#BLAUGUST - Day 7 - Charleston

Hello dear readers, 

As promised, today is a round up of chapter 3 of our America trip: Charleston.   It's quite a historic town (in American standards anyway!) and it has some really lovely restaurants; again, lovely people. Our hotel also had a Leo di Caprio-esque concierge, so my mum and I were extremely happy (sorry, wasn't able to take stalkerish photo to prove this similarity, so you'll have to take my word for it).

This is the charming sitting room for afternoon tea at the hotel (the John Rutledge Inn - this man was one of the South Carolina signers of the US Constitution)

Fried green tomatoes: a local delicacy - but I think I would have preferred them slightly more if they hadn't been pickled first! 

Cute fairy lights at the restaurant on our first night 

Exciting light from a shop window on the ground!! There were so many art galleries in Charleston... Ft my fave new Topshop dress with pineapples and flamingos (what more could you want from fashion?!)

I now warn you about how many photos I took of pretty houses...

Part of the famous Rainbow Row (more complete photo at top of post)

A sign in the market that made me chuckle! 

Overall, Charleston was historic and beautiful, and so interesting. Next/last stop: Atlanta!

Before I sign off, I'll tell you about what I did this morning: basically, I live in a village with quite a strong community feel, but no village shop (makes no sense I know), so my mum is part of the little team who take turns each week to drive an old, slightly decrepit minibus to ferry the more senior members of the village to the nearest town to go to Waitrose (but of course... Ps: for non-Britons, Waitrose is pretty much the most expensive supermarket, but all their stock is amazing) where they all then meet up for a coffee and a chat, post-shop. Today there was an unusually high number of shoppers (7!) so we had to take over two tables and hijack many chairs from others to all fit in the coffee area.

You may think that this wouldn't be my idea of an exciting morning (especially as I had to get up at 8:30 - ugh) but (once I'm awake and out of bed) I actually really enjoy it - it's so rewarding helping them all and listening to their stories is incredibly interesting. A man who used to get the bus, called Eric, once told my mum that he got shot in the leg in the war, as well as being part of the team who broke into a leading concentration camp, and, when personally confronted by the Nazi general, he, I quote: "shot the bugger in the head". Not every day you hear a story like that in the middle of Waitrose. 

My mum is contemplating one day writing a short book about all of the people's lives and stories - they're all fascinating, and some are in their nineties! I hope I'm still up for going for a shop and a coffee catch-up when I'm that age... Especially if I can gather any personal stories during my lifetime that are half as interesting as Eric's. 

Thanks for reading, 

The very (distressed as legs peeling as no suncream adhered today when reading Jane Eyre outside and forgot thatBritain is currently unnaturally hot so meh and) happy blogger🌞

#BLAUGUST - Day 5 - Hilton Head

Hello dear readers,

Today my day mainly consisted of a lunch at Wagamamas (amazing), seeing one of my bestest pals in the world (perfect) and buying far too many things - most of which I will never actually need (but of course). 

However, this post is focused on chapter two of my recent fortnight-long trip to America - when we went to an island resort called Hilton Head for three nights. It was so beautiful and relaxing, and I have a few photos which I think sum it up pretty well: 

Necessary filter on this photo as I am v pale (although I did eventually tan, but only after I'd got horrifically burnt in many places). Also, necessary book, as how can one cope without one?!

I quote my aunt: "you were obviously enjoying the beach cocktails when you took this picture" - and maybe the one below!

Exciting giant chess board at the hotel (again, wonky, sorry - an abundance of Starbucks drinks clearly made me a little topsy-turvy... not cocktails, so don't worry kids, I'm not underage drinking or any silly nonsense like that ... Many dot dot dots)

bLuRreeeee

what awful spelling. Honestly, Matilda - and you call yourself a girl whose favourite subject is English 

Our last night, at a cute seafood restaurant where I think I had fried shrimps (prawns in British English).

Hope you enjoyed that selection of photos! I know there aren't as many as before, or as in the next two upcoming chapters (mwhahaha they shall arrive soon) as we didn't really do much whilst on the island! We played tennis one day, and went out for dinner every night, but that's about the extent of our pro-activity as - well - this was the relaxation bit of the trip. And it certainly was relaxing! The beaches and pools were beautiful, despite being slightly windy (going to blame my many burns on that). 

Thanks for reading,

The very (chuffed that she's not burnt anymore but maybe... Maybe... SLIGHTLY tanned - just slightly - and) happy blogger 🌴

#BLAUGUST - Day 3 - Savannah

Hello dear readers, 

So, as promised, today's post is documenting my recent holiday/vacation to America. Without further ado (what a spiffing phrase that is!) I therefore present to you some of my favourite photos: 

Our gorgeous, old hotel 

The most exciting bathroom wallpaper ever

Our hotel room had lovely, traditional furnishing 

Spanish moss - which apparently is neither Spanish nor moss (but apart from that!) I picked some up - which apparently you're not supposed to do because of the things/bugs that live inside it but ah well - and it actually feels more like string

The beautiful park which our hotel looked out on - the shade was much appreciated due to the boiling heat!

Hallo pretty fountain

THE MOST EXCITING MOMENT EVER I FOUND IT AND I DRANK IT AND IT WAS SO GOOD

There were so many shaded squares as you walked around the city (America's most haunted!) and this was one of the largest, which my mum was particularly interested in as she's writing an article connected to it, and I was interested as this is the square (Chippewa Square) where Forest Gump made his famous "life is a box of chocolates" speech!

The view from the hotel's wonderfully old-fashioned porch 

Home-made breadsticks and Oscar Wilde on the porch 

A very omnom sweet shop we found - these fruit slices genuinely tasted like their respective fruits

What an interesting name 

Gorgeous sunsets 

On our last wander around Savannah I took so many photos of its beautiful architecture (here's an example!)

Overall, Savannah was so picturesque and historical, as well as being full of absolutely lovely people. 

I'll document the next chapter of the holiday tomorrow! 

Thanks for reading, 

The very (nostalgic and) happy blogger 🇺🇸

Ps: well done England in the commonwealth games!