So this post, and possibly the next one, will focus on the southwest of England (specifically the county of Wiltshire). With the exception of one decent-sized town, Swindon, this is an area of "villages", a term I was sure hadn't been used anywhere since the 1600s. In fact, Tiz and her family live in a village of about 1,500 people, Wanborough. The highlights of the place are the village shop, run by a Bangladeshi man named Mr. Naseem, and also the SIX PUBS. Indeed, that works out to roughly 250 townspeople per drinking establishment, and later tonight I'll be having a few pints in one of them.
But now for a recap of the last 2 days. Yesterday saw a visit to Avebury, the site of a stone circle that is much less famous (at least in America) than Stonehenge, but no less fascinating. Later we had afternoon tea at a "tea room" in Marlborough, a wealthy town which has one of the country's most prestigious (and stuck-up) colleges. Today we drove about 45 minutes (a very long drive by English standards) to Burford, a village in the very prosperous Cotswolds area. We went to a pub for lunch and I had a chicken and mushroom savory pie, and a pint of cider (which in these parts is ALWAYS alcoholic). Headed downstairs to watch Liverpool v. Newcastle now; as before, comments and questions are welcome!

                                         Myself, Tiz and her father in front of a stone at Avebury

                                                    Zillions of cakes at the Polly Tea Rooms

                                                                     A pie and a pint

P.S. Any Americans wanting some elaboration on the British education system or the British diet (both based on my brief experiences in this country as well as dating a Brit for 15 months), post a comment and I'll reply back.