Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Back home again

Genella asked about the trip. Yes, I survived two weeks driving on the LEFT side of very narrow roads without any collisions. But it was really stressful. The second week was even more stressful because I ended up (long boring story) with a Mercedes, and kept waking up in the middle of the night sure that what I had thought when signing the contract was a weekly rate was actually a daily rate and that I'd arrive home to a $2K bill. But no, the very nice rental agent actually gave me a Mercedes for less than I would have paid for a Ford Fiesta. Of course, that made it even MORE stressful, because if I actually hit the parked cars or the stone walls on the side of the road, well, it would be worse in a Benz.

So it was a stressful trip. :) But otherwise, it was great. Ended up the last two days in London, where we drank a pint at Chaucer's favorite pub, entertained by the-- get this-- London Cajun Jammers. Yes, Cajun jammers in London. In Chaucer's pub. That's why, I submit, there will always be an England.

And I'm ready to go back-- already making reservations for a week in October. The trick, I'm told, is just giving in and pretending the Euro ($1.60) and the pound ($2) are really the same as a dollar. Think that will work?

I'm trying to get Theresa to go with me-- next year, I've told her. I'm going to call it "The London Literary Pub Tour"-- you know, where Dr. Johnson drank. Where Shakespeare drank. Where Pepys drank. I mean, doesn't that sound educational??
Alicia

12 comments:

Ian said...

Okay, I wasn't going to be jealous of you because I'm above such petty emotions, but darn it, I'm JEALOUS!

I've been to the British Isles once, and I was really too young to appreciate it (I was 16). I really do want to go back again someday - if nothing else to visit Blackpool where James White (one of my favorite authors ever) was from. Hey look, I ended a sentence in a preposition! Good thing you're back to start schooling us again...I've gotten lazy in the interim. ;)

Ian

Anonymous said...

Next time you come over, give us advance warning, and we'll organise a meet-up. It's always nice to put names to faces!

Dave Shaw said...

Ah, the British Isles! I'd so love to go back! Maybe someday...

I'm glad you didn't bend the Benz, Alicia, and that you survived the stress of it.

Have you considered a sideline? "Edittorrent Literary Tours" - nice ring to it, don't you think? LOL

Natalie Hatch said...

Alicia there seems to be a theme going here... would it be what we in Australia call a 'Pub Crawl'? Named so because after a few pubs you're crawling to the next.... Edittorrent Pub Crawling Across England....

Edittorrent said...

Yes, ma'am, I am saving my pennies for a London literary pub crawl. It's been too long since I was there. We ought to plan on some historic homes and public buildings, too.

Edittorrent said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Katie Reus said...

Welcome back Alicia!! Sounds like you had an amazing time! Cajun Jammers? Freaking awesome :)

Genella deGrey said...

I'm killer-jealous, too, Ian!

I've wanted to go to the British Isles forever! The closest I got was back in 2001. On the way back from Venice, Italy, we sat in Heathrow Airport for two hours.

Ugh. That didn't cut the mustard at all – But a pub crawl would surely do the trick. Sigh. I can dream, can’t I?

So glad you are back safe and sound and with nary a scratch on your hired Benz.

:)
G.

Edittorrent said...

Yes, pub crawls were the order of the day. Really, it was historic. I mean, these pubs were all old and stuff. And different pubs had different ales, and one must try each out, right? One must make a judgment.

And all the famous authors over there apparently did most of their work in pubs, so this was practically a business trip.
Alicia

Wes said...

Oh, yeah. The pub tour sounds great. Let's put the Prospect of Whitby on the list. It might be the oldest pub in London, and supposedly Dickens drank there.

Whirlochre said...

From slushpile to Thwapplethwaites Ye Olde Beste Traditionale English Blimey Luvaduck Ploughman's Bitter — you sure know your froth.

Genella deGrey said...

:)

I'd love to visit a place called Rules:

"Rules was established by Thomas Rule in 1798 making it the oldest restaurant in London."

"Throughout its long history the tables of Rules have been crowded with writers, artists, lawyers, journalists and actors. As well as being frequented by great literary talents – including Charles Dickens, William Makepeace Thackeray, John Galsworthy and H G Wells – Rules has also appeared in novels by Rosamond Lehmann, Evelyn Waugh, Graham Greene, John Le CarrĂ©, Dick Francis, Penelope Lively and Claire Rayner."

And me. LOL!

:)
G.