Harlaxton 2016: Tolethorpe Hall

By:  Amber Carroll

Sleep—a teenager’s best friend. Today was the first time since we have been in England that any of us have managed to sleep in. Class today began at 1:00 pm, therefore, granting all of us a few extra hours to sleep in. A select few, on the other hand, still decided to wake up early in order to attend breakfast. I, along with many others, were not that dedicated. Most of us woke up just in time for lunch and class. I, personally, was fine with that. Most of us needed a break because we have been so exhausted with all of our adventures lately.

In class we had our usual quiz. Today’s quiz was over The Wind in the Willows, a novel in which I thoroughly enjoyed. Wrapping up the end of class was a guest speaker, Sarah Fox, a recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship which allowed her to study here in the United Kingdom at the University of Birmingham. Sarah shared her insight on her study abroad experience here in the UK and also on the application process for a Fulbright Scholarship.

At the conclusion of Sarah’s talk, she joined us on a trip to Poundland and Morrison’s to gather supplies for a picnic that we had at Tolethorpe Hall. We had about a two-hour picnic while sitting on plush blankets provided by Harlaxton College. I, personally, have become quite fond of our picnics here in England, and I’m sure many others will agree with me. Derick even told my group today that, “we really have learned how to picnic since we have been here,” and I have to say that I agree with him.

The weather was beautiful and it was hard to break away from our picnic to watch the play, The Wind in the Willows. Once the sun went down, it began to get chilly, as Derick said it would. Thanks to Harlaxton, though, we were covered… Literally. (Bad joke, sorry). The play had us laughing steadily throughout and I really enjoyed the actor’s liveliness. At the conclusion of the play we headed back to our home away from home, Harlaxton Manor. Once we arrived back around 11:15 pm, we were exhausted and ready for bed, but very eager for the next early morning trip to Stratford-Upon Avon.