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.