Friday, September 23, 2011

What I did on my Summer Vacation Blogfest

Michael over at In Time... is hosting the What I did on my Summer Vacation Blogfest! Remember that essay you always had to write when you returned to school after the summer holidays? Well, this is it! (Except now it's not homework, it's something we want to do because we like writing!).

My Essay


This year I get a double summer holiday! That’s because while it was winter here I went off to England where it was summer, and now that I’ve been back a little while, we’re entering South African summer (which, just so you know, is far more of a summer than the English summer!).

I don’t handle sleep deprivation very well, so by the time I reached my friend’s home in London I was an exhausted, dizzy, smelly wreck. Fortunately, seeing sister + seeing friend + having a shower = a near cure for exhaustion.

We spent three days dashing around London seeing things like Big Ben, the London Eye, the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, The Tate Modern and Oxford Street (shopping! The window kind, mainly, considering that the Rand to the Pound was over eleven to one!).



After that I stayed a few nights in Oakley (Hampshire) with my grandparents, who unfortunately only have one spare room – inconveniently occupied by my parents at the time. So my sister and I shared a blow-up mattress in a study so small that the mattress filled the entire room... Imagine climbing off your bed and already being out of the door!


After the cramped mattress experience we spent some wonderfully restful time in Haytor (Devon) at my aunt’s large and comfortable country home. Here I visited a craftsmen’s guild, the Eden Project (amazing. You should go.), the Riverford Field Kitchen and even the beach!


And even though it was a wonderful holiday, by the time the plane coasted onto the runway in Durban I was thinking, It’s good to be home (and then we got to passport control and there was only ONE desk open for all of us South Africans to go through, and all I could think was, Typical...).

~ ~ ~

Sun 25 Sept: A photo on someone else's blog reminded me of something that happened just as we arrived at the Eden Project...




21 comments:

Anonymous said...

*sigh* I miss England. Except for the cramped bed, it sounded like you had a fun time! I loved the pics!

Kittie Howard said...

I agree with Sabrina - sounds like you had a great time - but, oh, 11 to 1 with the exchange, ouch!

Sarah Tokeley said...

Did you go in the maze at Hampton Court Palace? I'm so glad you did all the touristy things. I lived in London for years, and never did any of them :-(

Julie Hedlund said...

Used to live in England and miss it so much. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

Nicki Elson said...

Lucky you w/ two summers. I went to London during English winter this year---still pretty nice, mild weather.

The mattress picture/story is adorable. :)

Donea Lee said...

I've only been to London once and I loved it. I'm dying to go back - so, of course, your winter/summer vacation sounds absolutely FABULOUS!! Greats pics, too. Thanks for sharing! :)

Amy said...

Sounds like a wonderful summer! :)

Golden Eagle said...

It seems like you had a great summer! :) I love the pictures.

LOL. That sounds like my room . . . really.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Rachel,

What a great holiday, and the pics are terrific! I haven't been across the pond in AGES....

What a fun post. Loved the pics!

Thanks for sharing and joining in the fun.

erica and christy said...

Thanks for the virtual-experience! I don't even have a passport. *sigh*
Tons of years ago, I had an apartment with a bedroom eerily similar to your mattress experience - for two years. Luckily, I shared it with my new husband instead of my sister!
erica

Elizabeth Mueller said...

How funtastic! I'm so glad you enjoyed every moment of your vacation. :)

Happy Friday!


♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥

Anonymous said...

Ooh! Two summers. I am so jealous!

Denise Covey said...

This was a lovely essay Rachel. I've been to most of the London places you mentioned and it's great to revisit. The Devon countryside looks awesome. Nothing like a drive through ole England. The study you slept in is what my study looks like when I get visitors, eek.

Thanks for sharing.

Denise

dolorah said...

An actual real vacation :) What fun.

.......dhole

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

What a lovely vacation! Thanks for sharing.

Monti
NotesAlongTheWay

Arlee Bird said...

What an exciting experience. I'd love to go to England one day.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Anonymous said...

And I thought I had a cramped mattress experience.

Thanks for sharing the pictures. I've been to England and would love to go again.

Anonymous said...

Rachel, loved your holiday account. I never could have slept on that mattress I'm such a light sleeper and like the Princess and the Pea feel all the lumps and bumps.

We could have met up as you were so near to where I live in Devon!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a fun summer!

Anonymous said...

I had no idea there were that many great sights in England. I guess I should start planning for an English vacation. I would definitely want to give the London Eye a try.

pimalai

Xander Lawson said...

That sure looked like a fun trip. The coast at Cornwall has especially caught my interest. Is it safe to assume that there is a nice little spot there where people can take a dip?

holiday accommodation