In April of 2005, our soccer team (part of it, anyway) traveled to England for a week of "football" games, training, stadium tours, history, and even a World Cup Qualifier game. From London & Chelsea to Manchester & Chester to Durham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle & Lindisfarne/Holy Island, we did a bit of traveling.

Calling the Queen

We spent the first 2 days touring London: Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the House of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and a river cruise on the Thames. Our hotel was in Chester, where we also toured the football (a.k.a. soccer) stadium.

 

The Tower Bridge, adjacent to the Tower of London

Westminster Abbey on Easter Sunday 2005.

 

The team along the Thames

Big Ben and the House of Parliament from the River Thames

 

At the home of Manchester United

From London we headed up to Manchester and toured the home of the famed Manchester United.

On the bench at Man U Stadium

The East Gate Clock in Chester. Built in 1897 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Victoria, it is the second most photographed clock in the world after Big Ben.

From there it was off to Durham, another great little town. We made a side trip to Middlesbrough to see the National Under-21 team play the U-21 team from Azerbaijan.

We also went to Newcastle to see the World Cup Qualifier, England vs. Azerbaijan. Excellant seats about 10 rows back.

Beckham, getting ready to bend it, during the World Cup Qualifier vs. Azerbaijan, Newcastle Stadium

Kiley, versus Norton

One of the 2 games we played in England was against the team from Norton (the other was aginst Sale United). Great games, each followed by a reception with refreshments and the exchange of gifts.

At the Norton Sports & Social Club, telling the girls from Norton about life back in the USA

Durham Cathedral. Construction began in 1093 and lasted 40 years. Considered the finest example of Norman architecture in the world. Still attracts pilgrims to the shrine of St. Cuthbert.

The small town of Washington is 10 miles north of Durham. One of George Washington's ancestors was Prior at Durham Cathedral in the 16th Century. On the ceiling in the cloisters is this Washington Coat of Arms. It consists of stars and stripes and is believed to have been adapted by George Washington for the United States flag.

Another side trip from Durham was to Lindisfarne, or Holy Island.

Lindisfarne Priory (foreground) and Castle (back), located on Holy Island on the North Sea. The road to the island is not accessible at high tide. The Priory was founded in 635 and was home to St. Cuthbert from 654 til his death in 687. Viking raids caused monks to flee with his remains and roam 300 years until settling on site of Durham Cathedral. The Castle, built in 1550, was converted to a residence in 1903 and has been a National Trust property since 1944.

 
 

North Carolina

Maine

Lake Tahoe reunion