Magical, Mystical Stonehenge

Monday, July 4, 2011

If Stonehenge is on your Bucket list, then this is absolutely the way to do it.  It was tough getting up at two in the morning in order to meet the tour bus at three, but totally worth it. 

I have heard from people about mediocre Stonehenge experiences. They talk about how they didn’t get to go close up, about large crowds, long waits, etc. etc.

David, our tour guide, was as excited as we were.  He said typically they would give his group a number which gave them a turn walking around the outer circle…but not today…our small group was the only one there. We were shocked with the temperature when we got off the bus. It was freezing!  

We stood there as the sun rose, shining its light in between and on the stones.  We were right in the middle …we touched the stones…I even kissed one!

I cannot explain how it took my breath away. Camera Guy was in his glory as well, excited about the perfect conditions and the magic light.

It was a spiritual experience and we couldn’t have asked for a better morning – first the mist (you could hear the sounds of the sheep through the mist) then the sun…rising…wow!

We went from there to Salisbury where we toured the beautiful cathedral.  It was built over the junctions of several rivers and they constantly check that the water level remains constant through a hole in the floor.  They actually dip a stick in this hole-like checking oil! A cool thing about this building is that the dimensions of the tennis court were based on the stained glass windows on the east side of the building.  Just imagine that at this point in the day it was about 7:00 am!

We then had a short visit to Bath, where I ran back up to the Bertinet cooking school to buy an apron. We had lunch in Lacock, a small village where the filming of Harry Potter took place.  We actually had lunch in a pub that was built in 1361 – so the place was serving lager over 100 years before Columbus landed in America!!!

By the time we arrived back in London it was mid afternoon and we were beat. We rested a bit then went out for a great Italian dinner at Da Mario’s, a restaurant that Princess Diana frequented.

Tomorrow…touring a little more of London....good-night…

Sunday, July 3, 2011 Back to London!

After Simone’s generous breakfast, we headed back to the train station for our trip back into London.  We had an open ticket and were advised that because it was Sunday, we didn’t have to worry about reserving a seat, as it would be quiet – WRONG!

We barely fit our bags into the train and definitely didn’t have a seat.  We hung out with about 10 other people “in between” the cars for the whole trip back into London.  When we finally arrived in Paddington station, Dan reached through the window to open the door and basically toppled out of the car because we were so stuffed in there.

Our hotel, The Crown Plaza, was nice and really well situated just down the street from Gloucester station. We settled in, took a long walk and dropped by the food hall at Harrods  (the best part) – and relaxed with a pint at a pub. Camera Guy keeps telling me “It’s beer o’clock!”

After a dinner of fish and chips at our local pub, we are turning in early.  After all, we have to wake up at 2:00 AM to meet up with our bus for a Stonehenge tour at 3:00 AM.  We are going on a private tour where we will get to go into the inner circle of Stonehenge and watch the sunrise…

We better get to sleep!

Dancing with Dough – the Richard Bertinet way…

July 2, 2011 

After a very warm welcome, master bread maker Richard Bertinet began to teach us about bread.  I read his first book, "Dough" and tried to use his technique but was not very successful...and that is really saying it mildly.

He works with a very wet dough and cringes at the word "kneading"...no, he doesn't believe in it, and instead works the dough by incorporating air into the dough by lifting and slapping it down etc.  ... He corrected my stance and coached me to use my whole body – not just my arms - and truly get a feeling for the dough.  He asked me not to look at it and instead made me look in his eyes….hmmm…I must say he isn’t bad to look at ….

Richard started off the day by reminding us how bad the sliced bread in plastic bags sold in the grocery stores is for us. He then described bread bores and I realized I, in fact, was one. When conversation moves to the bread at the table, I use any opportunity to yak non-stop about bread...and every aspect of it. I want to apologize to my friends and family, but especially to those strangers who find themselves innocently sitting beside me at a company lunch or dinner. I just can't help myself – I am so passionate about it.

We learned how to work a simple white dough, which can be used for a "tin" loaf, a fougasse, breadsticks and focaccia.   We made them all, prepared the beautiful bread baskets when they were ready and sat down for a wonderful lunch.

I find myself right now wanting to go on …and on…about my class, but I will stop and simply say that I had an absolutely amazing day.   If anyone is interested in a class with Richard Bertinet, I highly recommend it!  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

While I was in class, Camera Guy (Dan) wandered around Bath taking some fantastic pictures.  

Thanks Dan for encouraging me to do this! 

And thank you Richard Bertinet for teaching me how to dance with dough!

July 2, 2011 Bath...so Pretty...

What a view! This morning we woke up to an amazing view of Bath - not only is Bath so pretty, but there were hot air balloons in the sky! Our B&B is perched on a hill over Bath - just a 10 minute walk to the city centre, down the path, turn right at the canal, turn left down the next path, past the cricket club, and you're there....no problem.

Today is my baking class and I am sooooo excited. Richard Bertinet, author of the book "Dough" will be my teacher. I have unsuccessfully tried over and over again to make breads using his technique of slapping wet dough on the counter (avoiding the addition of flour).
Will I be able to learn this? I really have tried! Flinging the wet dough has resulted in my hands, arms, etc as well as the walls in my kitchen, being covered in globs of dough...I am actually a little nervous...but first we have an English breakfast awaiting us...we are coming Simone!

July 1, 2011 London to Bath

Transatlantic flights are never easy. There should be an etiquette training session that you have take before getting on the flight. The two people in front of us needed that training- no jumping on the seats, punching each other, flicking the lights on and off - no it is not good...people get upset and flight attendants get upset when they are called numerous times by mistake...UGHHHHHHH.
Enough of that...

After landing in Heathrow we queued up for the border entry line which took about an hour. At least we didn't have to wait for our luggage :) We bought Heathrow Express tickets online but honestly they were selling them at every turn so it really wasn't necessary. It was easy moving with our luggage onto the Heathrow Express which took us from Heathrow to Paddington station in about 20 minutes! By the way, there is no need to buy a first class ticket on this train as it comes is comes so frequently and is such a quick transfer.

From Paddington, we headed over to the train ticket office (on the same level) where we purchased 2 return tickets to Bath leaving at 10:00 am. Watching the board, you need to look for the last stop on your train route (ours was Paignton) to determine which platform you need to hurry over to. It shows up about 10 minutes before the train leaves the station.

The train ride was about 1.5 hours and we hailed a taxi to our B&B. Bath is so picturesque. Every corner you turn there is a pretty setting. We walked to the middle of town (about 10 minutes) after meeting Simone who gave us a key and some friendly tips. This is when you desperately try to stay awake so you can adapt to your new time zone. There was one point when Dan was taking pictures of the incredible stained glass windows in the Bath Abbey.  All I wanted to do was lay down on a bench and sleep...

Fish and chips at a local pub accompanied by a Bellringer beer for me and a Hobgoblin lager for Dan!

Finally we crawled into our cozy bed...so excited for tomorrow and my class with Richard Bertinet. I feel like it is my first day of school!
We will catch you later
Penny and Dan

A BUSY TIME...TRAVELLING...MOVING...WORKING...

We sold our house....we bought a new house...and now we are off to Scotland. First we will spend some time in Bath, then London and off to Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeenshire, Stirling and of course Kilmarnock where Dan's dad was born.
We will be staying in B&Bs most of the time but yes...We will be staying in a castle too! We can't wait!

I will blog when I can...but first here is the video I made of our new house. Dan is moving his office into the house so we needed more space. We are very excited because not only do we love the house, but we love the fact that we will be in the Beach area. I keep driving by it and they must think I am stalking them! I took this video just walking around during the home inspection, so it was not really intended to be an actual video, but more for me to remember things as we don't get to go back into it often before we move (2 times). The video is a little crazy and you may get sea sick watching it, but I am new at this. I think Dan is being kind when he said it was good :).

Enough said...here it is...click here.
On the road again
Penny

A Video of Dan's Pictures from the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.