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So I've decided I need a new phone... After getting back from our Halloween outing Friday night (which was roughly 2AM), I set 3 alarms to ensure I would be ready to rock bright and early the next day. Saturday was another GlobaLinks excursion day! This time to Stratford Upon Avon and Warwick Castle. We were meant to meet the group at 8AM in London, so for us Kent girls, that meant we had to catch the 6:20 train. Or, if you are cheap Kent girls like Paula and I, we had to leave at 5:05 to catch the bus. Mmkay so as I'm sure you can guess where my story is going... Yupp. During the night, zombies snuck in my room and, going for my brain, they saw my phone and instead decided to eat my alarms. So I mean, I guess I should just be thankful I still have my head and didn't turn into a fellow mindless undead machine. It's not that I don't fully appreciate the fact I didn't get attacked by zombies but I don't at all appreciate the fact that they made it so my alarms didn't go off. Elyse's alarm not going off= Elyse not waking up = Elyse missing bus time aaaaaaannnnnd train time = Elyse misses her (already paid for) excursion to the home of Shakespeare and another majestic castle. Cue Elyse freaking out and pacing around her room not knowing what to do.
By some grace of God, I woke up at the time I did. I woke up at 6:33 (I know that 3 minutes... Someone told me exact details make for a better story) but by that time of course my ships had all sailed (meaning the bus and train had already left. Don't have hover-trains and busses quite yet). I jumped on and checked for a train straight to Stratford because I figured I could just meet them there. There was one leaving Canterbury in about an hour. The only thing with this was that it was a 4 1/2 hour train annnnd it would be about $80, roughly the price of the excursion itself... Because I couldn't call Alex, I didn't know exactly how long the group would be in Stratford before leaving for Warwick. Think think think... I had to practice my big-girl-"okay talk it through, what are your options"-don't call mom skills. What to do, what to do. Well, if I couldn't call my mom...decided I’d do the next best thing. KEEP CALM AND CALL BATMAN.
So as you were probably getting from my outing with him last week, Christian Bale is far too nice to me. Like really. And today only solidified that. I knew it was a really huge thing to ask and I felt bad doing it but I didn't really have any other option... I simply told him the situation and asked if he had to work today. His immediate response was that he was coming to give me a ride. I'm sorry I again lied about this guy's identity. He is really an angel. Without even questioning it, he got in his car and drove the half hour from Deal to Canterbury and then drove me the THREE HOURS to Stratford Upon Avon. I just want to take a moment to be so thankful that I make such good friends... He really saved me today. Plus, I guess I missed going with Paula for a reason because turns out she actually got the wrong bus and didn't make it to London in time to meet the group!
When we got close, I called Alex to see where to meet the group. He said I had just missed the tour of Shakespeare's birthplace and it was now free time. Yes, bummer I missed the tour but I was just overjoyed by the fact I actually made it! Plus it was good timing because then Christian could see some of the town with me before I met up with the others (and so he could stretch his legs out a bit from all that driving...). We really liked the town!! We got to see the outside of the birthplace which in itself was awesome, definitely a Shakespearean looking place ;) Christian, being the way-too-nice guy that he is, would not accept any money I tried to give him for taking me. I told him I was gonna fill up his car then but even that he just laughed at. I finalllllyyyy convinced him to at the very very least let me buy him some ice cream. We got our delicious Magnum bars and, while being serenaded by an accordion and trumpet player, walked along the little brick bridge by the swan-infested river (hopefully that makes it sound less "ahh" cutesy. You're welcome, boys who read my blog).
Besides actually managing to meet up with the group, my highlight was that as we were walking back to the meeting spot, I saw something. *drum roll, please* I SAW A LOTUS ELISE!!!! For those of you who don't know, this is my dream car. Okay, to be honest, I'd probably be too nervous to actually drive the thing, but it'd be awesome to share a name with your car. I'd just take a lil magic marker and turn the "i" to a "y" and we'd be good to go! Gahh so yeah this was way awesome to see one. It was even a sweet green color. Although mine would probably be yellow since I'd most likely experience withdrawals without my trusty yellow sub.
Another noteworthy thing we saw was a little shop called “Serendipity”. First of all, Mariah, (and eventually Abby!), anyone who likes the movie Serendipity, no it wasn’t a restaurant. It was quite serendipitous though because of our deep talks about fate and coincidence. We had a good laugh at that.
Before too long, it was time for me to meet up with my group. Said goodbye and another huge “THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!!!” to Christian before he got back in his car to drive the long journey back home.
So next up, the group was on to Warwick Castle. And I just have to say… I am so happy I didn’t miss out on this one. Nothing against Leeds or Bodiam, but this castle though. Goodness gracious. I think it was largely due to the fact it was all decorated for Halloween, so there were pumpkins everywhere and between those and the autumn (I’ve been working on saying “autumn” because if you call it “fall” here, nobody knows what you’re talking about) leaves, it was just the most picturesque place… I was honestly walking around with my mouth open. That gorgeous. The inside was really cool too—complete with a real wood fire!! Reminded me of my house ( =
While we were here, we got to see a duel! /production. Dressed up actors performed a little skit and did an actual sword fight. I thought it was well done! We also got to see a “birds of prey” exhibit featuring lots of crazy awesome majestic birds (besides the vulture… I don’t know if he could classify as majestic…). Included in this bird line-up there was even a bald eagle!!!! Yay for America!! I really could have stayed at this castle forever. So beautiful. I think you can actually stay at the castle for a night because we saw people with suitcases being escorted in. Me and my piggy bank will definitely will have to look into that.
So yes, just a solid excursion and I am so happy I was able to still go on it even though that morning I thought I was going to miss it all. And it was all possible because of my superhero angel. Goodness gracious… I felt really bad too because he said it took him 5 hours to get home because traffic was so backed up. I know, I know… I’m gonna need to send this kid like 500 boxes of Lucky Charms when I get home (ha hey that’s kinda funny cuz he was like my ‘lucky charm’ today! I meant it cuz everyone loves Lucky Charms here but they are ridiculously expensive).
Well, that was my crazy adventure this weekend!
Thanks for reading!
Keep Calm and Call Batman.
(and maybe get a new alarm clock…)
Cheers!
Elyse