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Always Packed for Adventure!

It's the destination and the journey.

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England March 2013- Compton

Living in Los Angeles, the city of Compton is a place to avoid at all costs. In England, Compton is a very different sort of place. It's beautiful, quaint and most important, safe! We took a drive to Compton after visiting the Bucklebury Farm Park, to see the church where Dan was christened. As always, the drive in the countryside was very picturesque.

 Country Roads.​ i love the hedges.

Country Roads.​ i love the hedges.

 ​Road sign

​Road sign

 ​Another road sign

​Another road sign

 Country Roads.​ i love the hedges.  ​Road sign  ​Another road sign

We pulled up to the Parish of St. Mary and St. Nicholas and we were lucky to find the church doors open. With the exception of a woman cleaning, we were alone in the old church. 

The church has been around since the middle ages and although it has undergone some reconstruction for safety concerns, most of the original architecture has been left intact, including the reusing of much of the original material when rebuilding.

 ​Parish of St. Mary and St. Nicholas

​Parish of St. Mary and St. Nicholas

 ​Main entrance

​Main entrance

 ​Parish of St. Mary and St. Nicholas

​Parish of St. Mary and St. Nicholas

 ​Gateway to the church. 

​Gateway to the church. 

 ​Side entrance

​Side entrance

 ​Parish of St. Mary and St. Nicholas  ​Main entrance  ​Parish of St. Mary and St. Nicholas  ​Gateway to the church.   ​Side entrance

We went inside to try to find Dan's name on a list of children that have been christened in the parish. Until recently, his name has been on the wall. Sadly, we discovered that he has been bumped off the list due to too many births. Great, another thing to make us feel old!

 ​The  church community board.

​The  church community board.

 ​The interior of the church.

​The interior of the church.

 ​A small interior door. We had to bend to walk through it.

​A small interior door. We had to bend to walk through it.

 ​Parish of St. Mary and St. Nicholas Quilt.

​Parish of St. Mary and St. Nicholas Quilt.

 ​The  church community board.  ​The interior of the church.  ​A small interior door. We had to bend to walk through it.  ​Parish of St. Mary and St. Nicholas Quilt.

I took a few pictures in the graveyard adjacent to the church. The grass was lush green and there were some very old plots. 

 ​The Church Graveyard.

​The Church Graveyard.

 ​The Church Graveyard.

​The Church Graveyard.

 ​The Church Graveyard.

​The Church Graveyard.

 ​The Church Graveyard.

​The Church Graveyard.

 ​The Church Graveyard.  ​The Church Graveyard.  ​The Church Graveyard.  ​The Church Graveyard.

Horses were grazing on the property next to the church. One friendly horse came over to say hello. 

 ​This friendly horse let us pet him.

​This friendly horse let us pet him.

 Horses

Horses

 ​This friendly horse let us pet him.  Horses

We were in race horse country and the way back, Dan drove us down a bumpy, muddy road, so that we could check out the downs. Unfortunately, it was the wrong time of the year to see the horses running, but the landscape was still gorgeous. 

​Where race horses roam.

tags: compton, compton in england vs los angeles, the village of compton, parish of st.mary and st. nicholas, parish of st. mary and st. nicholas compton, pictures church compton england, pictures of english countryside, pictures of english downs, pictures of horses in england, pictures of middle ages churches, pictures of churches in england, pictures of england cemeteries, pictures of graveyards in england, compton parish, bucklebury farm park, my England trip report, My first trip to England, beautiful churches in england, pictures of medieval churches
categories: Trips and Travels, Visit
Wednesday 04.03.13
Posted by Karen Lea Germain
Comments: 2
 

England March 2013- Bucklebury Farm Park

I love anything with animals, especially farms. A short drive from Dan's hometown is a fantastic place called Bucklebury Farm Park. For those who do Royal watching, yes, the farm is located in the same village as Kate Middleton's hometown. Dan pointed this out to me, as we were driving through the beautiful village of Bucklebury, whose cluster of businesses were a "blink and you'll miss it" situation. 

 ​Another pretty view. In fact, I had nothing but pretty views on all of our drives in England. It's nice to have landscapes that are not the desert!

​Another pretty view. In fact, I had nothing but pretty views on all of our drives in England. It's nice to have landscapes that are not the desert!

 ​The road to the farm.

​The road to the farm.

 ​The pretty drive to the farm.

​The pretty drive to the farm.

 ​Another pretty view. In fact, I had nothing but pretty views on all of our drives in England. It's nice to have landscapes that are not the desert!  ​The road to the farm.  ​The pretty drive to the farm.

We pulled up to the farm and discovered that we were the only visitors, with the exception of staff, the huge, dirt parking lot was completely empty. Dan has visited before and said that it's normally packed. We came on a bitterly cold Tuesday morning, when most of the local kids were in school. Except for the miserable weather, this is the way to do it!

 ​Want be a farmer? Why, yes please! I want my 36th birthday party to be at Bucklebury Farm Park.

​Want be a farmer? Why, yes please! I want my 36th birthday party to be at Bucklebury Farm Park.

 ​Welcome sign.

​Welcome sign.

 ​Want be a farmer? Why, yes please! I want my 36th birthday party to be at Bucklebury Farm Park.  ​Welcome sign.

We bought the family admission (two adults, two kids) for thirty pounds and they gave us a large bag of feed for the animals. The animals game galloping across the fields when they saw us, all eager for a bit of the feed.

 A field of sheep, before they noticed that we had a bag of feed.​

A field of sheep, before they noticed that we had a bag of feed.​

 ​Sunny, the deer. We met her before we had paid admission and didn't have the bag of feed. She was friendly, until she realized that we didn't have pellets for her.

​Sunny, the deer. We met her before we had paid admission and didn't have the bag of feed. She was friendly, until she realized that we didn't have pellets for her.

 ​Super soft sheep!

​Super soft sheep!

 ​Friendly Llama.

​Friendly Llama.

 A field of sheep, before they noticed that we had a bag of feed.​  ​Sunny, the deer. We met her before we had paid admission and didn't have the bag of feed. She was friendly, until she realized that we didn't have pellets for her.  ​Super soft sheep!  ​Friendly Llama.

A couple of the goats were very aggressive in their attempts to get us to give them food. They banged their hooves on a nearby rabbit hutch. Those poor rabbits have bad neighbors! 

 ​They are banging on the rabbit hutch.

​They are banging on the rabbit hutch.

 ​Eating pellets off of the hutch.

​Eating pellets off of the hutch.

 The goat pen.​

The goat pen.​

 ​These two are trouble!

​These two are trouble!

 ​Don't be fooled...he is not that calm!

​Don't be fooled...he is not that calm!

 ​They are banging on the rabbit hutch.  ​Eating pellets off of the hutch.  The goat pen.​  ​These two are trouble!  ​Don't be fooled...he is not that calm!

We were allowed to go into the pen with the rabbits and pygmy goats.  

 ​A rabbit, trying to get some sleep.

​A rabbit, trying to get some sleep.

 ​Dan feeding a pygmy goat. This was a good animal for the kids, as it was small and gentle. 

​Dan feeding a pygmy goat. This was a good animal for the kids, as it was small and gentle. 

 ​Pygmy goats! So cute!

​Pygmy goats! So cute!

 ​All of the goats watching us feed the pygmy goat.  ​

​All of the goats watching us feed the pygmy goat.

​

 ​A rabbit, trying to get some sleep.  ​Dan feeding a pygmy goat. This was a good animal for the kids, as it was small and gentle.   ​Pygmy goats! So cute!  ​All of the goats watching us feed the pygmy goat.  ​

The pigs recently had babies. 

 Piglet

Piglet

 Probably the cutest pig picture ever.​

Probably the cutest pig picture ever.​

 Careful!​

Careful!​

 Piglet  Probably the cutest pig picture ever.​  Careful!​

They had boars in both a pen and in a field. In the pen, we watched as they were given a treat of the day-old cafe pastries. In the field, they were rooting and rolling around in the deep mud, having a great time.

 ​Boar looking for the dump truck feed.

​Boar looking for the dump truck feed.

 ​This is a toy for the kids. You put your feed in the dump truck and then turn a wheel to move the truck down a track, where it dumps the feed into the mud at the end.

​This is a toy for the kids. You put your feed in the dump truck and then turn a wheel to move the truck down a track, where it dumps the feed into the mud at the end.

 ​Having fun in the mud

​Having fun in the mud

 Eating treats

Eating treats

 ​Boar looking for the dump truck feed.  ​This is a toy for the kids. You put your feed in the dump truck and then turn a wheel to move the truck down a track, where it dumps the feed into the mud at the end.  ​Having fun in the mud  Eating treats

The barn also had cows and donkeys. The staff at Bucklebury Farm Park were fantastic, giving us lots of information and ways to interact with the animals. Dan's kids were a bit shy, but had they wanted to, they could have sat in a tractor and given pastries to the boars.  

 Pretty cow.​

Pretty cow.​

 ​Donkeys. The one in the middle kept getting shoved by the other two.

​Donkeys. The one in the middle kept getting shoved by the other two.

 The barn.​

The barn.​

 Pretty cow.​  ​Donkeys. The one in the middle kept getting shoved by the other two.  The barn.​

In addition to all of the animals, Bucklebury Farm Park has an extensive play area. We were too busy playing and having fun to bother with taking a ton of pictures.

The best part was an enormous trampoline. We were all out of breath and in giggles from playing on it. It was serious exercise too! Dan and I need to look for a trampoline park in Los Angeles.

In addition to the enormous outdoor play area, they have two indoor slides, which was perfect for the cold day. They were the type of slides that you see at carnivals, where you need a burlap sack to sit on. I think that the kids could have spent all day on the slides. It's located adjacent to the cafe, so it kept the adults happy too! 

 ​The only time that I saw the word Loo in England.

​The only time that I saw the word Loo in England.

 ​A train and part of the grounds. Did I mention that this place is enormous?!?!?

​A train and part of the grounds. Did I mention that this place is enormous?!?!?

 ​A fort in the play area.

​A fort in the play area.

 Maybe this guy was a special animal at Bucklebury? He was in the cafe.​

Maybe this guy was a special animal at Bucklebury? He was in the cafe.​

 ​The only time that I saw the word Loo in England.  ​A train and part of the grounds. Did I mention that this place is enormous?!?!?  ​A fort in the play area.  Maybe this guy was a special animal at Bucklebury? He was in the cafe.​

We spent a couple of hours at Bucklebury Farm Park. I think that if the weather had been warmer, we could have easily spent half a day. The kids loved the play area.

On our way out, we heard a cluck and saw our final animal...Chickens!!! A farm just isn't complete without the chickens.

​Loads of chickens.

Bucklebury Farm Park is a gem of a local attraction and a must-do for animal lovers! Check out their official website for more information. 

Bucklebury Farm Park Official Site
tags: Bucklebury Farm Park, Bucklebury Farm pARK review, Bucklebury Farm, Bucklebury Farm Park Pictures, Bucklebury Farm Park Animals, Kate Middleton Bucklebury, Feeding animals at Bucklebury Farm Park, Bucklebury Farm Park Trampoline, Trampoline parks in Los Angeles, Bucklebury Farm Park Play Area, Goats at Bucklebury farm, agressive goats, Pigs at Bucklebury Farm, Rabbits at bucklebury Farm, Things to do in Bucklebury England, Family activities in England, Farms in England, Petting Zoos in England, My first trip to England, my England trip report, the village of bucklebury, boars at Bucklebury farm park
categories: Trips and Travels, Visit
Monday 04.01.13
Posted by Karen Lea Germain
 

England March 2013- Gluttony Part One

One of the stereotypes about England that I heard repeatedly, especially when I mentioned my upcoming trip, was that the food is awful. I am here to dispel that rumor, as a majority of my meals during my vacation were wonderful. In fact, the first restaurant of the trip made the best ham sandwich that I have ever eaten. EVER! 

I spent an afternoon touring the town of Newbury with Dan's mom and she took me to the cutest cafe for lunch called the Teashop by the Canal. I ordered a ham sandwich on granary bread. The key to making this sandwich so superior was the liberal spread of heavenly onion chutney. The onion chutney was so delicious, that if allowed, I would have grabbed a spoon and eaten it straight out of the jar. Speaking of chutney, if any stereotype might be true about English food, it could be that they have an abundance of chutney/jams/jellies. It works for me.

 

 ​The Teashop by the Canal

​The Teashop by the Canal

 ​Teashop by the Canal

​Teashop by the Canal

 ​inside the teashop, very cozy

​inside the teashop, very cozy

 ​Tea!

​Tea!

 ​Dan's mom pouring the tea

​Dan's mom pouring the tea

 ​My rose petal tea

​My rose petal tea

 My amazing ham and cheese with the fabulous onion chutney.

My amazing ham and cheese with the fabulous onion chutney.

 ​Dan's mom ordered a vegetarian cheese sandwich

​Dan's mom ordered a vegetarian cheese sandwich

 ​The Teashop by the Canal  ​Teashop by the Canal  ​inside the teashop, very cozy  ​Tea!  ​Dan's mom pouring the tea  ​My rose petal tea  My amazing ham and cheese with the fabulous onion chutney.  ​Dan's mom ordered a vegetarian cheese sandwich

Later the same night, I had dinner at a restaurant called The Newbury, located right in the Newbury town center. I would best describe The Newbury as a Gastropub, great food with an upscale, yet warm vibe. The location has undergone many incarnations, including a nightclub with purple walls. It was packed on a Saturday night, especially the bar area. On the recommendation of Dan's sister, I ordered the Fish n' Chips, which ended up being a wise choice. 

 ​For dessert, I had lavender ice cream with shaved honeycomb as a topping. So good!

​For dessert, I had lavender ice cream with shaved honeycomb as a topping. So good!

 ​Dan's dad had lamb.

​Dan's dad had lamb.

 ​Dan's mom had the vegetarian pasta.

​Dan's mom had the vegetarian pasta.

 ​My fish n' chips with peas.

​My fish n' chips with peas.

 ​For dessert, I had lavender ice cream with shaved honeycomb as a topping. So good!  ​Dan's dad had lamb.  ​Dan's mom had the vegetarian pasta.  ​My fish n' chips with peas.

Monday was the coldest day of our trip. Freezing. We took Dan's kids to the park, but didn't last more than twenty minutes before needing to warm up inside. We took a warm-up break at the Cafe Rouge that is located in Newbury's new outdoor mall. It snowed as we had coffee and cakes.  

 ​3/15/13 was Red Nose Day in England. This is a day of comedy to raise money for AID's relief in Africa. Everywhere we went we say promotions and advertisements for the day.

​3/15/13 was Red Nose Day in England. This is a day of comedy to raise money for AID's relief in Africa. Everywhere we went we say promotions and advertisements for the day.

 ​The interior of Cafe Rouge.

​The interior of Cafe Rouge.

 ​The interior of Cafe Rouge.

​The interior of Cafe Rouge.

 ​The exterior of Cafe Rouge.

​The exterior of Cafe Rouge.

 ​The adults had carrot cake. Yum!

​The adults had carrot cake. Yum!

 ​The kids had Red Nose cakes with a portion of the proceeds going towards Red Nose Day.

​The kids had Red Nose cakes with a portion of the proceeds going towards Red Nose Day.

 ​3/15/13 was Red Nose Day in England. This is a day of comedy to raise money for AID's relief in Africa. Everywhere we went we say promotions and advertisements for the day.  ​The interior of Cafe Rouge.  ​The interior of Cafe Rouge.  ​The exterior of Cafe Rouge.  ​The adults had carrot cake. Yum!  ​The kids had Red Nose cakes with a portion of the proceeds going towards Red Nose Day.

I ate too much to limit it to one blog post. Stay tuned for more England food reviews. 

tags: red nose day 2013, the newbury, newbury england, the newbury restaurant review, cafe rouge newbury review, the teashop on the canal newbury review, the best ham sandwich, ham sandwich with onion chutney newbury, best fish n'chips newbury, red nose cakes, stereotypes about english food, lots of jellies and chutney in england, i love onion chutney, restaurants in newbury england, rose petal tea newbury, lavender and honeycomb ice cream newbury, my England trip report, England March 2013 trip
categories: Adventures in Gluttony, So You're Dating a Brit, Trips and Travels, Eat
Friday 03.22.13
Posted by Karen Lea Germain
 

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