So it begins

Goodbyes and hellos

Published Date : August 28, 2000

The last few days have been interesting to say the least.  On Saturday we all decided to get glammed up and hit Tweedy’s Pub.  There’s really not a lot to get dolled up for in this part of the world, so we decided to just do it for ourselves.  It was a lot of fun if for no other reason than the looks and comments we got.

Monty, Catherine and I decided to stay up all night and climbed up Silver Howe to watch the sunrise.  It was a beautiful sight, but the midges in the bracken chased us off and made it difficult to enjoy.

Monty and me

After no sleep, all of us worked a 12-hour shift then hit the pub again.  Monty completely stunned me by kissing me!  He told me he’s been attracted to me since I first arrived here and didn’t want to leave without telling me.  Why couldn’t he have said something before his last night here?!  We stayed up late talking until we eventually fell asleep on the sofa.  He’s leaving to head home to Sydney tomorrow and the odds of ever seeing him again are slim to none.  What a way to mess with a girl’s head.

Meanwhile, I’m still talking on the phone with Al, the guy from Liverpool that I met in the bar.  At home, I never attracted guys like these two, but now I get two at once.  There must be something in the water!

In other news, my brother is liking the idea of coming over here to work.  Phil and Jenny have seen his CV and they think he’s perfect for the job.  It would be pretty neat if he did come over.

Carlisle

Published Date : September 2, 2000

Carlisle Castle

Wow!  It’s September already.  I’ve been in the UK for almost two months now.  Time sure is flying.  Something tells me that one year is just not going to be enough.  There is just so much that I want to do while I’m here.

I’m finally getting myself organized and have my National Insurance Number and medical card.  I’m also looking into opening a bank account in Ambleside.  Grasmere is starting to feel like home, albeit a temporary one.

In other news, I went to Carlisle over the weekend.  While I was there I visited the castle and Tullie House.  After a few too many nights at the pub, I was a bit low on cash, so I was limited in my options while I was there.   I was far too excited about standing on the north wall and seeing Scotland in the distance.

I always enjoy these short getaways.  They’re a nice change of scenery and a chance to catch up on errands that can’t be done in Grasmere.  One such errand was following through on my notion of chopping my hair off.  I didn’t go quite as short as I had originally planned, but it’s still a huge change!!

Changes

Published Date : September 5, 2000

There have been a lot of staffing changes at Glenthorne over the last week.  Cath and Everlyn have left.  Amanda, Fiona, Sam and Maria have started.  I think the hardest part of travel is constantly saying good-bye to people.  You form such strong bonds with people so quickly, and then just as suddenly they’re gone again.

I’m taking a week off in October to go to Germany and I’ve been given the okay to take a couple of days off to pick up my brother in London.  The job here is his as soon as his references check out.  Now to see about finding work for his girlfriend!

Grasmere is a very good place for me right now.  It’s far enough removed that I can really relax and enjoy some nature, but close enough to the bigger cities and towns that it’s not too boring.  It’s a good place to discover yourself.

Plans

Published Date : September 12, 2000

It’s official. My brother is coming over the first week in October.  His girlfriend is coming as well.

I’ve booked my trip to Germany.  There were no rooms available in Munich, so I’m hoping to stay with Natalia instead.  I’m taking the bus to Frankfurt and I’ll figure out how to get to Ludwigshafen from there.  The bus leaves London on Oct 9 at 10:30pm and arrives in Frankfurt the next day around noon.  I’m looking forward to Oktoberfest and a complete change of scenery!

Uncertainty

Published Date : September 19, 2000

Everything is up in the air these days.  I don’t know when my brother is coming over or which city he’s flying into.  I haven’t heard anything from Natalia about Germany either.  Things are a bit tense among the staff at Glenthorne lately too.  There are some personality conflicts with this current group.  I miss Cath and Monty.

I’ve been keeping busy with hikes.  I finally managed to do the High Raise-Sergeant Man walk yesterday.  It was pouring rain and gale force winds, but it still got done.  It was a muddy mess on the plateau, but I still enjoyed it!  Today, I went up Silver Howe.  I’m thinking about maybe camping up there for a night at some point.  It will have to be soon if I’m going to do it because the weather is starting to turn colder.

My next Saturday off, I’m planning to climb Helvellyn and Striding Edge.  Hopefully the weather will co-operate. All this climbing and hiking has me thinking about trying to climb the 3 highest peaks in Britain before I go home.  Something to consider while I’m here.

More changes

Published Date : September 28, 2000

More staffing changes at Glenthorne over the last week.  There are three new Canadians (Darren, David and Marie) and one New Zealander (Shirley).  Things are still tense with Tamie, but the consensus is that it’s her that’s the problem.  I just make myself scarce when she gets into a mood – as much as I can when we share a room that is.

I’m leaving for Germany in 11 days.  This trip really snuck up on me – I keep thinking it’s a long way off.  I still haven’t heard from Natalia, so I’ve been making plans in case I don’t hear back before I leave.  I think I’ll head to Munich for a couple of days to catch a bit of Oktoberfest then spend the last day or two exploring Frankfurt.  I may also just show up on Natalia’s doorstep.  That could be fun too!

I still don’t know when my brother is coming over.  He’s working on travel logisitics.  His girlfriend will be coming over later once she has some money saved up.

Rydal Cave

I climbed Helvellyn last week, but the weather didn’t co-operate.  I’d been planning to camp, but a wicked wind and rain storm blew through.  It would have been fine if I’d had a tent, but I only had a poncho for shelter and it just wasn’t enough.  I ended up climbing down in the dark (yay for headlamps!).  I missed the last bus by a couple of hours, so I walked back to Grasmere from Thirlmere.  It was about 10:30pm by the time I reached Glenthorne.  All in, I ended up walking between 25-30km with a 30lb pack on.  Not bad for a day’s work!  Tomorrow, I’m heading for Scafell Pike, which is the highest peak in England and third highest in the UK.

I haven’t given up on the idea of trekking in Nepal and have been doing some research.  A 24-day trek to Everest Base Camp, including all food and airfare is just under £1000.  Quite reasonable really.

Speaking of money, I haven’t been able to access mine at home.  Every time I try to withdraw it I get a “Transaction Not Allowed” message.  It would be really nice to be able to use my own money!  I’m going to have to call my bank and find out what’s going on.