I realize that I am well overdue for an update! My birthday was nothing short of incredible. I honestly couldn’t have had a better one away from home. It started with a home-cooked breakfast and opening some presents with James. Just the beginning of a wonderful day!

It was a very hot day, but we made the drive to Jane Austen’s house in Hampshire. She lived in a variety of residences throughout her life, but Chawton was where she wrote and rewrote all of her novels. It was a dream come true for me to walk the halls that she once walked, and see the little round table at which she wrote. The house was airy and open, and I can understand the peace she found there.

After a bit of tea and toasted sandwiches, we drove to Stonehenge. Wow. It reminded me a bit of the Grand Canyon – you can see pictures and hear about the sheer wonder of it, but until you are actually there, live and in Technicolor, it just can’t be fully felt or described. Even the hordes of school children and the sweltering heat couldn’t detract from the magnitude. After wandering around the circle (it’s roped off, so you can’t actually go right up to the rocks), James and I sat on the grass and just pondered the ways and whys of its creation.

In the evening, we met up with his parents and sister and the five of us headed to Whistlers bistro in Chipping Norton. The ambience was great, the food was amazing, and once again I was blessed with gifts and well-wishes. James had apparently been in cahoots with some of my closest friends and had put together a wonderful collage of pictures of my family and friends from home. There were also signed cards of greetings and well-wishes. It was such an unbelieveably sweet gesture, and I thank everyone who was involved. It was so lovely to go out with his family, and they were so wonderful and generous with gifts. After dinner, there was one last surprise to be had – an iced Victoria Sponge cake (white cake with jam and buttercream; my favorite!) at Simon and Selina’s house. I just couldn’t have asked for a better day!

I have updated my photos of Jane’s house and Stonehenge as well as York and Milldale and added a few videos. I will fill you in on the Lake District soon – there’s just so much to tell!