Goathland

One of our day trips from Whitby was to Goathland. Goathland is a tiny little town on the Yorkshire moors. More popularly known as Hogsmeade station in Harry Potter! Heath and I bought a little book on walks around Goathland and set out to see the moors. Visiting the moors was the reason we choose Yorkshire for I wanted to see the landscape that inspired the Brontes. Heath and I started our walk with a short one around the town. Our book proved to be less than acurrate as we got lost multiple times and were forced to forge our own way. The ferns and farms were beautiful though. Our second walk onto the moors proved to be more difficult. We must have missed our path right from the start and probably ended walking 8 miles roundtrip without ever reaching the roman road! In our defense the directions were– go until you've crossed two ditches, pass the second pile of rocks and go left. The moors were beautiful though. Windswept and covered by heather that was beginning to turn purple. They stretch on forever dotted by rocks and broken down stone walls. There's a very exposed and isolated feeling to them. Seeing the landscape really makes you appreciate the moors as a character. It's not hard to imagine Heathcliff riding through the empty landscape to Wuthering Heights. Heath suffered through me reciting my favorite passages to him as we waited for the bus back to Whitby!

"Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest as long as I am living! You said I killed you– haunt me then! The murdered do haunt their murderers. I believe– I know that ghosts have wondered on earth. Be with me always– take any form– drive me mad! Only do not leave me in the abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh God! It is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!"

Hogsmeade




Heidi this one's for you!


A common sight


The Moors






Heather Blooming


Heath Conquers the Moors

Whitby

Heath and I traveled to Yorkshire at the beginning of last month before moving into our flat. The first place we visited was Whitby. Whitby is the quintessential English fishing village that has been partially taken over by tourism. It's fame comes partly from being the landing point for Dracula in Stoker's novel. Between fish and chips shops and curios stores you get Dracula inspired goth stores and a rather sad looking Dracula fun house. Whitby does offer a beautiful view of the sea and an amazing Abbey. Heath and I spent most of our days venturing out beyond Whitby, but we did enjoy a wonderful dinner of take away fish and chips overlooking the harbor and music at the local pub later. The fish and chips were the best we've ever had, which only serves to remind you that the best meal is made from fresh ingredients eaten in good company. Our last day we ventured up the 250 stairs to the Abbey. I cannot even begin to describe the beauty of the Abbey. It feel into disrepair after the reformation like so many of England's churches. It sits alone overlooking the harbor and creates a feeling of utter tranquility. I had a very hard time leaving for I could have sat there for hours. Do to this we almost missed our train to York causing Heath much anxiety!

Whitby

Whitby Harbor


Yummy Fish and Chips!


Whitby Abbey

Notting Hill Carnival

Every August people converge on London for the Notting Hill Carnival. It's the biggest carnival in the world, hosting one million visitors over the weekend! It's a Caribbean festival with Reggae music and Afro-Brazilian dance. You go to listen to the musicians and watch the parade and eat the yummy Caribbean food! Heath and I gorged ourselves on jerk chicken, goat curry, black beans, plantains and Red Stripe beer. We were in heaven surrounded by this little slice of Caribbean culture.

Here are a couple of pictures Heath took on his new cell phone

This is for you Kevin!

After Carnival Heath and I headed over the Thames to London Bridge to get drinks at The George. The George is famous for being the watering hole of Shakespeare and Dickens. Hopefully we soaked up some of their genius with our ale!

London Bridge


Tower Bridge

Blackberries!

It's blackberry season here. The roads and paths are covered in brambles laden with wonderful plump blackberries! Sally and I went picking when she was here and then I went again last week. I walked along a little path in Esher that turned out to be absolutely beautiful! Both times I ended up with more than we can ever eat. I took a few pictures of the woods and bushes to share since I can't send the berries.

Me and my loot!

First Week

I know this is about a month in coming but here are some pictures from our first week in London. The school is amazing as you can see. The resources available are incredible but there is a lot of bureaucracy to deal with. Not to mention that Heath has to wear a tie! He's taken to collecting bow ties! It's amazing what you can find in the charity shops. We'll have to do a post with pictures of all his hideously ugly ties! This is his first full week of classes. The kids are lots of fun, but they're tiny!

On our first excursion into the city we met up with Sally and Ryan. We ended up walking along the Thames from Oxford Street through Buckingham Palace to Westminster and Big Ben. From there we headed down past the Tower of London to Tower Bridge. It was a lot farther than we'd anticipated and took almost three hours to complete! We did see a large portion of the city though! Here are a few of the pictures from that day. Enjoy!

Cobham

Out and about in London!