Having made the decision to move to the UK, I promised myself that I would try to do one new thing every weekend. That way, I avoid turning into a weekend slob and I make the most of living in London. It also gives me something to look forward to every week. Yesterday, for example, I saw Pirates of Penzance at the English National Opera and felt very cultured (ignoring the fact that my friends and I were the only ones in our 20s, sitting in-between primary school kids on a school excursion and octogenarian fans of Gilbert and Sullivan). This post is my Dedication to the Weekend and to some of the places I've explored so far (in no particular order)
Belton Horse Trials
My first trip outside of London was to Grantham for the Belton International Horse Trials. It was so lovely to get out into the country, and I think I must have stood in the paddock for 5 full minutes breathing in deeply the fresh country air (slightly awkward for my friends standing nearby). I'd forgotten how much, living in East London, I missed open space. How I knew the event was "a bit posh": the ridiculously expensive Wellies (gumboots), the fact that everyone was wearing "gilets" (and that I look up what a "gilet" was) and seeing that one of the stalls was selling top hats (see right).
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is the official royal residence of Prince William, Princess Kate and Prince Harry...though of course they were nowhere to be seen. It's lovely to be able to take a stroll and appreciate the gardens, the architecture and (again) the open space of a royal residence and just be, without it having to be a big deal.
Oxford
I try to get to Oxford once a month to visit my friends who are still there doing MPhils (another type of Masters) or DPhils (PhDs). The first time I went back, it was really strange - like having the same dream twice in a row or visiting your childhood home again. The second time I went back, everything fell back into place: my friends and I updated each other on our new lives, the city lost its dream-like haze and instead took on a comfortable familiarity. I look forward to going back every month.
Cambridge
Compared to Oxford, I found Cambridge to be much warmer and more welcoming - maybe it's the effect of red brick compared to sandstone. I loved the bicycling students, the cobbled streets and historical plaques reminding you of the great people that have lived there and events that have taken place. Alas, no Stephen Hawking to be seen!
Cutty Sark and the Old Naval College
I went to Cutty Sark (the name of an old 19th century ship in which you can now eat dinner!) where I went to a lovely pub called (unsurprisingly) The Cutty Sark. It was a gorgeous old, mahogany pub, overlooking the Thames, and I walked through the Old Naval College on the way. It was such a lovely experience that I've added it to this list!
Belton Horse Trials
My first trip outside of London was to Grantham for the Belton International Horse Trials. It was so lovely to get out into the country, and I think I must have stood in the paddock for 5 full minutes breathing in deeply the fresh country air (slightly awkward for my friends standing nearby). I'd forgotten how much, living in East London, I missed open space. How I knew the event was "a bit posh": the ridiculously expensive Wellies (gumboots), the fact that everyone was wearing "gilets" (and that I look up what a "gilet" was) and seeing that one of the stalls was selling top hats (see right).
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is the official royal residence of Prince William, Princess Kate and Prince Harry...though of course they were nowhere to be seen. It's lovely to be able to take a stroll and appreciate the gardens, the architecture and (again) the open space of a royal residence and just be, without it having to be a big deal.
Oxford
I try to get to Oxford once a month to visit my friends who are still there doing MPhils (another type of Masters) or DPhils (PhDs). The first time I went back, it was really strange - like having the same dream twice in a row or visiting your childhood home again. The second time I went back, everything fell back into place: my friends and I updated each other on our new lives, the city lost its dream-like haze and instead took on a comfortable familiarity. I look forward to going back every month.
Cambridge
Compared to Oxford, I found Cambridge to be much warmer and more welcoming - maybe it's the effect of red brick compared to sandstone. I loved the bicycling students, the cobbled streets and historical plaques reminding you of the great people that have lived there and events that have taken place. Alas, no Stephen Hawking to be seen!
Cutty Sark and the Old Naval College
I went to Cutty Sark (the name of an old 19th century ship in which you can now eat dinner!) where I went to a lovely pub called (unsurprisingly) The Cutty Sark. It was a gorgeous old, mahogany pub, overlooking the Thames, and I walked through the Old Naval College on the way. It was such a lovely experience that I've added it to this list!
Hatfield House
One weekend, a couple of my friends and I went to Hatfield House, in Hertfordshire. It is a gorgeous "country house" (i.e. mansion) where Elizabeth I grew up, and was built in 1611. Such gorgeous gardens and unique architecture, I realised that I keep trying to get out of London and enjoy open space! It was such a pleasure to wander and enjoy the classic English gardens.
Above is the side view!
The front of the House
Hamstead Heath and Kenwood House
Last weekend my friend and I wanted to enjoy the sunshine (while it lasted). We went to Hamstead Heath, which is an absolutely stunning expanse of woodlands, open paddocks and lakes, with beautiful houses and water features emerging from where you least expect them. Hundreds of people were picnicking with spreads of breads, cheeses, fruit platters and sweets, and children were playing ball games and chasing each other around. It was idyllic.
Picnickers enjoying the sunshine
A beautiful public walkway
Only in England...
We walked around for three hours and ended up at Kenwood House, which had been on my bucket list ever since I watched Notting Hill (think the scene where Anna Scott acts in a Henry James film and William Thacker overhears her conversation with a co-star). It was very pretty inside, with a library to die for, but again, my friend and I thought to ourselves: how could anyone have ever called this their house?!
To refresh your memory...
...and my photo!
My favourite room was the library
I feel like I'm starting to chip away at this great big city and its surrounds now, and I hope you all enjoyed my travel update!
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