almost 21 and sleepovers are still fun...

Friday was a good day. Despite the phone calls and doorbell ringing, I managed to stay in bed until almost eleven, just to make sure I was caught up on my sleep. I worked on coursework for Mark and Carol all afternoon (well, after I had breakfast and then lunch about twenty minutes later) and then I headed down to Uni for NUAC. The weather was a bit gloomy again, but the bike ride made it feel less cool. What was supposed to be a relaxed three mile loop around campus, turned into a negative split workout for Anna and I. It felt really good to work so hard and to top it off, it began to rain while we were running, so we didn't even overheat. A great run and an endorphin enhanced ride home made dinner even more enjoyable. Carol had made a wonderful chicken salad with all sorts of good veggies, fruits and spices and dessert was a simple berry salad, but the berries were so fresh, so good, and to top it all off (literally) we had special English extra thick double cream to drizzle over the top. We stayed at the table forever and chatted. It was a good end to a crazy week. The flatmates stayed in last night and we decided to have a sleepover... in our common room. We brought out the mattresses off of the futon and arranged the furniture just right and settled in with freshly baked cookies (thank you Kev, you are the master... or at least give Anna a run for her money) to watch the Fellowship of the Rings (the extended version). Four hours later, Mary, Aaron and I were the only ones still awake. We rolled over and slept. I wish I had a picture of us all tucked into our comfy spots... but who needs to see the flatmates in pj's anyway?

At 5:42 this morning, I awoke very confused because the room was flooded with light and I could see blue sky out the window. I had no idea the sun rose that early. One reoriented, I rolled over to sleep for another three hours or so. We all crawled out of bed (or off the couches) and most of us got ready to go on a day trip with Mark and Carol. With scone in hand, I walked out the front door and scrunched myself into the back (almost) seat of Mark and Carol's car with Anna. The boys settled into the real back seat and we were off. We stopped in a small village along the way to see a well dressing (a pagan tradition of decorating wells with floral arrangements or artwork -made out of natural things - to give thanks for the water) the actual decoration wasn't that impressive, but there was a rather eclectic marching bands of sorts, interesting dancers, and a small Maypole which young children did a marvelous job of mixing up the ribbons. Carol had tea and everyone else had pints. At 11am. My flatmates and Mark are becoming true English(wo)men. After that interesting cultural experience, we were on the road again.

Hardwick Hall was impressive, but at this point in the year, the 'stately grand homes' can get a bit boring. This one was still pretty impressive and not as gaudy as it could have been... save the HUGE stone initials E.S. which were all over the top of the lavish home. The gardens were pretty and the old hall ruins (which was amazing in its own way... but was later abandoned for a more ridiculous hall which was constructed just next to it) were interesting as well. It was really good to get out and about with Mark and Carol again. We also stopped at an old working flour mill. We got watch the wheat being ground and Carol bought us a kg so Ryan could make some whole wheat sour dough from his starter. I am excited. Anyway, after a rush for the kitchen when we got home to make dinner, we have settled in for another relaxed evening. In a bit we will head out to the Lion for some more live music - again recommended by David Juggins - but we must wait until it gets dark before we leave. As I sit here at nearly half past nine, there is still light in the sky... perhaps we will have to break our darkness rule one of these days.

Tomorrow will hopefully be full of essay contemplation and productivity. Hopefully ;)

Happy (early) Mother's Day!