Header Issues

The header photo and the one above are photos from my first UK trip when I walked the Cotswolds area. They post properly. When I try to use one of my photos from my BC trip in the header it only goes 2/3rds of the way across. I tried a number of photos with the same result. Blogger is giving me a headache.

If anyone knows why (is it because I've done some editing to my BC photos (cropping, straightening etc)? please let me know.  Grrrrr! Anyhoo until I figure it out I'll be keeping my old header photo. It shows me swapping out suitcases when my pink/black flowery case had its wheels broken during the flight from Toronto to Halifax. Haven't even left the country yet and I'm spending $100+ on a new suitcase.

The photo in this post (previous old header photo) shows me taking a breather while wandering the streets around Piccadilly Station waiting for my train to Moreton on Marsh. I stowed my suitcase in one of those places that charges an arm and a leg for the service. It was worth it so I could see a little of London with just a big fat purse and a stuffed backpack! I've learned a lot since that little adventure :)

Here's the photo I tried to post as my header:
Is that not an amazing reflection? I take no credit - all credit goes to the creator!  And to the person working for the Dep't of Transportation who was smart enough to put a pull-off spot just there :) Of which there are not nearly enough!!

York and Heading Home

 Today, my last full day in York, was my shopping day. Not that I bought a lot. I purchased a couple of tops in Fatface - I really liked this store and wish it wasn't only in the UK. I also bought a couple of things in H&M. Overall I was really quite restrained. I bought some English toffee which almost didn't make it home and a big 1.4 litre bottle of scotch when I got to the duty free store which I am still enjoying - and that was it. Oh, and a book which will be a Christmas present.

It was a day for exploring several snickleways...

and saying goodbye to the ever present and awe inspiring Yorkminster.

 I focussed on architectural features that caught my attention and interesting details like Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and drama...

 ...a cat climbing a brick wall...

 ...a whale spouting off up on another wall...

...found this bit of sensible philosophy in a window of metal wall signs: Life is like riding a bike, to keep your balance you must keep moving! (attributed to Albert Einstein) I liked the message - YES, I'll keep moving!

 This lovely fellow was above the entrance of a very deluxe old theatre. What does he see that is upsetting him so?

The inevitable "reflection" photos...

 I explored a few more churches... this one was really old and needed a lot of work - a fundraising campaign was in progress...

Pew boxes!

The carvings were quite primitive...

 I ate my lunch in the beautiful and peaceful churchyard...

This older gent had some music playing and he danced his way into our pockets hearts!

...the old and the new...

This photo has a postcard feel to it...

I could live here - a huge house on the river with my own tower ruins! Perfection!

The signs of fall are everywhere...

 While I leaned over a bridge I took a few photos of people enjoying the final remnants of the sun...

 The sun still reaches the cathedral but the narrow streets are getting darker.

Goodbye to the old city and the River Ouse - it's been a wonderful visit! 

Goodbye Micklegate! My favourite landmark!

And here I am after a quick flight from Manchester to Heathrow, then Heathrow to Toronto.  My daughter was waiting for me and we enjoyed a magnificent sunset as we headed west to London.

Home sweet home! 

PRIDE Parade

I had so much fun interactively watching the annual PRIDE parade here in London last weekend. First of all it was really LOOOOOONG!, well attended and COLOURFUL! There were so many floats, so many people participating and thousands of folks lined up along the parade route. How times have changed...FOR THE BETTER!!

I can remember a time when it was considered dangerous/risky to attend a PRIDE parade or to even be supportive of and friends of LGBTQ people. I can remember riots occurring, people getting into fights and getting injured, even killed. I am so glad this wasn't the case at this year's parade. I saw only one anti-Pride demonstrator and he was dealt with in a kind and humorous way.

London's Chief of Police was the Grand Marshall - a huge step forward from a not so long ago time when police turned a blind eye except when things turned vicious. Now the police force and dozens and dozens of organizations and businesses turn out in force to support and celebrate everyone's uniqueness.

I took almost 200 photos - YIKES - but will share just a few:

While I watched the parade and saw all the children with their parents and grandparents I thought to myself:
"PRIDE has become all about families - isn't that wonderful?"