Since arriving we've spent almost every free moment sightseeing and touring the area. There is so much to see! Britain is so incredibly rich in history. Our first big day trip was to Bath. We visited The museum of Costume, Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths museum (see picture). It was simply amazing. The Roman Baths are thousands of years old, but the buildings had indoor plumbing and central heating! It was even possible to see the hot water bubbling up from below in the 'Sacred Spring'. Bath Abbey was big, old and beautiful, and the kids also had lots of fun trying on corsets and hoop skirts at the Museum of Costume.
The weekend after Tom started his initial, 3 week, course we decided to take a day trip picnic to the Thames river. We went to Lechlade, which is a charming village not too far from here. It was like a postcard day. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, the river slowly drifting by. Beautiful. We stopped at a pub on the water for some ice-cream and noticed they rented boats... and 10 minutes later we were sailing down the Thames in our little electric motored boat. I don't think it could have gotten more idyllic. There were some tense moments when the swans attacked... but we made it through in one piece.
The week after Tom's first course was an 'admin week'- i.e., a pack up your bags and get going week. We arranged to go spend a few days in Ireland with Tom's relatives there. We booked the high speed catamaran ferry from Holyhead, Wales and arrived in Dun Laoghaire (said Dun Leer-ee) after an hour and a half sail across the Irish Sea. Once again, it was a perfect trip. Coleman, Olivia and Claire were amazing hosts. Coleman got up every morning and walked to the local shop to get us fresh pastries (mmmmm!). Olivia dazzled us with her culinary prowess and Claire was a tour guide goddess. What more could a family ask for?
Mid month in September we spent a day in Lacock. It is a medieval town owned by the National Trust. As the buildings are all protected, there are no modern add-ons to the buildings (such as TV antennae, satellite dishes or light up signs). The abbey there has been used in the first two Harry Potter movies, and is scheduled for filming for the sixth movie this month. The kids thought it was very cool to be walking in the same hallways that the movies were filmed in, as did I. We had a lovely 'tea' at King John's Hunting Lodge (http://kingjohnslodge.2day.ws/ ). They served the kids 'smiley sandwiches' and lemonade and Tom and I had coffee and scones. It was served in the walled back garden in the sun. The kids enjoyed looking for frogs in the little pond. Again, a postcard visit. Just before we left we stopped and had ice-cream. Althought the kids had 'normal' flavors, I thought I'd branch out a bit and had 'home-made rhubarb' ice-cream. It was delicious-- and definately very British!
Unfortunately our things still hadn't arrived by the 4th of August and Tom's course was scheduled to begin on the 6th. Further digging confirmed our fears that out 'air shipment'- which had been so carefully sorted and packed separately- had in fact been jammed in our sea crate and would not be arriving from Canada any time soon. Frustrated, we dec
ided to head off to Bristol for a few days, as we were still on the Queens' penny and we didn't need to be in the area until the course started. We headed off to Bristol and had a lovely time looking around a place we basically had no idea about. There are huge cliffs there, and a large suspension bridge crosses the Avon River gorge. It is also a port city, although it is inland quite a bit. We took our first open air bus tour here (a huge hit with the kids) and also a ferry boat tour (see photo). It was a great last hurrah before the course. We finally gave up waiting for our stuff, bought the basics at a local outlet mall, and moved into the house on the night of the 5th. Our furniture arrived on the 8th of August, and our car (shipped in JUNE) arrived a week later!
ided to head off to Bristol for a few days, as we were still on the Queens' penny and we didn't need to be in the area until the course started. We headed off to Bristol and had a lovely time looking around a place we basically had no idea about. There are huge cliffs there, and a large suspension bridge crosses the Avon River gorge. It is also a port city, although it is inland quite a bit. We took our first open air bus tour here (a huge hit with the kids) and also a ferry boat tour (see photo). It was a great last hurrah before the course. We finally gave up waiting for our stuff, bought the basics at a local outlet mall, and moved into the house on the night of the 5th. Our furniture arrived on the 8th of August, and our car (shipped in JUNE) arrived a week later! 
Tom and I managed to get off for a day on our own to London, on a trip sponsored by the College. The day started with a tour of the Houses of Parliament. Believe it or not, the tour was fascinating as British political history is full of all kinds of juicy gossip, beheadings and sexual intrigue. Our tour guide was wonderful, and we could focus on what she was saying with no kids to corral through the priceless artifacts! The tour ended in a massive thousand year old hall ( see picture), with wooden beams that are still standing after fires, war and daily wear and tear. We then wandered over to Westminster Abbey, had lunch at a small cafe near a market, a cider on a boat/pub on the Thames and visited Canada House on Trafalgar Square. A final stroll to Sherlock Holmes' pub took us to the bus pick up area and we were off again. Although we seemed to walk all day it was a very relaxing visit. Can't wait to go back.
The weekend after Tom started his initial, 3 week, course we decided to take a day trip picnic to the Thames river. We went to Lechlade, which is a charming village not too far from here. It was like a postcard day. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, the river slowly drifting by. Beautiful. We stopped at a pub on the water for some ice-cream and noticed they rented boats... and 10 minutes later we were sailing down the Thames in our little electric motored boat. I don't think it could have gotten more idyllic. There were some tense moments when the swans attacked... but we made it through in one piece. The week after Tom's first course was an 'admin week'- i.e., a pack up your bags and get going week. We arranged to go spend a few days in Ireland with Tom's relatives there. We booked the high speed catamaran ferry from Holyhead, Wales and arrived in Dun Laoghaire (said Dun Leer-ee) after an hour and a half sail across the Irish Sea. Once again, it was a perfect trip. Coleman, Olivia and Claire were amazing hosts. Coleman got up every morning and walked to the local shop to get us fresh pastries (mmmmm!). Olivia dazzled us with her culinary prowess and Claire was a tour guide goddess. What more could a family ask for?
Although this was a bit more of a visiting trip, we did get to see quite a lot. We spent a day at a manor in Wicklow called Powerscourt. The grounds had a waterfall (in the distance of the photo) that was simply beautiful. It also had a very cool playground with a spiderweb climber that was at least 15 feet tall. Shane loved it.
On a more somber note, we also spent some time at the chapel in Lusk where Tom's dad's ashes are buried. It was a good experience for the kids, as they got to see where their Irish roots originate from. The house Tom's grandparents lived in is still across from the chapel, and the schools where they tought are still there as well. Diedre had lots of stories to tell us. That evening we also spent some time with Trevor, Jessica and Rebecca- Tom's cousin and his two girls. We went to another playground near a castle in Malahyde.
We also spent my birthday in Ireland. Olivia cooked a lovely lasagne supper and a huge Tiramisu cake. It was the best party I've had in a long time! The kids and Tom gave me some cute coffee mugs(we didn't bring ours and the tea cups here weren't cutting it!) I'm drinking from my Disco Sheep mug as I write this. There were lots of other gifties from Irish relatives that were (and are) greatly appreciated! Thank you! Stephen and Becky had us over for an evening chat at their house just south of Coleman and Olivia's It was great to catch up with them as well.
On our way back from Ireland we spent an extra night and day touring Wales- a country I admit knowing very little about. There were castles everywhere! We spent about three hours at Castle Conwy( http://conwy.com/ ) on the north edge of Wales. It was amazing to look at, but I'll admit I spent the majority of the time in intense stress. Let's just say that the British idea of 'safe' is slightly different than the Canadian. We climbed up steep steps with only a rope to hold on, into 25 foot tall towers with only one skinny little railing to hold you back from falling onto the craggy depths below. I kept a FIRM grasp on Kate's hand at all times, and was constantly nagging the kids to BE CAREFUL!! They loved it. I needed a sedative afterwards. You could definately see why they were well protected there.
The next day we meandered south through Wales and stopped at Tretower castle and court (see more photos at www.castlewales.com/tretwr.html ).
This was interesting in a different way, as there was some furniture placed around in the rooms which gave you a better idea of how the people lived in the manor house. We didn't go in the ruined castle part of it as I had had enough of questionably dangerous ruins for a few days.
This was interesting in a different way, as there was some furniture placed around in the rooms which gave you a better idea of how the people lived in the manor house. We didn't go in the ruined castle part of it as I had had enough of questionably dangerous ruins for a few days. School started for everyone the first full week of September. The kids didn't have to go in until Wednesday, but they went to meet their teachers during the 'open days' at the beginning of the week. They love their teachers, and they settled in very quickly. They are quite proud of their uniforms, and had very little trouble adjusting to wearing more or less the same thing everyday! Shane and Delaney have signed up for violin classes, and Kate is part of a lunch hour French club. Kate has also been elected to be on the student council! Delaney and Kate are also active in the local girl guiding clubs ('Rainbows' for Kate and 'Brownies' for Delaney) although we were unable to get Shane into Beavers as it was full. He has joined the local soccer club and is having fun with that. Kate, Delaney and I have also been taking English Riding lessons! Tom is trying his hand at rugby...I haven't gone to watch yet!
Mid month in September we spent a day in Lacock. It is a medieval town owned by the National Trust. As the buildings are all protected, there are no modern add-ons to the buildings (such as TV antennae, satellite dishes or light up signs). The abbey there has been used in the first two Harry Potter movies, and is scheduled for filming for the sixth movie this month. The kids thought it was very cool to be walking in the same hallways that the movies were filmed in, as did I. We had a lovely 'tea' at King John's Hunting Lodge (http://kingjohnslodge.2day.ws/ ). They served the kids 'smiley sandwiches' and lemonade and Tom and I had coffee and scones. It was served in the walled back garden in the sun. The kids enjoyed looking for frogs in the little pond. Again, a postcard visit. Just before we left we stopped and had ice-cream. Althought the kids had 'normal' flavors, I thought I'd branch out a bit and had 'home-made rhubarb' ice-cream. It was delicious-- and definately very British!Well, I think that is enough for this post-- my hands are going numb from all of the typing! Hope you are all well, wherever you are!
Cheers!
B
2 comments:
Hi Brenda! Thank you so much for including me in your mailing list. I really love hearing about your adventures. What I wouldn't give to spend a year living in England and have the opportunity to see all of the sights. I was there two years ago and wished I could have spent more time. Perhaps when my BA is finished and the children are settled in their post secondary careers John and I can do more travelling. Please say "hello" to the children and Tom!
Hi Guys,
Love reading your blog again. Everyone looks like they are enjoying their time in the UK. Listened to Sax and Honey's mp3 and like their music. Not sure if I could go up in the eye. I get scared on a regular ride. Hope everyone is well. Love to all. Aunt Kathy. xoxoxo
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