LoNdOn Day #3

  It was another wonderful day in London. We went to the National Gallery again for another peek at the Impressionist art.  We then raced off to Westminster Abbey.  This is where most of the royals get married.  While going through Westminster we saw lots of royal dead people's graves.  We also saw Charles Dickens, Henry Longfellow, and other famous people graves.  After Westminster we went to Wicked.  I've seen this before in L.A.  They did a really good job and it was almost as good as the one in L.A.  It was kind of fun hearing the play with a British accent.  My favorite part was the song, Defining Gravity.  I get the goosebumps every time.  We then wondered around London for the rest of the evening.  It was nice having a more laid back day.

Highlight:  Seeing a guy with  a BYU hat in the National Gallery of Art and talking with him.  It's a small world when you're Mormon.

Lowlight:  Food in England is expensive, especially in London.  A normal dinner cost about 12 pounds (that's about $20).  Good thing I have a high paying job as a teacher :)

Westminster 

Westminster back side

      

LoNdOn Day #2

It was another exhausting day at London.  From leaving to coming home it was a 16 hour day.  It was long but we did a lot.  This time I didn't get lost on the tubes :) We started the day off at Hampton Court.  This is where King Henry VI lived.  We then headed to WIMBLEDON.   While wandering through Wimbledon town I saw...Venus Williams.   She walked right next to me. How crazy is that?!  We then went on the Thames River cruise on London.  We saw all the famous buildings and heard different stories.  We then went to the National Gallery of Art.  I was in heaven here.   I saw Monet, Cezanne, Rembrandt, Van Gogh,  Da Vinci, and many more.  It was overwhelming and I wanted to soak it all in.  My favorite was the impressionism.   I can't believe how many famous works I saw that I've studied and loved for all these years.  It was priceless being around all the art.

We then wonder around London at night.  London at night is a complete different scene.  People in London are very reserved and don't talk.  At night they're much more lively and sociable.  We had people talking with us and coming up to us a lot more.  I guess some people need alcohol to loosen up.  London at night was breathtaking.  I'm so lucky to be here.

Highlight:  Being at Wimbledon where Nadal and Federer have been before.   It's holy ground :)  

Lowlight:  Not getting back until 1 in the morning and being exhausted.  Tomorrow is another full day. I'll gladly welcome a day of rest.  I guess that's what Sunday's are for.  

Finally made it to Wimbledon 

Hampton Court

National Gallery 

LoNdOn

Olympic Torch 

I'm in Europe!!!!!!!!!!  This is the first thing that goes through my head every morning.  I've been here two weeks, but the excitement hasn't worn down.  I just got back from a 14 hour day of touring and I'm exhausted!  Today was our first day riding on the tubes (underground metro) and it was quite the experience.  We toured St. Paul's cathedral.  We climbed 528 stairs to get to the top of the dome.  The view from the top was breathtaking.  We then went to the Tower of London.  This was a prison and a place where they would toucher people.  It was a little disturbing.  Then we went to the Tower Bridge exhibit.  It was interesting learning about the bridge.  We also visited the olympic stadium.  We then walked and walked and walked and walked and walked in London.  London isn't as crowded as I thought it would be.  There are a lot of people but it wasn't too bad.  I do have to say the men here sure know how to dress.  I've never seen so many well groomed men.  They're lots of fun to look at.   Too bad they don't really talk or flirt much.   Two more days in London.  I hope I'll have enough energy to make it through.

Highlight:  Seeing all of London from the top of St. Paul's dome.

Lowlight/funny story:  It was our first day on the tubes.  Amy got in the tube and the door closed before I could get it.  The tube then went without me and I was left behind.  I don't know the address or full names of the people were staying with.  I would have no idea how to get back to where we were.  Luckily we found each other and came up with plans for if we get lost.  That could have been a very bad story!

Tower of London

St. Pauls Cathedral (I went to the top of the dome)

Top of St. Pauls.  Who can spot the London EYe?  Big Ben?
Well, I guess it would be Little Ben in this picture :)

Tower Bridge with a touch of the olympics

Here comes the sun do do do dooooo

Finally got to use the sunglasses 

The sun didn't last long

We took a 3-hour train ride to Southend Victoria. The couple we’re staying with is very kind and welcoming.  The husband always calls his wife love and it’s the sweetest thing. This area has a completely different feel than any other place we’ve been in England.  It’s right on the coast and has a beach feel to the town.  We went and walked on the longest pier in the world. It was a mile and a quarter long.  It was nice to feel like we were at the beach. 

Highlight: Feeling like I was on the beach in California. Pulled out the sunglasses and it was nice and toasty.  It probably reached 70 today.  I do miss Utah’s warms summers.

Lowlight:  Wearing flip flops to travel around town.  Walking miles and miles in these is not the best idea.  My feet need a good massage.   

Southend Minster to Southend Victoria  

We were in Southend for only one night and this morning we headed to Southend Victoria.  We're staying with Amy's aunt and uncle here.  We took an hour and a half drive to the London Temple.  It was a unique experience to do baptisms here.  We set an appointment months ago for me to go.  They had to bring in priesthood holders because I was the only one doing baptisms.  We had an opening prayer and song to begin.  I did about five times more names than they usually do in Utah.  The font was more shallow than the fonts in Utah (this isn't good for a tall girl like me).  To get me low enough I had to backbend quite a bit.  After doing all those names and bending so much I would have dominated in a limbo contest.  Tomorrow we're going to LONDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Highlight:  Being extremely sweaty when running in England because of the humanity.  It makes me feel like I worked out a lot harder than I really did.  

Lowlight:  Horrible traffic on the freeway (motor-way)

Cambridge

One of the many gorgeous building at Cambridge 

After watching England in the Euro Championship last night
I'm now a football (soccer) fan thanks to Joe Hart.  He's gorgeous and
make the game much more fun to watch.  

Amy and I on our punting ride

       I spent the day in Cambridge.  This university was very large and had gorgeous buildings.  To better explore the campus we did punting.  This is England's version of a gondola ride.  I requested the man pushing us to sing a song, but he just laughed at me.  Very disappointing :)  We then wandered into a cathedral while a service was going on.  After sitting a minute I realized it was a funeral for a baby.  It was interesting to see another religions funeral.  Then we felt out of place and left.   We then did some more shopping.  I'm in big trouble.  I didn't know I would love the clothes out here so much.  I might have to buy another luggage to get back.  Go big or go home, right?  

Highlight:  There was not a drop of rain and I loved the feeling of the sun on my skin.  It's been mostly cloudy/rainy the last 5 days. 

Lowlight:  Last night I had a nightmare.   When I went to Paris they had taken the Eiffel Tower down for renovation so I wasn't able to see it.  I know it doesn't make sense, but it was a dream.  I woke up every relieved when I realized it wasn't true. 

Hull to Kings Lynn

Queen Elizabeth's Crib 

       We left Hull and headed to Kings Lynn.  I LOVED staying in Hull with Amy's Aunt Sam and Uncle Matthew.  They treated us so well and I will miss them.  We'll be staying in Kings Lynn until Tuesday.  We went to Sandringham estate.  This is one of the many houses of Queen Elizabeth.  Their family spends Christmas here every year.  The inside was very elaborate.  I would never want to live here. I want a place that's cozy where I could just throw my feet up on a couch and relax.  It was still fun to look at.

Highlight: Several of my friends told me I had to try Chinese food here.  Finally did and it was great.  
Lowlight: Eating more + exercising less = pants getting tighter.  But as Whit would say, "We're on vacation...eat the food" That usually works better when you're not vacationing for a month and a half.

York

Fish and Chips

  We went to the original York today. I guess New York was named after it.  We went to York Minster (a huge cathedral).  This thing was massive.  I felt like I was at Notre Dame.   We then spent the rest of the day shopping and walking around the town.  I finally go to experience fish and chips.  I'm not normally a fish person, but I liked it.  I guess you can make anything good if you deep fry it.

Highlight:  Buying teal high heels that are GORGEOUS.

Lowlight:  Having a bad hair day almost everyday because of the     rain/humanity.

York Minster

Life's too short, buy the clothes

Can't go to England without a picture in a red phone booth

Our successes from shopping

  
      Today I got to do one of my favorite hobbies…shopping.  We drove into the heart of Hull to a mall.  I went a little crazy with jewelry and clothes.  I would have gone even crazier if I didn’t have my luggage restricting me on the flight back.  Maybe it’s a good thing though.  I still have London and Paris ahead where I’ll unleash the tourist in me and buy way too much.  

Highlight: Running7 miles through the country at 5 in the morning.  The fields were gorgeous and the sky was a beautiful pink.

 Lowlight: Having a small/broken umbrella while it was raining.
                      Union Jack Obsession

      I have been unbelievably spoiled with Amy’s Aunt Sam and Uncle Matthew in Hull.  I’ve never been treated so well.   They’ve feed us delicious British food everyday, three meals a day.  Sam has been very kind to drive us to all the places we visited.  Then to top it all of she bought us a gift.  She bought us Union Jack mug, tissues, earring, key chains, purse, bag, frame, notebook, stationary, socks, chocolate, pens, and charms.  It left me speechless.  I feel extremely spoiled.  I honestly felt like a little kid on Christmas. It was very kind!

         I’ve really enjoyed spending time with her family.  I’ve loved learning how they live here by staying in their home.  It’s much different than a tourist perspective.   The host always offers you a drink or something to eat.  They are very good host here and want to make their guests happy.  They are also crazy drivers.  They drive really fast and zip by.  I’m loving it!  

Jane Austin Day

Pemberely (Collin Firth version)

Pemerbeley (Keira Knightley Version)

Mr. Darcy himself 

Today was a marvelous day.  If you’re a Jane Austin fan you will truly appreciate where I was.  We started off at Lyme Park.  This is Pemberley (Mr. Darcy’s mansion) in Pride and Prejudice with Collin Firth.  As I walked around the house I was reenacting the scenes in my head.  I loved seeing the places I’ve seen too many times too many times admit in the film.             

 We then headed to Chatsworth house.  This is Pemberley in the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice.  We took a guided tour that was amazing.  The stories she told us were so detailed and unique.  It was the best 4 pounds (British money) I’ve ever spent to get a guide.  There were a couple famous paintings I recognized there.  They also had the sculpture gallery that was in the Pride and Prejudice.  My favorite marble statue was the lady that had a veil over her face.  You might remember it from the movie.  I’ve had the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack and quotes in my head all day. 

Highlight:  I dropped my camera and jammed the lens to break it.  Yes, yes, I know I'm a klutz.   After trying to fix it for over 20 minutes I finally got it to work.  So lucky! 

Lowlight:  Having allergies from all the flowers and grass here.  Life isn’t too bad when that’s your lowlight :)  

Preston Temple

       Today we drove over two hours to get to the Preston Temple.  The drive there was amazing.  I loved looking at all the towns and the architecture.  I love all the houses here are made of brick.  I am very spoiled to live in Utah where there are soon to be 9 temples within an hour of where I live.  I realize the saints out here sacrifice a lot of time to do normal church activities.  Most temple workers drive in once a month and will stay there a week to serve.  What an amazing sacrifice!

Highlight:  Having a picnic at the temple
Lowlight: Realizing England doesn't accept American credit cards because they need a special chip.  Oh dear!

A taste of the summer olympics

Union Jack cupcake holders with a olympic torch toothpick.   

Olympic Torch 

Today was a low key day, which was much needed.  We explored around town and then watched the olympic torch being run through Hull.  I've had the olympic theme song stuck in my head all day.

Highlight:  While walking about an 80 year old woman talked with us for a half and hour and showed us her garden.
Lowlight: Being splashed with water by a car while running.

Elizabeth Bennet

Looks like the Bennet's house, right?
  
      I'm in Hull, England.  We're staying with Amy's aunt and uncle.  The estate we're on is incredible.  It was built in the 1600's and I feel like I'm in the Jane Austin era.  It has a stable, large grounds, and looks like the Bennet's house on Pride and Prejudice.   We've had wonderful British food and I will gladly welcome any weight gain because the food is so delicious.  It's been very educational living with them.  I've learned a lot about British history through conversations with their family.  I need to brush up on my history.  I'm loving Hull.

Highlight: British Sunday dinner
Lowlight:  Still having jet lag

Conwy Castle, Wales

Conwy Castle in Wales

Found my knight in shining armor.  

           It's our last day in Wales.  We took a train into Conwy where we went to see a castle that was built in the 1200's.  This thing was massive, and we kept getting lost in the towers.  It's was crazy to think that a King Edward once lived here.  We then walked around the town where we saw the smallest house in the United Kingdom.  It was a very full, eventful day.  Next stop...Hull.  

Highlight:  Becoming friends with a cute old Welsh couple and getting to know them at the bus stop.
Lowlight:  Losing my favorite earring while walking in town.  So sad!

Betws-Y-Coed, Wales

      I'm in Europe!!!!!!!!  Even with all those explanations marks it still doesn't show how excited I am.  Today was my first full day here and it's already my favorite vacation.  I still can't believe I'm here.  I'm in Wales in a town called Betws-y-Coed.  It's a quaint little village that's lusciously green, and has sheep everywhere.  I love being surrounded by people with British accents.  I've loved talking with the locals and getting a feel for their culture.  It's interesting hearing their stories and learning about their life.  Everyone is warm and very helpful to us.  Which is nice because we've needed lots of help.
     Today we hiked Snowdonia Summit.  It was a mountain to them but a hill to us.  While on the hike we saw ponies, sheep, and mountain goats.  After the hike we went to a little castle that was build in 1230.  First full day in Europe was a success.

Highlight: Visiting the Dolbadarn castle.
Lowlight: Getting hit on by a Russian that spilled beer on me.

Wonderful Wales

I was being surrounded by midget horses.  

It felt like we were in Hawaii. 

Antique Bridge 

Queen of the castle