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!

Beaches, sand, castles

This adventure begins in a seaside town called Swanage. Actually the story begins a little further north in a county named Berkshire where 6 1/2 friends (the toddler counts as half) are getting ready to hit the beach (and well really only five and a half of us were really up and getting ready- and waiting on the last friend to awaken). Anyway onward with the story...

Because we left sooooo late (feeling guilty yet mate?- I've been told I'm great at guilt trips), we were stopped in traffic on the way to the south coast. This gave us the opportunity to see Stonehenge along the way. Apparently the stones to make the "henge" came all the way from Wales- BEFORE CARS, TRUCKS and LORRIES!  How did the stones get there?

Aliens! LOL

After a few more hours in the car, we made it to the seaside after driving by Corfe Castle on the way to the beach. This was built long ago (as is everything in England and destroyed in a war--like everything ELSE in England) and is now a part of the National Trust open to all for touring.

Corfe Castle sits on Purbeck Hill and overlooks the little village from where it gets it's name.

Finally hours later......

The Beach!

Swanage Beach front was beautiful on what was said to be the "hottest day of the year in the UK!"

If you ask me, 80 degree F is just about right, not a cloud in sight! It was indeed hot enough for me to get in the sea and "swim" at least until I got a mouth full of salty water! It was a great day spent with friends playing Frisbee and burying each other in the sand. But what's a trip to the beach without fish n' chips and a Mr Whippy? (For my American readers this is fried cod with fries and a vanilla twist ice cream cone). So off we went in search of both having found a nice restaurant overlooking the shore. Exhausted, sun baked and dehydrated, we ordered food and drinks. Not a minute later my mate accidentally spills beer all over the baby (and the table). Should have stuck with water dude.

Climbin' a mountain

Who's up for a 4 hour car trip?? ME! That's who. In memory of my very best friend and former mountain climbing partner, I hiked mount Snowdon found in Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

I stayed at a lovely, quiet place ~Oakfield House B&B late Friday night and was met by a friendly, smiling face. Across the road was a babbling brook which helped me fall asleep listening to the sounds of nature. In the morning, I shoveled in all the breakfast I could (full cooked AND cold buffet) to power up for the rest of the day's climbing activity. Oakfield House B&B review by Vawn

This B&B was only a mile from the beautiful Swallow Falls.Which I trekked up to, to start my glorious sun filled adventure. There is a fee of £1.00 to walk down to the bottom of the falls but it's well worth it! Plenty of parking across the road at the Swallow Falls Hotel and gift shop. (Fee is P&D for parking)

Onward to the mountain climb! Then, what is meant to be a 15 minute car ride to Snowdon (awkwardly more if you don't listen to your navigator - but enough said on that) turns out to be more like a 45 minute trek through the other parts of Snowdonia National Park.



The Majestic Peak of Snowdon reaches 3,560 feet high and is part of the Three Peak Challenge of the UK (I have two more to conquer it would seem). I travelled the Llanberis Path which is about nine miles. It's the longest and takes about six hours to hike up & down. Half way up the mountain a storm front moved in and I was engulfed by the clouds. Which had a very cool yet, very eerie feeling to it. Lots of folks get lost in the fog I was told, but I persevered and made it to the top!

Going down, now that's a different story! The mountain holds many trails to trek. The famous Miner's Trail (as you've probably guessed it) was the route the miner's took out of the mountain. Because of the dense fog, a stone was erected to show the miner's which trail would get them home.

Nine miles of treacherous rock climbing, I made it to back to the beginning where all good adventures start. Now I'm off in search of the next mountain to master!

Rugby

Two 40 minute sessions watching men tackle one another is enough for me.  My father played Rugby when he was a younger man and I, having been in England for so long, figured it was time to see what all the fuss was about.

My first game was the London Irish v. Worcester Warriors --Score 26-6 poor defeated Warriors. Anyway, it might as well have been the coldest, snowiest Rugby game of the season as well, which didn't help me enjoy it any more.

We arrrived at the stadium for the pre-party in the car park with a band stand (a proper one; not those rinky dinky little ones you find in parks the English call bandstands--those are gazebos people) and a live band. Surrounding us were plenty of food vendors all serving fish and chips or burgers. Why do we need 5 of the same burger vendors?!?!? Carrying on....

I'm not sure if this occurs at all the Rugby matches or just because this one happened to be near St Paddy's day, but there was quite the atmosphere in the car park. In American football (I'm going to use this game to reference a lot during Rugby), people "tail gate" before a game in the parking lot. So I'm wondering if this is the "English" version.

In to the stadium, the game starts. I can't explain the rules, but here is what I did learn. If you have the ball (which is shaped almost like a football), you're going to get tackled or beaten or both until you give it up. I don't see how there aren't more penalties in this game.....(*note: a penalty kick is worth 3 points--see, I did learn something). If you run the ball into the "end zone" you earn your team 5 points and another 2 points if you kick a "field goal".

Always be alert during this game, because unlike American football there are no nets between the field and the spectators and at any time the ball could come diving your way, so head's up! Sorta like baseball (but even that has a back drop behind the catcher). Regardless, I did it. I saw a Rugby match. I can now check it off my list and move on with my life. The mascot was fun, I think it was an Irish Wolfhound <3

PS. Dad, what were you thinking!?!?!?!