FREE AT LAST!

Hello everybody,

Yet again a week has passed and there has happend a lot the last week. I write everything down what I cannot type on my laptop (which was the whole last week =P) but I forgot to bring it with me, so I'll just have to remember them. You'll hear most of it in the next blog I presume.

Because of the Easter holidays, they have chocolate eggs to give away. They've ordered 2000 eggs, Cadbury gave 5000. So I have got 4 eggs already given to me, could become more. XD

Friday, I felt even worse after being on a computer so I went ' home' and enjoyed laying in bed.

Saturday, I went cycling to Arrington, because I wanted to go to Orwell. Sounds logical! Anyway, I turned left, where I should've turned right. Therefore, instead of riding a flat piece of land, I traveled over all hills (or so it seemed) in Cambridgeshire. I was exhausted when I arrived in Arrington, but I saw when the bus leaves to Cambridge, so yay, I could go back again. Oh, side note, I had a pulsing headache and I think fever all day. When I got back, I laid in bed the whole day, I felt wrecked.

Sunday. I enjoyed the nice day. By laying in bed. With: -Headache -Fever -All sorts of pain which made my day crap.

Monday. I worked in the gardens. (SUPRISE SUPRISE!) But that never is any fun with a headache! At least Philip and Andy had given me my own pair of gloves! *proud* But it was quite a nice day, not regarding the pains I had.

Tuesday. Did quite a lot of work today. During work, there was a photographer walking around, making official photos for some magazine. There was a photo taken of me working with 2 other volunteers, so maybe I'll be in that magazine! And during afternoon tea break, he also made some photos, where I probably am in the picture, so I hope I do make it to a English magazine!
Then I planted some Neptia plants, one volunteer called catnip, and since I have no idea about plants, I believed her.

Wednesday. I almost arrived late because I had to make lunch without proper food. They gave me some working boots, which are quite nice, but I guess that working boots hate me, because every pair I've had so far in my life, still keep scraping against my big toe. Anyway, we worked in the Parterre. We edged the paths and weeded them. Yay, most fun job of the estate I think.

Thursday. Today, I actually came in late! DAMN! It appeared that they were just walking out, so no worries. But I tried to make lunch without actual food, so that's kind of hard to do. We worked in the Walled Garden again, cutting Rhubarb (whatever the hell that is) and putting compost on the Dahlias. I then watered the main paths. During lunch, I gave ' stroopwafels' to the gardeners, which they enjoyed! Then I helped with planting some plants. In the evening, Rachel took me to her friends in Cambridge and we went drinking in a pub, then to the cinema: 'The boat that rocked' Quite a nice film. Didn't expect that. But it was fun, being under people my age(Or should I say, at least 3-5 years older =P) Returning to Wimpole at 11.42 pm, I saw a lot of stars, so you can bet on it that I will be star spotting in the next weeks!

Friday. I worked in the gardens yet again, this time we worked on the Parterre (behind Hall) again, edging and weeding the whole thing. After coffee break, we went to the walled garden where I weeded between garlic and watered the new grass turf. Now I'm sitting in front of a computer! I can't wait for my sweetie to arrive tomorrow! I want to show her lots of things..
I'll try to upload the photos to the slideshow!

Until next week (probably)!

Cheers!

--Joost

---TINY UPDATE!---

Photos have been uploaded! Enjoy!

Cheers!

--Joost

--FINALLY!!--

Well,

Even though I am typing this on my laptop so I can take to the computer where I can internet on,
It still is a blog =P

This is my third day, I do not know why I haven't started blogging on my laptop earlier...
Oh, now I remember, the bloody plug adapter is made so well that my laptop charger does not fit.
Every other plug does, just my laptop charger doesn't.

Anyway, my trip took about 17 hours (including waiting and all that) I sat next to a Chinese guy of whom I now have a phone number and some material about the Chinese language.
There were also 2 girls, going to London to party and then go back to Holland. They had shirts with shrooms on them, hmm I wonder where they went.
The only thing they knew was a number that they had to call when they were in London.

I was picked up in Royston by Richard (farm manager) who drove me to Wimpole. Dammit! Driving on the left never eases me.
This made me feel like the driver without having a steering wheel... Anyway,

I arrived at Wimpole where Richard introduced me to Rachel (the girl I will be staying with for the next 10,5 weeks and who already is here for a year or so.)
She showed me around a bit and then let me come to my senses a bit. After I unpacked in my room for 5 minutes, Linda brought me a cup of tea! How nice! Rachel cooked a shepards pie or something together with Linda (who was staying for Easter)
They shared some of their food with me, as the nearest supermarket was a 5 minute drive away, that would mean 15 min by bicycle... which would mean endless on foot.
But it was nice and they took great care of me.

Well, Linda gave me some of her things as she thought I needed to eat something, so I have had some wheat chunks for breakfast, yum.

The second day, I had to meet someone in the ticket office around 10. I would have to help in the car park, as today (Bank Holiday Monday)
would be a very busy day. I was introduced to Terry (Manager) Max and Thomas (assistants). I helped out in the car park and
gave people directions about where to park their car. We stopped about three 'o clock and I was told to relax.

Fine by me, but I am supposed to work somewhere around here, and that's hard if you do not know where to go, now is it?
'Come to the estate officce at half past 8.' is the only thing that was told to me.

At dinner, Rachel had a friend over for dinner, with whom she had Indian takeaway. She forgot that I did not have any food,
so my meal consisted out of Cup-A-Soup instant soup (Thanks, mum) and a half flattend ham&cheese croissant. Yum.

Today (Tuesday) I went to the estate office where I met Philip Whaites, Head Gardener, who is supposed to be my mentor for the 10,5 weeks.
He introduced me to the whole lot of gardeners and put me together with Andy, whom I worked with a lot today.

I began with hoeing and raking the weeds along the paths in the Walled Garden. I had come across some tulips named: 'APPELDOORN' I live in APELDOORN! WOW!
One hour later, Andy called me to him and said it was tea-time. Oh yeah, let's enjoy that!
So we had a cup of tea while I was introduced to the whole lot. Of course, there is always a problem with the pronouncing-my-name-issue, but they managed fairly well.
Then I hoed and raked another three or four hours in the sun (yup, it was hot.). Then we had a lunch break.
I told people that I did not have anything to eat really, just instant soup and the croissant I ate at lunch. The gardeners had pity with me, so
one gardener insisted that we went shopping after lunch, which we did. I bought a fair amount of things, mostly easy food, just the simple stuff like rice and sorts.

Then when we got back at the estate, I unpacked my groceries and went back to the garden, where I hoed some more. Then it was time for tea, again. Blimey! I almost felt like I did not have to work, but the shopping took so long.
After another delicious tea time (this happens only of tuesdays), I helped andy to pot a few plants. I can be proud of them and can show people:
'LOOK! I'VE PLANTED THOSE! ^_^' Especcially when Rianne comes here =D.
Then I helped Philip to hoe through some leftovers from the removal of fresh vegetables. He had cut some stuff up for me, so I could taste them, I believe they were Shonozia and Cauliever or something,
but they resembeled like selery(the second one) and a carrot (first one).
Another volunteer told me to get some books at the second hand shop, which was 2 metres away from my flat,so after washing my hands, I bought three of them for a pound!
I might buy another set...
When I got home, Rachel wasn't there (she would be out with her friend, eating out as well.) so I took a chicken and pasta salad,
ate it, ate a dessert and watched the Simpsons on the telly.

I have to work in the gardens again tomorrow, but I'm not sure what to do.. I'll probably upload this blog then XD
I'm really looking forward to see Rianne and walk her through the gardens, they are so beautiful!

The only word I could not stop saying was 'Wow.'

I'll try to post some pictures when I get the chance, but then everything has to work out on the computer I use.
Maybe it'll work to put some films I made on youtube.

I'll quit blogging, otherwise my laptop will be empty by the end of the week..

Cheerio!
And regards from Wimpole Stable Block Flat!

--Joost

--UPDATE--

FINALLY ON A PC NOW!

Well, Wednesday, I worked in the garden and we had a storm overnight, so I had worse expectations about the rest of the day, but it was better than I expected. I've weeded under the hedges and I've laid woodchips around the place which took until 5 PM. Together with Rachel, I went shopping at Tesco's, and there is so much to buy! God, maybe it isn't good, me staying for ten weeks...

Anyway, on Thursday, we had another storm overnight and I worked in the Pleasure Paths (the path towards the Gardens) and I had a pulsing headache the whole day! I still have actually...
Anyway, we edged the paths (which looks quite nice now! I'm proud!) until morning tea break and after that, I weeded under the trees along the pleasure paths.
Then I cutted some plants so they will grow even better.
Then I ate and showered. Today, I worked with two other people to help and make a new path. We succeeded! YAY! It looks beautiful and it will be more beautiful later this month.

While I'm typing this, my brother proposed to his girlfriend on national television! I cannot watch it yet (-_-;) because of some protection on this computer. DAMMIT. But I'll look if I can do anything about it.
CLICKY to see the video (I thought around 6:10, she would join the hostess..)

I wanted to upload some videos and stuff, but the blocker blockes:
Youtube, hotmail photo uploader, webmail, Hyves, and some other things...

I called to the Technical Support and they opened a browser with I could see all those things,
but unfortunately, I cannot upload videos on youtube -_-;

Maybe until soon! Otherwise, until next time.

Cheerio!

--Joost