Leaving the Nest

Last weekend I finally left the nest, and by the nest I mean I left York. The Graduate Student Assosiation offered a trip to Warwick and Stratford Upon-Avon for a great price which was going to include my room for the night and transportation. It turned out to be a great adventure! I went with three of my friends who live on my side of the house and we had a blast!

We had to get up at the crack of dawn to catch a bus to campus to catch the bus out for the trip but that wasn't too bad and seeing the pink sunrise as I ate breakfast kind of made up for it. So we drove all morning (3ish hours) stopping for food along the way. We were extremely excited to discover the rest stop we stopped at had KFC... guess where we ate? After a food and bathroom break the bus headed out again and we went to Warwick. It was a little bit of a gloomy day and really cold out.

Wind Turbines for my Sister 

We spent the whole day at Warwick Castle. I'm a bit confused about the History of the castle I didn't learn much while there I just explored it. Which was totally acceptable. I do know that the castle is meant to be used those were the wishes of the Earl and therefore it is used. You can have receptions and stuff in the great hall. The Queen went an dined in the State Room in 2006. It was a party place and still is today. They do Christmas at Warwick Castle which I think would be AMAZING! I would probably actually die of happiness if I were at a castle for Christmas. Here is their web site if you want to check it out. http://www.warwick-castle.com/

Warwick Castle

Well darn already in trouble.

This is the TINY hole they put prisoners in.

Everything in this place was beautiful

The library was completely lined in books!

There were wax figures everywhere and they kept freaking me out.

The moat 

Beautiful stained glass everywhere

the serving table in the Great Hall

The State Room where the Queen dined. 

Warwick Castle from the inside

The view from the castle was breath taking. 

Look out!

Maria and I

Maria was bad...

Like I said. An amazing view.

So after our day at Warwick Castle we went to Stratford Upon-Avon to check into our Hostel. Youth Hostels here are pretty legit. It was like a hotel for teenagers or young people. The rooms were 4-6 people. Lucky for us we were a group of 4 from my house so we got our own room. Being a Hostel we had to make our own beds and stuff and Maria, having never slept on the top of a bunk bed was having a little trouble with the logistics of putting the bed together. The whole night was like a big sleep over and full of giggles and silliness. So it was great!

Maria On TOP of the wardrobe trying to put her sheets on.

Maria and Brittani being weird.

We did go into town that night to eat and explore. We were trying to get into a show at the theater but  they were all sold out. We ate at the Old Thatch Tavern which has amazing food and a super cozy environment. It was perfect. We then explored the town a bit but since it was after 5 everything was already closed (as they do in England). 

The next morning we returned to Stratford Upon-Avon for a fun filled day of culture! ... ... well... shopping. We discovered that Shakespeare's birth place (which isn't even a fact. They just think it's his birth place) is WAY over priced. So we opted out of that and just walked around town shopping and having a fun day. We did go to Shakespeare Final Resting Place however. 

Brittani and Shakespeare's maybe house 

This is a shelf of Records... This is also a Door!

Teddy Bear shop! 

The Old Thatch Tavern Where we ate the night before.

Church was in service so we had to chill by the river for awhile

I'm not complaining it was beautiful!

The grave of William Shakespeare 

Oh and for lunch that day (lunch being at like 2:00) I had my first official English Afternoon Tea. But actually that's what I ordered at the Tea House. Afternoon Tea is a LOT of food! probably because that food that you get is so filling. I got a Pot of tea. 6 "delicate" sandwiches. A scone with clotted cream and jam. and a dessert pastry cake amazing thing. I ate it all....I'm a fatty. 

Afternoon Tea

Regrettably we then had to return home from our adventure and buckle down and get back to work. Story of my life here in York. There is so much I want to do and no time to do it. Especially if I want to pass and actually get my Masters. 

This was the Tale of our first adventure out of York. We are planing a Grand Epic Adventure for Spring term break so watch out!

Goodbye