Natalie, Katherine and I went to to Blenheim Palace up near Oxford on Friday. It was an incredible day. I really enjoyed getting out of London for the day and taking in some of the beautiful countryside. This was our first view of Blenheim and the grounds as we entered the gate. We arrived just as they were opening and it was a cool clear morning. It really was breathtaking. I enjoyed it so much that I can't wait to go back!

Strolling down the lane.

A view of the grounds.

Blenheim Palace and gardens, we had lunch overlooking the terrace!

The Secret Garden at Blenheim! Wow!

Blenheim has a real hedge maze!!! This is another thing I have always wanted to do, it was so much fun! It was a dream come true, I can't wait to go back and do it again!

Fun on the putting green at Blenheim!!!

Katherine, Natalie and me overlooking the Oxford skyline.

Sarah, Natalie and myself went to the changing of the guard. It was very funny because we were standing in pretty much the worst spot we could have picked. We really saw pretty much nothing aside from a couple of carriages that drove by!! It was so hilarious we were completely foiled!! We followed the band after it finished and got a couple of pics. We have to go again and now we know where to stand!
Guess what!!! I've done something that I can mark off my list of things to do before I die!! I went to the Globe Theatre in London!!! Natalie and I went to see Loves Labours Lost, it was beyond amazing!! Seriously we had the best time ever!! We were 'groundlings' meaning we only paid 5 pounds and had to stand through the performance. But we went super early so we were some of the first ones in and we were literally leaning against the stage in the front center. It really was incredible! I even got hit in the head by a flying loaf of bread in one scene! Excellent!!
Ahh.....the beautiful London skyline!
A lazy afternoon stroll through Hyde Park.

Walking along the south bank of the Thames at twilight.
Optimus Prime on a budget!!! On weekends there are so many street performers! Covent Garden is an especially popular area, every fifty feet there was another act dressed up or performing, very entertaining!!!
Here I am at the Portabello Road market enjoying a scrumptious mushroom and cheese crepe!!
This is Regent's Canal just down the street from my house. Quite picturesque!
Here I am at Kew Gardens, my new favorite spot!!! I've been to many botanical gardens but this place is huge!! My flatmate, Natalie, and I went one day. We spent six hours walking the gardens and we didn't come close to really seeing everything!! Yay for plants!! I'm going to have to spend a lot more time exploring the gardens!

So here I am with the London Eye in the background! Even with a year I don't know how I will see everything on my list, there are so many things to see and do!!!

So I'm back! Or I'm off again depending how you look at it! I've settled into London and am having a great time so far. Classes start on Monday and I'm just finishing up my orientation meetings. I've already done some really fun things and have many more on my to do list. Here I am welcoming you into my flat in London! (Okay so it is Kew Palace but whatever, mine is a bit more humble but a great place).