Somerset, England

After our stop at Stonehenge, we continued on our way to their country home in Somerset. As we went the roads continued to get narrower and I felt as if I were literally traveling back into English history.

I had just finished reading Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice", and driving up to their home felt like I had walked into a Jane Austen novel. The tiny country roads and the type of garden which surrounded the house reminded me so much of the book.

When I arrived I got a tour of the property. It had a patio, barn, garden, main house, cottage, and music room. The house used to be owned by John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin). My friends father used to be in the music business so I got to see all sorts of letters and notes he had saved from famous musicians he had met or worked with including Duran Duran and The Beatles (he had things signed by the latter). It was all very exciting for me just to know the great musicians he had known.

After the tour, my friend and I went on a run on the old country roads. The highlight had to be running by the local church which was aesthetically old and charming. It was too bad I was not going to be there for a Sunday because I would have loved to attend a service.

After the run we showered and had a wonderfully home cooked dinner by my friends mother. She was so incredibly kind to me while I stayed because she always made sure to prepare vegetarian dishes for me. We had: French cheese with bread crumbs and cranberry sauce, a dish made from rice, mushrooms, asparagus, bread crumbs and a white sauce, and then dessert of fruit and cheese. It was delicious!

We played a South American dice game they liked a lot as a family and then off to bed. A really great thing about this place is that it is so peaceful. The only thing you could hear was the wind, birds chirping, and sheep baaing. I couldn't help but think this would be a great place to write a novel or simply find solace to collect your thoughts. I was sad to only have a day there and didn't want to leave! But, I praise God for the opportunity to be able to experience such a place and spend time with such a wonderful family.

HIGHLIGHT OF SOMERSET: Feeling that I had walked into a Jane Austen Novel.
1. The Patio/Garden

2. The Back of the House

3. Where I stayed!

4. The Gate to the Garden

5. View from the Garden over the Valley