Thanksgiving in England

Happy (late) Thanksgiving to everyone!

This was my very first Thanksgiving away from home, and I was very homesick that day. However my friends here at Saint Gabriel's made the day special for me! When I got home from class in the afternoon this was here to greet me on my message board...

That night Cheryl and I headed out to have Thanksgiving dinner at an American restaurant right here in Manchester called Southern Eleven. I have to be honest... I was pretty skeptical. The website said they offered real southern American cooking, but I figured I would be the judge of that. :) The food was absolutely amazing! We had fried pickles for an appetizer (can't get more southern than that!) and I had a meal of fried chicken with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy. It was delicious! Of course, with it being Thanksgiving and all, I just had to top off the meal with a slice of chocolate and blueberry cheesecake. This was not my 'traditional' Thanksgiving meal, but then I realized something. Even though I am thousands of miles away from home, I was able to have a great day surrounded by friends that I love. I have so much to be thankful for this year! Besides, today when I was at Tesco (where I get most of my groceries) I was able to find Thanksgiving dinner in a bag! How is this possible, you say? I will let the picture speak for itself...

They really do taste like all that - it's amazing and odd at the same time. :)

This past weekend I embarked on my very last trip. It was bittersweet, because while I loved exploring Bath it reminded me that my time here is winding down to an end. I took the train Friday morning down to the south and had my first nail-biting experience of changing trains with just a few minutes in between. Everything went off without a hitch so I was very glad! After checking into the hotel I was browsing through their attraction highlights booklet and came upon this page...

They might as well call it Mary-town. This place had the cutest shops and buildings everywhere. I met up with Grace, a friend that I met at my orientation in London. We caught up while working our way through the Bath Christmas Market - where I was able to snag some cute Christmas presents! Artisans from all over the world had gathered there to sell their goods - and it was everything I needed to propel my Christmas spirit into high gear. Christmas lights, carolers, hot chocolate, and roasted hazelnuts were everywhere... it was truly magical! Saturday we set out to explore the Jane Austen Centre. It is a quaint museum close to the home that Jane lived in while she was in Bath for a brief time of her life. Here is a picture of a Regency-era dress and writing desk that would have been in style during Jane's time...

After leaving the museum we went down the street to see the actual home that Jane lived in - 25 Gay Street. It is currently a dental office...

It is very inspiring to walk the same streets that Jane did when she was alive. Next Grace and I set out to find the Royal Crescent - an architectural gem. I have seen it in movies (many times they were based on Jane Austen's novels) and I couldn't wait to finally view it with my own eyes. It was built between 1767 and 1774 and is a classic display of Georgian architecture. Needless to say it is massive and even though I was very far away, I still couldn't fit the entire thing in one picture...

Afterwards we set out to explore the Assembly Rooms, which had been designed by the same man that designed the Royal Crescent. In Georgian society these rooms were used for upper class high-end people. It was a fashionable place to go and socialize with others. Anyone that has read Jane Austen's Persuasion will remember these were key rooms where much of the gossiping went on. Many of the rooms were closed due to a wedding that day (lucky bride!), however we did get to see the main Ball Room, which was incredible. Here is a picture I took at the entrance...

You may notice that all the buildings in Bath look like they are the same color. You would be correct! I was told by my friend Grace, an engineering student, that this was a code in Bath. Every building is made from the same type of stone; the only noticeable difference is in the much older buildings where pollution has discolored parts of it. Essentially though, they are all made of the exact same thing: Bath Stone.

We browsed the Christmas Market a bit more and before I knew it - it was time to come back to Manchester. I had a longer train journey back, and I was excited because I would be going through Wales for a bit. I have not been able to visit Wales on this trip, so I will definitely have to come back some day to visit it. Sadly the only picture I have of the Wales countryside is from a train, but I wanted to show at least a part of it...

Now I am back in Manchester and set on enjoying my last few weeks here with my friends. I have met wonderful people here, and I will be very sad to leave them behind. However I am looking forward to reuniting with my family and friends back in the States, as well. It's a bittersweet time for me, but I can honestly say that this has been the best experience of my life. It is a time I will always treasure. :)


Flat Hannah's Corner


Flat Hannah and I cannot believe that our UK adventure is almost at an end! We have had so much fun exploring Britain and making new friends. We tried to enjoy as much of Bath as we could, especially the food! We ventured to have lunch at the famous Sally Lunn's Restaurant and it was a terrific meal. It is one of the oldest houses in Bath, and has been serving amazing food since 1680. They are famously known for their Sally Lunn Bun, which we - of course - had to try. It is essentially a giant dinner roll and served with anything on it imaginable. We opted for the chocolate and butter topping which was out of this world! You could also get it with cinnamon and butter, lemon curd, raspberry jam, and many other insanely delectable combinations. Oh yeah, and did I mention we ate our meal in the Jane Austen room here? Coincidence... I think not! Here is Flat Hannah outside this amazing food-fest called Sally Lunn's...

I don't think Flat Hannah and I have had our last adventure together, though. Even though we don't have any more trips planned, we've still got 3 more weeks in Manchester and a very long plane ride across the Atlantic before we get back to Kansas City. Who knows what could happen in the meantime!

Cheers!

Hebden Bridge, Haworth, and the Peak District

Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! I have as much soul as you, -- and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. - from Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre


I had a fantastic weekend! Friday night I left with my friend Natalie to stay at her parent's house. Natalie lives just a few rooms away from me, and I met her parents when they were helping her move in. When I told them that I was here studying British and Irish Literature they were full of great advice on what to visit and see. As an unbelievably generous treat, they opened up their home and time to show me where some of my favorite authors, the Bronte sisters, had lived. The Lewis's are the nicest family you can imagine, and made me feel like I was home for the first time in over two months. They are truly the best, and I had a great time getting to know them - and eating the wonderful home-cooked meals! On Saturday morning we started out with a full English breakfast - which was totally scrumptious - and then we all set out (with adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Teddy) to explore the towns of Hebden Bridge and Haworth.


Our first stop was at Hebden Bridge, where we went into some of the best shops I have seen yet. Just when I think I've seen the cutest stores, Britain surprises me yet again! We walked around town and viewed the canal that winds its way by and through the town. Here is a picture I took while standing on one of the bridges...

Before we left Hebden Bridge we stopped at Walkely Clogs, where I tried on some authentic wooden clogs! It was my first time ever trying any on, and I have to say - they are super comfortable! Here is a picture of me - clearly very excited - at that moment!

We left that beautiful village and set out for the town of Haworth. Haworth is where the Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Anne, and Emily, lived and were buried. Natalie and I toured the Parsonage, where the writers lived, and it was very exciting to set foot in the exact room that Jane Eyre had been written in! Here is a picture of the Parsonage...

Afterwards we went back to the house, where I had yet another wonderful meal cooked by the amazing Wendy Lewis, and then it was back to Manchester for Natalie and I. And yet... the adventure doesn't end there! Natalie, Cheryl, and I were up bright and early on Sunday morning to tour the Peak District. The first stop was to Chatsworth House. This has been the home for the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, passed down each generation, since 1549. Now, for anyone who has seen the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice, Chatsworth was used in the film for Mr. Darcy's estate called Pemberley. It is one of the largest estates in England, and sits on 100 acres of beautiful countryside. The best part: The entire house was decorated for Christmas, complete with Christmas music playing throughout the house! I was in total heaven. Here is a picture I took in the Oak Room...

Ahhh... I could just curl up in that chair with a good book while Mr. Darcy stares adoringly at me...

Oops, sorry about that. Got a little carried away! :) The rooms were magnificent, as evidenced by this photo...

The paintings on the walls and ceilings were fantastic. For some reason they turned out very dark on my camera, but here is a section of ceiling that isn't too shabby...

Crazy, right? I can't imagine living there. The gardens outside were just as beautiful. Here is a picture of the house itself...

They are in the middle of a huge restoration project (naturally), but here is one of the views they used in the film I talked about earlier...

Outside the house they were also holding a Christmas Market, which we enjoyed walking through. It hosts different vendors selling food, drink, or crafts. We all snagged a pork sandwich (delicious!) and then churros with chocolate dipping sauce (yummy times two!). Our next and last stop of the day would be to the town of Bakewell, famous for their signature Bakewell Pudding. Now, I have tasted a 'Bakewell Tart' before in Manchester, but I was interested to learn that it was not really the famous dessert from this town (instead it's a sorry copycat). So that was our mission in Bakewell: find the real deal and try it for ourselves! Here is a picture of the quaint town of Bakewell...

We did find the original Bakewell Pudding and I waited until I got back to my room in Manchester before I tried it. I want to say, with total seriousness and honesty: This is the best sweet I have had. In. My. Life. It was basically a tart pastry shell, with some kind of yummy filling. It wasn't fruity, but I honestly don't know what it was, and apparently the people of Bakewell aren't giving out the recipe anytime soon. From what I understand, the recipe is - literally - under lock and key in a safe somewhere. My advice: Go to Bakewell, England. Soon! Here is a picture of my (half eaten) Bakewell Pudding...

It was a busy, but memorable weekend. I had a great time with Natalie, her wonderful parents, and Cheryl. The sights are wonderful here in England, but the people are going to be what draws me back.

Flat Hannah's Corner

Flat Hannah loved spending the weekend outside of the city. These cramped streets and loud noise can get tiresome after awhile. Breathing the fresh country air is just what she and I needed! Flat Hannah especially loved Bakewell, because we were able to see all kinds of wildlife! Here is a picture I took in Bakewell when we were watching some gorgeous mallard ducks (and this was just moments after Natalie was accosted by a kamikaze Seagull)...

While I work on finishing my essay for tomorrow Flat Hannah is going to be resting up for our next big trip! On Friday we are going to visit the home of another one of our favorite authors, Elizabeth Gaskell. Then this Sunday is another vintage fair in Manchester, so we couldn't say no to that! Next week we will be sad to miss Thanksgiving dinner at home, but are going to cure our homesickness by traveling to Bath for a few days. :) The adventures never cease here in England, but that's just the way we like it!

Cheers!

Edinburgh, Scotland

I'm back from the land of bagpipes and Nessie!

To sum up my time in Scotland I could just say: Wow! My friend Cheryl and I set out Wednesday morning for Edinburgh; it was our Reading Week and we were going to make the most of it. I have wanted to visit Scotland for so many years now so my expectations were high, and it certainly did not disappoint me. We left from Manchester Piccadilly Station. This is where I arrived when I first came to Manchester, so it was fun to go back and see the building again...

Upon arriving in the fair Scottish city I subsequently got us lost until we were able to figure out just what was north and what was south (trickier than you may think!). When we kept missing the street our hotel was located on we eventually figured out that it was actually below our feet! Edinburgh is basically a city on a giant hill, where streets often go over other streets (but thanks to unhelpful maps - we did not realize this!). We managed to find our way to the hotel, where the staff belatedly informed us of this common problem in navigating the city. Oh well - it's something we'll never forget that's for sure!

We spent the rest of the day shopping on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh's busiest tourist district. I was surrounded by wool, cashmere, kilts, and bagpipes - and I loved every minute of it! I bought way too much, but - then again - it is me. Glad to say that I found lots of unique Christmas gifts for the family! That night we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe that we stumbled upon, where I tried a Haggis Burger - a local delicacy I was told. Let me just briefly inform you of what Haggis is: sheep's heart, liver, and lungs mashed up and cooked in sheep's intestine's. Now, honestly, does this sound like something I would like? Naturally after one big bite I found it utterly revolting, but I can say I tried it now!

Thursday morning we set out early to see my first real castle - the famous Edinburgh Castle! Perched atop a hill at the beginning of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle is quite a sight to behold. Here is a picture from the parking lot in front...

Not only was the castle itself beautiful, but so were the views surrounding it. Here are a couple of pictures looking out onto the city of Edinburgh...

The water you see there is actually the Firth of Forth, where water eventually reaches the North Sea. We toured the castle and likewise viewed the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny - which was amazing! They do not allow photos to be taken in that area, hence the lack of pictures. However I can say it was an honor to be able to view them, and I am very intrigued by the mystery surrounding the Stone of Destiny, where it came from, and why it is so important. Hmmm.... I smell a book idea perhaps!

After touring the castle we decided to explore Edinburgh's underground network of Close's, and went on a walking tour of the most famous of all - Mary King's Close. They did not allow photography in there either, but it was very interesting. Many peasant-class citizens lived in these Close's, often 13 in one small room, and it was hard to believe that people lived and worked in these tight and cramped spaces.  This is a picture of an existing outdoor Close...

Cheryl and I decided to torture our feet even more by hiking up Calton Hill, on the opposite end of town, to see the many monuments and views. It was well worth it in the end, because we saw some of the most beautiful scenery in Edinburgh. This is the National Monument at the top of Calton Hill...

We had been told that Scottish weather was unpredictable, but we were fortunate and had wonderful weather our entire trip! Here is a look at Edinburgh and surrounding cliffs from Calton Hill...

The other monument at Calton Hill was for Admiral Horatio Nelson. The tower can be seen from pretty much everywhere in the city, making it a distinct landmark...

After some more shopping (and walking) we visited the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's residence in Scotland. Not as grand as Buckingham Palace, but I am sure Prince Harry and I will feel very comfortable there on holiday's... What? It could happen!

Today we wrapped up our visit by walking around the city once more - and buying those last few precious items that we (and by we I really mean I) couldn't live without.  I'm happy to be back in Manchester, but I loved every minute of Scotland. I definitely have to go back someday and visit the Highlands. After all, I may be the one to see Nessie and prove the existence once and for all!

I have a major essay due next week, so it is back to the books for me. However I am greatly looking forward to my trip to Haworth a week from Saturday, and then my tour of the Peak District a week from Sunday. So many sights to see, and so little time!

Flat Hannah's Corner

Flat Hannah absolutely loved Scotland! Most of all, she loved visiting Edinburgh Castle. Even though it was an early morning for us, we all had a blast learning the history - and mystery - of this place. For instance, did you know that this castle was actually built on a dormant volcano, or that its earliest records indicate it was first settled in the 2nd Century? Neither did we until our audio guide told us. :) Here is Flat Hannah outside Edinburgh Castle...

Flat Hannah and I also enjoyed visiting a monument for one of our favorite Scottish writers: Sir Walter Scott. After he passed away in the mid 1800's the City of Edinburgh and the Historical Society got together to pay tribute to their famous citizen. Here is Flat Hannah with the statue of Sir Walter Scott, which sits in the middle of the monument...

Flat Hannah is having a great time with me in England, but as our time here winds down we are still trying to see as much as we can - and loving every minute of it. :)

Cheers!