Tuesday, December 24, 2013

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF WILLIAM MARSHAL TOUR

Seasons Greetings everyone.  May I wish all visitors to this blog peace, joy and harmony in their lives now and in the future.

During the Christmas break, I thought I'd post the url to the Footsteps of William Marshal Tour which is going to be taking place in October 2014. - Just in case any of you were planning a break!

The details are self explanatory in the url.  But I've added some photographs taken on the same format tour in October 2012.   It was so enjoyable.  I loved meeting readers and people who were as keen to follow  William Marshal's story as I was, and it was great to visit the places in England where he had lived, including parts of South Wales, which aren't always on the beaten path.
Here's an url to the PDF information. Footsteps of William Marshal Tour 2014
And also an url to ATA travel's website. ATA Travel Footsteps of William Marshal

You don't have to live in the US to take advantage of this tour. It's open to all comers and last time around we had a lovely international community.  We're still in touch now.

Here are a few photos taken from the tour.  I've not included faces (cept one of me)  for privacy reasons, but you can get the gist of the scenery etc.  They're not quite in order due to the nightmare formatting on blogger. This is just a few of the many.  I'd be here all day posting the lot!

All best
Elizabeth x



Stonehenge as we passed on the coach

View from the walls of Old Sarum where William was a frequent
visitor and which he would have known very well as a little boy. This is
'Marshal' country.

Me at Old Sarum. It was one of the few days that it rained.

Banners at Salisbury Cathedral

Ceiling at Salisbury Cathedral

Later period statue at Salisbury but I like it anyway!

The tomb of William Longespee Salisbury Cathedral

Dray horses as we drove through Marlborough


Chepstow Castle - fab weather here!

Manorbier Castle - home of the dreaded Gerald of Wales, chronicler and
contemporary of William Marshal

One of the wonderful misercords from Cartmel Priory.  A mermaild

Tintern Abbey - a magical place.  Burial place of Isabel de Clare, wife
of William Marshal.  Also of their children Mahelt, Walter and Ancel


Whittington Castle

Manorbier against a dramatic sky

The beach at Manorbier

More Tintern Abbey and the two below




PHOTOS FROM THE FOOTSTEPS OF WILLIAM MARSHAL TOUR 2012.

William Marshal's door at Chepstow Castle

Entrance to Cheptstow Castle

Story board at Whittington Castle

Tower of London

Chepstow Castle Again

Feasting still life at Pembroke Castle
My hotel room when we stayed overnight in Wiltshire
Bishops' amethyst and gold rings in the treasury of St. David's South Wales
The effigies of William Marshal and his son in stained glass morning light
at The Temple Church, London.
St. David's, South Wales

Inside the tower at Pembroke Castle


.
View from the hotel balcony at St Bride's Spa  Saundersfoot where we were
 based for our stay in South Wales. Decent weather again!
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7 comments:

Regan Walker said...

Since I won't make the trip in 2014 (perhaps in 2015), I'm saving this post to enjoy as I read the novels (which I just ordered!).

Regan

Shalet Jimmy said...

Lovely....I would have come if it were possible....

Shalet Jimmy said...

Lovely pictures...I would have come if it were possible....

Katarzyna Ogrodnik-Fujcik said...

Happy and Peaceful New Year! But also an eventful one (I look forward to meeting Herry).

Warmest regards,

Kasia Ogrodnik Fujcik

Sian Edwards said...

My husband has bought me the Tour as a birthday present - cannot wait!

I think the photo of the dray horses was taken in Devizes rather than Marlborough - I live close to both and recognise the Wadworths brewery tower in the background! The dray horses are a well known sight around Devizes and are used to deliver the locally brewed beer.
Are there any plans to pass through/visit Bradenstoke,Clyffe Pypard,Rockley - they are all within a few miles of each other between Chippenham and Marlborough. I think there are some ruins still at Bradenstoke and lovely views out across Dauntsey Vale.

Unknown said...

Great idea! I will show this to my husband, it will relieve of remembering my birthday ever again.

Unknown said...

I have just found my dream tour! I have read everything I can get my hands on about William Marshal, I am in love with a dead man! But my consultation is I am married to his 24th Great Grand Son. My husband would never have to remember my birthday ever again if he also got the idea for a birthday present. Thanks Sian for the idea. Kim