Western England

Our last day in the UK was our favorite.  It was a reminder that Isaac and I are not big city people.  Our best vacations are away from the city in a more secluded, slower-paced environment.

We rented a car and headed for the English countryside.  It was beautiful, although I have to say I expected to see more sheep.

Our first destination was a Stonehenge Drive-by.  We did not even get out of the car (actually, we didn't even slow down).  Since Stonehenge was not our primary objective of the day (and we weren't feeling great), we would take pictures from the road, which we was recommended to us by several people.  

Then, we went to Trowbridge!!  This was the #1 most important item on my European to-do list.  There is not much to the town.  There are quite a few beautiful old red brick buildings, and a ton of friendly people, but not much else to speak of.  It it simply a place I have always wanted to visit based on its name, and I am so glad we went.  Several people waved to us as we were taking pictures by the sign, and a few people even offered to take our picture for us.  I always knew Trowbridges were nice people.

Our last stop was Lacock, a tiny medieval town where most Jane Austen movies are filmed (and a few of the Harry Potter movies, too).  I did not have the energy to wander through the entire town, but we went through a few streets, which were beautiful.  If you take out the cars, it is very Pride and Prejudice-esque.

I love the mossy rooftops!

We fought crazy London traffic to return the car and get back to our hotel.  I was SO impressed with Isaac's ability to adapt to UK driving, which included about 100 crazy roundabouts, all with different rules and signs from each other.  

UK was a great experience.  The people were kind, and the city is very clean and organized.  Only the friendliest, funniest Brits can become taxi drivers!  However, Paris is still my preference.  It is romantic, has better food (food in UK was great, but Paris food was AMAZING), and it is just more my style.  I am SO grateful for the opportunity we had to spend so much time immersed in such a beautiful place, and we made so many great memories.

We came home yesterday to snowy NC, where school has been cancelled yet again (I think for a full 2 weeks now).  Our house survived the snow and ice storms, except for a big branch on our magnolia tree.  Our neighbors left us a little welcome home gift on the driveway.

Last Day in London

I feel terrible today.  The German motion sickness medicine I purchased in Munich is the only thing keeping my nausea in check.  I have had chills and swollen tonsils all day, but despite all of this, today was wonderful.  We went to Stonehenge, Trowbridge, and Lacock.  All were awesome!  I will have to go through my photos tomorrow or Friday, because it is packing and sleeping time.

I have loved our time in Europe.  I am so excited to go home having used up an entire huge memory card in my camera (around 2,000 pictures).

Au revoir!

More London

We have covered most of London in the past few days.  

We started at the Changing of the Guard.  It was one of those tourist items we had to check off our list, and it was not terribly exciting.

We went to Westminster Abbey. 

You cannot take photos inside, which is a shame.  The number of tombs in there is overwhelming.  It is more graveyard than church.  Shortly after we walked in, I was admiring the ceiling when Isaac pointed out that I was standing on Charles Darwin.

The ceilings were similar to Notre Dame, and it was quite fascinating to see a church that is nearly 1,000 years old.  It has aquired the remains of a lot of people in that time, including several kings and queens.

 We found a Baskin Robbins for the birthday boy!  Usually I get him an ice cream cake, but the double scoop cone will have to do until we get home.

We saw the Sherlock Holmes museum. 

There was a great restaurant nextdoor, where we had parsnip and honey soup.

We went to Picadilly Circus, which is like the Time Square of London.  It was crazy crowded!

Trafalgar Square

Quite a few of the double decker buses have advertisements for the Book of Mormon musical.

The Horseguards Parade

More BigBen/Parliament

Parliament is hands-down the most beautiful building in London.  We walk by it every time we leave the hotel.

Tomorrow, we are taking a short roadtrip, which means we will be driving on the left side of the road...yikes!