Sandy Supposes....

Bed, Bath, and Beyond...to Basil

PROMPT: LONDON Day 2

         When I awoke this morning I noticed my pillows were missing, There was no cause for alarm, I'm certain some pillow-packing head rest-hoarding fort-building friends snatched them. Our cross country trek has set the tongues of hotel maids wagging.. You've heard of crop circles, now people are whispering about pillow temples. Places of late night, early morning drinking and dancing, serenading the writing Gods, tittering and talking., languishing and laughing.Huh, my pillows were sacrificed to a greater good.

         After a few bracing cuppas, I was caffeinated for today's adventures.Did you know that 'toad in a hole', and 'bangers' are edible? I cannot recall the last time I had toad and toast for breakfast.

         No sequined stilettos for me. This is the land of sensible sturdy walking shoes, brogues.I had to settle for tennis shoes. You never know what could happen, and we were visiting a royal residence , so it wasn't beyond the realm of possibility that I'd be invited to lob a few over the net.

          We travelled via coach, not the horse-pulling coach of her highness, out into the Berkshires. Everything seemed so green. I kept a wary eye on the driver because he was steering down the wrong side of the narrow road.

          Wow! Windsor Castle is immense. According to our guide, it's the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world. Queen Elizabeth still uses it as a weekend retreat. I wonder if she is familiar with every nook and cranny of this thirteen acre site? SB Musing and I elbowed each other with the same thought. Imagine playing hide and seek here. Does the Queen wander and become lost? Does she carry emergency flares with her? I bet the staff appreciates modern technology such as GPS. I bet William the Conqueror never envisioned his fortification would still be standing.

          The mysterious stone circle, Stonehenge, is mystifying. What are large stone pieces doing in a clearing? How were they moved and erected? Were children of giants playing with blocks, or dominos? On a much smaller scale, the Inuit erect stone inukshuks. Surprisingly, the stones balance atop each other and remain together despite time and weather.

          Ah, our lunch stop in the "picture-postcard" village of Lacock was a refreshing layover. We drank in its 13th century aura.The George's Inn was indeed a traditional English pub with its uneven floors, open beamed ceiling, huge hearth, and cosy, casual atmosphere.NaNoKit Fivesixer SB Musing Lyn's a Witchy Woman WakeUpAndLive~doingNaNo'24 Sally 💙 Carly-wrimo 2024 Apondia and I raised our mugs of ale in a salute. Some of the locals shook their heads and muttered, "Daft buggers." We nodded, smiled, and countered with, "Good day to you, kind sirs. Cheerio!" After a few rounds, we were all bosom buddies. We staggered back onto the Bath-bound bus.

          The rolling countryside gave us the wobbles.We pressed our foreheads to the windows to both prop ourselves up and snatch glimpses of scenery. Bath did appear to be a "handsome Georgian city". We stumbled over the cobblestoned streets exploring the Roman Baths. I'm familiar with pot holes back home in Canada, but rough roads like this are brutal. The Roman Baths are similar to a large public swimming pool, but with more statues and columns. A grim-faced guard scolded SB Musing and I as we stretched to dip our toes in the water. Our Guide did tell us that the thermal waters were thought to be restorative.Nothing ventured, nothing gained. At least the gang waited for us as we sat to re-shod ourselves. I wish we had natural hot springs where I live.

          This is a beautiful burg. My in-laws were born and raised here. Now I know they share this in common with Jane Austen. It's now much easier to picture my father-in-law as a boy herding sheep. My mother-in-law's family had a fish and chips shop. Her surname is Leakey, and I liked to tease her that it was a good thing her family did not have a shipping line. I can't imagine boarding a ship for a transatlantic voyage with the name 'Leakey' painted on it!

          Oh great and wonderful Lyn's a Witchy Woman , I love British humour! John Cleese epitomizes great comedy. 'Fawlty Towers' is a hilarious sitcom, and it was funny to see the name of this little hotel rearranged on their sign every episode. One 'new' name still makes me laugh, 'FARTY TOWELS'. So, two thumbs up for tonight's dinner theatre experience.

          Much of Basil's bumbling is based on his character. He is both pretentious and paranoid. As a hotelier, he is challenged by a Spanish waiter named Manuel who struggles with the English language. Sybil is the exasperated wife.

          Oh, I guffawed and giggled all right. Attempting to eat is fraught with difficulty and dangers. When I discovered the false teeth in my soup, I spit/sprayed poor SB Musing . Sybil pounded me on the back as I choked and gasped. Ah, great times. Both Basil and Manuel tried to wipe us down with napkins. I actually thought Manuel was going to gather up everything on our table as he bundled up the tablecloth. Earlier, Basil had ordered him to wait on our table, so Manuel did wait ON our table. That was unexpected. Blustery Basil also likes to fluff out the big white napkins and make a great scene of tucking them beneath chins, swiping mouths, and draping them in laps. Of course, while doing so eyeglasses are knocked off or askew, necklaces are entangled, purses are swept to the floor.

          I love London! It's a laugh a minute. Sally start shaking, my mouth is watering for your magic mixes. The night is still young. Big Ben and our backpackers never sleep.