Boats in the Air & Mythical Beasts

 SONG - Myth - Celtic Music

Heading north from Glasgow to Stirling we had some time to explore before going to our next lodging for the evening. So we took a small detour to the Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies.  But first I have to share with you that it’s our grandson, Charlie’s second birthday today! Not to worry though, we will celebrate when we return home. He is such an enthusiastic and sweet little boy who tries to keep up with his big brother at every turn!

Happy Birthday Sweet Charlie!

Our first stop was the Falkirk Wheel that connects the Forth and Clyde Canals with the Union Canal and is the only rotating boat lift in the world. 

Signage at the site state that it could turn itself with the energy from just 4 teapots because it’s engineered so well and expertly balanced.  They also state that it could hold 100 elephants!

The gate opens up,  asking sure the water levels are the same inside the holding tank as it is in the canal, and the boat glides in. 

The giant gears begin rotating the boat and another holding container full of water & a potential boat above. 

The device raises one boat up and lowers another. 

Once both boats are where they should be the gates go up or down depending on where they are - top or bottom and the gates open to release the boats to sail happily on their way. 

As we were leaving we noticed several narrow boats on another canal. They were beautiful and fun to watch - along with a mama swan on her nest and daddy swan on the lookout. I saw a crow come close and boy did he go after it!

On towards the Kelpies……

The Kelpies are mythical water creatures that can turn into humans.  And they represent the horses in the Scottish culture.  The sculpture was made by Andy Scott and unveiled in 2014.

Just incredible

We then traveled further north to Stirling so Mr. B could do some of his family tree research but after contacting the minister of the town near Stirling, he found out that they didn’t have the records he was looking for nor could he go into the cemetery where his relatives were probably buried due to unsafe conditions (most of the headstones were toppled over).  So since we already had reservations there we decided to visit Stirling Castle and see what else we might take in.

Our home for the next two nights and it looks like something out of Harry Potter, doesn’t it?

“I solemnly swear I’m up to no good”

- Harry Potter

Eagles, Vicars & Swans

 SONG - Fly Like an Eagle by Steve Miller Band

Day 6 - Sunday May 5

Above is Mr. B hamming it up for me in the Bishop’s Gardens in Wells

On Sunday morning it was sputtering rain and crowds in Bath. We had breakfast at The Abbey Deli which was only a block from our hotel and it was where the Modeste clothing shop in Bridgerton (hi Jess) was filmed! 

So we decided to head to Wells and see rain & crowds there!!! We passed beautiful English countryside- green hills, mustard fields, sheep with baby lambs, stone walls & churches, so very relaxing until we hit the narrow single track with hedgerows.  Once parked in Wells under a heavy mist we decided to go to the Cathedral first to give the weather a chance to improve. 

Wells Cathedral

We marveled at the famous scissor arches c1340…..

And the c1390 astronomical clock with the jousting knights that run around every 15 minutes. Not to be missed!

To the right of the clock, and up high on the wall, is a figure that strikes a bell at every quarter which sets off the jousters…..

Wells Starway to Heaven heavily worn by use….

A gargoyle or grotesque sticking out his tongue and according to the Gloucestershire government app…

“ Tongue-poker - Many gargoyles are poking their tongues out and blowing a raspberry. This wasn't rude like today because in medieval times this gesture was used against traitors, heretics and blasphemers”

An ancient door in the undercroft……

A chapel ceiling…….

A miséricorde (divine mercy) which allowed the priest or bishop to rest a bit while still standing - basically a quarter seat…..

We then headed to the Bishop’s Gardens to see the Palace ruins and the famous “Ringing Swans”! I have waited years to see them as I had read about them 8 years ago when we were planning our 2017 trip to the UK. And when we got here I was sad to find out that one had died and the caretaker had moved to the US.  But today they had two healthy swans (Grace & Gabriel) who had just had six cygnets just 3 weeks ago. 

As soon as the guide saw me eyeing the swan in the moat and the bell by the window, he suggested that I wait and he would try to see if he could get the male swan to ring the bell. 

The guide went into the gatehouse and opened the window and wiggled the rope to get the swans attention.  As soon as Gabriel spotted the wiggling rope he swam nearby but waited a bit to pull the rope. Finally he did several times and the guide tossed some food into the water. 

I was ecstatic….Of course 300 pigeons arrived as soon as they heard the bell ringing. They weren’t going to miss out on a free meal!  The second guide told me that he thought mama swan & her babies were just around the corner of the moat after I told him my tale from 7 years ago. So Mr. B and I walked around the croquet lawns and into the gardens.  We also discovered the it was English Civil War Weekend. Mr. B just can’t seem to catch a break from re-enactment entertainment. 

We walked around the “camp” and into the beautifully manicured gardens around the palace & ruins.  So soothing and fascinating to see what plants grow in this environment.  Near a bridge that crossed part of the moat, we found mama swan, Grace and her babies. She looked so protective and proud. 

“Follow Me”

We finished our garden tour and headed to the car park to drive over to our final destination for the day - the Vicars Close. Mr B found a perfect parking spot just behind the cathedral and in front of the Close. 

It is known as “Oldest purely residential street with its original buildings all surviving intact in Europe” completed in 1430.  It has a chapel at one end and a hall at the other with a walkway over the street to the Cathedral. 

When we returned to Bath, we decided to have an early Sunday roast dinner at The Elder. Yum!

It was proper…..

I Hear Bells

Song -  Mission Bell by Donnie Brooks

In 2017 Mr. B and I traveled to England and while there we visited Wells Cathedral and The Bishops Palace.  I was looking forward to seeing the amazing clock in the cathedral and the ringing swans in the garden at the palace.  The swans have been trained since 1850 to ring a bell on the gatehouse when they want to be fed.  Unfortunately for us the the couple who had been working there for the last 25 years had just returned to the United States so the swans were not ringing........

In 2018 the male swan died and the female left with her cygnets so that left the pond empty.  But not for long as the trust received two breeding swans from a rescue in 2019 and they are ringing again!

You can now view Grace & Gabriel on their "swan-cam"

Pacific Flyway

Song - Fragile by Sierra & Chase Eagleson

On Friday a friend and I drove up north to the Sacramento National Wildlife Reserve to celebrate her birthday!  Since we both love birds, we decided several months ago that this would be a perfect treat for both of us.

There was an amazing wildflower bloom going on with snow capped mountains in the background!

Juicy color for my painters eyes.....

The reserve is located between Williams and Willows and took us about two hours to get up there. We stopped at Granzella's in Williams for a picnic lunch to bring to the reserve. A day ticket at the reserve costs $6 which includes a 6-mile Auto Tour.

You drive on a gravel road around the reserve and must stay in your car.  They have several Stop-And-Stretch areas along the loop where you may park and get out.  We were here off-season (Winter is peak) so there wasn't anyone else around - we only spotted one other car there all day.

The Sutter Butte's are in the background in the photo above.

 The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge supports nearly 300 species of birds and has 70,000 acres of wetland, grassland and riparian habitats for these birds, reptiles and mammals.

A Sandpiper looking out over the meadow. Since you have to stay in your car and the road-waterways are surrounded with reeds, sometimes photos were challenging.

My camera kept trying to focus on the reeds instead of the birds!

 I spotted this nest along the gravel road.

 There were a lot of Red Winged Blackbirds happily singing from the various reeds and bushes.

 We spotted this Tundra Swan all alone.  Not sure if she forgot to migrate when all her buddies did but she looked rather lonely.

Then again we hit the Coney Island of the birds refuge!

All types of waterfowl were present - Greater White-fronted geese, Snow Geese, ducks, shovelers, cormorants and various shore birds. 

 But one that I have never seen before was this American Avocet. I love her long curved bill and striking colors. She had a partner in the reeds to play with.

 There was lots of mustard and Queen Anne's Lace to enjoy.......

......as well as thistles which were attracting bees and butterfly's.  

At several points along the loop, I was afraid to continue our journey as there were so many butterfly's surrounding our car - mostly Painted Ladies - I didn't want to hurt them.

 Above is a Cinnamon Teal which is a small duck with his partner.

 Lot's of Canadian Geese and their babies.

 Near the end of our drive I spotted this Snowy Egret with a Great Blue Heron. At first I thought he was just a log but then I saw him move.

 We spotted several Hawks and they usually had smaller birds attacking them in flight. The songbirds are trying to keep the Hawk away from their nests.

One more Great Blue Heron...... 

....and a Snowy Egret peeking at me through the reeds.

We spent about two and a half hours driving the 6-mile loop though later the ranger said that most people do it in about an hour.  But we were happy for the slow drive to enable us to enjoy the birds and flowers.  We leisurely soaked it all in enjoying our day together.

"God comes to each of us in the form we can best perceive Him.  To you, just now, He was a Heron. 

To someone else, He may come as 

a flower or even a breeze."

--Richard Zimler