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Santiago de Compostela Photos
From: Santiago de Compostela
Cathedral and Praza do Obradoiro
The Praza do Obradoiro takes on a magical quality at night, when the building façades--including the Cathedral--are floodlit. (Wet pavement on a drizzly night enhances the effect.)
This photo from Turgalicia shows the Paxo de Raxoi on a damp evening, just before sunset.
This daytime view of the Praza do Obradoirio shows the stone paving blocks of the gently sloping plaza and the Colegio de San Xerome, which houses the vice-chancellor's department of the university. (The University of Santiago de Compostela was founded in 1495; today, it has 19 faculties with more than 40,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.)
Pilgrims are a frequent sight in the Praza do Obradoiro, and they're generally a happy-looking bunch, having finally arrived in Santiago after the long walk from the Galician border or points beyond.
From the Praza do Obradoiro, stairs lead up to the "Portico of Glory" or main entrance to the Cathedral di Santiago de Compostela. (The door at ground level is the entrance to the "Old Cathedral" with its Romanesque crypt.)
The platform at the top of the Cathedral steps offers a nice view of the Paxo de Raxoi, and this photo gives an idea of the Praza do Obradoiro's dimensions.
This Turgalicia photo shows the Cathedral's Romanesque Portico of Glory, which dates back to 1188 AD.
Inside the Cathedral, you'll find a stone pillar with carved figures of the most important apostles. (Santiago, or St. James, is third from the left; St. John is on the right.)
Long before the concept of "World's Largest Roadside Attractions" was invented, Santiago de Compostela's Cathedral was famous for its Botafumeiro ("smoke-catcher"), the largest censer in Christendom.
The original king-size thurible was donated by Louis XI of France but was later spirited away by Napoleon's Army. Its successor is now in the Cathedral Treasury, and the current silver-plated brass incense burner has been in use since 1852. The device weighs 60 kg, or 132 pounds, and is swung by a rope-pulling team of eight men. It hangs from a steel framework in the cathedral dome (lower photo).
If you're lucky, you'll see the Botafumeiro in action during the noon Pilgrims' Mass. (It's used regularly in Holy Years; at other times, it can be lit and swung for pilgrims' groups upon payment of a fee.)
This picture of the Cathedral's interior was taken from the gallery at the rear of the building, which I visited briefly during a tour of the roofs.
I'd strongly recommend a guided tour of Las Cubiertas de la Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, a.k.a. the Cathedral roofs. You can buy tickets in the cathedral museum.
(Note the mossy stone surfaces beyond the museum's entrance hall, shown above. Galicia is said to be nicknamed "the urinal of Spain" because it has more annual rainfall than Ireland. Thanks to the moist climate, granite surfaces in Santiago de Compostela are often color-coordinated with the surrounding vegetation, and visitors who ignore street signs may think they're in the British Isles.)
The Cathedral's roofs are covered with long slabs of granite that look like steps. You do need to be careful if you're wearing slippery-soled shoes, because the steps aren't flat--they have a downward tilt that could make them treacherous for the unwary on a rainy day.
In this photo (taken on a flat area of the roofs), the circular window gives a view of the Cathedral's interior. At the end of our midday tour, we were able to look through the window.
This view from the roofs shows the Praza de Quintana with the Cathedral's eastern face on the right. The stepped tower is one of two Treasury Towers.
When you're back at ground level, take time to wander around the Cathedral and view its different façades.
The Clock Tower was added in the late 1600s; it's on the Praza de Quintana, on the eastern side of the Cathedral.
This set of doorways is on the north side of the Cathedral, also known as the Acibechería Façade. Until the 12th Century, pilgrims used this northern entrance on the Praza da Inmaculada after their arrival in Santiago de Compostela. (The current doorways were built in the 1700s after a fire destroyed the old Romanesque façade.)
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April Holiday Ideas
There are numerous ways to spend holidays in the UK. Previously, we showed you the best events held in the country each month, including festivals, shows, parades, and celebrations. Still, we have decided to change the concept and to focus on the most interesting, unusual and even beneficial ways to spend time.
1. Go extreme
If you are one of those looking for the most breathtaking experience, we have some ideas for you. The UK provides various extreme sports and activities for every taste. Some of them are very popular, some of them will open new boundaries of brilliant experience, and some of them are quite weird.
Among the most well-known and popular ways to go extreme, we can offer you scuba diving, bungee jumping, climbing, segway experience, power kite sports, jet ski, and RIB adventures. You can also consider the options of airkix indoor skydiving, hovercraft flying, zorbing, and even archery experience. All these breathtaking wonders of extreme activities are available all across the country. Still, one of the most significant, new, really extreme and weird ones is zombie experience.
For all those whose nerves are made of steel and who want to experience real zombie apocalypse, can consider an option of taking part in a zombie battle. Such kind of scary entertainment is available in London, Droitwich, Liverpool, Birmingham, Sheffield, Bury, Dover, Oakham, Huddersfield, Reading, and Heywood.
In London, Zombie experience is available in the place called The Bunker. The Zombie Bunker is placed on the south bank of the Thames in Greenwich. You can easily get there by public transport. Still, if you want to get there by car, plenty of parking is available. The exact address is 3 Herringham Road, North Greenwich, SE7 8NJ.
Note, that the minimum age to enter the Bunker must be 12+. You do not need to turn child's brain, right?
The scenario created in Zombie Bunker will turn you into a soldier of Emergency Paramilitary Infection Control, an army created by the government to fight zombification and save the world. You will be quickly trained to the highest operational standards, including introductory training session. Of course, as a real soldier, you will get all weapons and ammo needed.
The scenario will make you expect the unexpected for three and a half hours, so get ready to get through the real horror story. Just note that you will have to come on time to make a prompt start.
You can buy a voucher on the website: www.zombieexperiences.co.uk
It is valid for 10 months, so you will have enough of time to get ready. All you have to do after buying a voucher is to activate it, to come on time and to undergo the scenario.
2. Volunteer
All those who want to make some change, to help people and to improve self-esteem, can consider the option of volunteering. This notable gesture will take just a few hours of your free time and the benefit you will get is the best one you can ever get for any of your actions. Volunteering will bring you some new acquaintances and sometimes it can wider you friends list. Frankly speaking, volunteering is quite similar to friendship, apart from the fact you will become a better person, will start to feel better about yourself and people around you. Furthermore, the impact volunteers make to the community is very important both for those who help and those who are in need.
Nearly all of us are constantly taking part in the races of being the best at work and sometimes we forget that there are a lot of people in the world and in the UK in particular, who are struggling every day to gain things we already have, such as loving family, food to eat and place to sleep. For sure, it is impossible to help everyone, but still, you can make a little step to help some of them. Abandoned children, victims of domestic violence, homeless people – all of them need your support.
If you love children, mentoring is the best way to help them. It is especially good for young people, letting them get more out of childhood and creating a background for their future.
Mentors provide a long-term support to young people by meeting with them for three out of two weekends. Generally, mentor's goal is to develop a friendship. You can take a child to a museum, take part in some fun activities or just go to a cafe.
Of course, such approach will not transform child's life but it will make a difference. You can give a child a chance to enjoy life apart from any problems, so why not to try?
To apply to be a mentor, you will need to go through the application process to ensure the safety of the children and to give you a time to prepare and to understand, whether mentoring is a right choice for you. To apply to be a mentor in London, you can visit the following website: www.friendshipworks.org.uk
3. Take Up a New Hobby
Trying something new is always a great option to spend your holiday. Furthermore, it does not require you to travel far away from home. You can choose between plenty of options, starting from programming classes to something artistic, like floral design or crafting. In the most cases, the best choice is to try something far away from your usual circle of interests. Who knows, maybe you will discover a new passion that will stay with you for life. and who knows, perhaps it will be a beginning of a new passion?
If you are one of those who cannot live without pub crawls or just want to find out how the best beer is made, there is a great option of attending brewing classes. London Beer Lab provides you with this unique and tasty experience. It will cost you £80.00 per person.
The head Brewer of the London Beer Lab will pick four recipes. You will brew under the experienced supervision and will have a great opportunity to meet with some beer enthusiasts. The voucher will include 8 bottles of beer made in the shop or 12 bottles of beer made on the day. Just note that you will have to pick them a couple of weeks later. Approximate bottling date will be confirmed on a day of your session.
The session lasts from 4 to 5 hours and includes recipes for 4 different beers. One session takes up to 15 attendees who will work together to brew the 4 or 5 beers.
Note that the voucher is valid for a year, so you will be able to pick up the best time for you to come. Still, there is a need to get a voucher code to redeem your voucher; you will get it within 7 days after purchasing a voucher. The voucher itself will be sent to you e-mail address. To purchase a voucher, visit the London's Beer Lab website: www.londonbeerlab.com
To see the available dates to book, use the menu on the website: Beer Making Workshops – For Individuals. Choose between different individual beer making and tasting sessions and come on the date picked. Also, you have to note that you will need to use your voucher code at checkout.
4. Into the Wild
Nothing in the world will give you more satisfaction and relaxation than exploring Mother Nature. If you are not afraid of active rest and want to combine a pleasure of freedom and physical activity while on holiday, going into the wild is the great option for you.
You may never have considered the option of camping in the capital, but still, there are some great options nearby the M5. Here you will find good campsites with enough freedom to move around during your stay. You can consider the options provided by Sanctum On The Green, Hurley Riverside Park, Cookham Lock, Hertford, Cambridge, Braham Farm, Karma Farm Eco Campsite, Hollington Farm Camping, Town Farm Camping, Wingbury Farm Camping, and many more.
Still, if your holidays allow you to travel or you live somewhere nearby the Lake District National Park, there is a great option of staying in Ravenglass Camping And Caravanning Club.
The Lake District is the most hyped scenic area in Britain. People come here to enjoy the view of 16 lakes squeezed between the tallest mountains in the country. Here you will find landscapes with tranquil waters, huge valleys, and little charming stone-built villages.
Camping and Caravanning Club is set on the outskirts of a Roman fishing village named Ravenglass, where you can find one of the most well-known attractions – the Eskdale Railway. The club offers its guests modern facilities combined with an old-school camping principals. Here you will be able to use a modern shower block and to shop at the local well-stocked shop.
The best part of such adventure is, no doubt, natural surroundings. It is a real paradise for all those who want to get closer to Mother Nature and to enjoy long walks.
The Ravenglass Camping And Caravanning Club welcomes families with children, but not large groups of people. It means it is an ideal place to spend a relaxing holiday with your family. What is more, you can take your dog with you, it is allowed.
There are camping pods located in a wooded area, providing an alternative for those naturalists, who enjoy extra comfort. They are made from local timber and, for even more comfort, are insulated with wool.
To book your Ravenglass Camping And Caravanning Club holiday, follow the link: www.coolcamping.com
5. Spirituality
Spirituality is a key element of life that is full of happiness and satisfaction. It is a solution to nearly all of your problems, including stressful life and even some health issues. Being spiritual is the first step that helps you to differentiate between good and bad.
In the modern world, people nearly forgot about the impact of spirituality on our lives. Still, one of the most useful ways to spend your holiday is to invest a couple of hours in your spiritual education. For sure, you can read more about your religion's teaching, to pray, and to share your spiritual knowledge with your family and friends. Still, if you want to combine your spiritual growth with some physical activity, you will not find a better way than doing yoga.
There are various styles of yoga, including Anusara, Ashtanga, Bikram, Hatha, Iyengar, Jivamukti, Kripalu, Kundalini, Prenatal, Restorative, Sivananda Yoga and some others. All of them are avaliable in London. The most popular ones, such as Hatha, Ashtanga and Kundalini Yoga are available in the most cities and towns of UK. Still, one of the most popular and new styles existing today is Aerial Yoga.
Aerial Yoga, also known as Anti-Gravity Yoga, was originally created in New York and quickly become a widespread practice in the UK. If you are a yoga lover and want to try something new, something combined with pilates and dance, Aerial yoga is a great option for you.
Aerial yoga allows making stretches in a more relaxing way. Furthermore, with a help of a hammock, you can make poses that would otherwise be restricted. That is why this style is good both for professional yogi and the beginners.
If you want to try it, follow the link: www.flyingfantastic.co.uk
We do hope you loved the article and find here some new ideas to spend your holiday. It would be great if you comment to let us know what turn the next article should take. Thank you!

subset: commoncrawl


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Home > Perennials > All Perennials
Family: AsparagaceaeMain Season: AutumnFlower Colour: PurpleLeaf Colour: GreenPosition: ShadeSoil Type: Ordinary, medium loamHeight: 15cm to 30cm (6" to 12")RHS Award of Garden Merit: RHS Award of Garden MeritPot Size: 3L
In stock
Clumps of strappy evergreen leaves and spikes of purple flowers in autumn to 30cm. A good form. Decent soil in sun or shade.
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As a wellness solutions coach, I often hear people express discouragement when they decide to start a wellness journey. I call this "stuck in the big picture frame of mind." And when people are stuck here, the first things they should do is take a step back and think about actions they wish to change toward their overall success. So, today I've compiled a list of 5 healthy living habits you can start today. Ease in, start with these tips and be on your way to healthy habits in no time.
- Drink more water. Hydration plays such an important part in our overall health. The average person drinks far less than the daily recommended amount. Dehydration is a serious issue, and it has many side effects including headaches, insomnia, constipation, and poor concentration. I try to drink two liters of water per day. If you're not sure how much water your body requires, you can use this calculation:
[Weight (lbs) x 0.5 = ounces required per day*] ex. A 150lb individual would need 75 ounces of water or just over 2 liters. *Add 12 ounces for every 30 minutes of physical activity you perform (ACSM).
- Add vegetables and fruit to every single meal and make them part of one of your daily snacks. Have you tried a Pink Lady Apple? FYI, they are amazing with nut butter!
- Laugh out loud. Sometimes we all take life a little too damn seriously, right? Did you know, when you laugh, you stimulate your heart, lungs, and muscles? It also helps regulate your body's response to environmental and outside stressors. My go-to video when I just need to laugh my ass off has been the same for years. You can watch it here. Also, you're welcome.
- Add chia and flax seeds to your diet. I recommend using both (ground) chia and flax seeds as part of your lifestyle. Why? Because they both contain omega-3 fatty acids in the form of alpha-linolenic acids (ALAs) which aid in reduced inflammation, reduced sugar cravings, functional digestion, and deliver essential micronutrients your body needs.
- Start resistance training and lifting weights. I think now more than ever people are starting to understand the importance and benefits of weight-bearing exercise -, especially women! Resistance training helps increase your strength and flexibility, which will contribute to protecting your joints from injury. Weight-bearing exercise helps to strengthen bones and aids in the prevention of degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis. Super important stuff.
For those of you feeling even more adventurous, here are a few more tips you can fit into your daily routine:
5 Healthy Living Habits To Start Today #HealthyLiving #Nutrition #HealthHacks @beetsperminute
Are you interested in learning more about how nutritional therapy can improve your life? I have helped individuals find complementary solutions for a range of conditions with great results!


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Suzy brings new energy to East London in her Cosmopolitan pictorial
Before Suzy had a secret date with Lee Min Ho in London, she was there for a pictorial for Cosmopolitan. A sneak-peak photo was included in this article. Now we see 7 more photos where the beautiful singer-actress of Miss A takes us on a tour of East London.
Beautiful Suzy has an amazingly versatile range in presenting visual images at different locales. Here in the streets of East London, Suzy radiated the refreshing look of an independent modern woman against the backdrop of aged buildings and brick walls covered in graffitti,
Suzy said during the photoshoot, "East London is full of artistic energy. I want to roam around on a leisurely walk. I'd like to stroll around and look around here and there." It would seem Suzy brought a new energy to East London.
The complete pictorial will be published in Cosmopolitan's April edition. Do you think Lee Min Ho will pick up a copy? To see more of Suzy, check out her drama Gu Family Book: