Seaside views?

I went from one extreme to the other; green rolling hillsides to a pebbled beach with the waves crashing and the gulls sqwaking. I made my way from Blandford Forum to Brighton on Friday the 27th on three buses. I like travelling by bus, it's good thinking time.

When I got to Brighton I took a taxi to my hostel and once the concierge had given me the brief I was to take my linen to my room and make my bed. Right. This was new! There were no sea views like was promised and the room was really basic, the worst I'd had!  But at least for the moment I had the room to myself (even though there was someone's stuff there I was told he won't be staying) there was free wifi and breakfast, so I wasn't complaining too much (well, don't ask Chris he might disagree) 

I decided to come to Brighton because it's the Gay capital of Britain and I am the best fag hag of all! 😉

I won't bore you with the story of how my first night in Brighton was the worst one of my trip and probably my whole travelling experience but it got better. I packed my things up and searched online for another hostel, only being a Saturday they were all booked out. I found another hostel across town who seemed to have a vacancy and checked out of the dive I was in. I lost my money too and I had paid until Tuesday but I just wanted to get the hell out of there. It was pouring with rain and there was really strong winds so I had to get around by taxi. 

When I got to the other one I had booked for the 28th of March instead of February!  This one had no vacancies what so ever! I had little to no sleep the night before and I wanted to cry. What is wrong with me? I can't even book a hostel! But the guy was really cool he let me chill out there until I sorted out what I was going to do. I ended up finding something right across from the pier and ended up paying a fortune but it's only money in the end. At least this new place was nice!  

The next day the weather was good so I ended up going to the famous Brighton pier, only to find out that everything was closed because it wasn't Summer! They had some markets set up along the sea side which was pretty cool. After that I walked up to the Royal Pavilion and went to the Museum and just walked around the town. I ended up walking into The Lanes shopping district which were like these streets done up like a market place. They were really cool! 

Once I checked out of the YHA I went to a new hostel called Sea Dragon, which was where I had gone the day before. I met some really cool people! I wished I had of gone there straight away, but I guess that's the risk you take with mobile apps! Once I got settled in I went to another shopping area I was told to visit the North Laine which there was a second hand antique store, which was the biggest I'd ever gone into! 

At first I got off to a bad start with Brighton but I learnt to enjoy it. It sort of reminded me of Melbourne, with its quirky, alternative and unique attitude. If only the weather was better I think I would've enjoyed it so much more! I will definitely go back though in the Summertime :) 

Live like a Roman

I've been to Greece and Italy so when I found out the Romans had come to England that intrigued me. Bath is one of the cities set up by the Romans around a natural hot spring and it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

I arrived on Thursday the 19th after a long train ride from Oxford. The rain was pouring and of course I got lost, again! But, I eventually found my hostel at the top of town. Hostel livng is new to me and it is something that will take me awhile to get used to. This one was called St Christophers Inn which is right next to a bar and it would be my home for the next 4 nights. 

It didn't take me long to make some friends (from all over the world!) and particularly an American guy called Elliot who invited me to go to Stonehenge with him the next day. We got up early and made our way to the Abbey where we got on our bus run by Madmax tours.

The mist was really thick so the one hour trip to Stonehenge there wasn't much to see out of the windows. When we got there we were lucky it was early to beat the crowds! The mist had cleared and it was so amazing, but now I have all of these unanswered questions, I'm sure I'm not the only one though. Why have people been drawn to that place for over 10,000 years? 

Part of the tour also included going to the Avebury stones circles (not far from Stonehenge) which were also set up by the same civilization but no one knows why. After we poked around there for awhile we went to the historical town of Lacock (pronounced "lay cock" and several films were filmed there and so was a few scenes from Harry Potter.) we had lunch in this pub that was built in 1361 and it was really quaint. It's funny to think that some of the buildings I am visiting are older than my entire country! After lunch we went to the tiny village of Castle Comb which was voted Britains prettiest village, you can see why, it's gorgeous! That night we met a few more people and went out to dinner. 

The next day I decided to go to the Roman Baths which is of course the main attraction of Bath. It was really, really interesting and it took me back to the time I spent in the Greek ruins in Europe. I walked around for several hours then afterwards walked around Bath to explore, which as you know by now is my favourite thing to do 😊

That night was the last night with some of the people I met at the hostel so we decided to go next door to have dinner and drinks. Weekends in hostels are always busy and every bed in our dorm was full. I was really hanging for a good night sleep. On Sunday I was feeling pretty worn out and tired (still have the flu) so I spent the morning taking it easy. I visited a couple of shops but chilled out in the common room for most of the day.

I ended up going for a walk with a couple of people I'd gotten to know and we went up to the Mansions and through the  botanical gardens and down to the Avon river. It wasn't a great day for a walk as it hailed and it was freezing but it was beautiful scenery! At 3:30pm we went to the Abbey to listen to the choir sing, that gave me goosebumps! 

On Monday it was my last day in Bath and I was due to catch a train at 3:30pm and head down to Dorset. I spent the last few hours just walking around and visiting shops I hadn't yet looked in. There is such a nice feeling in Bath and I really want to return, mostly just to take a dip in the springs because I didn't do that this time! 

The countryside

Since beginning my trip I haven't really had a good solid time to think, I've been too distracted seeing things. I went to stay with some of my family in the countryside near Blandford Forum in Dorset. Rolling hills, green meadows, trees and animals was to be my surroundings for the next few days. 

Mark and Sheila came and picked me up from the Gillingham train station on Monday the 23rd and took me back to their home where I met his wife Chris and their basset hound Edgar 🐶 

The following day after a nice sleep in (I was still getting over my cold) Chris and I took Edgar for a walk and although it was chilly wow the landscape was incredible! My photos didn't turn out as I saw it, but I guess that's always the way. 

That afternoon Chris took me to the quaint village of Shaftsbury, that place has a look of character and charm! We went to this hill that overlooked the town it was such an amazing view! 

I'd heard there was a castle somewhere  in Dorset and when I was asking Chris she had told me there was one in called Corfe Castle, but it was mostly in ruins but offered to take me there. On Wednesday afternoon we went there to have a look and I was really impressed. Corfe was not only a cute little town but the castle makes an impressive backdrop! It was incredibly old and the famous stories that circulated the town are still favourite tales amongst the locals.  

I stayed with Mark, Chris and Sheila until the Friday and then it was off to the seaside town of Brighton. I loved Dorset, it was beautiful :) 

Sink or swim

For the first time since arriving in England I am completely alone. I left Chris's on Monday the 16th and caught a 4 hour bus ride to Oxford, Oxfordshire. It was an enjoyable ride as I sat and watched the world go by, countryside England is so beautiful. When I wasn't gazing out of the window I played numerous games of candy crush. Yeah, thanks Chris. 

When I got to Oxford it was pouring with rain and I thought my hostel was right next to the station, which it wasn't. I haven't carried my backpack yet and to say I struggled was an understatement. I waddled off down the street like a turtle in search of my hostel. Tired, cold, wet and lost I had a little voice in my head reminding me of why I'm doing this, and no it wasn't me, Chris was on the other end of the phone telling me where to go! Thank god I have him. But I still keep thinking to myself; why do I have to try and find myself in winter?!

My spirits started to lift when one of the workers at the hostel took one look at me, felt bad and brought me tea. Exhausted I decided to write that day off, warm up and chill out in my room for the rest of the day. I'd explore Oxford the next day. I met some of the girls in my dorm and we chatted about random things. One girl from Melbourne gave me some really good tips, which I am really grateful for. Also met this cool Italian girl who I've been getting to know. Her name is Mechol. 

The next day I decided to just walk around Oxford and deliberately get lost, I love doing that! I can't express how impressive this city is. I always thought Oxford University was just one campus, but it's not, it's several colleges and they're all spread out throughout the city. I don't find it pretentious at all, not like I did in Cambridge. Although, there are more people on bikes and they can get scary if you get in the way. 

I went to the Ashmolean museum, which is the biggest in England. I went inside one of the churches, I went to the Bodlian library, parts of Harry Potter were filmed there and they had a good exhibition on Radcliffe. Mostly though I just awed at the buildings and many colleges and made my way through the little alley ways and tiny streets. I also went to the same sweet shop that Alice from Alice and wonderland brought her barley sugars from. That was cute! 

Heaps of famous people (especially writers) have lived in Oxford and I'm pretty excited about the fact that some of the Harry Potter movies were filmed here and that Emma Watson lives here. I decided to stay an extra night in Oxford, there's a lot to see although the next day I spent the morning booking my next part of my journey and working out accommodation. I walked around the streets again and then joined a free 2 hour walking tour of Oxford. That was really, really good! 

That night I went out to dinner with Mechol who is here in Oxford to study for a couple of months. The poor love has been trying to find a room to rent while she lives here but is struggling. I really hope she finds something soon! We found this French place and had crepes, yum! 

I really enjoyed Oxford, rich in history and stories. I am definitely coming back! Unfortunately I have the flu now so the next four days booked in Bath I think I will  be taking it easy! As for hostel living, I'll leave that for my next post.