XVIII: The Long, Hot Weekend

They dragged me around all last weekend. I wouldn't have minded except that (a) it was bloody hot for it being October, (b) all the drives were at least 90 minutes, if not more, and after all that, (c) we didn't go anywhere very interesting. By which I mean: no mysteries to solve, not even an injured person much less any dead ones to investigate. Honestly, what do these people do with their time?

Well, as it turns out . . . They go to more Renaissance Faires. Last spring it was a sort of Robin Hood theme. This time it was King Arthur. These people do realize they're not in England? They even tried accents, most of which were awful.

And to top it all off, The American dressed up this time.

So did the other ones.

Well, not the smallest. He appears to be the only one with any sense, aside from wearing sweatpants in 27 degree heat. (That's about 80 Fahrenheit.) But that's not really his fault considering he can't even dress himself yet.

The "little princess" there got the grand idea of draping me with beads.

She told everyone I was a mermaid. I take exception on two accounts: one, I don't see how beads possibly make one a mermaid, and two, if anything I'm a merman. But no, I'm not.

Fine. We got home, had a rest, and then the very next day we were off again on another long drive, this time to visit Thomas the Tank Engine. And yes, ride on him. Did they really ship him across the Atlantic to entertain small children? Apparently so.

There wasn't even anything to look at during the ride.

And no air-con, either, so it continued to be sweltering.

She was happy enough, though. Likes the heat.

The princess got her hands on me again at one point.

All that hair AND she's got me right in the sun besides.

Later, I hid. Though being next to the sippy cup made me more conspicuous than I'd intended.

Sufficient to say I was glad enough of getting home, even if I normally complain of being bored there. (Sorry, John.)

XVII: Sherlock in New York

We did finally go to New York this past weekend. The hotel room was rather small.

I don't take up much space, really, but The American is somewhat larger than I am. We wouldn't have both fit if I'd been any bigger.

We didn't have time to visit many sights, though we did see Rockefeller Center:

And happened upon a Labor Day parade, even though Labor Day had been the previous weekend.

The parade was made up mostly of unions. Apparently they also moonlight as marching bands? Here they are in front of Trump Tower:

And here are some who are Scottish, maybe, or pretending to be:

And this was the union for motion picture stagehands or some such. I really just fancied the double-decker bus, which reminded me of home:

After all the walking we'd done, we stopped for a treat. The American kept saying we "broke into a Jamba Juice," but the doors were unlocked and the establishment was clearly open, so I don't really follow the joke there.

We had something called a Green Gummi Bear. They didn't know how to make it, so we had to tell them. (For the curious, it's soy milk, peach juice and lime sherbet. Very nice.)

The American had gone to a large toy store to buy things for that pack of Baskerville hounds she calls her children. But at least one of the toys was friendly:

His name is Barry. (Beary? Berry? I didn't ask.) And now he lives in the downstairs flat, or what is commonly called the playroom. But he makes frequent visits up our way.

We stayed near Times Square, which is quite vibrant after dark.

Of course, our visit coincided with an historic anniversary. We had some sobering reminders of such:

XVI: Postponement

It's like Atonement, but . . . No, actually, it's nothing like Atonement. Except maybe all that water.

We were supposed to travel to New York City this afternoon. Alas, a hurricane--called Irene, appropriately enough--has forced us to remain where we are. I was for going all the same, but The American believes in erring on the side of caution or some such twaddle.

She's promised to take me there some other weekend. I suppose the up side to all this is that we won't miss tonight's Torchwood and will be home for Doctor Who tomorrow as well. Assuming there's power. Though the dark is always fun too.

And now we're having Indian food delivered, and if I promise to behave, she'll let me ride the dog later.

XV: Statues

Seems I failed to post about a sculpture garden we visited a while back. I'm sure there's a perfectly valid reason for my failing to post about it at the time, but here are some pictures nonetheless.

I call this one "Sherlock in Captivity."

Climbing

This sculpture is called "Ozymandias."

She and I had a nice little conversation, never minding our various stages of undress.

More climbing. And undressing. Though not necessarily in that order.

She made me button up.

XIV: M

Never mind her for the moment; just look at the necklace.

Do you know what that is? It's the letter "M." All my least favorite things begin with "M."

Yes, okay, maybe I do like one thing.

Sigh.

XIII: Newport

This past weekend I was forced to endure what appears to count as some kind of mini-holiday, notably a visit to Newport, Rhode Island.

They fed me salt water taffy:

And milkshakes:

(You may well ask about the red ribbon. Dare I attempt to explain? The American had too much wine and got, er, festive.)

And "Mexican" food. In Rhode Island, mind.

In short, there was much eating.

I hate eating.

We also visited large houses. One was an old Vanderbilt estate known as The Breakers. Here we are standing beside a sign. I ask you, of all the lovely spots to take photographs, why do it beside this sign? I suppose the day I begin to understand will be the day I've lost my wits.

There were lions, of one kind

and another . . .

But there were also lovely blue hydrangeas.

We visited a topiary garden as well.

There was some hide and seek . . .

and I rode the ducky . . .

and we relaxed a bit on the lawn chairs . . .

as well as on the veranda.

Something there is that doesn't love a wall . . .

That wants it down!

Elves.

XII: Flowers

I rather like flowers. John gave me this one, which I shall keep in my pocket:

Alstroemeria Saturne. Also known as a Peruvian Lily. Typically signifies devotion and friendship.