Beautiful things

Morning world,

Last night, while I was having a nice rest, I started to think about what to buy my friends and family for Christmas. It's so exciting! I've seen some wonderful things on the internet that I would love to buy.

This jewellery set is so pretty, I'm not sure whether to buy it for my mum or sister. The beautiful bowes will suit them both. Decisions, decisions...

It's been reduced to £10, so maybe I could buy it for them both...

Bows from ASDA

My friends in the North

Wow! What a lot of snow! I love it - this holiday keeps getting better! I've had a great time wandering around meeting lots of other snowmen in the north, they're all so friendly.

I've been reading Nicholas Nickleby since arriving at my carrot, because some of the story is set here. Apparently Dickens took inspiration from a local academy for Dotheboys Hall, which is pretty impressive. I wonder what this place was like while Dickens stayed here...

I will have a walk down the old academy later today and see what it's like. I want to enjoy the cold weather while it lasts.

Dotheboys Hall by Gruenemann

Snow, glorious snow

Hello world,

I'm really loving this weather - it's been so cold and snowy. It's just perfect for a snowman like me. Apparently there hasn't been snow this bad in November for 17 years - but I just wish it would snow all year!

I've looked at my route around the UK (you can see my map by clicking here) and it looks like most of the places I visited have had snow.

This picture was taken near where I'm staying at the moment. I hope the snow is as deep this year!

Spennymoor by dmje

Watching the Silver Swan

I'm at the local museum today. It's a huge place in a stunning stately home - very impressive.

The Silver Swan is very cool. It is a beautiful mechanical bird, made entirely of silver. It even moves like a real swan, eating fish and swimming. Not only that, but it's really old - it was made in 1773/74, which is absolutely incredible - the museum restored it a couple of years ago. I could have watched it all day.

The museum also has a huge collections full of archaeology, fashion and fine art. I think I'll probably be able to spend all day here, although I might have to go outside if it snows!

The Silver Swan - David Matthew Parker

Let it snow...

Whoopee!

I saw a whole load of otters today - they were having a great time, playing in the river and eating fish! The North Pennines Wildlife Reserve is a great place to visit - I also saw some reindeer, just like Rudie. I wish I could be more majestic.

It's turned much colder in the UK today - perfect for me! I've heard that weather warnings have been issued for the east because snow is likely. Yippee!

How cool is the jumper below? It'd look so nice in the cold weather.

A very seasonable jumper

Relaxed and refreshed

Hello readers,

This is just a quick note to let you know what I've been up to since arriving at The Carrot.

I've had some very relaxing walks around the countryside during the day time and have spent the evenings resting. It's been lovely to go at my own pace, not rushing around trying to see everything (every time I look at the map I'm stunned by how far I have been).

I think I will to go to the North Pennines Wildlife Reserve tomorrow, which is home to otters, reindeer and wild birds. Luckily the reserve's very close to where I'm staying, so I can get there easily. I have never seen an otter up close before and I'm really looking forward to it.

There are also some nice shops around here, so I will have to check them out and see what they have to buy. That should keep me occupied for a couple of days at least.

I will blog again soon.

An otter by law_kevin

My carrot

I am thoroughly exhausted. I've had a wonderful time, but need a rest.

All the travelling has really taken it out of me. I have covered hundreds of miles as I made my way around this small island, but now I need to chill.

I've seen so many marvellous things and met so friendly people - what's not to like about Great Britain?

Blimey, the seasons have certainly changed too - does the UK get snow often?

Well, I've made it to my final destination. I'm still in County Durham, England. There are so many things to do here, I won't get bored.

See a map of where I have been by clicking here.

Castle near my carrot - by Fearless Punter

Winding down in Durham

Good morning world!

I am in Durham today and I'm really glad I stopped by. It's so beautiful - the sort of place you imagine when you think about visiting England.

It's a very old city - the Cathedral dates back to 1093 - and all of the streets are twisty and turny, with cosy tea rooms and gift shops. It must look like a Christmas card here when it snows!

I think I will have a relaxing day in Durham, so that I can start unwinding and getting into the holiday spirit. I want to make the most of my time at the carrot!

Speak to you tomorrow,
S
x

Durham Cathedral by ajclarkson

Eyes on the map

Woo hoo! I'm only a couple of days away from my holiday now.

I really need a rest - all of this travelling has made me tired! I've just had a look at the map, and it looks like a dot-to-dot drawing. Even my last stop is part of the picture!

I did visit Carlisle, as planned, yesterday. It's a lovely place - the locals are very friendly and helped me to find my way around. They even recommended some good places for me to go, like the Cathdral and Citadel.

I hope the people of Penrith are as welcoming. I really want to see the Henge that's there. It's known as King Arthur's Table and dates from around 2,000 BC. I missed Stonehenge on my travels, so hopefully I will see this one instead.

After that, I'll probably head into the Eden Valley for some country air - I have spent too much time in towns this week, so I'd like to have a walk in the country.

Mayburgh henge, next to King Arthur's Table,
by Le Petit Poulailler

Beautiful Blackpool

I'm so glad I stopped off in Blackpool. It's one of the coolest places I've ever been - even though the Illuminations have been switched off for the winter. I think I'll come back next year when they've been switched on.

While walking along the seafront I stopped and bought Santa a stick of rock. He does like his sweets, so I thought I would put it in his stocking on Christmas Eve! I wonder how they get the word Blackpool running through it...

I also met a nice donkey on the beach, but I think he was only friendly because he wanted to get close enough to eat my nose. It's a bit upsetting really.

On my way to Carlisle in Cumbria now. I have to keep my map right in front of my carrot to remind myself where I'm going. I have it all marked out to make sure that I get to my end destination and well-deserved holiday.

Best be off - I will report back here tomorrow.

Blackpool Illuminations by Henry Brett

Adventures in Lancashire

Happy Monday everyone!

This weekend has been great fun - I spent all of Saturday with my cousins Simon and Sarah, enjoying the sights and sounds of Aberystwyth, before going to Bangor on Sunday. I didn't stop there for too long though, because I don't want to mess up my plans: I have places to be!

This morning I arrived back in England. My first stop is going to be Preston, which seems to be quite a big town, with hundreds of shops. I am going to have a mooch around before going to Blackpool this afternoon. I want to visit as many places as I can before my holiday and I've heard that Blackpool is pretty amazing.

Oh, on the way here I crossed the River Ribble, which made me smile. It's such a nice name - it just trips off your tongue. Check out this is an amazing picture I found online:

River Ribble by Will Gallear

Making friends in Aberystwyth

Long journey again yesterday, but I'm in Wales now! I've visited three countries in the last few weeks. I feel so well travelled!

My Mum said that if I was ever in Wales I should stop off in Aberystwyth and meet up with some of my cousins, because I've never met them before. Luckily they weren't too difficult to find, so I haven't taken too much of a detour. They live in a forest on the Hafod Estate, which is very picturesque at this time of year.

Simon and Sarah are both very nice. We have so much in common - it's weird because we haven't been in touch. They showed me all around the forest, which has been a nice break from town. Later they're going to introduce me to their friends.

I would like them to come with me on my holiday, to the carrot at the end of my trip, but they're so busy. I guess I will just have to carry on alone...

Haford, Aberystwyth - GanMed64

Ambling around the Isle of Wight

I was so busy yesterday: I've managed to get all the way from Norwich to the Isle of Wight. I travelled down through the Fens, Colchester and Southend before going round London and heading for Portsmouth. The crossing to the Isle of Wight was a bit choppy though and it made me feel seasick - I'm very glad to be back on solid ground.

Although the weather's rubbish, I'm going to try to make the best of it. I'm currently in Cowes, having a wander around. There is a four day regatta here every year, which explains why there are so many expensive boats in the harbour.

All this traveling is making me tired. I'm starting to look forward to a rest at the end of my trip. I think I'll read Nicholas Nickleby when I get there, because some of it's set near my hotel.

The sea was just like this when I crossed - picture by Treehouse 1977

A fine city

I've been wandering around aimlessly for quite some time now, so I've planned out a route for the rest of my trip. It will take me around most of the UK looking for Jim, so hopefully I'll find him. When I get to the end of the trip, I will have a nice relaxing holiday somewhere too.

Today I'm in Norwich. There is a road sign as you get near that says 'Welcome to Norwich, a fine city'. And the sign wasn't lying - it is a fine city. I've already been to the Forum, which is amazing. It's a huge glass building in the middle of town. I've never seen anything like it before.


It'd be great to take a look around the whole city, but I doubt I'll  have time. Maybe I'll just have a look around the market this afternoon...

The Forum by .Martin.

Moving on

Deary me, what a dreary day? It's been so windy and dark!

I had a great weekend though, watching all of the firework displays. There are so many different types and colours. It's amazing!

Over the weekend I also decided to travel to Scarborough. I will never find Jim the Carpenter by staying in Alnwick, so I thought I should move on.

I'm heading for Scarborough now, because it seems to have a fair few things to do - a castle, a beach, a light house and some shops. It means there will be plenty for me to do, even if I don't find Jim.

North Bay, Scarborough, by Gidzy

Happy Guy Fawkes Night

I've noticed that there have been fireworks going off all over the place in the last few nights. Big, bright colourful ones, fizzing catherine wheels and noisy rockets...

I've looked online and discovered that tonight is Guy Fawkes Night in the UK. People let off fireworks to celebrate the failure of a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament. That's a pretty cool thing to celebrate!

It'd be fun to go to a proper firework display, but I won't be able to get close to the bonfire because I might melt in the heat. Being a snowman is such a pain.

Fireworks by Glen Bowman

Travelling around Europe

I've discovered that I don't just have to buy things, I can use my money to buy experiences too; I could go to a Christmas market in Europe!

It's so cool. I could travel all around the continent searching for gifts, drinking mulled wine and eating mince pies all day. It sounds perfect!

I love Christmas so much - I'm feeling festive already! Only 51 days to go!

Christkindlmarkt in Vienna, by Charley 1965

Lights, camera, action

I'm going to England!

I left Edinburgh yesterday, heading south. I've had a look round on the internet and think that my first stop should be Alnwick Castle in Northumberland.

Parts of the Castle were built in 1096, so there's plenty of history to find out about. I could buy a bow and arrow from the gift shop and pretend to be a knight or a dragon slayer. The website also says that the castle has been used as a film set and is Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. How cool is that?

I'll probably have a look around the market in Alnwick too - I do love to shop!


Woo Hoo! England!

Alnwick Castle, by Jim Donnelly

Spooky Halloween fun

Wow, what a weekend?!

I have never celebrated Halloween before, but it's really big in Scotland. All of the local children dress up and go trick or treating. They put in so much effort. I wish I could have dressed up too - I wanted to be a skeleton, but the costumes don't come in my size. :(

When I got into the City on Saturday night I was a little bit scared. I was followed by ghosts as I walked past the spooky old Castle. When I realised that they were talking about X Factor, I felt a bit better - I don't think real ghosts watch X Factor. I wouldn't be surprised if the Castle is haunted though, because it's so old.

I think I'm going to stay here for a couple of days - there is so much to do. I might even find Jim the Carpenter, because he might be picking up some spare parts in the City.

Spooky Edinburgh Castle - by http2007