A Return from Polite Society
Vacations are lovely.
Victorian London has been nearly perfect. We arrived in time for tea on Wednesday, and then went riding in Hyde Park. I had a very moody palomino, but we managed to get along by the end of the visit. Jas was kind enough to bring me riding every afternoon, despite my unfamiliarity with the sport and inability to keep up with him most days. I discovered that it's difficult to enjoy the polite conversation of Victorian ladies, though, in large part to having no idea who they were gossiping about.
On Thursday we visited the Natural History museum. It was amusing. The displays are quite lovely, for the most part. It was interesting to see how people thought the world was back then. I wonder what museums 120 years in my future look like?
We went shopping on Friday. I am still amazed at how lucky I have been to win the company of quite possibly the only straight man ever born who enjoys new clothes as much as I do, though I think Jas enjoyed terrorizing the poor shopgirls at Liberty's for me just as much as he enjoyed choosing his own new things. That night we went dancing; luckily I brought a ball gown. Jas is a wonderful dancer. I'm afraid I quite monopolized his time on the floor.
Picnics are always fun, but one while boating (is that the proper word for it?) on the Thames is even better. We spent most of Saturday enjoying the water (if it could be called that; it's nearly as bad as the river in Ankh-Morpork) and the fine weather. Saturday night we went to the theater to see a play. Victorian theater is very interesting. There was Shakespeare, but without the costumes and with music. It was delightful. Jas enjoys the theater so much.
Today we had to come home. I would have liked to stay longer, but no vacation can last forever. We had one last ride in the park before we left though. I finally managed to keep up with Jas. It was a little too bouncy for me, but I'll do better when I'm not so pregnant anymore.
I have discovered, on this trip, that servants aren't so bad after all. It was nice having someone to fetch me tea and pillows and things. And oh, the hotel! It's beautiful. The owner, Mister Etheridge, seemed to be nearly in a panic to keep me comfortable. I have to wonder what Jas did to the man to get him this way. I think if I spend too much time visiting these places with Jas I'll end up utterly spoiled. He's been determined that I enjoy every single moment. He's done a marvelous job of it all, too.
It was a little difficult adjusting to seeing him in drab Victorian frock-coats; I'm so used to his more colorful garb. Dressing like a gentleman certainly didn't made him act like one though. He has a grand time behaving like a scoundrel and causing sweet old ladies fits of the vapors by doing such horrible things as laughing and kissing me and riding too fast. My reputation in that world is utterly ruined now.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
I hope we can go back someday.
Victorian London has been nearly perfect. We arrived in time for tea on Wednesday, and then went riding in Hyde Park. I had a very moody palomino, but we managed to get along by the end of the visit. Jas was kind enough to bring me riding every afternoon, despite my unfamiliarity with the sport and inability to keep up with him most days. I discovered that it's difficult to enjoy the polite conversation of Victorian ladies, though, in large part to having no idea who they were gossiping about.
On Thursday we visited the Natural History museum. It was amusing. The displays are quite lovely, for the most part. It was interesting to see how people thought the world was back then. I wonder what museums 120 years in my future look like?
We went shopping on Friday. I am still amazed at how lucky I have been to win the company of quite possibly the only straight man ever born who enjoys new clothes as much as I do, though I think Jas enjoyed terrorizing the poor shopgirls at Liberty's for me just as much as he enjoyed choosing his own new things. That night we went dancing; luckily I brought a ball gown. Jas is a wonderful dancer. I'm afraid I quite monopolized his time on the floor.
Picnics are always fun, but one while boating (is that the proper word for it?) on the Thames is even better. We spent most of Saturday enjoying the water (if it could be called that; it's nearly as bad as the river in Ankh-Morpork) and the fine weather. Saturday night we went to the theater to see a play. Victorian theater is very interesting. There was Shakespeare, but without the costumes and with music. It was delightful. Jas enjoys the theater so much.
Today we had to come home. I would have liked to stay longer, but no vacation can last forever. We had one last ride in the park before we left though. I finally managed to keep up with Jas. It was a little too bouncy for me, but I'll do better when I'm not so pregnant anymore.
I have discovered, on this trip, that servants aren't so bad after all. It was nice having someone to fetch me tea and pillows and things. And oh, the hotel! It's beautiful. The owner, Mister Etheridge, seemed to be nearly in a panic to keep me comfortable. I have to wonder what Jas did to the man to get him this way. I think if I spend too much time visiting these places with Jas I'll end up utterly spoiled. He's been determined that I enjoy every single moment. He's done a marvelous job of it all, too.
It was a little difficult adjusting to seeing him in drab Victorian frock-coats; I'm so used to his more colorful garb. Dressing like a gentleman certainly didn't made him act like one though. He has a grand time behaving like a scoundrel and causing sweet old ladies fits of the vapors by doing such horrible things as laughing and kissing me and riding too fast. My reputation in that world is utterly ruined now.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
I hope we can go back someday.