Week 3 -- Bath, England

     Well we are behind on our weekly blog.  Our most recent trip was to Bath, England and Stonehenge.   We shared our last trip with Memom and Papaw (Kavanaughs) before they left and celebrated Jacob's 12 birthday.  Bath was more beautiful than I imagined.  The Romans bath museum that surrounds the ancient Roman bath from over 2000 years ago was amazing. Erica loved the "walkie talkie" kids audio tour at the Bath.  We just don't understand "old" very well in the US.  Stonehenge was Jacob's favorite place. Dating to about 5000 years ago, it is still a wonder today.  Surprise too, Chevy Chase aka, Clark Griswald didn't knock it down after all -- ha!! 

      We stayed in a B and B that has been on site since around 1090 and the "current" building dated back to the 1500s.  Real modern place.  Erica had to take a "bath" in Bath.  She was the only one, the rest of us just got showers.
      We have switched Jacob's school.  The private boys school was so different and completely intimidating with 14 different classes and teachers rotating through a 10 day varying schedule.  Both kids are now going to the same school  and it has solved a lot of problems.  Jacob is enjoying wearing a sweatshirt uniform, instead of the coat and tie!! His current teacher said she just wanted to be sure Jacob enjoyed being in England -- I could have hugged her  - especially after the difficult time at the other school.

Bath, England architecture

 

 Jacob heading to Hogwarts (at London King's Cross train station)

 

 

 

 

     My nursing students and I went to a very rewarding clinical experience at Dove Cottage -- a day, "spa" for hospice patients.  We have nothing like it in the US that I know of.  The chaplain told us that a hospice is a place for people to stop as they travel along their journey.  It was a perfect description for Dove.  The nurses and staff and "guests" were very welcoming.  I also learned how to properly score Scrabble games!!
     This past weekend we staying here at the manor and explored more.  Jacob has perfected "lawn surfing" and Erica "rolling down the hills".  There is a perfect hill right behind the manner with long, soft grass that allows smooth "surfing" down the hill -- head first on your back with a hoody sweatshirt on.  I have some funny video of the kids rolling and surfing and then me trying.  Let's just say trash bags don't help you slide down, they just cause you to trip easier!! We also went to the local Harlaxton village Anglican church.  I learned it really isn't that different from our Methodist church at home -- we sang a hymn that I have sung before and the communion responses and readings were much the same.  Church building was just a bit older -- about 800 years older -- that's all!!

Harlaxton village church

 

Half the nursing class at Dove Cottage

 

We hope to go to Nottingham and Sherwood forest next weekend and to Ireland the week after.  Ann and Dan Nalin should be here midweek to visit. 
Until next week!!