The Lake District

After leaving Scotland it was time to take a few trains and head to Low Bentham and Tessa's house.  The journey began as normal when we boarded our first train and the view was amazing!  Miles of gorgeous English country side were like a bright green quilt as we rode on.  Our final train on the other hand was not as gorgeous.  It started with us coming up to the smallest train platform I have ever seen!  We then had to figure out a way to get to the other side since there was no bridge and we were a bit worried to jump down on the tracks.  We soon found that you had to walk through the parking lot, up and around on the rode and across the top that way (in the rain of course).  It was hilarious.  The train we rode the rest of the way on was truly an old fashioned rickety wonder.  It clanked and groaned and at times felt like it wasn't attached to the car in front of it.  But we all made it safe and sound!

Tiny train station

We all decided a drink was in order and went to a local pub.  People watching was great as an extremely drunk woman at the bar was providing a nice show and the father of the year was drinking as his child played hide and seek outside of the pub by herself.  Then we went and met up with two other Fulbrighters and had a fun catching up.  

The next day all of us went to Aysgarth Falls.  It was absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed walking to all of the different falls.  Scenes from Robin Hood were filmed in parts of the falls so I spent some time trying to find Kevin Coster just in case he might still be hanging around.  

We thought it was funny that the Americans were the only ones who paid

After the falls we went to a nearby castle to see if I really want to be a princess some day.  We had to take the quick tour since we were a bit late in arriving, but we were able to find all the fun it had to offer.  Natalie and I really enjoyed the old style toilets!  Sadly there were no doors to give us any privacy but we managed.  The view from the top was amazing and gave us all a chance to have a good wind blown castle pic.  

There was also an extremely difficult hedge maze that Natalie and I decided we better give a try.  Luckily Rebecca was nearby to help us as we were hopelessly lost.  

Where do I go??

In the end I decided I would love to be a princess, but I think I want my castle to have a roof.  And maybe running water.  

The next day we head to the Lake District.  Now this could be the most beautiful place I have ever been.  Rebecca did a great job researching an amazing hike and we didn't let the rain scare us.  Fortunately for us everyone else did.  Our guided hike turned into a private tour with just the four of us, the two guides, one of their husbands and a dog.  We were definitely not prepared since most of us only had tennis shoes instead of actual hiking boots.  The mud was great fun!  During the hike there were only a few times it rained and then the weather cleared up and the view was unbelievable.  At the top we sat down and had some well deserved PBJ's and a rest.  Our guide was great at teaching us on the way and loved mocking the silly American girls as we sang songs and stopped every few seconds to take pictures.  This was a very successful day!  

Even the picture can't do it justice!

Let the traveling begin!

Deciding not to give myself too much time to get settled in I spent about a day in Hull before heading out to see the sights.  I was very lucky to get to go to my school right away and meet several of the teachers and go on a tour and then pack again and head out.  Sadly I was not as prepared as I should have been and missed my very first train!  Yes, this was not good.  Luckily the man felt bad for the poor lost American girl and gave me a bit of a break.  After a few train changes I was finally on my way to Scotland to  meet up with a few other Fulbrighters.  Seeing a familiar face at the train station and all the craziness of the morning went away and I was ready to have some fun.

Yay bus tour!

We all started in Bathgate where I met up with Christy, Natalie, Stephanie, Niki and Tessa.  The first night four of us went over to Edinburgh to the Fringe Festival.  We had a few pints and then went to a comedy show.  The city is filled with shows all over in any possible theater or room.  The show we went to was a free show with two stand up comedians.  I will just say that I am glad we didn't pay to get in.

Holyrood Palace

Edinburgh is an amazing city with so much to see that you can't possibly fit it all in in a day.  Trying to do our best several of us went on a hop on hop off bus tour.  We were extremely lucky to have wonderful weather and were able to sit on top of the bus and take pictures and enjoy the view.  We got off to tour Holyrood Palace and learned about it's history as well as the dark past of murders and conspiracy that were hidden within.  The best part was walking through the abbey ruins behind the palace and taking some time to play with the settings on my new camera!

After the palace we hopped back on the bus and saw other sites including Parliament, the Britannia, several parks and more.  We decided to end the day with a whiskey tour.  What else would you do in Scotland?!  Now unfortunately I don't really enjoy whiskey, much to both of my brothers' dismay, but I did have a great time.  We rode around in barrels and learned about the process of making the best whiskey around.  What a successful day in Edinburgh!

Not even close to all the whiskey in the collection.

Hmmm coincidence... 

My next wine project!

We all had a great time and ended with a nice picnic at Christy's while talking about everything we were looking forward to in the year to come.

I'm a bit of a laid back guard.