Travel: Uig, Isle of Skye

From the recent trip to Scottish Highlands, the one sleepy place I really liked is Uig in Isle of Skye. Uig is another harbor town and connects to Tarbert in Isle of Harris with ferry.

'Uig Pier' as seen from 'The Cowshed' 

'The Fairy Glen' 

Uig behind... from ferry, on the way to Tarbert.

Places to Stay: Uig has some really good options to stay at. Uig Hotel, The CowShed and there are few B&Bs can be seen and found. We had a booking for two beds in 'The Cowshed', it is a boutique bunkhouse looking at the Uig Pier. Really a beautiful place to stay at and enjoy. But they don't serve food, so get food along. It is a good place for a bunch of bachelors to party and enjoy.

Address: The Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse, Uig, Isle of Skye, IV51 9YD
Phone: 07917 536 820
Email: bookings@skyecowshed.co.uk

Travel: Roadtrip to Scottish Highlands

Last July, while in London for few days this quick 1500+ miles road trip did happen... and what an amazing trip it was as most of the time was spent in driving. Nothing is pleasure but being on road. Beautiful lake district, open highways, historical cities, drive thru forests, some beautiful lakes, ferries, Scottish highlands, view of Glenfinnan Viaduct (Harry Potter Bridge), staying in some beautiful 'Bread & Breakfast' and 'Bunk Houses'... And many other stuff. Did I forget to mention about the food! And many stunning images... Stay tuned :)

Architecture: Eden Project, Cornwall, UK

Worlds largest 'Green House' and one of the brilliant piece of Architecture that I have seen personally is an absolute pleasant experience, especially to appreciate Architect Nicholas Grimshaw.

Inside two artificial biomes there are plants collected from all over the world are consist of hundreds of hexagonal inflated plastic cells (ETFE: Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) with a superb structural system. The whole project is built inside a reclaimed Kaolinite pit, kaolinite is basically a clay mineral.

Travel: Sandown, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom

On South-East coast of Isle-of-Weight and pretty close to Shanklin is this small town on bay. Popular among tourists as a sea side resort and one among the 7 beaches to fly 'Seaside Award Flag' for clean sandy stretched beach and quality of water.









In one of the previous post I mentioned about 'Isle of Weight'. As it is a small place, you have the flexibility to choose a place to stay, either country side or close to the sea. where ever you are, it hardly takes 10-15 minutes to reach sea shore.

Travel: United Kingdom Coastline

United Kingdom definitely a beautiful country with a variety of landscapes, and the most I loved during my one year stay is it's 'Coast Line'. Being a native from a coastal part of India, my relationship with the sea is bit intimate... but the coastline of UK is really really different when it is compared with Indian sea-shores. The difference lies with the level of violence of the sea, with the type of terrain, the usage (for sports, transportation etc.) and of course the scenery.

This particular photograph is from the biggest Island of United Kingdom, Isle of Weight, A place to visit must if you are there in Queen's Country.

Isle of Wight, United Kingdom

Britain's biggest Island 'Isle of Wight' is famous as a very popular tourist destination since ages. Located on the South coast and in English Channel, this island was home to Queen Victoria. The place is famous for its 60 mile long stunning coast line and many award winning beaches. It also has many historic sites and a variety of tourist attractions for all ages.

The island is well connected with the mainland from various points by regular vehicle ferry and hi-speed passenger ferry service. Portsmouth to Fishbourne is around 8 miles on Sea, so you need to avail the ferry service for the same. There are regular vehicle ferries and hi-speed passenger ferries available from different operators (like Red Funnel, Weight Link etc.). 

Ferry distance from Southampton to Cowes is about 14 miles and it roughly takes 50 minutes.

The Eastern-most point of this island is Bembridge and the Western-most point is Alum Bay or The Needles. This distance is less than 25 miles, so according to me staying in the center of the island in a scenic country side should be fantastic as you can hit any edge of the island in 15-20 minutes.

Places not to be missed: 

1. Beaches (This island has many award winning beaches)

2. The Needles (Old Battery & New Battery)
3. Isle of Weight Zoo for Kids (to see Tiger)
4. Walzing Waters (a musical fountain of its kind)
5. A walk along the cliffs (it is a must but be extremely careful)

Lovely Sandown beach...




Ventnor beach...


The Needles, Alum Bay.


Alum Bay...


Vibrant and interesting cliffs of the island...

Personal Experience:

I personally was traveling from Slough, so choose Southampton to East Cowes just to spend time on ferry a bit longer. It takes 50 minutes+loading and unloading time on a vehicle ferry, if 'm not wrong, it takes some 20 minutes on a hi-speed passenger ferry. The advantage of traveling from Southampton in evening is the beautiful blinking shoreline on both sides for almost 2/3 of the whole route, I personally enjoyed it a lot sitting on the ferry deck with a hot glass of Coffee for the whole 14 miles on Sea. Let me tell you, it was highly windy at that time. Most of the time I was hiding behind the clear glass wind protectors as it was even difficult to walk properly. We choose Red Funnel and booked it online. There are vehicle ferries available in every hour and last ferry is at 12.00 o'clock, the first ferry is also from early morning. You need to check the ferry time online. Another important thing I forgot to add, you can reschedule the ferry timing 30 minutes prior to departure if booked online and the rescheduling charge is nominal (We paid 3 pounds once and we preponed one time for free).

On the way to Southampton ferry terminal...

Selecting the accommodation was quite challenging. This is not there are limited options but every part is so scenic, you would love to see such a site every morning. Much later we realized that, staying at the center of the island in a country side would be great and in 15 minutes one can reach any of the shore. We stayed in a country side almost in the center of the island, some 6-7 miles from Shanklin.

I think the best way to explore this island is by bike, I mean bicycle. To explore the island on bike 7 full days should be fun. And if you are driving then 3-4 days should be enough.

Slough Bus Station

Slough, being a suburb to the City of London is well known as an industrial town. Though it has some good reputation for crime scenes and the same can be felt while walking on streets. Still it is a popular choice to stay over for people who love to call themselves 'Londoner' and can not afford to stay in the Capital town. 13 minutes flat on an express train and you are there, not at all a big deal... The reason, you literally save big digits on renting or buying a flat/house. I personally liked the place to some extent, as I spent some really quality time during my stay in Nottingham. The obvious reasons are my sister, brother-in-law and cute lil niece and their cozy flat just beside the city center. The mention of city center does not mean that I like city center a lot or anything like that, but I stayed inside as long as 7-10 days during last Christmas. Secondly, this place is neither over crowded like London or Birmingham nor sleepy like most of the small towns in the country and also is multicultural with the presence of different ethnic groups. Anyways. 

Recently, the 40+ year old and outdated bus station of the city has been replaced by a  fantastic state of art parametric structure. Designed by London based architectural firm Bblur Architecture, this iconic structure has a cantilevered canopy of 130 meters. With providing shelter to the bus bays and passenger shelter areas this aluminum cladded canopy also houses ticket office, administrative office, driver facilities, waiting rooms, a cafe, new agent and toilets.

Being just beside the City Center, the particular area is the major transport and business hub with the presence of Slough Train Station and a 24hr Tesco Express. There previous was a office complex on the site and the bus station was accommodated under the same, now the whole building has been demolished except a multilevel car park and according to the new master plan, 5 new office towers will be constructed surrounding the place.

The creative design ideas inserted in the project already has shortlisted it for some awards and recognitions. For me it definitely is a contemporary urban sculpture adding an identity to the 'City of Slough'.

West Cowes, Isle of Weight, UK

How does it feel when your backyard opens to sea with a proper blue shade and your private 'Yatch' or a boat or a water scooter is there to show you places!!! Should I mention the Sea Gulls adding some more beauty to the whole scenario?

This lovely scene was framed in 'West Cowes', Isle of Weight, Britain's biggest island and a very popular tourist destination in the European sub-continent for it's unmatchable beauty. Though the island is connected with the main-land at various places with proper vehicle and passenger ferry service, 'East Cowes' and 'West Cowes' are two major points when it comes to accessibility.

Robin Hood statue in Nottingham

Nottingham is also quite famous for the legends of Robin Hood. According to the English folk tales and legendary beliefs he used to stay in Sherwood forest in Nottinghamshire with his followers, known as 'Merry Men'. He also is the most famous and loved hero of British history. This 13th century legend is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil with his attitude of robbing the rich and giving it to poor, at the same time he also was a highly skilled archer and sword man.

Many historians also do question about the existence of Robin Hood and believe it as a fiction.

The Robin Hood statue in Nottingham City was established in 1949 outside the Nottingham Castle. This landscaped plaza has the main statue of Robin Hood at the center and some of his legends inscribed in the Castle walls, showing his glory over the years.





This is one of the top attractions in the Nottingham city and is not at all far from the city center, with hardly a walk of 5-7 minutes. The public plaza id on Castle Street and anyone from city center can guide you to reach the place, or else the nearest popular hub is the oldest pub in England 'Ye Olde Trip to Jeruselum'. To drive you can use the postcode NG1 6EL for the same.
It feels good to spend some time on the plaza or a pint of beer in the pub in front or even a small walk around the castle on the classic paved roads. Don't miss the 'Ye Olde Trip to Jeruselm' also which is just a stone throw away.

Travel Time

The weather is unexpectedly behaving well here in this part of the world and 'm actually surprised for the same even after staying for one LONG year... It is the start of October, in particular, since last 4-5 days the para is preferring to be seated high. The scenario outside ended with topless white people around and me with lots of sweating and even little bit of tanning... lolz. In a serious note, it was too hot, almost made me feeling like Summer is back. This unpredictable thing turned all my ideas and planning on travel, up side down. Last to last week it was raining like anything, and it forced me to start using a pool-over on a regular basis, even one day I used the thick one. Though I cancelled all my travel plans earlier, now seeing the weather and it's forecast, I'll be travelling around the country a bit just to fill the little memory left in my laptop.



Hope to update you soon and to show you a chunk of United Kingdom. Stay Tuned :)

The oldest 'PUB' in United Kingdom

'Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem' in Nottingham claims to be the oldest pub or drinking establishment in England. Being set under the foot of Nottingham Castle and having caves as drinking rooms carved from the soft rock is an interesting place to visit and spend some time. I personally have not visited inside the pub but will do it soon as one need to take an appointment to make a tour to know the place better. Of-course this is not the requirement if you are going there for food and drink but a tour will explain me the place in true sense, so another detailed post on the same will follow soon.

I was trying to find out the history and stories behind this oldest Inn and got to know some real interesting facts about the place, so bit excited to experience it.... Soon :)







ADDRESS:
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
Brewhouse Yard
Nottingham England
NG1 6AD
0115 947 3171

Sunderland, United Kingdom

Among the very few places I traveled here in UK, Sunderland is the place which I liked after Cornwall. Cornwall is vast and famous for it's rocky beaches, but Sunderland got a beautiful stretch of sandy beach with high tide during night hitting the city walls on shore.

Historically a part of Durham County, Sunderland lies in the North-East of England on the mouth of river Wear. It emerged as a small fishing village in the Tenth Century and grew as a port. People from this beautiful city are commonly known as 'Mackem'.

Some photographs to explain the place better...

The 'Marine Drive' and Sea from the wagon... (Don't miss the British breakfast platter :D)


The lovely neat interior of the Wagon...


One extreme edge of the beach...


Sunderland Yatch club...


Rowing...


No dogs during Summer...


Lost...


Step Down...



Travel Information:
Location - Sunderland, 280-300 miles far North of London (Approx. 6-7 hours of drive)