Stunning (The Lake District)

   I've been looking forward to writing this post ever since I started snapping these pictures. On September 8th my parents & started back to Cambridge, but we stopped by the Lake District for two days. My parents are going back in about three weeks for their 25th wedding anniversary. Of course I won't be going then, so they kindly gave me these two days so I could get a taste of The Lakes. 

   Our first day was spent shopping & resting in Windermere. It was an overcast day & we were pretty worn out from over a week of traveling. It wasn't until the next day when we got out in the hills that we saw how stunning the Lake District is.

   On the 9th we rode a ferry across lake Windermere to the town of Ambleside. It was gorgeous. There's really no way I can describe the beauty of the mountains, mists & woods to you. So here are some pictures to give you a tiny taste of the beautiful Lake District.

Mostly I just looked around & hummed Misty Mountains to myself. 

Can I have one of these houses, please?

   The tiny town of Ambleside was so cute! We visited St. Mary's Parish Church where Charlotte Mason is buried. She lived during the 19th century & revolutionized education in England. She fostered a love of learning in children in a day where children were punished & ignored most of the time. My mum has always been inspired by her & was really touched to see her grave.

   We then set off through the hills to Wordsworth's house. William Wordsworth was an English Romantic poet who lived during the late 1700s & early 1800s. When I was about eight a Union student named Ashely taught Joshua & me a little poetry class. One of the poems we had to memorize was William Wordsworth's "Daffodils".

I wander'd lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host of golden daffodils,

Beside the lake, beneath the trees

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretch'd in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: -

A poet could not but be gay

In such a jocund company!

I gazed - and gazed - but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought.

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills

And dances with the daffodils.

Via

   No, I can't say it from memory any more (sorry Ashley), but I do remember memorizing it. That counts for something, doesn't it?

   As we traipsed up through the hills to his house I remember thinking, "No wonder he was a poet! Anyone could be a poet if they lived here!" It was absolutely stunning. We were blessed with beautiful weather which I'm beyond thankful for. Walking through these hills was the final favorite experience of my top four favorite experiences from this trip.

Photo Credit: Dad

   We did get to see Wordsworth's house, but I couldn't get a very good picture of it. I'll say one thing though, he had a great view.

   The next day we rode the train back to Cambridge. We made some great memories & saw some beautiful sights on this trip & I'm so thankful I got to go! But by the end we were quite ready to be back home in Cambridge. I've settled back into my routine of studying, walking, reading, Skyping, & (of course) blogging! I'm so glad to be back!

P.S. Make sure to check back tomorrow, I've got a treat for you!

The Home of Golf (St. Andrews Part I)

   On the 4th of September I woke up sick. Bad timing, right? It was just a cold or virus, but I still felt poorly. It lasted the duration of our trip, but I managed to survive.
   Since I was feeling under the weather I stayed in our hotel room to rest while everyone else went out to tour York for the morning. (But I got to watch Netflix, so I think I had the better end of the deal.)

   Despite my illness, late morning we grabbed a train bound for St. Andrews, Scotland! The first game of golf was played in St. Andrews in the 1400s. Also, the beach is where the famous running scene in Chariots of Fire was filmed. It was also very cold.
 

   Since the sky always looked like rain was imminent, it gave St. Andrews a majestic & wild feel. It's amazing how the weather effects your view of a place. Later in our travels we had one day that was absolutely freezing, rainy, & miserable (more on that day later) which obviously colored our view of that place. But on this trip overall we were blessed with decent weather. I find it interesting how weather effects your mood & your view of a new region. 

Tea & Trains (York)

   Early Tuesday morning we left Cambridge for the city of York. Two of my four favorite experiences from the whole trip happened on this lovely day.
   The first of these favorite experiences was our train ride to York. It was about four hours long, so we were able to settle in and enjoy the ride. We got Yorkshire Gold tea & shortbread when the tea trolly came by. (I've always been partial to fruity herbal teas, but I've made myself acquire a taste for black tea since I am in England.) I knitted on my fingerless gloves & daydreamed most of the trip. Train travel is my favorite, it's like a relaxed version of flying. And you get to view pretty scenery.
 

Photo Credit: Dad

   Once we arrived in York we went to Bettys for tea! This was the other favorite experience of the day. Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms was established in 1919 & is world renowned. The food was excellent & the setting charming. If you ever get a chance to visit York you must visit Bettys!

I ate French Toast with bacon! The fluffy toast & savory bacon was a delicious combination.

Dad had a cheese & potato Rosti with eggs, bacon, & the best mushrooms ever (I know, I tried them). He hasn't quit talking about his Rosti for the past week . . .

Aunt Kim got the traditional Afternoon Tea, which must have been good since she ate almost all of it herself. =)

There was also a shop in Bettys, which was simply delightful to browse. Mum spent a good portion of her saved Birthday money on a tea book, a bag, a mug, & (of course) tea!

Their autumn window display was just too pretty not to attempt some pictures! If you can't tell, those are leaf & macaroon garlands hanging up. 

   The rest of the day we spent shopping & sightseeing around York. There is a really old section of the city called The Shambles which is now an ally of shops. Back in the medieval times it was the street where the butchers sold their meat. 

   We also admired the York Minster, a massive & intricate cathedral. In the evening, when we were walking around the medieval wall that still goes around part of the city, the Minster's bells started ringing. It was beautiful to listen to & the songs went on for a good hour.

This is a column that the Romans built when they occupied the area that is now York!

   Overall this first day in York was one of my favorites from the whole trip! A delightful blend of shopping, tea, rest, history, & delicious food!

P.S. I had the most shocking realization at the end of the day. I realized where New York got its name.