My First WEEK in LEEDS

Hello all! I've just spent the last week settling into my new house and meeting new friends in Leeds. I've met many of Rob and Victoria's friends and they have been very welcoming. Lots of beer and food has been consumed (I love all occasions that involve food) Although I am missing not having nachos with my beer (They eats chips (CRISPS) by the bagful in pubs)

Lets take a moment and discuss CRISPS...they have the weirdest flavors. I assume this goes back to the FOOT and Mouth disease that wiped out the meat industry in the UK several years ago. To replace the high cost of meat and its rareity they came up with ham and pickle chips, beef and mustard, bacon, prawns, roast chicken , BBQ wings, etc. Even sunflower seeds come in a beef flavor????? My favorite is the roast chicken flavoured crisps. Hhmmmmmmm...

Ah well, Jenny (new friend) took me out to the dales last Sunday (To Malcom) to do a hike. It was great, I even got the chance to climb up a waterfall at one point. ( I was only a bit wet)
The "Pudsey Pacers" are my new running group, they run Tuesdays and Thursdays and they start and finish all runs at the local pub. (WHAT A GREAT IDEA) Last night (Thursday Aug 30th) our run involved a scavenger hunt (always on the last Thursday of the month). Its a timed event, with about 17 locations to find. It was hilarious to see all these pairs of people running around a forested area through brambles and thorns trying to find each location. Again, this activity finished with a drink and dinner at the local pub!! (My partner and I did not do very well, we found each location, but did not answer the questions very well)

Getting around the city has been good, except for every time I go into downtown. I spend on average 1/2 hr looking for this particular "subway" restaurant so that i know where I am. I have yet to get out of downtown leeds on the first try. I usually spend 30 mins circling around looking for an exit I recognize. (THEY DON"T SEEM TO BELIEVE IN STREET SIGNS)

Plans for this weekend ivolve heading back to the dales for a trail run on Saturday and maybe going to the "Salt Mills" here in leeds on Sunday. Hopefully the weather holds.

Anyways, I am having a great time and am looking forward to starting work on Monday. I'll let you know how that goes.

Scotland Part B

Hello all!!! I have just finished my Scotland vacation. I spent over a week up in the highland hiking on the less rainy days (or trail running) and sightseeing on the wet days. I came to the conclusion that if I see another castle I will run screaming.......All in all, the highlands were my favorite part of the trip; I met lots of people in the hostels (football season had just started back up and their were games to watch) and there were lots of things to do. I managed to stumble onto a local version of the highland games outside of fort William, and I got to see the caber toss, hammer throw and the hill run, among other activities. The triple jump, while already complicated, was even more difficult when preformed when wearing a kilt. The gentleman who won the hammer throw, had to put down his beer before every throw he made (While I was watching he had 3 beer???)

I've made it back to Leeds and am now working to settle in. Where is the grocery store, library, blockbuster.....etc. I'll probably be going into the school next week to start the planning process. It will be nice to be back to work!!!

Talk to you soon

Travelling Scotland PART A

I thought I would give an update as to what I've been upto. Because I am currently traveling from hostel to hostel I haven't downloaded any pictures but will add them when I can.

On Aug 9th I left Leeds and headed north to Edinburgh (pronounced Edinbra??) Talking encouragingly to Nessie (my car) I set out with 3 maps and a little else. This was one of my first excurisons on a UK highway (The A1) I discovered that in town communities they posted speed limits but as you left town limits all they had was a sign (it was a big white cirlce, with a black line through it). It became obvious that this sign means that you are to drive at the fasted speed you and your car could handle.....Traffic was flying past Nessie and I, as her tiny 1 litre engine (12 yrs old) could only manage a confortable 65 miles/hr. Any faster and she sounded sick and started to shake.

Undeterred by the speeding traffic, I eventually reached Edinburgh (After several pit stops to give Nessie a break) My hostel was located 1 block off the Royal Mile during the cities biggest festival (The Fringe!!), as you can imagine traffic was horrible, there were people everywhere and I had not yet figured out how they labelled the streets. (There are no sign posts, instead there are ground level labels on rock walls and building) Once I found the hostel I went straight out into the city to look around. And for the next three days I saw 6 shows, took in 2 museums, 1 castle, a bus tour, a whiskey tasting and a tonne of local food. When not enagaged as stated I amused my self with the 30 or so street preformers all down the Royal mile. Everything from contortionists, to juggles, bagpipe players and comedians. I LOVE Edinburgh!!! (Everyone should visit it during the fringe festival)

Eventually I had to leave, next stop Inverness!!! Along the rute to Inverness I stopped to see Mary Queen of Scots favorite castle "Stirling Caslte" which was a must see!! I headed off to St. Andrews the home of golf to take a quick picture (It was pouring rain at the time, so I did not go walking around). Most of the drive was through the Cainngorm Mountains (Where I will be going hiking tomorrow if the weather is okay) The next day (after arriving at Inverness) was spent looking at 3 casltes (pictures coming) 1 military fort (Fort George is a Must) and a scenic Coastal drive down the east coast. A full day, although this was a day spent eating from the car (not restaurants) seeing as I was trying to save some money after I over spent in Edinburgh. I will be posting a picture late of my favorite car food "Malty Fruit Loaf" Thank you Rob and Vicky for introducing me to my new favorite snack.

Tomorrow is yet another day, with many plans, hopefully hiking in the mountains (it is supposed to rain, but then it is always raining...) but if not there are whiskey tours to take, a lochness monster to find and a Soccer game to watch at the local pub.

I hope this keeps you up to date on "Alison's Travels". I will be updating this with pictures ASAP . Especially the picture of my lunch on Sunday....A baked potatoe stuffed with haggis and cheese.

By the way Hayley, do you remember the "hat" I bought in Utah....Well it has been well worn allready.....pictures to come.


Alison

Newly arrived in England

I have been here in Leeds for 2.5 days. hanging out with Rob and Victoria, they have been introducing me to friends of theirs and more importantly their favorite restaurants for Indian food and Fish and chips. 2 hours after getting to Leeds, Rob and I went for a walk around the canal system (perfect for running) just so he could show me his favorite pub (great beer, great atmosphere, trivia nights on sundays, and a jam session on tuesdays) It was here that I had my first European pint of "pippins" ale and I met the bar keep Martin. I have a feeling that this will be a popular destination. I've actually just got back from a trivia night where I met many of the regulars and had a great time trying to understand the questions being asked (the quiz master is from newcastle and speaks with a "Gordi" accent) He has promised me a Canadian quiz night some time in september so that I will have a chance to win.

Victora has taken me on three of her favorite runs. These are trails runs through hill and dale, taking me across streams, pastures and woodlands. I have been covered in mud and happy as can be. Vicky seems to think I will remember the locations of these runs to do over and over. (this may be a problem)

I should soon be driving....hopefully tomorrow if things go okay (getting a car is easy, it is the insurance that is difficult)

Anyways, this is pretty much all for now. I will update with details of car and Scotland as I will be heading there on Thurday (Aug 9th) for the Fringe Festival

Cheers!!

Alison