Day 7 - Caving in Castleton

I slept in a bit this morning and when I woke I spent most of the morning trying to book some more travel for the trip. It was a bit overwhelming, but it needed to get done. Just before lunch we left to go "caving." We drove to the Peak District, to the Speedwell Cavern. The Peak District is full of caves, created over 200 years ago by miners looking for lead. Speedwell Cavern is navigated by a boat ride. Kristin and I were the only two on our boat, besides the crazy tour guide. This was great news to us because standing outside the shop was a large group of school children. I can't imagine how annoying the trip would have been with 20 children surrounding us! We walked through the very large door and prepared ourselves with our very fashionable helmets. We then walked down the 105 steps, built out of stone. The stairs were all different sizes and covered in mud and water, not the mention the ceiling would slope up and down. It was difficult to go down because if you watched your feet, your head would slam into the top. I was very pleased with my fashionable helmet about 15 steps down. Ouch!

We got to the bottom and the guide held the boat for us as we got on. Kristin asked if people fall into the water and he laughed and said "yeah, all the time. It's hilarious to witness," and continued to laugh very loudly. It was a bit odd. Nonetheless, we climbed into the boat and set off down the cave. The walls around us were curved like an arch, but only about 3 or 4 feet above the water line. I think I bumped my helmet about 5 times until I decided to sit leaning on my knees. It was like a very long hallway in front of us full of water with just about 3 or 4 feet to the ceiling. It was a mile and half long in the pitch dark lit only by tiny lights placed every so often. The guide was quick to mention "the monster" straightaway and seemed more concerned about us hearing the monster than giving us practical information about the mine. About every 2 minutes, he would turn his back to us, look down the mine and say, "can you hear the monster?" Yes, it was strange. The monster ended up being another boat and we had to move into a very cramped passage to let them pass. 

When we arrived at the end, we got out of the boat and stood below a very large cavern. As the pamphlet describes it, "a cathedral-like cavern." He then showed us the "bottomless pit" below us by turning on a large light...it was less than impressive. The large light had fallen over and was shining directly below it, only illuminating a small bit of the water in the "bottomless pit." It looked more like a small pond full of black water. The only thing between me and the bottomless pit below was a small guard rail that I was leaning on. Then the guide mentioned,  "the rail here was installed in 1920, its still the exact same rail." I looked down and it sure did look fragile and I quickly stepped back surprised that I had been leaning my entire weight on it. Kristin laughed and said, "yes, well it looks like the same rail." I began to think to myself, no way in hell would this cave be open in the USA. There were so many regulations being broken in every direction, I couldn't believe this place hadn't been sued yet, there was liability EVERYWHERE. We did not sign a waiver or anything, and at each turn I could think of a possible threat to my saftey. It was mayhem! 

The tour guide continued to show how the tunnel continued on to the other side of us, and actually continued under the neighboring town. He showed us a map of the underground cave system and blurted out a few odd facts. He took our picture, which was most important in my mind, and we returned to the boat and headed back. The ride back was a bit more frantic, since we weren't moving slowly to hear all the information. The guide turned up with power on the boat and we sped through the cave. But of course the cave isn't straight, so we spent the mile and a half bouncing back and forth from wall to wall with a large BANG everytime we hit the side. Only the guide didn't seem to mind and continued to shout, only in the opposite direction so I only heard about half of what he was saying. Finally, as we neared the dock he quickly mentioned a story about two bodies being found just beyond the dock. A young couple on their honeymoon was murdered by miners way back when because the women's saddle was worth so much money a the time. I found this story the most exciting of the adventure, but he quickly pushed us out of the boat and back up the 105 steps. The cave was very worth seeing, but it was a bit less than we expected. We laughed most the way through it and all the way to the car. It was my first experience boating through a cave, I would say the humor was a bit more exciting than the adventure, but it was good anyhow! 

After our caving adventure we headed to Bakewell, for some shopping! We walked in and out of shops most of the afternoon. It was a very cute village and I really enjoyed the experience. All the shops are what we would consider boutiques. I found them all unique and mostly just enjoyed looking. We ate lunch at The Original Bakewell Pudding Shop. Bakewell is known for Bakewell Puddings, which is a traditional English pudding. From what I understood it is a pastry covered in strawberry jam, and then covered in some sort of egg mixture. I had a filled jacket potato with beans and cheese for lunch (not sure why I mentioned that, but I remember it). Kristin and I shared a Bakewell Pudding for dessert, with custard. I thought it was extremely delicious and really enjoyed my dessert.

We continued to shop and made our way back to the car, and back to Bethleham Chapel. I quickly got online to journal and book my travel while Kristin prepared dinner. Tonight Kristin served Bolognese, it was very good. Again, I ate my oversized bowl full. I will be leaving Bradwell with my pants a bit tight tomorrow, they have fed me very well. After dinner, we headed over to the nearest pub, Whitehouse Tavern (?). Just around the corner from their home. We walked in the pub and we were the first ones there, which seemed a bit odd since it was Pub Quiz Night. Every Wednesday, the pub has quiz night. Team form at the pub and the owners reads out random questions to each team and you are to write down your answers. It's great fun. I have to admit, I am terrible at quizes, but my team did the job well. Every American based question that was asked, everyone in the pub would immediately look at Kristin and I and ask for the answer. It was very embarrassing to not know questions like, "What was Mickey Mouse originally named?" and other similar questions. Ian, Kristin, Barry, Danny and I made up one team and I'm sad to sad we ended in last place with 23.5 points. It was a sad day, but we were all smiling in the end. After the quiz game, Barry ordered food for the table and surrounding tables. In the basket was a black bread looking food and they all suggested I try it. So, the brave person I am I grabbed one off a toothpick and took a bite. It was okay, almost like spicy bread with a kick. I politely asked Kristin and Ian what I was eating and they hesitated, "go ahead and finish it first." UH OH was my first thought, what the hell am I eating if they won't tell me what it is?!? So I asked several people around me what I was eating, and all said the same thing, "Is this your first Black Pudding?" I replied with a yes. "Well then, once you are finished we will tell you what it is." This had me highly concerned, but I figured I would be a good sport and finish it off. Once I swallowed my last bite, I asked Kristin and Ian again. They looked at each other with a puzzled look, and Kristin finally said, "Pigs blood." I let out a gasp and said, WHAT?!?!?! Ian then explained, "you know when they cut a pigs throat, all the blood that spills out is fried, and its called Black Pudding, that is what you just ate." I must admit I gagged a little. That is disgusting, although it really wasn't too bad really. Who thinks of eating pigs blood? I didn't even take a second look, YUCK!!!!! I can't believe I ate that, I had to swallow it down with my pint. 

We finished off the evening speaking with Barry, who oddly enough works as a free lancer in the HR industry. He gave me a few tips about following my strengths into a new career and taking my time to do so, as long as I had all decisions made before I was 27. To me, that was a bit of a stretch, 27, that's a hard guideline to follow. I really liked him and he wished me the best. He even offered that I should go into HR since I enjoy visiting with people so much...it's an idea I suppose. I figured it was quite humorous to travel all this way and meet a professional in the HR consulting industry...it seems to be following me everywhere. 

I just took another FREEZING cold shower, I plan to skype my family tonight to wish them a Happy early Thanksgiving and then pack for my journey tomorrow. For those of you who voted, thank you by the way...I am off to Poland tomorrow! Krakow to be exact. I will be meeting up with Nic Bartlett, for those of you who know Nic. It will be a great city to see and I'm sure it will get me out of my comfort zone. Thanks for reading! 

Cheers, 

Anna