The uber-cool LA folks catch me on the mobile as we're passing the rebuilt 16th century pottery kiln on our way home. They want to talk about the change in Chinas policies towards the US. The one country two systems philosophy seems to have been discarded. We agree that Jake Sullivan and Kurt Campbell have a difficult path to tread ahead before the Biden Xi meeting in Italy in two months. The uber-cool LA folks operate on the basis where one in five goes to the office at any given time. This is de facto a trip downtown one day a week .
The LA folk want a meeting but Angus still can't travel to the US although Americans can come to Europe. Go figure ! I am booked to go to London for the first time in 19 months next week. Finding a hotel that will allow guests to open the windows for fresh air requires some research. A large hotel by the old BBC headquarters is happy to oblige and remove the window security locks. At check in they will require me to provide them with a signed form absolving the hotel of any responsibility should I fall out.
The heat now building. Sophie's morning walk through the sunflower fields lasts an hour . With the mercury hovering in the mid-30's later outings tend to be shorter. Much shorter.
Flat nectarines in the greengrocers. A change from the more usual flat peaches.
The first hotel at Versailles proper :https://airelles.com/en/destination/chateau-de-versailles-hotel
Dining on Lewis. How times change. There was nowhere this chic on the Hebrides when Angus was a boy . Velvet covered banquettes would have been considered sinfully ' English' . Sophie would love the cool ... as would her human companions :https://www.royalstornoway.co.uk/dine/the-boatshed.html .
10 comments:
The local seafood offerings at the chic Royal Stornonway's Boatshed restaurant sound tempting. I hope the place is not suffering from the same entirely predictable post-Brexit staff shortages afflicting eating establishments throughout much of the Highlands. Last I heard, the Torridon Hotel restaurant is having to close two nights a week because, with hiring of EU nationals no longer easy, they can't find the workers. Meanwhile, Gail is upset that she has had to abandon the prospect of meeting up with American friends on a September cycling trip in Austria because UK citizens can only go to Austria for 'essential' reasons, while the Americans are allowed in. Grrrrr!
A very windy quick walk around the neighbourhood this morning, and we were almost blown off our feet. Grey skies, 27ºC and rain later, so it seems that your recent storms have made it across the Pyrenees. It's annoying that the rain leaves dirt everywhere behind it - windows look as though they are wearing outdoor net curtains!
This morning Inca insisted on taking Mr Hedgehog (her favourite "stuffie") with her, and carried him all the way round. Not once did she pause to as much as smell anything she might normally find enticing - even car tyres were left unsniffed! Now, how do I persuade her to do this every morning - normally my suggestion is rebuffed!
The golf resorts in Ayrshire and Fife are also suffering from the lack of French and Spanish workers who used to work there in the summer.
The incomparable pride of 'hedgehog' ownership has to be shared with the world.
Hari OM
I swear those sunflowers are starting to vie for getting prime focus in Angus's lens... "Look at me!"
It is interesting to me that, veteran traveller as I am, there is a distinct reluctance to even exit the Hutch's door for a wander around the 'hood, never mind travel beyond the town. Times have definitely changed. (Mind you, looking at the washing machine conditions outside the window just now, where's the encouragement?! No 30'C here let me tell you.) YAM xx
Cycling in Austria with friends sounds essential to me!
This less than Uber-cool LA gal has negotiated working from home at least until December. Driving to downtown LA is the WORST! Oh wait. And I'm over 65 and my husband is immunocompromised. There's that, too. Can't possibly be around all of those people!
Enjoy your visit to London. In the late 80’s/early 90’s I used to walk past the old BBC building every day on my way to work for a group of architects in Portland Place. In ‘89, while the Langham was being refurbished it caught fire. I still recall standing outside our offices, with a group of architects, watching it burn and the refurbishment architect (not from our firm) having to be physically helped inside for many very strong drinks, early in the day, as he tried to process the thought of what was on fire and the huge task of having to rebuild many parts of the building again!
Thankfully, the architects saved the windows and staircases so I don't need to rely on recirculated air and getting to my room in a crowded elevator. Whoever thought such things would be important when chosing a hotel ? The management have also moved a restaurant outside which is another positive in these Delta times.
You must have an exceptional dentist (or very good existing UK health care plan) for all the effort involved travelling between countries, finding suitable accommodation and staying safe, rather than trying French dentists in Covid-19 times. Wishing you safe travels and that your dentist doesn't find anything that needs another appointment anytime soon.
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