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rsfannan4 · 2 years ago

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Day Eighteen: Our last days on the water before we head home.

We woke up in Windsor with a hankering for an American breakfast, so we walked on over to the train station near the castle and sat down at Bill’s Windsor Restaurant. Eggs, pancakes, omelettes, home fries. Delightful. From there we did a little shopping before going back to our boat for our last full day of cruising.

Our journey took us to Staines-upon-Thames, a rather happening small town with several pubs and restaurants on the water from which to choose. We chose The Swan, a hotel/pub right across the river from the spot where we moored. We were joined by many locals rooting for their favorite teams competing in a slew of rowing races. Quite a boisterous lot. They were not what you would call Olympic caliber contestants, but what they may have lacked in top-level skills, they certainly made up for in enthusiasm. They had us cheering them on as if we were at the Grand National at Ascot. Yes, alcohol was present before, during, and after the events.

For our last dinner, Renee and company prepared fruit salad, mixed green salad, fettuccine with pesto, and bread with wine, of course, and more gin and tonics. A wonderful feast to end a wonderful cruise.

As day turned into night, we went topside and had a last concert singin; and strummin’ to the delight of the crowds that were still around at the pubs after the races had concluded. (A bit of hyperbole here. We seemed to be a big hit with a group of rather inebriated young folk having a party on the balcony of their apartment overlooking the river)

After playing for a while, an old curmudgeon strolled up and poo-pooed our performance, telling us that we were in a residential area and that not everyone was enjoying our music. He even mentioned something to the effect that he could call the police. Oh well, you can’t please everyone.

We called it an evening and hit the sack, knowing that we had an early start to get downriver to the Penton Hook Marina at Chertsey, where we had to turn in the boat around 9:00 in the morning.

As we entered our last lock, I think we all experienced the same sad feeling. I think that I speak for all in saying that I hope to have the opportunity to board another of these vessels in the not too distant future and go exploring another part of the inland waterways of the U.K.

Sadly, we arrived at the marina early in the morning because at noon the Penton Hook Yacht Club was hosting its yearly flotilla of boats that had taken part in the evacuation of Dunkirk at the beginning of World War II. One of the maritime patrol officers that we talked to at the last lock told us that 7 of these original ships along with the four surviving captains would take part. We did, however, get to see some of these watercraft as we passed into the marina.

After packing up all of our stuff, we said goodbye to our Horizon 4, bid a tearful farewell to our river Thames, hoping that we might ride upon her waters again.

Our next stop was our fantastic Holiday Inn Express near the Heathrow Airport. Thanks to Diane, we had arranged a van to take the seven of us, so it was not too long until we were napping in our rooms on real beds. That night, we had a buffet dinner at the hotel, and said our sad goodbyes to Chuck and Shirley, who had to wake up super early to catch their flight back to Illinois. The remaining five of us would get to have one last breakfast before heading out to fly home.

It had been a really great adventure, but it was time to go home. (It would be nice to get into some clean clothes. Mine are pretty gross)

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thecontentedreader · 7 years ago

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It’s time for another book haul post! My reading has not been as great as it had been during the summer. I’m back to school and working towards finishing up my teaching degree -which is taking up the majority of my time. That being said, I have picked up some books this month that I am really looking forward to jumping into! My book haul this month is under the cut!

Synopsis:

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and survivors are rumoured to possess more than just scars - they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

Why I Bought It:

When I was in my local Chapters recently, they asked me if I wanted to donate two dollars to a local school and in exchange I got to ‘pick a date’ with a book. Beside the counter they had a number of books wrapped up with different things written on the front. Some books had a genre written across it, while others had one word to describe the theme of the book. I loved the concept of being introduced to a book without having any preconceived notions about it. I picked up a wrapped up book that had “YA read for the young and fearless” on the front. It turned out to be The Young Elites by Marie Lu! I am super excited to read this book. I haven’t read any of her books before and have only heard wonderful things. I can’t wait to dive into it.

Synopsis:

She used to work for the U.S. government, but very few people ever knew that. An expert in her field, she was one of the darkest secrets of an agency so clandestine it doesn’t even have a name. And when they decided she was a liability, they came for her without warning.

Now she rarely stays in the same place or uses the same name for long. They’ve killed the only other person she trusted, but something she knows still poses a threat. They want her dead, and soon.

When her former handler offers her a way out, she realizes it’s her only chance to erase the giant target on her back. But it means taking one last job for her ex-employers. To her horror, the information she acquires only makes her situation more dangerous.

Resolving to meet the threat head-on, she prepares for the toughest fight of her life but finds herself falling for a man who can only complicate her likelihood of survival. As she sees her choices being rapidly whittled down, she must apply her unique talents in ways she never dreamed of.

Why I Bought It:

While Twilight was an entertaining series, it was never one of my favourite series to read. I enjoyed the books and the movies but it was never something I obsessed over like many other people my age did at the time. Meyer’s other novel The Host, however, is one of my favourite books. While some people I’ve talked to haven’t been fans of The Host, I most certainly have.

I was at Costco with my mom a couple of weeks ago and saw The Chemist and figured I should pick it up. I’m really curious to see if her next adult novel will be as enjoyable to me as The Host was. My hopes are up high, so I hope it doesn’t disappoint!

Synopsis:

Nineteen-year-old Sydney has the perfect summer mapped out. She’s spending the next four and a half weeks traveling through Europe with her childhood best friend, Leela. Their plans include Eiffel-Tower selfies, eating cocco gelato, and making out with très hot strangers. Her plans do not include Leela’s cheating ex-boyfriend showing up on the flight to London, falling for the cheating ex-boyfriend’s très hot friend, monitoring her mother’s spiraling mental health via texts, or feeling like the rope in a friendship tug-of-war.

As Sydney zigzags through Amsterdam, Switzerland, Italy, and France, she must learn when to hold on, when to keep moving, and when to jump into the Riviera ... wearing only her polka-dot underpants.

Why I Bought It:

First: the cover. How could I pass up an amazingly gorgeous cover like this one. It’s perfect. Do judge a book by its cover when it looks like this one (haha!). Second: the author is Canadian! I really love supporting Canadian authors when I have the chance too and I’ve heard some great things about Mlynowski. Third: the synopsis of the book reminded me so much of Love, Lucy by April Lindner (read my review here) and Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch (read my review here). Passing up contemporary travel reads just isn’t in my vocabulary! I cannot wait to give this book a read!

Synopsis:

Avonlea beckons in this cookbook inspired by the most famous Canadian children’s book, L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. “Kindred spirits” both young and old will enjoy experiencing late-nineteenth-century Prince Edward Island firsthand through the delicious recipes culled from the eight books in the Anne of Green Gables series.

From Poetical Egg Salad Sandwiches, to Anne’s Liniment Cake and Diana Barry’s Favourite Raspberry Cordial, these recipes are easy to prepare and delicious to serve up any day, on a weekend, or for special occasions! With full-colour photography, whimsical illustrations, and quotes and anecdotes from the books, get ready to be immersed in Anne Shirley’s world.

Why I Bought It:

Anne of Green Gables has been a staple book series in my house. I was Anne for halloween one year, I’ve been to Prince Edward Island (where the book was set) and to a museum in Bala, Ontario. The author and the book are Canadian and like I said before, I really love supporting Canadian authors and stories. Needless to say, Anne of Green Gables has been a large part of my life. The author of this cookbook is Lucy Maud Montgomery’s granddaughter and her father, L.M. Montgomery’s son, was the doctor who delivered my mom into this world!

We heard that Kate Macdonald would be at our local chapters to chat about the cookbook and sign copies. My mom jumped at the opportunity to meet Kate and tell Kate the story of how her father delivered my mom. Kate was absolutely wonderful to meet and was so genuinely pleased to hear the story. She said that she loves hearing stories like that and to know the different people that her father brought into this world. I can’t wait to try out some of these recipes and immerse myself more into Anne’s world!

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divices that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.

Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.

Why I Bought It:

I was a fan of The Fault in Our Stars. Similar to Twilight, I didn’t become obsessed with it like most people but I certainly enjoyed the writing of John Green. I haven’t read any of his other books even though I own them all. But there was something that drew me towards this book and I’m really curious to see how I enjoy it.

I was invited by Penguin to attend the 2017 Fall Gift Show at their Toronto office on October 19th. One of the perks for attending was receiving a 20% discount at the Penguin Shop (which is the tiniest little shop ever!). I actually had no plans of buying any books because I have so many on my TBR shelf right now. But, I saw this book with a tiny little sticker on it that said “Signed Copy.” How could I walk away from a book that I will eventually read that was signed? Yeah, not a chance. I’m really looking forward to reading and reviewing this book and seeing how John Green’s long awaited return plays out!

#booklr #bookblr #book haul #bookish #book blog #book blogger #ya books #the young elites #marie lu #the chemist #stephenie meyer #i see london i see france #sarah mlynowski #anne of green gables #anne of green gables cookbook #kate macdonald

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