Check out these Lodging images:
Lodge from Broad St 1 - April 2008
Image by pcgn7
Balliol's Brackenbury Buildings, including Lodge in central tower and Master's Lodgings, in the snow.
Built by Alfred Waterhouse in 1867–8 they are occasionally referred to as the 'Broad Street Hotel'."
Oscar Wilde commented "C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la gare"!
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Viceregal Lodge
Image by sir_watkyn
View Large On Black
The Viceregal Lodge, Obervatory Hill, Shimla, India, by Henry Irwin. Completed 1888; tower height increased later by Lord Curzon. Local grey sandstone and light blue limestone, with iron girders, beams, and trusses.
Built on a high 331-acre site, levelled for the purpose, this mock-Tudor or baronial-style building is visible from far down the hillside, and was intended as a proud symbol of Empire. Over the portico at the main entrance is a coat of arms with inscriptions above it naming the architect (Irwin), the executive and assistant engineers (F. B. Hebbert and others) and the Earl of Dufferin as the current Viceroy. Dufferin was the first to occupy the new Lodge. The columned arches along the façade are echoed in the arches of alternating widths supporting the verandas. Just visible to the left of the main entrance, on the first floor, is one of the unobtrusive external iron spiral staircases provided for the lowliest menial staff, the bathroom sweepers.
Inside, the main hall is panelled in teak. The unicorn originally carved over the impressive main fireplace has since been replaced by the Indian wheel of progress. The double-galleried corridor off to the left is lit by mullioned windows and a glass ceiling, and leads to the ballroom, now the library of the Institute of Advanced Studies. On the ground floor were also the dining hall, lounge and drawing room. On the upper floors were the Viceroy's office and rooms. To the right of the main hall is a splendid three-storey high teak staircase, the kind of feature, no doubt, that earned Irwin his eulogy in the Madras Mail, to the effect that his genius was displayed in his interiors. In the morning room and visitors' lounge on this side, finishing touches like a walnut ceiling with a Kashmiri design, lavish wall-coverings (some of which remain more or less intact), an original chandelier and so on, can still be seen. Maple & Co, London, were the western suppliers. A large picture of one of the Vicereines, Lady Elgin, hangs over the fireplace of the visitors' lounge.
For its day, the Lodge had state-of-the-art technology. It had its own steam generator, and was the first building in Shimla to employ electric lighting. Indeed, Lady Dufferin, the first Vicereine in residence, is said to have first used an electric light switch here. The original light panel is still in place (with an added fusebox). The Lodge also had running hot and cold water, together with a sophisticated system for collecting and storing bath and rainwater, including two tanks under the front lawn.
Outside in the landscaped grounds stands a tall tulip tree, a rarity in an area dominated by pines and deodars. It was planted during the stay of the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Viceroy who replaced Dufferin in 1888.
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
Image by AGrinberg
The California Central Valley is one of the major stops for birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway. Millions of geese and ducks pass through, or spend the winter here. The habitat attracts all sorts of other birds, too. Maybe tomorrow we will be lucky enough to see some.
Hunting is a popular activity in this area, and Gray Lodge is considered one of the "special spots".
Some nature lovers can not understand the desire or thrill of shooting a bird dead. I believe that hunters are nature lovers too. When you see the vast numbers of birds, it is hard to imagine that shooting a few here and there will have a lasting effect on the population. Certainly, there is very tight control on what species can be taken, and when and where.
A very important thing to remember is that many of these wildlife areas are here BECAUSE of the hunters. One group, Ducks Unlimited, started in 1937, has contributed to preserving over 11 million acres of wetlands in North America. First things first: wild animals must have space to live, breed, and feed.
If you view bigger, you might be able to see that my lens is not dirty. Those are birds.
Orignal From: Nice Lodging photos
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