England Trip: Part 2
Continued from last time. MC = madclarinet
Thursday, May 28th
Today was the first of many walk days for me during my trip. Went to MC's parents house to pick up his parents and their dog (not literally). Alf, their dog, did his usual barking at me. I'm a "new" person and he's been known to bark at his reflection. Alf seemed to get over it because he was going for a ride in the car. We first went to Dovedale. We took a nice short (flat) walk to the stepping stones. Last time I had been to Dovedale the stepping stones were flooded and I had walked along the dirt part thinking we'd go further than the stepping stone. This time the stepping stones were steppable so MC and I walked across them. We decided that having a long stride and big feet were a plus so we both went across with ease. His parents and Alf watched us and many others walk across (some carrying their dogs and others dragging their dogs). After a big group of people, MC and I made our move back across. After Dovedale, we went to Carsington Water (Reservoir) and walked around there a bit. Didn't take any pictures of the reservoir. Way too bright by then. Took another nice long flat walk. I made us some nice sandwiches. MC's dad raved about them so I guess they were enjoyed. After that we went back to his parents. Got tortured by their lovely kitten, Mathilda. Might have gone to the pub by their house for dinner.
Friday
A relax day. Might have been the day we spend playing Simpson's Hit and Run all day. I have the game but I've only gotten so far in it. Will say that the PS2 has a more comfortable controller than an Xbox. But playing as a team helps with the missions.
Saturday
Long long day. MC's eldest sister heard about a nice place to walk so we, his parents, Alf, and her went to Monsal Head. What we didn't know that it was going to be a long day of hiking. It was another nice sunny day. We got there and found the way down to the "nice" part below. This involved walking down some steep "stairs" and then going around a roundabout to another steep down bit. There use to be a train that went through there so there was a sealed tunnel (with a scary dragon a child said) when we got to the "bottom" and this nice bridge that we walked across. Then we went down another incline to this nice grassy area with flowers, a river/creek, and a nice blue sky with an occasional puffy cloud. It was certainly pretty but I was certainly aware that the trek back up the hill wasn't going to be easy. But on the flat area, it was nice and cooler. We headed back to tackle the hill and I kept in the back of my mind that MC's eldest sister said she'd buy us lunch and that I could have a nice cold drink. Also thinking that I will have worked very hard for the photos that I took. I know I'm out of shape and the trek up reminded me of that. The heat, that hadn't really affected me that much, had started to. Stopped a A LOT few times but rested at a VERY nicely placed bench right before the thigh-killing "stairs." Alf had given up before me and MC's mum was struggling to get him up the hill too. MC's dad and sis had gone ahead. We eventually made it up and I sat down for a while at the top before we made our move to the pub there. It was nice to be in the shade at the pub, believe me. Decided on something to eat and MC's mum and eldest sister went in to order. Long line so it took a bit to get our drinks but I had mostly recovered by then. Drink was nice though. Lots of people before us so our food took awhile but we weren't on our feet and the before mentioned shade made it worth it. Meal was decent as well. Went back to MC's parents. Got tortured by Mathilda some more. Then we went over to MC's boss's house. I hadn't had much time to talk to him and his wife the other day. Had a good chat and laugh while there. His boss kept asking if we want XYZ to drink. I kept being fine with Lemonade but he kept asking and listed a few things including a Tequila Sunrise. I'm not much of a drinker but I decided to take him up on it. Don't think he expected that BUT he did make one. A bit strong but it looked the part when he gave it to me. After adding some more orange juice and after getting use to alcohol again, it was quite good. We stayed later than we thought so a much needed collapse at home happened.
Sunday
Wasn't a relax day. Went over to MC's eldest sister's place and met up with his parents, Alf, and his sister. We were going to go for a nice stroll through Darley Park. Considering the day before, going out and stretching my legs sounded like a good idea. Walk was a little longer than I thought it would be and it was hotter that day than I thought it would be but I survived. We did go and get a drink at the café there. Sat in the shade (thank goodness). Went back and had some lunch. Not sure what else we did that day.
Monday
I"m guess a relax day before our big trip and getting last minute things together.
Next time: A three-day driving trip and other various things. More crazy walks.
Thursday, May 28th
Today was the first of many walk days for me during my trip. Went to MC's parents house to pick up his parents and their dog (not literally). Alf, their dog, did his usual barking at me. I'm a "new" person and he's been known to bark at his reflection. Alf seemed to get over it because he was going for a ride in the car. We first went to Dovedale. We took a nice short (flat) walk to the stepping stones. Last time I had been to Dovedale the stepping stones were flooded and I had walked along the dirt part thinking we'd go further than the stepping stone. This time the stepping stones were steppable so MC and I walked across them. We decided that having a long stride and big feet were a plus so we both went across with ease. His parents and Alf watched us and many others walk across (some carrying their dogs and others dragging their dogs). After a big group of people, MC and I made our move back across. After Dovedale, we went to Carsington Water (Reservoir) and walked around there a bit. Didn't take any pictures of the reservoir. Way too bright by then. Took another nice long flat walk. I made us some nice sandwiches. MC's dad raved about them so I guess they were enjoyed. After that we went back to his parents. Got tortured by their lovely kitten, Mathilda. Might have gone to the pub by their house for dinner.
Friday
A relax day. Might have been the day we spend playing Simpson's Hit and Run all day. I have the game but I've only gotten so far in it. Will say that the PS2 has a more comfortable controller than an Xbox. But playing as a team helps with the missions.
Saturday
Long long day. MC's eldest sister heard about a nice place to walk so we, his parents, Alf, and her went to Monsal Head. What we didn't know that it was going to be a long day of hiking. It was another nice sunny day. We got there and found the way down to the "nice" part below. This involved walking down some steep "stairs" and then going around a roundabout to another steep down bit. There use to be a train that went through there so there was a sealed tunnel (with a scary dragon a child said) when we got to the "bottom" and this nice bridge that we walked across. Then we went down another incline to this nice grassy area with flowers, a river/creek, and a nice blue sky with an occasional puffy cloud. It was certainly pretty but I was certainly aware that the trek back up the hill wasn't going to be easy. But on the flat area, it was nice and cooler. We headed back to tackle the hill and I kept in the back of my mind that MC's eldest sister said she'd buy us lunch and that I could have a nice cold drink. Also thinking that I will have worked very hard for the photos that I took. I know I'm out of shape and the trek up reminded me of that. The heat, that hadn't really affected me that much, had started to. Stopped a A LOT few times but rested at a VERY nicely placed bench right before the thigh-killing "stairs." Alf had given up before me and MC's mum was struggling to get him up the hill too. MC's dad and sis had gone ahead. We eventually made it up and I sat down for a while at the top before we made our move to the pub there. It was nice to be in the shade at the pub, believe me. Decided on something to eat and MC's mum and eldest sister went in to order. Long line so it took a bit to get our drinks but I had mostly recovered by then. Drink was nice though. Lots of people before us so our food took awhile but we weren't on our feet and the before mentioned shade made it worth it. Meal was decent as well. Went back to MC's parents. Got tortured by Mathilda some more. Then we went over to MC's boss's house. I hadn't had much time to talk to him and his wife the other day. Had a good chat and laugh while there. His boss kept asking if we want XYZ to drink. I kept being fine with Lemonade but he kept asking and listed a few things including a Tequila Sunrise. I'm not much of a drinker but I decided to take him up on it. Don't think he expected that BUT he did make one. A bit strong but it looked the part when he gave it to me. After adding some more orange juice and after getting use to alcohol again, it was quite good. We stayed later than we thought so a much needed collapse at home happened.
Sunday
Wasn't a relax day. Went over to MC's eldest sister's place and met up with his parents, Alf, and his sister. We were going to go for a nice stroll through Darley Park. Considering the day before, going out and stretching my legs sounded like a good idea. Walk was a little longer than I thought it would be and it was hotter that day than I thought it would be but I survived. We did go and get a drink at the café there. Sat in the shade (thank goodness). Went back and had some lunch. Not sure what else we did that day.
Monday
I"m guess a relax day before our big trip and getting last minute things together.
Next time: A three-day driving trip and other various things. More crazy walks.