Posts Tagged ‘history’
Berkhamsted Castle – A Little Of Its History
December 20, 2010
The exact origin of Berkhamsted Castle is unclear. It was almost certainly built by Robert, Count of Mortain and Earl of Cornwall, who was the half-brother of King William I. Robert prospered from the Norman Conquest in 1066 and grew even more rich during the following years.
However, his son made a big slip-up by backing Robert of Normandy against King Henry I. Henry confiscated the castle and its grounds and put it up for rent. A number of wealthy families rented it from time to time, one of whom was Thomas Becket.
Berkhamsted Castle is of the classic style for its age in that it is a motte and bailey castle. The motte is a tall conical rise of earth on which would stand the last line of defence, the keep. Two ditches surround the bailey with a rampart in between. The ditches may or may not have been full of water.
The motte and bailey and its keep were the ancient equivalent of a modern strong or safe room. If the outer concentric walls of the castle were breached, the family occupying the castle and their most trusted soldiers would flee into the keep and lift up the drawbridge. Any would-be attackers now had to approach across open ground, in effect a killing field.
Then the invaders would have to cross a ditch or a moat under heavy fire, climb over a rampart and swim another moat. If they got that far they would face a sheer keep wall with no windows doors or toe-holds while a withering shower of rocks and arrows poured down upon them from a great height.
The keep at Berkhamsted Castle has been taken away quite some time ago. It has to be remembered that castles were symbols of foreign oppression and were fiercely hated by the indigenous locals. The first castles or forts really were Roman; then came, Saxon forts and castles and finally Norman castles – all owned by marauding foreigners.
So once a castle was destroyed or badly damaged, it was not unusual for the locals to pillage the ruins in order to build a new cottage for their family or a new cowshed for their livestock. It was easier to steal the rocks from the rundown castle than quarry them themselves. So, the original rocks that made up Berkhamsted Castle are almost certainly to be discovered under centuries of plaster in the near-by local farmhouses.
Having said that, there are still parts of the original flint wall from the era of Thomas Becket’s occupancy of the castle. The pieces of stone were probably too small to be worth pinching.
The remains of three semi-circular towers flank this wall which ran from the motte to the bailey. They too lie in ruins although the foundations show what they were. There are also the ruins of a barbican at the north end of the bailey.
There are hundreds, if not thousands of castles in the United Kingdom. Most of them are in ruins but some are very well conserved and some are even still lived in, like Windsor Castle for example.
Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on several subjects, but is now concerned with the bouncy castles for sale. If you would like to know more, please visit our web site at Bouncy House Rentals
One Day In The Area Close to Ypres
December 19, 2010
Brandhoek Cemetery is the place where Captain Noel Chavasse was laid to rest. Captain Chavasse is one of just three men to have been granted Britain’s top medal for bravery, the Victoria Cross. In addition, he was also accorded the Military Cross. I’m presently reading a book entitled “In Foreign Fields” by Dan Collins and it is about troops who have been granted medals in Afghanistan and Iraq. When you realise exactly what a soldier needed to achieve in order to be accorded an MC, it truly makes you comprehend what a bold man Capt Chavasse was especially as he was a member of the Royal Medical Corps and never fired a shot during the war.
My next stop was near to the village of Passchendaele at the biggest British Military Cemetery at Tynecot. About 12,000 soldiers lie buried here. From Tynecot, you’re able to see for several miles everywhere across fields and it seems difficult to think about the horror that had been there 90 years ago. The visitors centre provides a historical past of the vicinity and the names of a number of the fallen and missing are sent out restfully over audio speakers.
From Tynecot, I started to head back on the way to Ypres stopping at Hill 61 (Sanctuary Wood) en route. There is a modest museum and a few preserved trenches . In the course of my visit, the weather conditions wasn’t kind and while it had been nothing like as terrible as conditions would have been for the duration of World War I, the bottom of the trenches still looked pretty horrible. It cost a couple of Euros to get in and this was the initial spot I really started to discover the effects of the notorious mud.
My next supposed stop was the Hooge Crater. As previously in the day, I had a hard time trying to find it but I saw a modest independent museum called the Hooge Crater Museum which had a fascinating assortment of artefacts such as a British Ambulance and a Victoria Cross. My sightseeing for the day was not over as I still had to check out the well known Cloth Hall that was almost ruined (since fully rebuilt) as well as the Last Post ceremony and that is carried out at 8pm each and every night at the Menin Gate. I always find the Last Post really haunting and moving to hear. Soon after it was finished, 2 wreaths were placed by young British troopers and was followed by a recital from Laurence Binyon’s “For The Fallen”
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
The key part of most visits to Ypres is the Last Post at the Menin Gate every evening at 8pm.
Past Events Made From Wood
November 3, 2010
Hoquiam town has a rich and glorious history and all of it built from the lumber of ancient forest that surrounds the entire area of Grays Harbor. Nothing that was planned, started, built or invested in that was not directly connected to or indirectly related to the lumber and shingles industry. From the very moment the first white settlers decided that it was to be their camp in the 1850′s they knew that they were there to stay and stay they did.
In the mid 1800′s white settlers began logging the rich timber forest of the Grays Harbor area, settling and establishing small intermittent logging camps all around the watershed and inner forest. Hoquiam which was probably not yet Hoquiam as we can imagine was an area near the river that made it the focal point of early logging operations, because in those earlier days logs were floated down the river in great log jams to be processed in saw mills that expediently were located near the rivers banks. Surprisingly, even nature itself demonstrated without much modesty the apparent richness of timber in the surrounding forest, since the early occupants of the area the Native Americans already called the river Hoquiam, which literally meant “Hungry for wood”.
It was just a matter of time for other people who wanted to cash in on the abundance of commercially viable forest and in just a few years a large number of saw mills were busily processing wood into their hungry jaws, making Hoquiam a good employment center and business opportunity for those who wanted to provide goods and services to the lumber men and their families who continually poured in to work in the mills and in the logging camps. Some men went in with big capital like Robert and Joseph Lytle who set up the Hoquiam Lumber and Shingle Company in 1902. By 1906 the Lytle brothers ran of the world’s largest cedar shingle manufacturing company. A year later the lumber requirements of the then Northern Pacific Railroad Company brought forth the establishment of the Grays Harbor Lumber Company who made it its business to have a steady supply of lumber for its railroad projects.
In Hoquiam’s logging town history no other family was as rich and as influential as the Polson Family, led by the venerable Alex Polson; their operations spanned dozens of logging and construction camps all over the Grays Harbor area, they owned and operated two sawmills, a large shingle mill and two stately mansions one of which still stands today as a museum and a national heritage site. The Polson operations produce 300 million feet of lumber annually. The family settled in Hoquiam in 1882.
In 1891, the Lytle brothers Joseph and Robert joined their interest with the Polson Brothers Logging Company, which 12 years later after joining again with another big player the Merill and Ring Corporation was established as the Polson Logging Company, a true industrial giant of that era.
Aside from the big logging firms and exporters that swayed influence all over Grays Harbor, 300 or more family owned logging interest and smaller companies made their living from lumber and wood manufacturing and many hundreds of other enterprises existed, made profit or just survived on the other smaller businesses and enterprises that supported the logging operations and the essential and leisure needs of the loggers themselves. This menagerie of people and business help to form Hoquiam’s identity and soul.
Logging gave birth, sustained and established the town of Hoquiam. The people because of the usual influx of visitors and outsiders being employed by the lumber industry became a very accommodating and affable bunch. Most of the present residents can trace their roots from entrepreneurs, mill and logging workers who were employed by the many logging businesses. Present life in Hoquiam was dictated by the lumber business and how people interacted with each other in the everyday goings on in the lumber camps and town. The rich history and proud heritage of Hoquiam is sourced from these courageous and tenacious men and women who were led by the lumber barons of yesteryear. It is this same tenacity and courage that drives present day Hoquiam to face its future in the years ahead.
Find out extra about Wade Entezar.
Locating Suitable Tropical North Accommodations For Your Upcoming Vacation
October 25, 2010
Traveling to the exciting Tropical North Queensland can be a real adventure. Whether you’re looking for a fun place to take a romantic holiday or an all inclusive family vacation you are going to be pleasantly surprised by all this region has to provide you and your whole party.
It is after all one of the hottest holiday destinations throughout Australia. Perhaps it is so popular because of all the beautiful rooms and tourist attractions or maybe it’s just the natural wonder and beauty that attracts people from around the world. One thing is certain, it is an incredible place to visit, but the selection of accommodation for this holiday can be a nice little difficult. If there are many beautiful places to stay, you want to make sure you select the accommodations that suit what you are looking to both prices and also by the style. When planning your stay NQT consider these factors before choosing your accommodations.
1. STYLE OF ACCOMMODATION – With such a variety of places to stay you really need to decide the experience you want to have. You can choose between staying in camping outdoors, rooming together experience at backpacker hostels, or five-star luxury resort where you will be spoiled and pampered. No matter what you’re looking for the experience you can have in the tropical North.
2. PLACE OF LODGING – It ‘s always important to choose a central location when traveling on vacation. The closer you are to all the things you want to see and do you have more fun. In the northern tropical region is even more important to make sure you choose a central location for your stay. Even if you rent a vehicle, it is important to choose a place that is close to major roads for easy access to area attractions, that is unless you are looking for a romantic getaway or a vacation spa where you plan to Do not go outside much.
3. THE PRICE- of course, price will be a problem, but with such a variety of different accommodations to choose from you will surely find a place to stay, no matter what your budget. Definitely shop around as the hotels prices even higher in the area offer many specials and discounts in low season and especially since the climate in this region is beautiful all year round you will find an incredible vacation spot to visit if you do not care travel.
There are numerous queensland hotels for you to choose when planning a trip to TNQ. You can go to tropicalnorthqueensland.com.au to find the cairns accommodation that is most suited for your vacation requirements.
Cottage Rentals
June 17, 2010
Most people look forward to going away on holiday and a lot of people like to make complex plans and bookings. After all you usually have to make allowances for flights and hotels. However, there can also be car, sightseeing and bicycle bookings too, depending on the type of vacation you want.
Instead of a hotel, you might want to think about renting a private cottage. Cottage rentals are a good alternative to a hotel or guest house. In general, cottage holidays are self-catering, so you would have to be ready to put in a little more work than if you went on an all-inclusive hotel stay. A small cottage on the coast in an isolated setting would suit many people, but a holiday cottage on the coast might be better for others.
If you choose the right spot, you can have whatever type of cottage you want. Go to the coast if you like sailing or snorkeling. A coastal resort location would offer more night life most likely. If you want a quieter fishing vacation with canoing or boating, a quiet lakeside hideaway would be more fitting. Then there are mountain huts and several other levels of solitude and nightlife too.
If you would like to visit museums and other touristic sights, you should select a location near an appropriate city. It just means a little forward planning and consideration.
We live in Wales and there are thousands of rental cottages of all types in all manner of locations. If you have a big family, you could hire several cottages close to each there and live in a kind of old fashioned community. There are also modern camps like ‘Center Parcs’ which have hundreds of very modern cottages in small groups of four or five so that families or friends can stay in a group together.
These modern cottages are very plush, with Jacuzzis, swirl baths, large flat screen televisions and all manner of entertainment equipment and satellite TV. The cottages are set in acres of woodland and wildlife is everywhere. There are deer, badgers, foxes, squirrels and dozens of types of birds including kingfishers, geese, ducks and swans.
The swimming pools are completely heated and go inside and outside into the woods, so that even in the middle of winter you remain warm. There is also archery, boating and hiking with many courses of differing hardship to follow. It is great to walk in the woods knowing that you cannot get lost with animals around every corner.
The wildlife is used to human company, so much or it is not scared and they come right up to you if you stop for a picnic. These holidays are not so cheap as going to a self-catering private holiday, but they are safe, particularly for young families.
You can come across cottage rentals through a travel agent, but you can also find them by searching in your local newspaper. These are some of the best finds because the cottages might be only a few hours drive away, but that is remote enough to make a big change. You do not really need to get on a plane to have a great holiday with a difference.
Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with the rental of Welsh coastal cottages. If you are interested in a cottage or Wales in general, please go to our website at Welsh Products Online
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with Welsh love spoons, or Wales in general, go to our website at Welsh Products Online
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Tropical North Is Home To The World Most Amazing Wonders
June 8, 2010
The Great Barrier Reef is considered one of the most amazing sights to see in the entire world. Found in the Tropical North Queensland area of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is a World Heritage listed land and an incredibly favorite traveler attraction. One of the most fantastic elements about this spot is the coral that lines the reef and dates back roughly five-hundred-thousand years. Experts believe that the current day reef is actually a fragment of the original, which formed over 18,000,000 years ago and is in fact development that occurred over the original reef, started at some point around the ice age.
The Great Barrier Reef isn’t only famous for its attractiveness, but also for the various creatures that live beneath in the waters below. Many unique creatures claim this water, just off the coast, home; including the Dudong which is regarded as being an ancestor of the present day elephant, but is a marine creature which is categorized uniquely marine animal that’s a mammal. Several of the creatures that can be found in these waters have been classified endangered and it’s therefore extremely important to be very respectful of the reef and surrounding waters.
The worlds largest coral reef in existence today, the Great Barrier consists of approximately 890 islands and approximately 3,000 different coral reefs. It’s a structure that is so vast that it could in fact be looked upon by spaceships from outer space.
Many divers go under for a more up close look at the reef along with the creatures that live here each day. You are able to bring your personal equipment or rent some if you’d prefer when you arrive. You may not, however, take anything from the reef. It is a respected national property and harming it or stealing from it, in any manner is a punishable charge.
The Great Barrier Reef, inside the Tropical North Queensland, is by far certainly one of the most amazing sights that a person will ever experience in a lifetime. Be advised if you’re planning to go to this region that boat tours of this region are booked well in advance so you really should schedule one prior to arriving in the Queensland. It is necessary because the number of boats, in the water, must be limited due to the increase in tourism to the region and the hazards that tourists present to the natural environment of the reef.
There are numerous palm cove hotels for you to choose when planning a trip to TNQ. You can go to www.tropicalnorthqueensland.com.au to find the palm cove accommodation that is most suited for your vacation requirements.
Solid Tips For Choosing Quality Xian Hotels And Accommodation
May 25, 2010
There are many things to consider when you are booking a trip. The place you will stay, is a big part of that decision making. Tips for choosing your Xian hotel accommodation might include things like; the price, location and what amenities are available. With a little planning, you can truly have the kind of trip you always imagined.
Everyone has different needs and that is why it is important to be selective when you are picking good Xian hotels. It is common for people to get more than what they were expecting when vacationing and booking apartments. Some places will offer extra incentives to help keep you happy. Some may provide tea and coffee as a sign of hospitality to guests, others may give out cell phones for your convenience and help you get around by providing some transportation for you.
Check for pictures of the possible apartments you might be staying in. When you take a look at the posted photos, you might get a good idea if you would like to stay there or not. Ensure that there is a kitchen for cooking and a quiet area for you to rest. Decide if the decorating and space in the Xian hotel will suit your taste.
If you are booking your stay online, you might want to think about paying for your lodging when you arrive at your destination. Many people pay before they even leave home and find that it doesn’t work out when they actually get to where they are going. For the safest way to travel, you should find a place that is willing to accept payment upon arrival.
When you book your stay, look for things that you can do near by. It is useful if there are mountains to explore, swimming areas and trails to walk along. The Xian hotel might give you some ideas for sight seeing around the unit. They might also have some activities that are provided for you.
What historic sights will you visit? It is common for apartment renting places to help you plan trips and set up day trips to see historic places. When you check out the website of the place you will be staying, they might have some events posted that you can sign up for. It is very helpful to have someone from Xian who can book trips based on personal experience.
Great customer service should be offered where ever you stay. When you are on the internet looking for Xian Hotels, you can tell how the management is operating based on the tone of the website. If they sound friendly and eager to please, then chances are when you arrive for your stay, you wont be disappointed.
When you have booked the ultimate vacation, you will feel excited about all that you will do. Tips for choosing your Xian hotel accommodation will help you plan a great holiday. The right apartment can have you enjoying your holiday even more than you thought.
The author is manager of Hq Guest house – a new breed of Xian hotels . With a central location, the hotels in Xian are convenient for long or short term stays in Xian. Visit the Uber Article Directory to get a totally unique version of this article for reprint.
Queensland: Home Of The Rainforests
May 24, 2010
The most incredible natural adventure awaits you in this quiet corner of the world. Some of the worlds most incredible natural rainforests lie in and around the coast of the Queensland . A tribute to nature that is filled with flora and fauna, what better place to learn and explore than in one of natures own natural museums.
There is a rain forest that is said to be over a hundred million years old, and exists in Queensland Australia. This rain forest is the home to many native Australian creatures from the cute and cuddly koala bears to beautifully breathtaking tropical birds. All of these creatures can be observed, while walking along a boardwalk. This is to ensure that there is minimal distraction to the animals in their natural habitat, as well as to preserve the habitat itself.
Guided tours are available during the day, and there are even evening tours that allow you to see the nocturnal animals as well. You choice in tours include a walking tour, safari drive or river cruise. The river cruise tour gives you the added bonus of observing crocodiles while they lay in the sun.
This region provides so many different things to see and do with picnic spots, beautiful beaches and some of the most incredible natural surroundings that remain relatively untouched by man; this area is truly paradise on Earth. Scattered throughout the beautiful rainforest you will find deluxe accommodations that offer you all the rest and relaxation of this peaceful natural setting and all the luxury that only the best hotels will offer.
Choose from a variety of accommodations including cabins, beachfront home rentals, as well as bungalows, five star hotels, and secluded resorts. No matter what your passion, you will find accommodations in this region that serve any taste and just about any budget. A beautiful resort area, there has been a lot of effort spent in creating an incredible place for people to visit and explore the wonders of the tropical rainforests, while preserving it for the natural habitat that it should be. The rainforests of Tropical North Queensland truly provide vacationers with the best of both worlds.
There are numerous palm cove hotels for you to choose when planning a visit to TNQ. You can go to www.tropicalnorthqueensland.com.au to find the palm cove accommodation that is most suited for your vacation requirements.
Planning The Perfect Tropical North Queensland Holiday
May 15, 2010
When you are planning a vacation, it is best to utilize all available resources, in order to gain the best vacation experience. Although there are not many resources available for most vacation destinations, this is not a problem when you decide to visit the Tropical North Queensland region of Australia. In fact there are so many resources available, you will probably not be able to check every one of them out.
Many often turn to a travel agent, or browse the web for some information on the area that they are choosing to visit. Although these are great resources, you should not plan your vacation solely on the information that you receive. The information that you receive from a broker on the internet is typically basis on popularity, therefore you will not get a clear view of the region, unless you conduct some extensive resource.
In addition to working with a travel agent or researching information on the internet, there are other great ways to obtain information on the area you are choosing to visit. To start with you can contact various areas and request brochures. Then there are internet newsletters and podcasts that will offer you all the information you need to find activities that you can enjoy on your vacation.
Another excellent idea, which will aid you in finding out what will be happening during your visit is through the local papers or internet videos on the region. When you are visiting Tropical North this is one of the most helpful resources you will find. There are so many fabulous experiences for you to encounter on your visit, however it is often to easy to overlook the smaller attractions when you are researching online.
Try to research each area of the Tropical North Queensland region by itself as well to help you narrow down your research and this will most likely provide you with more comprehensive results. It is likely that you will get more detailed information about this region when researching the different sub regions of the Tropical North Queensland which will allow you to not only choose the best holiday accommodations but will also allow you to find those smaller attractions that may provide you with a more pleasing vacation experience.
If you are shopping for a decent palm cove accommodation at a great price, visit tropicalnorthqueensland.com.au. You will find the best palm cove hotels available for your stay.
All You Need To Know About Making Your Trip Affordable
May 11, 2010
There are a lot of places that you can see when you go to the the Tropical North Queensland region of Australia. Since everyone wants to find great deals when they travel, and some are better than other people at shopping for deals online, for traveling, here are some tips.
Shopping for a package deal is the way to go. If you need a great deal on airfare and a hotel you should do it together and they will offer you discounts on both usually. You can do them one on one and book your hotel and then look for flights or the other way around but you will end up spending more.
The nice thing about this location is that for package deals you are able to choose your hotel and your flight. Sometimes you pick one and then you get the other and you can’t choose but here you are able to make decisions on both of them.
A great aspect of this kind of deal is that they involve many of the best companies in the world and largest hotel chains, and when you are trying to choose accommodations from afar you want to know that what you are seeing online is what you will find when you arrive.Also you have time to find deals on a rental car if you need one and they often provide you with coupons or at the very least, direct you to a reliable agency.
You can obviously also try to book your trip to Tropical North Queensland alone and not to a package deal, but I think you will find that you will save money doing it this way. You will find great package deals with round trip airfare and 5 to 7 day stays that will cost you only about 1800 to 3000 dollars on average and you will also get advice from people who know the area well.
cairns hotels might be difficult to figure out with out much knowledge of the vicinity. Visit www.tropicalnorthqueensland.com.au to get help with tnq accommodation as well as information on the vicinity.