Exploring England

On a hike

Last week I took a day trip to Dover Castle and then the next day I hiked four miles through the Surrey Hills. After that I came home and napped!

Our Fourth and Final year of living in England has commenced and the clock is counting down the time we have left here. I feel the need to get out and explore before it's time to go home.

The "American Women in Surrey" organization that I am a member of is helping me with the exploring. This year I joined the "English Experience" subgroup as well as the "Country Hikes" group.

English Experience

English Experience alternates lectures on English history with visits to where the history was made. Salisbury was our first trip, it is a cute little historical town with a huge amazing cathedral. Our guide through the town was an older lady that walked so fast we could hardly keep up with her. She had so much she wanted to show us in so little time and she did a great job of it.

Salisbury

Salisbury Cathedral

After learning about the Norman Conquest of 1066, we journeyed to Dover, as in the "White Cliffs of Dover", to tour the castle there. Our guide, Dr. Marc Morris, is a TV presenter on the Discovery History channel. He has hosted a series called Castle. He was able to give us great insight while also making the tour fun. He grew up near Dover and enjoyed exploring the castle grounds as a young boy. Now he gets paid to share his passion with others, what a dream job he has!

Lighthouse and Chapel at Dover Castle

Dover Cliffs

Walking through one of the arches at Dover Castle

View from top of Dover Castle looking across the English Channel to France

Country Hikes

To take a break from educating myself on English history, I joined the "Country Hikes" group to enhance my physical well-being. Each Friday morning a group of about 40 women goes on walks averaging 6 miles. In order to complete the walk in around 2 hours, the leader sets a fast pace. We go through some lovely countryside but with not much time to stop and take photos. I snapped a few quick shots last time on my camera phone.

We walked right past these horses.

As we climbed over a fence one by one, I had a chance to snap this.

Passing by Denbies Vineyards.

I am looking forward to more tours and walks and possibly more material for my blog!