derby

derby, originally uploaded by benjaminhyun.

Derbyshire to be exact.

Debbie is obsessed with this place - it was the setting for Mr. Darcy's house (castle) in Pride & Prejudice.

This was, actually, my first real stop in England - I hadn't even hit London yet. I found myself on a 5 hour train ride out to Derbyshire, and because of this England was not London. England was not checkered taxi cabs, Big Ben, the Beatles, and double-breasted coats.

England was grassy hills, long stretched-out clouds, and crisp crisp crisp air. England was charming people with charming accents - polite in every way.

Upon arriving in Derbyshire, we found out that the house was a 25-30 minute bus ride away...and the next bus was to arrive in 45-60 minutes. And...we only had about 2-3 hours left before the Chatsworth House was to close up for the day. Bollocks, right?

"You only live once" so I took the spill and got us a taxi out to the house for a debt-aggregating toll. But, it was so worth it.

I saw the real England. There were sheep in white coats, jolly Englishmen with bright red noses, and of course the luxurious antiquity of a once-powerhouse and extravagant nation. Simply amazing gardens, statues, and over-priced sandwiches.

I can't wait to go back one day.