Quickest Post EVER!

So these past three days we went on a long bus trip to the West of England. It was so fun but packed with sites and lots of traveling. I wish I had time to post everything, pictures and information but I am exhausted and midterms start next week, we have more traveling, things to see and homework up the wazoo! There is just not enough time! So, here I begin...my condensed version of a great 3 days!
Day One:
We started off the day bright and early. We packed up and headed on the bus for a long ride. I sat next to Jenni and we settled in with our packed lunches and lots of homework to keep us busy.

First stop: Jane Austen's House in Chawton! It was so neat to go there and see where she actually lived. It was a cute, quaint house where she actually wrote most of her novels including my personal favorite...Pride and Prejudice. How cool!


These pictures include her actual writing desk where she wrote the novels and her bedroom! Yay for Jane! (P.S. The boys traveling with us were acting like they were so put out to go see her house and tried to act manly. What losers!)
They even sold Mr. Darcy wrapping paper! I totally should have bought some!
We then jumped back on the bus and headed to our next stop...Winchester. This is where we saw a most beautiful cathedral (one of many on the trip). Jane Austen is actually also buried there!

After we walked around inside we made the trip up the hill to see where King Aruthur's "Round Table" was. It was really different than I thought it would be but it was awesome to actually see.

We then got back on the bus and headed to Bath. (It is not pronounced as we say it in the states but more with an accent. Kind of like, "Both".)
We first went to the assembly rooms that looked like the ballrooms in Pride and Prejudice. So we had a "ball" of our own.
We then went inside the "baths" they have there and the bath museum. We walked around and learned what they were used for (not just bathing but for worshiping Sulius Minerva for healing or putting curses on others). The baths come from natural hot springs in the ground.



At the end of the museum they let you taste the "cleaned bath water". They said it is an experience you have to have and so we tried it. I was scared to try it, but I did and to tell you the truth...it was NASTY, GROSS, HORRIBLE...it was literally hot bath water. Ewwww!
We then got dinner in Bath and walked around the city more as we saw the Royal Crescent and found the Pulteney Bridge.

We then checked into a hostel that night. This was my first experience with this and it wasn't too horrible. There were 6 of us in one room and I was on the bottom bunk (if you could call it that). It was basically a matress on the floor but I slept well so I was happy.
Below is a picture of Kristen and I outside our hostel and a picture of us with the sunsetting in Bath. How beautiful!

We found some beautiful fields that we walked around and took pictures.

I thought it looked like the field from the Sound of Music, so we acted liked Maria and sang.
Day Two:
(I said it would be quick posts but I didn't realize how much I had to talk about! I still have a lot mre but once the clock hits 12:30 I am going to bed!).
We woke up the next morning, had breakfast at the hostel and then headed to Glastonbury. It is the burial site (supposedly) of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. It is basically castle ruins. It was great to see though and we had a hilarious monk tour guide.

We were then told we were going to see the "Tor". (I was confused at first and thought we were going on a "tour"). I didn't know what is was (nor do I now) but I heard it was a little walk and then on a hill. When we started walking towards it and I saw it I said to myself, "No thank you! I will wait here and cheer others on from the bottom but I decided to go up anyways...

...and I was sure glad I did. The view was amazing!!!

After that we got on the bus and headed to Wells. There we were able to get some lunch and where I tried my first "pasty". (It is pronounced "past" and then "y".) It was good. It was kind of like a chicken pot pie but one that you can hold and mine didn't have chiken in it...ok, so maybe not so much like a chicken pot pie...but you get my drift.
We were able to walk around, look at shops and even go through a cool market. We then went and saw the Wells Cathedral. Once again another beautiful Cathedral both inside and out.
After that we drove to Ilfracombe. It is a beautiful costal town. It was amazing to be on the beach and see the beautiful cliffs surrounding it. I can't even describe it! We first climbed up a hill so we could look over and see everything!


We were even able to go down to the beach. We were there the perfect time, with the sunsetting!

We then went and got dinner afterwards at this Italian Restraunt called "Giovanni and Luca". I split a pizza and it was so delicious!
Afterwards we headed back to our hostel which was sketchy. The guy who owned it had a rat tail/beaver tail/dreadlock (not locks)that was to his knees. It was gross! (I heard someone got a picture of it. I will see if I can get it!). The place was just run down, painted funny, our room was tiny and we had to sleep in "sheet sleepingbags". It was basically a sheet with a slit down the side for you to get in. Not fun!
Day Three:
(We are in the final stretch). We got up and had a "traditional english breakfast". I was NOT a fan! I am one who likes a simple breakfast with toast, cereal, yogurt...but this is what they serve:
Who eats beans for breakfast??? I felt like the meal was way to much for the morning and it was all meat and I couldn't do it. So...I ate my toast! :)

I was sad to say goodbye to the city of Ilfracome (but I was not sad to say goodbye to our hostel called "Ocean Backpackers") but we got back on the bus and headed for Tintagel. This is another castle ruin that is supposedly where King Arthur was born and where Merlin's cave is located. It was amazing!
We climed up to the ruins and it was on this beauitful coastal mountain top. Instead of explaining I will just put up pictures. Easier for me...and you.




The picture below is me pretending to be Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice when she stands on the cliff, over looking the mountain.
Oh, and by the way...did I mention that I fell over the cliff while I was looking over? No big deal. I just wanted to make sure I got a picture of it so I could document it. Thankfully Kristen was there to safe the day and pull me back up safely onto the rock!

I then decided to splurge (for once in my life) and got an ice cream cone that cost $1.80. I know, I am a big spender...but what can I say?
We then got on the bus and headed to Exeter. There is another beautiful cathedral there. It is also the place where supposedly the nursery rhyme "hickory dickory dock" came from. I saw the actual clock!

We had a 4 hour bus ride back to London and so we stopped along the way at a "Welcome Stay". (Like a reststop but x100). It had lots of restraunts and stores. So we got some dinner and I splurged again...I know, I am so bad but...Kristen and I each paid 35 cents and split a candy bar. It was my first one here and everyone was shocked but told me I would love it and that I would be hooked...and they were right!Chocolate in Europe is just so much better!
It was so great to come back to the center. It felt like home and I was happy to have space to move around, put my stuff and sleep in "my" bed.
Well...so much for the quickest and shortest post ever. This took FOREVER! I am sure it will be worth it though!

Love You! Cheerio!