Today is my third Sunday in Nottingham. I am officially "settled in" to my own satisfaction, having finished unpacking/buying new things on Friday. My room is comfortable and cheerful. Last Saturday I bought a swivel chair, rug, lamp, and duvet cover at IKEA, and had previously bought small flowers for my windowsill, a bin for extra clothes, quality comforter and pillow. My previously shipped suitcases arrived last Friday night and I was too busy to finish unpacking them for the week following. What have I been busy with you ask?
I finally finished the scarf I started knitting in Sweden (!) and am already a foot into the next one. I've been attending math and econometrics reviews daily (for about 4 hours a day, with a 1 hour lunch break in the middle). Walking everywhere makes transitions lengthy (i.e. 30 minutes to school in the morning, 30 minutes home), so that takes up time. Grocery shopping, laundry (we have a washer but I dry some clothes at the laundrett down the street), and bank-related errands take time. I take a lot of tea and coffee breaks- usually with new friends.
Last Saturday I went rambling in the Peak District, aka I went hiking (about 1.5 hours away) in some really beautiful terrain. For those who are familiar with Pride and Prejudice, this is where Elizabeth went on holiday with her aunt and uncle, and a scene of her standing on the hill, wind blowing in her hair, was filmed very near to the hills we climbed. We left campus at 9, started hiking about 10:30 and finished about 4:00, and had some tea and scones before heading home. See lovely pictures below:
Starting out across green fields...
Walking towards the hills we would climb.
Standing at the top with Annie!
Ben and Rose really enjoying their Devonshire cream tea!
This weekend was again wonderful, but again, it leaves me feeling more tired than before it began! I went out with some economics students Friday night, and picked up some fellow Marshalls at the train station in the morning. It was great to hang out with Sally, Emma, and Kelcie and get to know them (and Nottingham) better. We did the touristy things, sat in coffee shops, cooked a delicious dinner, and quite enjoyed ourselves. Today we attempted to go to Wollaton Park, but couldn't find the entrance on foot and gave up after about 45 minutes of walking.
Tomorrow would be the first day of real classes, except that I don't have any classes on Monday. Instead I will do some "maths" as they call it here, and hopefully make a productive day of it. Wednesday I start horseback riding lessons with the riding society :)
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