Pick Sure and Place: Dad and Grandpa visit!

The very next morning after returning from the Netherlands, I met my Grandpa and Dad at a bed and breakfast in Egham. They had arrived the day before, but getting back from the Netherlands was a longer trip than expected.

We spent Saturday getting groceries and walking around the Royal Holloway Campus. Later on, we made an attempt to cook in my flat. It worked out alright! Plus I was just happy to host since I'm usually just cooking for myself.

Sunday was Easter and Dad had to work on his presentation, so Jess and Grandpa and I walked through the Runnymeade National Trust Reserve. It turned out to be a nice day and despite the mud, it was a good walk. We got to see a part of the town that we didn't even know existed. Besides the pretty park and river views, there was a memorial to John F. Kennedy and a monument for the Magna Carta, which was signed there. Then we had a good Sunday roast at The Crown, a pub in Egham.

On Monday, Grandpa and I went in to London. We had lunch at a pub in Picadilly, went to Harrod's, and strolled the South Bank. We discovered the BFI on the South Bank and though we didn't stay to see a movie, we found the media room where you can sit and watch clips and films for free. We watched a bit of a documentary about Jacqueline du Pré which was really fascinating. I'll definitely be going back there.

Tuesday was the day of Dad's big presentation. He had to set up for the majority of the day, and it was a bit stressful at moments, but it was worth it. People came and seemed to enjoy the presentation! He did a really great job. We got to unwind at another pub nearby afterward (seemed to be week of pubs!) before heading back to Egham.

On Wednesday we had a good touristy day. We went to Shakespeare's Globe. I had never been there so I really enjoyed it. The exhibit is just jam packed with any ounce of information they had about Shakespeare and the plays put on at the original London theatres. The theatre itself is absolutely beautiful. I've got to see a production there before I leave!

We had another pub meal, though this was a more up-scale pub on the South Bank :-) We then hopped on some buses as a way to rest our feet and to see sights of the city. Eventually we got to Knightsbridge, stopped at Harrod's and a Starbucks, and then went home to Egham.

Dad and Grandpa managed to squeeze in another sight on Thursday morning: going to the Chiswick House before going to the airport to return home. It was great visit - both busy and relaxing. I'm just glad I got to see family.

Unfortunately, Mom and Lyle couldn't make it out here for their visit. The volcanic eruption in Iceland prevented them from flying. It really stinks because I won't get to see them until June now, but we're trying to make the best of it. I'm going to take a little trip up to Scotland anyways as a change of scenery for my studying. Exams are coming up!

Will post about my trip to Scotland upon my return.

Here are pics from Grandpa and Dad's visit: