Gloucester Cathedral

The main purpose of my little day trip to Gloucester a couple of weeks ago was to visit Gloucester Cathedral. I had been told Gloucester Cathedral was one of the most impressive cathedrals in the country, and I was not disappointed. 

When  you move to a European country, your view of medieval churches goes through phases like this:

Phase 1 | Wow, this is amazing!

Phase 2 | Wait, they all kind of look the same.

Phase 3 | I'm over this.

Phase 4 | I can now distinguish the different types of medieval architecture, this is amazing again!

I'm currently in Phase 4. I've reached the point of seeing SO many cathedrals and abbeys that I can actually understand the unique and individual beauty of each. Gloucester Cathedral exemplifies English Gothic architecture in a way I had not seen before. 

Construction on the cathedral began in the 11th century and continued for hundreds of years. It is famously the home of Edward II's tomb, and the location of Henry III's coronation. More recently, the cathedral was used as the corridors of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films including that famous scene where "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened, enemies of the heir beware". 

Happy Tuesday!
xoxo

A Day Trip to Gloucester

I've been meaning to visit Gloucester for, well, ages. I finally had a day off and took the opportunity to take the train to nearby Gloucester. Gloucester and Bristol have historically been linked since Norman England. Although located about an hour apart, Bristol had been considered part of Gloucestershire until 1373 when Bristol was officially named it's own county. Gloucester itself was founded in 97CE by the Romans. Geographically, Gloucester was the ideal place to cross the River Severn into Wales, later making it an important Norman and medieval city.

After arriving in Gloucester, I immediately felt like I was back in a small Massachusetts town. Its architecture was an obvious model for New England towns, specifically ones around Boston and Plymouth. I couldn't get over the feeling of being back stateside! The entire city is easy to walk, and even on a quiet week day there was so much to do! I was lucky to catch Gloucester on our last sunny day! Fall has officially arrived here in England and so has the rain!

Happy Friday!
xoxo

An Afternoon in Bath

Occasionally, it's nice to escape from familiarity. 

I was feeling rather restless in Bristol one afternoon and decided I needed to just go somewhere. Book in hand (Gone Girl if you were wondering), I walked to the train station with no idea where I would end up. When I arrived at Temple Meads, I looked at the train timetables and immediately picked Bath as it was the next train departing. As Bath is only a 10 minute journey from Bristol, I have been plenty of times before. However, I wasn't looking for a big day out. I was just looking for a different place to sit and read.

As an expat, I'm no stranger to throwing myself in unfamiliar settings. While Bath wasn't exactly unfamiliar, I surrounded myself in a different environment. I find even the smallest trips that serve no purpose at all can result in a lovely afternoon.

Happy Tuesday!
xoxo