Days 32-34 ~ Three Countie's Show and London Weekend!!!

What a crazy weekend! I have seen so much in so little time that it is almost difficult to comprehend. On Friday, I spent several hours wandering around the Three Countie's Show which was very similar to a huge, outdoor county fair/farm show. There were tons of vendors, agriculture exhibits, sheep, cattle, falconry, dog, fishing, motorcycle stunts, equine, and bag pipe demonstrations! Carnival rides and FOOD were everywhere! I tried so many local cheeses, sausages, ciders, and ice creams that were delicious! I even came away with some decent souvenirs to bring home (hopefully everything will fit in my bags!) Then, I returned to Hartpury in time to meet up with my two traveling buddies and we caught our coach from Gloucester to London which ended up taking 4 hours instead of 3 due to the heavy weekend traffic. Kristin and I found our hostel (15 pounds a night in London cannot be beaten!) after wandering around a little, and we settled in warily at first but then met some really cool people from all around the world (Australia, Mexico, France). After crashing in our bunks, which surprisingly were not that uncomfortable.

Falconry!

Are there sheep under there?!

Getting ready for the show~

Scottish Highland Cows!!! He's so cute!

Giant Bull. Look how muscular he is!

Cheese!

A pack of hunting hounds ready for the hunt!

I asked the officer if this was a real police vehicle. I think PA needs some of these!

Kilts! Bagpipes! OH MY!

crazy kids!

Some crashes occurred~

Our first night in a hostel! We survived!

On Saturday, we got up bright and early, ate a quick breakfast, and bought all-day tube passes, a tour-bus pass, and a London Pass (which would get us into the attractions for free) to begin our day of touring. We took a Thames River Ride up to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. We then walked through the HMS Belfast British Naval Ship, and took a bus ride around the city to see St. Paul's cathedral and then rode the London Eye!!! After a delightful supper at the Slug and Lettuce, we hopped back on the tour bus and made it back to our hostel in time to stop at the pub for a local cider before bed. We covered a lot of London territory this day!

I am now a Tube master!

Tower Bridge

The Tower of London!

HMS Belfast

Kristin and I met several former crewmen who happened to be here the same day for a reunion! COOL! It made me miss my Pappy~

St. Paul's Cathedral

The Eye!

Parliament from the eye!

Today, we slept in a little longer, grabbed breakfast, bought another tube/underground day pass (Mind the Gap!), and continued with our touring. We saw the Royal Cavalry Museum and the changing of the guard, then slipped over to the Royal Mews where all the fancy carriages are kept! We spent the last few hours of our trip wandering through the overwhelming Harrod's (in which I did buy socks!) and then ate lunch at a small, local pub called The Gloucester. Finally, we caught our coach back to Gloucester and then the bus to Hartpury. A crazy weekend to say the least but we got to see so much! Kristin and I are both exhausted. Tina did not return with us because she is staying a few extra days with her boyfriend.
I spent the rest of tonight relaxing in my dorm, watching the movie Water for Elephants, and talking to home~ 8 days left!!! And dad says there's a surprise waiting for me at home, so that is going to make this next week even more suspenseful!

The Royal Cavalry!

The Royal stables at the Mews

Check out this harness!

The Coronation Carriage

The Royal Mews training arena

Overall, I took over 430 pictures this weekend, so this was just a taste! haha Thanks for reading!