Adventures with Grandpa

All my grandparents grew up in England (which is explains my many relatives over here), but both sets immigrated to Canada before my parents were born. However, since they have ties over here, they come back to visit every so often. It’s actually worked out for me that by the end of the summer I’ll have got to meet up with all of them!

Anyways, my Grandpa picked me up from Rowleth End, and started his “whirlwind tour” of England.  And I mean that literally. We crossed the country multiple times.

Castlerigg Stone Circle - a stop on the way to the lakes

From the Yorkshire Dales we raced up to the Lake District, which is where my Grandmother grew up in a town called Bassenthwaite. Unfortunately it was raining (though, so far this summer has mostly consisted of rain, it’s wet even for England!), but I could still tell that it was beautiful. We stopped at the house my Grandmother lived in, and at the church where my grandparents got married, my dad was christened in, and my great- and great-great grandmothers are buried. We also drove by many of the major lakes in the district. After our tour of the lakes we spent the night at my Grandmother’s sister’s house in Fleetwood.

An old Saxon Church in Bassenthwaite - where my grandparents almost got married

Next, we drove to the centre of England, to a town called Ashby-de-la-zouche. Now, I’ve grown up hearing about this town because my Grandpa grew up here, and my great-grandfather was still alive when I was little so I remember my dad going to his 100^th birthday. Also, his wife, my step-great-grandmother still lives there, so we stayed with her – she’s 94.  I always imagined it a lot smaller than it actually is..

Anyways, it has a really great castle! Or castle ruin, to be more specific. But know why it’s a ruin? Because it was a royalist stronghold in the English Civil War, and when Cromwell’s forces defeated the royalists they blew up part of the wall so it became indefensible. It’s pretty awesome still though. You can even climb up a tower, go through some underground tunnels, and see where there were fireplaces etc.

Ashby Castle

The tower of Ashby Castle

At the top of the tower

My grandpa and I also did a day trip out to Oxford. Our first stop was lunch at The Eagle and Child, the legendary meeting place of The Inklings (you know, JRR Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and their friends. For those who still don’t know, Lord of the Rings, and Narnia authors). Then we did one of those open top bus tour-y things. After that I went to do a closer up look at Oxford Castle.

The original Oxford Castle was built for William the Conqueror, and the later stone one became Charles I’s base when he made Oxford the capitol during the English Civil War. After the civil war, until as recently as 1996 it was used as a prison. And yes, there were improvements made in that time, but not a whole lot. The prisoners still didn’t have toilets in 1996.. Ugh

Oxford Castle

Blenheim Palace near Oxford

Next, we made our way back up to Beverley, near York, where I had some down time before my week of Cambridge, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Oxford, again!

Flamborough Lighthouse, near Beverley

Barnacre

I've been in the UK for just over 5 weeks, and I cannot believe how fast the time as gone. It's been incredible really. And I almost feel as if I'm running out of time to do all the things I want to do! But anyways, I promised to talk about the farm.

It's not exactly the farm you're picturing though. No fields of wheat or cows in a big barn. They have two holiday cottages which they rent out, a trailer storage area, and a fishing lake. They also have a number of sheep, a ton of chickens, some goats and a donkey.

Purdy the Donkey

My accommodations were either in a tipi, or a trailer. I opted for the trailer. I also managed to get the only single bed and the room with a heater! There was running water and electricity, but no bathroom. We could go to the "fisherman's hut" or to the pool area. But since fisherman apparently aren't very interesting in aiming or keeping the bathroom clean in general, I usually used the one by the pool.

As for work, I did everything from helping put up barbed wire fencing, to cleaning cottages, to tearing down stables, to helping make concrete, to oiling wood window frames, to deconstructing and erecting scaffolding. Much of this was done in the dirt, mud, and rain.

This is where the stable was, and this picture is in the middle of the new one being built.

Maria showing off her muddy clothes - this is basically what we all looked like at the end of the day, or worse.

Work was from 9-5, but we did get a tea break at 11, and lunch at around 1:30, so the day was split up pretty well. We also got two days off, which was magnificent. It was nice to have the time to sleep in, and wear clean clothes!

Don't get the wrong impression though, I had an AMAZING time. The food was excellent. There was a pool and hot tub for after work. There was as much beer, wine and cider as I could drink. But most of all, the people there were incredible. Russell and Helen, who own the farm are wonderful people.

Also, there were many other helpers from around the world! When I arrived, there was a couple from Mexico, an Englishman from York, a guy from Hungary, and an American. By the time I left, there were some more Americans, a guy from Spain, a girl from Italy, two girls from France, and lastly a girl from Chile. I had so much fun hanging out with all of them, talking about traveling and languages, playing the time game, creating Barnacle Ball (basically pool volleyball with some extra rules), and so much more. They really made my experience at Barnacre.
Daniel - Enjoy Canada! Hopefully you can make it to the Island sometime
Chris - I know you'll enjoy wherever you end up, and I wish you the best. Thanks for all the games of Chrononauts!
Jody and Patrick - Good luck on the rest of your trip, and enjoy your cruise home!
Gary - I think I finally got your sense of humour! Thanks for making me laugh, and I hope you liked sleeping on my floor =) Good luck with the job search.
Mikel - Thanks for letting me speak Spanish at you while you're trying to learn English. I can't wait to visit San Sebastien some day - it looks beautiful! Lo siento para el lavado de tu móbil....
Maria - I had a wonderful time singing Taylor Swift with you, and I'm sure neither of us want to oil another window in our lives! Come visit me!
Rose, Hugoline, Floriane, Chris, and Tom - I hope you have as much fun at Barnacre as I did, and good luck on future travels!

Mikel and Maria at the beach (Tom and I went too)

My last dinner

Chris sporting his "asian" inspired look

Me and Maria <3

I miss you all, and I hope we can run into each other again some day!

And that basically sums up my farm time. I've just spent the last couple days with my Dad's cousin, and I will be heading to a B&B in the Yorkshire Dales tomorrow for another HelpX. I realize that I have some more updating to do.. but I'm going to keep the posts separate so you don't have 1000 pages to read at once!

London Activities

Time to update on what I've been doing since my tour finished.
I spent two days on the outskirts of London, not doing much. Just caught up on emails, this blog, and sleep!
Then I went into London last Sunday afternoon for three nights, and 2 full days. On Monday I went to the BUNAC centre to scan some things and pick up my UK sim card which came in the mail. Speaking of which, you can send me mail!

Anna Matthews
16 Bowling Green Lane
London, United Kingdom
EC1R 0QH

I might not get it instantaneously, because I'll have to be in London to pick it up, but I will be in London again eventually!

After going to the BUNAC centre, I went to the British Museum. Besides all the amazing things that the British Museum contains, the fact that makes it even better is that it's FREE! Almost all of the Museums in London are free, and that includes all the big ones. Victoria and Albert, Museum of London, Science Museum, Museum of Natural History etc.

British Museum

A Human Headed Winged Lion, which came from a Palace in Mesopotamia

The Rosetta Stone!

An Egyptian Mummy

What the London 2012 Medals are going to look like

Also on Monday I went to see Billy Elliot! I went to the box office in the morning and picked up some Day Tickets, for only £19.50! I was in the very front row, but really I didn't miss anything. The kid who played Billy was brilliant, he definitely has an amazing future in front of him! But really, the whole production was amazing!

On Tuesday the sun came out, and has stayed since then! It's been wonderful. Anyways, Tuesday morning I went on a "Beatles Walking Tour". For a Beatles fan like myself, it was really cool. And there definitely was a good range of people on the walk, from old Hippies, to younger kids, to people from Japan. 

The Registry Office where Paul married Linda, and Ringo married Barbara

34 Monagu Square - An apartment that Ringo owned, but Jimi Hendrix lived here at one point, and John lived here with Yoko later

The site of the Beatles first commercial venture, the Apple Boutique on Baker St.

This is what it looked like back when the Beatles ran it!

57 Wimpole St - The Asher Family home, where Paul lived with Jane Asher, and he wrote Yesterday in the basement

Abbey Road Studios

I added my name to the legions of other Beatles fans who've signed outside of the studios

Abbey Road Crossing!

After the tour I found a park by Thames to eat lunch in the sunshine. And then in the evening I went to Wicked! Again I went to the box office in the morning, and this time I got a student discount. I got a seat worth £62.50 for £27.50, less than half price! One of the best seats in the house. And of course, the show was amazing!

I did have some adventures in my hostel, but they were not the hostels fault. I was in a room with a bunch of Spanish Boys who decided that coming in at 1am and turning on the light and being noisy for an hour was an appropriate thing to do. Not impressed. Ah well.

Now, however, I'm staying with my Mum's Aunt and Uncle on the Wirral Peninsula. They've been wonderfully kind to me, and we're going sailing on their boat tomorrow, which I'm very excited for! I'm heading to a farm nearby on Sunday, and I'll be there for 2 weeks. So my next update will be from there most likely!

Sight Seeing and New Plans

First off, I want to say Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful, wonderful, and amazing Mum! I love her dearly, and miss her lots.

On to England stuff!

I've been here just under a week now, and have done quite a few London things! I have got a handle on the tube (which is actually quite easy), but it does have some things that need to be fixed.. Every single day I've been here, some part of the line is down because of something or other, usually a signal failure. AND it is the most expensive transport system. Granted I was way out of central London, but still.. I shouldn't have to pay 20 dollars for off peak times! (30 during peak hours..)

Anyways, my first full day I went out to the Tower of London. I've been dreaming of going there for years, so it was really cool to be there. It's where Anne Boleyn was beheaded and buried, and Queen Elizabeth I was imprisoned when she was still a Princess, it was a palace at one point, and it's where the crown jewels are kept.

Tower of London

Beafeater 

Traitor's Gate

Norman Toilet

The next day I went to Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and Piccadilly Circus - just to see it, not to shop. Unfortunately I couldn't take pictures inside the Abbey. It was pretty cool to see the tombs of royalty and other famous people (Queen Elizabeth I, Chaucer, Handel - just to name a few), but what I didn't realize was how many other people are buried there too. I mean, there are dead people everywhere! You can't walk anywhere without stepping on someone..

Westminster Abbey

Buckingham Palace

Piccadilly Circus

On Friday I went to my SWAP orientation and Kensington Palace - sorry there are no pictures of that. But it was pretty interesting to see where Queen Victoria grew up. The Palace had a whole section on her of course, everything from toys, to her wedding gown. She and Albert were pretty cute, I have to say.

I have come across some other iconic London sites as well!

Tower Bridge

Big Ben and me

London Eye

Quick story about this: I was asked by two East Indian Guys to take a picture of them in front of the London Eye. After I did, they wanted to take pictures with me.. They don't know my name, or where I'm from, but they have pictures of me. Very odd..

Hanging out with Churchill

A Palace guard with a crooked hat

Also, I have made a departure from my earlier plans. I'm not longer going to try and find a job and work in London. Rent is astronomical here (like 110 pounds a week), and I would only get paid about 5 pounds an hour. I really don't want to work all the time and that's it. I'd rather see the country. Also, my possible Olympic job fell through..they overestimated the amount of workers they would need. Oh well. My plan now, is to do some work in exchange for room/board through www.helpx.net. So far I've got a response from one host so I've already got one place to go! I think in between hosts, I'll be visiting relatives. I also might try and do a stint at a hostel somewhere, working reception and such like for a room.

However, before that, I'm going to be doing a tour of Cornwall, with a tour group called HaggisAdventures. I leave tomorrow! It looks like it should be a lot of fun, plus I'll get to meet some fellow travellers! So, since I have an early start tomorrow, I'm off to stay in a hostel in central london tonight. I'm excited!

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!