All I can say is, “This is a place to relax”. It’s exactly what comes to mind when I think of the quiet life. Here are small idyllic towns nestled amidst mammoth rolling green hills. Here are high elevation lakes that reflect a sky so blue you can’t believe you’re in Britain. Here are small family owned bakeries and bed and breakfasts and sheep wandering amongst stone walls that have covered this rural countryside for centuries.
When I look outside and see these hills, the biggest question that comes to mind is how far I could throw an Aerobee Frisbee from up there. And since I am here to relax, I intend to experiment all afternoon with that vary question. But first things first. What to eat?
Outside on the cobble street the English are starting to arrive for the weekend from the busy cities further south, but while they explore the shops and restaurants, I thread my way quickly to my favorite bakery to purchase a signature of these parts, steak and kidney filled pastry. It doesn’t sound very good, but the Scottish friend I am traveling with coned me into trying one and now I understand why the bakeries sell so many everyday.
When we’ve had our fill, Stuart and I (please imagine his name with a Scottish accent to get a more accurate feel for his character) head for the hills. Apparently the protocol around here is to stay off the farmland or incur the wrath of the local sheepherders, but the allure of some of the more remote hills is too great and we find ourselves scrambling over the stone walls and running past farmhouse windows. The climb is steep, and we refresh ourselves several times at little springs that burst from the sides of the hills. It almost sounds unbelievable as I write it, like heaven eh? When we finally reach the pinnacle, which we must share with a very stern looking ram, the experiments begin.
You don’t get to throw very often because the Aerobee is soaring absolutely ridiculous distances. I don’t know if you have ever played with an Aerobee, but if you have, you’ll know what I am talking about. Stuart and I have passed time all summer with Aerobees and more traditional Frisbees, so I must say our technique is getting quite good. Anyways, I say all that to emphasize how far the little hollow disc is going.
After a monumental toss we run down the hills at high speed to fetch it. I can’t stop laughing because Stuart is a big Scottish rugby player with a full beard and he looks so in his element charging down hills at full stride. After all, this is part of the land that his ancestors fought so hard to keep from the British. It’s a hilarious sight. Maybe you had to be there…
By Will McMullen
