Posted by
Sille Bliss
I hate when winter starts to slowly creep in for the season... you start to instantly feel the cold in the air. Just when I'm getting use to wearing my sleeveless tops and flip flops, even running outside barefoot, suddenly all that is gone. I start to dread it, thinking about how long it will be when I'll be able to wear and do these things again. Now once I've gotten over that sadness and I'm dealing with it, it's a whole other story. I begin to embrace the coldness, the shorter days and extremely longer nights, I start getting excited to wear my cozy jumpers and my many jackets & coats I've now accumulated since living here, as well as my many cute scarves and hats. So then I start to enjoy the winter... but then after about 4 months of the blistering cold, constantly having to layer my clothes just to run to the shop, wearing double the socks and leggings under my jeans, I'm just soooo ready for spring and I'm back to hating winter all over again. That's my love and hate relationship with winter since I've been here, and so here we are once again with another long cold winter.
Another photo I do not remember where we were coming from. But the sun was setting and we were just passing Salisbury cathedral. This was a lucky shot and how amazing it was. The cathedral has the tallest church spire in the UK.
Spending time at home right where I belong...
But not on this day, we had to go out to Reading. My first time here and did a little shopping and walking around but I was too cold and a bit sleepy so I headed back to the car ASAP.
Back home, relaxing... :P
Soon we were back out on the streets, the busy streets of Poole a couple days before Christmas in the town center... sounded like a bad idea but we had to go and it actually wasn't that bad at all and quite festive! :)
The day before Christmas eve we were in Weymouth to drop off some things for a client and OMG was it packed!! People everywhere, cars everywhere, it was nuts! I didn't want to get out of the car but our favourite little baker is there and we had to get something for breakfast.
Doctor appointment and a chance to wear my newest jacket :)
Christmas came and went. It was great as always and the same with new years! And another year bites the dust!
2016 was a great year thanks to God! Our family was healthy and our lives full of positivity and love.
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| December 1st - yes, really. |
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| I think this is a start to a very cold and long winter.... I hope not though. |
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| That's probably as much sun as we will be getting for the next 3 months :P |
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| Stocking up with books at the library... we plan to hibernate for the winter. ;-) |
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| Heading to Exmouth, Devon - 12 Dec 2016 |
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| Holy Trinity Church, Exmouth - 12 Dec 2016 |
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| This was one day in somewhere in Dorset heading to Devon |
Another photo I do not remember where we were coming from. But the sun was setting and we were just passing Salisbury cathedral. This was a lucky shot and how amazing it was. The cathedral has the tallest church spire in the UK.
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| Salisbury Cathedral - 14 Dec 2016 |
Spending time at home right where I belong...
But not on this day, we had to go out to Reading. My first time here and did a little shopping and walking around but I was too cold and a bit sleepy so I headed back to the car ASAP.
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| Reading, Berkshire - 21 Dec 2016 |
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| Saw this van in Reading, loved it! :) |
Back home, relaxing... :P
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| My first taste of mulled wine for the winter! |
Soon we were back out on the streets, the busy streets of Poole a couple days before Christmas in the town center... sounded like a bad idea but we had to go and it actually wasn't that bad at all and quite festive! :)
The day before Christmas eve we were in Weymouth to drop off some things for a client and OMG was it packed!! People everywhere, cars everywhere, it was nuts! I didn't want to get out of the car but our favourite little baker is there and we had to get something for breakfast.
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| Bacon and cheese |
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| Weymouth, Dorset - 23 Dec 2016 |
Doctor appointment and a chance to wear my newest jacket :)
Christmas came and went. It was great as always and the same with new years! And another year bites the dust!
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| New Year's Eve - 31 Dec 2016 |
2016 was a great year thanks to God! Our family was healthy and our lives full of positivity and love.
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| Beautiful sun rays over Poole |
Posted by
Sille Bliss
It's been a year today that my Love has been gone and it still feels like the first day.
Time does not heal all wounds, especially the one I have in my heart from losing my Love.
When I think of my lil lady, I think of the days when I would visit her and hug her tight and kiss her. I think of her own special scent. The scent of my Love, my Momo. Every time she kissed me it was never a regular peck; it was never like a quick hello kiss-on-the-cheek peck. It was always a passionate kiss, like an I-love-you-so-much-kiss.
I sometimes think about back when I was selling Avon and I would let her put in free orders all the time. She use to order all kinds of slippers, different colors of nail polish, and lots of earrings... she loved her earrings and she always loved for me to polish her nails. Sometimes she ordered so much and the total would end up being so expensive, I would have to tell her that some of the items were out of stock even though they weren't, but I had to! It was so much money! Haha! Sorry Love ;)
She also loved the color purple, it was her favorite. Maybe that is why my favorite color ended up being purple. I remember the days of going to her house after work to pick up David when she use to take care of him; once you'd walk inside, you could smell her delicious food cooking. She always had fresh tortillas and she'd always offer me a plate of food.
I remember when I took her to a 50's musical once and she loved it. All the dancing and music she loved it so much, she said it reminded her when she was young. We had such a good time out. When I use to go to college, she would pick me up everyday and sometimes we went to the mall and we would go shopping at JC Penney's. My Love and I always had so much fun together.
I sometimes think about back when I was selling Avon and I would let her put in free orders all the time. She use to order all kinds of slippers, different colors of nail polish, and lots of earrings... she loved her earrings and she always loved for me to polish her nails. Sometimes she ordered so much and the total would end up being so expensive, I would have to tell her that some of the items were out of stock even though they weren't, but I had to! It was so much money! Haha! Sorry Love ;)
She also loved the color purple, it was her favorite. Maybe that is why my favorite color ended up being purple. I remember the days of going to her house after work to pick up David when she use to take care of him; once you'd walk inside, you could smell her delicious food cooking. She always had fresh tortillas and she'd always offer me a plate of food.
I remember when I took her to a 50's musical once and she loved it. All the dancing and music she loved it so much, she said it reminded her when she was young. We had such a good time out. When I use to go to college, she would pick me up everyday and sometimes we went to the mall and we would go shopping at JC Penney's. My Love and I always had so much fun together.
We were so alike in so many ways too. We both liked bold colors, we had the same sense of humour and the same attitude. Back when she was bit younger and more healthy and I was in my 'drinking/partying' phase, she was so much fun to hang out with and drink with too :) She was a young and cool grandma, I was lucky!
My Love also loved talking about me to everyone. She always 'bragged' about her 'Shirleys'. Even if there was nothing to brag about, she always found something to say. There was nothing bad that I ever did in her eyes and no one better talk negative of me either cause she'd let you have it. She always had my back and was my true ride or die. Just like I always made sure I was hers.
My Love also loved talking about me to everyone. She always 'bragged' about her 'Shirleys'. Even if there was nothing to brag about, she always found something to say. There was nothing bad that I ever did in her eyes and no one better talk negative of me either cause she'd let you have it. She always had my back and was my true ride or die. Just like I always made sure I was hers.
I miss my Love so much. And maybe I thought it would be easy after she passed because I live so far away and couldn't see her much anyway. But it isn't easier at all. I could call her if I wanted, and my mom could put us on video, and when I did go back home it would be all worth it to be able to see her and kiss her again after being away for so long. But I can't even do that anymore.
I see all these oldies walking around everywhere I go in this country at the age of 80-90 years old and I can't help but get sad and mad, and think to myself why couldn't I have my Love for at least another 15 more years like that. It's never often but out of the dozens of oldies I see daily, there is always that one that reminds me so much of her.
I know my Love is happy in heaven. I know she is looking down on us all. I told my mom this morning that she is in a better place now. Before she left us she was in a lot of pain for a few years. She was struggling, she couldn't walk, she didn't feel good for a long time. She is free from all that now. I truly and wholeheartedly feel that she is so happy and she watches over us. She is at rest now and her spirit is at peace. I need to remember that for myself too. It's hard not to be selfish, to not miss her and to not cry for her. She wouldn't want us to have that pain over her, especially when she is at peace up above.
It's been a year today that my Love has been gone and it still feels like the first day.
Posted by
Sille Bliss
This week felt like we were everywhere, but when I look back at the days we really weren't. I think because each time we stopped somewhere, I was out walking around. The weather was hanging in there too... the sun was in and out but luckily not much rain, even when it looked like it would pour down. With it not being cold out there, it makes you want to go out and walk everywhere and enjoy it.
I've noticed that I've become a bit like the British - obsessed with the weather. It isn't a bad thing, I just get why now. It's forever changing and you can't help but talk about it.
So I was out in Axminster in Devon. Many times we've been here and many times I've stayed in the car because I've been freezing my ass off (story of my life when I stay in the car). This is a small market town that is very busy. Traffic always up and down the High street with cars and pedestrians.
I've noticed that I've become a bit like the British - obsessed with the weather. It isn't a bad thing, I just get why now. It's forever changing and you can't help but talk about it.
So I was out in Axminster in Devon. Many times we've been here and many times I've stayed in the car because I've been freezing my ass off (story of my life when I stay in the car). This is a small market town that is very busy. Traffic always up and down the High street with cars and pedestrians.
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| Axminster Museum, Senior Citizen Center, Arts Cafe & Tourist Info Building |
So here in the town I knew a 'type' of carpet was made and the town is known for it. It is high quality carpets that are now manufactured all over the world.
Like most towns there is everything you need. If you lived here you'd have no real reason to leave. They got their post office, grocery stores, take-a-ways, cafes, a couple of restaurants, church, bank, charity shops. I'd live here.
According to wiki, the town lies on two major Roman roads and dates back to the Celtic times of around 300 BC. But most towns in England are all old like this. I LOVE that about this country.
Like most towns there is everything you need. If you lived here you'd have no real reason to leave. They got their post office, grocery stores, take-a-ways, cafes, a couple of restaurants, church, bank, charity shops. I'd live here.
According to wiki, the town lies on two major Roman roads and dates back to the Celtic times of around 300 BC. But most towns in England are all old like this. I LOVE that about this country.
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| Axminster Parish Church |
I went to the local shop called the co-operative to get something. While I was standing in the queue, I started to think about back when I first arrived in England. Back then If I came to the shop and was ready to pay for my item, I would of just got in line right behind the person at the till (cash register) and wait. Here there were about 2-3 registers opened on a long counter where you would think doing that would be OK. I would of just choose which ever was opened or shortest without even thinking twice about it. That's how it usually works in the States, but in England, no. You have to start one queue from behind them all and which ever one becomes free next is the one you go to. I know this now, which is why I started the queue away at the end of all the tills. But during my first month or so here I went into a shop alone and got in line right behind a person at the till (cash register). There wasn't a lot of people at the shop but there was one person standing in line from afar. I didn't know what she was doing... in my mind she was too far to be in line for the next till. But as I was waiting, something clicked in my head that she was actually in line next and I had just gotten in front of her. I ended up walking to stand behind her and apologized for cutting in. I know she noticed, she was looking right at me, but I don't think she would of said anything at all if I would of stayed. Anyway, I'm a veteran at this stuff now :P and even though it's the smallest thing, it was just something I was thinking about while waiting in line.
When I go to the cashier I asked for what I needed behind the counter and after the guy gave me my stuff and was getting my change he asked, "So how long have you been here?" Usually people don't ask me questions when they hear my accent. You can always tell they notice it because they turn to look at me when they hear me talk or their expression on their face changes a bit, as if they notice but they never say anything. It's rare when someone does. Usually they are excited about it. So having this guy ask me this kind of surprised me. I told him proudly it was going on 3 years. :) And he said, "Oh! I thought you were going to say 3 days... you've been here for awhile now." I thought to myself, OH YEA! :) I'm a practically a freakin' citizen! Haha, OK not that close but still. It was cool.
This also reminded me of when Steve and I was at the barber shop for his birthday and an American guy came in to get his hair cut. I didn't know until he was up there getting it done and was talking to the barber. He was going on and on and on. I couldn't help but interrupt and tell him that I was too from the US. It was the first time I had heard an American in the same town as me. It was so weird. He was from California and here for work. Not sure how long he had been here, maybe 3 weeks or so is what I got from it. Anyway, it was kinda cool to meet another American in the town.
When I go to the cashier I asked for what I needed behind the counter and after the guy gave me my stuff and was getting my change he asked, "So how long have you been here?" Usually people don't ask me questions when they hear my accent. You can always tell they notice it because they turn to look at me when they hear me talk or their expression on their face changes a bit, as if they notice but they never say anything. It's rare when someone does. Usually they are excited about it. So having this guy ask me this kind of surprised me. I told him proudly it was going on 3 years. :) And he said, "Oh! I thought you were going to say 3 days... you've been here for awhile now." I thought to myself, OH YEA! :) I'm a practically a freakin' citizen! Haha, OK not that close but still. It was cool.
This also reminded me of when Steve and I was at the barber shop for his birthday and an American guy came in to get his hair cut. I didn't know until he was up there getting it done and was talking to the barber. He was going on and on and on. I couldn't help but interrupt and tell him that I was too from the US. It was the first time I had heard an American in the same town as me. It was so weird. He was from California and here for work. Not sure how long he had been here, maybe 3 weeks or so is what I got from it. Anyway, it was kinda cool to meet another American in the town.
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| Inside Axminster Church |
So after our time in Axminster we headed further down into Devon to Exeter. We hadn't been here for almost a couple of years now when we came to see the cathedral and have some cream tea. Ya know, Devon is the home of cream tea. Also did you know that Devon is the third largest county in England? I didn't. And Exeter is one of the two cities in Devon, the other being Plymouth.
So today I decided to have a little wander back down to the cathedral. It's such a beautiful sight and it had been way too long.
So today I decided to have a little wander back down to the cathedral. It's such a beautiful sight and it had been way too long.
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| Exeter, Devon. England |
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| Cathedral Close. Exeter, Devon. |
It was still as beautiful as ever. It was nice to chill out with the rest of the folks enjoying it's beauty and the weather of course. I wanted to go inside but for £7.50 I didn't think it would be that much worth it.
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| Cathedral Close. Exeter, Devon. |
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| Exeter Cathedral. Devon. |
Most of the cathedrals do cost to get in which I think is silly but I guess they need some way to keep it up. Either way, today wasn't the day for me and I was fine enjoying the beauty from outside.
The next day we stayed in our home country of Dorset in the towns of Dorchester and Bridport. It was nice not having to go too far out. I wanted to have a wander in Dorchester but this was the only time it really rained a lot. It probably lasted on and off for about 45 minutes but by then I figured it was too late to get out and look around so I decided to stay in.
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| Exeter Cathedral. Devon. |
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| Exeter Cathedral |
The next day we stayed in our home country of Dorset in the towns of Dorchester and Bridport. It was nice not having to go too far out. I wanted to have a wander in Dorchester but this was the only time it really rained a lot. It probably lasted on and off for about 45 minutes but by then I figured it was too late to get out and look around so I decided to stay in.
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| River Brit. Bridport - trail to the park |
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| St Mary's Church. Bridport. |
I made up for it in Bridport. Usually when we go places I like to check out the areas and street view in googlemaps so I can get my bearings. I hate going somewhere and not know what is where and where I am. So I did this with Bridport and knew the exact route I wanted to walk when I was here.
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| St Mary's Church. Bridport. |
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| Bridport High Street |
Last time I was here I walked the High Street which was cool and busy but this time I wanted to walk the small back roads to the park along the river then back through toward the church and High Street where we parked.
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| Just some garden in Bridport I wish was mine :) |
It was a really good relaxing route. At one point I thought it was going to get caught in the rain but lucky for me I only felt a couple of very light sprinkles and that was it. I was pretty far away and would of got soaked so I'm glad that was all we had. The clouds were definitely gorgeous though.
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| River Brit, Bridport. |
Friday we ended up being right in our own backyard. It was nice being so local and even better that we were just across the street/parking lot from the beach in Sandbanks.
The weather could of been better today but I couldn't complain either. It was mild enough to wear my flip flops and have my feet in the sand. There is one thing I am happy about with our beaches close to home is that they have proper sand. A lot of the beaches like Brighton and Lyme Regis are pebble beaches. People don't care though, they actually get comfy with their towels and chairs and make themselves at home. I don't see how comfortable sitting on a bunch of rocks could be but I guess you just have to make the best with what you have.
Sandbanks Beach. Poole, Dorset
The weather could of been better today but I couldn't complain either. It was mild enough to wear my flip flops and have my feet in the sand. There is one thing I am happy about with our beaches close to home is that they have proper sand. A lot of the beaches like Brighton and Lyme Regis are pebble beaches. People don't care though, they actually get comfy with their towels and chairs and make themselves at home. I don't see how comfortable sitting on a bunch of rocks could be but I guess you just have to make the best with what you have.
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| Kite surfers in Sandbanks. Poole, Dorset. |
It was cloudy but still a bit bright with the sun trying to fight its way out with no success. The wind was nice and mild too. I got to get some nice shells and relax for a while. This year I will make sure we spend much more time at the beach when the weather is nice and hot. We are silly not to being that we live just a few minutes away. It was the perfect way to end the week!
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| Poole Harbour. Sandbanks. Dorset. |
Posted by
Sille Bliss
Today we had another one of our many trips to the Isle of Wight on the ferry. The last few times it was too cold to be out on deck so being able to sit outside this time was great. We didn't stay out too long in the morning because it was still a bit chilly.
So today I decided to visit Carisbrooke Castle. We were so close by it would be silly not to.
Early History from Wiki says:
The site of Carisbrooke Castle may have been occupied in pre-Roman times. A ruined wall suggests that there was a building there in late Roman times. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle mentions that Wihtgar, cousin of King Cynric of Wessex, died in AD 544, and was buried there. The Jutes may have taken over the fort by the late 7th century. An Anglo-Saxon stronghold occupied the site during the 8th century. Around 1000, a wall was built around the hill as a defence against Viking raids.
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| The Great Hall (view from atop the keep) |
This place is huge and you could easily spend a few hours here just looking around the grounds. There's also a museum and a cafe area to have some tea and cakes. I got here as soon as it opened and there were already a couple people waiting to get in. There was also a couple of classes of kids from a school on a field trip. I was hoping they wouldn't be in the way of my photos but as you will see, the place is so big they were nowhere to be seen. Yay! :)
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| The Gate House |
Carisbrooke Castle is a historic motte-and-bailey castle located in the village of Carisbrooke, near Newport on the Isle of Wight. A motte-and-bailey castle is a castle with a defense wall or other reinforcement built to strengthen a place against attack, with a keep built on a raised earthwork called a motte. It has an enclosed courtyard or bailey surrounded by a protective ditch.
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| The Keep - Carisbrooke Castle |
This is MY photo. I was standing here! Seeing it back feels so surreal and like I wasn't there at all. Anyway, before I did anything my goal was to go up to the keep and get those awesome views I knew were awaiting me. I knew this would be a challenge and the 71 steps leading up to it would kick my ass, but in the end I was sure it would be worth it.
For some silly reason I felt that the stairs looked easy peasy going up and even down, but they were not. They were very uneven and cracked some shorter and others a little higher. Thank goodness I'm not afraid of heights and I was happy there were railings to hold onto.
Even though going down was less tiring, it seemed more nerve-wrecking and harder to come down because you could then see how steep they were and it was a bit hard to determine which steps were the short ones and which were a little higher. As long as I took my time and held on for dear life, I was ok ;) At least I wasn't the only one who got tired on these stairs, as I was just getting to the half way point to walk along the top wall bit, the kiddies were coming up, huffing and puffing away about how tired they were. I felt a little better about that :)
For some silly reason I felt that the stairs looked easy peasy going up and even down, but they were not. They were very uneven and cracked some shorter and others a little higher. Thank goodness I'm not afraid of heights and I was happy there were railings to hold onto.
Even though going down was less tiring, it seemed more nerve-wrecking and harder to come down because you could then see how steep they were and it was a bit hard to determine which steps were the short ones and which were a little higher. As long as I took my time and held on for dear life, I was ok ;) At least I wasn't the only one who got tired on these stairs, as I was just getting to the half way point to walk along the top wall bit, the kiddies were coming up, huffing and puffing away about how tired they were. I felt a little better about that :)
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| Entrance to the keep from the stairs |
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| English Heritage flag in the keep |
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| Inside the keep |
The views were pretty awesome from up here and the wind was nice too. After that climb to the top I needed some fresh air to cool me off. I could of stayed up here forever. Here were the views from different angles...
After getting my breath back & taking lots of photos, I head back down the stairs of hell. :P
After getting my breath back & taking lots of photos, I head back down the stairs of hell. :P
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| Me just after defeating the stairs! :) |
I didn't have much more time to check out a lot of other parts of the castle I would of liked but this is the perfect type of place to come back again to so there is always another time. And I found out that there are holiday flats here to stay the night for a really affordable price. I love stuff like this. You get to have the whole castle to yourself once it closes and can walk it in the evening. This sounds like it would be really awesome to do and scary fun. This place is awesome, I can imagine how cool it would be here at night.
Before heading out I made a stop at the chapel. It was a small chapel but very beautiful as they are all in my eyes...
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| These buildings are part of the holiday apartments to stay the night |
Before heading out I made a stop at the chapel. It was a small chapel but very beautiful as they are all in my eyes...
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| Chapel - Carisbrooke Castle |
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| Inside the Chapel |
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| Inside the Chapel |
This time I felt like I had a very educational trip to the Isle of Wight. This castle was a pretty cool experience and I'm glad I got to check it out.
By the end of the day the sun was out more than ever and the timing couldn't have been more better as we were getting back on the ferry we could get some vitamin D out on the deck this time without it being a bit cold.
By the end of the day the sun was out more than ever and the timing couldn't have been more better as we were getting back on the ferry we could get some vitamin D out on the deck this time without it being a bit cold.
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| Yarmouth, Isle of Wight |
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| Yarmouth Castle - Isle of Wight |
Now that it's going on 3 years that I've been here I've learned to be prepared for the ever changing weather at all times! :) I already had my flip flops in the car and changed into them from my tennis soon after I got back from the castle. I already had capris on and a sleeveless top. So all that I had to do was get rid of the cardigan and I was set and ready for the semi-hot weather! :)
