29 April 2014

My Favorite, Can't Wait, and the Place I Live

My three month stint as co-host with Bonnie and Melanie has come to an end.  I've so enjoyed being a co-host and working alongside these two.  I look forward to this link up every week, living vicariously through everyone and reminiscing places we've been.  I'll still be around though.

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Bonnie has chosen a great travel theme this month that's had me doing a lot of thinking.  Our favorite place, a place we cannot wait to visit and something about the place we live.

I love to travel so to say the place I love the most is so very difficult!!  Really, every place I've been is a favorite in one way or another.

As I was watching a show set by the beach I realized that is truly my favorite place on earth.  By the ocean.  Whether it be.....

Homer, Alaska

Homer, Alaska

Galveston, Texas

Galveston, TX

 Southern, Spain

Southern Spain

Southern Spain

Or any such place, I am happy by the water!  The seafood, the smells, the sights, the water, the sand, the surf, rocks, cliffs, the wildlife, sea glass, seashells, oh how I love it all any time of year, any climate!

My Can't Wait

The place I cannot wait to visit is usually the place I am going to next.  The build up, the planning, mapping out a route of where to go and what to see gets me so excited.  Our next trip is to Portugal in June for our anniversary and I'm so looking forward to it!  Five days exploring Lisbon, Cascais, Estoril and Sintra.

The Place I Live

We currently live in the quiet town of Horsham, West Sussex.  It has quite a history, first recorded in AD 947 and is best known for horse trading in medieval times.  It's not a touristy town and not very lively if you're looking for a night life.  It is, however, a great place to raise a family with good schools, family values, and low crime rate.  It was hilarious to find that Horsham is placed 27th in the satirical book: Crap Towns: 50 Worst Places To Live in the UK.  All because they refused a night club!  Oh well, we're happy with our sleepy, so called boring town with no night club!

HorshamTownHall

Horsham has been a great location for exploring southern England.  The coast, many castles, gardens and historical towns all within easy reach.

Nyman's Garden

Ferring Beach Huts, England

Where is your favorite place and a place you can't wait to go?
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For my last feature as co-host, I've chosen Jamie, from ink + adventure, an American expat and teacher in Taiwan.  I was so enamored by the multiple layered grass-roof pagodas on her trip to Taman Ayun Royal Temple in Bali.  So fascinating!


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Want to join in our Travel Tuesday link up?

HERE IS HOW IT WORKS:
1. SHARE a post about travel!  From road trips to trips abroad and from past travels to dream vacations. You can write about travel tips and tricks, favorite places to stay, or anything in between! Just make it about traveling somewhere!
2. GRAB the lovely button. If you run into trouble, just make sure to mention Bonnie, Melanie & Tina in a link! 
3. LINKUP goes live every Tuesday at 0800 GMT.

TIPS: 
1. Please only one linked up post per blogger. Save other posts for future linkups!
2. The last Tuesday of every month will be a themed prompt if you want to join in!
3. HOP around and meet new travel loving bloggers! Check back to visit some of the newer travel posts!

Travel Tuesday







22 April 2014

Lancing College Chapel

Lancing College Chapel, England, West Sussex

Have you ever come upon a sight that you just thought, "I must explore that!"

Lancing College Chapel, England, West Sussex

On one of our treks to the coast we saw a beautiful building on a hill.

Lancing College Chapel, England, West Sussex

As soon as I got home I was determined to figure out what it was.
I sought out a map of the area and learned that it was the chapel for Lancing College (college has a different meaning in the UK.  It's equivalent to the last two years of high school).  

A few weeks ago I had the chance to go explore!

Lancing College Chapel, England, West Sussex

The foundations were laid in 1868 and the building complete in 1911.

Lancing College Chapel, England, West Sussex

Lancing College Chapel, England, West Sussex

Lancing College Chapel, England, West Sussex

The Catacombs

Lancing College Chapel, England, West Sussex

Lancing College Chapel, England, West Sussex

This was definitely worth the stop, and it was free!

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Each week Bonnie, Melanie and I feature a post from the previous week.  After too short of visits to the southern California coast,  it's left me wanting to see more.  I enjoyed seeing Rachel's photos from her 1000 Steps Beach photos. *Sigh*  Take me there now, please!


Next week is the last Tuesday of the month and our themed travel prompt.  Bonnie has chosen a great theme for this next week.  Share three places…the place you have been that you have loved the most, the place you cannot wait to visit, and something about the place you live.

Want to join in our Travel Tuesday link up?

HERE IS HOW IT WORKS:
1. SHARE a post about travel!  From road trips to trips abroad and from past travels to dream vacations. You can write about travel tips and tricks, favorite places to stay, or anything in between! Just make it about traveling somewhere!
2. GRAB the lovely button. If you run into trouble, just make sure to mention Bonnie, Melanie & Tina in a link! 
3. LINKUP goes live every Tuesday at 0800 GMT.

TIPS: 
1. Please only one linked up post per blogger. Save other posts for future linkups!
2. The last Tuesday of every month will be a themed prompt if you want to join in!
3. HOP around and meet new travel loving bloggers! Check back to visit some of the newer travel posts!

Travel Tuesday



14 April 2014

Whirlwind Visit to Stonehenge

Stonehenge, England, UK, travel, expat

When I say whirlwind visit, I mean whirlwind!  We dropped the kids off at school and hit the road for a 2 hour drive to Stonehenge and had to be back to pick up the kids by 3 pm.

By the time we arrived we only had an hour and a half.  It was enough time to get out to the stones from the visitor center, which takes you by shuttle, but not enough to have a good wander through the gift shop or see the exhibition.  I plan on taking the family on our next break for a longer stay.

Stonehenge, England, UK, travel, expat

Stonehenge, England, UK, travel, expat

An audio guide comes with your ticket.  I don't have much patience to listen to those things though.

Stonehenge, England, UK, travel, expat

I'd rather wander and take photos and either know the info before coming or look it up after.  We saw a great documentary on Stonehenge recently that was really fascinating and educational.

Stonehenge, England, UK, travel, expat

Stonehenge, England, UK, travel, expat

Stonehenge, England, UK, travel, expat, sheep

Stonehenge is managed by the English Heritage.  As a member you can enter for free.  Since the grounds are maintained by National Trust, their members, which I am, can also enter for free.  Score!  Tickets are currently £13.90 per adult if you do not hold a membership to one of these organizations.

Ever been to Stonehenge or like to go some day?  I recommend giving it more than an hour and a half though!  Hee hee!

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As you know we're featuring a post each week.  This week I'm featuring Anna's post on the Yosakoi Dance Competition.  All those beautiful colors and moves must have been a sight to see!



Want to join in our Travel Tuesday link up?


HERE IS HOW IT WORKS:
1. SHARE a post about travel!  From road trips to trips abroad and from past travels to dream vacations. You can write about travel tips and tricks, favorite places to stay, or anything in between! Just make it about traveling somewhere!
2. GRAB the lovely button. If you run into trouble, just make sure to mention Bonnie, Melanie & Tina in a link! 
3. LINKUP goes live every Tuesday at 0800 GMT.

TIPS: 
1. Please only one linked up post per blogger. Save other posts for future linkups!
2. The last Tuesday of every month will be a themed prompt if you want to join in!
3. HOP around and meet new travel loving bloggers! Check back to visit some of the newer travel posts!

Travel Tuesday

11 April 2014

9 Year Spa Birthday Bash

Nine years?!  I cannot believe I have a 9 year old.  Well, an almost 9 year old.  Her birthday is April 18th.  With there being a 2 week Easter break and the fact that we will be away on her special day, we celebrated early with 6 of her friends.

This girl has turned into quite the planner!  She had her party all planned out by early February!  She did some looking online and found a website that advertised spa parties.  It looked like so much fun, but I knew it would be expensive.  And surely it was.  A party for 6 girls would cost £300 ($498).  I cannot imagine people spending that much on a party!!  I've pulled off a theme party before so I was up for the challenge.

I found a cute invite on pinterest and was so happy with how it turned out.

girl's party, birthday, spa, 9 years old

We found recipes for making chocolate lip gloss to give with the party bags.  I found someone on ebay that had spa party bags all made up with spa essentials at a fantastic price!

girl's party, birthday, spa, 9 years old

girl's party, birthday, spa, 9 years old

I forgot to take photos of the party bags, oops!  Think clear bag with zebra stripes, pink tissue paper  inside stuffed with goodies like nail file, nail polish varnish, lotion, toe separator, etc.
We set up 3 stations.  One for nails, one for facials and another for make up.

Karis with her chocolate facial.

girl's party, birthday, spa, 9 years old

Reegan relaxing with some cucumbers on her eyes.

girl's party, birthday, spa, 9 years old

The whole gang.

girl's party, birthday, spa, 9 years old

 Glow in the dark nails.

girl's party, birthday, spa, 9 years old

Make up

girl's party, birthday, spa, 9 years old

We played pass the parcel, a game typically played at parties.  A gift is passed while music is playing.  The person who has the present when the music stops, gets to unwrap a layer of the present.  Another thing that we've typically seen here is that presents are given, but not opened in front of the guests.  I understand this one, it really makes sense.  However, Karis was excited to see what she got and asked all her friends before the party if it was ok to open the presents at the party.  They all agreed and had fun seeing all her presents.

girl's party, birthday, spa, 9 years old

The sweetest gift of all?  A handmade card decorated and signed by each of her friends.  So precious!

girl's party, birthday, spa, 9 years old

Then it was cake time!!  At most parties in England, "Happy Birthday" is sung, candles are blown out and a slice of cake is given in the party bags!!

girl's party, birthday, spa, 9 years old

No, no, no!  How can you not have cake at the birthday party?!?!  We can't, obviously!  It's one of the best parts of the party!!  And my kids almost never eat that slice of party bag cake later anyway!

girl's party, birthday, spa, 9 years old

It was a great party!  Fairly simple, packed with lots to keep them busy.

Now I think I want my own spa party!!

Did you have theme parties as a kid?   Or do you throw theme parties for your kids??

08 April 2014

Ancient Yew Tree

At the beginning of the year I wrote about exploring the area around me.  As of April I think I've got a pretty good jump start on that goal!  Having visitors helps that.  I've done a bit of exploring on my own, but I like having a friend along to enjoy the experience.

A visit to this tree all started by seeing a photo of this cute little door on pinterest.

yew, tree, Crowhurst, Surrey, travel,

I had this idea that a 4,000 year old tree with a cute little door must get a fair amount of visitors.  It seems I was wrong.  There was no parking in the village of Crowhurst in Surrey.  We found a house with a large parking area labelled the old school house.  I hate disturbing people in their homes, but I was set on finding this tree!!  We knocked and the kind gentleman allowed us to park on his property to explore the tree located next to St. George's Church.

yew, tree, Crowhurst, Surrey, travel,

Thought to be 4,000 years old, it's possibly the oldest in the country.

yew, tree, Crowhurst, Surrey, travel,

Girth readings date back to 1630.  In 1820 the inside of the tree was hollowed out for shelter for the annual Palm Sunday Fayre.  When this was done a canon ball was found embedded in the tree, thought to be from the civil war, about 1652.

yew, tree, Crowhurst, Surrey, travel,    yew, tree, Crowhurst, Surrey, travel,    yew, tree, Crowhurst, Surrey, travel,

You can see a few planks holding up it's old branches.

yew, tree, Crowhurst, Surrey, travel,

yew, tree, Crowhurst, Surrey, travel,

Does anyone else see the large alien being in the middle, on the above photo?  No?

yew, tree, Crowhurst, Surrey, travel,

yew, tree, Crowhurst, Surrey, travel

Would you go in search of an ancient tree with a cute door?

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Each week Bonnie, Melanie and I choose a post from the previous week's link up.  It is so hard to choose from all your great posts!!
This week I am featuring Sarah from A Week at the Beach.

As a mom of 3, I love seeing moms take the time to get out and explore with and without their kids.  I think it is so important to have time alone, with your husband or with girlfriends!  Sarah blogs all about doing just that.

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Want to join in our Travel Tuesday link up?

HERE IS HOW IT WORKS:
1. SHARE a post about travel!  From road trips to trips abroad and from past travels to dream vacations. You can write about travel tips and tricks, favorite places to stay, or anything in between! Just make it about traveling somewhere!
2. GRAB the lovely button. If you run into trouble, just make sure to mention Bonnie, Melanie & Tina in a link! 
3. LINKUP goes live every Tuesday at 0800 GMT.

TIPS: 
1. Please only one linked up post per blogger. Save other posts for future linkups!
2. The last Tuesday of every month will be a themed prompt if you want to join in!
3. HOP around and meet new travel loving bloggers! Check back to visit some of the newer travel posts!

Travel Tuesday

Deeper

  Deeper - adj. 1. extending or situated relatively far down from a surface: a deep pool. It's been a long time since I've ...