Morning
Today was a full day excursion to Stonehenge and Bath. I have been to these places before (in 1999 right after I graduated high school), but it truly seemed like the first time. Do I look much different?
The bus ride to Stonehenge was fine until we were close to the structure. Traffic slowed greatly as we approached because cars would slow down long enough to snap a few pictures. Since I was here last about 15 years ago, the visitors' center has been moved and reconstructed. I like this current set. Busses have their own parking lot which is a short walk from the visitors' center. The center housed the gift shop and plenty of toilets for the ladies! :) Another new improvement was the trolley-type busses that take you from the visitors' center to the actual structure. It was a bit more of standing in line, but I think it preserved Stonehenge more.
The tour around Stonehenge is a self guided walk around the structure, and we had audio-guides. Peter gave us about an hour to make our way around it; I could have spent much more time there listening to all the information from the audio-guide, but most were done in about 30 minutes. I am absolutely fascinated by this structure on so many levels.
I made each of my students stand in front of Stonehenge for an individual shot, and then I asked a girl from the Virginia group to take a group shot of us. I wish I had given her more explanation of what I wanted in the picture since you cannot really see Stonehenge behind us, but you know it is there.
I made each of my students stand in front of Stonehenge for an individual shot, and then I asked a girl from the Virginia group to take a group shot of us. I wish I had given her more explanation of what I wanted in the picture since you cannot really see Stonehenge behind us, but you know it is there.
I have learned that being a group leader with responsibilities over students means I sometimes miss things. By the time I made it out of the Stonehenge structure, back to the visitors' center, found my students, and reminded them to use the toilets and to be at the bus by a certain time, I did not have enough time to purchase anything from the super busy gift shop. It is not a big deal, but it is something I learned.
After Stonehenge, we boarded the bus bound for Bath. Once in Bath, Peter led us to the Abbey of Bath which is adjacent to the Ancient Roman Bathhouse. We arrived early so that we could eat a quick lunch before our tour of the Bathhouse. The area, which reminded me of a town square, had a quite a few cafes and shops for us to choose from. My group bought authentic and tasty pasties and ate on a bench while listening to some very talented street musicians.
After Stonehenge, we boarded the bus bound for Bath. Once in Bath, Peter led us to the Abbey of Bath which is adjacent to the Ancient Roman Bathhouse. We arrived early so that we could eat a quick lunch before our tour of the Bathhouse. The area, which reminded me of a town square, had a quite a few cafes and shops for us to choose from. My group bought authentic and tasty pasties and ate on a bench while listening to some very talented street musicians.
Afternoon
I enjoyed the Roman Bathhouse which was built by Emperor Claudius. I took four years of Latin in high school and learned quite a bit about Ancient Rome, so I was excited. I think Gunnar also appreciated this tour since he is taking Latin via online courses. Just like Stonehenge, it was a self-guided tour, and we had audio guides. Peter gave us a time to meet outside, and that is about the time I was done. The girls, however, snuck in a little shopping in the local stores.
Peter next lead us around Bath before our tea time. We strolled through beautiful streets up to the Royal Crescent (if my memory is correct). This is a series of buildings built in a crescent shape with a park on one side. Below is a panoramic picture that Jacob took with his iPhone.
Peter next lead us around Bath before our tea time. We strolled through beautiful streets up to the Royal Crescent (if my memory is correct). This is a series of buildings built in a crescent shape with a park on one side. Below is a panoramic picture that Jacob took with his iPhone.
No trip to Bath would be complete without a look at Pulteney Bridge. Because of timing, we only saw it from a distance. As we waited for our bus, Elizabeth begged me to take her to a nearby bookstore. How can an English teacher say no to that? I could not deny such a request, so we dashed over there quickly and made it back before the bus pulled in. |
Evening
Today was a long day on the road, so for the first time of the entire trip we have no evening event or activity planed! Dinner was at another local restaurant. We were seated at a long table that went down the middle of the narrow restaurant. This made it hard to hear each other, especially for me. I mainly had conversation with the students sitting next to me (Mercedes and Gunnar). At the time, I really enjoyed the food, but by the time we were back at the hotel, I was sick. My students wanted to go for a "wander about," and as the stubborn person that I am, I went with them - since they would not have been able to go otherwise. I was sick, but I went anyway, but my students were fantastic and slowed their pace when I really started dragging. After a short wander around the neighborhood, I sat outside on the grass under the stars talking to Elizabeth and Mercedes. :)