known as the Cotswolds. It will be a 10 day tour and based in one location in a pretty market town in the heart of the region, Stow on the Wold ( St Edwards in the Marketplace). We’ll enjoy a huge number of activities, which will include visiting some splendid gardens and manor houses,  castles, remains of Roman villas, and good food everywhere. Bring your walking shoes, as we’re also going to strike out into the countryside for some charming country walks. The ‘Cotswolds’, are a charming area and I’m looking forward to enjoying a pint or two withe small group that will accompany me. If you’re interested, contact me through my email address and I’ll send you some more info.

A new site

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We at Afootinfrance have just started a new service for those wishing to enjoy a tour in England or the United Kingdom. Check out the new site at http://afootinbritain.com We are currently working on the site and the tour tariffs, so if you have any input, please let us know.