Revisiting my trip

It has not been quite a year since my trip, and has my life ever changed!

Revisiting my trip

It has not been quite a year since my trip, and has my life ever changed!

Good bye Bath, Hello Pompey and Strattford Apon Avon

I neglected my blogging duties yesterday, but we were so busy sunning ourselves (Helen, Lucy, Rebbecca and I ), eating, drinking tea and exploring.  It was the first time on my trip that I did not even turn on my computer.  Helen picked me up in Bath, me and my 50lbs or so of luggage (seriously).  I think the poor guy who carried my suitcase down for me gave himself a hernia. 

We headed off to Portsmouth, and stopped along the way to see Stonehenge.  We had a bite to eat in a field with sheep across the road, and I dogged over and took a few pictures of Stonehenge by holding my camera over the fence.  It's smaller than I somehow imagined, but no less spectacular.  We made it to the Bed and Breakfast in time to meet with Lucy and Rebbecca.  We had a stroll down the pier, it was a beautiful day, the air ripe with the smell of the sea.  I kept thinking of Grandpa, and all the walks we took in Powell River.  He loved the sea.  We also had ice cream ( Grandpa would have loved that) and sat on the little wall along the beach.  Of course I pocketed some very beautiful rocks, and had to discipline myself because I could have picked up the whole beach.  Lots of flint, and unusual rocks with holes in them. Later we went for dinner near the Spinnaker (sp?) and had a great meal, and of course some pudding.

In the morning after we checked out of the B&B (great place, good breakfast) we went to the Maritime Museum to see all of the Royal Marine displays.  It was amazing.  I ended up buying a pair of Royal Marine socks, and a fridge magnet.  Trying to keep it light and cheap :)  We said goodbye to Lucy and Rebecca, and headed on to Strattford Apon Avon.  The motorways are so crazy here, so many lanes, and big lorries (sp?) taking up the road.  I had a bit of a snooze while Helen was driving.  We had a sat nav, and although it helped us get out of Portsmouth, it kept telling us to turn left and leave the motorway.  It was good that by that time, Helen knew where we were. We took Aunty Ena out for a pub dinner, it was so great to see her again.  It had been at least 9 years since I last saw her with Uncle Jack, when they came to Canada last.  It's wonderful that she is still mainly independent at 90 years of age.  I could not get over her mannerisms and how much she looked like Grandpa.  I even told her that she and Grandpa looked a lot alike, but that she was prettier :)  She quite liked that.  Helen's home is so beautiful, it was so nice to meet the rest of her lovely family as well, including their dog.  Tomorrow we head off to Warwick Castle, and then we see the "Scottish" play (ie. MacBeth) tomorrow.  So looking forward to it.  Nighty night!!!!

Bath Abbey & Roman

I met professional busker who was here for his brother's wedding, he's from the Linconshire (sp?) area.  He and his Mom and family were staying at the hotel.  Seeing as it was just himself, the duty manager and I, he asked if we wanted to hear some songs.  Out comes a ukelele, and some amazing tunes.  We sat up till 3:00am him singing and drinking, and me just drinking.  I saw him again with his family this morning and we shared a pot of tea and conversation.  Interesting bloke! Then on to the rest of what became a fantastic day, full of sightseeing literally in my front yard.  I went to Bath Abbey, its a very old church, there are tombstones everywhere, beneath you, on the walls.  The architecture is simply stunning.  I  will be posting photos when I get home.  From there, I walked across the courtyard and spent a sumptuous 3 hours in the Roman  Baths.   You can't actually take a bath there anymore, but it was really interesting to see all of the ruins of the bath and the ruins and gilded bronze head from the cult statue of Sulis Minerva.  There were also the trappings of everyday life found after excavation - hair combs, jewelry, forks, knives, perfume bottles, coins, curses (people would right on a piece of papyrus how they had been wronged, and what they would like the goddess to do about it) and the soles of shoes.  I could have easily spent another hour there, but there were so many people near the end, I just decided to leave.  I went for a fish and chips dinner to the Huntsman pub, accompanied by of course a bottle of Bulmers.

 When I finished, I was just in time for the Bizzare Bath tour, it's done as a comedy, and the man orchestrating it was amazing.  He did many tricks, one of them was wrapping up a stuffed bunny in chains, putting it in a postie's bag and then dumping it into the Avon.  Miraculously, the bunny escaped his chains and floated to the surface.  Later, he had 2 helium balloons, wrapped a ladies ring up in paper and attached it to the balloon, he then tripped of course, and the balloon flew up over the spires of the Abbey.  Moments later, our bunny friend came round the corner, sitting on a remote control jeep, with a package attached to him.  Inside it was the ring of course.  Still don't know how he managed that one, as I never saw him give anything to anyone.  He asked where people were from, lots from Britain, a few from the states, and when he got to me, he said "I've got something that I bring out for the Canadians", and he brought out a stuffed baby seal, and then he said, "only, i've forgotten my club!".  Ohhh, ahhhh.  I told him that he had the wrong coast, we don't do that on the west coast.  He thought that was pretty funny.

To say that I loved my stay here would be an understatement.  It's truly the most beautiful, quaint, quirky, history filled place I have ever been to.  It's been a true experience.  Tomorrow, my cousin Helen will be picking me up and we will meet cousin Lucy, and her daughter in Portsmouth!  I am so excited to see where my Grandpa spent a great portion of his life before Canada.  It will be great getting to know my British family.  See you later than! XO

Rainy, beautiful Bath

I slept in till 11:00!  Could not believe it.  I have been going to bed around 12:30-1:30, and waking at 8:00am, so guess its catching up with me.  I missed the free breaky, so I decided to do some shopping at Marks and Spencer's.  What a great place!  Then off to the Huntsmen pub for a ploughman's lunch and a bottle of Balmer's.  It was pouring buckets, the cobblestone streets were like rivers, so I went and bought a pair of wellies.  They are so comfy and tall.  I think they are going to be great for all the rain we get back home.  I decided, since it was pouring and windy to take a bus tour.  One went up the hill, so that you could get a view of Bath - not today, but I did see Bath University, and old dueling grounds.  As well, some of the most spectacularly expensive and beautiful homes.  The other tour went round the city.  I saw where Nicolas Cage lived (until he has money trouble).  I also saw John Cleese's place.  There was also a pub (now I've forgotten the name) where famous bands play, unannounced - like Oasis, Coldplay, etc.  It's supposed to be a great venue.
Later I found myself at the Bath Thermae Spa - I had a mini facial and 2 hrs to laze about in the spa.  I swam in the rooftop pool, overlooking the Abbey, had a relaxing time in the steam rooms, and almost fell asleep in the Minerva Bath.  I was pretty hungry after all of this relaxing so I went to quite possibly the best Thai spot ever.  It was so elegant, and me in my wellies and wet hair :)  Wandered a bit and took some night time photos - it was so quite out, no one around, perfect picture taking opportunity.  Tomorrow I plan on going into the actual Roman Baths, and will take a "Hilarious Bath" Comedy tour later in the evening.  Toodles!!!!!

Bare Hyde's

It was the Trooping of the Colour today (the day the Queen's Birthday is celebrated)  I took a Hop on Hop off Tour today, but just chose to stay on as the traffic was horrible because of the celebrations.  I also got to see about 1,000 or more naked people riding their bikes, it was hilarious, and yet a tad gross as quite a few of the bicycles were the ones you can rent around town.  Some people body painted themselves, and dressed up, with all the naughty bits showing.  It made the blocked traffic and racoon tan I got worthwhile.  Word is they were demonstrating just how fragile people are on bikes in London.  After being there a week, I would have to say that from what I saw, many of the cyclists make themselves victims by not wearing helmets, and riding like asses (is that why they were naked bums everywhere?). I hope to post some pictures (no promises on the quality, or even if you will see naked bits, but you will see skin :) After the nakedness I saw all of the touristy stuff today - it was amazing.  Lots of the tube stations (the ones I needed) were down today, so I took a cab to Paddington Station, and then booked the 8:00pm to Bath.  I arrived at the Best Western Bath Abbey around 9:30pm, grabbed a pizza and a coke from across the street, and here I am.  Thinking I might just go over to the pub across the street soon.  Who knows what kinda trouble I'll get into tomorrow?

Last Day at Sassoon

I am sad to finish my classes at Sassoon.  I had such an amazing time there.  I made a good friend there, Angie from Ireland.  After class, she and I went to Harrods.  It was spectacular!  So incredible.  I was speechless.  I did buy 2 teddy bears (inexpensive) for the kids from there, a loaf of specialty bread from France, and 2 chocolates.  We then went out for dinner to a wonderful Italian place called La Dolce Vita.  It was the belly filling food we needed.  MMMM, I had calamari, cannelloni and glass of white wine.  We topped off the meal with a tiramisu and a chocolate puffed pastry deliciousness.  I am now back at my flat, trying to pack.  I plan on going on a hop on hop off tour tomorrow so I can do things at leisure if I care to, but I am going to go to the British Museum to see the Rosetta Stone, and the Egyptian Antiquities.  Later in the evening, I will head to Paddington Station to take the rail to Bath.  Ta Ta!!!!