It Did Not Rain in Bath
And so to today, and I have 14 minutes left! I have too much fun with this thing!
I thought we were going to have to leave this morning, but it turned out that our train was not until 6, so I had plenty of time to do things. I started out with one last walk around the town this morning-- it's just too irresistable, you have to walk around, even if you're not going anywhere.
At 11, after walking down Bath street one more time, I went into the Abbey, where I went to Matins. It was an interesting exerience, standing and kneeling and using the prayer book and singing songs I didn't know and all, but I enjoyed it. Then I stopped by the grocery store for some more bread and set out for the country walks on the other side of the river. I didn't really know where I was going at first, but then I met some of my classmates coming back, who gave me their map. I went up a very long and steep road that seemed to last forever, but eventually I found the trails that led through the woods and fields and it was all worth it then. This English countryside rivals Prince Edward Island and West Texas in my estimation, and some of you know what high praise that is. It was beautiful. I really wish I had more time to describe it! The fields, the view from the hills down towards Bath, with its stone buildings and steeples, the flowers, the mist in the distance-- even the pictures I took won't really show what it was like. I even walked through a field just as they were gathering hay-- it smelled so good!
I spent all afternoon up on those walks. I think it must have been 3 or 4 miles, and most of it was either up hill or down. Needless to say, I was tired by the time it was time to go down to the train station. Our train was full, too, so I got to move up to first class, which was lovely.
And so I am now back in London!
I thought we were going to have to leave this morning, but it turned out that our train was not until 6, so I had plenty of time to do things. I started out with one last walk around the town this morning-- it's just too irresistable, you have to walk around, even if you're not going anywhere.
At 11, after walking down Bath street one more time, I went into the Abbey, where I went to Matins. It was an interesting exerience, standing and kneeling and using the prayer book and singing songs I didn't know and all, but I enjoyed it. Then I stopped by the grocery store for some more bread and set out for the country walks on the other side of the river. I didn't really know where I was going at first, but then I met some of my classmates coming back, who gave me their map. I went up a very long and steep road that seemed to last forever, but eventually I found the trails that led through the woods and fields and it was all worth it then. This English countryside rivals Prince Edward Island and West Texas in my estimation, and some of you know what high praise that is. It was beautiful. I really wish I had more time to describe it! The fields, the view from the hills down towards Bath, with its stone buildings and steeples, the flowers, the mist in the distance-- even the pictures I took won't really show what it was like. I even walked through a field just as they were gathering hay-- it smelled so good!
I spent all afternoon up on those walks. I think it must have been 3 or 4 miles, and most of it was either up hill or down. Needless to say, I was tired by the time it was time to go down to the train station. Our train was full, too, so I got to move up to first class, which was lovely.
And so I am now back in London!
posted by LN | 4:59 PM
5 Comments:
Oh Ellen,
Of course you know how thrilling it is for us all to read of your adventures. I have to say, *WOW*!
I am consumately *happy* for your experiences, and for the moments---the sights, the sounds, the tastes---that will be forever etched in your heart's core. You will never be the same.
Keifor and I took a similar trip (6 weeks in Rome/Paris/London that I told you about at HH) in 1972. To this day I can smell and taste the baguettes with fresh, creamery butter and homemade jam that we would buy and eat just to stay alive. I didn't do too well on the rhubarb pie served in the dorm. :)
Know we are riding along in a pocket of your heart, and hanging on your every word. Thanks for being our eyes and ears. Love you, Dear.
Aunt Rachel
A train ride across an English countryside. You are perfect there Ellen.
Hey Ellen!!!
It's sounds like you're having a lot of fun over there! That Jane Austen stuff sounds sooo cool!
We've really been thinking about you and hoping you're having a good time. Wow! I hope I might one day get to go to Europe someday.
Jesse says, "Hi, and bon voyage." He also said that if you end up looking in a French menu not to order alouette. ;)
Hope to hear from you soon and God bless!!
Love,
Stacey
my goodness, rivals PEI and West Texas? I can't even fathom that unless I see it myself. Maybe one day...
That's a great story. Waiting for more. » » »
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