We just returned from the U.K. after touring for 2 weeks with Fun For Less, and celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. Here are some highlights of our trip:
After visiting Runnymede where the Magna Carta was signed, we drove to Windsor Castle outside of London. The gardens were gorgeous. We were lucky to see the changing of the guard. It was fun to try on some fancy hats. We had some awesome ice cream with jam and biscuits in it, and also ate some traditional Cornish pasties.
In London we toured the Tower of London where we saw the English Crown Jewels. We drove around the city and saw Big Ben and London Bridge. The British Library was awesome- saw the Magna Carta, drawings by DaVinci, lyrics by the Beatles, music by Mozart etc., Jane Austen's writing desk etc. At the British Museum, the star attraction was the Rosetta Stone. We found a "Carvery" near our hotel where we feasted on 4 different meats, veggies and yorkshire pudding with gravy.
In the countryside we got to explore fascinating Stonehenge. In Oxford we toured Christchurch College- the school and the cathedral. Saw the dining hall which was replicated for Harry Potter. Lewis Carroll took inspiration for Alice in Wonderland and a little Alice shop was charming.
After a drive through the English countryside we visited the Gadfield Elm Chapel, the oldest LDS chapel in the world. Nearby was Benbow's Farm where Wilford Woodruff baptized over 600 members of the United Brethren Church in the pond.
Later that day we had fun poking around Stratford-Upon-Avon- home to William Shakespeare. We enjoyed another Cornish pasty and a sausage roll, with gelato for dessert.
Warwick Castle was nearby and was a lot of fun to explore. We enjoyed the trebuchet and falconry programs. We also dared to climb the 530 steps to the castle tower and ramparts.
Sorry....formatting issues ahead! Lindsey, I need you!!! :)
In York we drove around the medieval city walls before visiting York Minster, the (stunning and) largest Gothic Cathedral in Northern Europe- almost 1,000 years old. Shopping in the narrow streets and alleys was tons of fun, and a challenge to keep from getting lost!
Enroute to Wales and Preston, we stopped in Liverpool to see the Albert Docks, where immigrants set sail for America. The church has a beautiful statue of an immigrant family there.
Wales was gorgeous! We loved seeing the road signs with both English and Welsh. We had fun exploring Conwy Castle and the charming village where we did some fast shopping. Today was our 40th wedding anniversary. We found a hand-carved Welsh love spoon with "40" carved in the handle.
We loved driving through the Lake District of northern England enroute to Edinburgh. It was fun to see all the sheep in the pastures and the views were stunning. We took a boat ride on Windermere Lake and visited Grasmere, home of William Wordsworth. This is "Peter Rabbit" country and home to Beatrix Potter as well.
Edinburgh was amazing! We loved the old buildings, ate cottage (shepherd's pie) in a pub, shopped the Royal Mile, & explored Edinburgh Castle. We saw Holyrood House, the palace of May Queen of Scots, and Saint Giles church where John Knox ignited the Scottish Reformation. 5th pic below is Mark finishing off the Iron Bru which Mom suggested we try. We enjoyed it!..unlike the Ginger Beer we tried on another day. Bleh! Ha.
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| on the beach at Girvan, with the Aisla Craig in the distance |
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| looking north to Girvan At Stranrear we boarded a ferry to cross to Ireland. |
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