Double-decker Bus!

We had an unexpectedly nice day on Saturday. A new friend from Ethan's work, Megan, invited us to dinner at her home in a village called Pateley Bridge. Being car-less still, we decided to take a bus, since Megan had a stop just around the corner from her house.

At first I was a little hesitant about going. It was going to take us about a half hour to walk to the bus station, and then then bus ride itself was a good 45 minute ride. If we had a car, this would all have been a 20 minute car-ride. (I'm such an American, aren't I???) But, seeing as we had nothing to do, and seeing how I was really desperate for some female companionship, I went along for the ride.

How delighted the kids were when they saw that the bus we were taking was a double-decker! They ran onto the bus, up the stairs, and positioned themselves right in front. They squealed with delight the entire time as if it was an amusement park ride. And while we weren't trying to keep the kids from being too loud, Ethan and I enjoyed a wonderful view of the countryside. It was everything you'd expect to see in an English countryside... vast green fields divided by century-old trees and stone fences... sheep everywhere! Along the way, we drove through small villages where every house, church, and pub was built of stone.... so charming! It really was a beautiful ride.

The bus dropped us off at our stop in Pateley Bridge. I was relieved that Megan's house was indeed only around the corner from the bus stop. We had a wonderful time getting to know her and three other Americans she had invited. I was also so excited to find out that she quilts! I almost kissed her when she said that! I've been looking for someone to teach me to quilt for a while. Yes, I've been trying to make baby quilts, but I am self-taught (if you don't count my book, "Quilting for Dummies!"). I think it's time I had a real teacher.

So anyway, it was a lovely day! We had a wonderful ride, and made some new friends... it was a good day indeed!