Hey Neighbor

I can't call you cause the phone died. I took it to the Virgin store and the girl behind the counter looked at me pityingly and said they don't make these old ones anymore. I could get a new one for £14 but since the exchange rate sucks, and since I'll be home before you know it,I figured I'd wait. I decided to console myself with a new cd, so with my fingers in my ears, I took the escalator up to the third floor (tho they call it the 2nd) and pushed open the glass doors segregating the refined ( and deserted ) classical section from the lower floors. Not that I'm a snob; I do a fine air guitar to Warren Zevon's Lawyers Guns and Money. Anyway I treated myself to a little something, and proceeded to Food for Thought, that vegetarian restaurant where I chatted with William H. Macy a couple of visits ago. I almost bought a ticket to Spamalot, then realized I'd never stay awake that long. That reminds me... I'm sleepy...in the newspaper tonight, a poll said that Heathrow is the worst airport to fly out of, followed by Chicago's O'Hare. Great. I'll be going thru both of them any day now.

A Word to the Wise

Several, actually.

1) Don't take the train into or out of Paris, before, during, or after a rail strike.

2) The same goes for the duration of the Rugby World Cup finals, when played in Paris.

3) While in Paris, do make friends with a French-speaking English couple with 4 young, rambunctious children, and accompany them everywhere. The Musee D'Orsay will never be the same. Don't pass up the Ferris wheel in the Tuilleries, even if the 11 year old insists on making the open cage spin concentrically while ascending vertically. End the day with a delicious, leisurely dinner - geez them French folks know how to cook! - and thank your lucky stars you don't speak French or you wouldn't have had nearly as much fun.

That's it for the travel advice column today, kids. I'm in Petworth, in the South Downs region of UK, ready to assault local museums and antique shops.

I Miss My Dogs

I could travel forever if it didn't take me away from the hounds. And, of course, if it didn't take money.Having a house-sitter helps with the dogs; only the lottery could solve the enough money problem.

Sigh.

Be that as it may, I'm in London, after a flight that was no more exhausting and anxiety-producing than usual. The bed and breakfast is in Chiswick (Chizzick) outside the downtown area : cute row houses, tree-lined streets. I haven't actually done anything yet, just walked around, checked out Camden Passage street market (did not resemble the AmEx ad with what's-her-name) and a yarn shop called Loop a bit up the hill. Nice. Small. Limited. No circular needles in size zero, hrumph.

I'll have computer access for another day, at least. Maybe I'll actually do something tomorrow.

Minor Acquisition

At the Montpelier Fiber Festival last week, I didn't expect to buy anything. But tucked in a corner in a small basket were mill ends of Koigu sock yarn, and I grabbed a handful. Then I got a really good price on these teeny earrings at the Lofty Llama's going-out-of-business sale.