A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

July 22, 2016

England Grand Tour, Legs II/III ~ Salisbury/Stonehenge/Taunton

Greetings!

I hope this finds you all well and enjoying the week!

Things are going smashingly here in the UK! Hammy and I have had an exciting adventure in the town of Salisbury and meeting up with WOYWW friends!
Salisbury
Salisbury Cathedral: the tallest spire in all of England.
Jan of Lunch Lady Jan's Fabric Frenzy, Fiona of Staring at the Sea, me,
The Julia of Stamping Ground, and Morti of Mad Ramblings

I so enjoyed my time with these young ladies! Many of you may not know that Julia was instrumental in launching my blog four and a half years ago because What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday was the first blog hop/challenge I participated in and thus began my many British friendships!

I told Julia that I would put a big MWAH over her sweet lips, but while playing around, I thought a mustache worked better. And then I thought it's only fair if we all have mustaches! 
Foxy Ladies!
~~~

From Salisbury, Pat Moore of Colourful Card Creations and her lovely hubby Tony arrived to squire me away. We drove on for-reals English backroads over to Taunton via Stonehenge. My defibrillator only went off twice.

So what's happening is I am typing this from an awesome hotel called The Castle, which was once a real castle! Unfortunately, the wifi thinks it is 1543, so I am not able to post as many photos this time as I would like. Here are the highlights/people photos:
Pat and me at Stonehenge
Graham Paul, Tony Moore, me, Linda Harris,
Ian Harris, Pat Moore, and Hazel Kinvig-Paul

It was such a fun treat to meet these dear bloggie friends and their very-long-suffering husbands!!! They were gracious even when their eyes glazed over when the conversation strayed to card stock and blingadings. They perked up when we started exchanging American/British swear slang expressions!

I will leave you with this beautiful evening photo taken in Taunton on the walk from the restaurant to the hotel:
I will still be in Taunton this morning and will meet with more bloggie friends for lunch, but I think I'd better publish this one before I add any more photos. 

To be continued ...

~~~

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74 comments:

Kathyk said...

Not sure I can top this - looks like you are having a glorious time, Darnell, nice to put so many faces to names too so thanks for your who's who in blogland tour too!

The Castle eh? Been there, but not for YEARS!

Laterz

Kathyk

Kathyk said...

Forgot to say, it's obvious you are more used to warmer weather since you are the ONLY one wearing ..., a jacket!!!!

Kathyk

Marianne said...

Ah, your pictures bring back sweet memories of times long past when my first partner and I used to spend most of our (budget) holidays in the south of England. We would cycle to the harbour of Vlissingen in the Netherlands and then take the ferry to Sheerness to continue our cycling in England and putting up our tent at small campsites or sometimes (by invitation) in private gardens when we found out the campsite had been closed. And as amazing as it may seem, we always had perfect weather, sunny and warm.
Enjoy your time over there and do soak up the wonderful sights of the countryside, the small winding roads and enjoy the great atmosphere and lovely people.
Marianne x

Sarah said...

I waved as you passed Dorset!! Glad you enjoyed Salisbury and Taunton. The Castle is rather special although we've not been there for a couple of years. Have a good Friday xx

Pen Sunshinepen said...

Hi Have a great day and sorry I will not be with you today. Have a lovely time .

x

Craftychris said...

ooh what lovely photos! I am glad you had such a lovely day. Looking forward to seeing more! xxxxxxx

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

It was a sheer joy meeting you Darnell! You are as lovely IRL as I imagined you to be. Graham (Paul, not Kinvig-Paul), as I)and I want to thank you so much for a very enjoyable evening! Wonderful pictures, full of fun and beautiful places! Have a wonderful time for the rest of your visit and a safe trip back home! Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Carol L said...

Thanks for sharing these great photos of your adventures in England! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Sue - said...

More great pics Darnell. I love your night time shot, mine never seem to work and end up very dark.

Di said...

What fabulous photos and how wonderful to know that you're having such a great time on the next leg of your trip. So good to see several bloggers I already have met and some not yet met spending time with you on your travels! That last photo is a real stunner by the way! Keep on posting, it's so good to see you progressing round the country!

Pssssst, I see they didn't bring a spare man for the dinner! :)

Love and hugs

Di xx

I Card Everyone said...

Thanks so much for sharing, D ... I've only been abroad once, and stayed in Salisbury for a few days! My great-grands lived in Devizes, just north of. The best of times to you and your friends!
=]

Nan G said...

What an exciting adventure you're on darnell!! You're so lucky! Thanks for sharing your fun with us.

Brenda in IN said...

It's wonderful to see you having such a great time with these stampers. All these ladies look like so much fun. Wish I was there! Beautiful pictures and thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. Does Hammy just hang out at the hotel while you are running around having fun! Or is he in a pouch in your purse? I know everyone is just as excited to meet him too. Sending hugs and can't wait to hear about the next leg.

ike said...

Such fun !!! I wish I was there with you :-D xxxxxxxxxxx

Linda said...

Looks like you're having a fabulous time .... great pics too. Enjoy the next leg of your journey. xx

Patti said...

What a wonderful treat for ALL of you!! Thank you for taking the time to share all these wonderful photos Darnell.

BIG (((Hugs)))
Patti

shirley-bee said...

I love how you found a colour-coordinated fence panel to pose in front of :) I'm so glad you brought the good weather with you - hope it lasts till you get Up North!

Jeanne J. said...

Looks like you are having a SMASHING time Darnell! Thanks for all the photos! I feel like I just took a mini vacation. England looks amazing.. I'll get there someday I hope!

Ruth said...

I'm so glad you're having a great time and glad you managed to meet up with so many crafty friends - and Hazel! She's an inspiration to me and such a lovely person. Xx

Deepti Aggarwal said...

Lovely Pics Darnell..looks like you had amazing time..

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Great pics Darnell!! I'm so glad your tour is continuing to go well - it was SO fab to meet you. I hope you enjoyed Stonehenge and have practised saying Taunton 😊💖😊💖😊
Hugs, LLJ xxx

Lisa said...

What an amazing trip you are having, Darnell!! The pictures are so fabulous!! How fun to meet so many blogging buddies!! Enjoy the rest of your trip and I can't wait to see more pics!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Loll said...

I am so happy for you Dolly! ... and a little jealous. I wish I could meet all these wonderful crafters ... and their lovely husbands. What fun you are having! The pictures of Salisbury, Taunton and Stonehenge are amazing. What beautiful places you are seeing, with such rich history and architecture. Am loving traveling along with you via your blog posts ... when you have time. Lolly xx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Great trip, you are so brave to make it!! Lovely photos in a great meeting and love that with the Foxy Ladies.... ah aha ha!!! :D

MaryH said...

Oh I am so enjoying this post. I've been lucky to see Salisbury Cathedral and Stonehenge many, many years ago, and would love to see again. I'm so happy you got to meet up with so many of our UK pals. You all looked so happy, and the mustaches were a hoot! You have fun, get some rest between times, and TFS your exciting trip with all of us. Been seeing some of your fun around on a couple blogs I visited today. MWAH right back to you, big hugs, and lots of wishes for the Fun to Continue!!!

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, So pleased you are getting to meet so many blogging friends. It's also nice to put names to faces. I now know what Jan and Julia look like.

So glad you are getting to see this fair and pleasant land. I adore Stonehenge. Only visited a few times but always felt so at peace there.

Well you sleep well and enjoy tomorrow. Sue

Jacquie Southas said...

Looks like you are having a smashing time :)

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Oh my gosh! It looks like you are having so much fun and getting to see really cool places and people. What a scream--that photo of y'all with mustaches! I confess I was surprised Julia had hair. I would have expected her to have a shaved head. So nice she didn't have to endure that too (I hear hospitals are lousy hairdressers).

Bunny said...

These photos are gorgeous. I love the night scene, too. Keep having fun.

Redanne said...

Great photos Darnell!! Loving the mustaches! Good to see you in a sun hat too, hope the rest of your trip is as good, weather-wise. The night time photo is brilliant. Counting down the hours now.... Hugs, Annie xxxx

Karenladd said...

These photos look so wonderful, and you all look like you're having such a great time that I'm almost tempted to do some traveling myself! I'm guessing that crafters the world over have more in common with each other than differences, don't they. So I'm wondering if you'll take a trip through a British craft store along the way...just for fun, and to compare to those here in the States.
The mustaches definitely make you all look very dashing, and just the slightest bit dangerous. I imagine you five ambushing unsuspecting travelers and covering them with glitter and rhinestones!
Thanks for giving us a peek at your holiday and for sharing those gorgeous sights!

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love the staches....looks like you are having a blast!

Sharon Underwood said...

Wow, what a wonderful trip! I'm happy you are getting to meet up with blog friends. Love your pictures! Thanks again for remembering my birthday. You're just awesome!

Sybrina K said...

Jolly, jolly good!!!

conil said...

Oh I hope to be in Salisbury and Taunton some day. Thought you looked like you were on your best behavior until I saw the mustaches and the mention of colorful language. Clearly, you are having a great time.

Unknown said...

Thank you Darnell for a wonderful evening which we thoroughly enjoyed - you are one awesome lady and I feel honoured to have been able to meet you at last. It was great to meet new to me bloggers and so funny to find out Hazel lives in the same city as us and only a couple of miles away - thanks for introducing us to your blogging friends x

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh you did a great job on the photos, the moustaches are just fabulous darling! The weather continues, I hope you aren't a blob by now, looks like Taunton has been marvellous too. So.....Stonehenge......small?

Christine said...

Just look over those moustaches!!!!!
What an exciting adventure you're having, and sharing with us as well.
Stay safe.
X

Christine said...

Just look over those moustaches!!!!!
What an exciting adventure you're having, and sharing with us as well.
Stay safe.
X

Pat said...

I so enjoyed our day Darnell and thank you for a great time last evening. It was also lovely to meet Hazel and Linda and their hubbies. I wonder what's happening tomorrow? x

Bobby said...

I'm so happy for you, Darnell. This sounds like a fabulous bloggie friend filled trip. (Say that 3 times fast).

Rita said...

Beautiful pictures of your trip Darnell. We visited both places a number of years ago. Would love if you came to Scotland. Hugs Rita xxxx.

kiwimeskreations said...

So glad to hear you and Hammy are loving England - and that your defibrillator works in the U.K... How wonderful to meet bloggy friends and their DH's.
Loved the photos of the cathedral - that is amazing!
Blessings
Maxine

Kim Heggins said...

Looks like you are having the time of your life...so wonderful!

LesleyG said...

How fabulous that you are here meeting up with all those blog pals! I hope you enjoy the rest of your journey, and I look forward to more pics, it's awesome seeing everybody! Xxx

Lisa Elton said...

What a fun post and fun photos Darnell!! The mustaches cracked me up!

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

It was lovely to meet you Darnell. Hope those regional accents aren't causing too much confusion. Enjoy the retreat.

Sandra H said...

Ooooh wow your on your journey....sorry l haven't been on blog land during the week just doing some catch up ....and it looks like your having lots of fun and seeing lots of your blogging friends too! sorry l'm going to miss out on all of the fun, your photo's are gorgeous what a lovely place and nice to see the photo's of you all with the before and after Foxy Ladyies shot's you all look so cool!! l hope you enjoyed Sronehenge and Taunton you really are visiting some lovely place and of course the weather has been good so far lets hope it stays that way and continue to enjoy your time here take care and sending lots of love xx

Mrs A. said...

So glad you got to do Stonehenge on the next lap of your journey and meet up with many more blogging friends. hugs Mrs A.

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
You did bring some glorious weather with you which makes for pleasant days in our fair land.
Beautiful night shot.
Looking forward to tomorrow. Please remember your underwear lol!
Ang x

nancy littrell said...

Wow...what a "Grand Time" you are having seeing your close blog by girlfriends and the beautiful countryside :-) TFS all your photos my friend. Hugs, Nancy

Cara said...

Lovely to see some pics of Wiltshire, I lived and worked in Salisbury for a number of years so it bought back many happy memories. Glad to see that you're having a great time. See you soon, Cara x

Cat Craig said...

Darnell, I am so enjoying your travel post, and seeing that you are having a wonderful time romping in the UK.

Cheryl W. said...

It's so much fun to learn of your British invasion...er, I mean adventures. Sounds like you're having a grand time!

Lizzy Hill said...

The moustaches look great! Looks like a fun time. I LOVED Salisbury. I think I could easily settle in that town! Glad the weather is behaving for you.....funfunfun!!!

dottielottie said...

Great photos Darnell. I think you could have started something with your blogiefriend trip. Looks like a great way to visit different places and catch up with blog friends and have fun. Love the mustaches I think you have added the perfect mustache to each friend as in some scary way they look "right". Maybe this could be a new stamp set for Mr Tim, Crazy Mustaches lol. See you soon eeek! Hugs Lottie xx

cm said...

Oh my goodness, Darnell...your photos have me completely captivated! Wonderful friends, gorgeous scenery, and marvelous mustaches! Thrilled that you are having a most exceptional time with all the gals and their guys! Oh, the joys you are experiencing and the memories you're making....
Hugs~c

Birgit said...

I missed this post! I would love to see Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral...you are so lucky to be on this trip and meet your blogging friends. I laughed at the moustaches and thought of my cat Kaspar. That last picture is amazing! Love the deep blue with the rich golden yellow

OH Babs said...

It makes me happy to see you have a delightful time. What great hosts. The evening photo is beautiful and nice framing. Are you missing Mexican food yet? :)

Neet said...

I was so envious when I read Jan and Julia's posts about how they were off to meet you. Lovely to see you all and I adore the tashies!
Love
Neet xx

Em Louise Fairley said...

Love your pix... and counting the days. Grin.
Hugs,
Em xxx

Happy Dance said...

I'm sure I'm not the only one who wishes she was traveling right along next to you. This looks like the most wonderful vacay. Meeting all these lovely people and seeing all these faraway places. Hope you're feeling just fine too. Miss you. bkb

Brenda said...

I am loving these pictures Auntie! Everything looks so beautiful and fun. I love (and perhaps a little jealous) all the blogging friends you are getting to meet in person as well. What a fabulous picture of all you ladies, but I really love the one with the mustaches! lol You all look really good in them. lol Ok, I really am jealous that you got to go to Stonehenge and meet Hazel and her hubby!! How fun for you to meet all these wonderful bloggers Auntie! I love it and love that you got the chance to do all this. Your ending pictures is just stunning! Love the beautiful night sky and the view. I am so glad you are having a good time. I hope you are feeling well too!!! Hugs, Brenda

Nora Noll said...

Oh Darnell!! Isn't it so fun to have real natives take you to places? I am loving your trip!!

Geri said...

I'm having such a great time on this trip :)

Thanks for making us feel like we are right there with you!!! Awesome pics! Nice to see that you didn't get 'sucked back in time' at Stonehenge!

Petra Swart said...

Oh, my, you must be having the time of your life, Darnell!!! I sooooooo enjoy your updates of what you are doing and where you are going!!! Some lovely photo's here!!!!! TFS!!!!
Hugz

Greta said...

So fun to travel with you via the blog posts--you look great, Darnell! How great that you even got to meet some of the hubbys! I do remember going to Stonehenge when I was in England in 1977--glad you're seeing the sights as well as meeting friends!

KT Fit Kitty said...

So fun! OMGoodness, I'm enjoying your trip! You must have had a blast!

Marybeth said...

How fun to meet Hazel ,her husband and all the rest! Thanks again for sharing and enjoy!!!!!!

Donna said...

Fabulous pictures!

TK said...

Awesome fun, great pics, and fantastic visiting of course!

Shona Chambers said...

I loved Stonehenge, so amazing how large it is and the english countryside is so beautiful. And your all look great with a moustache too but don't think you should make it an everyday thing....

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Ha ha ha, still laughing over the moustache photo! You are having a blast!

Lisa T said...

After my two weeks away, I am savouring all your blog posts Darnell - I just didn't get time to read while I was away. Oh now I laughed at this one.... the moustaches, and the defibrillator particularly had me in stitches!! Sounds like you are having a wonderful time in our oldy worldy country - there are some places fortunately that have really good wifi!!!