Oxford and Stratford Upon Avon

We had a day trip to Oxford planned through the program, but due to poor planning by AIFS, we couldn't actually go on campus like we were supposed to be able to because they were having exams. This mean that I didn't get to see the room that is used as the Great Hall in the Harry Potter movies... I was bummed. We did get to walk around the outside of the campus a little bit though:







We also got to climb up to the roof of the building where they hold the induction and graduation ceremonies and got to see what the city looks like from above:







So since we weren't able to do much in Oxford, AIFS arranged for us to go to Stratford Upon Avon too. This is where William Shakespeare was born and died, on the same day, which was the day we were there. There were celebrations going on everywhere.

We spent most of our time at his house:






The gardens at his house were so pretty. There were tulips everywhere!







Once we were done at his house, we headed over to the church where he is buried and saw his grave:






All in all it was a pretty fun day!

Scotland - Day 3

The last day was mostly spent on the bus. We stopped back at Loch Ness again, but in a different spot this time. I personally liked where we were the first time better, but this spot was pretty too:

Nessie and her tracks:





Loch Ness on a nice day...









After Loch Ness we only stopped a couple more times for bathroom breaks. There was a really old cathedral about a five minute walk from one of the bathroom stops. We couldn't go inside because they were have some kind of practice, but the outside was beautiful:






After the cathedral, we made our way back to Edinburgh and had about an hour to wonder around before we had to get on the train to go back to London. A few of us went back up to the Royal Mile and I got some better pictures since it was day light:







I was kind of bummed about having to get back on the train to head back to London after having so much fun in Scotland. Don't get me wrong, I love London, but it was just so different up there. So calm and quite and green! I will definitely be going back to Scotland someday!

Scotland - Day 2

Saturday morning we left Loch Ness and headed to the Isle of Skye where we were staying for our third night. I was feeling much better and back to breathing normally so I was ready for what the day had in store. Here are some shots from the bus early in the morning...


Caitie and Katie

Kaitlyn and Barbara

Me and Ann



Our first stop of the day was at the castle that was used in the movie Maid of Honor:





We made a couple other scenic stops along the way... so pretty and so much like home!









Our lunch stop was in a town called Portree which is the capital of the Isle of Skye. They had a bakery there that was amazing. I got 2 tarts, 1 shortbread cookie, a bottle of Coke, a hamburger and a bag of chips for less than 5 pounds. And it was good too! After we ate, we headed down to the water:




Once we were done with our lunch stop, our tour guide took us to the top of a hill that was the windiest place on the island. And boy was it windy! It reminded me of the Santa Ana's except it wasn't warm.





The views were amazing!



We finally arrived at our hostel and while it wasn't really that nice, this night was my favorite night by far. First, Barbara had a book of temporary tattoos that she brought with her. They were sea creatures, but that made it all the more fun!














There was a pub in our hostel but it was really crowded with locals who seemed be to annoyed with our presence. So, some of us went to the only other pub in the area, which was like 100 yards away. This pub was so much fun! They had an awesome cover band that kept singing American songs for us. There was also another group from Oregon too.





After we'd hung out at the pub for awhile someone got this brilliant idea to go walk across the huge bridge we had to drive over to get on the island. Of course I went, be cause you all know how much I looooove bridges. Right. Ok so it was a little walk to the bridge and it had rained some and Robert decided that he wanted to go worm hunting. It wasn't hard, they were everywhere. So funny though!





No, he didn't eat it. :)

We finally made it to the bridge and I ended up walking across with my eyes closed hanging onto Aaron's arm. I was doing fine until he pointed out when we were at the highest point... we turned around after that and headed back.

After we got back from the bridge, we decided to hang out in the boys room and play some Uno. Didn't last long though because the boys were tired...


Day three is coming soon!