Family visit

Friday (9/2)
No classes, so I wandered into town a few hours early. Eventually met up with the rest of the Butler Nottingham contingent at the station. The train ride was long and boring (not much to see after dark), but thankfully uneventful.

Upon arriving in the lovely little town of Marple Bridge, we all met our host families with a very generous 'traditional British dinner' -- at an Indian restaurant. Curry, over the past few decades, has become as much of a national food as, say, Yorkshire pudding. Met my host parents -- Andrew, who works as a consultant, and Stephanie, an occupational therapist.

Saturday (10/2)
Went with the whole group into the city of Manchester -- I liked what I saw, though I'm told the city as a whole isn't that great. Paid a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry, which seems pretty good, and is also free. I particularly enjoyed an exhibit on Manchester's sewage system, complete with a replica sewer (really).

After that, we had lunch at a nice Spanish restaurant, then went to watch a football game at a pub in Marple.

That night, all the students and their families gathered at my host family's house for a rather large party. More than a few people in attendance ended up, shall we say... well, you get the idea.

Sunday (11/2)
I woke up feeling awful, but fortunately recovered in time for lunch at the house of another host family - Ian and... damn, I'm forgetting his wife's name already. Should she happen to read this, I do apologize. The food was amazing, the house was lovely, and the view utterly incredible.

After that, time to take the train home. Except it was cancelled. Fortunately, there was a bus offered instead at no cost -- only got us home a little later.