Well I'm Back, Post #21

[usedtobeljs]

Hullo, hullo, I have returned from a 12-day holiday. (Which makes the icon choice a bit odd, but anyway.)

Quick thoughts:

*The Cornish coast is a magical place.

*The current heatwave in England is Not a Good Thing (says a person who was stuck on a train with broken air-conditioning for several hours during one of the record-setting days). The lack of rain has left fields and grass brown, which I have NEVER seen before. That being said, a cool breeze on a hot day is a Good Thing.

*Ian McKellen in King Lear was great -- the modern-dress production was intriguing too, and I super-hard loved Sinead Cusack as the Count(ess) of Kent, which gender-swap was inspired. In addition, Anthony Howell (Milner in Foyle's War) played Albany, and he is v.v. handsome. V.v.v. handsome.

*I went to the Paul Smith shop by Covent Garden and walked out with the Most Perfect Trousers in the history of the world (which were 50% off, too): straight-leg ankle-length, colour-blocked in blue and black. I cannot tell you how happy they make me.

*Also, new fragrance: The Revenge of Lady Blanche, by Penhaligon's, which makes me feel like a femme fatale. (I believe in wearing fragrance every day. Apparently, when my travel buddy told me that she doesn't wear any, I literally went white -- "like I had just told you I went naked all the time," she said, chortling. I don't judge anyone for not liking fragrance, but yes, the concept is somewhat alien to me.)

*Also, fun visits with Paratti, including a truly insane cocktails-and-dessert experience at the Oxo Tower Brasserie terrace, on a hot day but with providentially provided clouds. (Why insane? Because I don't drink cocktails, and I tasted but didn't finish everything except a pear cider/pear schnapps combo.)

Hope your July has been going well! Onward!

Comments

[anne_d]

Welcome back!

[usedtobeljs]

Thanks and hugs!

[kathyh]

Welcome back. The Cornish coast is indeed magical but the heatwave is most definitely not. We have had no rain here for weeks and all our parks and green spaces are brown. The occasional cool breeze is very welcome but some steady rain would be even more so. There is no sign of any so far.

Glad you had a good time despite the heat and the trains. Perfect trousers, handsome men and new fragrances are always good things :)

[usedtobeljs]

Yes, I couldn't believe how brown everything was. I am SO HOPING you get a proper break in the weather soon -- hottest summer in decades, they say.

Hugs hugs!

[gwynnega]

Sounds like a marvelous trip, in spite of the heat!

[usedtobeljs]

It was fun! It also pushed me past my comfort zone, which is no bad thing. :)

Hugs hugs!

[feliciacraft]

Sounds like you had a fun vacation, heatwave and all.

Out of curiosity, do you regularly change perfume, or do you tend to stay with a scent for a long time?

[usedtobeljs]

I tend to change perfume every few years. My winter scent is still Malabah by Penhaligon, but it's a wee bit too heavy for subtropical summer -- the new scent works perfectly for the heat. :)

Happy week to you!

[janus_74]

Sounds like a great vacation, Welcome Back! I'd love to see the Cornish coast some day.

[usedtobeljs]

Cornwall is AMAZING, and I am really glad that I did the walking tour; Martin the guide drove us (on truly insanely tiny lanes, sometimes), and took us to a couple of really out of the way places. I wouldn't drive there, and the trains and busses didn't always reach where we went, so having the guide was PERFECT.

Cheers for your week ahead!

[alhbooks]

It all sounds heavenly (except of course for the brown fields and heatwave) but especially the walking tour of out of the way places.

Welcome back!

[usedtobeljs]

Hugs and thanks, ALH! Hope that summer is being kind to you. :)