While the boys were away golfing, we girls capitalised on our time together for a girls weekend. We went to Harrods, saw Wicked, did some shopping, and oh, you know, stayed at a castle.

I think that castles have to be every girls fantasy. I'll admit I find them incredibly cool and romantic, although I have no idea why. Sure, being a princess would have been great minus a whole lot of things like arranged marriages, those tight corsets, and escorted walks through the garden.

When my friend suggested we splurge and spend a night in a castle close to London, I jumped at the opportunity. That's got to be one of the best parts of being in England, right? Castles galore! At least more galore than in Texas.

Girls at the Castle - photo taken by a nice family from Wisconsin whose daughter deemed us all nice enough to get a hug - one for each

So, off to the castle we went. We stayed at Thornbury Castle just outside of Bristol in the cute little town of Thornbury. The town itself was quaint, small, but inviting. And the castle, while I had looked at pictures online, was even better in person. The castle boasts having hosted Henry the VIII and Anne Boleyn, of course only after Henry took the castle from the 3rd Duke of Buckingham and had him executed. Later, the castle fell into ruin but was repaired and turned into a hotel.

The Castle backyard - where we may play some croquet on a summer afternoon, once I learn to play croquet at least

The Castle gardens - which included a tree that was cut into a little house shape around a bench. Which did not photograph as prettily.

Besides the rooms, there's a nice library, dining hall, and a beautiful outdoor garden space, including vineyards which are supposedly more than 500 years old.After checking in, we immediately partook in the only thing more British than castles - afternoon tea. And while I have never been much of a tea drinker, I have learned a bit more of an appreciation of the art of tea drinking during my time in Turkey. But British tea takes the cake (or biscuit perhaps). We had delicious peppermint tea with an assortment of scones, chocolates, tarts, pastries, jam and some delicious kind of creamy buttery goodness.

Tea and crumpets

The castle is within walking distance to the town, which we went to explore and walk off our afternoon tea. What the town lacks in size and dining options, they make up for in hospitality. While playing darts at the local pub, the White Lion, we were befriended by several locals who took us out for a night on the town, including lots of dancing and lots of cider. After which I promptly put my tired self into a giant, tudor style bed.

Gives a new meaning to Queen size bed

I'm thinking I may have some more castle visits in my future!

While I anxiously wait for Paul's arrival in London, I have yet to do any real exploring. I've been to London several times for sightseeing, and it seems not quite right to go picking out a favorite restaurant without him.

So, I've been laying low the last few weeks. Easy dinners at home (aka pasta, no real cooking yet!), casual dinners with friends and co-workers, to and from the office.

This weekend though, my friend from Istanbul came into town to visit me and another friend who used to live in Istanbul. A girl's weekend was the perfect excuse to get myself into gear and out of the house.

The very first thing we did on her first night in London was visit Harrod's. This was fine by me, as this was a site I hadn't yet visited! While I'm not much of a shopper and/or spender, I think it's still every girls fantasy land to walk through Harrods with the purses, shoes and tons of other designer goods.


I will say, I was very surprised though. Outside of the shopping, there was so much more to it. There was pastries, chocolates, steaks, chicken and all types of food. Anyone could get lost in there checking out all the amazing eats. My favorite was definitely the chocolate, as friends know I have quite a sweet tooth. This wasn't just your average whooper though; chocolates came in every shape, size, and flavor. While I came out empty handed this time due to extreme self control, I know I won't be so lucky every time.

So many choices! How's a girl to choose?

Mummies can be delicious

Who wouldn't want to eat a skull in honor of Halloween?

And you thought I was eating healthy! But I only tricked you - candy (marzipan) fruit

The last thing we checked out was Christmas World. I wasn't sure what we were going to look at when my friend asked if we could stop by.  I think Christmas World describes it just right though. There are plenty of decorations to put you into the holiday spirit, along with the trees, ornaments, wrapping paper, cards and more they sell there.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I wasn't sure what to expect on my first visit to Harrod's, but it exceeded all my expectations. There is a little bit for everyone to enjoy (if not a whole lot to enjoy!) in this iconic London shopping center. Plus, you're just steps away from even more fabulous shopping if you haven't already emptied your wallet.

Until this most recent trip, I had not been back to the States since March. Just enough time to miss Mexican food and cheap goods like all my favorite beauty products.  And apparently just enough time to forget how completely and utterly terrible jet lag is.

I flew in on a Friday afternoon with big plans of shopping and Tex-Mex. Instead, my sister picked me up at 2 pm only for me to promptly fall asleep at 6 pm. Then wake up at 8:30. Then go to bed at 11. Then wake up at 4 am. Then give up at 5:30 am and get out of bed.

Oh yes, I forgot about that.

So, I worked through the week, saw friends and family, enjoyed our friends wedding, and then I had to hit a flight home.

All was well and good until they cancelled my flight and squished me into one of the middle seats on the 9 hour plane ride. The WORST nightmare of someone who a) doesn't sleep on planes and b) is taking a red-eye flight back to London.

But, low and behold, day 2 in London and I am not jet lagged in the least. A 2 hour cat nap on the plane Sunday night, an 11 pm bed time last night and I am rocking to London time already. I swear it is easier to go East than West.

Besides fighting jet lag, what did we do on the other side of the pond? I can honestly say, not much.

The highlight of our trip was our friends Chelsey and Stuart's wedding.

One of the hardest parts of being an expat are missing out on these major life events. Weddings, births, funerals, etc. Without unlimited vacation and cash, it just isn't possible to make it back for every event you would like to. That's what made it so serendipitous about this trip - it happened to coincide exactly with a trip I needed to make for work! So lucky and glad to have been a part of this special day.

We caught the bride on film on the way into the wedding!

Picturesque wedding setting? I think so

We finally got to wear our custom clothes! Paul got another wear out of his custom suit and my dress made its debut

And I will wrap up with my apologies for a lack of blogging. Really, I promise more to come as we explore London.

Welp, let me say there is nothing like having no internet, no smartphone and no TV to make you feel soooo disconnected from the world. As I finally settled into my flat in London this week, I have yet to set-up anything, although my closet is full already. So, I sincerely apologise for my lack of blogging.

A few weeks ago was Paul and I's third anniversary - time flies! We had  passed the Maiden's Tower a few times from our Bosphorus cruises, and I thought it was cute and picturesque The guide books never said much and I thought it was just a little place on the water that was pretty to look at from shore. However, I recently found out they had a restaurant there and decided I wanted to visit it.

I said something to  Paul in passing at some point and he took it upon himself to surprise me and made special plans for us to celebrate at the tower on my last weekend in Istanbul.

To get to the Tower, you have to take a boat. We left from Kabatas and while the ride was a bit choppy on the smaller boat, it was scenic as always.

Arrival at the tower

The restaraunt is a bit fancy - they call it "white glove service." It's a 4 course meal and you have two different menus to select from. I got the one without seafood and Paul got the seafood one, but I did have to steal his desert!

Other than the dinner, you can walk up to the top of the tower for a bit of history and a view.

Walk past the murals with stories of the fabled princesses 'emprisoned' here; read the stories of the tower's many uses of history including residence, hospital and lighthouse.

She was locked in the tower and a passing sailor fell in love with her. When he came to rescue her, his ship was attacked and he drowned trying to reach the island. Or something like that

Self portrait for our anniversary - we gave in and paid the photographer for a 'professional picture

And finally, you get to the best part - the fantastic views.

Beautiful Bosphorus Brdige

Would I recommend it? That depends. The food is pretty good, but in no way Turkish and definitely overpriced. But, you are definitely paying for the experience. We sat there for over three hours enjoying course, after course, after course of food. Pay extra, and you even get a window seat! 

I know where everyone is going with this - and no, it's not what you think (unless you already know and then yes, it is).