Countering Myths About Welsh

A couple of recent blog posts that tackle some myths about the Welsh language:

Silly things people say about Welsh II

Two stupid things people say about Welsh

Prehistoric carvings in Orkney

Following the discovery of a 5,000-year-old 3.5cm tall stone carved figurine during excavations funded by Historic Scotland at the Links of Noltland prehistoric settlement on the Orkney island of Westray, parallels have been drawn with prehistoric carvings on the Holm of Papay, a small island off Papa Westray

Rating Facial Attractiveness

Three pieces of research on attractiveness:

Women are as complicated as men say they are when evaluating potential mates.

People who know each other well are more likely than strangers to agree on the attractiveness of faces.

A study of a psychological phenomenon called "attentional adhesion" found that whatever the motive, we are automatically and strongly drawn to attractive people and are rendered temporarily unable to avert our attention.

Rating Facial Attractiveness

Race And Ethnicity Confusion

Psychological research on racial prejudice tends to give the impression that 'colour' and ethnic groupings are clearly defined. But a study research published earlier this year points to confusion in the way people identify themselves and in official classifications, at least in the United States.

Race And Ethnicity Confusion

Novelty and the Brain

Infants who are excellent at processing novel information when they are just 6- and 12-months-old are likely to demonstrate excellence in intelligence tests and academic achievements as young adults in their 20's.

Infants, Adults and Novelty

Croatia

Croatia's idyllic Dalmatian islands, the tumbling cascades in Plitvice National Park, the marble streets of medieval Dubrovnik and Diocletian’s amazing Palace in Split all contribute to Croatia's soaring popularity.

Croatia

Islands in the Pacific

A Hiking Guide to Easter Island

Fiji - Backpackers and Billionaires

Samoa a South Pacific Travel Sensation

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is often voted as one of the best travel destinations. With a population of just over 4 million, Costa Rica straddles Central America between the Pacific and the Caribbean. The climate differs widely across the country, with two main seasons: dry (November-April) and wet (May-October). The Pacific province of Guanacaste has the dryest climate, although rainfall in the wet season maight make you think otherwise.

Costa Rica
Volcanic Costa Rica
Cloud Forests
Nicoya, Costa Rica

The Walter Family Of Babcary, Somerset

Genealogical account of the family of Ann and Walter Walter and their descendants.

Walter Walter (1804-1877) lived at the 110 acre Greenhill Farm, Lower Foddington, Babcary, Somerset. He was married to Ann Leach Penny (1814-1889) who was born in the neighbouring village of Charlton Mackrell, Somerset.

The Walter Family of Babcary, Somerset, England

Albert Walter - Illinois and the Civil War
Albert Walter was born in Babcary, Somerset, England in 1840, the son of Walter and Ann Walter. He emigrated to the USA and died in the Civil War.

Hugh and Robert Walter in America
Hugh Penny Walter and Robert Leach Walter emigrated to the USA and settled in Barber County, Kansas

Family of David Walter
Born Babcary, Somerset, died in Swansea, Glamorgan.

Family of Benjamin Walter of Slough and Eton
Born Babcary, Somerset, died Slough, Buckinghamshire.

The Horne Family of Careby, Lincolnshire, England, UK

A genealogical account of the family of Henry and Elizabeth Horne.

The Horne Family of Careby, Lincolnshire, England, UK

Palma Majorca

Palma is the capital city of and the island of Majorca's main port. It is on the south coast of the island, on the Bay of Palma with a population of around 383,000. The city's came name from the Romans who first set up a hilltop base in this area. There is very little that is Roman remaining, but some portions of the walls from this settlement can be seen around the city. Another wall was built by the Moors in the 10th Century in this area, but this is no longer standing.

More at: Palma Majorca

Athens

The first reliable historical information about Athens relates to an incident some time after 640BC when a certain Kylon (once an Olympic champion) attempted a coup during a religious festival. The coup failed. He escaped but his followers were
killed. The mythical story of Athens goes back to Theseus who was credited with much of the city-state's legal system and city council. In fact, the region of Attica - unusually large for a city-state - took centuries to unify. More at: Athens

Athens, capital of Greece, was transformed as a tourist destination by the Olympic Games of 2004. The Greek capital now has a modern international airport, metro system and motorway connections to match the unparalleled archaeological sites that have made Athens one of the world's most dramatic cities for thousands of years.

More at: Tourist Athens

Old Images of London

A Wet Night on the Thames Embankment - card posted 1903

Cannon Street

Charing Cross

London Bridge

Waterloo Bridge

Post-Roman Buildings

What happened to the buildings of Roman Britain? They became a vast quarry for later
medieval builders.

Post-Roman Buildings

Middlesex - Antiquarian Notes

Isleworth
Teddington
Twickenham
Pope's Villa, Twickenham

Lincoln - Historical Accounts

Lincoln (1802 - 1866): Lincoln, a place of considerable note in the ecclesiastical and military annals of England, is singularly situated on the top and side of a high hill, which slopes with a deep descent to the south, where the river Witham runs at its base.

Lincoln - 1
Lincoln - 2
Lincoln - 3

Some British Cities

Places to look at for a spring visit:

Cardiff

Edinburgh

Newcastle-Gateshead

London Attractions

London has a number of iconic landmarks, recognised by people all over the world. Virtually everyone knows that Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square are in the British capital. But newer landmarks are becoming a prominent feature of tourist and working London. Read on:

London's New Landmarks

Cardiff

Known as ‘Europe’s youngest capital’, Cardiff, in south Wales, has re-invented itself as one of Britain’s most buzzing, young-at-heart and stylish cities. It’s a rapidly-evolving, vibrant and fascinating place for a short break More at:

Cardiff: Europe's youngest capital

Kew - Historical notes

Kew (1772 & 1789): Some excerpts from the Gentleman's Magazine for historical interest:

The buildings in Kew Gardens are deservedly the admiration of all foreigners