Day Four: Quintessentially Costswolds

Today was AMAZING! At 8am we were picked up by Paul and Carole Burdett who drove us all over and up and down the Cotswolds, the quaint English countryside! The views were amazing and we were all blown away by how homey and cozy everything looked. We took a million pictures today...you shall see them in due time, no worries!

We stopped for coffee and tea in Bourton-on-the-Water (the Venice of the Cotswolds) and were delighted when we saw a flock of Morris dancers with all their trimmings on! We then winded throughout the tiniest country lanes to Snowshill Manor and Hidcote Manor, two beautiful country homes with the most splendid looking gardens! We perused the greens, jealous that our California gardens could not look as good as these ones did! A few more villages later we arrived in Lechlade, which is situated on the Thames. We spent a good deal of time in their Christmas Shop and their very kitschy antique shop in a large old rickety building. After we had our ice creams we then headed off to the Major's Retreat, a homey pub just outside of Bath.

After we were stuffed with cod, mushy peas, and spotted dick we headed back to the B and B where we said goodbye to our tour guides. They were so good to us today and they kept up with our silly American ways. We couldn't imagine how difficult it would have been if we didn't have a car and if it weren't for them, this trip would not have been possible. The truly are very gracious and kind! Tomorrow we head off to our next port of call in Exton! Until then... CHEERS!


^ My favorite village, Bibury!


^ The Morris Men (and Women too!)


^ Millions of sheep... HA-HA


^ Nothing bu rolling green hills...beautiful!


^ Our lovely tour guides...we were so lucky :)

Day Three: Bath and Bristol and In Between!

It was so nice to sleep in this morning and officially recover from our jet lag. We ate breakfast here at the Bed and Breakfast and then headed into Bath. The city center is about a 15 minute walk from where we are staying, so it's very convenient. The streets were very crowded with shoppers, as the weather was incredible. It was in the low 80s and I think it had all of the Brits in a tizzy. So, clearly, everyone was out trying to enjoy it while they could.

We did a lot of walking, and wound up at the Jane Austen Center. We didn't actually take the tour of their building, but we did spend considerable time in their gift shop! Then just around the corner by a block or so was the Royal Crescent. This was a wide residential area of houses that are placed one next to the other at a curve, thereby forming a crescent. In front of the houses was a large green, where Emily took the opportunity to make some friends.

Aunt Sandi, Emily, and Mom went through Number 1 Crescent Circle- the first home on the crescent that has been converted into a museum to showcase life during the Georgian era. I opted out and sat on the lawn of a huge park just across the way. I enjoyed getting to rest my feet and take in the local culture. I guess people love soccer and cigarettes on warm days!


^ The Royal Crescent!


^ The ladies have an admirer ;)


^ The Roman Baths

Next, we headed back towards the main part of town, but stopped at a nice French restaurant on our way. After we had sufficiently refueled, we continued towards the Baths themselves. We had a look inside the Pump Room, then Emily and I left Mom and Sandi behind so that we could get ready for the rest of our night.

We left the Bath train station for Bristol, which was only a 15 minute trip. There, we met up with Matt who is our neighbor's younger brother. He was so kind as to arrange a whole evening "on the town." First, he showed us all of the main parts of Bristol, including many different churches. We also got to see where Beth, our neighbor, lived and went to school. It was fascinating. Bristol is definitely a larger city than Bath, and moves at a fast pace. Matt then took us to a few pubs with some of his friends. They were all so sweet to let us tag along, and they made us feel really at home. They treated us to some local brews before we headed back for Bath by train for the night.

-Alicia

Day Two: The Southern English Coast

Thursday morning came quickly, and though it was overcast, it never did rain. We all had a great breakfast at our hotel together, then Aunt Sandi and Mom left to get the rental car. While they were gone, Emily and I went out to the garden to journal, then headed up a trail on a little walk. Before long it was time to head off for our first full day of English sight seeing. That meant Mom had to drive us on the wrong side of the road! We left Bath and headed south, towards Salisbury. Before we got there, however, we took a detour and visited Stonehenge. It actually wasn't as large or impressive as we had expected, but it was interesting nevertheless to behold. We peered over the chain link fence that surrounded it and took some pictures:



Then it was off to Salisbury, where we took in England's finest example of Gothic architecture. The Salisbury Cathedral also housed the most legible copy of the Magna Carta in existence. It was incredible!





After a tour of the Cathedral, we met up with John "Trimmie" and his wife Caroline. These are the Brits we have hosted for Dad's golf tournament known as the Cyder Cup. They live in Poole, which was to be our next destination. The Trimmies were fabulous hosts, driving us all over the coast so that we could see countryside, cliffs, ocean, piers, the Corfe Castle, and their golf club. Their hospitality was so generous, I don't know how we would have managed without them!



It was a long and full day. Emily and I started to doze off in the car a couple of times, but we tried to fight it because we didn't want to miss a single second of the pristine views. Looking forward to staying in Bath tomorrow to re-cooperate! Until next time- cheers!
Alicia

Day One: Heathrow to Bath

WE'RE HERE!!!!! Upon arrival into Heathrow at 11am, we were picked up by dad's co-worker, Paul who graciously offered to drive us the 1 1/2 hour drive from Heathrow to Bath. At this point we were all exhausted. Few hours of sleep on the plane and arriving in England when it was 3am California time!



^The London Ladies at the bus stop waiting for Paul


After our drive we arrived at our B and B in Bath and it is ADORABLE!



The owners John and Iris are very friendly and our rooms are quite quaint. Mum and Aunt Sandi's room is way up at the top of the house and it is very open and airy...the garden out back is also beautiful. Early afternoon we headed off down the alleyway to the city centre where we had a lovely dinner at Sally lunn's, the oldest building in Bath. We strolled around a bit more and then headed back to the B and B. Tomorrow is Salisbury and Poole...will keep all of you yankees updated! Until next time, CHEERS :)

P.s. Will post more pictures next time...too tired now!