Chester

Sorry everyone, I seem to be slacking on the blog front. But that's because I'm so busy all the time!
I am at the farm now, and I have been for just over a week. It's in the small town of Saughall Massie, and is called Barnacre. It's not too far by train from Liverpool or Chester though.
I'm going to give you a full update on the farm once I leave - specific things that I've been doing, and how the place runs. I know that probably seems like an an empty promise.... sorry!

Anyways! Sailing with my relatives was definitely amazing. Also, they keep their boat in Wales, so I got to drive through Wales for quite awhile. It's a beautiful area of the UK. And we went a more roundabout way home so that I could see more of the area - including Snowdonia National Park. Another thing about Wales, is that all the signs are in Welsh and English. It looks like gibberish...but it's cool that they're trying to keep their culture alive!

My relatives also took me to the Roman city of Chester. It was a race day (horse racing) so the town was really busy. Originally, the whole city was walled, but obviously now it has grown!

Clock on the Wall

View of the Town Centre from the Wall

Old Roman Garden

The day after Chester, I came to the farm. I knew that my relatives and the farm were both near Liverpool, but I didn't know how close to each other they were. Turns out they were about 10 min away from each other! So, luckily for me my Aunt and Uncle were able to drive me here!

Somehow I managed to arrive the day before two days off =)

The first day a couple of other helpers and I took the train to Liverpool, we wandered around a bit and went to two museums (FREE, just like in London). The next day we went to Chester - again. But this time we went because the Olympic Torch was going through! Both days were nice and sunny which was lovely. We followed the crowds of people to a nice park, while we waited for the torch.

Me and some other helpers at the farm

The Torch - another torch came through first, and we were really confused. We didn't know if it was the real thing or not - turns out it wasn't!

Chester Cathedral

Random Teacup Carving

Some Locks

Jody caught a duckling

Playing cards while waiting for a train on the way home

And that's basically what I did until the farm work started! But as I said, I'll give a better update on that on the weekend!

The Countdown is on

I leave Canada for the UK in just 10 days. It's crazy how fast time has gone since I decided to go on this adventure. It really doesn't feel like almost 2 months has passed.
In that two months, however, I successfully finished my second year of university!

I'm getting really excited, but also pretty nervous.
I mean, I have to get to know a new place, and a huge city at that! (And I'm from a pretty small town, there's only one bus..)
I have to try and find a job, and a place to live.
It's a little overwhelming.
I'm sure it'll be fine though, and I've decided that if I can't find a job I'll just visit various relative's and and make my way around England.

In researching England, I've slowly realized how many things there are to do and see are in England. It's ridiculous! And I want to do everything! However, I've also come to the realization that I can't do everything, so I'm going to have to focus on what I want to do most, and then do it thoroughly. That way, I will always have a reason to go back!

Stonehenge

Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge

Bath

Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath,_Somerset

York

Taken from http://www.york-united-kingdom.co.uk/york-minster/

Stratford-Upon-Avon

Taken from http://wikitravel.org/en/Stratford-upon-Avon

I wouldn't be able to call myself a Shakespeare fan if I skipped Stratford!

Liverpool

Taken from http://www.placesonline.com/europe/united_kingdom/england/liverpool

And what sort of Beatles fan would miss going to Liverpool?!

These are only some of the amazing places Britain has to offer. There are many more cities and towns that I'd love to explore. I've found a website, called Global Goose, that is doing a "Beyond London" Guide, which will be helpful in planning trips I think.

Then of course there are all the things to do and see in London itself! Tower of London anyone? The Globe Theatre? Westminster Abbey? I want to see and do it all!

Another thing that strikes me about the UK is how old everything is. A building that's hundreds of years old is commonplace it seems. Or like, in York, there was a Viking settlement at point, and the Romans built baths there. And of course, Bath is named after the Roman baths!

Yes, Canada has history. But the really old, historic buildings are in Quebec. Here on the west coast, the best you can get is 150 years. That means nothing in England. Try 900 years, or more. It's pretty astounding, to me at least!

Anyways, I've got a busy week coming up. Sorting through all my stuff, deciding what to pack (while leaving everything else neatly in my parents house), buying stuff to bring with me (I want to show my Canadian pride during the Olympics, and have little gifties for relatives who put me up). Also, it's my brother Evan's Prom this coming Friday, and Spencer's 20th Birthday the day after. Definitely an exciting time!