HISTORY TRIP

Do you remember those school field days when the class would be taken to a museum or historical place. I loved field trips, they offered a reprieve from the classroom and came during that time of the school year when it was most badly needed. Well, I've been on a field day of sorts with my family over the past few days. The break from Oxford was sorely needed. I cannot believe I actually typed that, but the truth is the truth.We've traversed the greater part of southwestern England and had an amazing and at times trying time.

The first day brought us to Bath, England. Home to the only hot springs in the country, Bath is most known for its Roman heritage. As the home to the goddess Minerva, the springs were seen as a place to receive healing, or cast a curse. Some British Royals even claimed to have received healing from the spring's waters. A swim today, though, will cost you. The Romans platted over the pools with led.

A real adventure came on the ride back. As I was driving back home, we got a flat tire. Now, it may or may not have come from playing bumper cars with the side of the road. Who knows really! But a flat it was and it had to be replaced with the spare. I learned two things from this adventure: first, cars get amazing gas mileage when you run them at 50 mpg; second, as my Canadian friend informed me, North Americans struggle to stay in the center of the lane while driving. Apparently being on the other side of the car and driving in the opposite lane causes the drift. He and his father-in-law hit a few curbs. My dad suggested the car rental place put yellow blinking lights and caution signs on all cars rented to Americans, just to give our British friends a fair warning.

The second day brought no car trouble and two memorable spots: Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral. Both beautiful and both representing some 5000 of history. I personally found the cathedral astounding. Housing the largest mid-evil  cathedral tower in the world, the church was built in only 38 years...nearly 800 years ago.

Yesterday was a huge disappointment to begin with but finished strong. He visited the Warwick Castle, built by William the Conquered and completely spat on by whoever is running it now. The castle, which is still impressive at it approaches 1000 years, has been converted into theme park sort of affair, but the kind that would embarrass Disney. Think cheesy park meets incredible history...I know, its hard to imagine, its even harder to describe. As my brother said, "If William the Conqueror saw what they've done to his castle, he would just walk in and kill everybody." I'd say that is about right.

It finished strong though, with a visit to Shakespeare's hometown of Stafford upon the Avon. Amazing village, amazing writing, interesting history.

If you haven't been to England, I'd encourage the trip. This is just one part of England, its not even scratching the rich history of the other regions, much less Wales and Scotland.