1. LACOCK, Wiltshire, England.
You may have never heard of this village but surely you've heard of Pride and Prejudice (BBC), Harry Potter (briefly in the Philosopher's Stone and the Half-Blood Prince), and Cranford (BBC), all of which had sets filmed here.
It was like stepping back in time.
As part of England's National Trust, the village capitalizes on preserving its past.
"This is so English!" A phrase that often rose to my lips.
We even got to see the Great War exhibition.
Do you know which World War was called Great? I wasn't sure till I checked.
As part of England's National Trust, the village capitalizes on preserving its past.
"This is so English!" A phrase that often rose to my lips.
We even got to see the Great War exhibition.
Do you know which World War was called Great? I wasn't sure till I checked.
Now. Look at this! Totally unbenownst to Chris, the day we were there, his birthday, happened to be the day for this car road show:
As you see, most of the cars are 3-wheelers.
I had to keep picking my chin up off the ground. Seriously!
This was one of my favorites. My kind of color .
I'm sure it's a society they're all part of, so they really looked out after each other.
I think some were getting directions to their next village because...yup...we found them later!
I had to keep picking my chin up off the ground. Seriously!
This was one of my favorites. My kind of color .
I'm sure it's a society they're all part of, so they really looked out after each other.
I think some were getting directions to their next village because...yup...we found them later!
2. AVEBURY, Wiltshire, England.
Surely you've heard of Stonehenge. But what about Avebury?! It contains Europe's largest stone circle, a Neolithic henge monument from around 2600 BCE. It, too, is owned by England's National Trust.
Surely you've heard of Stonehenge. But what about Avebury?! It contains Europe's largest stone circle, a Neolithic henge monument from around 2600 BCE. It, too, is owned by England's National Trust.
Back in March of 2007, Donica and I visited Stonehenge, as seen here.
It's more famous than Avebury but there you are no longer allowed to walk amongst the stones except only on special occasions. So you can imagine how different it felt to walk in and around the stones (and sheep!) in this place only 24 miles from Stonehenge.
We took our time amongst the stones before climbing up to the rim of the outer circle.
You know me...not always far behind!
I really enjoyed watching Chris and Jackie take in everything, side by side.
It wasn't just the stones either.
So English!
It's more famous than Avebury but there you are no longer allowed to walk amongst the stones except only on special occasions. So you can imagine how different it felt to walk in and around the stones (and sheep!) in this place only 24 miles from Stonehenge.
We took our time amongst the stones before climbing up to the rim of the outer circle.
You know me...not always far behind!
I really enjoyed watching Chris and Jackie take in everything, side by side.
It wasn't just the stones either.
So English!
Remember how I said those cars from Lacock followed us? When we went back to the parking lot to drive on, there they all were!
Chris is standing by his Fiat 500 white car.
Lined up next to him is a row of Fiats from earlier years. Four in a row!
Chris is standing by his Fiat 500 white car.
Lined up next to him is a row of Fiats from earlier years. Four in a row!
3. CASTLE COMBE, Wiltshire, England.
Last but not least, we ended the day at what is often referred to as the "Prettiest Village in England." We all agreed that we thought Lacock deserved that title more, but still, one wouldn't want to quibble over it.
Upon entering the village, you immediately come to the 14th c. market cross.
It makes a great gathering point.
Last but not least, we ended the day at what is often referred to as the "Prettiest Village in England." We all agreed that we thought Lacock deserved that title more, but still, one wouldn't want to quibble over it.
Upon entering the village, you immediately come to the 14th c. market cross.
It makes a great gathering point.
Again, so English!
A stone's throw away is the village bridge over a brook.
Another fine gathering place!
So many things to see, not enough time!
As Astrid would say, we were "short of eyes!"
A stone's throw away is the village bridge over a brook.
Another fine gathering place!
So many things to see, not enough time!
As Astrid would say, we were "short of eyes!"
All in a day's drive on a birthday...between a full English breakfast and a Thanksgiving-like dinner!
