There and Back Again

Pondering: Nothing prevents happiness like the memory of happiness. (Andre Gide)
Reading: Innocence by Kathleen Tessaro

Today is a most active and most tiresome day. However, I wouldn’t change anything about it.

I woke up quite early which, when you’re jet lagged (still) can be quite challenging. By quarter past 7 AM, my sister and I were out of the hotel and on to the National Express office in Victoria Station to catch our 9 AM bus to Leeds Castle. In the bus with us were a bunch of “characters” though all of them turned out to be harmless, jolly good individuals. By 10:45 AM, we were at Leeds Castle, hungry and looking forward to the wonders of this castle.

Said to be the loveliest castle in the world, Leeds Castle was traditionally the dower house for widowed queens. In 1926, Anglo-American heiress, Lady Baille bought the Castle and turned it into a country house full of 20th Century luxuries. On her death in 1974, the Castle was left to the Leeds Castle Foundation for the public’s benefit. Indeed, it is huge and beautiful with magnificent gardens and rest spots for zoning out and with great views of the man made lake called The Great Water. The Staterooms are old and rustic, every piece and furniture telling a story from bygone years. And particularly fun for sis and I was figuring out the maze which led to a grotto. The Aviary Zoo was also entertaining especially the Salmon-crested Cockatoo which is the most beautiful bird I’ve ever laid eyes on. The picture I took does not do justice to its beautiful color.

By 2:30 PM, we were tired and ready to take the bus back to London. I slept through most of the trip. It was an unpleasant sleep but much needed. We got back to Victoria Station around 5 PM where we grabbed dinner before heading off to King’s Cross for guess what? A SOLD OUT Keith Urban concert at the Scala. What a great a coincidence that we’re in London just when he is too! You think?

The venue was Standing Room Only so I was on my feet for a full 2-1/2 hours plus the 1 hour of queuing outside in the rain. I think I’m too old for General Admission but Keith made the foot ache, the waiting in the freezing cold and the secondhand smoke inhalation, all worth the while. The show was great, no surprises there. The crowd was great too. Didn’t really expect these Brits to know the lyrics to But For the Grace of God but they knew the lyrics to all the songs. Keith is that amazing!

We finally got home a little before midnight. I’ve just finished showering and I’m forcing myself to stay awake and scribble this entry before I doze off. My eyes are drooping and I am officially exhausted. Best get to bed now.

Oh, the Uber-Teddy Bear ring tone commercial from the German channel is on again! Probably the 50th time this last 4 days. I wish I knew the song it’s singing…