Back again. But only for today

So, here I am, back in my flat *sigh*. I'd rather have stayed in England, but I have to earn money and my family missed me, so I came back.

A report then: on Thursday 21st, my parents drove me to the trainstation, from then on it was trains the whole time. And I found out, in Brussels, that I only had a ticket for the 22nd. Well, they let me go on,
so I was lucky, as I usually am. In the german train, they didn't see it. Does not matter, I got there.

Missed - again - the right way to the hotel, but I found it after all and it didn't take all that long. It was nice and clean and friendly and only for the night.

Then I only looked on my i-Pod for time and so I was at the train-stations TWO hours to early, instead of only the one planned. Well, I survived it, had a good breakfast, got on the train and thus to Leeds. In Leeds
I found the next platform (with the help from the information-desk). I had to wait a little, but it all went well.

Then I got to Gargrave and there I found out, that my b&b was not so very close to the village. About 2 1/2 miles away. So I walked there, Suitcase and all and that took me about an hour. Up and down the hills. BUT: when I arrived, it was well worth it. A really wonderful place and very friendly and helpful people.

So: I enjoyed getting there and I got Tea and Shortbread and a very nice room with a good view. The Bath was very nice, as well. So I made myself at home and then watched a little TV.
The next day I had a really tasty breakfast and met the other guests and we had nice chats. Then I got ready to go into Gargrave and yes, I walked that way almost every day, but to that later.

On my first day I took a bus to Harrogate. It was a long bus-ride and partly in heavy rain, but it had nice views. The North-Yorkshire Countryside is really well worth a visit. In Harrogate I just walked around and admired the houses. Beautiful houses, really. I chose, not to visit the museum, as I am not keen on them.
Then I took the bus back, walked all the way back to Newton Grange (my B&B) and just relaxed and went to sleep early.

The next day, since it was Sunday and the first bus started at about 1 pm, I took a Train to Skipton. I had planned to go on a steam-train, but I skipped that, because I couldn't walk there and I was too cheap to take a taxi. BUT, I took a one hour canal-tour on a boat and that was  very nice. And good to relax my feet.
Then, after some more running around, I found a litte Tea-Room "The Three Sheep". There I got a nice corner seat, where I could put my bags and frome where I could look out a bit.
I ordered a traditional tea, with cucumber sandwiches, carrot cake and a scone. Very lovely and filling.
After that I leisurely walked back to the train-station and there waited for the train, trudged up to my room and just collapsed. :-)

Since I was told, that there was nothing much to see in Bradford, I went to Leeds. There I found an additional bag for the Stuff I had bought so far and a Burger Bar "Byron", that I remembered from London last year. So I had my lunch there and I found a Sweet Shop, with lovely stuff in it, where I bought some things for my colleages, when I get back. And cinnamon ticktack for me. :-)
After all that running, I was really done in and decided, that for once I would take a taxi back from Gargrave. But I left it to the Universe to find the right solution. And it came, as expected. I asked a nice couple, that came back with their grandson, where I could find the local taxi and they offered to take me.
They only had to feed the dogs. Now that was very lucky. Then I had even more luck, as their grandsons parents came and so the men drove me up to the first sign of my B&B and I only had to walk 10 Minutes.
So, as usually and because I believed in it, I was lucky.

The next day, Neill drove me to Skipton and there I was lucky again, though someone else was unlucky.
Someone in the train before mine had collapsed and so the train was delayed. This though triggered a long line of luck for me: at first I could take an earlier train to Leeds. There I went to the Taxi-Stand and the lady before me changed her mind, so I could get her taxi. Because I was earlier and quick - with the taxi - I had time to use the restroom, enquire from where the bus would start and go there to find it, when I needed it.

It was about 9.30 or 9.35 am. There was a bus standing, that would go to London. My ticket was only for 11.00 am, but I thought, I just ask and trust in my luck again. And I was right, as I was able to get on that bus without extra cost. So I was in London at about 2.00 pm, instead of 4.15 pm.
In Victoria I got a ticket to Waterloo and had a very helpful man to write down, how to get to Waterloo.
The only bad thing was, that I took some missteps, that hurt my left knee and they didn't have an escalator to my platform. So I had to take the stairs and with my knees, that was rather hard work.
But I got to Waterloo and out of the Train-Station and found The Old Vic right away only five minutes from the train station. I couldn't have my ticket then, as I had bought it from an agency, but I could get it on Thursday, from 4.00 pm an. So I walked to my hotel, another five minutes away. And I saw at once, that there was a bus-stop close to my hotel. Very lucky.

My hotelroom had all the luxury I had dreamed of and was really beautiful. It was the H10. After I had rested a bit and taken a shower, I went back to reception to ask about the washing service and an appointment for a massage on my birthday. That done I collected my washing, got it to reception and then went to restaurant. I was a bit early, but I just sat down and watched the street.  Then I had a very nice meal. It was very little on my plate though, considering, that I cost more than 17 Pound and that the dessert at about 5 Pounds was almost as big. Also, there was a little salt lacking. But otherwise it was very nice. And the waiters where all very friendly. After that I just watched TV and then went to sleep.

Next day I bought two day tickets for London transport and then betook myself to Buckingham Palace, in order to watch the changing of the guards, of which I didn't see anything, because I didn't have a good place. So I stood there, but I saw the bands going there and I could here them. And it was dry, so it was o.k.
Afterwards I went to see Buckingham Palace and there I was lucky again, because there was an exhibition about childhood in the Palace and that was really interesting, as was all that could be seen of the state rooms.
Great fun and really fascintating. Then I went to the shopping centre and just looked around. I had a lovely salad in a little place, that I could build myself, so to speak and then I took a bus back to Waterloo Station.
There I got hopelessly lost. So I asked a nice woman at another bus stop, after walking around for about an hour or more (or so it felt) and she could help me. So I got home again. And I was really done in. So I only showered and watched TV. But my washing was back. That was great.

The next day was better. I got up and showered and had a leisurely breakfast. Before that though, my parents congratulated me on my birthday. After breakfast I got some more congratulations and then I went to the massage. A lovely one-hour-long massage. Great.
After I got back, I grabbed my stuff and took a bus to St. Paul's. There I looked about, then found another bus to Tottenham Court Road. All very fascinating. I even remembered to take a few photos. Then I found  another Byron, but I needed an ATM, that I found as well. So, after getting cash and finding out, where my bus back would start, I had a very big luxury lunch and then I went to Foyles and bought some books. Afterwards I took the Bus back to The Old Vic. There I had a little time, so I went to another book shop.
Then I got my ticket and went to my hotel. For some reason I found a voicemail from my coffee-round only then, but it was very nice. I relaxed and packed and got myself ready for the evening and then went back to The old Vic. When I went to my seat, I found myself right on the stage. Oh.... Then I sat on the wrong seat, but that wasn't all that bad.
The play took 3 1/2 hours, the first part was 2 1/2 hours. But somehow it was all so intense, that nobody realized the amount of time it took to get to the break. It is a really great cast, they all played very well.
Afterwards I did think about waiting for an autograph after all. But it just isn't my thing. So, though I did look at the stage-door, I didn't go there. I just went home/to the hotel, packed the rest of my stuff and got myself into bed.

The next day I took the Underground to get to Kings Cross/ St. Pancrass and due to my excellent planning, I  arrived there without hassle and with time enough to check in and wait for boarding. My coach was way down and someone sat on my seat. That was o.k. for me though, as I wanted to stretch my left leg, because of my knee and I couldn't have done it on "my" seat. So I asked him, if he would just stay there..
The ride back was uneventful. As on the ride to London, I slept through the tunnel and in Brussels I didn't have any problem to get to my train. Also, my coach was the first to get to from the elevator. And my seat was right at the beginning. And I  had both seats until Liege. So that went well. In Cologne my neighbour helped me get my luggage down. There I had time to get the german version of a hotdog and then I got my
train home. I walked the last 5 Minutes and wasn't molested by any neighbour with talk. At home I found the birthday presents from my parents. Very nice. :-)

And so I am home again. Tomorrow I have to go back to work. Sad, but true. Anyway, I wrote, that I am back only for today. That means, I will not be writing again. At least not for a long time now. Not until I have something worth writing. Also I have decided to keep the weekends PC free. So at first I thought about writhing on Tuesdays, instead of Sundays, but last night I found, that I don't really want to write anymore.
I might come back, but I won't promise.

So, THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO READ THIS. IT WAS NICE TO KNOW, THAT SOMEONE DID.  And sorry for leaving you on such short notice. With all things I end, I do it on cold turkey. Like an addict. It is easier for me. 

I leave you with this clip, that I don't own, and bid you good bye!

Caught a cold :-(

And I don't particularly like it. I had planned to go to an Amusement Park with my siblings and due to that cold and the fact that I am very close to my holidays, I decided it too dangerous. And it was good. What I did today was sleep and sweat.That's what I always do, when I fall ill. I sleep and sweat. And in the few times I am awake, I drink. I have torn myself out of bed to be able to sleep tonight. There is no sense in lying awake because I slept all day. Well, I might not llie awake, because I am actually rather tired. But still.
And the sneeze didn't break out proper. That is a tiny worry and only because I don't like to leave a trail of hankies in my wake.

Other than that, I am fine. My holiday comes ever nearer, we had two birthdays in my family recently and a good party, the weather wasn't too nice, but that should make it easier for the kids to return to school next week. So, may be all for the best.

I can't reall write so very much, as I had already written a lot last time and that reminds me, there is ONE thing I can write about. Well, I did not re-read it, but I may have sounded judgmental on people who wait at stage-doors to get an autograph. I can't even absolutely say, that I wasn't. At any rate, I want to apologize.

I'd say, if the stars didn't want to give autographs and pause for photos, they'd find another way to leave the building, Or if they just didn't care for their fans. But most don't, so I assume, it is o.k. with them and therefore: who am I to judge? Just because it isn't my cup of tea, doesn't make it wrong. It is different.
Sometimes I really have to remind myself that if I insist on living my way, others have the same right. And the fact, that I wouldn't do something does not always make it wrong. Except for crimes like murder, adultery, robbery and whatever is a real crime. But other than that.... So, I am sorry, if I gave someone a bad taste in the mouth. It was not intended.

And the perfect clip for that, not owned by me, would be something with the word sorry and with that I leave you... after I told you, that' I won't write next week, as my computer will get an overhaul.. but the weekend after...

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!!

Thought I'd start with a song this time. And so with yet another clip I don't own. This one absolutely expresses my feelings, as from Friday on I am on my vacation. Three glorious weeks. Lovely!!

I have decreed a lazy weekend and that it was. A lot of knitting and audiobooks on the balcony and a very late night with the sims for yesterday. A sleep-in today, writing here and playing and what-not today.

Tomorrow though I will get on to my flat, a thorough clean up and I will finally get used to the digicam my Dad gave me as a permanent lease, or lending-object? I don't know. Whatever, it is a holiday preparation.
Then I will travel to England and enjoy my time there. The highpoint will be the last day, mainly because that is my birthday. I shall start with a leisurely breakfast, then a massage and then I'll take a boat to the Royal Observatory to Greenwich. There I shall spend some time looking around, taking photos and then back to have a leisurely tea time, before I pack my backs and get ready for the theatre in the evening.

I'll be seeing "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller with Richard Armitag as John Proctor. Well, I hope, he'll be there and not promoting his new film somewhere. BUT, even if he isn't, I am convinced the drama will be
very well played out. Judging from the reviews, the actors are one and all very good. So: though I would
regret him not being there, at least I would not regret having seen it.

I had been wandering what to watch on my Birthday and nothing really appealed, until I - more accidentally - read, that he would be John Proctor. So, since I would like to see Richard Armitage life, but don't want to meet  him personally, that seemed the best and most comfortable way. Well comfortable for the body at least. No long standing about in crowds and being jostled about, but sitting, albeit for 3 1/2 hours in a cushy seat. :-) Much prefer that. And would still get to see him. :-) And not have to think about what to say to him.
I have a technique of sounding completely inane with people who fascinate me.
Then there is his voice, he has a very dark and calm one and I am calm to these kind of voices and to voices in general who read well. I once had to listen to the beginning of "A Passage to India" read by Ben Kingsley five times, before I was able to hear, what he was actually reading, without drowning in that voice. Talk about "reading the phone book". Mr. Armitage does have that kind of voice. Very nice to listen to.

At any rate, I won't only see him, I'll be seeing the Changing of the Guards and the last time I saw that, I was 6 years old and didn't really see very much of it. And I shall see Buckingham Palace from the inside. Yeah. Never did that.

In North Yorkshire I shall see Harrogate. And Harrogate seems fascinating because in my head I combine that with the romances of Georgette Heyer. So That is worth seeing. And I'll see Bradford, where J.B. Priestley grew up. They do have a Bronte-Museum as well, but I really am not into this family. On the other hand, the lived in a time that interests me. So I might go there after all.  Other than that I shall have a tour on a  steam-train and in a Canal-Boat. Sounds like a lot? I don't agree. There is one full day for Harrogate and one for Bradford and only the last mentioned tours will be on the same day. But they start from the same town. So: no stress. :-) It is a holiday after all.

At any rate: those are my plans, while my poor friend housesits here. The reason why I clean so very well. Not that she is very exacting, but who would like to live a flat untidy, when a friends comes living there?
Exactly. :-)

That's enough babbling from me! All the best!

Almost forgot over a knitting fever

Today I got into bed very late. Well maybe you can call it early, too. At any rate, I only got up after my Dad called me. He wanted to know about my mobile phone blocking yesterday. My brothers phone had been stolen and he couldn't get through to the hotline. My parents and sister couldn't be reached, so he tried me and I actually got through and got it done. I am rather proud of myself.

Anyway after I had told my Dad about it, I decided, that I might as well as get up. It was only about four minutes to 12. Yes, yes, I am a sloth, but it is the weekend and didn't have any duties, so I gave that to myself. Yesterday I had washed three machines of washing. The day before it had been two machines. So I had been busy. Then yesterday I managed, what I never managed to do ever before: I burned water in a pot.
That was, because I forgot it there, watching TV.
So let that be a warning to you: don't watch TV and cook. Stay in the kitchen, until the water cooks. :-)
Today I managed to heat water, without burning it. So you see, it was a one off.

The next week will be rather stressful, as it is the last before my holiday. A lot to do: two special lunches to attend, a meeting to prepare and then to get as much work done, as possible so as to save my colleague from having to do all my work.

I am not travelling right then, but I shall have time off. That's lovely and it is a really long holiday. Almost a month and a bit. Most of it spent at home. Lovely, if I manage to just have peace... Though I will go to an amusement-park with parts of my family. :-)

Other than that: it is cooler, than it was, that is a relieve, especially for my feet, they are not as swollen, as they were these past weeks. Very nice. AS I said, for my feet.

Other than that, nothing much happened here, but a lot happened in the world. Since I assume, that you all follow the news and since I don't want to talk world politics here, I leave it at that.

At any rate, I shall drop off now, not to bed, but to play and leave you with a random clip, that I do not own, but that fascinated me a lot. :-)