parting is such sweet sorrow

Ok, kids. Last night in England.

I fly home tomorrow. We leave the hotel at around 4:45 am to be exact.

What? Hotel? Did you say hotel? (that’s you, reader)

I sure gosh-darn did.

So we left Ambleside around 10 this morning and trudged drearily to the bus in a heavy down-pour. Some of our fellow travelers are in Copenhagen for a few days, so we had to carry their stuff too—made a sloshy wet mess of my shoes, trekking back and forth to the bus. Aren't I a good pal?

sadness at leaving good pals

Finally, it was all loaded, so we headed to Manchester. It was about a two hour drive but we arrived … at a hotel! A real actual hotel! Such luxury! Actually, it’s not—it’s not really even as good as Hampton Inn. It’s just so so so much nicer than where we’ve been staying!

We weren’t allowed to check in until three pm, so we lounged about, ordering coffee, making a general nuisance of ourselves, and descending upon the unsuspecting hotel staff like a plague of locus.

Can you tell I’m in a good mood? That’s because, after we checked in, I took a long bubble bath (eek! fresh towls!) and then watched British television. Which is really very odd—I don’t envy them their telly selection.

Around six thirty, we had a pretty nice dinner at the hotel restaurant—Caesar salad, lamb shank, date and toffee pudding. It was... decent, but much much nicer than what we’ve been having! I was grateful.

Goodnight friends. I’m settling into bed (one that has sheets!)

I am anticipating posting some behind-the-scenes pics when I get home, so this won't be the last blog post. But I want to say—thanks for reading. And following me on this journey. It’s been really grand. 

throwback to when nathaniel and i just couldn't take any "moor"

I will be glad to leave:

1) the rain 

2) the bland & starchy food (no one here has heard of salt)

3) the home-work 

4) gross hostel showers and sheet-less beds 

5) moving in an amorphous horde 

6) weirdly polite yet passive aggressive brits 

I will be sad to leave:

1) some of these people on this trip are really great

2) the tea and coffee culture here

3) scones with clotted cream and jam 

4) digestive cookies  

5) seeing cool things and doing cool stuff 

that one time we all were yellow high-lighters