We returned from our family vacation in the UK on August first, and then I immediately began my sprint to the first day of school. I haven’t had much time to reflect on the trip, but as you can imagine, food acquisition was always Ben’s number one focus.
Our eleven-day trip included Stonehenge, Bath, Glastonbury, Tintagel Castle, Cardiff, the British Motor Museum, Oxford, and London. This pace of travel was a little more intense than Ben and Sophia were used to, and it was important to share each day’s plan with Ben in the morning so he could mentally prepare for the timing and nature of his food lobbying. At one point, while reviewing the agenda with us, he said that we would go back to the hotel, “get sorted,” and then go out for dinner.
The only thing I love more than the British term “sorted” is what I believe to be Ben’s correct usage of it. The context I have heard it in would mean that something is in order or all taken care of. Who doesn’t need a little time after a busy day of sight-seeing to get sorted? A constant announcement on London’s Tube (subway) urges citizens to report anything that doesn’t seem right. “See it. Say it. Sorted.”
Stonehenge. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.The Fab Four sees the Royal Crescent in Bath.We felt that visiting a place called Bath might induce personal hygiene. No dice when the water looks like this.Glastonbury AbbeySophia and Phil climbed up the Tor, where Joseph of Arimathea struck his staff into the ground and the Glastonbury thorn sprung(ered) forth.Those of us in the know believe that Tor is short for torture, and thus eschewed the last leg to have some snacks instead.Discerning diners favor restaurants in buildings that were built before Columbus sailed.I mean, seriously, 1452.The weather on our Tintagel Castle day was less than ideal.Still, one of our favorite days.The mists of Avalon.Cardiff Castle in Wales.Why are you torturing us with an all expenses paid trip abroad?On the Cardiff walking tourThe British Motor Museum happened to be having a vintage Jaguar show the day we were there. What luck!Liz zooms in to the Jaguar show – “I could see myself in that.”Yeah, baby.What does one eat at the British Motor Museum? Sausage roll, ham and mustard crisps, and rhubarb soda. Lunch sorted.By the time we got to London, my back was in the process of going out. I stormed through the British Museum like a barbarian at the gate.I missed out on Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and a walking tour where there was a rebellion Phil struggled to quell on his own. After a day of not moving in the hotel room, I was ready for some London. We enjoyed our tour of the Tower of London.Did Ben like the Tower of London? Sword of.Our next stop was Oxford. Though outside the concert hall, we enjoyed a fair bit of the concert through their open windows.Saint Paul’s Cathedral never fails to impress.On our last night in London we ate at a pub in Highgate, where Phil’s family lived 1976-1977. We walked past the house his family lived in, bought some candy at the corner store, and despite posted admonitions to the contrary, Phil peeked in the classroom windows of his childhood school. “These are the same desks!” he declared.Last night I made rhubarb pie, but before doing so, I made rhubarb henge. I see it as the best of what the UK has to offer – rhubarb and neolithic structures.
If you are itching for a throwback, see our sconehenge post!
And here’s a connections game for your entertainment. Click 4 things that belong together until all 16 are placed in four categories. We have faith that you’ll get them sorted.
