A British Trip to Remember

[minnbuckeye]

We all possess a dream list of experiences hoping to be accomplished at some point in our life.  My wife can now cross a trip to England off her “bucket list”. My “pre trip” enthusiasm for this British visit was far below hers. But I must say, England absolutely impressed me. The people, the history, the landscapes, and even the FOSSILS were all spectacular!!!! To be warned, this post is heavy on non-fossil pictures.

 

 Being very musically inclined, my wife had to do “Abby Road” and visit “Ziggy”. Once we got that out of the way, I could begin to enjoy what England had to offer.

 

 

 

Our next stop was the Westminster Abbey, a royal church containing over 1000 years of history. I looked in some gravel there in hopes of finding a fossil, but to no avail. The beauty within this building is indescribable.  

 

 

Within its walls, or should I say floors, rests many of the world’s iconic individuals of old. We stood on top of Isaac Newton’s tomb hoping to soak up some knowledge. Unfortunately for me, it was unsuccessful.

 

 

A few of the hundreds who lie in rest. 

 

 

 

 

 Days could have been spent at the Minster, but with limited time, it was on to Buckingham Palace. The Royal Standard Flag was up, signifying the King was in house. Unfortunately, he did not answer when I knocked!!

 

 

Next up was the Tower of London, to me a strange castle on the River Thames having been both a royal residence and a prison, housing the Crown Jewels of England! The Tower Bridge allows crossing of the Thames at this location. 

 

 

 

 

As interesting as London was, I was glad to leave the big city and enjoy England’s countryside on the way to Stonehenge. Rapeseed, unfamiliar to me, dominated the landscape and the farmer’s fields were at peak bloom. Such a vibrant landscape with the yellows against the blues of the sky and greens of the forest.

 

 

We joined an early morning group that had access to the inside of Stonehenge, giving us a full hour to wander amongst historical rocks. No fossils were found. My favorite stone was the Slaughter Stone, which has hollows where water collects stained blood red. Myth says this stone was where sacrifices were carried out, hence the blood red color. A volunteer at the site, who is truly lichen expert, explained a special species of lichen grows in the depressions of the Slaughter Stone, creating the illusion of blood.

 

 

 

 Lichens are also responsible for another feature of Stonehenge. Back in the hippie days, the word LOVE was continually painted on the face of four stones for years. Eventually the paint was removed but a species of lichen. fond of paint residue seeped into the stone, keeps growing where the paint used to be. Notice my wife displaying a heart with her hands while standing next to a stone sporting lichen spelling O and a V.

 

 

The next stage of our journey finally involves fossils and a bit of early afternoon tea, British style!!! Our host was none other than @Bobbie Rico and his wonderful wife, Vic.

 

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We enjoyed their hospitality immensely. Toured their unique gardens and Bobby’s fabulous fossil collection. An exchange of gifts occurred, with me getting the better end of the deal. Thanks so much for everything!!! These were my favorite gifts. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 2, 2023 by minnbuckeye

[minnbuckeye]

 

 

Our visit was much too short as our itinerary had us being at the York Minster for Evensong. Evensong is a church service traditionally held near sunset focused on singing psalms and other biblical hymns. At York Minster, the choir is world renowned, voices so beautiful, permeating the halls of the church. The Minster even more lovely than the choir!

 

 

From York, we traveled to Whitby on the coast of the North Sea, where everything in town reminded me of my preconceived thoughts of how England should look. This town was wonderful, except for its parking issues. Nestled on the Yorkshire Coast, fossils were to be had on the beaches outside of Whitby!!!!!! But first a stop at a pub for a bit of ale. Then a visit to Byron’s, aka @fossils-uk, fossil shop in hopes of chatting with him. Unfortunately, he was not available.

 

 

 

 

 

Bright and early the next morning found me looking out at the sea off the shore of Saltwick Bay. My arrival time did not correlate with the tide too well. Notice the rock in the distance out in the water. This is where one begins to seek the elusive ammonite amongst the exposed boulders. Until the sea dropped a bit, I examined greyish shale on the sandy beach, finding some ammonite fragments, bivalves, and belemites. Many of my finds disintegrated by the time I arrived home. Here are a few that survived and underwent consolidation to prevent further breakdown.

 

 

Dacryomya ovum

 

Another Dacryomya ovum.

 

Unknown

 

Dactylioceras ammonite

 

 belemnite Passaloteuthis?? 

 

Is the larger, fatter belemnite a different species??

 

More Dacryomya ovum.

 

Unknown

 

Unkown

 

Unknown

 

 

As the tides ebbed, notice the rock once surrounded by water becomes completely exposed. This allowed me to look in between the larger boulders in the area for nodules containing ammonites. Success was had!!! My amateur opinion would say these are Dactylioceras ammonites. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With my token ammonites found the first day, on the second and final day of fossil hunting, I decided to visit Hayburn Wyke, a site known for its plant fossils. The beach is all cobblestone. But a lovely waterfall makes up for the lack of sand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 2, 2023 by minnbuckeye

[minnbuckeye]

  

 

Two nice ferns and this piece of wood were found in the short time I hunted. Unfortunately, the trip back to Minnesota was rough on the ferns. So they went to the rock pile in the sky! If there is an opinion of what this wood is, I would love to hear from you!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

I will close out my trip report with these photos from Bempton Cliffs RSPB, a spectacular spot to view seabirds as they nest. This was actually my favorite activity of the trip!!! Do not miss it if you visit the Yorkshire Coast. It was almost as good as tea with Bobby and Vic. I hope you enjoyed the trip as much as I did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 2, 2023 by minnbuckeye

[Bobby Rico]

Great post Mike, lovely to hear about your trip as a whole and see photos of your adventures. Mrs R and I were so touched that you found the time to swing by and enjoy a cuppa with us on your way up to the North Coast. We enjoyed your company immensely and like you we felt like we could have all chatted for hours. 
A gift exchange in person was a treat and I beg to differ about who got the better deal there! I’m so touched that you sent back the ammonite, totally unexpected, but now that I see how well you did when out hunting am so pleased you can add those to your collection. 
 

All the best MrsR and Bobby 

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Fantastic post, what a great time you seem to have had in England, Mike, so glad you enjoyed it. 

I do agree that it's an amazing country, almost as nice as Wales, but Wales doesn't have a Bobby Rico. 

Super photos and some great fossils. 

Lovely thread. 

[Fossildude19]

Love to see trip reports like this. Meeting up with the estimable Mr.& Mrs. Rico is just wonderful to hear about.

I feel like if we were all to get together, some great times would be had, and we would find more in common than differences.

 

Thanks for the great report, Mike. 

[JohnJ]

Mike, you packed out more awesome memories than fossils.  What a great trip!

[t-tree]

Glad you found fossils at Saltwick bay and enjoyed Bempton cliffs I was lucky enough to see the puffins last time I went there.

 

John

 

 

[Mark Kmiecik]

I'll bet next time you go you'll have bottles of consolidant in your pockets!  I've been to England twice -- they just don't build like that anymore. You can spend months just adoring the architecture.

[minnbuckeye]

17 minutes ago, t-tree said:

I was lucky enough to see the puffins last time I went there.

 

 

@t-tree, Puffins were seen but sitting on their nests inside cliff cavities so hard to visualize, let alone photograph. Look close and a puffin head can be seen in the cave.

 

[t-tree]

yes I can see it !!

[Tidgy's Dad]

1 hour ago, Mark Kmiecik said:

I'll bet next time you go you'll have bottles of consolidant in your pockets!  I've been to England twice -- they just don't build like that anymore. You can spend months just adoring the architecture.

Indeed.

wifey and I got married in the Roman Baths of Bath.

In the foreground the still standing Roman Baths; between 1,700 and nearly 2,000 years old.

In the background the 'modern' cathedral, started in the 6th century, but mostly only 10th, 12th and 16th century rebuilds. 

Edited June 2, 2023 by Tidgy's Dad

[Bobby Rico]

30 minutes ago, Tidgy's Dad said:

wifey and I got married in the Roman Baths of Bath.

That’s very posh . 

[fossils-uk]

Sorry I missed you. 

[Rock Hound]

@Bobby Rico; This Ammonite in particular, is quite nice.

 

Edited June 2, 2023 by Rock Hound

[Bobby Rico]

10 minutes ago, Rock Hound said:

This Ammonite in particular, is quite nice.

 

Thanks it quite big too. Over the weekend I do a better picture and add it to my ammonite thread. 

[FossilNerd]

I’m so  Mike! You were able to visit a lovely country with lovely fossils and even lovelier people. 
 

The fossils and sights are great, but nothing would beat meeting @Bobby Rico and Mrs. R! I’m jealous and happy for you at the same time. 
 

Thanks for taking the time to share your adventure across the pond with us.  

[Wrangellian]

Add me to the list of envious people. I may never make it over there so these slideshows are appreciated!

The rapeseed fields look familiar to me... We have Canola here and there which is basically the same thing.

[Ludwigia]

*sigh* Thanks for the great report, Mike. It brought up a horde of good memories from my many visits over the channel. And you obviously had a wonderful time.

[Bobby Rico]

17 hours ago, FossilNerd said:

The fossils and sights are great, but nothing would beat meeting @Bobby Rico and Mrs. R! I’m jealous and happy for you at the same time. 

Thanks Wayne it really made our weekend meet Mike and wife . Wayne you’re welcome at our home anytime . Cheers Bobby 

[FossilNerd]

5 hours ago, Bobby Rico said:

Wayne you’re welcome at our home anytime .

Thanks Bobby! Reading that made my day! 

[Yoda]

@minnbuckeye

 

Looks like you had a good trip to the UK.

Both from a sight seeing and fossil point of view 

[rocket]

thanks a lot for this wonderful impressions, England, one of my most favorite countries, too!

 

[Everhardus]

Nice report, thanx !

[Jeffrey P]

Lovely trip report, Mike and wonderful gorgeous photos. Thanks for sharing them. Congrats on those ammonite, belemnite,, and bivalve finds. Makes me want to return there and actually do some fossil hunting and see more of the country.