This past winter our Director of Academic Affairs, Dr. Lee Stoner, and his fiancé, Krystina, based themselves out of West Sussex, England. Each weekend took the two in a new direction, including road trips across 3 out 4 British countries (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland), Southern Ireland, Poland, Portugal and Turkey. Each destination left a lasting impression.

England was a must do, especially since his fiancé Krystina (who is American), has seen little of these Isles. So the couple decided to drive across England in to Scotland, then back again. Accompanying them was Lee’s nine year old nephew, Charlie (right). Lee lives far from his two nieces (5 and 11) and nephew (New Zealand is the antipodes of the UK), so provides them with education through travel whenever he returns home.  Charlie was particularly excited about seeing castles and cathedral! And castles and cathedrals they did see. There was York Minster, the largest medieval cathedral in Northern Europe, Salisbury Cathedral, with the tallest spire in the UK, Durham Cathedral, founded in AD 1093, and Edinburgh Castle, a imposing structure which dominates the skyline of Edinburgh. Perhaps the highlight of the trip was visiting the Lake District on the way home, a picture perfect area with scenes reminiscent of New Zealand – mountains, lakes…and sheep!

Ireland certainly beat all expectations. Lee and Krystina flew in to Belfast, Northern Island, headed down to Dublin, Southern Island, then cut across country and headed north via the west coast back towards Belfast. Southern Ireland was striking for its quaint, picturesque villages at every turn. The villages of Northern Ireland are nothing to write home about, but the rugged and dramatic topography was awe-inspiring, particularly the Giant’s Causeway drive. The highlight of the trip was none of the above however, it was the marriage of Lee’s younger cousin to a wee Irish lass, Brenda!

Part 2 Poland and Portugal to follow!