Devon and Dorset

From Wales, I headed over to Devon to stay with my housemate Chloe for a few days. And thanks to it being the school holiday, her mum took us on a whirlwind tour of Devon, Dorset and Cornwall.

Lyme Regis

It was late and rainy by the time we got there to pick up Chloe's brother from work, so most of my pics didn't really turn out. But it was a beautiful place and I loved walking out onto the iconic 'Cobb'--the harbour wall featured in Jane Austen's Persuasion. 

The next morning, we headed off early for a gorgeous drive along the Jurassic Coast--a World Heritage site--where we hit all the major highlights.

Lulworth Cove

For you, Tanner: White cliffs!

 

Fossil Forest

Petrified tree stumps

Durdle Door 

Weymouth

New Harbour

Chesil Beach

This is where the Olympic Sailing events took place 

Portland Bill Lighthouse

Hamlet
We finished the day with a performance of Hamlet in some beautiful gardens. #whyiloveEngland

The performance troupe only had 6 actors to play all of the characters, but they were really good. And because we sat in the front, they came over and interacted with us quite a bit. Definitely the most memorable version of Hamlet I'll ever see.

Swansea

At the end of July I finally visited Wales for the first time, and it didn't disappoint. One of my dear friends and comrade in broken leg problems--Camie--is from Swansea. So I went down to visit her for the weekend. A bunch of YSA from Brum drove down on the Saturday and we all had a beach day. And much to our surprise, the weather actually cooperated with some glorious sunshine!

Langland Bay

True to my Blackburn heritage, the ice cream may have been the highlight of a great day.

Three Cliffs at Oxwich Bay

Love this girl so much!

We ended the day by going on an evening drive through the Welsh countryside. 

I love this place.

The Takeaway: Wales really is all that it is cracked up to be. And then some.

Bath

Finally got to visit Bath (back in July)! It was a perfect day. Gorgeous weather, delicious food, delightful company.

Actually, I've been having a lot of perfect days lately. Feeling truly blessed and just trying to soak in every last morsel of time I have left in this adopted home of mine.

But since all you want is to see pictures of Bath, I will happily oblige.

Bath Cathedral--just as stunning as you'd expect

Told ya.

Roman Baths

The Circus--a group of 4 crescent-shaped buildings surrounding a square plaza. 

The Royal Crescent

One of our favourite things to do when we travel is to find a nice grassy patch where we can just lay down and soak in the soul of a place for awhile. I know that sounds cheesy, but we love it. And my gimpy leg appreciates it, too. So we thoroughly enjoyed this lawn--weather, people watching, naps and selfies included.

Bezzies
#nowearentdating

Does this scene look familiar? Les Mis movie anyone?
The view from the iconic Pulteney Bridge.

Somehow everywhere we go, there is always some sort of carnival or festival going on. 

Lucky star. #bonda

Pulteney Bridge

haaaa. Spen's hair was so platinum it kept disappearing into the sky in all our pics. 
Still cracks me up.

Matlock, Take 2

Last year I visited Matlock on a Family History trip and I absolutely fell in love. Naturally I've been dying to go back ever since, but the whole broken leg thing kinda got in the way of that... until now. I felt like my leg was finally doing well enough that I could brave the steep inclines and still have an enjoyable day.

And I've been promising to take my friend Spencer there for his birthday. It was in April, so it's been a long time coming! haha

I was curious to see if I would still feel the same way about this place as I did on my first visit. And for better or worse, my love has grown tenfold! It is even more spectacular in the summer.

We were able to go on the cable car (Heights of Abraham) to the top of the peak and get a spectacular view of the area my ancestors called home. It was another perfect day.

Spencer is a little afraid of heights. Whoops. #mybad #trooper

One of the old lead mining caves that we toured.

Victoria Tower

Since it was my dad's birthday, we marked the occasion with some delicious burgers from a local pub. True joy! And I may have treated myself to an antique opal ring in honour of my graduation.

But after all that we still had plenty of time left, so we paid a visit to the Matlock parish church, St. Giles, where many of my ancestors are buried.

I know it's weird. I just love cemeteries.

 

Coordinating colours of doors and flowers. Probably my favourite street I've ever seen.
Seriously. I need to live here.

Needless to say, I'm still in love with Matlock. 

And luckily my rouse worked, because Spen loved it, too.