So, we finally made it back. After two solid weeks of traveling and adding quite a few miles to our frequent flyer (and train rider if that is possible) accounts saw the sights and took pictures. Below is a quick rundown and some pictures, if you want to see all of them I'll post a link at the bottom for to view all of our pics.
I have also decided to break this up into two separate posts. There is quite a bit to cover in each one, and thought I would do both justice.
We left about mid morning on a Thursday (thank for the lift Al). After checking in we had a short flight to Newark. There we exchanged some money, which I wouldn't do again, and waited. The initial wait wasn't so bad, we even had a chance to swing by the Brooklyn Brewery pub in Newark. It was ok, but I wouldn't recommend it. After that we boarded a plane to Bristol, UK. Yes, I realize this was our Italy trip, but our very first stop was the UK.
Above is the town of Dunster, we actually stayed with some friends (Sam and Bethany) near here in a village called Withycombe. It was a fantastic, very much your "traditional English countryside".
Our first day there we got to explore the countryside a little and neighboring villages. Since Sam had the car, we couldn't get too far from the house. But something else had us tied near our temporary place of residence, jet lag. This was my first flight overseas and I wasn't quite as prepared for it as I thought.Our flight had brought us to the UK overnight so we arrived early the next morning. This was originally a great idea, but I didn't factor in that sleep on a plane is not really sleep at all, but just closing your eyes for a bit to pass the time. So, when we arrived we had been awake for close to 18 hours or so, nothing too crazy. It was the next 12 that were tough. As you can tell from my expression below...
As we explored in the towns and countryside, we happened upon the Dunster Castle. Although we did not take the official tour, we did walk around and look at surrounding areas.
We also stopped in for a tea and snack. This was not your traditional "cream tea", just something to tide us over (and keep us up) until later. Something to note, the English do offer a cheese sandwich, which as it turns out, is not heated at all, just some cheese between two slices of dry bread. All in all, it wasn't too bad.Despite the jet lag we finally made it through our exploring, with a short nap, and went out to a traditional English pub in the countryside. I keep referring to most of these places as "in the countryside" because to be quite honest, Sam drove or Bethany led, so I have no idea where we were half the time.
The pub food was great, I had the fish and chips of course and Heather had the "fisherman's bake", think chicken-pot-pie. However, the one item that completely threw me off was the beer, or rather ale. What the English term as "proper" meant, to me at least, "no bubbles". Apparently carbonation was something that prohibits the folks across the pond from consuming as much beer as they would like before they become too bloated to consume anymore. I enjoyed my drinks, but still missed a "bit o'the bubbly".
Our second day was filled with traveling all around the moore's and coastal villages. I had my first "propper" cream tea. And, as it turns out, I really enjoy clotted cream, in Devon. For those of you that have had clotted cream you know what I am talking about, but for those of you that have not, imagine the best butter you have ever had slathered all over a scone or biscuit. That, my friends, is amazing.
We also visited Sam's parents home, hiked to the highest point in the area (all are in the full set of pictures), and had a nice Thai curry for dinner.
Our final day was spent catching a train to Paddington Station then to Heatherow and then flying to Milano...
Link to All Pictures
