The end of an Era - HARRY POTTER FINISHED!

So.... We really wanted to have a post dedicated to all of the lovely Harry Potter sites we have traveled to - after all, this is the HP Mecca for die-hard fans. Stay tuned for a follow-up post with the robemakers and the great hall...

This is a genuine wand pre-magicification. The wand chooses the wizard, you know.

Yes, this is the exact spot that Harry had his first flying lesson as well. I was glad we got there and had our "experience" before the Japanese tour group caught up and the Asian girls started jumping up and down screaming and waving their cameras... oh puh-leeze.

The only disappointment about leaving before September 1st is that there is construction at King's Cross during the summer (off-season for Hogwarts) so Platform 9 3/4 was buried under scaffolding - not even my camera could make its way through the fences and caution tape, let alone a whole trolley. Ah, well, at least I can still believe it's possible to walk through walls...

This is Dustin trying out his first spell - and I must say he is a natural!

Yes, Potter fans, you are correct: this is the site where the books were conceived. The Elephant House in Edinburgh is the pub where JK Rowling created Harry on the back of a napkin.

We even got our hands on a Hogwarts' toilet seat! The Elephant Hosue wouldn't let us take it with us, though.

Yes, yes, we DID see the final Harry Potter movie. at midnight. in 3-D. IN ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even thought the books/movies have ended, the world of Harry Potter lives on. I was trying to get into the library early one morning and could not find the right button/card swipe/secret brick to tap until a lady walked up and showed me how to unlock the door saying "This is Cambridge, not Hogwarts." That must be our next study abroad destination then!

Way up north -- Hartlepool and Hadrian's Wall

On August 5th we embarked on a journey to explore the English countryside.

Above: Our lovely missionary tour guides and ever-so-gracious hosts. Aunt Barbara and Uncle Mel, thanks for making the trip possible!

We made it to Hartlepool just in time to see the sunset as we walked along the shoreline (couldn't really call it a beach).

At first sight of the North Sea Lu couldn't contain herself; she just had to jump right in. Looks like Lu needs to go to the ocean more often...

This is how you get wet feet in case you were wondering.

After sleeping in "the palace" missionary accommodations, we were off to see what England had to offer.

Our first stop was Alnwick Castle (pronounced Ah-nik). The same family has owned the castle for 700 hundred years and it was full of interesting history. The Earls of Northumberland and their family still live here for most of the year (minus tourist season).

What a beautiful day for travel, no?
Lu's ready for the attack on the castle. Can the cannons ward off the enemy?
Holy smokes! The enemy inside castle walls!
But of course we vanquished the foe in the end and all received honourary knighthood for our valour.

The next league of our journey was a few steps farther back in history: to the time of the Romans.

How often do you think about Roman soldiers roaming the British countryside? Well, in the days of Hadrian it was a common sight. (And as for our pant legs, no, we didn't jump in the ocean again--same result when you get caught in the typical English downpour....)

We trekked through the rain and mud and sheep pastures so we could hike on the ancient wall.

Hadrian's wall did not disappoint.

Again, we can't thank Aunt Barbara and Uncle Mel enough for this one. Driving in a car to all the places we wanted and eating wonderful food after weeks of second-rate cafeteria food really brightened our spirits.

The Cupboard Under the Stairs

You heard right. We live under the stairs. We have a lovely little window looking out into the hallway. Here's a view of the stairs from INSIDE our house. This is our ceiling: It's not as bad as it sounds (sounds kinda like *clunk, clunk). Sure, you have college kids going up and down like the Dursleys till all hours, but it is exactly what we are used to living in.

Complete with a spacious kitchen...

And the all-new 'double-double' bed! Life couldn't get much better than this!

Tea and Crumpets - Part 1

If you ever find yourself in England, make sure to stop by Grantchester for Tea at the Orchard. Tea at the Orchard has been a Cambridge tradition since 1897, providing the peace and tranquility for such greats as Virginia Woolf and Keynes.

The food was as enjoyable as the intellectual conversation. The elderflower soda was particularly good.

Pinkys up everyone!

The walk from Cambridge to Grantchester is one of the most beautiful we have been on whilst in England. We wouldn't mind moving in someday.

Get on your kilts everyone!

SCOTLAND!


After our stop at Fountain Abbey we were on our way to the green hills of Scotland. We could practically hear the bagpipes calling us in.

Oh wee white rose of Scotland tell tae me

When wad ye rise and bloom wi fient a thorn
When wad ye rise up haill and straucht and free
Nae mair tae dwine forfochten and forlorn*

On the bus ride to Edinburgh we sang a Scottish tune and prepared ourselves for haggis (goat stomach) and black pudding.
A full English breakfast--minus the tomatoes and plus some haggis (which is actually quite tasty).

One of our first acts was to conquer the nearby high point of Edinburgh, Aurthur's Seat.

From our vantage point, we mapped out the path we would take to see the city.

We were able to get in with some of the locals...

Lu spent some good time in Narnia...

We played dress-ups...

We saw Edinburgh Castle...

We even stopped by Hagrid's hut!

We also saw tons of cemeteries, cool buildings, and museums.

Looks a little like cemeteries in Rohan...

Wouldn't mind living here...
These must be the Borgias dressed up as Scots (better make sure you eat with silver chopsticks for the next few meals, Lu).

We had had a pretty full day. But it was only 3 o'clock in the afternoon. We were getting pretty tired, but more adventure was coming our way--weather we liked it or not...

Abbey

We stopped at Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire on the way to Scotland. This was perhaps the most beautiful place we have been to yet!

I think the photos speak for themselves.

To Jared: Is this a redwood??

Don't be fooled by the serene beauty. There is always plenty of adventure wherever we go. We tried taking the 'shortcut' back to the bus. Well, let's just say that we got a good half-mile run in order to make it on time :)

AMAZING.