Chedworth Roman Villa and Stratford

On 10th Nov., I drove through the Cotswolds - beautiful - and got to this 3rd century Roman villa. They think it was either a farm or a religious pilgrimage destination. There is evidence for both. They are fairly certain that the residents were Britons that followed Roman traditions, including Roman baths/sauna/hot tubs with mosaic tiled floors. Since the villa is at the top of a valley, the dirt from the surrounding hills just covered up the villa until it was unearthed in the 1860's. The Victorian English, excavated as much as they could and did some minor repairs. It was amazing to travel back in time and drive through the beautiful countryside.

15th Nov., school was closed due to the builders cutting the main power to our building! The kids had it off, but we went in to help at the Nest (name of the Infant's building - pre-k - 1) and then to work on our assessments.

16th Nov. saw me driving through the Cotswolds again, but to a different destination. I was off to Stratford upon Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace. Friday night, Dan and family, Susan, and I met up for dinner at The Dirty Duck, originally named The Black Swan, but dubbed The Dirty Duck by American sailors in WWII. It was a fabulous evening and I was glad to get there. My gps sent me to Warwick (war-ick), instead of Warwick Road in Stratford. Luckily, it was just up the road, so I easily found it. However, my gps wanted me to drive from Warwick up to the top of Scotland, take the ferry to Belfast, and drive down to somewhere just above Dublin named Warwick Road. Boy was I glad that I can use my brain! Saturday morning I took the red bus tour around town, then met Dan, Torie, and Maria (the fam) for lunch. Dan and I went to see Henry V, while Torie and Maria went swimming. Henry V is a bit heavy for a 6 year old. =) Great play! I walked about town after the play, tried to see Shakespeare's grave, but there was a rehearsal happening in the church, so couldn't get up there...Oh, well. The four of us met up for dinner and then chit chatted over a bottle of wine and hot cocoa back at their hotel. Great company and conversation! The next morning, I drove about seeing 3 of the Shakespeare homes...his birthplace and museum, his wife's home before marriage, and his mom's home/farm. His wife's home (Anne Hathaway) had huge gardens. It must be stunning in spring/summer. His mom's farm has ancient breeds of farm animals and a falconry area...very cool. One of the best parts though was a window at his birthplace. It has been removed from the original place, parent's bedroom, to protect it. Hundreds of people came and carved their name in it...famous writers...very cool! Cold is how I would describe the day though...and raining. On the way home, as I was driving back through the Cotswolds, it started to snow! It was sooooooooooo pretty! Well, back to school and gearing up for Thanksgiving!

Back Home!

Well, I made it back home safe and sound. On Monday morning, I returned the rental car and picked up mine from the MOT testing/repair shop. Then Jane G., one of the other teachers, picked me up and we drove to Bradford upon Avon. We met up with another teacher from school, Jayne M., who grew up there. She was a brilliant tour guide. We walked through the medieval tithe barn, along the canal that was reopened after restoration by the queen, did loads of fun window shopping, and then went to lunch on a Sally Long Boat on the canal. Yum!! We ended the day walking through St. Laurence's Church, which they think might have been built in 709, but know it was in existence in 1001. Then we walked up to this thatched cottage known as the Witch's Cottage by the locals. Very cool town! The next day, Miri took me to Reading (red-ing) to meet up with her daughter, Becky, for lunch and go shopping in this massive mall. The mall had this canal going between the 2 parts of it...very pretty, and the shopping was great! I got a lot of Christmas presents there...including chocolates from Hotel Chocolate! American chocolate doesn't even come close! We tried to find pumpkins on the way home for maths the next day, but they were nowhere to be seen...pumpkin shortage due to flooding. The next day was Halloween...sadly, we had to go back to school. Worse yet, I woke up at 3am with food poisoning! Yikes! I'm pretty sure it was with some pasta I made at home. I tried to go to school, but they sent me home. After 2 days curled up on the couch, I was better and made it back to school. Yippee! So good to feel healthy again!

Half Term Holiday

Well...I took off to Dublin to meet up with another Fulbright teacher, Elizabeth. The trip there went well, until just after I landed. I got in at midnight, took out Euros from the ATM, or cashpoint, but it only came out in 50's. No one in the entire airport would give me change so I could take the bus to town...6 Euros. Instead, I took at cab for 20 Euros. Once there I was given a dorm room that was empty. It was great for the night. In the morning they told me I needed to move as a large group was coming in that day though. Oh, well! At least I got one night to myself. We took the red bus around town...saw the Book of Kells, walked through Kilmainham Gaol (where all the Irish revolutionaries were shot - very moving), and went on the Guinness tour...all in the first day. The second day we went on a walking tour...saw the Riverdance headquarters, and walked through Temple Bar and along Grafton Street. Last day in Dublin we went to the Irish Writer's Museum, shopped a bit, I went to see the movie Stardust (FAB - U - LOUS!!), then we went to dinner with traditional music and dance (pretty cool!) I'll try to upload the video as soon as I'm able. My last two days, I decided to take the train down to Waterford for the night to see the crystal factory. It was amazing and I'm really glad I went. Then I tried to get home. The locomotive of the train wasn't working correctly when we got to Kilkenney...2 hours later...a new locomotive arrived from Waterford and we went on our way. I made the transfer to the bus for the airport and thought everything was OK. It hadn't yet clicked that I misinterpreted the military time on my ticket. When I got to the airport, Ryanair wouldn't let me check my luggage as it was 35 minutes until take-off and they stop taking luggage 45 minutes before...Yeah, you figured it out correctly...10 minutes late. I guess my dad's right...I need to put in my will that my body needs to be delivered 10 minutes late to my funeral. LOL! Anyway, this time it cost me 76 Euro and a night sleeping (barely) in the airport. This was the most expensive "cheap" trip I have ever taken! Here's to next term break going much better!!!! Keep your fingers crossed! I just made plans to go on a Harry Potter tour with Susan, another Fulbright teacher! Can't wait!!!!!!