Whirlwind Tourism

There are a few sites outside London I knew I didn't want to miss. I didn't dare rent a car and drive around myself. As a New Yorker, I don't do much driving anyway and trying to drive on the other side of the road...it would just be a recipe for disaster.

So I booked a bus tour that promised three sites in one day. It was an early start and a long day, but well worth it. First up was Windsor Castle.

After showing up and touring the grounds a little, the boyfriend and I went to see Queen Mary's Dollhouse and into the State Apartments which came with an audio tour that told us all about the construction of the castle back in the 11th Century, the monarchs who've lived there over the centuries (39!), and the 1992 fire that destroyed more than 100 rooms! There was no picture taking inside (alas) but afterwards, we wandered the grounds a little more before heading back to the bus.

Up on the castle grounds, I got some good shots of Windsor down below. Including Eton, where all my favorite Regency Romance novel heroes go to school...

It was amazing. My only complaint was that I could have spent all day roaming around at Windsor (looking for the Queen), but I had to get back on the bus. It's not much of a complain though because Stonehenge was the next stop.

The bus drove us out into the country.

And dropped us off about a mile and a half from the site. Instead of waiting for a shuttle, the boyfriend and I decided to walk. It was warm and sunny and well worth it. 

Then we reached Stonehenge. The pictures don't quite do it justice, so I apologize. It was such an amazing and awe-inspiring sight! 

We were in good company.

After riding the shuttle back, the boyfriend and I grabbed a sandwich at tourist cafe, and then we boarded the bus again and headed off to the last and my favorite stop: Bath. Every Jane Austen fan needs to go to Bath.

We went into the famous Roman Baths.

Then as the sun started it's descent, we roamed the streets of Bath.

 We stopped at this super cute coffee shop for an american (for the boyfriend) and some earl grey tea (for me).

And before we jumped back on the bus to head back to London, we stopped into the most amazing chocolate shop. I bought a couple chocolates for a very good friend, and then I bought some for the boyfriend and I to share on the bus ride back.

My only regret--that I didn't buy more!

When we got back to London, we were starving and stopped at the first restaurant we could find. It was sushi, a chain called Itsu. But my favorite thing about it was this:

The sushi went around on a conveyor belt and we just pulled off whatever looked interesting. We ordered drinks and started pulling plates that caught our fancy.

For dessert, we finished the nice with berries and cream. I couldn't have asked for a better day!