Day 7 - Goodbye Blackpool!

After an agonizingly late night packing up after latin medley, I finally got to bed at about 4:30am. Just in time to take a short nap for an hour or two so i could wake up and pack my own things before breakfast. We said our goodbye's to dear Margret and Jodi (our proprietors and house ladies.) and loaded up on a bus. We made a short stop at the Preston England LDS temple, which was pleasant. Next thing i remember i was waking up to a giant house! It was Chattsworth house. Home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire for like.. 500 years. It was absolutely amazing! The landscape completely changed. We were more inland, and the sea turned into rolling hills, the air became so much cleaner, the fish and chip houses turned into local markets with fresh produce and such. Was a brilliant change! (ok maybe ive been in England too long..) We spent almost 6 hours at Chattsworth house, exploring miles and miles of gardens, fountains, ponds, lakes, statues, art, and the list goes on! Inside the house, i took an audio tour, which takes you through the mansion room by room, explaining the wall murals, paintings, art and history of the estate. The pictures are just a few of my favorite pieces (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=177342&id=511366796&l=af74f58ec2) (i have my own reasons for why i liked each piece, if youd like to know, just ask!) As we walked in, everyone took pictures with each other, rotating in and out and it was taking.. FOREVER.. so after a brunch with the team, i decided to set off on my own. I must say, best decision ive made this trip! I foresee it happening again in future destinations. I realized, that there are only 2 people that would enjoy the same things i would enjoy (the 2 other art majors) and one is married, and rolls with the married kids group, and the other is attached to his other 3 parts, and separating them would be like dismembering someone. I was able to explore the culture, art, and history of this site unmolested, and then catch up with the group later. It was awesome! On the last hour of the trip, we had seen what we all wanted to see and do, and were just wasting time. So myself, Logan and Camille Spence decided to take a stroll to one of the ponds. While sitting on the grass, this pheasant flew down and landed about 100 feet away. Turned, looked straight at us, and headed straight for us! We're thinking, cool, it will stop soon, but a pleasant sight. But it didn't.. it just kept coming! closer, and closer.. Camille squealed, Logan pulled out a camera. Then it came closer.. and closer.. and it stopped about a foot away from us and just looked at us for a good 3 or 4 minutes! Was really quite interesting. There were lots of animals on the estate from chickens, to sheep, and various fowl, but none let us get this close! Eventually a gaggle of giggling Chinese girls ran up to it and it flew away. We are now at our 1 night hotel, its muggy and hot, but at least there's wi-fi! As we were getting off the bus, Scott announced the various rooms available. This ended in a giant drama mess that could easily be resolved with simple pre-planing and logic. But i bit my tongue this time. I ended up in a 3 person room with only 1 other person. Besides, had i said anything i probably would have been yelled at for pointing out common sense, as i usually am. <3 pride! Anyway, with as hot and muggy as it is, and most of England lacking in air conditioners, having only 1 other room mate and having my own bed is a blessing in disguise. Tomorrow, Chattwick Castle!