Severn Beach

So as most of you know Megan and I moved into our new place last night. It took us a while to unpack and get things organized, but we cleaned everything up nicely for the photos for you all. As none of you will know where Severn Beach is I have linked to a map for you to see how close we are to the Wales/England border. To see the map click here. Well on to the photos. P.S. I am such a nerd I am going to draw it up in cad so in a week or so I will attach a floor plan and possibly some 3D renders...hahahaha












Oh and of course we had to do some jumping shots in the new flat.

Longleat for Megans Birthday

Well as some of you know last Thursday was Megan's birthday so to celebrate we went down to a place called Longleat. Longleat is know for its Hedge Maze, manor house and of course its Safari. You have to pay to go into each section so we just went on the safari which is a lot like African Lion Safari in Canada. We started out driving around the Giraffes and stopping on the side so Megan and me could touch a Ostrich egg. It felt a lot like porcelain believe it or not.


We drove past the zebras, ostriches, and some antelope before getting to the best part. We were warned many times by signs about driving our car through this section. Yes yes it was the monkey area. Since our car isn't worth much money anyways we couldn't turn down the opportunity. It took us a while but finally we got a few monkeys on our car. It was so fun to watch them climbing all over other cars pulling on windshield wipers, and pulling the seals out from between the windows. Luckily this didn't happen to us. We did have one pulling on the back wiper but he didn't break it. Check out the photos below....




After the monkey area we drove past rhinos, tapirs, and more antelope before we got to the feeding the dear. They poked there heads right into the car through the windows and we managed to get some funny pics.

The lion and tiger areas were pretty weak as they didn't have a lot of them and they were just laying around. The worst part was all the other cars and the traffic jam to get to them. Oh well we still got a few great shots.


Once the safari was done we drove to the outside of the manor house to take photos and to yet again try our luck with the jumping shots. I have to say that these are some of my favorites. Following Longleat we drove 3 hours yet again to Essex to pick up the rest of our things for the flat we move out to this Friday. A blog will come once I have photos of the place. But for now just enjoy these jumping shots.

Hot Fuzz

We spent Saturday driving around Severn Beach where we have just found a flat to live in. We are going to be moving there in less than 2 weeks. But I will write more about that later. After Severn beach we went down to a town called Thornbury. It is a great little English town and has a castle that has been converted into a Hotel. Too bad it looks a little out of our price range.



After walking around the downtown area we drove down to Portishead which is another town not to far from Bristol. We drove down the Water and walked around the man made lake eating ice cream for about 45min before heading back for the afternoon.

After dinner Lynn, Richard, Megan, and me decided to hike up to the top of a hill/mountain called Brent Knoll that is about 20min away. It is extremely steep at parts but from the top we got a great view overlooking the countryside. It was about a 30min hike to the top and worth every minute of it. Don't be surprised if I end up writing another blog in a few weeks as we are thinking of doing it again. Of course at the top we took a ton of photos. One of which was of course a jumping shot.







Following the hike we went for a drive along the coast of the Severn river stopping in at a few beaches and taking yet more photos before stopping off at a great fish and chip place for some food before heading home for some good old Xbox.



Sunday was more of the relaxing day going to a giant car boot (garage sale) in a town called Cheddar. We didn't buy much at all really. A 48 CD case holder and a can opener. Exciting I know. As we were about to head home though Megan had the idea of heading over to a town called Wells (I am sure you have heard me mention this town before) for some Cornish Pasty's. They are one of the most amazing things you will ever eat. Steak, potatoes, cheese, and onions wrapped up in a pastry and heated up. Ryan will know what I am talking about as he was there when we found this shop.

Ok now for the part that links with the title of my blog. On the high street in wells there was a lot of camera and a lot of commotion going on. This was because they were filming a feature film called Hot Fuzz. We watched them film a scene with a guy dressed in purple being chases by 2 cops. One thin and one fat. It was exciting to watch even if the movie doesn't sound to exciting. But now that I have seen them film this scene, I guess I have to watch it. Even though nothing will ever beat the movie SHREDDER!!!

Wardour Castle and Stourhead

Today was amazing weather here in England and so we decided not to waste it. We drove 2 hours to the county of Wiltshire at our destination of Wardour Castle. This castle was one of the best we have seen. Part of it is still in good shape and the back part was demolished during the English Civil war in 1643. The castle was actually built in the 14th century and has since gone under many modifications. So there is a little bit about the castle and now I will answer everyone’s question. Some of you are probably asking why you recognize the castle. It was used as a film location in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Yes that its one of the reasons I wanted to go and see it. But not the only reason. So many of English castles are in ruins where as this one actually has 4 floors that you can still go on in the front part of the castle. We spent a good 2 hours walking the castle and the grounds stopping in at the banquet hall built in the 1800's which rests next to the lake.







Oh yea and we had to try a few jumping shots. Although our timing is off this is one great picture of Megan. hahahahaha.



After the castle we drove 15 min down the road to a place called Stourhead. At this property is a huge manor house with gardens, statues, and monuments in an area of 1000 hectares. We didn't have a lot of time here but we did manage to do the tour of Manor House which was amazing. So many old clocks, chairs, paintings, vases, and books to look at. You really feel like you have stepped back in time a few centuries. After a quick walk around the gardens we made our back to the car and took a much faster way back to Bristol. Now that the English Heritage and National Trust properties are open we are planning to do a lot more day trips like this. We have passes now so these days trips are really inexpensive. Which is what we need right now. Enjoy the photos.

Lions, Tigers, and Cheetah's

So my parents are now in South Africa and they have posted a few photos on their website of the wildlife. My favorite photo by far is my mum holding a baby tiger. Click here to see it. To see more pics of South Africa check out their blog as they are going to be traveling throughout the country for the next to weeks. I must say I am very jealous.

Our 3rd Visitor

Well if you read my previous post you will remember me mentioning that my friend Mike Chan who I worked with at UMA came to stay with us for the weekend. He is doing a Contiki tour with his girlfriend Andrea who unfortunately wasn't able to come until the Tuesday and we missed out on seeing her. Megan and I drove from Devon to London to pick up Mike from Heathrow airport on a sat night. We were waiting for about 5 min before he appeared carrying a lot less baggage than I thought he would have. We took him back to Essex (Mike just remember you were in Essex before Megs and me that trip...lol) to my grandmothers place for pizza and wine. When we were both pretty drunk we played some good old gamecube until 1:30 or so and went to bed.

The following morning we went into London seeing all the great sites one wants to see in London. St. Pauls cathedra, south embankment, London eye, Westminster, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham palace, Tower of London, and tower bridge. Oh and of course a place called Acton for a singing audition for Megan. Pretty sketchy place I would say but a great studio. The day was long and we were all really tired by the end of it. Mike and I took a ton of photos as we were in London for about 12 hours or so. Mike gave me a lot of tips on taking photos at night and lets say we made the most of it. Poor Megan couldn't believe there was someone out there that took more photos than me.

By the time we got back to Essex we were all tired. But before going to bed we looked through the 400 pictures we took combined (250 were Mike's). The next morning we went back into London where Mike treated us to a great meal in Leicester Square at a place called Garfunkel’s. Mike had his first taste of real English bangers and mash. I don't think he was disappointed. Before the meal we stopped off at the hotel Mike was going to stay at the night with the Contiki tour and he checked in while Megan and I cruised through all the possible tours. Next we made our way down to the Tower of London again hoping to go inside but it was only open for another hour and it was a £15 entrance fee. Forget that. I knew London was expensive but jeez..£15.

After enjoying a ice cream under tower bridge it was time for us to say goodbye as Mike had to go to his Contiki meeting and Megan and I had to yet again drive to Bristol as work comes to early in the morning. It was a great weekend and it was great to have Mike down for the weekend. Next time Andrea you have to come and stay with us. Make it 2 weeks or so and we will head over to Belgium or something. Have a great trip and I can't wait to hear all about it. For those of you who want to follow along with Mikes Eurotrip check out his blog here or check the links section.

Below are a bunch of pics from our weekend in London. Cheers.

Finally a new post

Hello everyone. My apologies for taking so long to write another blog but there has been a lot going on lately. Firstly we are now living in Bristol which is about 2 hours west of London. It is on the Severn river which splits south Wales and England. I am now currently working for Faber Maunsell which is part of Aecom (the company that I worked for back in Canada). The job is decent and the location is great. The bonus about it is English wages and of course starting is 5 weeks paid vacation a year. But enough about work...

The first weekend we were down in Bristol we decided to leave the city and head down to Devon to see my nana down there. Devon is a beautiful part of England and only a short 2 hour drive from Bristol. We spent the weekend walking along the beach and driving through the country lanes that are barley wide enough for one car but are 2 way. I tell you there is nothing like doing 40 m/hr down those roads (or more...)

After that weekend getaway it was back to work for another 4 day week (in England we get the Friday and the Monday off for Easter). Friday we went for another drive around the outskirts of Bristol before heading to Heathrow to pick up my mum and take her back to Essex. It was great to see her again even if it was only for the long weekend before driving 3 hours back to Bristol. On the follow weekend we drove back up to Essex on the Friday and picked up my Dad at Heathrow at 7am. After dropping him off to pick up my uncles car we went for breakfast but not before losing each other on the roundabouts. I pulled into the closed McDonalds and he pulled in a few later to use the phone to call me. No need though I was already there. The weekend was spent visiting some of my parents old school friends which was great fun as you always learn new stories about your parents. Monday came and went and instead of the long 3 hour drive I only had to go 20miles away to a corporate induction for work in a town called St. Albans. The traffic was so bad it took 2 hours to get there. After the induction my parents and Megan met me in the town where I got a new mobile (cell phone) before driving back down to Bristol. Some time over that week the internet finally switched over and we had access again but no time to use it.

Below are a few pics of Devon for you all to see.





On the Friday again Megan and I drove down to Devon yet again to meet up with my parents for the night before driving the 5 hours back up to Heathrow to pick up my friend Mike from Heathrow. But that is saved for another blog.

So this may lack some detail but its getting long enough for now. We drove so much over the last 4 weeks it has been insane. Plus we are searching for apartments and working at the same time. I could really use a good sleep soon though.