Once again, I'm managing a complicated schedule that includes a challenging consulting gig, hosting many guests, relaxing when possible, home and garden projects, plus quite a bit of travel. I've just returned from my annual "girlfriend holiday" in Amsterdam and Cordoba. It's taken nearly a week to recover from the lack of sleep ... but we had a warm, enjoyable, fun time together. I really cherish this vacation time with my great pals. By now, I feel at home, truly comfortable and confident, in Amsterdam and Cordoba, which makes return visits even more enjoyable.
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| Bebidas refrescantes y tapas in Posada del Potro, after an enchanting flamenco guitar performance. |
At the moment, we're hosting some regular guests, J&A plus their two lovely children, ages 3 and 10 months. After they depart on Tuesday, I need to dig in and clear the clutter before housekeepers arrive to spiff up the house again. During the 24 days I was in Europe, Peter endured brutal, relentless, constant windstorms at home. Although he closed up the house, there is a layer of lava grit covering everything. Next Thursday, J&L from southern California will arrive for a few days. Of all the future guests on our calendar, the most happily anticipated is my beloved nephew, M, who will visit with his new fiancée J. I've loved that boy so deeply his entire life, and have lost regular contact as he's grown up and built his independent life. Can't wait to hug him and spend time with him!
I'm already thinking about my next major trip, which will take place after Labor Day, with Caroline. We had to cancel our trip to Turkey last year, so may try to go there again. I hope we'll spend a few days in London, regardless of ultimate destination. London has become "our city;" we really know our way around, and feel comfortable pretending we live there.
Although I describe myself as "a dedicated follower of fashion," at home I live in shorts, tank tops and Orthaheel "slippahs" (in many colorways, of course). Because fashion is my passion (well, one of them, since I was a little girl), I'd enjoy visiting this portrait exhibit featuring the costumes of the British monarchs and courts during the Tudor and Stuart periods. Also, after several years in renovation, the fashion exhibits at the V&A have re-opened, so that is a definite plan. If there's enough time, we could take the train west to Bath, to visit its Fashion Museum's "Fifty Fabulous Frocks" special exhibit. She and I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent at this museum during our 2011 visit to Bath.
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| Trying on a corset and hoopskirt at Bath's Fashion Museum |
An unrelated destination, Bletchley Park, will wait until another trip to the U.K.
