UK travels!

 UK Travels!

This past weekend we were able to go for a weekend trip to the south west region of England. Our first stop was the ancient site of Stonehenge! It was a cold, wet, windy day! But we had a great time experiencing a place that for centuries has intrigued historians with it's mysterious history!

 Though we didn't go away knowing the mystery of Stonehenge, as the silent rocks still hold it's mysterious history. Nonetheless, we did enjoy the exhibit on World War I and how the area around Stonehenge was affected by training troops to fight the war! 

 "can't touch this"

BRRR, it's cold! 

Next on the itinerary was to drive a bit further to our hotel. The Best Western Webbington in Axbridge. It was a delightful place to stay and it was also a fun drive (well from my, Sarah's, perspective, it was a nice ride) with incredible views! 

I captured some unique shots driving through the Mendip Hills region of Somerset.

 

The next day we were able to explore the famous city of Bath!

 The ancient Roman Baths were especially unique to wander through and imagine a few thousand years ago what it would have been like to have been a Roman enjoying the beautiful natural springs.

 Sarah was thinking about trying to be a trendsetter and bring back the awesome Roman hairstyles... what do you think??? 

 Edmund touched the water!

 It was another cooler day 

but it was also nice and sunny!

Sarah touched the water!

 You can see Bath Abbey in the background!

 In the Roman days, there was a ceiling that enclosed the baths from the outside elements.

 Nerdy tourists with our handy audio guides... We learned so much! ;-) 

To be fair, we did learn a lot and we took much longer than they said it would take because we read every sign and listened to every audio guide available! lol! We really are nerdy, but we embrace our nerdiness together and have a rather jolly time at it!

Then we had the opportunity to drink some of the natural spring water, reported to have healing wonders!

 Bottoms up! 

 YUM!..... Well, it's not exactly "yum," per say, but it's not totally gross either.

 Waiting near the Abbey, for a free walking tour of the city to start...

 Pultney Bridge. Designed by the famous Prime Minister that nobody ever heard of because he served just a bit over 48 hours before another was put in his place! It has shops on both sides of the bridge! And was used in the filming of the recent rendition "Les Mis."

 Royal Crescent

Designed by John Wood the elder and his son the younger. It's pretty ritzy and supposedly Johnny Depp and Nicholas Cage each own apartments in the beautiful complex. 

 The next day we were able to go to Cheddar!

Well known for the worlds favourite kind of cheese, Cheddar! 

Cheddar is home to the Cheddar gorge and caves. The caves are the perfect temperature and humidity for maturing cheese. And thus, Cheddar Cheese was born!

Inside the caves!

We had a great time exploring this little village and watching the local cheese shop in the cheese making process, eating yummy samples and then buying some to take home with us!  

 We made it to the top of the lookout tower! For stunning views of the neighbouring Cheddar reservoir and beautiful Mendip Hills.

On the way home from our travels we decided to take the route that would take us through the city of Oxford! We were able to go exlore a small bit of the huge Ashmolean Museum and then all that walking around made us hungry... 

So we made our way down the road a bit to the Eagle and Child pub where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien were known to go enjoy food and fellowship! 

 Edmund really enjoyed this pub visit because it was so near where two men penned some writing that would later influence and touch so many, including Edmund and his literary pursuits!

It was then time for us to finish our weekend ramblings and head back home. There truly is no place like home and though we were very blessed by a weekend of exploring we were ever so much reminded that our home is a haven of rest for us and filled with warmth and love and that is a very great blessing indeed! And as I type this, the rain is falling on a grey, autumn day and our home is decorated with a harvest and thanksgiving theme. I remember some of the many things to be thankful for, a warm home, a loving family, loyal friends, and a Savior who is Jesus Christ, who loves us and died for us even while we were yet sinners! What a marvellous, wonderful love! Praise God!