Keith's Adventure In England: Travel to Chatsworth House

I'm falling a little behind, so as to not confuse anyone keeping up, this entry will detail Friday June 3rd. Oh, and a disclaimer, very picture heavy, will add video later (issues with converting) enjoy! (psss. if you click on the photo's they enlarge too!)

We were told to be ready and in the commons room at 8:15 so after waking, showering, and breakfasting, I joined the class and we boarded our shuttle bus to Bakewell.

Our trek from Harlaxton Manor to Bakewell.

About an hour and half later (about 11 a.m.) we were in Bakewell. Once off the bus, Dr. Sylvia and Ringuette told us we could roam free for about an hour and 15 minutes until at 12:15 when we were to return to a spot toward the front of the village. As suggested, Luke, Ben and I set off throughout the village. We walked through a small garden, snapping shots left and right, then walked to a hiking shop so I could purchase some walking sticks, as my two professors had recommended (since I was going to be walking numerous trails over the five weeks) and eventually made our way to a tea room for lunch, the same place our professors had chosen as was evident in our being seated next to them. After a quick lunch, we dashed back to the entrance to meet with the rest of our group. We were told prior that we were going to walk to Chatsworth House from Bakewell. Little did many of us realize that in doing so, we had to hike up a good sized hill through the woods in addition to three more miles of pathways.
Now, I see how that last sentence may seem like it was a bad thing. However, it was quite the opposite. I could try and describe the experience by saying how awesome, or tremendous it was but I shouldn't. There are pictures below to perhaps give you an inkling of this experience, but all I can say is you would have to be there to appreciate just how much of an experience it is to see open country through a meadow stretch on for miles and miles and descend into a small coppice before it opening back to more country side and ending in the most typically beautiful and quaint village (Edesur) there ever was. You, would just have, to be there.
After making the four mile trek, Chatsworth appeared in front of us, perhaps one of the most grand scenes I've ever witnessed. We walked up and waited for everyone to gather around (since there were a few stragglers and some who had opted out of the walk and instead took the shuttle from Bakewell to Chatsworth). Once everyone had gathered together, we were given tickets to the tour and we entered. Over the next two and a half hours, we walked throughout the mansion, learning about different rooms and their makeup and exploring the grounds which stretched on and on and even included small little paths within it's boundaries. There were magnificent gardens, and architecture as well as sculptures. The house was very busy with tourists but it did not stop me from being able to discover.
The day unfortunately came to an end around 4:30 when we boarded the shuttle and departed back for Harlaxton. Once back, we went to dinner. Afterwards, a small group of peers and I went up to the Gregory (which is becoming more and more like a cozy hometown bar) for a few drinks. About ten o'clock the four or so people who had accompanied us there left while Luke and I stayed. During the course of the evening we became acquainted with more of the regulars who come to the bar. In addition to Simon from the other night, we left knowing Dan, Kris, Jen, and Kev. We left around midnight, making the mile trek back to Grantham and went to sleep with another fulfilling day behind us.