Alnwick::

This morning I had a test for British history on the Wars of the Roses and the Tudor dynasty. I think I did really well, so that made me happy! I got the second highest test score last time, but this time I am hoping for the top score:)

I had a number of errands to run in town and boy did I ever find some bargains!! I got a small purse, shoes, fine tip pens, a journal, a mini-journal, and a small box of lime and violet dark chocolate truffles for under 15 pounds! 

This afternoon, I spent a couple hours volunteering at the Salvation Army thrift store where I got the shoes and purse. That was a bad idea. Since I am going back tomorrow morning to buy some cute clothes I saw while working:) I just can't resist a good deal. 

catch up days.

Since my return from London late Wednesday evening, I have been doing homework, writing papers, running errands, and rearranging and researching various travel plans. I have also been helping Wade in welcoming and giving orientations to the group of Ole Miss students (and I thought the Brits talked funny, o boy should you hear their southern banter! haha..) who are staying with us at the castle for the next several days. As a result, I have been leading tours, socializing, and preparing and cleaning up after meals with Wade. Over the last several weeks, I have always been jokingly threatening Wade about how I am taking over his job soon. Now, it actually feels like I am in training for it. Ha! Overall, we have been having a good time working together!

LONDON

Sunday, March 3:
          It took seven hours to get to our hotel in London, but I didn't mind the trip because I had the very back row in the bus and I laid across the seats to nap. Towards the end of the trip, Justin (my photography professor) and some of my classmates thought it would be fun to do some gambling. We played the card game 31. I was all set up to win the second game, but I was too bus sick so I had to forfeit. Our hotel, St. Giles, was in central London and was very nice in location and quality. After settling in, we walked to the British Museum. One could spend days in there and not see everything. I spent most of my time looking at the European History and Ancient Greece and Italy exhibits. After a couple hours, Wade took some of us on the Underground to go on the London Eye. We timed it perfectly. We got on at twilight and when it was over it was dark. It was amazing for picture taking. I would highly recommend going on the London Eye; it is so worth the price. Then, we walked around Big Ben and took the Tube back to our hotel. I loved riding the underground; it is such a fast and easy way to get around. I bought some caramelized cashews and almonds off a street vendor. They were delicious. I saved them over the next couple of days and had them in the evenings with my coffee or tea:)

 Monday, March 4:
          I ate a good breakfast at the hotel and was all ready for the fun-filled day. We first toured Parliament. Westminster Palace is stunning. I wonder if the politicians ever get distracted by their royal and grand surroundings. We had a lovely redheaded tour guide who told us all sorts of entertaining stories and facts about the history and current events of the site. There are so many ceremonial rituals performed at Westminster, such as the knocking on the House of Common's door and searching of the cellars for gunpowder at State Openings. Next, I toured Westminster Abbey. I got to walk the same path as kings and queens of old did for weddings and coronations. I also was able to see all the famous royal and noble tombs, including Henry VII, Elizabeth of York, Mary Queen of Scots, and the Dukes of Northumberland to name but a few. After that tour, I walked up to Westminster Cathedral. It was built in the Byzantine style. Later on, Wade took us on a walk from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace to St. James's Park to Horse Guards Parade to Trafalgar's Square. We went to see the National Gallery and afterward I walked back to the hotel and grabbed a Turkish pizza wrap for supper. I freshened up and took the underground to Victoria Palace Theatre for Billy Elliot. We all really enjoyed the show and it was about the North East of England. The cast was incredible, especially the talented boy who played Billy Elliot. He was thoroughly impressive. We took a bus back to the hotel where I took a nice long bath after a long day.

 

Tuesday, March 5:

          Woke up early to eat breakfast and go grocery shopping before we headed off to the Tower of London. I spent an hour looking at the crown jewels. I had a Yeomen Warder tell me the history of several different pieces and gemstones. I went on a tour and got to see the burial place of the queens of Henry VIII. Wade took us on a walk to Tower Bridge and along the River Thames. Mychaela and I relaxed and went mud larking on the riverbank, which is searching for treasures. We didn't find any treasures, but we did find some pretty shells. We spent five minutes in the Tate Modern. It was too nice of a day to be indoors. I took a walk over the Millennium Bridge and down Fleet Street. We visited the Museum of London, where I learned about Londinium, the plague, and the great fire. That night I went to evening song at St. Paul's Cathedral. It was so nice to see the church in use. I recommend going to evening song versus paying money to tour famous churches. From there, I walked several miles around London and back to the hotel for the night. 

Wednesday, March 6:

          On our last day in London, we found ourselves at the British Library. I got to see the Magna Carta, the Lindisfarne Gospels, the Gutenberg Bible, the Codex Sinaiticus, and works of Michelangelo, Durer, Shakespeare, and Leonardo da Vinci. Then, we were off to our last stop: Hampton Court Palace. The Versailles of England. I toured the Tudor Kitchen's, the Tudor Apartments, and William III's Apartments along with the gardens and grounds. Most of the other students headed back to London and are traveling to various locations, but Anna and I were done for the week. I decided not to travel because all the places people were going to were places I would already be seeing with Kari in the summer. The bus ride back was  nice and I had Lion's Tower to myself at the castle:) 

Hiking..my favourite pass time:)

I slept in...then, had some oatmeal. I soon realized it was a gorgeously sunny and warm day so I got ready and headed out to Hulne Park. I took route 2, which is a 5 mile hike. It was stunning, but route 1 is still my favorite. I got to explore the ruins of Hulne Priory. Due to the beautiful weather, I met many people out on the trails. A couple hours later I was back at the castle again and famished. So, I went to Morison's and bought fruit, digestives, and hot cross buns. Then, I came back and ate till I was full, which took awhile. Since then, I have been packing and preparing for London. Get ready for a long blog post on Thursday about all my adventures:) 

I scraped my hand while closing a gate. 

Jumbled News

Started my day off with an olive and feta scone from Strawberry Lounge:) And, a cup of coffee. Okay, a few cups of coffee;) I noticed that I am averaging six cups a day of either coffee or tea. Maybe, I should cut back a little bit....but not too much. Ha!

In the morning, we had our 2.5 hour London orientation. We leave on Sunday morning at 6 am. (Good thing I went to Holy Communion on Thursday morning!) I can't believe it and am so excited to finally see this great city of the ages. 

Sam, Erica, and I had our riding lesson today. It was kinda odd having to take a taxi just to go to the next town and back, but the bus schedule just wasn't working in our favor. We really enjoyed our lesson. They were beginners, so it was a bit on the easier side, but I was busy adjusting to the English style. I was taught western style. Everything is so different, and I liked it. Everyone we met at the stable was very nice too! Hopefully, we can go again soon!

For the rest of the day, I began making preparations for our trip to London. I also booked a short holiday. I am going to Holland on a mini-cruise to see the Keukenhof Garden, which is the largest on earth and is world famous for its display of bulb flowers in the spring! Its just a short 3 day trip and I am going alone. But, I will be perfectly safe. I really like this travel company (I went to Scotland with them)! Tomorrow, I hope to book another 3 day holiday with Maddie to Bruges, Belgium on another mini-cruise! 

Tonight, I creamed Mike in ping pong and I found some new clothes in the pottery room (the left overs from other students). I actually took some mens shirts, but I transformed them to my size with our amazing, super shrinking dyer. Ha...It is incredible. My socks come out 3 inches long. So, now I have some new, cute, chic, reused clothes to wear in London:) 

My new exploration with the woodcut pictures:

The Old with the New: Printscapes

Blitz Survivor.

Allan Mitchell, our history professor's husband, came in to talk to us about living through the Blitz in London. His very first memory is sitting in his mother's lap in their bomb shelter while his mother tried covering his ears in vain as bombs dropped and sirens rang. The noise and stress nearly drove him mad. So, his mother had him, at age six, and his sister, at age twelve, evacuated.

They were both sent off to Yorkshire and told to stick together. Shortly, they were picked up by a family with two young boys. While they were on a camping holiday, somehow the soap bar got into the drinking water. The father of the family was convinced Allan had done it and beat him heavily for it. That night, his sister and him ran away from the family. They were found by the police and reassigned to a new family. This family was quite poor, but shared what they could. One day they heard bells ringing, signalling the war being over.

Thus, they were returned to London and reunited with their mother. Fortunately, their house survived and their father returned from fighting. However, their uncle's fate was not so lucky. He died when his house was bombed to ashes just a hundred feet away from their house. Although he returned to a devastated London, he continually referred to it as a wonderland. And through the youngsters' eyes, that is exactly what it was. The children had such a good time playing and exploring in all the ruins. Allan even shared a game that the gangs of children would play in the rubble, which was a variation of hide and seek.

He also mentioned the kindness of the American soldiers. He said children would run up to them asking, "Got any gum, chum?" Apparently, it always worked and out came a thin wrapped piece of gum. Allan said that the first piece of fruit he ever ate was an orange given to him by an American soldier.

Overall, his insight and view on World War II with his personal experience was deeply engaging.

Out for a Stroll

Since it was a lovely 48 degrees out I took a nice 2 hour walk out and about around Alnwick. I spent some time in St. Michael's Cemetery and at the ruins of the Alnwick Abbey. 

St. Michael's Anglican Church

A Charming Street 

Snowdrops:)