2019 PHOTOS

89 Pins

· Last updated 4y

Curated by

CHRISTMAS LAKE SWIM

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PHOTO

a man is sitting on a bus with his scarf around his neck and looking at the camera

Prague Czech Republic

Prague Czech

Heathrow

London Uk

FINAL CROSS-EUROPE JOURNEY

I going to Heathrow Airport (London, UK) for my flight home at 9:00pm tomorrow. This is one deadline I can't miss! My mamoth journey consists of 13 connections. I arrive in Dresden soon! 14:26pm Prague (Czech Republic) - 16:43pm Dresden (Germany)[EC172]

a man taking a selfie in front of a couch with other items on it

LUGGAGE

I am on my last trip through Europe. This trip that basically consists of picking up my 2nd bag, being minded by a friend in Prague (Czech Republic), and then making it back to London for my flight home. Current my bags are literally on their last legs. The handle is broken on my favourite "doggy" bag and my back pack, which has been shedding itself all through my travels, has a broken zip and is straining to keep itself together in some places.

a man standing in front of a building on a street corner smiling at the camera

BRUSSELS LUNCH

I am having a quick lunch in Brussels [Le Plattestein], whilst I kill time waiting for my train to the Czech Republic. This restaurant is one of my ussual restaurants, originally recommended to me by my Brussels host (Renato Sabaddini). It has become my favourite for this city, especially for the a Brussels take on "Steak Tartar".

three people sitting at a table with food in front of them and smiling for the camera

Scones

Ruins

Cream Cheese Cucumber

AFTERNOON TEA - GLASTONBURY TEA

Today, we had a walk amongst the Glastonbury Abby ruins as part of Claire's exercise regime for Fern, my Glastonbury hosts. To celebrate we had some afternoon tea at the nearby Abby Tea House. Whilst the others went for a Sommerset Cream Tea (all scones with jam & cream), I went for a Glastonbury Tea (half scone with jam & cream / half cream cheese & cucumber sandwiches). The sandwiches seemed to be at first an unlikely combination, but it hit the spot!

three people sitting next to each other in front of a fire place at a restaurant

United Kingdom

Guerilla Gardening

Environmental Activism

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH - PUB MEETING

My Glastonbury hosts invited me to a "Friend's of the Earth" meeting, a local environmmental group, held in one of the local pubs (Beckett's Inn). There was a stronger turn out than ussual for this meeting, due to the cancellation of the Glastonbury Greens meeting. I gained some interesting perspectives on United Kingdom environmental activism and a general lamenting of the general state of politics in the United Kingdom after the election. One topic raised was the issue of "guerilla gardening".

a group of people standing next to each other on a dirt road with trees in the background

MUMMERATIONS

We have gone to the Avalon marshland (Shapwick), near Mere, for a quiet afternoon bird-watching. We are watching flocks of birds, flocks which culminate in mass mummeration formations, as part of their Autumn life-cycle. The birds come here from as far off as Russia, where it is much colder, to England to lay nests and raise their young. The mumerations themselves are to avoid flying singely and therefore being easy prey to local predator birds. The bird mumerations can be quite spectacular.

I recieved the best Christmas gift from my Glastonbury hosts last night! This t-shirt I was gifted features the Glastonbury Tor, a central landmark in this English town. This tower is the ruins of an old church, and is a pervasive iconography in Glastonbury culture. It was a special Christmas celebratory night, having just had Christmas dinner at the Glastonbury Abbey House. Due to my prior travels to get there, I was almost falling asleep when we got home. ---- #Glastonbury Glastonbury Abbey, English Town, Glastonbury Tor, Falling Asleep, The Ruins, Old Church, Best Christmas, Best Christmas Gifts

GLASTONBURY CHRISTMAS

I recieved the best Christmas gift from my Glastonbury hosts last night! This t-shirt I was gifted features the Glastonbury Tor, a central landmark in this English town. This tower is the ruins of an old church, and is a pervasive iconography in Glastonbury culture. It was a special Christmas celebratory night, having just had Christmas dinner at the Glastonbury Abbey House. Due to my prior travels to get there, I was almost falling asleep when we got home. ---- #Glastonbury

a man and woman holding wrapped presents in front of a fire place

GLASTONBURY CHRISTMAS

a group of people sitting at a table with food and drinks in front of them

ABBEY HOUSE - CHRISTMAS DINNER

Last night, I made it back to my Glastonbury host family for our pre-arrange Christmas dinner. The schedule was so tight that I had to change on the bus into my casual formal attire. The dinner was hosted at the history Glastonbury abby house. The Abbey House built was built by John Fry Reeves (banker & antiquarian) as an early-1800s gothic-style gentleman's residence to compement the grounds of Gastonbury Abby ruins, demoslished during Henry VIII disolution of the monastaries. #Glastonbury

a man sitting at a table in front of a plate of food with fries on it

MISADVENTURE DISENFRANCHISATION

I made it to Calis Ferry (arriving: 6:45pm) only to find out that the only ferry is at 9:00pm, arriving in Dover after 10:00pm (when the polling places close). The terrible weather in the English Channel today & the French strikes are responsible! https://t.co/VjZjCqxIkV

a man standing in an airport with lots of people around him and luggage on the ground

PARIS DISASTER

Eurostar can't take me to London! I am now going to London via ferry (Calais to Dover), adding a big delay that I can't afford. I am attempting to vote in the UK elections today. But, the polling booth closes at 10:00pm. I'm not sure I can realistically make it!

a man sitting in front of a window next to a bag on a train seat

UPDATE

I was on the train to Paris, and there was a thud noise as if something hit the train right next to me. It appeared the exterior plane of the window had shattered. They upgraded me to 1st class, as a safety precaution.

a man holding up a hot dog in front of his face while others sit behind him

FRENCH PROTEST DELAYS

I am still on what used to be my planned 2-day journey (now 3-days) from Croatia to the UK, in order to vote in the UK elections. My Stuttgart (Germany) to Paris (France) train last night [Stuttgart (18:54pm) to Paris (22:05pm)] was cancelled, leaving me stranded at Stuttgart train station. I was contemplating spending the night in the 24-hour waiting room (pictured), but I obtained a hostel room at the last moment. I managed to get a morning train connection to Paris, so I am on my way again.