Well, said the Red Queen to Alice, you’re certainly not in Kansas anymore!

Over the past 12 hours, I’ve formulated multiple versions of these notes, each reflecting the mood of the moment. They were all incredible true feelings in the moment but I’m finding it hard to re-encapsulate them in words. I usually carry around my notebook just for this purpose but, what with the 50 lb suitcases that I had in tow for most of today, I found my notebook a bit hard to access today. Mental note to carry less generally and to always carry a notebook.

The trip was rough. Simply not much fun. I barely slept. As the plane began to descend, I almost ran to the pilots to beg them to turn around and take me back to Montreal. Too much, too scary. I arrived in London grumpy and sleepy. I stood in the line for new students for an hour and then it took all of about 30 seconds to stamp my passport and let me into the country.

The trains in England are not inexpensive. Privatization has resulted in a myriad of companies and a confusing array of ticket prices ranging from “oh, I guess so” to “ouch” to “Good God, I’ll find another way to travel.” But the British rail system remains a lovely way to travel. I always forget how partial I am to trains and train travel. I’ve loved trains ever since an electric train-set was introduced into my childhood. The trip from London to Totnes was beautiful: rolling hills dotted with cows, stone farmhouses and, best of all, the sea shore! Or, rather, the English Channel. I quickly crossed the train to be even that much nearer to the sea – and realized how long it has been since I’ve really walked along the seashore. I hope I can remedy that soon.

The friendly editors at Wikipedia have this to say about a village: “From an English point of view, the village represents an ideal of England. Seen as being far from the bustle of modern life, it is quiet, harmonious, if a little inward-looking.” My first impressions of Totnes add up to this description. I picked a lovely day to arrive, the sun sneaking over the clouds and lighting up the village. I feel as though I’ve happened onto a very special little place but I’m not sure whether it reminds me more of my own Nelson, BC or of Rowling’s Hogsmeade. On the one hand, the entire array of health food/whole food/crystal healing/alternative medicine stores is right here, as if transplanted from the Kootenays. Even the books in the house in which I’m lodging are as familiar as my own toes! On the other hand, there is a castle (about 30 seconds walk from my house), and a mini-cathedrale (alright, a church, but it LOOKS like a cathedrale), and both a homemade fudge store AND an old-fashioned candy store. And a good many inns and pubs – I started counting them but quickly lost count. And roses on the old stone walls. And butterflies on the roses.

My new abode (on the right, up the path):

The village candy store:

Did I mention that there is a castle?

To see the rest of my photos from today, visit my Picasa page.