Hello World! England 2011: Day 1

I'm in England! To be precise, at this point I'm in the Lake District and this is a bunch of kids from college who are on tour with me. Their first educational stop off the plane is Dove Cottage, home of W Wordsworth.

Wordsworth's actual cottage, external photos -- as expected -- allowed only. Inside, the cottage is quite cramped, for a two-storey edifice. People were obviously much more sociable and smaller-built then for the cottage to accommodate a family, domestic help, frequent houseguests and a dog. Quite a number of Wordsworth's personal belongings on display, so there's a real sense of connection to the man and his period in history.

All the kids, finally together for a group shot.

Our accommodation for the night: a Youth Hostel facing Lake Windermere.  Quite cosy, though the rooms are meant to be shared three or more to a room. I have a room to myself: a perk of being a chaperone. So it's me with a choice of top or bottom in my bunk bed, or the mattress on the floor. Toilet and shower facilities are communal, so guess who's waking up early to make the best use of them?

Wholesome, hearty, nutritious university style hostel food. Thick tomato basil soup, pasta in beef bolognaise sauce and a sweet apple crumble. Stuff to shovel into mouth and stomach in large quantities. Happy.

A view of the lake from the edge of the bay. Our hostel is the building on the left. We have a grand panoramic view of the lake and the hills on the far bank. My room faces behind -- a glorious vista of the back alley and the neighbour's backyard.

Day 1 settled. Shops close early around here, so there's nothing to do but admire the scenery and turn in for an early night.