We woke up this morning to lovely coffee and good conversation with Rob, Mark, and Ian. It is very interesting to talk to people in different parts of the world and to see how the world looks from their point of view. I have heard for years about how smart, and fantastic these men are. I was not disappointed. I felt at times that I was sitting at the feet of giants. Here I am, a lowly English teacher, hearing stories and experiences from people who are changing and shaping the UK. I'm not flattering or exaggerating. I was way out of my league.
After my cup of humble tea, we went on a hike up Ingleton Falls. Please note, these are decent waterfalls and worth seeing. Also note, that the expectations from Americans for a 'hike' and an English person for a 'walk' are very different. We took a 'walk' which was four miles long. It began with a pub, there were 3 vendors along the way selling various snacks, coffee, tea, and ice cream, and it ended with a fish and chips shop. Please bring cash.
As a precaution, the incredible minds aforementioned felt we definitely needed to bring a 'flask' of tea, milk, and sugar up the path for refreshment. I felt positive that my definition of a flask and theirs were different. There was some concern surrounding the quality of the tea, although loose-leaf, and a good brand, the water was not boiling, and therefore it was not clear if it was acceptable. True English people only drink tea with boiling hot water. There was also a traffic jam up the falls and concrete paving.
The money tree. It is here. It is real, and it is in England. Just so you know. We saw some kids hammering at it with rocks, trying to see if it would bear fruit for them, but sadly the money is well wedged.
Food lodge #1 at mile 1.
Nic and Mark celebrated the arrival of our team at the top of the falls. We all sipped from the cups. Nic and Mark finished up the cups. Yes, cups plural. With four hikers, one must pack 2 cups - at least.
It was lovely. It was not a hard hike, but worth the walk. And here we have food cart #2.
Food cart #3. I had to document it.
After our hike, Nic really wanted to stop at the Fish and Chips shop. Nic had on his list a Northern Fish Cake. They made one, especially for him and then for the rest of our group, minus me. I had some bread. Nic also found a pastie - not a Cornish pastie, but he feels it was close enough to the Cornish pastie, so it was a two-for-one. I took pictures so that someday he can look back and reminisce.
Mark and Ian left soon after our hike, the UK and their families called them back to duty. Nic and I are spending a the next few days here with Rob. This part of the UK is commonly known in the states as the 'Lake District.' Tomorrow we will venture out to see if we can find some Arctic Char in a lake somewhere near here. I have no idea, really. I have read and heard about the Lake District throughout my literary life, so it feels somewhat significant. I will let you know. BTW, we are pretty far north at this point. Later this week we will be up in Scotland, going as far north as we can go. I will do my best to keep updated here.
Rob and Nic felt they deserved a pint after all of our adventures today. So we headed down the lane from Rob's home to the nearby pub. Just a few yards away is the school Charlotte Bronte and her sisters attended in their youth. Charlotte did not love this school and described it in the first few chapters of
Jane Eyre. It is a private residence, and not open to the public, but I still had my photo taken in front of it.
I have tried, and will likely continue to try to capture the lovely natural beauty of England. Life, flowers, and greenery burst out everywhere here. Chatting with Nic's friends and family I note that the vocabulary of English folk is good. It causes me to think about my language and vocabulary as an American. I find myself lacking.
I also find the scenery to be verdant. I have known and used that word. I now completely understand what that word means. England is lovely.
Even if it is fucking cold and rainy. Still.
Apparently, Nic has discovered that I am keeping this blog, even though I told him and I reminded him and posted it on Facebook. He, apparently, first looked at it tonight. So there is that. Also, I am 0% surprised. In fact, he looked at it, which is 100% more than I ever expected.
So there is that.
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