Road Trip Through England Begins

We woke up really early today so that we could get an early start on Portobello Road.  It was a good thing too because the circle line was closed down on the tube, meaning the district line that we were going to take would be crowded.  We got to Portobello just fine and the shopping began!  We went quicker to the end because I already knew that the stuff is cheaper down there.  We got a few really good things.  Tried some yummy foods like quiche, pizza pastry, creamy ice cream (mine was without strawberries of course), and a crepe with Nutella.  We rushed from Portobello to the tube to get back to the airport to get our rental car.  After we picked out our car, which is a Vauxhall Astra Turbo.  At first it was really scary to be in a car. I haven’t been in one for a few months and Dad wasn’t quite used to driving on the right side of the car, shifting with his left hand and driving on the left side of the road.  We picked up our bags from the hotel and the road trip began.  Our first stop on the list was Stonehenge.  I had heard that it wasn’t that amazing, in a way that was a good thing because my expectations were low.  I loved Stonehenge!  It was so cool!  No one really knows what it was or how it got there, the audio guide just gave facts they do know and possibilities and theories.  It was still interesting to hear the different facts and ideas.  After Stonehenge, we found our way to Bath.  We got to see the river and the bridge, but a lot of it was closed so we only got to see the outsides but we went to the Roman baths, Pump House, and Jane Austen Center.  We looked for places to eat but it was really a party place with tons of drunk people so we left to go to our hotel in Bristol.  We ended up having to call the hotel in Bristol because we could see the hotel but couldn’t figure out the street to take to get to it.  The guy told us how and we got there and got al our stuff in and everything.  Outside our window we could hear al this partying coming from the yachts below us.  I don’t think it went all night, but maybe I was too tired to notice.

Finally Rain in London

For some reason I had a dumb moment and forgot my laptop yesterday.  I called Casmin, but she was already on the tube on her way to the airport.  We took the tube back to Gloucester and walked back to my apartment.   I knocked on the window hoping someone was there and heard me.  The two boys smoking out front asked if I needed to get in but one of my roommates Ashlee opened the door.  Yay!!  I went in the living room and sure enough my laptop was on the table so I put it in my backpack.  Now we were ready for sightseeing.  Portobello here we come!  Or not…we walked up from the tube stop and it was pouring rain.  Outdoor market on a rainy day is not the funnest idea so the planned changed to St. Paul’s.  We walked in and Mom and Dad realized they had walked in there before.  We didn’t want to pay to go to the top since it was rainy and windy.  We decided to have lunch at Paul Bakery next to the cathedral.  I had a ham and cheese baguette and we shared chocolate cake.  We ended up deciding to go to the Imperial War Museum.  That is what Dad really wanted to do and I hadn’t been yet.  It was so cool!  I loved seeing all the war stuff.  I think the best part was The Trench Experience.  It was interesting to see what it really would have been like, but I can’t believe how things were.  The holocaust part was so shocking and disturbing.  I read about a woman who worked at a concentration camp and would beat and whip the people.  I could never imagine people treating other people like that.  My favorite part was the secret wars exhibit.  It was about the secret agents and stuff.  It had some of their equipment, like code books and radio suitcases.  We decided it was time for some shopping so we went to Primark.  We spent a long time there but found some more good things.  I wish we had a Primark in America.  The clothes are so cute and inexpensive.  We were hungry so we went to The Swan for dinner.  At first it seemed to be a pub but when you went upstairs it was a restaurants.  It was one of the most elegant looking not really expensive restaurants I have ever been in.  We got a table by the window and ordered fish and chips!  I think that our tour bus guy said that the Royals have rented out the Swan restaurant before for some sort of party.  I now know why.  We just relaxed and enjoyed our time there before we got back on the tube to go to our hotel.  It is funny because the further you get from London the less people are on the tube.  By the end of the night you pretty much have the car to yourself.

Dad and Mom Arrive

Today was my very last morning with my peeps in London.  Amberly, Casmin, Amy and I decided to do what we could and hit Oxford Street one last time, mainly because Amberly wanted shoes at Barratts that I had found online yesterday.  Casmin wanted to run in Primark really quick to see if they had the two-toned shoes she liked and they did!  Only one pair left in her size.  Then I happened to find cute black oxfords that were really comfy and only 4 Pounds!  We didn’t find the shoes Amberly liked at Barratts.  Apparently they only have them online.  We took the tube to Hampstead for our last beloved crepes.  I got some for Mom and Dad and the French guy laughed at me.  After I ordered mine he asked if I needed anything else and I said four more.  That was when he laughed haha I quickly told him they were for my family not me.  I gave them a tip since I made them make so many.  I went back to the apartment by myself since the others were going to the war museum.  I finished up my packing and waited for Mom and Dad to text me.  I got a text that they were six stops from Gloucester.  I began the walk to Gloucester station and stood there for about 5 minutes before I saw them walk to the gates.  I was so excited!  I hadn’t seen them in so long!  We walked up the street to my flat.  I showed them my flat while the crepes reheated in the oven.  They go to meet some of the girls and then we headed for High Street Kensington.  We stopped in a few shops on our way to Bristol Cars Dealership.  Pretty much nice cars that look like they might be homemade and are way overpriced; it was 250,000 pounds for a car.  We wanted to be safe with timing so we went to the Wicked Theater and then ate at an Italian restaurant near it.  We all had Margarita pizzas.  Wicked was the best show to see last in London!  I loved it!  The acting, singing, costume, set and everything were so amazing!  No wonder people went to see it twice!  It was by far my favorite performance I had seen in London.

Last Day with my London Peeps

So today I was a total lame-Oh and woke up to my alarm but turned it off and went back to bed, which is rare for me.  But I did wake up at 8:15 am, which was the planned time to leave.  Needless to say Casmin, Kristin and I rushed to get ready and made it out the door at 8:30.  We got to the train station just in time and were on our way to Hampton Court Palace.  I  played solataire and another game on my itouch the whole way it was fun.  We got to Hampton Court and it was huge!  Before we went in Cali commented on my new rings and then Preston went on to give a meaning for my ring and it was so funny.  Then we started to give meanings to Ellie's flower and other things.  Like that she was a blossoming young women.  The palace seemed more like a little city than a Palace.  We started in the kitchen which was a few rooms and then a whole little alley for fish.  I think my favorite part was the chapel and the gardens.  the chapel had sush an amazing ceiling.  It was dark blue with actual gold leafing and stars.  The garden was amazing like all gardens here are.  Dezi, Caz and I stopped at Victoria Station and got delicious baguettes and found out not to buy cuff links there.  So we went to Piccadilly Circus an dfound the best souvenir shop of my life on the way to china town.  I got the cutest mugs ever!  Then we were exhausted so we cam home and rested.  Alright resting consisted of comparing UK shopping websites with US ones.  I may have gotten made fun of for it but I needed to know differences for anymore shopping that needs to happen.  So they have these delicious pudding cups here that I had to eat of Amberleys today becasue they are so divine.  They are not like pudding you think of.  It is cake that you heat in the cup and dump on a plate and chocolate sauce drizzles over it.  It is one of my favorite desserts here and I only discovered it three days ago!  I then realized the lady was coming to check my room at 8 and I needed to pack.  Suprisingly I go all my clothes in my suitcase even though they were stacked way higher then it.  But I just put the lid on it, sat down on it and zipped.  Then it fit no problem.  Amberly told us it was neccessary we go with her and people to get gelato a last time so I couldn't pass that up.  I got hazelnut and frerro rocher gelato, so good!!  Casmin and I are going to go walk around in the city and get a pudding to replace the one I ate of Amberely's then spend the night relaxing.

Shakespeare Day

I got an amazing nights sleep and woke up to the privilege of being able to enjoy a traditional English breakfast of egg, bacon, sausage and baked beans.  It was fabulous!  We enjoyed our breakfast so much that it made us late meeting the group at Shakespeare's Birthplace.  But we got there and saw it!

This is the front of the house

This is the Garden by New Place

Shakespeare's grave

He was buried surrounded by his family

The church Shakespeare's grave is in.  I ended up sitting on the bench in the graveyard relaxing and thinking.  It was so nice.  I thought about my life and finding myself.  I found a cute squirrel friend.

This is my squirrel friend that I got to come really close to me by not moving.  I probably played with it for a good 30min.  everytime I moved he ran away but when I got perfectly still he would come closer.

We got to go on a row boat on the river and it was so beautiful.  I never knew I could paddle a boat like I did.  I got voted the designated rower after everyone got a turn.  Casmin and I showered and got ready for bed.  Apparently we both put our hair in towels after a shower then spent an hour trying to get internet, which for some reason Kristen had and we couldn't get.

Let the Road trip Begin

We started our road trip at 7am when we boarded our bus.  Casmin and I sat in the very back of the bus and took up those five seats for ourselves.  It was one of our best decisions.  After our driver gave us a 40 min spoken tour as we were driving he finally decided to be quiet for a few hours.  This was the greatest thing that could happen at that point in time since we were so tired.  I laid down on three of the seats and took a nice long nap for the rest of the bus ride until the driver yelled "HEY!"  time to wake up!  He then proceeded to give us a little tour of Coventry as we drove through to the Cathedral.  The Coventry Cathedral is interesting because the old remains from the one that got destroyed during the blitz is right next to the new one they built.  They new one is very art decoish and modern for the time.  Apparently you could go up in a tower.  Camille did and yelled down to us, when we asked how she got up there she yelled "Money!"  haha  So yeah I didn't think it was that worth it.  I also decided we had better not yell in the cathedral ruins.  My favoritepart was when swing music started coming from this little room down some stairs.  I danced to it for a little and decided an investigation was neccessary.  These three little old men had turned it on and I could tell they were just waiting for us to come in and see there movie and display.

We all sat down at the old fashioned school desks and watched a movie about the blitz and the Cathedral. 

The little area was set up so you would see what it was like to be a kid during that time.  They had the little school house, a kitchen and other little displays.  I couldn't stay long though because the bus was calling.

The old Coventry Cathedral. 

Welcome to Kenilworth Castle!!  Or the dream playground!  Not only were little kids in armor running around sword fighting but girls in our group also took the oppertunity to run around exploring and climbing.  I didn't do much climbing.

I took the liberty of climbing on one wall and Casmin felt the need to capture a picture of it.  I decided to forgo the way others climbed and just scale the wall.  Everyone else climbed up steps and walked along the ledge to get to this wall but I didnt want to take the time.

I finally got up the wall and got my picture.  It is a little awkward position but it was a small ledge so there wasn't much that could be done.

The castle still has beautiful gardens.  They even have a little bird room with pheasants in it.

Some old ruined stairs that I wished I could climb but I just couldnt fit through the small window in the door.  Sometimes I just need to be able to shrink.

One of the archer windows

One of the gazebos in the garden.  One thing I learned on this trip is that I defintiely need a beautiful garden.

So all through the castle we kept thinking we saw the tower that the Swan Princess was thrown in when she was a swan.  Then we found the one actually called the swan tower, in that moment I knew it was real.

I decided it was about time that someon guard the castle gates again.

Just a beautiful arch way

The back view of the castle and a few of our groupies sitting down picnicing.  Don't worry I didn't spend anytime eating at the castle because I wanted to make sure I saw it all since I knew I could eat on the bus.  It paid off because Casmin and I found this little hole in the wall and went in and found a cool little room.

Trapped inside the castle walls, but who cares when you are surrounded by such beautiful countryside.

I was so excited to see this becasue you can tell that it used to be a fireplace!  It was huge!  Then I was able to notice were the floor used to be and everything.  The floor isnt there anymore because it was made of wood and that is also why some towers don't have stairs.

Okay these people were short. 

Some fun facts about the castle are that the King of France sent the King of England at the time (I don't remember exactly who) a gift of tennis balls.  The English King took this as an insult meaning that he was too young to be king and should just play, so it started a war.

It is thought that Queen Elizabeth's love and favorite Lord (Robert D. ?) killed his wife so that he could be with Elizabeth.  They would visit each other often.  Of course he and Elizabeth never got married though becuase he was going to propose with a play and parade, but it rained so she cancelled it and never rescheduled.  On the bus Casmin and I listened to music and ate our lunch.  We brought a huge grocery bag full of food to ensure we would not go hungry and maybe even save a little of the food money they gave us for other things...clothes maybe being one of them.  We drove through beautiful countryside called the C........., it was amazing with gorgeous houses.  Casmin and I dibsed every house we drove by.  Our driver told us that you could tell the wealth of the people in the villages by the size of their church.  The more money you give to the church means you are going to heaven.  We saw lots of old cottages and thatched roofs.  The closer to Anne Hathaway's Cottage we got the more thatched roofs we saw.  I don't mean Anne Hathaway from Princess Diarie's either.  I am talking about Shakespeare's wife, who was 26 when they got married and he was 18.  Crazy!  Apparently they most likely did most of their courting at her house.

She really knew how to keep a lovely home and garden.  or I guess the peole taking care of it now do, because it was beautifil.

There was this cute little bush house with a bench in it!  Love Love Love!!

This was the most interesting scarecrow I have ever seen. 

Again more short doors.  I don't know if these people just ducked or we have just become taller.  I guess I am a really tall person anyways.

Look at here adorable little cottage.  It almost reminds me of Snow White.

Okay not only were the flowers beautiful but I saw some of the biggest bees I have ever seen in my whole life.  I was imagining if I were to get stung by one and then I ran as far from them as possible.  So Casmin and I headed off for the maze.  On the way we decided to take a picture where we sat in the grass and of course I got a grass stain on the back of my new pants.  That was a fun surprise.  So I walked with my hands behind my back from then on to hide it.  We got to the maze and decided to run through it.  I ended up chasing Casmin until I caught her and then we took a lovely stroll and tried to talk olden day.  Our stroll continued into the forest.  It was cute ther were little things hanging randomly and some shakespeare quotes. 

There were tons of bugs though.  I even got some in my shoes!!

I had to clean the bugs and woodchips out of my shoes plus it was nice to just be bare foot in the grass for a little bit.

Anne Hathaways Cottage and Garden

There was a flower called Princess Elizabeth!

The littlest Shakespeare book I have ever seen or read.  After Anne Hathaway's Cottage we drove to the Arden Farm, which I loved!!  There were animals everywhere!  Yes I am indeed obsessed with animals if you haven't been able to tell by my multiple picture so animals.  The first thing we saw was a Falconeering show.  They showed us the love owl and how it flies in at marriages to bless it and then we got to see a falcon fly and try to catch what the falconeer had on a string.  Falcons are so fast!  The next thing I saw was the best ever....a white horse!  Dreams come true!

The cutest little horse ever!  He even let me pet him and would come over to me. 

Owl in a Basket...This is a baby owl!  I thougth it was fake until I saw it move.

The love owl.

European Eagle Owl

A buzzard

A wishing well outside Mary Arden's house (Shakespeare's Mom)

My beautiful Horse

An old fashioned carriage

The pigsty!  They were nasty.  Then Casmin brought up bacon and I had to leave.  Just thinking about eating the cute little pigs is nasty.

Just a lazy little goat

Mary Arden's actual house

Another tiny tiny door way.  Why so small?

The outhouse...I do not feel like it really offers much screenage.

At least it had a big wooden door in front

This rooster was huge!  Yes I could tell that the chickens had a pecking order.  The rooster wasn't the pushy one like you would think he would be in charge but it was a different chicken.  I admit I did watch the chickens for a little.  I would have watched the goose more too but it sat like a statue.

Our bed and Breakfast was so nice!  It felt so good to be there I wanted to go to bed the second we walked in.  The beds were the comfiest I have slept on for awhile and I am pretty sure the pillows were feather pillows.  I didn't get to eat right then because we had to get dinner and go to a play.  We went to a pub called Weatherspoons and I was going to get fish and chips but they ran out so I got a hamburger instead.  We then went to Merchant of Venice, but it had a different twist because it was set in Las Vegas.  I really liked the different twist and thought that it was creative and kept me interested.  Patrick Stewart played as Shylock so after the show we waited for him and got his autograph.