Well, unfortunately another day down - they seem to be dwindling fast, and sadly we have reached our half point marker :o( Looking back, not even a week ago, we all got here and the things we have experienced and seen are far from what we could have imagined! Our day at York and a prior visit to the Bronte museum in Haworth were on our today's agenda. Most kids have read "Jane Eyre", also in Kimberly's class, and other novels by Charlotte Bronte. Her two sisters, Anne and Emily, were also writers but not as well known as her. They lived all their lives in one house together, with their brother and father, who outlived all of his children and wife (she died when the children were still young). Many of the families personal items can be seen there since it was converted into a museum in 1928. The nearby super lush and green meadow invited us all for a fun half hour of running, laying in the grass, watching sheep and spotted pigs, taking pictures and simply once again charging up our nature batteries Having been lucky with the weather, the rain held up until we left and didn't bother us again!!!
The city of York next, a welcome one hour ride with more singing, chatting, wrestling, napping,.... on the coach. What a beautiful city!!!! - I think none of us had any expectations and we were all in awe about this architectural diversity. York is really the melting pot (once the capital of the country) of all the English cultures going back to the Romans, Danish, Celts, and everyone that ever wanted to have a piece of England. The quaint cobble stoned streets and the iconic York Ministry, which is humangas, were just amazing!!!
Doug, our local tour leader who has been with us from day one, treated us to a fantastic merry go round ride - as a "thank you" for being the group we are, and even though we do through him a few changes here and there and probably aren't on time most of the time, we seem to have won his heart and made him understand and respect who we are! All the kids and chaperons loved it and had a fantastic 10 minutes just being giggly and giddy. Here are a few comments: "This made my day!", "This is better than Disneyland".... what more do we want?!?
A short ride back (compared to the other days) and we were back at the hotel for dinner. For the rest of the evening we split into two groups, one off to soccer (or football as it is properly said here), this time to play in one of the rented astro turf fields - what a treat and blast! I think they will be finding some of the black turf pieces in many places over the next few days ;o) The other group went off to Leads downtown for some ice cream and strolling around.
Tomorrow we will be back to London midday for more exploring and a literature walk in the evening. Not sure about the internet again in the new hotel, so stay posted and keep checking.
So long from all of us
Molly: High: Jameson scaring some girls in the York Folk Museum by sitting as a statue in a 'prisoner cell' - hilaroius! And specially Hannah B's loud scream! Low: That none of the shops were open when strolling around tonight.
Niki: Jamson cleaning his feet in the hotel's automatic shoe cleaner, with his flip flops standing next to it! Low: Having troubles making a booking on the internet for the London Eye tomorrow.
Amelia: High: Watching soccer. Low: Rain this morning and in the evening (She as a 1/2 English girl should be used to it though.... ;o)
Ro: High: Finding the most amazing yarn shop in the world! Low: Walking in the rain tonight.
