Cowley Manor

... there now! It's a beautiful village where there are almost no new buildings. The main street is the main street of Meryton in the BBC's version of Pride and Prejudice. The town was also the twon where a series called Cranford was shot. Not sure how many people will have seen it in Australia, but it's a great series if you like period dramas. Several of the buildings have also been used as exteriors in the Harry Potter films, for example, the house where ...

... Bath. After we got to the Glassocks’ house and settled in, the five of us walked to the local pub to enjoy a hearty meal together. We picked up ice cream on the walk back home, and then Ash (violin) and Jess (clarinet – a girl after my own heart) were kind enough to play a concert for us in their living room! (Thanks, guys – it was lovely!)

Saturday (11.21.09) in Bath dawned cold and rainy. (Typical England, no?!) After we dropped Jess off at ...

Dinner last night at The Old School House in Port Isaac was probably one of the best we have experienced this trip. Starters were Smoked Duck then Grilled Scallops, mains were Tiger Prawns in an asian sauce and Whole Grilled Bream stuffed with crab and lobster meat. Desserts were the now obligatory Creme Brulee and Chocalate Pudding. An Australian wine complimented the meal just nicely.

Next morning ...

... to Pizza express.. and they have these entrees called Dough Balls!! lol more fat and more grease to eat!! By this stage I was finding it hard to walk normally down the stairs to the toilet.. woops

I think we ended up at another pub and with Ally's brother and his friends.. was quite a fun night but the headache the next day.. ouch. Apparently its because I had mixed my cider and wine.. a no no. Ah well you live and learn!

... and "find myself" like many people have suggested, but rather see what's out there. I don't plan on drinking snake's blood or running over hot coals (unless i'm smashed or paid to do it mind). Just wanna try new food, see nice things and have 6 MONTHS OFF WORK!!!! :D

Well not too much else to say at this point, fingers crossed in a few weeks I'll have more to report. Blog is now up and running, next step Bangkok.

Bring it on!

Dale

... It was really good and I did actually remember quite a bit of it from when we were last there. We also had our free taste of Bath water (cause it was free!) and it was hot and metal-like and kind of gross, but I tried to make it look like it was delicious because the boy serving it up was the first decent looking person we'd seen all trip (Dean and I came to the conclusion that, generally, Australians are WAY better looking than the English ...

... there. I really wanted to go to the Jane Austen house/museum, but they only offered tours and our schedule didn't work with theirs. Instead, I went to get my picture taken with the Jane Austen statue in front of the museum, but this guy dressed up in period clothing, I guess trying to be Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice, or some other man from one of Jane Austen's books, snatched my arm up and made me take a picture with him. I ...

... is illegal to serve a lager after. Apparently this is called a snake bite and she could get quite crazy from the mixture. I of course encouraged her to do it... I had the camera ready. Well, it didn't make her crazy. She fell asleep. Crazy day. Time to head home. I need some rest!! Again check out the satellite image. It's not as prominent as Stonehenge but it gives you an idea of how big the henge is.

John and I travelled around England in his car. It was tiring for him, because I didn't have British or international drivers license and he had to drive all the way from Milton Keynes through Oxford, Preston, Lake District, Hereford and Bath. Besides, I didn't even have a map or guidebook to U.K., although I stayed there for 12 days. Furthermore ...

... frame but a trompe-l'oiel. The ceiling was, in fact, flat. Statues which appeared to be marble sculptures were actually paintings, cleverly executed to appear three-dimensional. After spending some considerable time in the family library (bigger than Ryde Library, though the books were of similar vintage) I exited the building and treated myself to an overpriced cup of lukewarm coffee before strolling around the gardens and enormous fishpond. A short walk down a ...