foxton locks

A couple of weeks ago, we had this amazing week of weather. It was in the 80's for almost the whole week. We didn't even have that nice of weather in the summer.  We enjoyed every that was free outside. We rented a car for the weekend to explore some of our local countryside and we went to the beach. The beach was disappointing and extremely crowded, but we had a fantastic time at the foxton locks.

There are many canals around England and you can take a narrow boat around them to different cities and through out the countryside. An area near Leicester is Foxton Locks. There are ten different locks that the boats have to go though to get to the next canal. At the end of the locks there is a pub, restaurant and an inn. You can walk along the canals and also do some country walks.

The ten staircase locks. It takes about 45 minutes per boat to get through them all.

As we were walking up the locks, we were excited to see a narrow boat go through the locks.

They start by locking them in between the locks.

Then slowly the water starts to drain out of the lock

Once the water is low enough so the water is the same on the other side of the gates. Then they open the gates and they go through to the next lock.

and out they go

 

and the water fills back up again.

Walking along the canals

 

The inn and pubs. Because the weather was so nice there were a ton of people hanging out and eating, having a picnic or a drink near the canal.

Foxton Locks was a great day.

These are the only two beach pictures that were worth putting up. The tide was out so it was more like mud than sand. And after being to the beaches in Destin, nothing compares.

My Birthday

On my Birthday we went to Chatsworth House. It is where they filmed Pemberley House in Pride and Prejudice.  It was a magnificent house and we had a great day. 

Chastworth house is owned by the Duke of Devonshire.  Georgiana the Duchess of Devonshire (late 1700's) lived in this house. If you have ever seen the movie "The Duchess" with Keira Knightley, it is about Georgiana's life.

 

Taking a tour of the house, it was so beautiful

There are 105 acres of gardens and land at  Chatsworth, so we did a lot of exploring.

There were hidden gardens, ponds and structures all over the land

There is also a hedge row maze. I have always wanted to go into a hedge row maze. So much fun.

The weeping tree. It was made out of bronze, but still look real.

After Chatsworth house, we went to the Peak District and did some site seeing.

Funny cow itching his neck.

It was such a great birthday!!! Thank you Kit for everything. I love you.

Elams in Leicester

The last of the Elam Trip pictures. It was such a wonderful trip and we are so thankful when family can come and visit us! Thank you Barb, Dave, Cody and Jenni!!!

Veggie Sausages, mash potatoes, and mushy peas at our local pub the William Wigston. 

Mushy peas are a new food to us, it is kind of like mashed potatoes only with peas.

Riding the bus around Leicester

We walked around the University of Leicester. Here is Cody in the Student Union.

The building the Kit works at

Exploring Leicester

The outdoor market in Leicester

Having a drink at one of our favorite pubs

This is a view of the street we live on. 

Our house is the white one!

This is how they deliver the mail around our neighborhood

We rented a car and went for a walk in the country side around Leicester. We finally got a good picture of the 6 of us! Perfect picture with the English landscape behind us.

Jumping for England!

 

A cow we walked by in the country

The bus stop by near our house, this is where we wait for the bus every day.

The Blues Brothers

I had to work, but the rest of the Elam crew went to the Peak District, 

(about an hour and half drive north of us) for a bike ride.

The town of Matlock

Drinks looking over the English country side.

The last night we were all together we went out to my favorite Italian restaurant in Leicester for my Birthday dinner. It was super yummy!

They surprised me when we got home with a cake and presents. I don't know if you can see the candles but they spell my name. So awesome!

Happy 31st birthday to me!