tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post6798684194205362351..comments2024-03-29T00:11:30.648+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: Hilary, Hilary, where have you been? I’ve been to London to look at ... so many theengs! Part 2/2Hilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-52643488584189396222014-02-17T21:04:38.270+00:002014-02-17T21:04:38.270+00:00@ Coral - we just had three fun-filled days and th...@ Coral - we just had three fun-filled days and those museums were just so lovely - I learn so much each and every time.<br /><br />Lots and lots of different restaurants around .. food to choose ..<br /><br />@ Deniz - I'm so pleased Deniz .. and you all managed to meet up .. crumbs that's some luck- mind you I suppose with mobile phones handy .. that helps .. and then the celebratory pub dinner: sounds very good!<br /><br />@ Susan - I've always loved retsina, hardly ever have it - so this was a treat!<br /><br />We hardly noticed the rain .. luckily we selected our trips out when it had eased off .. a mist is manageable! <br /><br />We are deluged with the stuff - but I really feel for those who are suffering .. the wind has been incredible .. especially last week.<br /><br />Our spirits don't get dampened .. so we had a ball!<br /><br />Cheers to you .. lovely seeing you here .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-64074183440652823952014-02-17T18:50:17.431+00:002014-02-17T18:50:17.431+00:00Wow, you are the adventurous one, aren't you? ...Wow, you are the adventurous one, aren't you? Even drinking retsina! I've never tried it before, but have heard it's an acquired taste.<br /><br />Your weekend sounds fantastic, all except for all that rain. You've had more than your share of it this year. Wind, too. But you obviously didn't let it dampen your spirits.Susan Flett Swiderskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09425315552148200073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-83594729757803404882014-02-17T16:05:00.748+00:002014-02-17T16:05:00.748+00:00We did, Hilary! My husband's second cousin was...We did, Hilary! My husband's second cousin was running in the marathon. Somehow in all that confusion we found her and the family at the finish line, and we all went for a celebratory pub dinner :-)Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-35328436484217437032014-02-16T09:39:06.770+00:002014-02-16T09:39:06.770+00:00Gosh Hilary - what a culinary trip to London, with...Gosh Hilary - what a culinary trip to London, with a few museum sidebars! It makes me positively hungry.<br />I've only stayed in London for a few months at a time, but always remember fondly the huge variety of restaurants and cuisine on offer!<br />SueCoral Wildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00263860317454600072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-90962653576867939802014-02-10T05:27:05.848+00:002014-02-10T05:27:05.848+00:00@ LuAnn - good to meet you and yes the A-Z should ...@ LuAnn - good to meet you and yes the A-Z should be fun .. I hope your power is back up and running .. <br /><br />Cheers - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-5912854131678314842014-02-10T04:41:28.849+00:002014-02-10T04:41:28.849+00:00Visiting from the pre-#atozchallenge hoopla. :O) ...Visiting from the pre-#atozchallenge hoopla. :O) It's cool that you have signed up to be one of the co-hosts helpers. Me too! :O) I commiserate with you on the weather. We have been without power most of the week. Ugh.LuAnn @ BackPorchervationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01775630749079885915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-85368514827330846922014-02-08T11:17:44.781+00:002014-02-08T11:17:44.781+00:00@ Lee - we certainly had all of those things .. it...@ Lee - we certainly had all of those things .. it was so stimulating being with the youngies, yet educating ourselves too .. <br /><br />Staying in London helps .. I get whacked going up to London doing things and then getting on the train to get home ... the hotel stay was a real treat.<br /><br />@ Inger - we staged ourselves quite carefully! It's so interesting and I learn so much .. I can't help but get excited ... and 'engaging' is the right word: many thanks for that.<br /><br />Cheers to you both .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-11367901970657927152014-02-07T23:05:03.671+00:002014-02-07T23:05:03.671+00:00What a great weekend, you really managed to do a l...What a great weekend, you really managed to do a lot. I would get sooo tired! I love the way you get excited about things, it is very engaging. If that's the right word. Ingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02924736131382149056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-52909654515697489842014-02-07T17:32:49.090+00:002014-02-07T17:32:49.090+00:00Wow! A gourmet, architectural, historical and educ...Wow! A gourmet, architectural, historical and educational tour. What fun you had, Hilary. I admire your stamina and your exciting adventures so much.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-40108153188722543342014-02-07T09:39:26.836+00:002014-02-07T09:39:26.836+00:00@ Rosie .. it was a fun time and probably a very g...@ Rosie .. it was a fun time and probably a very good fillip for a wet January - just what we all needed.<br /><br />@ Gattina - well worth a visit and looking round Covent Garden is always fun. I expect your Belgian weather is about the same as ours .. very wet .. and warm as you say.<br /><br />@ Robyn - well I needed a god-daughter weekend .. and it was lovely to get them together, and share the time with my great friend from SA days ... <br /><br />@ Diane - your trips are always so excellent to read ... and if I wasn't staying there for that weekend .. it is exhausting ... <br /><br />The photographic exhibition was incredible .. and being with L we were able to reminisce about our travels and the stories behind the photographs. The Dugong photos in the exhibition were just brilliant - but they don't even show in the brochure .. otherwise I'd have taken a photo that way ... <br /><br />Thanks for visiting .. cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-79592378854172986602014-02-07T09:29:48.175+00:002014-02-07T09:29:48.175+00:00Thanks for sharing this trip with us, it is rare t...Thanks for sharing this trip with us, it is rare that I have a trip to London. I hate big towns but visiting it with you was a pleasure.<br />I love the photo of the Dugong, they are so prehistoric looking, but cuddly in an odd sort of way :-))<br />Have a great weekend. DianeDianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14782670749466305626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-30905122037390974972014-02-07T03:12:24.497+00:002014-02-07T03:12:24.497+00:00Wow my friend. You are a traveling gal these days....Wow my friend. You are a traveling gal these days. I am so happy for you. I love reading about all of this too. So very sorry about her grandfather though. :( But it sounds like you had fun. Love you Hil!!!Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-67223316025461322392014-02-06T16:31:49.723+00:002014-02-06T16:31:49.723+00:00I think I have to go back to Covent Garden to chec...I think I have to go back to Covent Garden to check on this Belgian food restaurant. Sounds as only the name is Belgian, lol ! but the most important is that the food is good. We have the same lousy weather and the warmest winter since I don't know when and water in abundance ! Gattinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06636525277807715146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-976627851916639002014-02-06T14:17:37.827+00:002014-02-06T14:17:37.827+00:00It does look like you had a delightful trip despit...It does look like you had a delightful trip despite the weather, and hurrah for it!<br /><br />That clock is stunning.mail4roseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17850985344834209198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-17005701416427226582014-02-06T09:46:47.075+00:002014-02-06T09:46:47.075+00:00@ Lynn - so glad you've been to Covent Garden,...@ Lynn - so glad you've been to Covent Garden, so could relate .. we didn't see much that tempted any of us - but the food was good!<br /><br />@ Karen - glad you enjoyed our visits around parts of London .. and our eating habits!<br /><br />@ Sia - yes it was lovely sharing time with the god-children and with my friend - catching up with her after seven years of not seeing each other that often.<br /><br />Glad you enjoyed wandering with us .. <br /><br />@ Gary - yes no matter the weather London is good to visit at any time ... and I'm lucky it's fairly accessible for me. A fun weekend much loved by one and all .. <br /><br />Cheers to you all .. it's still raining, with storms lashing the coasts causing some major damage .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-1112744782906552292014-02-06T02:40:28.153+00:002014-02-06T02:40:28.153+00:00Hi Hilary,
I shall keep this a short comment. My ...Hi Hilary,<br /><br />I shall keep this a short comment. My rambling comments are well, just too rambling.<br /><br />No matter the weather, London is a city that we can immerse ourselves with the wonder of it all. Such a trip you had, my friend.<br /><br />Gary klahaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613505424843475639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-9407911395948116722014-02-06T02:22:00.540+00:002014-02-06T02:22:00.540+00:00Oh what a lovely visit you had, Hilary. Rain or no...Oh what a lovely visit you had, Hilary. Rain or no it was a visit that built memories in your heart. Laughter and fun is always a good thing and when you couple it with fun and interesting places to visit it is even better.<br /><br />Thank you for letting 'come along' and see it all. :-)<br /><br /><a href="http://siamckye.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Sia McKye Over Coffee</a> ~Sia McKye~https://www.blogger.com/profile/08470562659597351033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-91790282677165695632014-02-05T20:33:52.735+00:002014-02-05T20:33:52.735+00:00In addition to fun, your memories will include a f...In addition to fun, your memories will include a feast for the senses! I enjoyed hearing about the adventures you all had. So glad you shared them, thank you! <br /><br />Have a great rest of the week!Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-11092897580932894992014-02-05T19:26:05.263+00:002014-02-05T19:26:05.263+00:00My goodness - what a wonderful day! I visited Cov...My goodness - what a wonderful day! I visited Covent Garden with my sister in 1997 - so nice to be able to put an image in my head of you and the girls visiting there. I bought some beautiful earrings that I still treasure.Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13984802196897920610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-8720709652669806422014-02-05T09:03:22.110+00:002014-02-05T09:03:22.110+00:00@ Fanny - thankfully we missed most of the rain - ...@ Fanny - thankfully we missed most of the rain - caught out as we left the British Library, but otherwise just damp! F-in-L had had a good long life .. so that's a blessing.<br /><br />@ Keith - just delighted you're enjoying my days out and visits!<br /><br />@ Manzanita - yes food pictures before breakfast are tricky to read about. It was a great weekend .. <br /><br />@ Rhonda - there's so many places to try in London and the Caviare House was the centre of our attention for the weekend .. really couldn't fail there - unless like my god-daughter you don't like fish .. still she enjoyed her food - but happier (fodder-wise) the next day I think!<br /><br />@ Tasha - the train is a boon, but I do not like it .. uncomfortable, but at least we're in the centre of London in an hour and half .. so two hours and I'm where I need to be. The tube and buses make a huge difference .. easy to jump on and off and move around ... <br /><br />I've only ever been with people in the States so have never really worried about travel - but in NYC I walked, tubed etc ... but that was 'centuries'! ago ... I've never really thought about living there and not being able to travel that much without the car .. being snowbound must be a 'right' pain .. I hope it thaws soon ... <br /><br />@ Deniz - I love my food! and do not get out to restaurants that often .. so enjoy my times guzzling!<br /><br />2012 was the year of the Queen's Jubilee and it was awful .. but not as bad as it is now. It was wet for six months, and really spoilt the flotilla down the Thames .. such a pity. But it cleared for the Olympics - I'm glad to say .. <br /><br />The weather is just unusual .. but the storms and deluges of rain this winter just keep coming. Getting a taxi in the rain is impossible - and you were lucky to get a rickshaw .. not sure how comfortable that would be .. we did see some, but I've never tried one.<br /><br />Did you get to see the Marathon at all?<br /><br />@ Julia - I have salad for lunch every day, and if I'm out I'll usually have a salad with my meal .. but I eat loads of veg too!<br /><br />@ Jen - I feel tired reading it through and remembering what we did .. but it was great fun.<br /><br />@ Gina - glad you enjoyed part 2 of our weekend .. <br /><br />@ Ann - lovely to see you ... the weather is being a real problem this year .. the rain is making the ground unstable in places. I too feel for those flooded, without power, or snowed in ... I'm just glad you're relatively free of weather related incidents.<br /><br />I was sorry to hear of their grandfather/F-in-L's death but he'd had a good life and at least he's not suffering any more ... <br /><br />@ Sandie - it's interesting isn't I don't think I lead a particularly interesting life?! .. but certainly I enjoy writing the blog as I can relay stimulating ideas or places I visit and it gets me to remember them .. just very happy you're enjoying reading all about it ...<br /><br />@ Stephen - yes I'd rather love a ham and cheese croissant .. I try not to have them too often! Sounds like you enjoy yours ... and hope you had one later on: I have to steel myself away from food places ... not easy.<br /><br />@ Julie - well we certainly kept ourselves well cheered ... museum hopping? The trouble is you get in one of our museums and there are galleries and galleries to look at - probably why I go to the smaller exhibitions. But I really should explore the British Museum, Natural History and Science Museums and the British Library .. so so many great places to see ... I'd love to have you join me.<br /><br />It's great being in touch with both god-daughters as often as I can .. <br /><br />Cheers to you all .. our south-west coast has had some the railway line washed away ... and we've had pictures of the seafront at Penzance, west Cornwall (my mother's town) being stormed upon .. it is dramatic there at the best of times .. but it's not even high tide yet ... <br /><br />I feel for anyone suffering in these weather conditions wherever they are in the world.<br /><br />All the best to you all - Hilary<br /><br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-29984210293153831112014-02-05T08:36:49.212+00:002014-02-05T08:36:49.212+00:00It sounds like you had a wonderful time despite th...It sounds like you had a wonderful time despite the inclement weather. I would've especially enjoyed going museum hopping with you. It's so nice that you have such a special relationship with your god-daughters. I'm sorry about her grandfather.<br /><br />JulieEmpty Nest Insiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10074223969046687064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-12402425882899049232014-02-05T05:21:24.213+00:002014-02-05T05:21:24.213+00:00Ham and cheese filled croissants are a big hit her...Ham and cheese filled croissants are a big hit here. There is a local donut shop that has a drive thru and I like to pick one up now and then. <br /><br />Now I want one now. Just one look and the munchies set in.Stephen Tremphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10387553613827257304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-35500093710868990972014-02-05T02:06:58.606+00:002014-02-05T02:06:58.606+00:00I am sorry she lost her grandfather.
I just want ...I am sorry she lost her grandfather.<br /><br />I just want to say you are living the life so many of us in America would love to live - for awhile anyway. I would love to see the sites you see and eat the food that is around there! Sounds so wonderful!<br /><br />sandieChatty Cronehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02232040517217024681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-80341050501179160722014-02-05T00:49:11.129+00:002014-02-05T00:49:11.129+00:00How delightful this sounds, all except the WET. Ye...How delightful this sounds, all except the WET. Yes, we are now about to get another surge of snow and ice, but it will fortunately miss us; it will hit the midwest and northeast. Sorry for those dear people. We are blessed where we are!<br /><br />Sorry about the grandfather, but that of course is part of our earth journey--to move on to "other horizons" as you put it. Glad your dusting/sorting is almost to end, but does anything ever go according to plan!!<br /><br />(Jen and I are so glad we can keep up with your doings through Blogger. Yay for Blogger; may it always be here for us...)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-60545971088201320122014-02-04T22:45:43.482+00:002014-02-04T22:45:43.482+00:00This was amazing! Thanks for sharing your trip wit...This was amazing! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.<br /><br />www.modernworld4.blogspot.comGina Gaohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09032273127593718883noreply@blogger.com