Thursday, July 31, 2014

Eastbourne and Wicked

Just a little post to sum up my comings and goings this week!

We spent a lovely afternoon on Tuesday in the town of Eastbourne, which I had already visited and fell in love with during the Sussex countryside bus tour. Books+Buddies+Beach=Bliss.



Lovely ocean splash!




We saw in a newspaper this morning that there was a fire at Eastbourne Pier, only a day after we were there! The pier was evacuated in time and no one was hurt, but it is still so sad!

Here it was only about 24 hours before:

And then hit with the blaze:
Photo courtesy of BBC.

Wishing everyone in Eastbourne the best for a speedy rebuild!

Wednesday, I saw Wicked in London. (I saw Wicked in London. Wicked in London!!!!)
It was an absolutely incredible show with a ridiculously talented cast that sent my jaw to the floor and  rampant goosebumps up my arms.
I didn't know the story line, so not only was I blown away by the music, but surprised by the story as well.





The area was bustling, with Billy Elliot and the Victoria train station just around the corner. 




Off to London for a day of adventuring tomorrow. We are trying to see everything London has to offer (impossible, I know, but we are going to try!)

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Ditchling Beacon Hike

What better way to spend a free Sunday than hiking and exploring the English countryside?

It still amazes me that one day I can sit seaside soaking up the sun, spend the next bustling through the streets of London, and yet another wading through thick grasses in the middle of pastoral England. 

Sunday we hiked 6 miles from Ditchling Beacon to Devil's Dyke, a trail along the National Trust Land of the Sussex Downs. 

The trail wove through farm land, complete with free roaming sheep and cows, intersected a golf course, crossed a highway and wound through a neighborhood before landing us at Devil's Dyke. It was a full hike with plenty to see, and glorious fresh air. Beautiful!






The trail was bustling with hikers, bikers, and even hangliders!


There were sheep everywhere, free grazing and watching us go by.



These little trail markers ("look for the blue acorns!") were a gratifying sight, especially when the trail took a turn for the random,  over the highway or past golf carts.


Karina was trying to hard to make friends with the sheep. This little taunter was the closest she came. :)




The golf course we intersected along the way.

Thank you signs!

The neighborhoods we passed through were adorable, as per usual. :)




Brighton and the ocean in the distance.



We took a small detour marked on our map for a "Donkey Wheel" on a little farm. After a little googling, BBC told me that the wheel dates from the 17th century when it was used to supply water to the farms in the area. 

The little farm that was home to the wheel.


Love these rural houses <3
After 5 miles of hiking, this water was a welcome sight to keep us going for the last mile!


So the sheep may have been a little...well sheepish (please excuse me, I had to take the opportunity), but the cows were another story.

This guy was quite friendly!
She was such a good sport, even after the lick ;)



Success! Karina, Ganeev and I made it! :)

Hikes are absolutely one of my favorite ways to spend the day. You can take the girl out of Oregon but you can't take the Oregon out of the girl. :)