The Badly Written Blog: Well now, it's been awhile, hasn't it?

I had such grand expectations of myself and this blog. I really envisioned writing at least once a week and having the girls write some of their own posts as well. Clearly that hasn't happened and I'm somewhat disappointed in myself, but I've lately taken to heart the idea that you can't change the past so there's really no point in worrying or complaining about it.

Given the opportunity, I would change many things about this trip, but it's been pretty remarkable and if we'd changed anything it just might have been less so. For instance, a flat slightly further away from the tube station and all it's construction and noise would have been nice. If we'd done that, we wouldn't have met Engin and Omer, the lovely gentlemen who own the shop where we get our coffee each morning. It's a bustling little place but they always take the time to chat for a minute and if we've gone for a couple of days they take notice and welcome us back. Sure, with the money we've spent buying cups of coffee, we probably could have bought a working coffee maker for the flat, but then we wouldn't have this daily bright spot. For a few moments each day we feel less like tourists and more like locals.

I might have made some changes last week to our various travels (Winchester, Stonehenge, Avebury, Bath and Plymouth). Mainly not waiting until the last minute to book things like hotels and train tickets. We might, after all, have had some better options than the Holiday Inn Express in Bath or the Citadel House in Plymouth. We potentially might have found rooms at the various cute guest houses littered all over both of those cities. I wish I could say something really amazing came out of staying in those places, but really it was just a learning experience. For example we have already booked everything for our next trip up to Stratford-Upon-Avon.

In addition to a learning experience, the mishaps lead to memories. After all, I'm sure we will always remember trying to admire Stonehenge while also desperately trying to stay warm-ish and somewhat dry. Nor will we forget getting to Avebury as the rain stopped just in time for us to wander among and touch the stones of its circle and hang out with a few grazing goats. Discovering a bed that is so unbelievably uncomfortable that the floor is a better option will stick with us for awhile. So too, will finding a gaggle of toga and roman gladiator clad women heading to a bachelorette party in the lobby of that same hotel. The really cool thing about this though, is that the 4 of us are doing it together and I think, for the most part, truly enjoying experiencing it as that unit.

Ok. Enough of that sappy stuff.

A little extra info about the travels. The girls and I got to explore the sights and streets of our sister Winchester city while Will was spending time at their University. We unfortunately forgot to get a picture of the 4 of us with the 'Welcome to Winchester' sign. Damn! From there it was off to Stonehenge and then it's larger cousin Avebury. Two nights in Bath, checking out the architecture and Roman baths then we were off to Plymouth. A little history, a really crappy aquarium, then back to home. Er. London.

Time for pictures, and there are a bunch!