London Eye

$23 to take a spin.

We'll do it next time. 

Big Ben

One of the great parts of taking more time in one city is that you can visit sites a few different times and at different times of day. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben was ones of the those sites. 

Another example of some amazing English gothic architecture- Built in the 1840-1870's

Some country shots

 The Royal Pavilion, Brighton Beach

Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury is smaller countryside town, but has one of the largest cathedrals in England. This cathedral was one of my favorites of the entire trip. I love the english gothic architecture and an interior that has a lot of architectural detail, but not too much ornamentalism (stay tuned for Rome).

It's pretty incredible walking around a church built back in the 1200's.

The 1200's era Bishop of Salisbury holding a model of the Cathedral. 

Stonehenge

Ever since I was a little kid I always thought it would be amazing to see the Stonehenge in person.                      The picturesque location, history, and childhood excitement made it a favorite stop in our English countryside travels. Out of everything we saw during the trip, from England to Italy, this is one of the oldest sites- built around 2400 BC. It took some determined people to raise these stones.

Devastated

"Hi Mom? Yeah, I'm at Stonehenge. You never told me most of it fell down."

Oxford

Inspiring architecture. A place of higher learning since 1096. 

Pink

A random shot taken out the car window just west of Brighton England. 

Pink house, pink curtains, pink flowers, pink shirt, 

pink hair, two pink cars, and two "pnk" license plates. 

The only thing missing is Margo's pink pants. 

Wear your colors proud. 

Leighton Buzzard

I could have been a Brit. 

It was a great feeling to see the little town that my great-great-grandparents called home, 

walking the streets and going in the churches where they would have attended. 

I couldn't help but wonder where great-grandpa first heard the mormon missionaries 

and decided to come to America. 

Some good perspective on how much can change because of a simple decision. 

Savoring England

Some moments and treats beg to be savored. I'm enjoying them in memory for now and hopefully get to experience them in person again.  If you get a chance I would recommend any of these:

The sight of the fresh bread- laid out on a table in the middle of a market in the middle of a quaint English town- should stop you in your tracks and you should savor that moment. 

We stopped for this bread, in Wantage. 

And then savor what ever treat you fancy.  

We went for the poppy seed bun.

I had yet to taste the next delight or I would have been ignoring the camera and enjoy each bite of tart greek yogurt, homemade granola (to die for!), and organic honey topped with a strawberry.  

Perfection to savor in Oxford!

Put me in a field of yellow flowers, in rolling hills dotted with intense green trees and my soul sings. The lanes line with trees and covered in leafy canopies also had this effect on me.

mmm... 

Just looking at the picture makes me want to go back to Brighton for scones and clotted cream.  

Our good friends recommended we get them in England and I am now passing the recommendation along to you.  I can see the possibility that this duo may be a hit or miss kind of treat...

I think it takes a fresh scone and good cream to get it right,

We only had it once while we were there and boy was it done right!

The gardens of the London England Temple.  

I'll let you savor this beautiful moment- it needs no explanation:

cruising the countryside

Who knew how fun it would be to cruise around the English countryside in a little Fiat? 

This was the very first thing we did and one of the best parts of the whole trip.

One of the gems of the countryside was the Salisbury Cathedral. The spire is the tallest in the England.

400 vs 5500

Last summer - 2 weeks - Russia & Ukraine - 400 pictures

Last month - 3 weeks - England & Italy - 5,500 pictures

Buying a "nicer" camera was definitely one of the best purchases we've ever made. 

It completely changes how you see something when you go somewhere to see something. 

(Big Ben and some flowers with the London England Temple silhouette in the background)