#Paddington hotels London

[parkavenuehotels]

Free Things To Do In London In 2022 We Bet You Never Knew

There are so many free things you can do in London, so many that you arguably wouldn’t have to spend a penny on visiting sights and attractions for the entire duration of your stay.

There are no fewer than 30 to 40 free museums, galleries and exhibitions in London, ranging from the more grandiose Natural History Museum and Science Museum to the relatively unknown Queen’s House and Museum of the Order of St John. 

And then you’ve got the Royal Packs and near-endless sights you can experience for free from the street. 

Without further ado, here are free things you can do in London in 2022!

1: Free museums and galleries

Most of London’s many museums are free. As of 2022, at least 30 to 40 museums and galleries are 100% free of charge to visitors. There are often ticketed events and exhibitions within the museum, but these are optional and by no means required to experience the museum.

We recommended creating a shortlist of a few museums and visiting 2 to 3 in one day (beware, the Science Museum and Natural History Museums are large!) Hotels in Hyde Park London are just a stone’s throw from London’s museum districts.

Here’s a list of London’s free museums and galleries:

●     British Museum

●     National Gallery

●     Museum of London

●     Tate Modern

●     Tate Britain

●     Natural History Museum

●     Science Museum

●     Royal Academy of Arts

●     Imperial War Museum and the Churchill War Rooms

●     National Maritime Museum

●     Victoria and Albert Museum

●     Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheater

●     Wellcome Collection

●     Queen’s House

●     Sir John Soane's Museum

●     Horniman Museum and Gardens

●     London Mithraeum

●     British Library

●     National Army Museum

●     Royal Air Force Museum

●     The Wallace Collection

●     Museum of London Docklands

●     Young V&A

●     Bank of England Museum

●     Whitechapel Gallery

●     Serpentine Galleries

●     Museum of the Order of St John

●     National Portrait Gallery

●     Photographer's Gallery

●     Saatchi Gallery

 2: London’s Parks and Gardens

All of London’s eight Royal Parks are free to everyone, including Hyde Park, Richmond Park, Greenwich Park, The Regent's Park, St. James's Park, Bushy Park, Green Park and Victoria Tower Gardens.

There are other parks too, like Kensington Gardens, which are excellent for enjoying London greenery. The gardens are home to the Albert Memorial, Round Pond, the Peter Pan Statue, and the Diana Memorial Playground. Hotels near Lancaster Gate are perfectly positioned for exploring London’s many parks.

Greenwich Park is particularly exciting with its long, rolling hill that provides spectacular views of the London skyline. It also hosts the Royal Observatory, home to the Meridian Line, which marks Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Eat at some restaurants in Bayswater before hopping on any of the numerous nearby tube stations to Greenwich.

Another important mention is the relatively new Sky Garden built inside The Fenchurch Building (also known as the Walkie-Talkie). The Sky Garden is an awesome indoor garden with spectacular panoramic views of the city.

3: London’s Markets

There are some amazing free London markets to explore, ranging from the world-famous Borough Market to the trendy Brick Lane Market. If you’re staying at Paddington hotels London, you’re just 20 minutes away from Borough Market.  

Camden Market is also very well-known and is much-loved by foodies who peruse its endless culinary offerings. Maltby Street Market, Old Spitalfields Market, Portobello Road Market and Greenwich Market are all well worth a visit too.

[queensparkblogs]

London Tourism: Winston Churchill Edition

History has a big role to play in London tourism, with Winston Churchill one of the most iconic and well known names from 20th century politics. In his role as Prime Minister, Winston Churchill had a major impact on the way that Britain was run during WW2 with his time as a wartime leader and figure in Britain making his presence across London something that is still recognised today.

For those visiting London to get a flavour of the city’s history, here are some of the places to add to your list which are directly linked with Churchill – the first of which is located a stone’s throw from The Queens Park hotel.

National Portrait Gallery

Home to portraits and paintings of some of Britain’s most distinguished names, leaders, and celebrities, it follows that there are a number of paintings and statues which depict Winston Churchill to be found throughout the gallery. From those which he posed for, to those done from memory or from existing portraits, the culmination of artwork showcasing Churchill throughout his life and career make this a great attraction in which to immerse yourself in the history of the former Prime Minister.

Churchill War Rooms

Located on the very site of the war rooms in Westminster used during WW2, not only have these war rooms inspired movies and television programs but they are also an iconic stopping point for history lovers – surrounded by convenient double room hotels for London tourists.

The war rooms remain as they were during the war, presenting a network of underground spaces which include the map room and the various rooms where Churchill and his team directed the war effort.

Another part of the Churchill war rooms experience includes the Churchill museum, which allows visitors to see love letters between Winston and his wife, artifacts, cigars and the possessions which epitomise the life of the leader in one place.

Westminster Abbey

A well known London landmark located within close proximity to the top hotels near Paddington London and other central spots, Westminster Abbey not only hosted a number of ceremonies and events which Winston Churchill himself attended, but is also where a green marble commemorative stone is laid in his memory. The stone, laid and unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in 1965, commemorates both the life of Churchill and the war effort in which he played a significant role.

House of Commons statue

The House of Commons is one of the most famous places where you will find a status dedicated to Winston Churchill, with visitors staying in one of the nearby twin room London hotels able to see both the Churchill arch and the bronze figure statue where it stands by the Commons entrance arch.

So much of Winston Churchill’s time in Parliament was spent in the House of Commons, with Westminster Hall beyond the arch also playing host to a memorial plaque in the spot where Churchill’s coffin lay upon his death.

Beyond these most obvious stopping points on a historical tour of London through the eyes of Churchill, visitors can explore many other sites and landmarks that played a part in his leadership. Let us know where your tour takes you!

[paddingtoncourt]

What goes on in the Tower of London?

Located on the banks of the river Thames, a short tube or taxi ride from the various types of accommodation in Paddington London, sits the Tower of London. Architecturally impressive, with a plethora of stories to tell and a diverse history which is both regal and full of gore, the Tower of London is now one of the most popular attractions in the whole of London.

But what is there to see and do when you get there, and is the Tower worth the trek from your Paddington London hotel?

The Tower of London as an attraction

With guided tours available and plenty of history to learn about, the Tower of London can offer anything from a stopping point for an hour or two, to a full day out for the whole family. Make sure that you take in specific points including the White Tower, Traitor’s Gate, and the execution green where Anne Boleyn was famously beheaded on the orders of King Henry VIII.

A guided tour will also tell you stories such as that of the Princes in the Tower, the history and use of the Tower as a fortress during the wars, and how prominent the Tower has been as a prison throughout its history.

The ravens

The ravens are said to protect both the crown and the tower itself, and as such there are now six ravens who live in captivity in and around the Tower of London’s site. Despite being built on superstition, the ravens are an aspect of the Tower’s history that many visitors find interesting.

The Crown jewels

The royal family and the plethora of royal connections across London drive many of the top and budget London hotels to offer deals and special offers all year round – celebrating anniversaries, weddings, births, and more.

The presence of the crown jewels inside the Tower of London combines the history of the site with the regal grandeur of the royal family – with visitors from all around the world booking tickets and queueing to file past and see the jewels for themselves from behind their thick glass case.

The outside space

We probably don’t need to tell you how glorious the setting of the Tower of London is – with its views over the river Thames and proximity to Tower Bridge making it one of the most centrally located, accessible attractions in the city. Beyond its location, the Tower of London plays host to an outside display of flowers which is referred to as the Superbloom display – with millions of flower seeds being sown in the dried moat which surrounds the attraction, budding and blooming throughout the spring and summer months.

Colourful and vibrant in its display, this floral attraction is enough to draw visitors from all walks of life – even those who don’t fancy a day of history, guts, and gore.

Whatever your itinerary, make sure you add the Tower of London to your plans for the day – researching the best form of transport from the Park Grand Paddington Court, whether on foot or by taxi or tube.

[thejhydeparkblogs]

The Best Secret Markets in London

Borough Market, the market stalls of Covent Garden, and the plethora of Christmas and festive markets which appear around the Winter time are all part and parcel of London’s charm. But when it comes to getting out and about, London has a lot more to offer than you might expect.

From central markets a stone’s throw from the J Hyde Park London and other London hotels near Paddington Station, to hidden and well concealed markets dotted throughout the city, here are some of the best markets for browsing, eating, and picking up the best bargains.

Columbia Road Flower Market

The perfect market experience for those who love fresh flowers, indoor plants, and all things interior – the Columbia Road flower market sees independent producers and growers from across London coming together every Sunday to present the finest bouquets and arrangements. In addition to the market itself, Columbia Road flower market is located along a street packed full of artisan and vintage stores, adding an extra layer to every visitor’s experience.

Marylebone Farmers Market

Just minutes from the hotels near the West End of London, the Marylebone Farmers Market is worth leaving your twin executive room for, early on a Sunday. Despite only being open for four hours every week, this event presents over 40 stalls full of local produce and the finest artisan treats to bring your Sunday roast to life.

Portobello Road Market

Anyone else who has seen Bedknobs and Broomsticks (a truly iconic family film which is packed full of British humour and songs) will be familiar with Portobello Road and its market – but did you know the market is still very much an active part of the local community? With everything from vintage goods to street food, ingredients, and all kinds of treats you didn’t know you needed, this market is known for its antique stalls but has a lot more to offer besides.

Notting Hill Farmers Market

Another destination made famous by the movies, you may not find Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant wandering around Notting Hill on a regular basis, but what you will find is locally produced, grown, and manufactured food – loved by locals and frequented by some of the best local chef’s and eateries in London.

Greenwich Market

A favourite of those who live and work on the east side of London, Greenwich Market is as much about local crafters and handmade gifts as it is about great food and drink – much of which can be bought to-go and enjoyed as you browse the rest of the market. As well as presenting a huge selection of unique wares and treats to take home with you, Greenwich Market is the only market in the UK that is set on a world heritage site – giving it a little extra historical flair for those seeking a unique experience in the city.

Which of these markets have you visited – and which are you adding to your must-see list for your next trip to London?

[craveninn]

There’s something for everyone in London

Visiting anywhere is tough with a family in tow. From finding the right hotel to securing tickets for the best attractions, creating an itinerary which works for everyone, and factoring in the constant need for food, naps, and drinks, London with a family can be a tough ask. Until now.

This blog is all about navigating a visit to the city with family members of all ages – sharing the best hotels in Paddington London, where you can get bed and breakfast near Paddington Station London on your way to check out the finest attractions, and which shows to make sure you see.

Where to stay

Some of the best London accommodation is near Paddington Station, combining the central location with the proximity to Regents Park and other central London green spaces for optimum peace and quiet – not to mention access to ZSL London Zoo which is popular with visitors of all ages. Whether you are an early riser or a night owl, being close to a green space gives you somewhere to see the sunrise or the sunset, with Hyde Park in particularly one of the most vibrant in terms of events and other experiences.

The Park Avenue Inn London is a family friendly hotel which offers a range of packages or choose something a little further afield in East London and make the most of access to trendy Shoreditch and Stratford.

Eating, drinking, and snacking

Finding a restaurant that ticks everyone’s tastebuds is near impossible – which is why when it comes to visiting London as a family, your best bet is to opt for one of the markets with tons of different foodie options and things to try.

Borough Market is great for day time eating, or head to one of the many outdoor food attractions such as Pop Brixton for more of a hot food experience with the ability to order from different outlets. If you want a refined meal or something truly British, then consider afternoon tea at one of the top London hotels – and make sure not to miss the local treats on offer from street vendors as you wander Covent Garden and the Southbank to name just two options.

Attractions you cannot miss

This is where planning and having an itinerary is key – with the best trips being those where you consider, and channel thought into the location of your top attractions and how to fit them together into day trips.

The West End of London is one such location which you must visit, with most of the top shows doing matinee shows on specific days as well as evening shows virtually all week. If you are planning on catching a show, then book in advance or speak to the reception staff at your hotel to arrange tickets.

The main attractions near to Paddington London include Madame Tussauds and the Planetarium, or you can head towards the river side to visit the Tower of London and the London Eye.  

[thethirdromana]

If the Harkers were to leave today Sept 6th for home (since it's been a couple of weeks since the wedding, provided the doctor was right that Jonathan would be better by then), and I understand it's tricky due to this being a cross-country journey in the 1890s, about when would they arrive home, give or take? I imagine a couple of hotel stops for better comfort would be logical?

This is hard to answer because there are so many options, but I'll give it a shot.

They could go north through Frankfurt and Belgium, or south through Paris. But we need to start either way by getting to Vienna. There's a train leaving Budapest at 8am (p58) that reaches Vienna by 2.45pm. That's quite a slow train, but I think it's the only option for leaving first thing.

If they take the southerly route, they can take the daily Orient Express Train de Luxe, which leaves Vienna at 5pm and arrives in Paris at 5.40pm on the 7th. (I was trying to figure out how this took the 27 hours that the timetable claims, but then I remembered - time zones were different in the 1890s). That's p9. At 7.45pm they can take the boat-train to London via Calais.

The matching train should be on p21. Can I find it? Obviously not, that would be too easy. But there's a 8.25pm departure with an arrival time in London of 5.55am on the 8th.

They can then grab some breakfast and pick up a 9am express from Paddington, arriving in Exeter at 1.46pm (p42).

That takes 54 hours in total, and the tight connections and direct trains make me think it's probably the quickest option. It's a good bit quicker than my approximation of Mina's journey via Hull and Hamburg from last year. (I'm still wondering why she wouldn't just travel via London. Is that what happens when Mr Hawkins books the trains?)

If Jonathan and Mina can sleep on trains, this is probably not that uncomfortable - the Orient Express is a Train de Luxe - but I would imagine it would be a good bit more expensive than the slower options. How that expense compares to slower trains plus a night or two in hotels, I'm afraid I have no idea.

[thedemonknownasbilly]

Weekends in Soho - Chapter One

Masterlist

Word Count: 726

Ineffable Husbands x GN!College!Reader

Warnings: season 2 spoilers (ish)

Final 15 never happened. They kissed and stayed together.

Two hours was a relatively short tube ride to you, coming from America and all, where going to the shops could take an hour even in the same city. So really, you couldn’t complain for a two hour ride to another city. You were certainly desperate now, class work was falling behind and you couldn’t afford that. Yet everywhere in Oxford seemed to be a distraction. The Starbucks turned into a flirting disaster between you and the barista who was five years older. The library was wrecked with familiar faces, classmates, friends, all people who were looking for their own excuse to not complete an assignment. Your home, even, was too distracting. The dishes needed doing, there was a new episode of your favorite show just aired, you always did say you’d dust later. Too many distractions. Too many things to do. So in a last minute effort to gain control, you bought a hotel and fares to Soho, London. Maybe a weekend away was what you needed.

You did your best to balance your laptop on your legs, keeping the volume of the device off, earbuds in as your phone played your favorite song on repeat, repetition meant you could tune it out, but the music kept the outside world out.

“Paddington Station.” The announcement blared, you had barely heard it, only looking up to the sign and seeing it. “Shit!” You murmured, gathering your things quickly and hectic like, jumping out onto the platform just in time, only realizing you had left your umbrella behind. “Oh, fuck me!” You huffed, noticing a man looking at you questioningly. “Not literally, twat.” You scoffed, carefully putting your things into your bag to protect them from the light drizzle, looking down at your phone and putting in the coordinates to your hotel, which luckily wasn’t too far, but without an umbrella, you really couldn’t walk around the neighborhood to look for dinner options or even a library.

“Oh, that smarts.” You had winced when you saw a couple get drenched by an awning suddenly tearing, out of the corner of your eye you could have sworn you saw someone in the bookshop across the street, watching the same scene with a similar pained expression. Wait. Bookshop! You scurried over quickly, doing your best to protect your belongings as you entered the door and nearly slammed it behind you.

“We’re closed, piss off.” The man from the window said, walking around carrying a pile of books. Another man, older, looking towards you sympathetically.

“It’s pouring like crazy out there, and I left my umbrella on the tube, can’t I just wait the rain out?” You had asked, shivering and drenched, but soon feeling a warm towel engulf you, looking behind you to see the older man putting it around your shoulder. “Thank you…”

“Jim.” The man answered with a grin, “would you like a hot chocolate?”

“I’d love that, if it’s no trouble.” You accepted, noticing the red haired man seemed to be scowling at Jim. You stuck close to Jim, he was much more friendly, making sure the hot chocolate was to your liking.

“Oh, fancy that, rain’s gone.” The red haired man, Crowley as Jim told you, said. “Bugger off.”

“I’ll visit another day,” you promised Jim, patting his hand kindly as you handed him back the now empty mug.

“I like them.” Jim announced when you had closed the door.

“You like everyone. I doubt your opinion here matters much.” Crowley rolled his eyes, looking down to see one of your bags remained, groaning as he picked it up. “Probably would lose their head if it weren’t attached.” He mumbled, looking at the travel tag and humming your name to himself, safely tucking the bag under Aziraphale’s desk.

“Please, tell me you didn’t sell any of my books?!” Aziraphale yelled out as he rushed in, eyes wide with worry. So the angel did see you leave his shop.

“And what if I did?” Crowley tried to tease, but immediately backtracking when his husband’s eyes threatened to fill with tears.

“No, no, no, I’m sorry.” Crowley rushed over to Aziraphale. “I didn’t sell any books, they just wanted to get out of the rain.”

“Trying to create another Maggie and Nina moment?” The angel jested.

“It would work if that bloody shop would buy a quality awning.”

“I’m sure it would, dear.”

[ladamedusoif]

Scarf (Javi Gutierrez x gn!Reader)

A Merry Fic-Mas - December 4

Part of A Merry Fic-Mas: A Holiday Fic Calendar - click for masterlist. FYI: I'm having so much trouble with taglists at the moment that I'm not going to use them for now - if you want to keep updated, follow @ladameecrit and turn on notifications.

Pairing: Javi Gutierrez x gn!reader

Rating: Teen

Word count: 658

Warnings: Reader can knit (try it, it’s fun!); reader gives Javi a Christmas gift but consider this a secular Christmas; no use of Y/N, no use of gendered pronouns, no physical descriptions of reader; mild angst.

Summary: Once upon a time, your first Christmas gift to Javi was a perfectly imperfect handmade scarf.

He always ended up gazing at your hands while you knitted. 

It was hypnotic, almost: the repetitive little gestures with your clever fingers, the yarn over, yarn under, turn the work; the way you would furrow your brow just so and purse your lips as you counted the stitches. 

The way he always had to suppress a giggle when you swore at whatever you were making, sighing in exasperation. 

Javi could never quite grasp how you managed it without looking. He asked about that, once, when you were cosied up beside him on his long couch, blanket over your knees, knitting away while your eyes were trained on Paddington 2 playing on the TV. 

“It’s muscle memory by now,” you’d explained. “I learn the pattern, I memorise what I need to, and then I can tell by touch what the next stitch is and should be. It’s just a matter of practice - anyone could do it.”

Javi shook his head, still transfixed by your hands working busily away. “It’s not practice, mi amor. It’s your magic.”

For your first Christmas gift to him, you’d made him a scarf. Soft merino yarn, a relatively simple pattern, in a beautiful shade of cornflower blue that you knew would look perfect against his beautiful olive skin and dark hair. 

You knew there were a few mistakes in it - a repeated purl stitch when it should have been a knit, a dropped stitch here and there that you’d had to patch in a little clumsily. But every stitch was invested with care and meaning, a manifestation of your desire to keep him warm, safe, and know that he was loved.

You had even found a little woven label that you hand-stitched onto the back of the scarf, stating simply: Made With Love.

When he opened the gift box, Javi’s eyes twinkled as he took out the scarf and ran his fingers carefully over the knitted fabric, taking in every detail. 

“It’s not perfect, Javi, and it’s a far cry from your cashmere scarves, but it will keep you warm when it’s cold, and I thought the colour would -”

He stopped you by cradling your face in his hands and kissing you over and over as he murmured his thanks. He picked up the scarf and draped it around his elegant throat, closing his eyes happily as he felt its warmth and softness on his skin.

“It is the most beautiful thing in the world. Apart from you, that is.”

Javi is greeted with the spectre of freezing, early morning London fog when he pulls back the curtains in his hotel room. He shivers reflexively, and goes to the wardrobe to find his warmest clothes for that day’s round of meetings. A grey turtleneck, a thermal undershirt, a charcoal suit, and his perfectly-cut houndstooth woollen overcoat. Perfect.

The sight of the scarf nestled alongside his socks in one of the hotel room drawers stops him in his tracks for a moment. He reaches down and runs his hand over its careful stitching, like he did the day you gave it to him.

So long ago, now, and so hard to understand what had transpired in the time since.

Some winters he cannot look at it, let alone wear it. But there is something inviting in its sturdy warmth today, something that whispers to him of comfort and joy.

Javi turns to the full length mirror and takes in his reflection. 

He is well put-together, but incomplete.

He drapes the scarf around his neck, fingering the little tag as he appraises himself again. 

Made With Love.

For a moment, he feels whole again.

[thealogie]

do you or any peanuts have any recommendations on finding cheap flights to london from the US?? and/or affordable accommodations in london?? i live in a large city with an international airport which helps, but i’ve never planned international travel before and macbeth is haunting me

I would recommend you start looking on Kayak now. In terms of a flights, if your airport has Norse Airlines or another one of those speciality cheap airlines, I’d recommend that. For example, I can do a round trip from Los Angeles to London for as low as $200. It’s not the best most comfortable but it’s safe and fine. If you want something a little better I would say (1) If you have a credit card see if you can use some points (this is how I flew to London for 0 dollars) or see if they have a booking system which sometimes offers discounts or (2) keep looking on kayak and other travel sites!

For accommodations, I have stayed at some nice hostels in London and honestly had fun meeting and going out with people from the hostel! Alas this was years ago and my hostel days are behind me but I’d recommend looking around for ones that are trying to be slightly trendy or boutique. You can definitely find a private room in a hostel for £60 a night.

If you’re looking for something nicer than a hostel, this is a good list of semi-affordable hotels. Two neighborhoods I’ve stayed in that were fun but cost effective: Shoreditch and Paddington

[eardefenders]

Sherlock & Co Locations

Location, location, location. Are you like me and not a native Londoner? Are you also like me wondering how to visualize a place or, perhaps more importantly, how long does it take to get from 221B to the various locations and how much they're spending on tube fare?

Well then look no further! This is my masterpost with links to each location described in detail in each post made on those locations. Each post gives a bit about how far from 221B it's located (depending on travel method), how much it likely cost them to get there, photos of the location, and a bit of the location's history.

Every time we get a new locale I'll add a post and link it here. :) Lmk if I miss any and I'll add them. If you see a location and it has no link then either the link broke or I haven't made the post yet, but logged the location.

Cheers!

The Criterion Bar

221B Baker Street

Brixton

The Volunteer Pub & Restaurant

Regent's Park

Hampstead

Thor Bridge (Upney Ln)

Walthamstow (Morgue)

King George's Hospital

Barking/North Barking

Fortnum & Mason

Paddington Station

Hilton Green/Chatham

Berlin (John's Vacay Spot with The Boys)

Heathrow Airport

Hotel Cosmopolitan

Bailey's Street

Shoreditch

King's Road

Chelsey

44 Cross St., Croydon

Chiswick Flyover

The Fox (the swinger's pub)

Hanwell/Ealing/West London

Islington Tunnel

Eltham

Blackheath Common

"GAIL'S Bakery"

The Strand

'Saxe-Coburg Square'

Pinewood Studios

Embankment

Charing Cross

Opera House (?)

Barking Station

Walthamstow

Waterloo Bridge

Bank of England Museum

Camden Town

Living Room Club Cafe

'Gloria Scott' (Oil Rigs)

Ramack/Kosovo

St Dunstan

Little Venice

Satalfields

Brick Lane

Neal's Yard

South Kensington (Ice Rink)

[stephensmithuk]

Taking a Cure and Breaking Carlsbad

Because there is really nothing new under the sun at the end of the day, some people were just as obsessed about their health as they are now.

CW for discussion of historical atrocities and capital punishment.

Taking the Waters

It was believed in the 19th century and indeed for a few centuries before that "taking the waters" from wells in certain inland towns with natural springs was good for your health. A lot of places had gained this reputation, like Bath in England and Spa in Belgium. Yep, that's where the name comes from.

You could either drink the waters, bathe in them or both. This was segregated by sex, as you would generally be naked in the latter case.

The arrival of the railways made "taking a cure" a good deal easier. Bath was connected to London by the Great Western Railway and today you can get there by 125mph train in under 90 minutes from Paddington.

So, many of the rich and famous would take holidays in these places, where they would drink the water, go on a restricted diet, take long walks and undergo various treatments, prescribed by spa physicians.

Some of these were medically sound. Some come across as quackery of the first water, pun fully intended.

Treatments included - and you can still find many of these in modern day spa facilities - mud baths, massages, seaweed wraps, steam rooms etc. There was also something called a Vichy Shower, which involves lying on a slab while being sprayed with water from multiple nozzles in a shower bar.

Yes, Vichy in France is a spa town. The reason the collaborationist government went there in 1940 is because it had a lot of hotels to put everyone up.

Karlovy Vary

Anyway, Carlsbad was the former English spelling of Karlsbad, a town in Bohemia then under Austrian rule. You may know it better under its modern name of Karlovy Vary, today in Czechia (aka the Czech Republic, its long form name), about sixty-six miles west of Prague. It has an airport, but the flights are limited there - you will generally need to go to Prague, then get a coach or train.

Three American places and one in Canada still bear the name Carlsbad, the most notable being the coastal city in California, now home to a Legoland.

The name in both German and Czech means "Charles' baths".

While there were settlements in the area going back to the Bronze Age, legend has it that Charles IV, King of Bohemia, found a warm spring by accident while exploring the local area and the waters healed his injured leg. In any event, he gave the place royal privileges in 1370.

His successor, Wenceslaus IV, would give the town a right of asylum and the place also had a ban on carrying weapons.

In 1526, Louis II would drown as he fled defeat by the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Mohács, ending his dynasty as he had no legitimate children. Austrian Ferdinand I was elected as his successor and to cut a long story short, Bohemia lost its independence, becoming part of the Austrian Empire.

The 16th and 17th centuries weren't great for the place; a massive flood, a big fire and Swedish troops looting the place three times in seven years during the Thirty Years' War.

In 1819, the town would hold a conference of representatives from the states of the German Confederation, passing decrees increasing press censorship and banning nationalist societies among other things in an attempt to slow moves towards unification.

In the event, that unification would happen in 1871, but Austria would be excluded from the new Germany and instead unified with Hungary in the Dual Monarchy, aka Austria-Hungary. Karlsbad would be in the Austrian part of this new Empire and was in fact majority-German speaking.

Anyway, back to Karlsbad. The town was rapidly developing in popularity as a resort during the course of the 19th century and would become even more popular in 1870, when a railway line was built from Prague to Eger (now Cheb) on the border with Germany.

The railway line allowed for through carriages to operate from across Europe. In 1888, it took a day and 8 1/2 hours to get there from London. By 1911, CIWL was offering a through sleeping carriage, along with parlor/dining car from Ostend to Carlsbad, the former reachable from Charing Cross via train and ferry. The journey was now doable in 26 hours and 21 minutes.

The appeal for spa fans was clear - 80 springs with water running up to 74 degrees Celsius. Mineral water and herbal bitters were bottled and exported all over Europe. The mountain scenery and fresh air allowed people to take walks as part of their "cure."

The best-known spa by the Raffles time was the Imperial Spa, of which more later.

There were also plenty of hotels or pensions. The September 1888 Bradshaw's Continental advertises eight of them, with no less than seven boasting of English-speaking staff or indeed managers. The most famous hotel, opened in 1701 and still going strong in 2024 is the Grandhotel Pupp, which featured extensively in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale where it played the Hotel Splendide. Indeed, Karlovy Vary has a big starring role in that film.

Churchgoers were well-provided for, with churches for multiple denominations. The Anglican one is now a waxworks museum of all things.

Many rich and famous faces would show up at Carlsbad and nearby Marienbad. Chopin and Beethoven visited there. Anthony Joseph Drexel, founder of what is now J. P. Morgan & Co visited there in 1893... then had a fatal heart attack.

As the Redux points out, all these rich people were prime targets for thieves.

An 1884 guide to the place can be found here:

Things were going pretty swimmingly for the spa town... and then the First World War happened, rather damaging the tourist industry.

The collapse of Austria-Hungary saw the town incorporated into the new country of Czechoslovakia following the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1919. Local protests in March 1919 ended in six deaths after things turned violent and Czechoslovak soldiers opened fire, but the local population of what was now Karlovy Vary soon accepted their new situation. A 1930 census made clear that the place remained overwhelmingly German in its composition.

The place didn't recover to its pre-war popularity; the Great Depression really didn't help in that department. The German-speaking areas of Czechoslovakia had a lot of industries, like toy-making, which were reliant on exports... and protectionism was now very much in vogue. There were also tensions between the German minority and the Czech majority.

Then a certain Austrian man with a toothbrush moustache came along. Karlovy Vary was in what was becoming known as the Sudetenland... and you can probably see where this is going.

In September 1938, the Munich Agreement, signed without the Czechoslovaks being involved (who had to accept it), saw the Sudetenland handed over to Germany. By March 1939, the Germans had invaded and annexed the rest of the Czech part of the country, Poland and Hungary had taken various bits of territory and a pro-Axis client state was set up in what was left of Slovakia. However, it does not seem there was any mass support for this by the Germans of Karlovy Vary.

The Nazis set up the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia in the Czech bits they'd got in March 1939.

While a full discussion of their horrific rule is beyond the scope of this post, Karl Hermann Frank, born in what was then Carlsbad, would be placed in charge of the Nazi police apparatus in the protectorate. He would eventually become Minister of State, the most powerful official in it and in these roles would play a primary role in the mass murder of the Jewish population in the Protectorate. He would also give the orders to destroy Lidice and Ležáky, murdering nearly all their inhabitants, in reprisal for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich in 1942.

Karlovy Vary would play host to a Gestapo prison; I imagine the town also saw some use by soldiers on leave.

Karlovy Vary was out of the effective range of Allied bombers for much of the war but came under heavy bombing twice in the final months of the conflict; bombers heading for Dresden in February 1945 appear to have also bombed Karlovy Vary (and Prague) by mistake. The town was heavily damaged, but the spa part escaped destruction.

Karlovy Vary was part of an agreed stop line for George S. Patton's Twelfth Army Group in May 1945 as they raced east. They met some resistance as they approached (namely the dangerous 88mm guns that had to be taken out individually), but the town surrendered without a fight on 7 May 1945; German forces there just wanting to surrender to the Americans and not the Red Army, who would treat them much worse.

However, it had already been agreed that this would be an area under Soviet occupation and Patton's forces had to cross back over the restored border into Germany, handing the place over on 11 May.

The Czechoslovakian-government-in-exile had declared its German and Hungarian minorities collectively responsible for the occupation. The Allies at the Potsdam Conference agreed that Germans east of their new borders should be transferred in an orderly fashion to Germany i.e. expelled.

It would be anything but orderly. Many had already fled west to get away from the Soviets, either in organised evacuations or on their own initiative, the later continuing after the surrender. At least 100,000 civilians died in this flight from aerial attack or other causes, such as the atrocious winter of 1944-45.

Now, Czechoslovakia would kick out nearly all the rest. Germans and Hungarians had their land seized, their citizenships revoked and were sent west or north; around 1.3 million and 800,000 respectively.

Mobs and those in uniforms engaged in massacres with varying degrees of official connivance; with the harsh conditions of the expulsion as well, it is estimated by a joint German-Czech commission that 15,000 to 16,000 died, along with another 3,400 suicides.

Others ended up in internment camps, also with harsh conditions.

Those who could prove they were anti-fascists or who were essential for the economy, a number estimated up to 250,000, were allowed to stay. In other cases, Communist Party redistributed assets to Czechs in the border areas, getting a lot of support in post-war elections as a result.

The expulsion/deportation remains something of an elephant in the room in the now three countries - it was historically a much bigger issue. West Germany paid compensation to those thrown out from its own funds and the international community concluded that Czechoslovakia taking their assets meant that no reparations needed paying. A Czechoslovak law granting immunity for crimes committed in 1945 in the name of liberation remains in force. A joint agreement in 1997 saw Germany accept responsibility for Nazi crimes and Czechia express regret for the deaths in the expulsions; various attempts at reconciliation have happened. The surviving Sudeten Germans do not want their land back in general, just official recognition.

The events have come up from time to time in the politics of the area, but I shall leave that discussion for others to have.

In the aftermath, the Czechoslovaks also conducted war crimes trials of those who had engaged in such horror upon their country. Karl Hermann Frank, captured by the Americans the day after the war ended, was extradited back to Czechoslovakia, and sentenced to death by the People's Court in Prague. On 22 May 1946, he was executed in front of 5,000 people in the courtyard of Pankrác prison; it was a ticketed event with "scalpers" to boot in what would be the final public execution in Prague. It was also photographed and filmed for the media; the footage can be found easily online, so you may not want to look this up. Especially as the method of hanging was the Austro-Hungarian pole method, not a pleasant way to go.

The Communists, starting to lose popularity, sized power in a coup in 1948 and created a Soviet-aligned state.

The Grandhotel Pupp had already been nationalised, the Pupp family having been expelled and was renamed the Grandhotel Moskva in 1951.

The Karlovy Vary Film Festival began in 1946 and quickly became prominent after it introduced an international film competition two years later, by 1956, it was a top-tier festival, up there with the likes of Venice and Cannes. Moscow got jealous and forced the festival to go from annually to bi-annually; it alternated with the festival in the Soviet capital until 1993.

The need for "hard currency" such as the West German mark to be used to pay for imports into the CSSR meant Karlovy Vary continued to market itself to foreign tourists, especially West Germans. The erection of the Iron Curtain made travel to and from Czechoslovakia a lot harder, as you now needed a visa to go there from the West; there was also a mandatory foreign exchange requirement, although paying for the hotel could cover that. East Germans, who could travel to Czechoslovakia without the need for a visa, seem to have found Karlovy Vary too expensive and went to other spa towns. In any event, the Soviet invasion of 1968 that ended the Prague Spring damaged visitor numbers further, not to mention destroying the credibility of much of the Eurocommunist movement, who mostly parted company with Moscow in short order.

As for the Imperial Spa, built in 1895 and known as Spa I since 1922, it had been renovated in the late 1940s so it could operate all-year round and declared a cultural monument. However, increasing maintenance costs meant it stopped operating as a spa in the late 1980s, becoming a casino, falling further into disrepair.

Things, however, were about to improve. The Velvet Revolution of 1989 saw the largelyFilm/TheMummy1999 peaceful end of the Communist government (a lot of people were beaten up by security forces, but no-one died, although a hoax story of a death played a key part) and Czechoslovakia's return to democracy. It became two democracies in short order; it became clear that the Czechs and Slovaks had different ideas of the direction of travel for their country, so the Velvet Divorce followed in 1993, creating Czechia and Slovakia. Both countries would maintain good relationships with each other and join the EU together in the 2004; Czechia retains the koruna, having not yet joined the eurozone.

In 1990, Karlovy Vary got city status as the tourists came back. The Grandhotel Pupp got its name back - a deal being reached with the family in 1992 for use of the trademark. The film festival returned to being an annual event, only being skipped in 2020 for obvious reasons, although a shorter festival happened in November. In 2024, the Crystal Globe was won by A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things, a British documentary on an abstract artist called Wilhelmina Barns-Graham.

The Imperial Spa was declared a national monument in 2010 and a renovation began in 2019, allowing the place to fully reopen in 2023.

I think that's a good place to end it. I am now thinking of going there myself...

[surprisinglyokay]

Having recently read a fanfic in which Sherlock and John catch trains to various parts of southern England exclusively from London’s Waterloo station, even when this is not the usual/logical route, I’d like to share this for writers who might not be familiar with the whole business of trains in/to/from London.

Let’s start with the history of how and when rail services came to London. This article explains how and why we have so many terminal stations (short version: because when they were built, the railway companies were privately owned and all needed their own terminus in London).

The main terminal stations are Waterloo (south), Paddington (west), Euston (north-west), King’s Cross (north-east), St Pancras (East Midlands and Eurostar), Liverpool Street (east), Fenchurch Street (south-east) and Victoria (south). There are others (see the article linked above and my husband’s comment below).

As we know, within London and the suburbs, these termini are linked by the London Underground (aka The Tube) network. There is also the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) - a driverless system - and other overground rail services. Here is a map of it all from Transport of London (TfL). Baker Street is served by five tube lines: Bakerloo (brown), Metropolitan (maroon), Jubilee (silver), Circle (yellow), and Hammersmith & City (pink). It’s also only a five-minute walk from Marylebone (the nearest terminal) which itself is just behind the Landmark hotel, which we know as the exterior for The Restaurant Scene.

Aside: I think Sherlock is unlikely to catch a bus unless directly related to a case - they’re just too slow for him. But you can find bus maps and all kinds of other TfL mappy delights here.

If you have characters using public transport in the UK, your best bets for accurate research are:

Google Maps (in public transport mode)

National Rail (see the page footer for all the useful stuff)

Transport for London

All these also have apps available.

I’m happy to do Sherlockian Britpicking (my day job is copy-editing) if that’s helpful for you.

If you want to go the full Howard Shilcott, I still very much enjoy reading the rail enthusiasts’ forums posts about the myriad tube-related continuity errors in TEH. I’ll let you Google those for yourself. 😉

———

Ran this past my husband (who is totally the full Howard Shilcott) and he made a few corrections (and a lot of faces!) before I posted: he wishes it to be known that he ‘remains unhappy about [my summary of] Fenchurch Street’ and thinks I should add Charing Cross to the list so people know how to get to Kent. So that’s all clear then. ����

[queensparkblogs]

How To Be Like Londoner On London Underground - 5 Top Tips!

The London Underground has its own quirks. The hustle and bustle of the tube is an experience in its own right, and navigating your way around London’s underbelly can be a thrill ride if you’re not sure what you’re doing.

London is easy to explore from London Hotel Queens Park, which is well-placed to access the London Underground.

There are some conventions to take notice of. You won’t get arrested if you don’t comply, but you’ll almost certainly get some steely glares or even a telling-off if you stand on the wrong side of the escalator.

Here’s 5 tips on how to be like a Londoner on the tube.

1: Use the Escalator Correctly

This is the number one most important piece of London etiquette. When you ride an escalator, you walk on the left only, and stand on the right. Everyone standing and simply riding the escalator stands on the right to let anyone who's in a rush through on the left.

It’s simple to remember - always stand on the right in the direction of the escalator. After a long, tiring day, you might find yourself drifting towards the left. Don’t panic - it happens!

2: Don’t Hang Around or Dawdle

The pace of life in London is fast, and you’ll definitely notice that on the tube. If you can move with determination, then do so, especially if it’s busy.

Obviously, it’s up to you to go what pace you can, but if you’re holding others up, expect them to push past you. The rush is particularly intense in the morning - be sure to fuel up at some breakfast restaurants London!

3: Don’t Make Eye Contact

This is one of London’s greatest stereotypes - people don’t make eye contact on the tube, they don’t talk, they don’t acknowledge anyone’s presence, they just keep to themselves.

To be fair, it’s the same on most tubes and public transport. Those few minutes you get to yourself on the train might be some of the only ‘quiet’ moments you get all day!

In the evening and at night, when people start going out and partying, you’ll definitely notice more interaction on the tube. But for the most part, it’s somewhere people like their relative privacy.

5: Be Polite

British people are famous - or perhaps even infamous - for being polite. Londoners will get bumped into by others and apologise to them even when it isn’t their fault.

Despite the stereotype of Londoners being rather cold, people are generally polite. Politeness goes a long way in London.

6: Mind the Gap!

The number one rule: mind the gap between the train and the platform. Some trains don’t meet the platform particularly well and you’ll have to traverse a small gap.

It’s rarely an issue, but you’ve got to keep an eye on it, and some platforms are worse than others. You’ll get used to the announcement, “please mind the gap between the train and the platform”. The underground is easy to access from hotels near Paddington Station UK which is excellently placed near the capital’s West End.

[enfyswanders]

Cardiff, Wales: July 19-26, 2024

"I have no idea what I'm going to do in Cardiff" was a regular refrain as I fretted while planning my trip, and apart from pre-booking a Doctor Who tour, I decided to simply wing it when I got there, and that worked out really well.

I flew from Dublin to London Heathrow, then took the Tube to Paddington Station for the train to Cardiff, where I took this crappy through-the-train-window pic of the Paddington Bear bench, mainly so I could show my mom, since we read those books together when I was a kid and my grandma made me a Paddington Bear plushie.

I got settled at my hotel in Cardiff and took it easy the rest of the day, and the next day I decided to do some easy walks for sightseeing and visited Cardiff Market, a fabulous, two-story indoor market full of shops and food stalls. I bought a couple of Welsh Cakes almost immediately and that was a very, very good decision.

For the uninitiated, a Welsh Cake is basically a flattened scone cooked on a griddle and dusted with granulated sugar. At this shop, they sold them warm off the griddle, with the option to be served sandwiched with filling like lemon curd, Biscoff cookie spread, Nutella, or jam. I was instantly hooked and ended up getting Welsh Cakes for breakfast most of the mornings I was in Cardiff. It helped that they were less than a pound apiece, so it made for a very cheap breakfast (it only took two before I felt full).

Also, this shop in Cardiff Market is run by an American and I giggled at the name:

Another find on my first day was the Queer Emporium, a shop/coffee bar/cocktail bar where I felt right at home. I made it a point to stop there every day to buy a drink and fill up my "Gay Card." And one evening when I was wandering around, I stumbled upon a queer crafting night there and joined in to chat and do some cross-stitch with a small group of fellow neurodivergent queers, and that was a welcome bit of socialization during a trip that was sometimes a bit lonely.

I really enjoyed shopping downtown and bought probably more stuff than I should have. There are tons of arcades (covered but open-air alleyways full of quirky and interesting shops and cafes), a beautiful library, and some cool-looking museums (most of which I failed to visit due to not feeling well my last day in town).

The day after my downtown exploration, I decided to visit Cardiff Bay, which includes Roald Dahl Plass, named for the author, a Ferris wheel (and yes, reader, I took a ride on it), a building that looks a lot like the Smithsonian Castle in DC, an historic Norwegian church-turned-cafe-and-craft-boutique, a phenomenal ice cream shop with some serious innuendo in its signage, and a very peaceful wetlands reserve with a wide bike and walking path and lots of birds.

For my nerdy readers (probably most of you?), Cardiff Bay is also home to Torchwood Tower (so small - and surrounded by a family fun faire - I missed it my first visit and had to go back to see it again after my Doctor Who tour guide pointed it out) and Ianto's Shrine, which is still being curated ten years after "Torchwood" was canceled.

As I mentioned, I also did the Doctor Who tour, which was fun, and we had a really great and indulgent guide who showed us dozens of shooting locations from all the modern seasons of Doctor Who, right up through the Ncuti Gatwa episodes. Since most of the stuff we saw wasn't exactly scenic (mostly alleys and fronts of office buildings and shops), I didn't really take any photos, apart from one in St. John the Baptist Church, where keen observers will find a tiny Cyberman has replaced one of the knights up above the rear chapel altar.

While in Cardiff I had another Adventure In Trying To Do Laundry, and in this episode, I took a bus to a not-great part of town where the laundromat was very good and the person running it was very kind and I met a nice couple from Seattle but most importantly, it had the most bonkers vending machine of hot-water-based potables I've ever seen.

And while I was there, the vending machine was not operational because the electricity costs were too high at the time. (Many places in the UK have different electricity rates for different times of day and days of the week.) Not that I was tempted by the possibility of herbal tea that may have tasted like tomato soup.

The true highlight of Cardiff, however, was the Cardiff Castle tour, specifically the residence, but honestly the whole thing was an absolute delight, and it was my favorite castle to explore of all the castles I visited during my trip.

I didn't take a ton of photos, both to adhere to my five-photos-a-day rule and because I knew my photography equipment - er, phone - and skill were not up to the task of capturing some of the more magnificent sights (which is why I bought a book in the gift shop instead).

But. Let me tell you about this place. It is WILD. There's been a castle on that site for 2000 years, since the Roman occupation of Britain, so it has a really rich history and some absolutely bananas decor.

First off, when you buy your admission, there's a military history museum, which is actually pretty darned interesting even if you have no interest in military history. For one thing, there's a person demonstrating various swords and other edged weaponry from various historical periods. For another, there's this absolutely jaw-dropping, enormous sculpture? Relief? Mural? Thing? depicting the Roman rule era. It runs the entire length of a super-long hallway, and arcs around a corner as well. Absolutely astonishing. It was created in the 1980s, so it's not exactly historic in and of itself, but it's still an incredible sight to behold.

But the military history museum has nothing on the residence tour, which costs a few extra pounds but is well worth the expense. Our guide was a fabulous nonbinary person who I vibed with instantly and turned out to be a fan of my band, The Misbehavin' Maidens, which is rad enough to make the tour worth it, but holy shit this house. This HOUSE.

It was built in the Victorian era by the Scottish Marquis who owned it at the time, and he was incredibly wealthy thanks to the coal industry, so practically every surface in this mansion is covered in 22-karat gold. Here's the one photo I took that turned out decently, of the zodiac ceiling in the winter smoking room:

And that's not even the most opulent room in the place. Check out the Arab Room if you want to see something truly astonishing.

The funniest part of the tour was seeing the Marquis' bedroom and learning that he converted to Catholicism at age 21 to marry his wife, and kinda turned being Catholic into his whole personality, to the point where his bedroom has a wardrobe designed to look like a confession booth, and there are angel faces looking down at you from the ceiling, positioned so that no matter where you are in the room, at least one of them is staring at you at all times.

Every room had gorgeous art on the walls and ceiling, including a very detailed mural in the nursery featuring tons of storybook characters and storytellers.

As if that weren't enough to make for a fantastic day, then I got to run around in and among the ramparts, and as we know from my time spent in York, I love running around castle walls. It may be a new obsession of mine.

Another fun place in Cardiff Castle was inside the walls, where they created a bomb shelter in WWII and have up period-appropriate signs and play bits of radio from the time interspersed with the sounds of bombs dropping and air raid sirens. It's haunting and intense. I do question the choice of playing the song "We'll Meet Again," though. Someone on staff loves Doctor Strangelove!

I did break my five-photos-a-day rule the day before I left Cardiff to capture the Animal Wall of Cardiff Castle, though, and I have no regrets. Here are my faves, but you can see them all here.

Overall, Cardiff was definitely a highlight of my trip and I had no trouble filling my time there with activities, even though I didn't have much of a plan before I went.

Though I kinda wish I'd stopped to have a drink at this place (fonts matter, people!):

[carriagelamp]

I was doing quite a bit of travelling this month, so audiobooks were a blessing (thank you for my life, P.G. Wodehouse). I had a few physical books that I carted around with me, but mostly I really appreciated the bliss of being able to pop in headphones and listen to a story on the plane or to help me fall asleep in assorted inn/hostel/hotels…

A Bear Called Paddington

Speaking of travel, of my destinations this month was the UK! Had an excellent trip, got all around the country, including London. I was thrilled to see the Paddington Bear statue at Paddington Station, so I decided I needed to reread the first book of the series since it’s been years since I read any of them.

A Bear Called Paddington tells the story of how a young bear “from Darkest Peru” winds up in London. The Brown family find him in at Paddington Station with a tag that says “please look after this bear, thank you”. Not able to stand leaving him on his own, they bring him home and that is, as they say, history. The stories are all quaint little adventures about the well-meaning Paddington exploring every day London life and the inevitable mishaps and misadventures he gets drawn into.

Black and White: Tough Love at the Office

Ah, the Toxic Yuri everyone’s been talking about! I honestly don’t quite know what to say about this one… this author had a very specific fetish she was going for and succeeded! It’s all about an office rivalry and how out of hand it gets, very kinky. There is absolutely nothing of substance here but tbfh if you read that title and decided to pick it up substance proooobably isn’t what you’re looking for. The art is nice! I wouldn’t bother reading more, but I had fun reading this.

Heidi

Another childhood classic I hadn’t read in years. It felt like a good summery read so I decided to revisit it since the last time I read it was probably late elementary school and I remembered having vaguely warm feelings for it. The story is about a young orphaned girl named Heidi and how she is sent to live with her gruff grandfather up in the Alps. Despite people having doubts about her doing well in such a harsh environment or with such a harsh man, Heidi takes to the mountains immediately and her bitter grandfather is soon softened by having her around. Things get complicated though when Heidi is taken away from her uncle and forced to live with another family, far away from her mountains and the world she knows…

I enjoyed it well enough. It was sweet and endearing like children’s books from this era are, though the moralistic Christianity was a little heavy fucking handed for this particular atheist. Could have done without. Not sure I’d bother rereading it again now that I’ve been reintroduced to the story, but it is a nice one and obviously a classic for a reason.

Into the River Lands // Mammoths at the Gates (Singing Hills)

I seriously can’t sing my love for The Singing Hills Cycle loudly enough. Go read it! Go go go! I was iffy when I read the first book, it took me a little bit to really understand what the book was trying to do, but by the time I hit the second book I was sold. By Into the Riverlands I was in love. 

These stories continue to follow the cleric Chih as they travel the lands collecting story for their monastery which exists to keep detailed records of all sorts of stories, both historical and fictional. These books are fascinatingly meta, and tend to weave multiple stories together with the framing device of Chih in the present day and then whoever is telling them their stories. It means that things often aren’t said plainly and you have to pick apart these various stories and the biases they’re being told through in order to understand the overarching story of the novella. Into the Riverlands is about Chih trying to collect stories about legendary martial artists from the riverland region and the companions they joins up with to travel a dangerous river road. Mammoths at the Gates is about Chih returning to the monastery only to find that it’s been besieged by mammoths and that an important cleric has died. They get wrapped up in trying to help mediate both the siege, the death of the cleric, changing relationships, and how stories affect the way we feel about people.

Star Crossed

This one was… a comic. I’m not really sure what to say about it. My girlfriend bought it for the pretty art and lent it to me and it was… a fine read. The art was definitely pretty! But the pacing was brutal. There was some genuinely lovely ideas and the relationships that were set up seemed appealing, but everything happened at such a breakneck speed that there was really no chance to feel anything. I couldn’t tell you a damn thing about it anymore, honestly. A problem was no sooner introduced than it was resolved. This felt like it either needed to be a story with a much smaller scope, or it needed to extend over quite a few more books. Ultimately if you want a story about star people, and a king/body guard thing, and some nice art it wouldn’t hurt to read. But like… you aren’t getting much. Kinda just made me want to go and reread Dogsbody instead which did sentient star politics in a much more interesting way. 

Right Ho, Jeeves // Very Good, Jeeves! // Thank You, Jeeves // Code of the Woosters // Joy in the Morning // The Mating Season (Jeeves & Wooster novels)

So! I got a little into the Jeeves books! They made absolutely perfect falling-asleep-books since, much like Bertie, they don’t take a lot of brain power. They’re like eating a bowl of popcorn for my brain. They were fun, silly, with just enough scheming to keep things interesting. I adore Bertie Wooster with my entire heart, and it’s always very fun to see Jeeves swoop in to save the day. My one condemnation is that this is very much a “if you’ve read one, you’ve read them all” sort of series. Which clearly worked for me! I wanted more of the same and by god I got it! Could not for the life of me tell you what each book was about, but I had a blast listening to them and intend to listen to more too after I’ve had a break. Every time Aunt Dahlia turns up my heart sings. I am also delighted to have reached the books that feature Gussie because he's also an absolute delight!

[jonathanwrotethis]

A kind of magic

Where did Saturday go? Where do Saturdays go? Why is this not headline news every week?

I'm running on empty. Again.

After delivering a demo in the heart of the city, and having all the important conversations, I got home in time for tea and medals and then spent much of the evening working on some content creation for YouTube. The same again first thing this morning.

At this point the YouTube gig has pretty much turned into a second full-time job. I finish the day job, eat dinner, wash up, and then go again. Every day. The lines on the page in the Overlook Hotel have never sounded more true.

I spent this morning building computer hardware that arrived through the post a week ago. Hardware to build and review on YouTube. I was in WAY over my head. I never did electronics at school, and the closest I've gotten to building anything in the last twenty years has been IKEA furniture.

I got there. The video and accompanying blog post went out early this afternoon.

Since then I've been helping build furniture, visited the rubbish dump, and accompanied my other half to deliver our daughters to their annual rugby team awards dinner.

After eating half my bodyweight in chinese food earlier this evening, I'm now sitting in the dark of the junk room with a glass of wine. Taylor is playing on Spotify.

While on my way to London yesterday, huddled in an underground train, I overheard the subject of Taylor come up between some other passengers. A teenager was in the middle of attempting to cancel her for whatever reason when an older man across the train carriage leaned forwards. Something that NEVER happens.

"I've been a hug fan of all sorts of music since probably before you were born…"

I fully expected "Ok boomer" from the teenagers, but what he said next caused them to remain silent.

"She's the hardest working, most professional, and most dedicated recording artist I think I've ever seen."

A woman in her thirties sitting opposite him smiled - "well said". I broke into a broad grin too.

The train rolled into Paddington a few moments later, and we went our various ways.

I will freely admit - there's a part of me that listens to Taylor purely because it rubs some people up the wrong way. I love music. I've always loved music. Who's singing, performing, writing, or whatever - isn't so important to me. I just love music.

As Russell said at the end of Almost Famous - "what do I love most about music? In the beginning, everything".

I love that music can immediately transport us to places, times, and emotions. When I hear "U Sure Do", I'm at Oxford ice rink in the early 1990s. When I hear John Farnham I'm immediately in the Christmas Market in Frankfurt, talking to an old friend on my phone. When I hear "Blame it on the Weatherman", I'm arriving in San Francisco to visit my cousin on my own thirty years ago.

It's a kind of magic.