A Weekend in the English Countryside

I spent this weekend with Melyni Bronson Thory, and her family at their home in the English countryside!!  I found Melyni through the Grove City College alumni database earlier this semester.  (She has connected me with her work at Masterclassing, where I have live tweeted at events!)  Her family generously hosted me for the weekend, and showed me all around their little corner of the world!  It was really wonderful to spend a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of London, where I could come to appreciate some very traditional English culture!

Their house is located in the countryside between Oundle and Thrapston, England!  It is called the "Lock House" because a lock where boats enter the Nene river is in their backyard!  About half an hour from the city of Peterborough, their area consists of a number of small villages spread out along the countryside.  The atmosphere was one of traditional English warm colors with stone cottages and thatched roofs, winding roads and grassy fields of sheep and horses, churches and pubs, and kind people who have weaved their lives together in a simple way that seems to suit the land they live on.

Some of the highlights of the weekend included:

- the Oundle Farmers' Market Saturday morning
- wandering through a traditional English candy shop in Oundle
- exploring Stamford
- touring Burghley House (a grand 16th century estate in Stamford!)
- English foods (Shepard Pie, Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, Yorkshire Pudding, Eton Mess, and Hot Cross Buns!)

 

What a nice treat to experience a weekend in the English countryside! =)