Yorkshire, England in the news...Romans flee city for fear of earthquake?

First, of course, you roll into Malton and make sure you have your suitcase. Then you head to Pickering, then over to Scarborough to admire the views of the water.

After that, a quick nip along the water's edge to Whitby, then go back along the coast to the Humber and a visit to Hull, then finally nip over to Grimsby for a snack, then double back to York for a nice dinner. It makes for a busy day in Ontario and Quebec. But it's far more fun to do it in Yorkshire, England, which is where all these place names that surround us here in Toronto come from.

I've thought of it before, but it's fun to check out a map of Yorkshire and see all the towns and villages and cities that folks came from when they settled in what is now Ontario and Quebec. Sadly, we don't have anyplace in Ontario that I know of called Scunthorpe of Masham or, even better, Horton-in-Ribblesdale. I've never been, but I bet there's a great pub in Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Probably some lovely girl who wants to go to St. Andrews in Scotland and meet her Prince Charming. Oh, yeah, that's been done.

Anyhoo, the folks from Yorkshire are in the news of late as Yorkshire is home to the Railway Children, which is now playing in Toronto. It's also home, I was told yesterday, to Dame Judi Dench.

With interest in Will and Kate at such a high, and with the Queen ready to celebrate her 60th anniversary on the throne next June with her Diamond Jubilee, they're gearing up for some real royalty experiences and have created 70 links to the royal family in Yorkshire alone.

They also have a Turner trail to celebrate famed English painter J.M. W. (William) Turner, with 80 sites folks can visit. Great gardens, good food (they have five restaurants with Michelin stars) and top-notch golf courses also are part of the menu for the coming tourist season, officials said. Not to mention two five-star hotels, one already open in York and the other on its way.

Sounds like a great summer. Perhaps I'll stop by if I get the chance. I found a website, which I highlighted above, for Horton-in-Ribblesdale and it looks pretty nice. Apparently it's on the famous Roman Pennine Way and is a centre for hiking what are called the 3 Peaks - Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside. Check this website for a great song about the Pennine Way.

I wonder if Turner ever painted Horton-in-Ribblesdale?

A PERFECT DAY TO VISIT ROME

Geez. Some siesmologist dude in the 1970s ago is said to have predicted a major earthquake for Rome on May 11 of this year and suddenly the city has gone bonkers.

Reports suggest people are fleeing as if it was the start of the August holiday period, and that the streets are eerily quiet. It's probably a little late, but it's tempting to hop on a plane right now and get over there and have some great meals in an uncrowded restaurant in Trastevere or to wander around the Spanish Steps or something...

There are varying reports as to whether the seismologist, Raffaele Bendandi, actually predicted a quake for this particular day. But it doesn't seem to matter, as reports suggest some 18 per cent of Roman workers have asked to take the day off. I don't know that anyone will notice, to be honest....