I had again reached a point in my trip when it was time to get a job. When searching for a job I decided live-in-work was probably the best option considering my funds where very minimal. A few days of emails and phone calls and I had a job. I got a job as a general assistant at Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere.
I left London on a bus and 12 hours later I was in Grasmere in the Lakes District in the North of England. I knew very little about the job or the town but they were the first to give me a job so that was good enough for me.
I arrived into Grasmere and walked in the rain to Glenthorne to meet my new workmates and see the guest house. It hasn't stopped raining since. I have seen more rain in the last five days than the last year together. I was shown to my room and what a luxury it is to have my own room after months of sleeping in hostels or on mates floors. Then I headed to the pub with a my kiwi next door neighbour and workmate Ben. Grasmere has two main pubs and on Thursday night we went to Tweedies for Trivia Night. I met some of the locals and we almost won the trivia.
My first day of work went well. I help serve breakfast in the mornings, then clean rooms for a few hours, then get a few hours break before serving dinner. It is the first time I have worked this kind of job but it is pretty good. One of the benefits is we get to eat what the guests eat. This includes an all you can eat breakfast, packed lunch and three course dinner.
In my hours off in the middle of the day I have been wandering around Grasmere and learning what goes on. I have discovered that Grasmere is famous for being the home of poet William Woodsworth from 1799 to 1808. Woodsworth's former house is now a museum and the main tourist attraction in the town, I plan to take a tour through their soon. He described the area as ''the loveliest place that man hath ever known.'' My Lonely Planet Europe on a Shoestring guide describes Grasmere as ''occupying a graceful spot amid meadows, woods and water, Grasmere is a delight.'' I tend to agree more with Lonely Planet than Woodsworth. I agree it is beautiful but not the most beautiful I have ever seen.
Yesterday was the Grasmere games and show. It is one of the biggest events on the Grasmere calender. Constant rain did not stop thousands of people from turning out to see the dog show, view the hot rods and taste the local food. The main attraction though at the games is the Cumberland and West Morland Wrestling, an odd form of wrestling where competitors lock their hands behind their opponents back then try wrestle them to the ground. The fell running also attracts a lot of competitors, it is pretty much running straight up and then straight back down a really steep hill.
I have the next couple of days off so I plan to visit some of the neighbouring towns and see some more of the Lakes District. I plan to work at Glenthorne until the end of the season in November. Hopefully in that time I will be able to save some money to continue travelling.
I left London on a bus and 12 hours later I was in Grasmere in the Lakes District in the North of England. I knew very little about the job or the town but they were the first to give me a job so that was good enough for me.
I arrived into Grasmere and walked in the rain to Glenthorne to meet my new workmates and see the guest house. It hasn't stopped raining since. I have seen more rain in the last five days than the last year together. I was shown to my room and what a luxury it is to have my own room after months of sleeping in hostels or on mates floors. Then I headed to the pub with a my kiwi next door neighbour and workmate Ben. Grasmere has two main pubs and on Thursday night we went to Tweedies for Trivia Night. I met some of the locals and we almost won the trivia.
My first day of work went well. I help serve breakfast in the mornings, then clean rooms for a few hours, then get a few hours break before serving dinner. It is the first time I have worked this kind of job but it is pretty good. One of the benefits is we get to eat what the guests eat. This includes an all you can eat breakfast, packed lunch and three course dinner.
In my hours off in the middle of the day I have been wandering around Grasmere and learning what goes on. I have discovered that Grasmere is famous for being the home of poet William Woodsworth from 1799 to 1808. Woodsworth's former house is now a museum and the main tourist attraction in the town, I plan to take a tour through their soon. He described the area as ''the loveliest place that man hath ever known.'' My Lonely Planet Europe on a Shoestring guide describes Grasmere as ''occupying a graceful spot amid meadows, woods and water, Grasmere is a delight.'' I tend to agree more with Lonely Planet than Woodsworth. I agree it is beautiful but not the most beautiful I have ever seen.
Yesterday was the Grasmere games and show. It is one of the biggest events on the Grasmere calender. Constant rain did not stop thousands of people from turning out to see the dog show, view the hot rods and taste the local food. The main attraction though at the games is the Cumberland and West Morland Wrestling, an odd form of wrestling where competitors lock their hands behind their opponents back then try wrestle them to the ground. The fell running also attracts a lot of competitors, it is pretty much running straight up and then straight back down a really steep hill.
I have the next couple of days off so I plan to visit some of the neighbouring towns and see some more of the Lakes District. I plan to work at Glenthorne until the end of the season in November. Hopefully in that time I will be able to save some money to continue travelling.
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