Yesterday we took a bus trip to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath. The trip covered about 5,000 years of British history in about 12 hours.
We started at Windsor Castle, the Queen’s main digs. They make Buckingham Palace look like a bit of a dump by comparison, I can see why she likes to spend most of her time there. Our guide told us that the entire royal family was there for the Easter weekend however we were not invited to tea.
We then toured the very picturesque town of Windsor where I think the highlight was this crooked tea room.
We stopped in at an old thatch roofed pub for lunch and then on to Stonehenge.
After the mystical Stonghenge of ~2,600 BC on to Bath which has an interesting history. The Romans built a city here in what was once a swamp after draining it. They had a temple, an amphitheatre, baths, etc., however when they left around 400 AD the drainage system deteriorated and the swamp returned. The British ‘discovered’ the place again in the 1700s and built new baths here, this time for the ‘healing’ powers of the waters. A hundred years or so later a lady complained that her basement was leaking and when they dug it up they found this:
Anyway we are off to enjoy our last day in Britain, tomorrow we take a train through the Chunnel to Brussels and then on to Antwerp where we’ll hook up with “The Dutch”.
Cheers,
Mark & Ali
Hi there kids!
Thanks again for the wonderful update. Just off to the Jones’.
Say hello to the Dutch contingent! Guess you’re meeting Jessica & Walter in Belgium? Have a great time in the Low Lands. Hope the tulips are out!
Oh … and HAPPY EASTER!
Much love, Mom and Dad
Hi! Great entry today and great pictures. It was nice to see the pictures of Stonehenge and Bath since that was not on our tour of Europe/UK. Still looks like you are having fun. I am glad to see George is back to normal. Have a Happy Easter tomorrow – try to enjoy some of the chocolate in Brussels. I will try to send you an Easter picture of the gang – they are still on the mend – the flu is going through the house during March Break – fun, fun. I look forward to your next entry. Keep on enjoying the sites. Love, Sara
Hi Ali & Mark,
Beautiful pictures! We were excited looking at all the pics. Windsor castle is huge! Do they have a shuttle system or something to get around the inside? The Crooked Tea Room was a hoot! Was George brave enough to go in for some tea? Stonehenge was outstanding. Your pictures look much better than any we have seen in books or on TV. The “Bath” was amazing. England sure is stocked with lots of gorgeous history.
Enjoy the rest of your trip and keep sending the fabulous pictures and updates.
Happy Easter from the Clarey’s!
Hi Ali, Mark
Happy Easter. Great pictures again today. I’ve always wondered about Stonehenge. The sky looks much bluer there. You’re looking very much the Celtic priestess in that one Ali. You look right at home. The Baths were very interesting too. When the new morality kicked in, everyone stopped being naked, even to take a bath. So that is when the Baths fell out of favour. Your soul was pure but you ended up dying a lot sooner from the plagues and diseases.
Is anyone else reading the tidbits of random wisdom? Another nice surprise on their site.
Later
Love Mom
Hi Mark & Ali!
I’ve really enjoyed all the Random Wisdom remarks/quotes as Ali’s Mom does.
Where did you get all THAT wisdom? I especially liked the one about money, but flowers will do just as well (or something like it). Can’t find it back right now. Thanks Mom PEI for the history lesson re the baths.
I am going back to do some work while you 2 continue your well deserved vacation. In my mind I’m wondering through Holland with you. Hope you’ll get a chance to go to the music museum in Utrecht after van Gogh, Rembrandt, Delft, the (Amsterdam) Red Light District of course, flower auction, the Delta Works and above all, Scheveningen and Madurodam After that put your feet up for a day or so.
Hugs and kisses,
Momma Bets
Happy Easter from the Davies,
Love all the pictures and descriptions. Mark’s(yours) commentary is getting better and better. Mom(PEI) was right on with the Celtic Preistess vibe.
Lots of Love
Cha
HAPPY EASTER ALI & MARK! …and George???
I’m loving the updates and the pics, looks like you both are far too relaxed. So glad you’re having a great time!