From Idaho With Love, Molly

Today is kind of a blur, but I will try to get everything that happened down. It started off with another early morning 6:30 this time. We quickly got ready, though towards the end I was rushing. I had to grab some few extra things. We made our way once again to the tube station where we jumped on the circle line to Paddington Station. We then took an hour train ride to Oxford, England. I was determined to buy a sweatshirt!     We then hopped on to a double decker bus that took us to Blenheim Palace. The palace was designed in the English Baroque style. It was quite a site to behold. It was rather gorgeous. We got our tickets and went inside to meet with our guide. I have to admit he wasn't as great as Rob. The house also didn't seem to match up with that of the Burghley House. Maybe it was my exhausted state of mind that made me think that. I do know that the Boulle work was impressive. That and the library were my favorite parts. It was so detailed and elegant. I loved...

Me in front of the Burghley House What a fabulous day! It started off with us getting up at 6:15am, because we had to meet the group at 7:30 to catch our train to Burghley House. Once Danielle and I pulled ourselves out of bed we got ready for the day. I actually straightened my hair, which would later be a waste of time. We then headed down were we got our British Rail passes. We hurried on to the subway and caught an hour or so train to Peterborough. Then we caught a coach (bus) to the actual house. It was soooo beautiful! From the outside it looked like a fortress. I was very much in awe. We then met up with our tour guide, Rob. He was so full of knowledge and so much fun! we started off in the kitchen, unfortunately they didn't allow photos. It was so amazing. I want a kitchen just like it. It had plaster missing in some spots but that just added character. The ceilings were like a Gothic castle. There were huge stoves and this spit was going over the fire. The windows were...

Today was our very first free day! Most of us spent it relaxing. I know I slept in. I got up at about ten and had a bowl of their Honey Nut Cheerios, not too different from the American version. The only difference is here they are skinnier. Then I sat down and finished my blog from last night and posted it. I then took a shower, because last night I was too exhausted. So I got ready for the day. At about twelve thirty I decided to head back to the V&A to finish seeing it. I walked the short walk, admiring where I was on the way. I entered and quickly found my way to the jewelry area to pick up where I left off. I was still in love with this museum. I saw fancy jeweled swords and broaches and some really cool coat buttons. I also saw little mini portraits. It is truly amazing how much detail the painters got in on that small of a painting. It was extraordinary. Then I moved on to the American section. I recognized a ton. There was an Alvar Aalto Paimio chair. It brought a smile to ...

Today was probably the day I walked half of London. It started out as a nice day. We got to wake up a little bit later. Extra sleep is always a bonus! We got ready and met everyone downstairs at 9:30 as requested. Then we walked the few blocks to the V&A (Victoria and Albert) Museum. Which I have to say is AMAZING! We were given until noon to wander around before heading back to the flat for lunch. It wasn't enough time. There was so much to see that I have decided I'm going back. The top floor was dedicated to ceramics. There were cases and cases full of ceramics. I never thought that there could be so many. And they were from all over the world, not just here in the UK. I traveled down another floor and was lost in Queen Victoria and Albert's stuff. She is my favorite monarch and it was so cool to see her furniture and even some of her clothes. There were these typical Victorian chairs that had their portraits on them. I was in love! Soon it came time to leave that wo...

Another busy day. We started off with getting up at 7:15 so we could meet everyone at 8:30am in the lobby. We then met up with Darrin in front of the tube, where we tried to get on. Everyone was able to except for five of us. We tried very hard but it was a wall of bodies at every door we tried to enter. We got together and decided we would make sure to get on the next one, and we did. It was my first time navigating the tube without someone to look for on when to get off. I felt rather accomplished after doing so. We met up with them and we all walked to Covent Garden. It is one of my favorite places. It has great shops and a little market. The street performers weren't out yet. I will definitely go back there on a free day or on some free evening.        After that the group went on the tube to catch a train to Hampton Court. After a quick ride where almost everyone had a quick snack we arrived. The town was cute with little shops and restaurants. Then w...

One of the Lions from Trafalgar Square I am completely exhausted and I don't know how coherent this post will be. My original flight was cancelled and I had to be rerouted through San Fransisco. Which gave me many headaches and lots of stress. but on the bright side I was able to get on a flight that was a positive; I also got to visit my aunt for an hour or two and that was super nice! Then took the ten hour flight to London. I got three hours of sleep. I would have gotten more, but I was sitting by this older lady and her husband and she got me up so her husband could go to the bathroom. She was constantly watching my tv and my kindle. She also had a soft voice and could hardly speak English so I had to tell the flight attendant what she needed.           I arrived in London and started my world wind adventure! We were busy right from the get go; we got on the tube and went off to our flat. The walk seemed to take forever wi...

Welcome to my blog! I don't know what the protocol is for these things since this is my first blog. And I don't even read them; So please hang with me. I will be blogging every evening once my trip starts and I'll post pictures. ~From Europe With Love, Molly