David Kotz

Conwy, Wales

A weekend in and around the historic village of Conwy.

After my previous post, about an early morning hike over Mount Conwy on the north coast of Wales, we spent another two days exploring the delightful and historic medieval village of Conwy (“conn-wee”) — which King Edward I established in 1283 by constructing (in just four years!) a massive castle and a new city surrounded by a 1.3km fortified wall.

The 13th-century castle and fortified walls in Conwy, Wales.

The village is best known for Conwy Castle, completed in 1287 and still one of the most intact (and imposing!) of the 400+ castles in Wales.

Mount Conwy (Wales)

A six-mile loop outside of a thirteenth-century castle village.

We are spending the weekend in Wales, including a few nights in the charming village of Conwy (CONN-wee) on the north coast. Shortly after sunrise this morning, I left the center of this historic village to hike a six mile loop up and over Mynydd Y Dref (Conwy Mountain), the dominant hill overlooking the village. Spectacular!

Mynydd Y Dref (Conwy Mountain) seen from the outskirts of Conwy, Wales.

Big Ben

Up close and personal.

Elizabeth Tower seen from Westminster Bridge.

This week we had the opportunity to climb Elizabeth Tower, better known by the nickname of its largest, most famous bell: Big Ben.

Elizabeth Tower, which is part of the Palace of Westminster (home to the British Parliament), is a clock tower completed in 1859 and named in 2012 after Queen Elizabeth II for her Diamond Jubilee. It is perhaps one of the most iconic landmarks in London. We were lucky to nab tickets for a tour – which are very limited and I tried several months before succeeding.

Oxbridge jubilee

Visits to Cambridge and Oxford universities, and a long loop hike outside Oxford.

This week I had the opportunity to visit Cambridge University on Wednesday, and Oxford University on Friday, to meet colleagues and present my research. (Together, these universities are colloquially known as “Oxbridge”.) The weather continues to be sunny and beautiful, so I took the opportunity to explore each of these historic cities – and to get out into the Oxfordshire countryside for a delightful hike.

A lamb in a pasture outside Oxford, England.

Lisbon in two days

A return to my 1979 home turf.

We traveled to Lisbon for a weekend of sunshine and memories. My family and I lived just outside Lisbon in 1979, so it was a treat for me to return to Lisbon with my parents so we could re-visit some of our favorite places, eat some our favorite foods, and re-connect with some of their lifelong Portuguese friends. (And, as I wrote yesterday, to hike through the wildflowers and green forests of Monsanto Park.)

Lisboa – Monsanto

Hiking around a high point in Lisbon.

As part of three-day holiday-weekend visit to Lisbon, I took advantage of the beautiful late-spring weather to hike the trilho azul de Monsanto (blue trail) loop around Parque Florestal de Monsanto (Monsanto Forest Park), the largest green space in Lisbon, perched on a hilltop overlooking the city. In the cool morning air, I had the entire park virtually to myself – with blue skies, a gentle breeze, and wildflowers blooming.

Lisbon’s Monsanto Forest Park contains a diverse range of forest habitats.

Chelsea Flower Show

The world’s most famous flower show.

One of London’s most incredible annual events is the Chelsea Flower Show, which is hosted within walking distance of our flat. Several hundred thousand people visit this incredible, indoor-outdoor show over five days. Outdoors, elite gardeners install elaborate bespoke gardens with flowers, greenery, water features, stone walls, furniture, and more… that showcase remarkable skill and creativity. Indoors, under a massive tent, gardeners and florists show off their most exquisite flowers and designs. Competition is fierce for the top awards.

Sale, Prestbury, and Lyme Park

A visit to my birthplace.

Fun fact: a bit more than six decades ago, I was born in England. I departed for the United States only three months later… so I have no memory of my birth country. Thus, the opportunity to spend a year living in London, and exploring England, has been especially meaningful. This week we took a roadtrip to the Manchester area to find my birthplace and to visit some of my parents’ friends.

My birthplace (then a maternity hospital) – Sale, Cheshire, England.

Thames Path – Chelsea to Westminster

34th consecutive weekend hike

Although the weather has been beautiful this weekend, I had little time for hiking. So, today I chose to walk a portion of the Thames Path. This long-distance path begins at the source of the Thames, in the Cotswolds, and follows the river downstream for 185 miles to Woolwich, London. (Regular readers may recall my brief visit to that downstream endpoint, at the famous Thames River Barrier, two months ago.) Today I began my walk in Chelsea, walked along the embankment until I reached the Parliament building, then turned back inland toward home.

Phoenix benches along the River Thames, London.

Hackney to Walthamstow

33rd consecutive weekend hiking!

Another weekend in London – another opportunity for hiking! Today was a lovely day – warm and sunny, with flowers blooming in the parks and dooryards. I was a bit short for time so I selected a hike on the northeast edge of London, from Hackney to Walthamstow at the end of the Tube’s Victoria line. Although most of the walk was along streets or paved bike trails, the scenery varied from residential areas, to pedestrian streets on market day, to the vast Victoria Park, to the locks and canal boats along a series of three canals, to the meadows and forests of Hackney Marsh and Walthamstow Marsh.