Holland

Okay, so I get that this blog is known as Adventures in the UK and this post is about Holland (clearly not in the UK unless your geography is as poor as my friend JD's...you already know that) but as I'm having these adventures whilst living in the UK; I thought it suitable enough to add.

Reviews from Amsterdam:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/members-citypage/VawnK/g227906

Stormin' the Castle

Perhaps storm at the castle is a better description of the trip to Warwick castle experienced. Round about tea time a hail storm moved upon the castle but didn't dampen our spirits. This was apparently very odd weather for England, so onward men! 

Warwick Castle is a medieval castle developed from an original built by William the Conqueror in 914 A.D. and is situated on a bend of the River Avon in Warwickshire. The castle and grounds have now been open to tourists which flock there in great numbers. Are you ready for Dungeons and Dragons? Warwick has both. Just purchase tickets at the door upon arrival.

 The dungeon tour is just under an hour and well worth it. It's not for the faint of heart, or those with epilepsy or expectant mothers..no one wants to deliver a baby in the dark, dank prisons. Interact with the actors and actresses as they tell you of all the gory details down in the depths of the dungeon.

Seek out Merlin in the Dragon Tower. But don't be late or your tour guide will start without you! Be transported to the heart of Camelot to discover the secrets that are hidden deep inside the Tower before your encounter with the Great Dragon himself. 

Not up for the additional costs? No worries, there is plenty of free stuff to see once inside the castle. Watch the world's largest working trebuchet launch REAL fireballs! Wander around the courtyard seeking out the flocks of peacocks. Or perhaps you've always wanted to fly a bird? If falconry is your thing, then catch the Flight of the Eagles show (every day from 5^th April). If quiet is more your style, check out the 64 acres of landscaped gardens ie. The Peacock and Rose gardens. Wander through the Great Hall and lavish stately rooms.

Climb the 500 steps that walk you around the castle walls to the highest towers of the castle! Enjoy overlooking the city of Warwick from the castle top. (Be mindful the castle walls are closed during the falconry show- as those birds fly to the tops of the towers).

Still haven't had enough? Right. What's a castle trip with out a jousting match? Go down to the Pageant fields to watch silly boys on horseback with sticks running at each other at full speed.

(“It's called a lance ...Hellooo”-A Knight's Tale).

Hear the thunder of hooves and the crack of the lance as the UK's fastest and most skilled brave knights battle live every day in the summer from mid- July to 31^st of August.

Bow man shows everyday. Try your luck with arrows and fire a real bow along the outer walls.

Too much to squeeze into one day or perhaps you want to stay longer? Only kings and queens get to live in the castle all peasants must camp outside the walls. Extend your adventure with Medieval Glamping, the tents are huge!

http://www.warwick-castle.com/

Whatever you're into, there's bound to be a little something for everyone. This year the castle celebrates it's 1100^th Anniversary and they are certainly celebrating! Go and join in on the fun!

Back to My Roots

This Easter I travelled up the Norfolk & Suffolk coasts approximately 3 hours from London/Reading where I currently reside. Upon our return trip of Norfolk I wanted to see RAF Lakenheath Base upon which I was born to see my old stompin' grounds.

Let me interrupt the story to tell you this. Every one I meet in England asks me where I'm from when they hear my accent. It really throws them when I tell them I was born in England but have an American accent (which is diluted now to and confused most often with a Canadian accent). Upon finding out I'm American their next question is, “Do you have a gun?”

Like all Americans are suppose to own one. Oh don't cha knOw we Americans like 'er guns, whatever. However, the American soldiers on RAF Lakenheath, well.... they DO own guns.

Now my birth certificate reads I was born in Mildenhall which is probably the closest town to the Air Force base or that's what the military told my folks anyway.

Back to the story...My English friend decided it would be nice for us to go an hour and half out of our way to show me the Base on which I was born. Very nice of him. I thought we'll head that way, stop near the base, I'll jump out and quickly take a selfie of me standing in front of the big sign reading Lakenheath RAF. Proof that I was once again there after many years. We begin our trip to Mildenhall from Norfolk and 30 minutes into the drive I ask why on Earth are we going to Mildenhall- it's 15 miles away from Lakenheath? My mate does a face palm, “I thought you wanted to see where you were born?” he asks.

“I do”, I reply. “But I wasn't born in Mildenhall- I was born in Lakenheath!”

My mate just shakes his head and resets the GPS. It was decided then that this was NOT the best way ever but also decided that I have rockin' navigational skills. So we've switched routes to Lakenheath which we decided was named that because it was surrounded by lakes and heaths. *shrugs* We come upon the base well before you see any signs for it- because a base like this is massive and I tell the driver to slow down so I can see. We pass one sign for Lakenheath and then another and then another. I begin to wonder if he's going to pull over and stop so I can take my photo. Once we come upon the second entrance gate, I ask him to pull over-it's clear he was going to drive right past. He slows down but refuses to pull over for fear of being shot. Really? So we just drove an hour and a half out-of-the-way for this and my picture taking has now been demoted to a quick snap as I'm stretched over the driver and hanging out of the right side of the car window. Because this drive -by “shooting” looks less suspicious than actually pulling over into the side of the road, hopping out and taking an actual non-blurry photo? Sometimes I really wonder about the English. Well A for effort mate. Thanks for taking the four hour scenic route home. 

The British Museum

Thirty -nine minute train ride with two stops and BINGO, we're in Londinium (the name of the settlement used by Romans in 43 A.D. for what's now known as London). Whilst sussing out the tube system was never my strong suit, I simply rely on my travel companions to get me around the underground of London. However,  there is a stop dedicated to the British Museum itself, so keep your eyes open if you're headed that way.

The British museum was established in 1753 (England has a museum before the US has a country!) and has a collection of over 8 million permanent works! It is among the largest and most comprehensive collections of the world containing something from all over the globe. If you're going, plan to spend a few hours there. Don't worry, there plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from during your visit so you won't starve. Entry to the British museum is free and allows you to access over hundreds of displays. Admission to certain special displays applies.

Step back into time with Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. See a mummy or two in the Afterlife display.

(I made myself a Sphinx)

Gaze upon the many Greek statues each with a different story. View the beauty of Asia in Chinese jade or perhaps discover the culture of the Buddha. (I must admit I was a  wee bit disappointed I didn't see any Terracotta soldiers).

If Buddha isn't your thing, travel to the ancient civilizations of the Middle East to learn what makes them tick. I skipped the Americas exhibit, because ...well I've had enough of that during my school years, but if that sort of thing interests you; step in and learn all about the Native Americans and how Spain and Britain fought over gold in Mexico and the US.

Finally, since you are in the British museum, check out the history of the sword/weaponry or Medieval Europe. Learn how Romans invaded the island through what was called Roman Britain. (TIP: don't look for Merlin or King Arthur. You won't find them here. Sad, but true).

Wander through the King's Library collection at the museum...wall to wall books running all the way up the ceilings!  This display was donated by King George IV and was the collection of King George III. (Apparently, his son didn't like to read....)

Whether you're looking for the most famous chess set in the world, want to see a colossal figure from the lost civilization of Easter Island, have a look at samurai armor or African art, or decipher hieroglyphs using the Rosetta stone; check out the British museum. It's sure to be a day of fun and adventure!

Coming soon to the museum are the Vikings...BE WARE!

Gloucester

Hello dear friends.

It's time I write a proper entry in this blog and today's travel adventure is in an oldie town called Gloucester (a Roman/Celtic town meaning "glowing castle"). For those of you who would like to say it like the locals do, it's pronounced 'GLAH-sta'. Bearing in mind that I am a halfing- an American Briton- so I may still have my ears on wrong when it comes the Olde English pronunciation. The town was named after a Roman Emperor in 90A.D.

Gloucester was abandoned and left to ruin by King Henry VIII in the 16th century, but that didn't stop the building of a cathedral where his predecessor Edward II is buried (it was an Abbey then).

There are several sights to see here in Gloucester. The Gloucester Cathedral is just one of those (I know you're all pronouncing it correctly by now). The cathedral itself was built in 1089 A.D. and continues to hold worship to this very day! In fact on the day of my visit, the choir was practicing which makes for lovely background music whilst touring the cathedral for, ...FREE. That's right at no cost to you, you can tour this brilliant architectural structure. Inside you'll discover a crypt and many famous people buried there. Even a chap from the US! He wrote the music to America's national anthem.

If churches aren't your thing, there is still lots to do at Gloucester. You might find yourself  touring one of the many museums (Soldier, Beatrix Potter, Arts) or have a wander down to the Quays. The Quays (pronounced "keys"- this is new to me also. I have to get out more), are home to the shopping outlets. Who doesn't love to shop??

If this isn't your "cup of tea", have yourself a pint and go sit out by the Docks watching the boats come in. This time of the year people flood the streets for the Victorian Christmas Market and sell everything from soaps to mead dressed in Victorian clothes. So get out there and have yourself a good time! If there's time, hop on the Merry-go-round before you go!

Winchester

 

 Winchester Cathedral

Jane Austen is buried here in the Winchester Cathedral when she died at age 41 of causes unknown. It was not until the 1900s that her books were discovered and later became great classics for all to read.

This replica of King Authur's round table was made and painted by an artist in the 13th century and can be seen in the Great Hall of Winchester. He listed King Arthur and all his knights around this table.

Highclere Castle

What better plans on a dreary raining day than to storm a castle! Or...erhm, well, maybe go visit one nearby after politely paying admittance. Highclere Castle so close to where I live yet in the two years I've lived in Berkshire, I have only just recently visited. So many castles to storm, so little time....

The castle and grounds were the setting in season one of the world famous Downton Abbey. Eat your heart out fans. (I should really try to watch one of these episodes).

I couldn't begin to tell you how massive this house is.; only that it took better than an hour to see the parts of the castle tourists are permitted to peruse. It is a country house in Jacobeathan style with over 1,000 acres to run. (I wouldn't mind a country house like this). I gave up counting all the bedrooms...who really needs that many?!?!? That's not to say, I didn't fantasize about a fun game of hide and seek throughout the manor (too bad it was frowned upon)...but wouldn't it be cool??

HISTORY

I learned Lady Almina of the house opened up the castle to wounded British soldiers during the First World War and the bedrooms were used as rooms for those in need of hospital care.   They were carted all the way from Southampton (37 miles away) across bumpy dirt roads until they reached "Highclere Hospital" where the lady's footmen would care for the wounded soldiers. During the Second World War, the Castle briefly became a home for evacuee children from north London.


Put your camera away folks and take mental pictures, there is no photography allowed inside the castle. That I'm okay with, but how about a lovely game of hide and seek? Who's game? Some of the wardrobes in those rooms look like they could lead us to Narnia. I'm in!