Adventures Across the Pond!

Trip of a lifetime 2012: England, France and Scotland, in that order. Nothing short of life changing. Along with seeing some very missed family, and meeting the newest addition, traveling for 2 weeks through the United Kingdom and France was the time of my LIFE. I was sleep deprived, jet lagged, and train lagged, and never felt better, I met up with some old friends in new places and took so many pictures for a moment I was touched with carpal tunnel. I saw places I'd only read about and breathed air my body had never had before. I ate new food and very much upgraded my usual foods. I drank way too much, outside, with baguettes and what I'm positive was the best butter ever made, surrounded by the people I love most.

This is the first leg of my journey; Daventry, Upton, and Warwickshire in England

For February in England, it was pretty warm and sunny. 

Not a cloud in the British sky! Perfect for taking in some Daventry scenery...

...and some local sports...

...and cuisine of course...

...as well as nightlife...

...and even some local wildlife!

Stratford Upon Avon sounds like a stop on the MetroNorth, 

but is actually the hometown of Billy Shakespeare. 

THE William Shakespeare. 

^^^His house is still there!^^^

ALL the houses are still there, by the looks of this ancient town.

 It was like taking a trip in a time machine!

Those swans could be hundreds of years old, and no one could ever tell.

We had to make a trip to Tanworth in Arden (also in Warwickshire),

to the Churchyard of Mary Magdalene

To pay our respects to one of the greatest artists, whose life was cut tragically short.

 Nick Drake. My words cannot express my love for your music, but one man left a note that spoke so clearly, I hope you do not mind, fellow fan, if I share your heartfelt letter:

You inspire me every day, Nick Drake, you are loved by more now than you could have ever hoped for in your lifetime. You were born a little too soon for this world. Rest in Peace.

Stay tuned for the next post: Paris, France.

Bon voyage!

A New Year

Happy 2012! It has finally arrived. This year will be different (says everyone)... but seriously. It will. I finished college at SVA and I've been back to England, there is no where to go but further UP! A masters degree can certainly wait. At least, that is what I've been told by no less than ALL of my professors. So wait I will! Get some kind of job to save up on, and go forth, traveling, buying art supplies, and applying for shows! Here are some pics of rural England (Daventry and Upton). TATE Modern post will be next, getting back on track with museum reviews. Enjoy!

Most of England is actually sheep, and their fields.

Oh, and dogs and birds.

England is in a horrible drought this year, if you can believe that the fog and rain capital of Europe is running low on water, but this lake where the ducks live actually used to be MUCH higher. Like 10 feet higher.

Thistles.

A canal with still enough water to support local barges and their inhabitants.

One dead tree.

Speaking of birds, look how beautiful this one is.

English supper. Quite fancy!

You BET I ate it all.

No need to mull over our muffin tops, it is COLD out.

That extra pudge will get me through a New York January,

I'm counting on it.

Happy New Year!

London or BUST!

Hello! I Hope everyone's holidays were as festive and as exciting as mine! I was a lucky girl to get to go to England, and spend some time in London, between Daventry and Upton. What a wonderful place. All the places I saw were amazing. I could move to London TOMORROW and not think twice about it. Here are a few somewhat cliche American-girl-in-London snapshots I took on my travels. I also went to the TATE Modern (swoon!!!) and saw some of the most impressive shows I'd seen all year. That post is coming up soon, so check back!

I was THIS happy the ENTIRE time I was in London.

Rain, shine, fog, wind, poor table service, what have you...

London is my cup of tea.

No trip is complete without a visit to the London Eye,

though I gotta say, the Wonder Wheel is still my go-to for ferris wheels.

These under tunnels are all over the place.

Creepy and regal, rolled into one.

Beautiful birch trees at the TATE entrance, still bearing some yellow leaves because the weather in the UK has been as forgiving as the weather here. Yes, Jack Frost has wagged his finger at us as of late, but is HAS been upwards of 50, 60 degrees until mid-December. I loved it, but I feel bad for the polar bears.

Let's charge St. Paul's Cathedral!!!

Nice tree in the back.

Nice London occupiers in the front.

Sigh.... I just can't escape them!!!

Peace be with you, cold, angry citizens!

Fancy a pint at Ye Olde Cock Tavern? Me neither.

I love these classic red booths. All inclusive, four walls of privacy,

unlike the open ended New York ones.

Unfortunately, that means these smell WAYY more like pee upon opening...

iPhone please!

This is the Royal Court of Justice.

I would GLADLY attend jury duty here.

For a month. Easily.

Off with his head?

Covent Gardens is a beautiful indoor/outdoor market

that is like nothing I've seen. If I could attempt to describe it,

it's union square, chelsea market, 5th avenue and central park in one place.

A view of the Houses of Parliament from the Eye at night.

London, I miss you already. I can't wait to see you again. I hope you think about me the way I think about you. But all of the English countryside is gorgeous, which takes up like, 80% of England. I was staying in the town of Daventry, about an hour outside the city, and have loads of scenic memories to share. I don't mind being such a city girl sometimes, because when I DO get to be immersed in nature, it makes it that much more beautiful.