Saturday, March 31, 2018

R2BC - Why I Probably Won't Be A Travel Writer


We made the papers. Well, one paper
We arrived in London late on Sunday night (after midnight late) so we were in no fit state to hit the ground running on Monday morning. I didn't even make those all important phone calls to friends to ensure that I get to see my friends while we're here.

My mum suggested we go to shopping with DD and get all her shopping done. She lives equidistant from Watford and Brent Cross shopping centres (right in the middle of the 142 bus line). So it was either Primark and a light, airy shopping experience or H&M and claustrophobia. We chose the former and went to Watford (although by car not on the 142).

DD was kitted out in Primark so we only had to go to M&S for the obligatory cup of coffee and slice of cake. On the way out DD noticed the menu displayed above the counter with a photo of the fish and chips. "I didn't know they served meals here," she said. "If I'd known they serve meals I'd have ordered a meal."

On Tuesday DD's cousins came round to play. They're 17 and 20. They horsed around with DD for a while, showed her how to find her place at Hogwarts via the Pottermore website, and then left her to it while we played Kalooky.

Wednesday was supposed to be our big day out sightseeing and exploring London. It was pouring with rain. We hung about the house all morning and eventually, in desperation, I took DD to the cinema to see 'A Wrinkle in Time' and out for pizza afterwards. (Incidently, including a detour into Waterstones, this little outing cost more than kitting out DD for the summer in Primark.)

On Thursday I went to my sister to help her cook for Passover while DD helped Grandma bake cakes and biscuits for the festival.

And yesterday was the first of two Seder Nights. We finished ours at about 1.30 in the morning and DD stayed over with her cousins while I came home with my mum. We are going back again later for the next and final Seder.

It's been a very slow week and not helped by the constant and often quite violent rain. But I ordered some books from Amazon Prime which amazingly really did arrive the next day, so I've been happy enough. And it takes the best part of a day to get through the Daily Mail that is delivered to the door every morning.

Talking of deliveries. We also get The Jewish Chronicle. This week's paper provided some excitement (apart from the long overdue tackling of Jeremy Corbyn and co) in that I had an article in it. It's also in the online version so here's the link.

So these are my reasons 2B cheerful this week. A lazy week near London in the rain. And this is probably why I'll never be a travel writer. As well as being #rubbishphotographer I'm just far too fond of hanging out. I feel no urgency to rush around seeing everything and visiting museums. I like watching the weather from the kitchen table armed with a cup of coffee.

Apart from the JC article and Seder Night, the most exciting thing to have happened is that we finally finished the giant bottle of Johnson's Baby Shampoo that was bought for my first visit with DD nine years ago, when she was four months old.

Now I must go and make some of those phone calls before we get on the plane to go home. And you are invited to visit the R2BC linky on Mich's Mummy from the Heart. Happy Easter and Passover from a decidedly wet London.

14 comments:

  1. Great article and picture - and nice to hear that you are having a wonderful (if soggy) time with family.
    I did comment on your previous blog but not sure if you are able to see them while away. It has been sunny but freezing cold here so there won't be many Easter bonnets out tomorrow - I'll be back in my parka I'm afraid. Have a good flight home.

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    1. Hi Margie, I should have seen your previous comment but I didn't - I don't know why. Anyway, have a lovely Easter even if it's cold. Sunny beats relentless rain. xxx

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  2. lol to finishing up the shampoo! I read your JC article the other day, very good. Have a fab rest of yoru stay in Watford. I hope the sun comes out soon. Mich x

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    1. Thanks Mich. Yes the shampoo was somewhat of a highlight. :)

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  3. Myra from Winnipeg
    I loved your article. It brought back to mind times in my life when, as a child, I had to sit through what seemed like very long speeches or messages at church and how we would entertain ourselves with little mental games.
    Happy Passover.

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    1. What is it about religion that requires a certain amount of boredom to be authentic? Maybe it's character building?

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  4. Excellent post. I certainly love this website. Keep writing!

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  5. Ohhh Primark! I am so envious after discovering today that our summer wardrobes are very sparse :( But I am cheered slightly be the reminder that everything else is so expensive, whilst trying to ignore how cool Amazon Prime must be!

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    1. Isn't it worth you coming back for a few days each season to stock up for the boys? Especially if you are flexible and can choose the cheapest EasyJet flights.

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  6. I remember those boring sermons from childhood but have to say - things have changed. I started attending church again last September and have been pleasantly surprised, not only at the topics and tone of the sermons, but the length! The entire service most weeks tend to run about 45 to 50 minutes! Granted today was a bit longer with it being Easter and a Communion Sunday but even then things don't lag, they have it down to a fine art in my church. :-) Maybe I'm just lucky - I find the sermons meditative and this church is famous for it's choir and music program so that really does add to the enjoyment.

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    1. I agree that a tuneful service is much more enjoyable. My sister's rabbi tells [relevant] jokes from the pulpit - he's quite funny.

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  7. That's a lovely picture in your article! Congratulations! Sounds like a lovely productive trip back! :)

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    1. Depends on one's definition of productive I suppose. I can't compete with the way your family experiences a holiday and see everything.

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