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One World Trade Center, or Freedom Tower, stands tall amidst other edifices on the World Trade Center site.
The building's spire was completed 10 May 2013. And it is the tallest building in the United States.
The One World Trade Center height of 1776 feet reminds Americans when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
NYC Skyline / G Sutton 7 May 2016
The original World Trade Center buildings were on the site from 1970 to 2001. We will never forget 9/11, 11 September 2001 when 2,996 people were murdered by terrorists using airplanes as weapons, which crashed into the North Tower (8:46 am) and the South Tower (9:59 am).
The Royal Air Force Museum is open daily. It is located at Grahame Park Way in NW London. I took the underground to the Colindale station, which is on the Edgeware branch of the Northern Line.
In addition to a variety of aircraft, the museum illustrates the history of British Flight and the people that made it possible.
Sopwith Triplane
Avro Lancaster
Belvedere
There's also a memorial to the Americans who served from 1942-1945.
Travel Notes
I grabbed a sandwich and drink from a nearby shop and ate in the museum's lunch area.
Windsor Castle is an impressive castle with more than 900 years of history. In fact, according to the official website, "Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world."
We took a train from Waterloo station in London and headed west to Windsor. We followed the signs by the station for the short walk. In front of the castle is a statue of Queen Victoria.
We arrived a few minutes after opening time, bought tickets, and joined an included tour.
Tour Guide (in uniform)
After the tour, we picked up the included audio guide and made our way around the grounds.
The oldest part of the Castle dates to the 11th Century when William the Conqueror began construction on a high hill near London.
Old Tower at Windsor
The section where Queen Elizabeth lived when she was in residence is off in a corner far from the touring area.
Windsor Castle was also the setting for the Coronation Concert of King Charles III on 7 June 2023.
Guards were walking about in the lower area near the bookstore--St George's Chapel is in the background.
View from the lower area of Windsor Castle.
Following is a video, which includes additional photos and some video clips.
Travel: Train. An easy and quick way from London to Windsor is the direct train from Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside station. In 2022, trains ran every half hour and the journey is less than one hour.
A bus takes up to twice as long as a train ride but is cheaper.
A car ride of about 22 miles can take 45 minutes or so.
Use: Royal Residence of the Monarch. Frequently used by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
St Columba's Church, Drumcliff, Ireland / Geoff Sutton 2019
Inside St Columba's Church
Church location: Drumcliffe Parish Church Drumcliffe Sligo Republic of Ireland
The grave of W. B. Yeats (1865-1939) is in the Drumcliffe Cemetery. He died in France. His remains were brought back in 1948. His great-grandfather was a rector in Drumcliffe.
There's also a Celtic High cross in the cemetery.
Not far from the cross, is an Irish Round Tower. They were originally bell towers and are found near churches and monasteries in Ireland and Scotland.
Londonderry, also known as Derry, is the second largest city in Northern Ireland. The name derives from the old Irish name of Daire, meaning an oak grove. The city was chartered by James I in 1613.
We our lunch in a small cafe by the city hall.
Across the street is Peace Bridge across the River Foyle, opened 25 June 2011.
Londonderry is also known as the Walled City - a few photos.
You might like this fun and informative guide to British words and phrases.
On a cold and windy 13 June, we walked along the trail to the seafront at the Giant's Causeway. It's truly a jewel along the Antrim coast.
Comparing the unusual formations to people gives some idea of the size of the stone columns.
The panorama might help capture the breadth of the rugged landscape.
But along the trail, flowers add additional colour.
Storyboards indicate it is a world heritage site. An audio tour is available in the visitors centre.
You can walk for miles along the trail so, deciding on the time to stop is a personal choice. A walk down and time in the center can consume a couple of hours. Others might want the better part of a day.