Rennes: A city worth seeing and returning to all the time!

July 7th: Mom and I took a two hour train to Rennes, a city in the north western side of France. The plan was to visit Rennes and then Mont Saint Michel which is about an hour north of Rennes. Since there was no lodging available around Mont Saint Michel for a reasonable price we stayed in Rennes and it was very enjoyable. The city was so small and charming. It only took twenty minutes to walk from one side of it to the other yet within those limits there were many small shops and things to see. 

Lunch! A delicious chicken wrap in a cute little hide-a-way

The restaurant we had lunch was with the gray awnings. 

Mom and I found a cathedral! It had beautiful stained glass windows.

The alter

After the cathedral, Mom and I wandered around for the afternoon just looking at the shops and the people. We were staying in a small hotel about a 10 minute bus ride from the city center and found this cafe shop near the bus stop! Since it was chilly and windy we took a coffee break, any coffee break in France is well worth it! The coffee there is fantastic!

Later that night for dinner, Mom and I found a fish restaurant. Since we were in the north west side of the country, we had to get fish somewhere (that side is known for its fish since its right off the Atlantic Ocean). For our appetizer we got a crab cake and shrimp. DELICIOUS!! OMG it was the best crab cake I have ever had and the shrimp was sweet. The best appetizer I have had in France or anywhere ... ever... lol i'm in love :)

All around us couples were ordering plates of different crustatans. This couple had a plate

and this couple had a ship, A SHIP full of fish!! It was the coolest thing

Mom's dinner of scallops

I went with the lamb in a blueberry sauce. I know it was a fish place but I'm not a full fish liker and I love lamb. It was worth it, the lamb was so so good!

My Mom and I just having a good good time :)

July 4th Celebration

July 3rd was spent coming back from London and relaxing before we took a tour of France. We were invited to a July 4th party however it was canceled so we stayed home, watched the FIFA world cup and had a festive dinner: steak and potatoes!

London never ceases to be fascinating

July 2nd: 

Day started off with a visit to the British National Library which holds many many rare artifacts!

First we found King George III's library. Although this is the king who we in the States rebelled against, it is impressive that he managed to collect 85,000 books, articles, 

So many books!!

Another installment in the continuing librarian series :)

View from the front of the library, definitely doesn't look like one but sometimes the calmest covers have the most interesting stories 

St Paul's Cathedral where Princess Diana was married 

Then it was off to Hampton Court!! King Henry VIII's home!

The flowers were in bloom so excuse all the flower photos :)

I've been waiting all my life to see this castle and it did not disappoint! It was smaller than I imagined but it was big for the time and all very very interesting. There were actors walking around and when Mom and I arrived we were just in time for a little play. It involved old King Henry and his last marriage. He wanted to speak with his counselors (aka those of us gathered) about his newest choice in a wife and then he asked Katherine to marry him. It was all just super cool!

The first room: the dining hall

Mom and I behind the King and Queen chairs

Waiting chamber for the people who were trying to lobby the King in their favor 

To the kitchens 

Office and bedchamber of the King's pages

the closet lol

A copy of the marriage contract between King Henry VIII and Katherine 

The room the two of them were married in 

Private gardens, it was such a great afternoon 

THE CHOCOLATE KITCHEN!!!! AHAHA CHOCOLATE!!

Inner courtyard 

View of the gardens on the backside of the castle 

Craziest trees I've ever seen 

This is my favorite photo I took that day. I have never seen a bush with flowers like that but it was just beautiful.

For dinner we had fish and chips!

And then went on the...London Eye!!

The view was magnificent! It was kinda creepy being up on the top because the piece that holds the glass bubble to the ferris wheel looking ride is under you so it seems like you are up there without anything below you. Cool but very strange

The most funnies subway stop ever.... its a subway stop named 'subway' great idea! great!