A Place to Find Husbands

This week we took our last trip down to Brighton. As Lidia Bennett says in Pride and Prejudice, "Brighton is the place to find husbands!" Unfortunately, I did not find my husband in Brighton, but I did manage to find a fabulous time. We had some other adventures along the way too. So here we go!

 First stop was Rye. This is an old town that used to be where the Normans occupied as their port. I love this sign and realized that there is no such thing as junk, but "high class junk." Anyways we just walked around this cute little town for a few minutes to stretch our legs. The weather was a little bleak, but I loved it! 

 After Rye we drove to Bodiam Castle. I loved this castle. It is what I usually picture castles to be, the kind with a moat around and towers and all of it. It was so beautiful and really fun to be there. 

 Shannon and I at the top of the tower. I love Shannon. She is the sweetest person and I was really stressed out this day and she just let me talk to her about my paper and gave me some ideas and was so nice about it. 

 Inside of the castle

 Me at the castle. 

 Next, we went to Hastings. This is where the Battle of Hastings occurred. In 1066 William the Conqueror fought here. We found a little hobbit hole and naturally had to get a picture of it. 

 The actual battle grounds

 Then it was on to Brighton. I loved Brighton and wished I could have spent some more time there, but what time we did have was fabulous. First, we went through the Royal Pavilion. This is where the Royal family used to come to vacation. It is a very different building from the rest that we have seen. It has an oriental style to it and the inside was very exquisite with dragons and Asian flowers. After the Pavilion we headed to our hotels and then the beach. It was too cold to get in the water and I was so sad. It had been something that I have wanted to do, but it's ok, I did get wet. 

 Gina, Kindal, Matt, Kim

 This beach did not have sand, but rocks. I actually really liked it like that. This was right before I got wet. 

 Shannon and I

 Loved this hat, but it cost too much money. It's ok, makes for a great picture!

 Shannon (the girl) and I (the boy) on the Pier. They had these things everywhere and it was so fun to take pictures in them. 

 Just so you know, this jacket is Shannon's. I don't know what I was thinking when I left the hotel without my jacket. I forget that the beach is windy and gets cold as the night progresses. 

 Funny story that relates to this picture: I bought some chicken nuggets and some fries to go and was eating them as we walked along the beach. All of a sudden something hits me hard on the head so I turn around to look and then two seagulls descend upon my food and take every single last bite. I was so sad! I had only eaten 3 chicken nuggets and maybe like 5 chips. Everyone was really nice and shared the rest of their dinner with me, but it was comical. So I didn't feed the birds, the birds fed themselves. 

 The beach was so pretty as the sun began to set. I was sitting there just thinking and was thinking how it is possible that waves work. I asked my friends and they said it has something to do with the gravitational pull of the moon. I don't know, but I will have to research that. 

 BYU in Brighton! The pictures are on my ipod but the next morning I went running along the beach and it was so beautiful and peaceful. I loved it. I ran for a few minutes and then went to the waters edge to walk along it for a little bit and then ran back. It was probably one of the best runs that I have ever been on and I just loved it! 

 Later the second day we headed to Portsmouth where we went to the Navy museums. We first went into the Mary Rose Exhibit. It is an old ship that dates back to Henry VIII. Divers found it in 1970s and ever since then have been trying to preserve it. For 20 years, the blew wax into it to make the wood stable and then last year they started drying air for it to dry, they estimate that this will take 3 more years. It was really cool to see such an old ship and learn about it. 

 After the Mary Rose we went on a harbor tour and then after that we went on the HMS Warrior and toured around that ship for a while. It is an old iron clad and was really cool to be on. 

 Taylor Ann, Sydney and I on the HMS Warrior. 

 Found Dad's office 

 Then we went on the HMS Victory. I just wrote a paper on this ship and the events that this ship had been in. This is the ship that sailed during the Battle of Trafalgar. It is one of the most significant battles in British history and Admiral Horatio Nelson is considered one of the greatest heroes. This battle was against the French and Spanish and was truly a victory. Lord Nelson died during this battle and his body was placed in a vat of beer to preserve it and is buried at St. Paul's Cathedral. I am actually learning something ;)

 After the museums we headed to Hampton Court. Cardinal Woolsey is the first one who occupied this court and then Henry VIII wanted it for himself and took over it. It was a massive palace and I really liked it. 

 The kitchens were huge and it is said that in one day the king and his court would each individually eat between 5,400-6,000 calories. Can you imagine the cooking that must have been going on?! 

 Taylor Ann giving a high five to the statue. We also saw the rooms and apartments for the Georgian period and for William III. It was really cool. 

 Then we went to the gardens. They were spectacular and this is the Royal Tennis Court. It is still used if you are in the membership of that court. They also play by different rules, I didn't really understand it though. 

 We walked through the maze and it took a little while for us to finish. It is one of the oldest mazes. It is still kept up from when Henry VIII had it built. Pretty cool! 

 Hampton Court gardens were amazing. I loved them, I really just want the gardens at every palace. I don't need the huge house, but I would love the gardens that they have. 

 Took this picture for Mom and Camille. They had a Dahlia garden and the Dahlias were so beautiful, I spent a good 10 minutes studying each one. 

 Me and Hampton Court. 

It's weird to think that this trip is coming to an end. I get home in 2 weeks and I am so sad. I have loved my time here in London. I still have a few days here and a week on the continent, but this experience has been so amazing. It has had its challenges, but the good far out weigh the bad. London has my heart, and I don't want to leave! I guess I'll just have to come back sometime soon. Not sure how much posting I'll be doing since this weekend will be used for studying for finals on Monday. 

Cheers!