Parent's Trip Part 2

The day after arriving back from Ireland, my parents and I had train tickets to visit Highclere House, the house that is used in the TV drama Downtown Abbey.  The tour was great, we were able to see the rooms that the show is filmed in.  Including a few of the bedrooms (Sybil, Edith and Cora).  Sadly no inside pics since it wasn't allowed but we got some good outdoor shots!

Mom and Dad at Highclere AKA Downton Abbey

It is huge and beautiful!

All of us in front of Highclere

Enjoying wine in the garden of Highclere House

The front door of Highclere

Lunch at Highclere

Love this place!

Our hot train ride.

After leaving Highclere we hopped back on a train to London...only to be stopped halfway for over 30 minutes in the heat.  It was awful!  The air conditioning wasn't working and the small windows didn't allow for a breeze to come in.  We were so thankful to make it back to the flat!

Dinner on the deck after visiting Highclere

The next day we headed off to visit Buckingham Palace.  Again, we weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but I would highly recommend a visit if you are ever in London over the summer.  The state rooms are beautiful and they had an exhibit from the Queen's coronation in 1952, which included her gown and crown and jewelry.  Very interesting.  After visiting Buckingham, we grabbed our bags and headed out to King's Cross for a train to Kennett, the rail station closest to Samanda's house.  Amanda had a wonderful meal of brats, salads and dessert waiting for us and our other England family, Mike, Tracey and Ben.  It was a fun night!

Mom and Dad with Sam

Amanda and I

Mom, Tracey, Mike and Dad

Josh, Sam, Amanda, Ben, Hercules and me!

Dad and Sam in his "man cave"

 The next day we started the morning at our favorite local restaurant, La Houge.  We then headed off to visit Bury St. Edmund's for a walk around the ruins.

Mom's breakfast...scone, clotted cream and jam

Yummy sausage and egg sandwich.  

Bury St. Edmund's Cathedral

Ruins of the old church

Making fun of Sam because the midges were attracted to his green shirt and wouldn't leave him alone!

Poor Sam!

Mom and Dad 

Amanda and I having a rest!

The Holbrook knee pillow!

After visiting the Cathedral and ruins, we headed off to have lunch and buy a few beers at this wonderful store!  It truly was beautiful...

Then we headed off to visit a manor house...whose name escapes me...

A large manor house in England

A creepy door draft dog that mom found at a charity shop!

That evening Sam and Amanda (but mostly Amanda) planned a birthday celebration for me.  It was so nice!  We had a lovely dinner and then a really delicious carrot cake.  And we got the guys to play a game of Settlers of Catan, the bonus being that I won!  It was a fun night.

Too many candles!  

The next day we headed to church in Newmarket and then off to visit Lavenham, which is well known for its wonky half-timbered buildings.  We had a nice time walking around the village and enjoyed some ice cream before we left.

Mom on a giant chair.

I believe this is the church of St. Peter and Paul

Interior of church

One of the wonky houses

Half timbered

 After Lavenham, we drove back to Chippenham to pick up our things to head back to London.  Mom and dad had to say goodbye to Sam and Amanda.  We had a great time with Samanda!  Thanks guys!

Dad, Sam and Mom

Mom, me, Dad and Josh

Mom and dad's visit to England was swiftly coming to a close.  They had just one more full day, so we decided to drop dad off at the British Museum while mom and I went shopping and enjoyed afternoon tea.

A shirt in honor of the new royal baby, Prince George

Afternoon tea at Tea and Tattle

Lots of food!  It was delicious!

Carrot cake too!

Mom and I coming back from a grocery shop.

Our dinner for the evening!  Yum!

Having fun out and about in London.

 Sadly, the day arrived for mom and dad to leave.  It was so great to have them back to England to visit again.  I know they really enjoyed it and Josh and I did too!  Can't wait to see their faces again soon.

Me and Dad at the airport

Mom and I at the airport.  

Until next time!
R