20 November 2006

Brighton, Canterbury, Dover...Oh My!

Sorry for being a blog slacker! Things have been quite busy recently with school and trips and we had a computer downtime (I lost all connection with the outside world!) but that's been remedied and I'm back!

Last week I went to Brighton on my own for my first outside of London trip. I spent most of my time wandering along the pebbley beach enjoying the ocean. It reminded me of San Diego less the sand and sun :) But it was a beautiful day nonetheless and Brighton is an adorable place. The waterfront has a ton of cute shops and really good artist stores with handmade jewlery, paintings, carvings and so many other great things. I'll definitely need to go back there sometime!

The very next day after Brighton I went on a tour of Canterbury and Dover Castle. It was a whirlwind trip because there was so much to see in one day, but the town of Canterbury is adorable with really great shopping! And the Canterbury Cathedral is something everyone should see. It really is incredible and from what I understand is considered the main cathedral for the Church of England. Well worth the visit! And Dover Castle is like going back in time. It's so funny to think that I'm wandering around a castle that's hundreds of years old and I could have visited in a past life or something. Really neat. And the view is incredible looking out over the English Channel. That's where you can catch the ferry to France! We quickly drove past the white cliffs of Dover but my pictures came out as a blur...otherwise...I'd show you those too!

School has been keeping me busy too. I turned in my first essay last Wednesday and I have to get reading and researching for my next two essays and presentations. Time to really get into school mode! The great part though is that I'm reading about things that really interest me so the reading isn't tough to make myself do...it's just the time that seems to fly by so I never get through everything I want!

Oooh...I will have some fun footage for you all soon! I spent this last weekend in Birmingham for the Jitsu Nationals (I have few pictures cause I was inside pretty much the whole time!). I got to train and compete with novices from all across the country and watch competitions for the higher grades including the black belts which was awesome! My friend Lynn got video of my competition so when she gets me the clip I'll post the link so you can all see me in action. I'm not super good (cause I got punched in the face during my gauntlet! - my fault) but I'm still learning and in the end it's a ton of fun and the people I've met are just awesome :)

That's all for now! I have some pictures for you below. Hope you enjoy!

Pictures:

The Tower Bridge at Twilight - I'm proud of this pretty picture :)


Royal Pavilion in Brighton


Brighton Pier - Really good chips!! (That's fries to you americans!)


View from Brighton Beach...Love that!!


Canterbury Cathedral...the picture doesn't do it justice.


One inside part of Canterbury Cathedral.


The Crypt of Canterbury Cathedral


Dover Castle...the far away shot is necessary...it's too big to get up close!


View from the top of the Castle.


Saint Mary's Church within the walls of Dover Castle

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