I know I haven't been very active, but once I got back to the UK I worked non-stop on my dissertation, after a month end I decided to COMPLETELY change my topic (I went from conservation at the National Trust to studying the displaying of ancient Egyptian human remains in museums) From July-August I worked 6 days a week 9 hours a day researching and writing my dissertation, with my other day spent working at my part-time job. Handing in my paper has been the best feeling ever! I have dreamed for years of not only moving to England, but moving to England to complete my Masters degree. I can proudly say that I have completed this, although I can't officially say it till November, I completed my Masters degree in Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies.
Since handing in my paper Taylor and I have spent the rest of September roaming England. First we went to Billericay, Essex to see Margaret and Ken (distance relatives) who are some of the nicest people Taylor and I have ever met. They made us feel as home, and showed us around their beautiful town, a beautiful village called Saffron Walden,while also taking us to the 16th century heritage home Audley End.
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| Margaret, myself and Taylor |
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| Billericay |
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| Saffron Walden |
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| Saffron Walden |
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| Saffron Walden |
After this adventure, Taylor and I headed to Scotland! We flew there (which was pretty cheap and only took an hour, compared to the 7 hour train ride). We stayed with my friend Steph (who studied at the UEA, and is now doing her PhD at the University of Edinburgh), who met us near the Royal Mile. Her flat is beautiful, with a lovely view of the castle. We only had a few days there so we were BUSY! We went to the Elephant cafe (where JK Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book). The toilets are an adventure in themselves. There is graffiti on every surface with inspirational messages about the books.
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| Even the mirrors were covered |
After, we visited the National Gallery of Scotland, where I avoided the mummy exhibit and headed straight for the Mary Queen of Scots special exhibition. It was really well done, with lots of wonderful objects that I have always wanted to see. We weren't supposed to take pictures, but I didn't find this out till the end. Opps.
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| These dolls were replicas of portraits and I want to own all of them! |
We also wondered around the famous grey friars cemetery before meeting up with Steph for dinner and I had haggis! Well, vegetarian haggis. But, it was delicious! I must make it when I return home. The next day Taylor and I headed to the zoo! It was a very Scottish day-cloudy, and rainy. We went directly to see the pandas, but the girl panda did not like the rain and so she was inside. But, we saw some penguins who kept swimming up to us and playing with the shadow of our 'brolly in the glass. After we wandered around the zoo (which was not busy at all) to see some monkeys, koalas, bears and the most evil animal alive-the Cassowary! Taylor tried to agitate it, and it worked, the thing kept coming closer and closer to us, making this terrifying noise. I'm sure it wanted to kill me.
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| So playful! |
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| EVIL! |
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| Taylor and his family |
We then decided to go back and try to see the panda. It was cold and rainy, and we just stood there waiting for her. We waited 40 minutes with nothing happening.
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| This is our tired of waiting face |
By this time I was ready to go, so Taylor told me to wait there while he threw a penny in the wishing well in the hopes that he could wish the panda out. A few moments after he left the panda just barely came through her doorway. Soon she was completely
outside in her complex, sitting atop her tree house resting. She was beautiful! I have waited so long to see a panda in person, and it was worth it. She was massive, but gorgeous. I wanted to snuggle her. We stared at her for a bit before finally leaving. Our next stop was Hollyrood Palace!
On the way to the palace, Taylor and I stopped in on a bakery that had Nanimo bars!!! Seriously, no one knows what they are here, I have made a few batches for friends, who did not know what they were, but loved them. The palace was breathtaking. Unfortunately, you couldn't take photos inside, so you will have to visit it for yourself. After, we rested at Steph's flat before going out for a dinner at a vegetarian restaurant.
We took a flight back to Norwich the next day. Overall, I fell in love with Edinburgh and would love to go back (and I would not be opposed to moving there one day either....)
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| This is why Scotland is awesome |
My next post, will sadly be my last one in England
