England – Places I've Been, Beauty I've Seen

Queen Elizabeth, William Shakespeare, and The Beatles came to my mind when I thought of England, but after I visited this relatively small and influential country the humor and polite manners of its people are what I now remember and treasure.

My last trip coincided with the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, April 23, 2016, where Stratford-upon-Avon, his birthplace, held events to honor their famous writer. In London, the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II on April 21st was celebrated with the traditional Royal Gun Salute fired at Hyde Park, just blocks from my hotel.

Stonehenge, there are many theories about its existence, most relates to energy.

Stonehenge, there are many theories about its existence, most relates to energy.
Noon, tourists enjoying lunch. Me, thrilled to be near 50 ton stones ‘magically’ transported 30km

Noon, tourists enjoying lunch. Me, thrilled to be near 50 ton stones ‘magically’ transported 30km
Stonehenge Archaeological Site, worth cold wind blowing on my face, Wiltshire, 2016

Stonehenge Archaeological Site, worth cold wind blowing on my face, Wiltshire, 2016
Windsor Castle, the longest-occupied palace in Europe is one of the residences of Queen Elizabeth, 1999

Windsor Castle, the longest-occupied palace in Europe is one of the residences of Queen Elizabeth, 1999
Round Tower sits where the original wooden castle began in medieval times.

Round Tower sits where the original wooden castle began in medieval times.
Guards don’t laugh, but they can’t help it if a funny tourist stares at them

Guards don’t laugh, but they can’t help it if a funny tourist stares at them
King George IV sculpture, Grand Staircase, Windsor Castle, 1999

King George IV sculpture, Grand Staircase, Windsor Castle, 1999
Crimson Room was nicely restored after fire broke out in the castle in 1992

Crimson Room was nicely restored after fire broke out in the castle in 1992
Mary Queen of Scots, once ruled over four nations, Windsor Castle, 1999

Mary Queen of Scots, once ruled over four nations, Windsor Castle, 1999
Waiting for the tour guide, London, 1999

Waiting for the tour guide, London, 1999
Flats of Kensington, London, 2016

Flats of Kensington, London, 2016
Kensington, London 2016

Kensington, London 2016
Royal Albert Hall, London, 2016

Royal Albert Hall, London, 2016
Saint George Gala, a performance by R. Gubbay, Albert Hall, 2016

Saint George Gala, a performance by R. Gubbay, Albert Hall, 2016
Royal Albert Hall, opened in 1871, is home to the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Royal Albert Hall, opened in 1871, is home to the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Kensington Palace Orangery, of course, tea was served in lovely china, 2016

Kensington Palace Orangery, of course, tea was served in lovely china, 2016
Hadrian’s Wall built in the 2nd century AD is 117km long, Northern England

Hadrian’s Wall built in the 2nd century AD is 117km long, Northern England
Hiking Hadrian’s Wall, built to separate Romans from the local tribes, 2016

Hiking Hadrian’s Wall, built to separate Romans from the local tribes, 2016
Cliffs of Dover, crossing the strait from Calais, France to England, 1999

Cliffs of Dover, crossing the strait from Calais, France to England, 1999
Traditional cabs, London’s icons, recognized by anybody, 1999

Traditional cabs, London’s icons, recognized by anybody, 1999
Local pub next to the hotel, west London, 1999

Local pub next to the hotel, west London, 1999
Tower Bridge, Thymes River, London, 1999

Tower Bridge, Thymes River, London, 1999
Harrods department store, London, 1999

Harrods department store, London, 1999
Saint Paul Cathedral built over the first Pagan Temple that honored Goddess Diana.

Saint Paul Cathedral built over the first Pagan Temple that honored Goddess Diana.
Central London, 1999

Central London, 1999
Countryside on the way to the ancient city of Bath, 2016

Countryside on the way to the ancient city of Bath, 2016
Castle along the Bristol River, 2016

Castle along the Bristol River, 2016
Outskirts of Melksham, 2016

Outskirts of Melksham, 2016
Bath was home to writer Jane Austen the author of Pride and Prejudice, 2016

Bath was home to writer Jane Austen the author of Pride and Prejudice, 2016
Roman Baths Museum in Bath, England, 2016

Roman Baths Museum in Bath, England, 2016
Underground spring-water system used in old days as public baths, Bath, 2016

Underground spring-water system used in old days as public baths, Bath, 2016
Pulteney Bridge over Avon River, Bath, 2016

Pulteney Bridge over Avon River, Bath, 2016
Saint John Church in the Ham District of Bath, 2016

Saint John Church in the Ham District of Bath, 2016
Restaurant art, Stratford-upon Avon, April 23, 2016

Restaurant art, Stratford-upon Avon, April 23, 2016
Cottage where William Shakespeare’s wife grew up, Warwickshire

Cottage where William Shakespeare’s wife grew up, Warwickshire
Oxford believed to be the second oldest still-operating university in the world

Oxford believed to be the second oldest still-operating university in the world
Oxford’ Christ Church College, 2016

Oxford’ Christ Church College, 2016
Staircase leads to the College's Great Hall

Staircase leads to the College's Great Hall
Great Hall used as model for Harry Porter’s film, Oxford College

Great Hall used as model for Harry Porter’s film, Oxford College
According to Harry Porter, location where students are welcome to “wizarding prep-school”

According to Harry Porter, location where students are welcome to “wizarding prep-school”
Oxford College, educating for over 900 years, Oxford, 2016

Oxford College, educating for over 900 years, Oxford, 2016
Oxford College holds long history of excellence

Oxford College holds long history of excellence