Since Valentine's Weekend allowed the entire travel industry to increase flights and accommodations a few hundred pounds, we decided to stay somewhat local for our February trip. Since Brighton is just a short train ride from London, we headed down for some arcade fun and seaside walks. One of my dear friends from Michigan, Natalie (aka Natzaz) came to visit Bristol today. Natzaz recently graduated from University of Pittsburg and completed her degree through studying abroad in London last summer. Her #hashtag and blog throughout that adventure was #NatzazTakesLondon so naturally, our #hashtag for today was #NatzazTakesBristol!
Natzaz is in England for the week because she just had to come back! She's visiting some of her friends from Uni in Exeter, and was able to swing a day trip to come and see me while she was near. It was a wonderful opportunity to test my knowledge of Bristol and be the tour guide instead of the visitor, for a change! It was a beautiful day, and we walked throughout most of the city, by the Harbor, Cathedral, and the bridge! We even had a 3 hour long afternoon tea, just sitting and chatting. It was so fun! #Natzaz is a totally awesome lady, and is now taking part in the Disney College Program (!!!! I know, right?! !!!!) and is rocking it out in the hospitality sector. You can follow her adventures on the Instagram. I'll let you search for her yourself as I'm pretty sure you'll know her username already. Thanks for coming to visit, Natzaz! & for being such a fab photographer! (These photos were all taken by Natzaz, I snagged them for my blogging purposes because they're dozens of times better than the ones I took!) Today we took the train up to Leeds to walk around & visit a city close to where Dayne grew up. Despite the fact it was raining & our socks were soaked a half hour in, we had a really nice time.
I loved how it was a clearly a city, but not too big that it was overwhelming. There is plenty to do for shopping, eating, & entertaining, & we walked around a lot of everyone's favorite spots. Obviously a few days ago we were at a Leeds match, which is no doubt one of Dayne's favorite places. We saw a lot of the stops on the pub route usually traveled by both Dayne & his Dad, & we saw some of Dayne's sister's favorite cocktail bars, as well as some great spots for shopping including The Trinity, which was like Cabot Circus in Bristol, & an old market stall building that holds a ton of neat boutiques. Unfortunately, the legit city market was closed for Sunday but it looked like it would be incredible to walk around. Eventually we met up with one of Dayne's best mates, Simon, and his girlfriend Nicola, and her flat mate, Paige. We met at a pub that had a ton of board games, arcade games, & shuffleboard tables. We played a few rounds before heading across the street to eat a Sunday roast. It was a really great day! It has been lovely to be in Yorkshire over the holidays and I've really enjoyed visiting new places up north and meeting more of Dayne's friends and family. It will be nice to head back to London and Bristol/Bath. I'm ready to have a bit more consistent of a schedule. Plus, soon my friend Natalie will be here visiting, & then before we realize it, I will be heading back to Michigan for Easter! Time is going to fly! It's 2016!!! A fresh, new beginning... I love the feeling, don't you? It's like the start of another school year, except we start up where we left off just a few weeks ago... encouraged by a new mindset and plenty of energy & enthusiasm for what lies ahead.
We ended 2015 and said hello to 2016 out at a local club with members of Dayne's family, all out to see his cousin Jack's band, The Harrington's, play to ring in the New Year. I may have only known a handful of songs, but the energy was electric and the trio was totally entertaining! I was well impressed by them, as they were three 17 year olds performing like rockstars! It was a wonderful evening. Here's a midnight tradition that's a little different to what we do in America... At the end of the countdown, we usually go in for the hugs and kisses with those we love. Here in England, everyone got into a circle with those around them, crossed their arms over one another, swayed side to side and sang Auld Lang Syne together. THEN you break and give out hugs and kisses and yell "Yeehaw!" if you're from America... or if you're Paul... and you get on with the celebrations. I am looking forward to double the fun and adventure in 2016! Happy New Year! Love, Jacqui Today, a lot of my friends are posting photo collages of their top pictures from the year. Being the avid photographer that I am, I of course want to join in the fun. I've tried about three times to make a collage, but can never quite fit in every picture that I'd like to include. Besides, the photos end up being so small, it's really just annoying to post it at all. Therefore, I decided to just place some of my favorites photos of the year here. They may not all be from my time abroad, but it has been a monumental year filled with more magic & adventure than I could have ever anticipated. From Florida to England & all of the miles in-between, I am overjoyed by the blessings 2015 has given me. It inspires me to enter 2016 with renewed motivation for another fantastic year. As Walt Disney said, "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." Dayne is a big fan of American Football, but his first love was FOOTBALL... Leeds United, to be exact. This evening, thanks to his Dad, we were able to go to a Leeds "match" (not game...) together along with his cousins and uncle.
Incase any of you are planning to head across the pond in the next year... here is a list of some of the "must-do's" in Bristol for the year of 2016, compiled by the Bristol Post.
Christmas Eve in Yorkshire was filled with plenty of fun!
Dayne's family and I headed to Wentworth to go ice skating, visit with the farm animals (including some reindeer getting some last minute rest before their flight) and walking around the shops and gardens. We all wore different Christmas jumpers and had a great time visiting together. We saw a glorious sunset before heading home. The following morning we woke up and exchanged gifts with one another before heading to family nearby for more gift giving. After awhile, we all came back for a traditional Christmas dinner... turkey! There were plenty of crackers and we each took turns telling jokes and doing the charade that was inside. I managed to skype with my family a few times, too. We talked about the day and what's in store for 2016. Dayne and I demonstrated how a cracker works and I managed to take part in the White Elephant Exchange again, which is really entertaining. It is not always easy to be away from home, especially during the holidays, but Dayne and his family have welcomed me with open arms and I have really enjoyed being here to celebrate Christmas in England. I hope you all had a wonderful time with your family and friends this Christmas! |
Hiya!Jacq is a "Made in the Mitten" gal experiencing life & love across the pond. She enjoys the theatre, both onstage and off, traveling, & taking pictures. You might spot her on her way to class or enjoying a hazelnut latte. She hopes to soon find a good spot to do yoga in the city. Follow her adventures as she discovers her favorite places & spaces in Bristol, Bath & beyond! Topics
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