Oct 5 - 9

Sharon introduced me to pork pies. This may seem like a friendly gesture, but keep in mind we don't do savoury pies in the States, so this was just tantalizing. She's a mean little person, believe it.

If you know what goes into a pork pie, I am begging you to never tell me. I do not want to know. I do want to know where I can find them in the States, however, and I can already tell you: Vons doesn't carry them. I might have to go to the King's Head in Santa Monica this weekend...

We took a day trip to Bakewell, where the famed Bakewell Tart was created. What, you haven't heard of them? Neither had I. Apparently though, they're very famous in Europe. It's a pie crust, layer of jam, and a layer of either pudding or sponge cake. Very light and nice with tea. And if you're extremely curious, you can actually go here and have one shipped to you: http://www.bakewelltartshop.co.uk/index.php. See, I don't just tantalize people, like Sharon does.

Note to Annie: on our way to Bakewell, we passed Chatsworth House (in someone else's photo, to the right). Mr D'arcy was not at home, but we didn't stop.

The English countryside is just as gorgeous as ever, though. I admit to being struck speechless again by the beauty of it.

The town of Bakewell has lots of little shops (ye olde shoppes), and I got my Christmas shopping underway there. As you can see, we had a sunny, gorgeous day for duck-feeding and shopping.


Bakewell streets:




We had dinner on the way home at The Gate, where we'd had a good meal 18 months ago. Here is a rarely seen view, out the loo window:


Enjoyed several fantastic meals during these days, courtesy of Sharon. Also was introduced to some good films: Whistle Down the Wind (1961, starring Haley Mills, about a group of kids who think a man hiding in a local barn is Jesus Christ), which is apparently now an Andrew Lloyd Weber musical?! And The Descent (2005 horror movie with some excellent scares). I'd recommend both of those, incidentally.

Noticed two cultural differences between the US and UK:
1. Women on TV in the UK have flesh. They swan blithely about, as if having non-silicone curves is totally acceptable. Even store mannequins are made to look like real women, rather than teenaged boys' basketball players. It was odd.
2. The "reality" of Reality Television is infinately more optimistic, there. Here, we watch reality tv so we can sit smugly judging people with the social skills of Ted Bundy tear their lives apart for our viewing pleasure. There... well, it was downright educational. There were game shows where people competed to be the most "Green" (ecologically friendly lifestyle) and how to make money at swap meets or in real estate. Quiz shows that are always educational were using comedians to make the show enjoyable to watch, or known geniuses... In short, it was as if it's ok to be a smart person, there. I think they're up to something.

My last day in England, Matt and I went to town and bought bus tickets (those of you who call me Cinderella will be amused to know that they call a long-distance bus a "coach", there) to London for the next day. Only after purchase did I realise that we'd be getting up at 4am to catch our ride - about 2 hours after when we'd been going to bed.