From 4/2: Interviews, Wells, Glastonbury, Bath, and Wonderful Family
As busy bees in Bridgwater, we haven’t really had time to blog…so I am going to do a quick recap of today and yesterday for the satisfaction of our readers. Then at the end you will get my unique list of “very English” words that I have been compiling since day one! You will also find them in Cori’s ASCBC Bridgwater Guide (once completed in May).
So to begin…on April 1 (April Fool’s Day), we began with project interviews. Each student went off to meet with various Bridgwater students and staff members. It was the final day of project research, so they each had a four hour stretch of interviews before we headed to Wells and Glastonbury.
In Wells (the location where the film, Hot Fuzz, was made), we visited the cathedral. Visiting that glorious landmark was such a treat. It was all decked out for Lent with special paintings hung…we also learned about its history including its masonry, its carvings, and stories about the tombs inside. We then moved on to Glastonbury, which I affectionately labeled the “land of the hippie bus." It is home to a rather well known rock concert in which people like Bruce Springsteen have been known to play. Some people call it the English Woodstock (but personally, I think that goes a little too far – there is only one Woodstock). In addition to the concert talk, there are unique little “hippie” and “spiritual” shops full of healing crystals, color healing books and such. My favorite shop was Burned Breads Bakery (I just love the name!). It had the cutest little organic ginger bread men, which I promptly ate about 30 seconds after buying. After our mooch around, we journeyed through the Abbey and saw King Arthur’s supposed original burial site. We also climbed Glastonbury Tor (which is just another name for hill). It was an ancient church site originally (there is still a spire at the top), and it was quite a hike. The views, however, were absolutely lovely. Glastonbury was one of my favorite spots…maybe because I am a hippie at heart (Oh – and I really want a VW hippie bus. You will see from my souvenirs.)
On April 2, we had a bit of a larger treat! We spent the day in Bath. Bath is an 1.5 hour drive from Bridgwater, so it is deserving of a whole day. We had tea in the Pump Room next to the ancient Roman Baths and then lunch at a cute little restaurant called Hole in the Wall. We also did a bit of gift buying, and then split up to mill around the town. Cori went to the Jane Austen Museum, and Angela, Tiffany, and I did some shopping and coffee drinking (No, I have not abandoned coffee for tea!). If I ever do go back to Bath, I want to leave enough time for a spa treatment. Bath is known for those, and they sound heavenly.
After a full day of sightseeing and shopping, we headed back to our homestays. We got back much earlier than we have been, so we were able to have a proper dinner and conversation. Little George and I attempted to count the bunnies on the hillside behind the house. There were a plethora of little rabbits jumping and bounding everywhere. I counted thirty, but George said there were tens of hundreds. We then played with baby Alice while Charlotte worked on dinner and Alistair prepared for his Mississippi trip tomorrow. And while we were playing, the donkeys wandered up on the back hill. I have been hearing the donkeys’ moan every night for days; but due to the darkness, I had not seen them. But there they were…four of them, grazing and resting in the field with the bunnies. Alistair and Charlotte have the most peaceful home. It has been a pleasant stay, and I must say that I prefer the Quantock countryside to London…much more relaxing.
Alice’s list of “different” English words/phrases:
Nappy (n) = diaper
Posh (adj) = fancy or glamorous (usually expensive)
To let a flat (phrase) = to rent an apartment
Loo or water closet (n) = toilet or restroom
Rubbish (n) = trash
Peckish (n) = hungry
Give away (as in traffic signs) (v)= yield
Dodgy (adj) = unsafe or unsure
Hairy (adj) = creepy or frightening
Bullocks (n, adj) = nonsense
Bangers & Mash (n) = sausage and mashed potatoes
A Pint (n) = a glass of beer
Pop to the shops (phrase) = Go to the store
Coach (n) = fancy bus
Waterproof (n) = quick term for a raincoat or rain-proof jacket
Chips (n) = French fries
Beastly (adj) = nasty or unpleasant
Bender (n) = heavy alcohol drinking session
Bloody (adj) = a swear word, which generally is an exclamation of surprise
Knackered (v) = tired out
Skive (v) = to evade something
Sloshed (v) = drunk
Smashing (adj) = Terrific or wonderful
Pudding (n) = a spongy cake, sometimes served with cream or topping; in more general terms, it can simply mean dessert
Stroppy (adj) = sulky or miserable
Twit (n) = idiot
Wanker (n) = a jerk
Wonky (adj) = unstable or shaky
Zonked (v) = exhausted
Mooch (v) = walk around or hang out
Wacked (v) = tired or exhausted
Mucky (adj) = filthy or dirty
Tor (n) = hill
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