Our trip up North has started.

And what beautiful weather we are getting!

 We started our trip by going to the MTC and Preston Temple. . .  then to the River Ribble in honor of our church history.

And then passing green pastures, beautiful vistas, sheep, cows, trees and more. . .

Not to mention instead of reading a tale of  two cities we were assigned to watch 

    NORTH AND SOUTH                                                                                                  

We came to Ambleside 

And our group A spent our afternoon at Dove Cottage 

 I cannot believe how beautiful this place is. Its no wonder how and why Wordsworth wrote poetry

 Everywhere we turned there was something new- hidden- and beautiful to look at. It is other worldly here. Its too dream like. We also got to go to the cemetery where Wordsworth was buried.

 But here is where we are staying. Those rooms above the restaurant. Kelsey, MaCall, Kate and I are roommates. Between the four of us, eight beds, three rooms, and an extra bathroom was booked. . .

 But the sad part is. . . we are all supposed to be staying at Bed and Breakfast places. . . except ours. We do not get breakfast here. . . so we will be wandering the streets tomorrow morning

 But look how gorgeous it is. I do not think we will mind too much.

I think I might just have to stay here. . .

So yesterday, our London Walks class was due.

And I had to do one more walk! 

So MaCall, Kelsey, Kennedy, Romm, and I went on 

"The City Walk"

 I finally felt like I was in a "city". There was a major hustle and bustle going on. . .

 And I loved seeing all of the buildings.

 I love just walking through cities with nothing better then just walking to do

However the Highlight of this trip was when we were all on the tub and sitting across from us- we came to find- was no other then Amanda Seyfried! Yep wow

And today we got to tour Parliament! This actually might be one  of the hightlights

 I had such a good time! I think I finally get their government system! But really the whole time I was thinking of the Young Victoria and An Ideal Husband. . . Along with how cool the architecture was

 Later Kate, MaCall, Kelsey, and I spent the afternoon at Camden Market

 We had a really fun time actually, however this market is a bit more sketch. . .

But LOOK! A apple white chocolate and cinnamon crepe!

and the rest of the night was spent writing a paper and watching the football game!

Olympics!

Today we went on a 2 hour long, blue badge tour of the new grounds for the Olympics!

 They have really cleaned up Eastern London. That place was crummy and smelly, but you could tell what having the Olympics there will do for the place. This is history in the making. No one really wants to go there, no one really wants to live there. . . nothing is there. From the beginning of London, the east has always been the cheeper side, but not any more. they are cleaning up the place, putting in new buildings and new shopping!

 I was so amazed today. I love the freestyle, innovative, whimsical architecture.  

then latter today a few of us went and got pizza.... way good pizza

It is comparable to Settebello 

and now I get to read until I die . . as usual. . .

Can you imagine this in the Fall?

Early this morning we were all off on a coach to Chawton

It was the most promising day yet. Blue skies and a warm sun.

 We went to JANE AUSTIN'S HOUSE! I bought a book with a sticker to prove I bought it there!

And in all things Jane Austin,

We went and visited Stourhead

Beyond anything I have ever seen,

Even more beautiful then my pictures

Others pictures

and even the movie!

I believe I could spend a few days worth here

Not to mention they had great strawberry ice cream!!!     

If Pride and Prejudice was not enough, do not worry. We also included Persuasion.  

We went to Bath!

                        YUM! Bath Water. . .                                                 So crazy that Romans were here

And that later, Georgian architecture would fill the town

Once again, too magnificent and cannot be given justice in a picture. 

The Royal Crescent

But even the Coach ride was worth it

Seeing the rolling hills of the country side

Full of sheep, cows, horses, old churches, little cottage's. . .

After a three hour class- including a riveting discussion on Jane Austin- we were off to do our midterm!

But first we had to eat! And what better place then The Sherlock Holmes? and no not this Sherlock. . .

 This Sherlock!

 How much fun is this? I had one of the best British Burger in my life! besides the fact that it has been my only. . . .

Todays weather was on and off. But boy was it Beautiful when we went to the National Gallery!

 As usual it was an amazing collection and a great museum. They have all changed my life! So far, however, I may have enjoyed this museum the most. In that we were not rushed, it was not so large I was overwhelmed, and my feet were not hurting 

Tonight was Matilda night!!! I almost did not go because I could not find my ticket. But Kate saved the night and found it!

I truly loved this musical.

It was colorful, witty, moving, joyful and much more. 

Well. . . . the past few days have been a calm after the storm.

after three days of Pairs is was Primark-store-and Kensington Gardens to read Sense and Sensibility

Sunday I finally got to sleep in!

and I still have yet to get a calling. . .

I hope all the mothers had a wonderful day

I spent the day memorizing "All the world's a stage"

Monday rolled around and we had our usual three hour history class then we were set free.

Kate MaCall Kelsey and I went on a lovely walk through Hyde Park

 Though it was rainy. . . I thought it to be a beautiful day.

Later that night-

 -Passing the Muffin man-

We went to the Historic Play Written on the Heart. I cannot say I got all that they said, but I did enjoy myself. It was very informative.

The best part were the German women sitting next to Kelsey and I. . .

well our last day was quite a scramble we had to fit in everything we wanted to do!

We started with The Louvre where I ate my first MADELEINEs! they were sooo good!

We then went to the Orangerie and Musee Rodin because the Louvre collection was not big enough for us. Ha. . . culture overload! But I loved ALL of it! The Gardens at Musee Rodin were so lovely and we could have stayed there all day. . . but we were so hungry so we made our way up to a little neighborhood called Montmartre. We had to go to a Metro stop named MADELEINE!!!!  

And the area where we got off the metro was a dream! 

Cobblestone-street performer-hilly-little bakery shop town

Where  We all tried Escargot!!! eeeehhhhack! ha actually it was not terrible. . . just not good. . . and hard to get over the fact

Funny thing was they would not except card and we were all out of cash. So we all dug into our pockets and barely made it to our total in coins. Interesting little experience. . .

but just look!  wandering these streets was one of the best things i have ever done! For a while we did not know where were were going. . . but then I looked up and saw something. . . I saw a large white dome. Following that we found the 

Sacre-Couer

An awe-inspiring building atop a hill that over looked the whole city! It was a great experience to be able to see the whole city and be able to point out places and get oriented with where we had been.

  We made our way back down the winding streets popping our heads in every little shop and restaurant until we found this cute little place and got pizza. . . then another little place and got bread and macaroons. . .

  and another little vendor where they handmade from scratch churros for us! Best ever!!!

I cannot believe that our Pairs trip is over! That happened way too fast. It felt like one long day trip. Paris is one of the best places on Earth- however it is so nice to be back where I can talk and read!