A Look into my Life » Dover

Dover to Heathrow, I’ve seen it all in two days!

Todd — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:28:12 +0000

I feel like I have spent the last two days on a train! Yesterday, Friday, I board a Southeastern train to Dover. Dover was one of the musts that I had on my list to do. It is a small, unattractive town on the east coast of England. It is just across the English Channel from France. In fact you could see parts of France from the lookouts (check out the pictures). It is also famous for its white cliffs. The ground there is white and very chalky. And it is also known for Dover Castle. The complex was magnificent. I received a tour through the underground tunnels there used during World War II and spent the rest of the time meandering around the castle. There are many pictures so be sure to check them out! After that it was a train ride back to London where I later met up with a friend that was in town for the night.

This morning I hoped back on the Underground and journeyed to Heathrow Airport, ironically most of the journey is above ground. On the return trip I had some extra baggage. JAMIE CAME!! I was so excited to see her and can’t believe she is actually here. We have spent the rest of the afternoon getting settled and checking out my flat. She is absolutely exhausted right now and is sound asleep in our hotel room. Later this evening we’ll grab a bite to eat and after that it’s a night out on the town! Can’t wait!

Tomorrow we’re going to check out Tower Bridge and that section of town they at noon we will be taking a flight on the Eye and after that a trip to Greenwich to the Prime Meridian. Stay tuned for more updates!

A parade, a gallery, and a museum

Todd — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:49:59 +0000

With mid-semester approaching I’ve been busy. Add in preparing for my break and I haven’t had a whole lot of free time! But I’m now officially on break and have all the time in the world!

For my art class today we went to the Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House along the Thames River. I think this has been my favorite gallery so far. It was small, concise and I got out of there quickly!

Upon exiting the gallery I found the road to be closed. A parade was under way! The city put on a parade of all of the medal winners in the Olympics and Paraolympics. The parade moved west on The Strand and ended with a huge celebration at Trafalgar Square. There were thousands of people there and I was in the middle! I did lay claim to a few small British flags but I just couldn’t get into the spirit, I wonder why?

After that was a trip to the British Museum, again. I don’t believe I ever actually hated a museum but I do hate this one. Afterwards I walked down Tottenham Court Road. Man do they have a lot of electronics stores along there. I was tempted to go into them but I knew I couldn’t.

Tomorrow I’m heading south west to Dover. This is the point at which the UK and France are closest. There is a castle there and the famous white cliffs. I will make a point to post about it tomorrow when I get back as well as post pictures. Once again, stay tuned!!

So where do I stand now?

Todd — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:41:02 +0000

Well, actually I’m sitting in my living room, but WELCOME TO WEEK 6! I’ve nearly made it halfway through and without totally loosing my mind. I feel at this point that I’ve fully got the hang of this British thing. For the most part at least. The weather here has be absolutely amazing but today it seems very British, gray and gloomy. I do miss the simple life of home though. Friday starts my mid-semester break and boy do we (my sister and I) have quite a week planned! More about that later though.

This week I’m playing catch up and get ahead. I want to ensure a work free week next week. That includes getting a jump on two papers that are due just after break as well as an exam this week. Great fun!

So what do we have planned for this magnificent week? Well Friday I plan to travel to Dover by train to check out the white cliffs and the castle located there. I just can’t sit around on the first day of break. Friday evening I will be meeting up with a friend if the planets align correctly. Saturday morning there is a great big package arriving at the airport!! Jamie is coming!! We will be traveling to Paris, Amsterdam, a few stops in eastern England and a few things planned around the city itself. So stay tuned for all of that.

I’ll be quite busy the rest of the week so there may not be another update until Friday evening/Saturday morning.