Paris! I actually only have pictures of the Eiffel Tower right now...and to be honest most of the photos we've taken have been of ourselves making ridiculous faces in front of various monuments to send to the boys. Got one back from Mycroft standing solemnly in front of the shop where he works holding an ice cream just out of Sherlock's reach.
We climbed all of the Eiffel Tower that you can climb...
I'm quite glad you can't climb all of it. This is from the second tier:
I think we did better than we would have before we started the half marathon training though. Today...rain. Hiding in a church from the raining. Getting briefly naked together as we changed clothes in a church in the rain... And Giverny, very briefly, in between the rain. We'll be home in time for dinner! Probably. Unless we get washed away.
Yesterday, among other things, we did this...
You can see ours a bit to the left of the pink ones. Hopefully it'll be there for many years to come, but part of the Ponte des Artes collapsed earlier this year under the weight, so who knows...
The other things we did yesterday included a lot of walking and talking and eating, all of which we do at home, but it's different. I've been to Paris before and honestly not liked it all that much - not that I disliked it, but compared to other places it seemed a bit grey. Being here with L makes it seem like an entirely different city. I really can't describe how lovely this trip has been.
77 comments:
It's been brilliant. It's the company that makes the place, definitely.
I like the way you say 'we did this' as if it was some casual whim, and not planned (by you) to perfection.... :)
(It did actually make me smile far more than any silly tradition ought to. Thank you.)
I am slightly scared of riding the coast road now, with some of the waves! We really might be swimming home...
Well...I had a feeling you'd want to. It was only a bit of planning.
Next time we'll get Mrs H to outfit the bikes as submersibles or something.
It would surely be easier than James Bond's submersible car?
It was perfect! A proper, etched brass lock, none of your marker-pen-on-overpriced-lock that the shops around the area try to flog! And a very good excuse to kiss you as we threw the keys over the edge :)
I've just had the most amazing time. it's reset all previous Paris experiences in my mind :)
It was pretty romantic :)
I can't believe how much we did and how much we didn't get to... We'll have to come back!
YOU HAVE TO TAKE ME WITH YOU
I'm sure that can be arranged. Hope you've had a good time too, though?
Yes and did you know Arsenal won too? And can we have fish and chips tonight?
I hope the rest of your trip was less wet than earlier but the hiding from the rain in a church sounds fun :-)
I'm glad you've had a great time away together :-)
For anyone who wishes to fill some time, and improve their knowledge of the London transport system, there is a game in which you are challenged to identify stations from pictorial clues:
http://www.lookforlonger.com/play-game
I believe Lestrade became quite addicted to the last version.
Good luck, should you choose to play. Some of the clues are rather...tenuous.
And we are home, being questioned mercilessly by Sherlock. His Mum did offer to have him for another night...but it's nice to have him here, to refuse to go to bed on time and then leap on us at an ungodly hour of the morning :)
I'd think it's a good way to really feel you're back home!
Sounds like a most wonderful trip. :)
(And have a super time in London, rsf!)
Sherlock is in bed! This victory may be short lived, but we celebrate anyway
Thanks for the photo of your [solid, enduring, properly etched] lock.
The best trips are those you leave wanting more, the best homes are those you are happy to arrive home to. All dependent nearly completely on the people present.
Life well lived!
fA
It sounds like you had a marvellous time. The pictures from the Eiffel Tower make me wish I had the lung power to do the climb. Maybe if I start practicing?
I hope your lock is there for a long time, too, but I suspect it won't last as long as the love that it represents. Metal rusts, eventually. Hearts don't.
My trip so far has been interesting -- my luggage is lost, one pair of trousers shredded (luckily I had a pair of shorts in the hand luggage), it turned out that I didn't need the heathrow express ticket because it was easier to meet my lunch date without it (so I gave it away -- better that someone gets the use of it!) I spent three hours alternately shivering and getting drenched in the queue for a little museum near Regent's park because I couldn't check in to my accomodations until 3 (that was worth it though), and when I finally got here, the power was out.
It's back today, so hopefully my luck has turned! Going to Stonehenge this afternoon, trying for the Hunterian in the morning, I think, once I check for its hours.
rsf
And the Hunterian is closed Mondays. Ah, well. Little Venice and the Alexander Fleming Museum instead!
Are you back at work today Greg?
How are you doing with Sherlock John? I hope the trip away recharged your batteries because there's a lot of summer left yet ;-)
rsf - Sounds like you're enjoying yourself despite the bumps! Hope your luggage turns up.
Wishing a good day to all, especially those of us re-entering the routine from a break - even just the break of a weekend.
fA
aw, the lock on the bridge is super-romantic! :)
RSF, I'm glad to hear that you are going ahead with your plan to have a wonderful trip in spite of petty obstacles like lost luggage, drenching rain, etc. That's the spirit. I so wish I was there!
all the best,
S
Yeah, back at work. Just having the most amazing, deafening hailstorm.
Wishing I was watching it with John and the boys.
I guess you just have to be happy you're not out in it Greg ;-)
It's weird to think the south has hailstones when we have lovely sunshine up here!
There was hail and it was really really BIG and we went and collected some and it hurt when it hit me and then Mrs Hudson said the basement was flooding and we went down there and everyone was trying to get wires and things safe but it wasn't a lot of flood more like a puddle.
Ouch, Sherlock! Hail can raise quite a bruise. (But it's interesting to examine, for sure.)
I'm relieved to hear it was just a puddle-sized flood--basement floods can be very messy.
Sherlock has more energy than is normal. I think his mum's been feeding him the souls of adults.
John looks like he's been wrung out...
A basement flood would be exciting right now. Also unexpected.
It is a bad sign, I fear, when I am procrastinating by attempting to learn Spanish. (I have no knowledge of Spanish, and am notoriously bad at foreign languages.)
Is Sherlock a kid who'd like some kind of sports training or arts or educational camp (not the sleepover kind, the 3-to- 10 hours a day kind) during part of the summer? They are very big here - for everything from a half day of intensive learning/skill building to a full day of not-much-more-than babysitting, with all variations in between. I know it's counter-intuitive when John's job title is "nanny," but keeping a super bight and active child engaged takes a lot of resources.
fA
Becca - what are you avoiding with your procrastination?
(I'm procrastinating going to the gym by commenting on the blog)
fA
I wouldn't have a clue what was available, fA. 'Summer camp' certainly isn't a thing here. I'm sure some places do put on special activities for kids, but...I wouldn't know who.
Becca, at least it's useful procrastination! I tend to look at bike accessories. And then decide they'd all suit John better anyway ;)
It may not be as big a thing in the UK as it is here. I imagine if John/Ms. H thought it was the thing to do for Sherlock, you'd know all about it! (Since his school is, if I recall, geared to kids of above average abilities, the parents or teachers there probably would be clued into what's available.)
And now I must leave the computer and its endless opportunities for procrastination.
fA
L. did you see the thing about your illustrious leader making an arrest today?
Lancs. - he got a cheer in the office. And then I had to deal with lots of requests for bodyguards and chauffer-driven cars and stuff.
Yeah, probably is easier if you have a built in staff!
I am procrastinating doing my homework for school. I just started my new job (Hip hip...) and then was sick yesterday and am completely exhausted. So I would rather be doing anything other than schoolwork.
Hope you're done now Becca & sleeping! Or nearly there.
fA
We got drenched at Avebury ring yesterday, but at least it wasn't hail! How big were the hailstones, Sherlock? The largest I've ever seen were the size of golf balls, but that was near a tornado. We sliced them open to look at the layers inside.
Yesterday I got to Little Venice and decided to take the boat to Camden Lock instead of going to the museum, and on the way I passed a place called the Pirate Castle that looks like it might have fun things for kids to do. I thought of you all. http://www.thepiratecastle.org/
Still no luggage and my plans for Wednesday night just crumpled, because the friend I meant to stay with thought I didn't need to be there till Thursday night. Gonna be a long epic, Frodo...
Any recommendations on one night's lodging not too expensive?
Hi, RSF. Blimey, you are having a bit of an adventure, aren't you? Travelodges are usually good value - 'not too expensive' is a relative concept in London. The Clapham one is usually a bit cheaper than the more central ones, but is only 10 minutes away from Victoria.
Tragic news about Robin Williams this morning...
Thank you, anon. Good news, though, I have been saved by friends who are here for the con and accidentally doublebooked Wednesday night. *whew*
So sad about RW, though.
Absolutely tragic.
Home time!!'
Sal says I've been disgustingly happy since Paris :)
Well, let's hope she has something similarly "disgustingly happy"-making in her not-too-distant future. By which time you'll have leveled off to (one hopes) "ordinary happy" or else the two of you will drive your coworkers to staring at their coffee cups in bitterness & envy.
fA
rsf - glad you have somewhere to lay your head. If your luggage ever shows up it'll be all too strangely smooth! Enjoy.
fA
Disgustingly happy now because John had hidden me some scones, cream and jam ! Not often any of that survives Sherlock long enough for me to get a look in.
Thanks for the cream, Mycroft!
Paris AND cream (etc.)--it must be love! ;)
My goodness, rsf, you are having a very eventful vacation!
(If anyone here is in the flood zone, be careful and stay safe...)
Happy is good. I'm happy too. My luggage has finally turned up. And I saw the Hunterian this afternoon. (Thank you, Mycroft!) There were many things in jars and it was good.
The actor I wanted to see in a play and bought tickets for in advance was ill, but I stayed and watched anyway, and had a good time. I do like my Shakespeare a bit ..um...non-traditional, though, so that helped.
What kind of jam goes best on scones?
I prefer raspberry, personally.
Glad your luggage turned up!
Any foodstuff that Sherlock is partial to (which is most of them) it's always a lovely surprise when someone has managed to hide some away without him either working it out or just plain finding it. Even better when there's cream, kids in bed(rooms) and my husband...
(Don't worry, nothing too lewd! Just love making John blush ;) )
If you were eating the scones in bed I'm sure it gave you the perfect excuse to check that there were no crumbs left anywhere ;)
I've got to be nice to John today - international left handed day! Be nice to the lefties in your life!
Love you, John Danger Lefty Watson.
(Yes, still annoying Sal with my good spirits)
Love you too...despite you using the wrong hand :)
I assure you I'm ambidextrous in all important things ;)
You're just sinister...
Considering I've just let Sherlock draw a moustache on me with Mrs H's eyeliner, I'm even more sinister at the moment.
Does Sherlock have a matching moustache, is the question?
fA
No, but Mrs Hudson does.
:-D
fA
And do mustaches look good on them, Sherlock?
Wow...will you still be moustachioed ? I'm not sure I'm ready...
Might be...
Can I get a huge handlebar? Like village people style??
Did you recognise your husband when you got home, Greg or was his disguise too fiendish. ;)
What style did you give everyone Sherlock? Are you going to furnish Lestrade with his handlebar as requested too?
Enjoy your evening now that you're all back together. :)
:-}D
Did you get one something like that, L.?
(Dare I ask, was Mycroft adorned?)
fA
I have a very fine moustache.
I also went and found my sort-of aviators and peaked cap from my uniform and put on my leather jacket...I fear John has developed asthma.
Call it "asthma" if you must . . .
;-)
fA
Well, asthma or uncontrollable laughter. I did rather creep up on him, leaning provocatively against the fridge while he was making tea.
Were you nonchalantly swinging your truncheon too? ;)
It's all about extendable batons now ;) but no, I didn't. Not allowed weapons at home. Just have to rely on my deadly charm :)
Did anyone else hear that Uganda had a gay pride parade over last weekend?
http://thebicker.net/post/94666945326/beautiesofafrique-uganda-gay-pride-party-after
That's the sort of courage that floors me whenever I see it.
Ella
I did. Incredibly brave of those people, given the political and social feeling in Uganda.
Mycroft and John are going to pick up Mycroft's first few results from his exams today. Good luck, Mycroft! I'm eagerly waiting for your phone call.
I hope your result are what you expect them to be Mycroft :-)
Good luck with your day Greg :-)
I am pleased to say that I have achieved the results which I had hoped for.
Fantastic Mycroft, well done you :-)
Are you doing anything to celebrate?
Congratulations, Mycroft! I'd say a celebration is in order.
Congratulations, Mycroft. You should be very proud of yourself.
My croft said he'd prefer to wait for the rest of his results before celebrating.
There are talks of tipis and canoes and camping though...
I hope you all have a wonderful time celebrating Mycroft's successes, however many they are. And that the weather cooperates with tipis and canoes.
Saw Kew Gardens yesterday and went on a river tour, holed up at the convention today, dodging thunderstorms, and listening to a lecture on chivalry and fantasy. No mustaches, though. :D
Adding my congratulations, Mycroft! We know what a high standard you hold yourself to, so achieving the results you were hoping for is a truly superior result.
Not that I think you will be any less successful in the rest of your marks, but allow yourself to feel a justified bit of satisfaction in work done well, do not focus all your attention on anything that might fall short of your expectations.
Tipis? I must go and google.
fA
My GCSE results are due next week. I am happy to postpone any celebration until then.
I believe Sherlock's plans have been rendered slightly more...realistic, by John. They were verging on the bizarre and impossible for a while.
I am pleased to say that I have achieved the results which I had hoped for.
Calm down, Mycroft. Your excitement is alarming. ;)
Seriously, though, congratulations.
Ella
They were verging on the bizarre and impossible for a while.
Sounds perfect for us. But I'm sure John's input has been invaluable, if not gratefully received by the organising committee.
Maybe experimenting with photography?
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/compound-eye/2014/08/13/these-spider-fangs-arent-going-to-photograph-themselves/
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