Car Rides

Hey folks, I think I may be one of the worst bloggers ever.  I keep meaning to sit down and write about my adventures but then a book or the TV pulls me in.  Probably didn’t help that my computer totally crashed on me a week ago and I was left without any computer for 4 days.  I’m still playing the recovery game L 

But on a happier note, I have made friends! It only took me 3 months but I have finally met people.  And I met people on my travels which have been quite lovely.  I am going to do a two part blog just so it’s not too long.  Plus last weekend in the Channel Islands was just too amazing to try to cram in with everything else.

Cambridge/Windsor

Windsor Castle - about 1/4 of it 

Three weekends ago I went on an overnight trip to Cambridge and Windsor.  I woke up early Saturday morning and made the 3 hour trek down to Windsor to see the town and the castle.   The state rooms were closed so I didn’t get to see the whole castle but it was still very pretty.  The gardens were just gorgeous and it is so much grander in person than in pictures.  After a tour around I headed over to Cambridge for the night.  I was staying at a little B&B about 2 miles from town.  I took a cab to a local polish restaurant that came recommended.  It was a little odd since it was me and 1 other couple in the restaurant but really good food!  I had never had pierogi’s before but they were quite scrumptious.  After dinner, I high tailed into downtown to check out some bars.  I made new friends at the first bar I stopped at, I guess they had pity on me since I was by myself drinking and reading a book.  I hung out with them for a while and it was so nice to socialize with people!  We chatted about US politics (they assumed I loved bush since I was from Texas but I had to set them straight), what I liked about England, the difference between the North and the South, etc.  I hung out with them till 1am or so and it was the latest I had stayed out in a while.  I was a little hung-over in the morning but at least it was a good time, made me miss all of you guys!  Sunday I took a punt boat tour through Cambridge and they pointed out a few of the colleges.  Definitely have some wealthy students attending.  Unfortunately I couldn’t tour around the colleges because they were in the middle of May balls which is their version of graduation celebrations except in tuxes and formal gowns.  Before heading out of town, I had lunch in one of Jamie Oliver’s restaurants and it was very good!  Since it was father’s day there were a bunch of families and I tried not to get home sick, but it didn’t work so I left earlier than expected but I still had fun.   

Claire College (?) said to look like a wedding cake 

Punt boats outside trinity college (wealthiest college) You stand on the back of the boat and push you way around the river with a  big long pole

Portmeirion

A coworker of mine had told me about the city of Portmeirion in Wales.  When I looked it up, I saw that it is only about 1.5 hours away from me so I decided to make a day trip in my little car.  I was telling my mom that I was thinking about going she said “I wonder if it’s the same place that makes that pretty pottery”.  Well sure enough it is.  A gentleman named Clough Williams-Ellis wanted to build a city to prove that you could build something beautiful no matter where you put it.  Well he decided on North Wales.  The city looks somewhat like an Italian village with its bright beautiful colors and Mediterranean architecture.

City Center complete with Italian Gardens

  It’s a small city with only 10 or so shops and restaurants but its right on the water so it looks out onto an estuary that leads to the Irish Sea.  While it didn’t occupy a lot of my time it was still nice to get out and see something different.  I also picked up a few gifts for myself and friends, mainly pottery since that is one of the things they are famous for but I couldn’t resist doing a little shopping. J  The drive there was also quite spectacular, instead of taking the coast; the GPS took me through Mount Snowdon so I went on a bunch of windy narrow roads through the mountains and forest.  I stopped off at a castle along the way but didn’t go in since there wasn’t much left but a tower.  I had originally planned to go to another village in North wales that was close by but I didn’t get up as early as I had hoped so by the time I finished up at Portmeirion it was almost 4 and the shops close at 5.  I headed back to Chester and instead took myself to a nice Italian restaurant for dinner.  Felt a little silly to be drinking champagne by myself but I deserve it right?!

Leads to the Irish sea

Random welsh Castle sticking on the Hilll

Euro Cup Match

Thursday night I finally met up with friends!! Yay for me.  I had run into some of Davids friends when my parents were here and we had exchanged numbers.  I had not gotten around to calling them (lazy really) but I heard from them early last week and they invited me out to dinner and to watch the Italy-Germany Euro cup game.  I met them at an Italian place and that was great.  The TV location was crap since it was above me on the wall but it was neat to watch an Italian match in an Italian restaurant with mainly Italian people.  Our table alone had 4 Italians, 1 Spanish woman, a brit, a Mexican and a Bulgarian.  Kind of funny how we all meet but I seem to not be hanging out with British people but I am OK with that.  They offer great travel tips!   

Well I need to be heading off to bed so I will leave you guys with a few pictures of my trips and the anticipation of the Guernsey blog.