The Charming Town of Cheddar

Well ‘ello everyone!

Yesterday morning, Tiffany, Angela and I set off for Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guard. The number of people there must have ranged more than a thousand. Despite our inability to see the whole ceremony, we did catch a glimpse of the rite and it was definitely a great experience. We walked around Victoria for a while, stopping in at little boutiques and souvenir shops. After this, Angela and Tiffany headed toward Covenant Gardens as I went to a small church with my friends from England for their Sunday service. It was delightful. Sadly, I haven’t been feeling quite myself so I picked up some cough medicine and then went to catch the tube (after you have ridden in the underground a couple times, you pretty much have it down, just follow the signs).

I met up with both ladies at 1:30pm where we watched a small comedy act in the middle of the square. Covenant Gardens was probably one of my favorite places to go just because there is a huge variety of shops and it is interesting to ogle at all the different people. Being the early birds that we are and also wanting to return to a delicious pastry shop, Paul (ironically this store is right next to St. Paul’s Cathedral), we all headed back toward the hostel; we were meeting Alice at 3:00pm. But because Paul (the place with the wonderful macaroons) is just so wonderful, we caught Alice there as well :)

We arrived at Hammersmith Bus Station on time and ready for our coach ride; once we were on, I was out like a light. But I awoke at perfect timing to see the sun set over the countryside. It seemed like it could have been taken straight out of a Jane Austen film. We arrived a bit late as Angela said, but our lovely host families were there to greet us. I am staying young lady who is sixteen and in a vocational training program at the college. She lives with her “mum” and dad, younger brother and sister in a small town called Cheddar. That’s right. It is the town where Cheddar Cheese actually got its name! It is a little perfectly situated town that resides in Somerset County about thirty minutes from Bridgwater. Everyone has been so friendly.

Well the next day we arrived at Bridgwater. Angela, Alice, and Tiffany pretty much laid out our schedule for the day, but my particular interview was with a lady from the International Students Office, where I learned all about Bridgwater’s excellent program for international students to study at their college. The other part of our day that I MUST mention was our tour through Nether Stowey where I saw some of the most beautiful countryside. I must also mention that I enjoyed seeing Tiffany chase and be chased by sheep:) Well I will catch up tomorrow. Thanks for reading!

-Cori