All abroad!

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This morning, we took the train from London to Swindon to Bath, where we are now staying for two nights.

 

Before we left for the train station, I had a quick breakfast:

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I picked up a single serving of Fage at a corner shop and was SOOO excited to have Greek yogurt for breakfast! I crumbled up the Clif bar and tossed in a few apricots.

 

I had a latte at the train station:

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We made a pit-stop on our way to Bath in Swindon, which is where the Husband’s grandma and grandpa live. 

 

It was really nice to see Reggie and Carole, who I’ve met twice before.

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Carole made me a butter-tomato-and-cheddar sandwich.  Butter totally made this sandwich!

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If you have not asked your grandparents (or parents!) to go into the details of their 20’s and 30’s, definitely do it!  It’s always so interesting to hear about their experiences.

 

I’ve found that asking them to bring out old photographs really helps jog their memories. 

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Reggie was a “frogman” in the British Navy.  He started when he was just 15!

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Carole when she was younger:

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The Husband when he was a kid:

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Major giggles!

 

Carole served me a chocolate pretzel and a cookie as we looked at the pictures:

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I also had a plate of mashed potatoes, salad, and a French bread roll, but I forgot to take a picture!  I was hangry.  🙂

 

After a little bit, the rest of the family came over to hang out…

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Including the Husband’s godson, who we are slowly brainwashing to love American football and the Miami Hurricanes…

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And the newest addition to the family, Theo.

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Here’s your “Awww!” picture of the day.  Doesn’t the Husband look like a natural?  🙂

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Awwww!

 

After family time, we hopped back on the train and headed to Bath, a quaint little city.  I’m excited to get away from the excitement of London for two nights!

 

When we arrived at our hotel in Bath, we found out we had been upgraded to a $958 (600 pound) a night Executive Suite!  The hotel staff knew it was our 1 year wedding anniversary and just decided to do it to be nice.  The suite has 3 separate rooms and is hands-down the nicest hotel room I’ve ever been in!  Stay tuned for pictures… even the toilet paper roll is wrapped in a bow!  🙂

{ 58 comments }

 

  • Kailey (SnackFace) December 28, 2009, 11:48 am

    Caitlin!!! I just did a MAJOR catch-up on your posts and I am dripping with envy! These pictures are immensely gorgeous. You must frame all of them! And the “awww” picture? B.A.B.Y. Time. So effing cute.

  • Megan @ Megzz Wins At Life December 28, 2009, 11:50 am

    wooohoo for upgrades.. That is so nice you got to spend time with his family.. Grandparents are so precious… Enjoy the rest of the vacay!

  • Evan Thomas December 28, 2009, 11:54 am

    Sweet deal on the suite!
    That’s so awesome he still has his grandparents with him. I listened to mine talk about their olden days at Christmas. That was so amusing.

  • Sam (Merit to the Carrot) December 28, 2009, 11:54 am

    I love the old pictures, they’re always so great to look at. Congratulations on the suite upgrade! Continue to have an exceptional vacation in England 🙂

  • Britt - Runnerbelle December 28, 2009, 11:56 am

    Yay for an upgrade!!!

    I LOVE pictures. I’m so sad all my grandparents have passed, I never got to know any of them as an adult. My grandmother on my mom’s side lived the longest and she passed just before my 17th b-day. Definitely treasure those stories & times together!

  • Lesley December 28, 2009, 11:56 am

    It sounds like you are having SUCH a great time 🙂 Your pictures are so fun!

    Why/When did your husband move to the US? And how in the world did the hotel know that it was your anniversary! That’s awesome. Enjoy!

    • caitlin December 28, 2009, 1:20 pm

      tell them its your special day in the comments section when you book!

      • caitlin December 28, 2009, 1:21 pm

        oh and he moved here when he was 16 years old, so almost 10 years ago.

  • rachael December 28, 2009, 11:58 am

    How AMAZING about being upgraded to that suite, what a great anniversary suprise!

  • Carolyn December 28, 2009, 12:01 pm

    CANNOT wait to see the hotel room pics!

  • Jessica December 28, 2009, 12:02 pm

    I have always wanted to go overseas…I am living through you this week…AMAZING

  • Andrea December 28, 2009, 12:02 pm

    Heck yes on the upgrade!!! I am patiently awaiting pictures.;)

  • Shannon (The Daily Balance) December 28, 2009, 12:03 pm

    yay for upgrades!!! ENJOY IT! 😉

  • megan December 28, 2009, 12:04 pm

    sounds like you are having a great time. I’m hoping to go to England with my husband next spring when he has to travel for work. I’m going to have to email you for ideas! 🙂

  • RhodeyGirl December 28, 2009, 12:06 pm

    Happy almost anniversary!!!!!

    I love hearing stories about our grandparents when they were younger. It must have been fascinating to hear their stories!!

    Did the Fage taste any different?

    • caitlin December 28, 2009, 1:21 pm

      nope – same old awesome fage!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is December 28, 2009, 12:16 pm

    How exciting to meet up with his family! And about the suite – that is awesome!!

  • Madison December 28, 2009, 12:18 pm

    Upgrades are awesome. That is so much fun! Looks like you are having a blast!

  • Laura December 28, 2009, 12:19 pm

    It looks like you’re having such an amazing trip! That photo of your husband with Theo is SO cute! 🙂

  • The Hot and Fit December 28, 2009, 12:20 pm

    Wow the upgrade is AWESOME! Can’t wait to see the pics!!

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) December 28, 2009, 12:24 pm

    How nice you got to catch up with the husband’s family while there! His godson is adorable! His nephew too 🙂 What a cute family.

  • Molly @vegandorm December 28, 2009, 12:25 pm

    Your trip looks so beautiful! London is seriously my favorite place in the world – I actually liked it better than Paris and I’m fluent in French!

  • Julie December 28, 2009, 12:25 pm

    Nice upgrade!! People can be so nice when you tell them stuff like that!!

  • Erin December 28, 2009, 12:28 pm

    Wow — sounds amazing — can’t wait to see pics!

    Your hubby looks too cute with the baby… 😀

  • Danielle (Coffee Run) December 28, 2009, 12:30 pm

    That’s so cool you got an upgrade! I def said “awww” when I saw the pictures…

  • Nicci@NiftyEats December 28, 2009, 12:45 pm

    Sounds like your having a great time with fmailyand friends. That was super nice of the hotel to back upgrade your room.

  • Ashley L December 28, 2009, 12:48 pm

    I love seeing these pictures! I’ll likely never leave the US (dang expensive airfare), so I’m living vicariously through you two.

    How nice of the hotel. Maybe pretend it’s your anniversary on the next trip somewhere 😉

  • Susan December 28, 2009, 12:58 pm

    That sandwich sounds surprisingly deliciouso (I say surprisingly bc I never would have thought to add buttah!). And those pics are presh.

    Can’t wait to see what your upgraded room looks like! Big pimpin’!

  • Chloe December 28, 2009, 1:06 pm

    Hi Caitlin,

    I LOVE your updates from England. Its so cool to see your travels and be able to recognise places. I’m hoping to go to Buddha Bar when I visit my friend in London in a few weeks…

    What setting on your DSLR are you using for your standard landscape shots you’ve taken around London etc? I know you’re probably not using manual but can’t imagine you fiddling around for every shot? Or are you primarily using your point and shoot? Thanks in advance!!!

    Have a great trip. I can’t wait to see the rest!

    • caitlin December 28, 2009, 1:22 pm

      everything has been on P mode with adjusted white balance or exposure. it’s not that big of a deal to adjust quickly before taking a picture. i have used my P&S for some stuff, but not much.

      • Chloe December 28, 2009, 1:44 pm

        Thanks for this Caitlin – really helpful 😉

  • Jenny December 28, 2009, 1:08 pm

    AWWWW to the husband and baby indeed 😉

    And his grandparents are so cute, looks like y’all had such a nice visit!

    Congrats on the upgrade! The people of Bath sound incredibly nice already.

  • Lizzy December 28, 2009, 1:12 pm

    aww the husband looks so cute with baby theo! soo adorable!

    i cannot believe the upgrade, how awesome! it pays to tell the hotels what your staying for!!! yay! enjoy!

  • Sagan December 28, 2009, 1:13 pm

    Nice on the upgrade!!

    A smidgeon of butter totally makes a sandwich. And it’s so much fun to look at old photographs.

  • Karla December 28, 2009, 1:20 pm

    Woah! Great upgrade! That’s amazing! Have fun!

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) December 28, 2009, 1:28 pm

    Enjoy the upgrades!! 😀 How nice is that?

    I love hearing stories from my parents and grandparents. It’s amazing how much they have to share. And old pics are always just a blast to look at. 😀

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite December 28, 2009, 1:42 pm

    LOVe the old pics! They’re pricless!

  • Matt December 28, 2009, 2:02 pm

    Nice job scoring the suite!

  • Noelle Miller December 28, 2009, 2:05 pm

    Random question, but was the Greek yogurt much more expensive in the UK?

    • caitlin December 28, 2009, 2:05 pm

      it was 95 pence (about $1.60) for the single serving.

  • Jenna December 28, 2009, 2:12 pm

    Butter tomato and cheese! Sounds great as well as the other yummy treats!
    Glad you got to spend time with his fam!

  • Susan December 28, 2009, 2:39 pm

    Omg, that sandwich sounds amazing. I know it’s a simple food to freak out about – but it sounds right up my alley!!

  • Lauren @ Eater not a runner December 28, 2009, 2:52 pm

    I love bath, it is so beautiful! Looks like you are having a great time!

  • Tay December 28, 2009, 3:03 pm

    I see your latte is from Costa!! I had a costa coffee at the train station before heading from London to France (maybe the same shop? hehe) and it was the best coffee I’d ever had. I was in search of one for the rest of my trip! I’m still not sure what made it so great…

  • Amanda December 28, 2009, 3:04 pm

    Looks like you are having a wonderful time. You are definitely making me want to travel!

  • Emily Eats and Exercises December 28, 2009, 3:24 pm

    This trip looks like so much fun! Thanks for sharing all the details with us. Yay for the upgraded suite. Great idea to tell everyone that it’s your anniversary.

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing December 28, 2009, 3:28 pm

    awww – love the trip re-caps so far!! my family is english and we moved over to the US when I was young. your posts are making me miss it lots!! :O)

  • Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen December 28, 2009, 4:13 pm

    So cute to see you guys with the husband’s family! This is so great to experience your trip with you; now I have some things to look forward to in September 🙂

  • Kristie December 28, 2009, 4:29 pm

    The husband was a cutie when he was little! I love looking at baby pictures of friends/loved ones 🙂 Enjoy your ridiculously awesome sounding hotel room!

  • Katy @ These Beautiful Feet December 28, 2009, 4:49 pm

    You look so cute Caitlin, love that picture of you! I love hearing the stories from the grandparents, it’s SO neat. Sounds like you are having such a fun time. I am SO happy for that, enjoy it. Can’t wait to see your amazing suite!! 🙂

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie December 28, 2009, 4:54 pm

    I positively LOVE asking older people in my life about their past and the times they’ve lived in. It’s crazy how much you can learn!

  • Allison K December 28, 2009, 5:17 pm

    Awww. the Husband does look like a natural! and Hooray for upgrades!

  • Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life December 28, 2009, 5:45 pm

    Yay for the upgrades-that’s awesome!! The hubby totally looks like a natural!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) December 28, 2009, 6:30 pm

    Your hubby definitely looks like a natural!!! That is so nice that they upgraded you – wow!!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) December 28, 2009, 7:31 pm

    I love traveling by train in Europe. So easy and beautiful.

    And those pictures and stories are wonderful. I remember spending lots of time talking to my great grandmother about her youth. Such a fun time.

  • Lauren December 28, 2009, 7:35 pm

    How endearing! It looks as though this entire trip is so enjoyable on so many levels.

    When I lived in England, my “mum” (aka, the mom of the home I was living in) use to make me “butter” sammies all the time. To tell you the truth, it kind of grossed me out that the English use butter as the standard sandwich condiment on ANY kind of sammie. I remember gaging when I took a bite out of my Ham, Cheese and Butter sandwich. LoL. Different strokes for different folks! 🙂

  • Amy December 28, 2009, 8:13 pm

    Awesome post, but the grandma didn’t serve you a cookie, but rather a biscuit. 🙂

  • Lisa December 29, 2009, 7:25 am

    oh my that hotel looks amazing!!! Super jealous 🙂
    It is great to hear that you could catch up with some family too!

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