Wednesday afternoon Katy and I dropped off Eliza at a friend's house and headed off on an adventure of our own. Collin picked up Eliza and the boys from school and took care of things at home for a few days so we sisters could tour the Lake District and Edinburgh. It was so fun!! Katy and I took the tube out to the airport and navigated ourselves to the rental car place and through the rental car process. I felt like I was pretending to be a grown up, as I'd never been at the car rental counter myself. But all went relatively smoothly and we were soon driving up the country to the Lake District.
We made a detour that, in hindsight, was not very smart, seeing as we hit traffic and the sun had long gone down by the time we got to Bronte country. I had wanted to see where the Bronte family lived in the moors, but in the end we just drove by something in the dark and laughed hysterically as the GPS kept driving us by Butt Lane. Maybe you had to be there, but I almost lost it laughing so hard. I'd been sick with a killer cold and lost my voice, so my laugh was hoarse and I really couldn't breath right, so Katy was laughing at that as well. Anyway, sisters. We disagreed and I'm sure I disappointed her, but in the end we just forgive and have laugh attacks about random things.
The next morning we explored a most enchanting estate called Dalemain House. It's still a family home and real people live there, in addition to all the stories of its past lives. The house was lovely (no photos allowed--but I wish I could have had at least one of the bright pink entry way with old paintings all around because it worked in a most surprising way) but the gardens were remarkable. And I've seen lots of English gardens this past year. I especially loved the formal garden with the view over the more organic fields. I felt very inspired and took dozens of pictures, even though my children were not around.
There was a children's garden with cute animal signs telling the names of plants, like Cow Parsley and Lamb's Ear. There were lovely alcoves and secret garden doors. And so many flowers!
The stable yard was one of my favorite places. It seemed vaguely familiar, and I learned later that one of the Jane Eyre movie versions used the stable yard as a location.
Down by the little bubbling stream was a perfectly magical place, with a tree house lookout, a little child-sized cottage, a sleeping dragon and slumbering giant. I wish I could have seen my children play there.
We were reluctant to leave--ever--but eventually had to. As we walked down the lane toward the parking lot an old Scotsman motioned us to come over and feed his deer. Intrigued we followed the gamekeeper (like a very miniature Hagrid!) to his deer. He let us feed them bread. They were shy, except one who was very bossy and forward. Then I turned around and he had given Katy a handful of birdseed and he was calling down the little finches from the trees to come eat from her palm. I had a go and it was one of the coolest things ever! Their little claws were a bit sharp, but it was easy to stay as still as possible so they wouldn't be frighted away.
It was a most wonderful visit. I smile just remembering.
