England (Part Duex)

Well, I am writing this a little later than I had hoped BUT this will be two posts in one month! I guess that's an improvement! I wanted to write about our excursion while visiting England in the last blog but I felt there wasn't enough room. It was definitely the highlight of the trip for me! (*Warning* this is a LONG blog. I am writing this mainly so I can remember everything we did. I hope everyone still enjoys!)

Our day trip included three main sites, Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath. We also took a little detour for lunch, stopping in Lacock. We started our day very early in the morning, waiting for our bus to take us around to the sites. We had a tour guide on the bus with us however, I didn't take advantage of all the knowledge he shared with us b/c of the little "cat naps" I took while traveling from one location to another.

Well, I am writing this a little later than I had hoped BUT this will be two posts in one month! I guess that's an improvement! I wanted to write about our excursion while in London in the last blog but I felt there wasn't enough room. It was definitely the highlight of the trip for me! Our day trip included three main sites, <st1:place><st1:placename>Windsor</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>, <st1:place>Stonehenge</st1:place> and <st1:city><st1:place>Bath</st1:place></st1:city>. <st1:place>We also took a little detour for lunch, stopping in Lacock. We started our day very early in the morning, waiting for our bus to take us around to the sites. The best part of being on a bus was the napping we all Stonehenge</st1:place> and <st1:city><st1:place>Bath</st1:place></st1:city> have been on my "Bucket List"* for a while now. I remember learning about <st1:place>Stonehenge</st1:place> in a class a few years ago and, just like everyone else I am sure, sat there amazed with thousands of questions running through my head. It is even more amazing to experience it in person. <p class="MsoNormal"> And then there was <st1:city><st1:place>Bath</st1:place></st1:city>. Oh how I love Jane Austin and anything that has to do with poofy dresses and balls. <st1:city><st1:place>Bath</st1:place></st1:city> was exactly how I pictured it! I could have easily spent all day in this beautiful little town. I really wish I had enough time to go to the Circus. No, there are not any clowns or people flying through the air, the Circus is 3 curved rows of 33 inward facing houses forming a circle. The circus was built in the mid 1700s and is still resided in today. If I ever have the chance to go back to <st1:country-region><st1:place>England</st1:place></st1:country-region>, I would LOVE to stay in a bed and breakfast for a few days and explore everything <st1:city><st1:place>Bath</st1:place></st1:city> has to offer.</p> Our first stop was Windsor Castle. I have to admit, I knew nothing of this castle before we arrived. I have a few pictures from the outside but, this was the ONE morning out of our whole trip that is rained (I guess it wouldn't really be a trip to England w/o the rain). The wind was ready to knock everyone over so, it was a little difficult to take pictures. From the outside, it was everything you would expect from a castle built almost 1,000 years ago. The inside of the castle was beautiful but, because of a fire in 1992, a lot of the interior was new. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures inside of the castle so, I have nothing to show. The castle is still visited by Queen Elizabeth II during the weekends and spring months.

View of a tower and a little bit of garden at Windsor Castle

It's pretty nasty out but, hopefully you can see a little castle

Once we toured the castle we were back onto the bus for our drive to Stonehenge. Stonehenge has been on my "Bucket List"* for a while now. I remember learning about Stonehenge in a class a few years ago and, just like everyone else I am sure, sat there amazed with thousands of questions running through my head. How were these ginormous rocks put there? Who put them there? How did they know EXACTLY where to put them? Do aliens really exist? Ok, maybe not aliens but, it is amazing how precise these "people" were when placing them.


And it is even more amazing to experience it in person. Now, the first thought running through my head, as the wind was making it difficult to walk upright (at least the rain had stopped), was "Yup, it's a bunch of rocks." And then I remembered all the questions that are still unanswered. We had about 45 minutes to walk around and take pictures. Now, I think I have more pictures at Stonehenge than all of my other pictures from this trip combined. I took pictures from just about every angle... I guess I didn't want to miss ANYTHING!

I was really there...

Before I knew it we were back onto the bus and on our way to lunch. We stopped in the little and VERY old town of Lacock. We at at The George Inn which has been a pub since 1361 (only 400 years older than our Country). We ate traditional English food and enjoyed our surroundings. We tried to walk around a little but, didn't have too much time because we were soon on our way to Bath. Now, before I move onto Bath, I just want to mention to all the Harry Potter fans that Lacock is one of the locations they used in the most recent movie, the Half Blood Prince. One of the houses was used when Dumbledor brought Harry to Professor Slughorn to convince him to come back to Hogwarts.

I am going to go out on a limb and say this is the oldest restaurant/pub I have ever eaten at.

Was it one of these houses that was used in the Harry Potter movie?

And then there was Bath. Oh, how I love Jane Austin and anything that has to do with poofy dresses and balls. Bath was exactly how I pictured it! I could have easily spent all day(maybe, even forever) in this beautiful little town. While I was in Bath I took an extensive tour of the Roman Baths. We were only in Bath for an hour and a half so, I figured it would be better to spend all the time in one area and really enjoy it than run around trying to see a little bit of everything.One of the streets in Bath

Quick History on the Roman Baths: Now, the Roman Baths are about 2,000 years old. When the Romans first arrived in England they decided to build a spa to relax and a temple to worship Sulis Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and healing. When the Romans left about 400 years later the baths were not maintained and fell to ruins. However, in the 11th century a new bathing pool was built over the existing Roman reservoir. It was not until the late 1800s/early 1900s, I believe, that the Roman Baths were rediscovered.The last picture before my camera dies... the Roman Bath

When we arrive to Bath, we get off the bus, I look around, so excited that we are finally here, I take a few pictures and then... my camera DIES!!!! UGH! Luckily, I have the best sister-in-law ever and she took every picture possible. I did get a few pictures of the Roman Baths and of Bath Abby. I was trying to be as artistic as possible when taking the pictures (which was pretty hard because I feel I don't have one art bone in my body).

Signs pointing to the different sights in Bath


Bath Abby


Ball anyone?

There is so much more in Bath I would love to visit. If I ever have the chance to go back to England, I would LOVE to stay in a bed and breakfast for a few days and explore everything Bath has to offer. Anyone up for a trip to England in a few years?

Now, here is my shoutout to the most amazing in-laws ever! I had a great time traveling as a Butler girl and I can't wait to do it again! I hope everyone enjoyed England as much as I did!

* I feel I am too young to have a Bucket List (I am only 25) but, I can't think of anything else to call it. Feel free to leave suggestions. :)

Is the London Bridge Falling Down?

So, I just got back from bloody 'ole England a few days ago and had such an amazing time. It was my first trip as a Butler girl and definitely not my last! We were there for four full days (not including travel days) and saw almost everything there is to see. My feet are still a little sore from all the walking we did. I learned very quickly that Chucks are NOT the shoes to bring on a trip where you will be walking everywhere.

We saw so many breath taking sights it is hard to think of my favorite. Probably the most unique experience was to see the Ceremony of Keys in the Tower of London. It happens every night at 10:00 exactly (they were late once b/c I bomb hit London during WW2 and they had to write an apology letter to the King). They have been practicing a ceremony similar to this since the castle was built almost 1,000 years ago. It was such and amazing feeling to be part of something that is so important to England. Most people have never heard of it b/c they only allow a small number of people to witness the ceremony every night and you have to write a letter (no emails or phone calls... just regular old slug mail) requesting tickets about 6 weeks in advance. You can not take any pictures once you are inside the castle so unfortunately you need to experience this for yourself.

We also experienced just about every tourist attraction in London. We went to Traflager square, Buckingham Palace, took a trip around "The Eye", saw Big Ben, walked across the Tower Bridge, ate fish and chips, shopped Portobello Road Market, climed St. Paul's cathedrial to the Whispering Gallery and so much more! We also took a day trip to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath but I will have to save that for another day. There is so much we explored in just one day! Well, here are some pictures... Enjoy!

Traflager Square

The Tower Bridge

View of London From the Tower Bridge

The Eye

Tower of London

Four Month Summary

So, I am HORRIBLE at keeping up with the blog but, I am trying to change that. I guess after "stalking" a few of my friend's (old and new) blogs they have inspired me to start blogging again. The last blog I posted was in May and a lot has changed since then. The biggest change is that I am now a McCamley! Ry and I got married on June 18th in the Dominican Republic. It was absolutely gorgeous and the best wedding I have ever been to (yea yea, I am a little partial). Since then, we have gone back to our busy, every day schedule. I am asked all the time "so, how is married life?" and I give the same response every time. Honestly, nothing has really changed except my last name. Ry and I were very happy before we got married and we are just as happy now. Sure, I love getting mail now that says Melissa McCamley and I LOVE hearing other people reffer to Ryan as my husband but, we treat each other just as we did before the big day. I still get butterflies in my stomach when I think of the first time we kissed or when I think of our very unknown future together. All in all, we love each other so much and we both think we are the luckiest to have each other :)




Ok, enough mushy stuff. What is going on in our lives now? We are both back to work and enjoying one of my favorite months of the year. October is absolutely a beautiful month. The weather is perfect, the trees are breathtaking and Halloween is just around the corner! I have always enjoyed dressing up with Ryan but, this year will be a little different... I will be in London for Halloween. I have no idea what to expect. Do people in other countries dress up? I guess I will have to "google" it to make sure I am prepared.

Memorial Day Weekend!

So, the weather was perfect and we both had all three days off of work! That NEVER happens! It was a great weekend of relaxing, shopping, spending time with family and playing board games :)
Ryan and I spent Saturday morning at the gym (he was working out while I was laying out in the sun) and then met up with two of my old friends that I haven't seen in YEARS that night. It was great catching up with Laura and Zach and they haven't changed a bit! Sunday was my shopping day! Ryan and I went to the farmers market downtown and then I met up with a friend, Melissa and her sister to go shopping. Monday afternoon Ryan and I went to my family's house for a cookout. Over all it was a PERFECT weekend!

Why I love Annapolis!!!

So, Foxxy and I went for a little walk downtown (that turned into a hour and a half!) just looking at the old houses by the water. It was a little chilly and windy but the sun came out every once and a while and warmed us up. I LOVE walking around because I always find a new street with beautiful old houses. If I won the lottery, the fist thing I would do is buy one of them. The only thing that would have made it a better afternoon is if Ryan was with us.

First Blog!

This is our first blog together! Even though I'm not a McCamley yet I will be in just a few short months!