Stonehenge, Bath and a Day in Camden Town
May 31st, 2015 - I am writing this as I sit on the couch in my flat while listening to a newly created Spotify playlist that I just made for the British Summer Time – Hyde Park concert I am going to on 27 June (that’s how dates are done on this side of the pond). The main reason I am going to the concert is for Taylor Swift. Her show is the only one that is sold out! It’s going to be epic. I will essentially be going to a one-day festival and Taylor will be the culmination of an afternoon and evening of music. Ellie Goulding and John Newman are the two most well-known supporting acts for the event so I am currently brushing up/learning their songs. I’ve also added some of the most popular songs from the other acts. They are mainly UK-based acts and I am really excited to be exposed to some new artists. What a good way to break out of my Taylor Swift/Ed Sheeran musical lifestyle. 😉 Here is the full line-up for anyone interested.
Yesterday, I went to Stonehenge and Bath. The trip was organized through CAPA, which is the organization I am taking my classes through. The trip was included with tuition so there was no reason not to go. Our bus left right around 8:00 am and we arrived at Stonehenge around 10. Our tour guide was named Tim, and while he was nice, he rambled for much too long. He shared interesting insight into the history of Stonehenge but he could have covered the highlights in 10 minutes. It did not need to take over 30. The whole bus was grumbling with annoyance by time we parked at Stonehenge. People just wanted to sleep or be left alone, but he spoke over the mic and got on a lot of nerves. After about 20 minutes of listening, I zoned out and decided to drown him out with some Ed. I had to turn the volume up really high and I could still hear him the background, but Ed was overpowering and that’s what I needed. I had been reading Harry Potter before Tim started with the Stonehenge information, but I could not focus on reading with someone speaking so loudly. Moral of that story…he provided neat information but I only retained 50% because I simply got annoyed. Oops.
Stonehenge was beautiful. My three friends and I stood at the front of the group to get our entrance tickets and then we bolted for the toilets (aka bathrooms) because all the water, espresso and fizzy drinks (aka pop or soda) we had consumed were hitting us. We were lucky, because we didn’t have to wait in a line and when we left the line was at least 18 deep. Woo!
We took a short shuttle trip from the Stonehenge visitor centre out to the actual stones. It was just one mile and it was very pretty. We had beautiful weather throughout the day. It was probably in the upper fifties, mostly cloudy and a bit windy at the stones. My scarf blew a lot at times (see the included photo) but the clouds and intervals of sunshine made for some really neat pictures.
I also got lovely pictures due to some cool filter settings on my camera. This trip is really demonstrating the importance of taking photos on a camera instead of just my iPhone. Thanks, Padre, for all the extra camera memory cards.
The stones were beautiful. They were typical enough looking stones…shades of gray and brown. They had small patches of green moss growing on some sides. But they were massive. It was incredible to see one of the Seven Wonder of the World. For those who don’t know about Stonehenge, read the Wikipedia page and understand how cool it is.
We spent roughly an hour at the stones (I think) and then we shuttled back to the visitor centre and little museum. I bought some postcards and a new bookmark at the attached shop! With all the Harry Potter reading I am doing, I figured I should invest in a real bookmark. There was a small cafe at the visitors centre and it is where I purchased my first Cornish pasty! Yes, I’d eaten small Cornish pasties down at the Wizarding World in Orlando, and yes, I have eaten Michigan pasties before, but I really needed a proper British one. It was delicious but it was soon outdone by an even better one in Bath.
From Stonehenge, we bused over to Bath. Bath is a lovely city, rather small and very touristy. The focal point of the city is the Roman baths. My friends and I found a nice pub to eat chips and drink beer in during our free time. The sign outside said it was the oldest pub in Bath! It was clear that we were Americans because the FA Cup championship game was on and the eyes and ears of everyone else in the pub were directed towards the game, while our attention was on our conversations, phones, food and drink!
After the pub, we strolled a little and then found a pasty shop. We were in the area that is known for Cornish pasties (…meaning Cornwall) so we had lots of shops to pick from. Bridget and I both had pasties and mine was simply divine. I got the traditional steak pie and it a piping hot and filled with meat, potatoes, vegetables and delicious gravy. It took a while to eat and even the meat was hot even on the last bite. I wish Cornish pasties were bigger in London because I would eat them multiple times a week. I will have to do some research!
The best part of the Bath was the Roman baths and I wish we had more than an hour to explore. There was an audio tour and plaques to be read. I could’ve used at least two hours to go at my own pace and read everything. I probably only saw 45% of the relics and signs. It was so cool to see the architecture and ruins from something so old. The pictures don’t fully do it justice. It was marvelous and I look forward to going again later in the summer during my second session.
We ended the day with a bus ride back to London and then we all went our separate ways. I read some more Harry Potter.
Today was a very chill day. Bridget and I went to a very adorable coffee shop that was a few minute stroll from our flat. They serve loose tea in individual teapots, they have espresso drinks, and they also have scrumptious handmade pastries. It was my second time in the shop, but my first time sitting in there. During both visits, I got a vanilla scone. It was easily my favorite pastry I have found in London so far. It is crumbly and delicious. The vanilla is not overpowering and they serve it sliced in two and toasted. They also provide butter and strawberry jam. I am not a butter person but I do enjoy jam on occasion. Let me tell you…if you ever go to London you need to find a Yumchaa and eat a vanilla scone. You will not regret it!
While at Yumchaa, Bridget and I both bought 6-day London Pass tickets. They were on sale until midnight so we took the plunge. The London Pass allows ticket holders to access over 60 major London tours, attractions and museums without paying for individual admission at eat venue. It will save me a lot of money! I plan to activate in next week and then see the Tower of London, go on a Thames River cruise, and do countless other things! I did also do a bit of homework while at Yumchaa. It’s hard to know what to do for my International Marketing class though since we have only met for one hour when we are supposed to have already met for eight hours as this point. Yikes!
The rest of my day included delicious Italian food, Ben & Jerry’s, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and a nap. My nose has been running constantly ever since I got back from Bath yesterday. There is some allergen in the air here that is making me sneeze constantly! I’ve carried a roll of toilet paper or a box of tissues (didn’t get the tissues until this afternoon) with me all day. I will look into some strong allergy meds tomorrow at Boots.
Well, that is all for now. England truly is amazing! I will be riding the London Eye tomorrow morning. On Tuesday night, my friends and are I going to see The Lion King. We have AMAZING seats. Then, on Friday, we are spending the day in Cambridge and then going to a formal dinner. We are super lucky for the experience because only students and special guest of students are allowed to go to attend formal dinners. It is bound to be amazing!
