Holidays!

The majority of the recognised belief systems have, on balance, served their communities really quite well, in so far as they provided a cooperative framework and structure for more primitive cultures. Particularly those where literacy and education was a luxury. In modern times their function seems less clear to me, but when interpreted moderately, most of the key/basic teachings still apply and provide many with solace, comfort, guidance and identity.
I no longer see myself as aligned with any of them, but the basic moral compass they pretty much all provide is more or less my attitude to life anyway, so I certainly don’t disparage any of them.
If some still prefer their own formalised versions of that then those remain available.
Quite like singing carols mind!

Hinckley! Wow. No.

The weather! Wow. No.

Spent the day in Paris yesterday (hence the view of the Mirai). Long story but finally paid up on a promise to my daughter who has never been but her older brothers have visited on multiple occasions with mum and dad. A great if tiring day, enhanced by watching the 'the match' on a big screen at the departure gate. Never have I been so happy for a flight to be delayed!

Paris Olympics start in 14 days time. They are SO not ready. Automatic passport control booths are barely working, the staff who should be welcoming overseas visitors are surly and don't speak English, the QR code for the app to use local trains, metro, buses etc, works but the app itself doesn't and the toilets in the busier parts of the airport are poorly maintained and broken.

I could go on about it, but we had a great day. I was too late to buy tickets for the lifts up the Eiffel Tower so I got tickets to walk up to the second stage. 647 steps. It's 122 to the roof of the car park where I park each day and I get a little breathless every afternoon. But I romped up, fuelled by some lovely ice-cream on the first stage. Great views and the weather was wonderfully kind; bright and not too hot. Made the mistake of walking past Galerie Lafayette. Oh dear... Espadrille and Espadriette had a whale of a time

Then arrived back to Blighty which was so dark and wet it felt like winter.

Oh I agree, but under the specific circumstances one would have thought that the 'floor walkers' guiding you around the arrivals hall would have some ability to speak the one language spoken by the majority of the world (even as a second or third language).  

I managed to avoid looking too closely but I am sure there are 1 and 1/2 floors dedicated to shoes at GL...  and at least 2 and 1/2 floors to ladies clothes.  But what a shop..  makes Harrods, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols look dull.  Nothing beats looking up into the cupola with its late Belle Epoque glasswork.  My daughter was mesmerised.

Yes, being able to at least recognise the alphabet does give you a sporting chance. Once that has gone then you really find out if you have a talent for languages or not.

I don't recognise the characterisation of Paris nor London there, dixi. Spent the day pub crawling the East End, finishing up with dinner at a famous curry joint on Saturday just gone, it was an utter joy. Smiling faces and friendly service everywhere.

Enjoy KL, never been anywhere near it myself, other than roughly overhead on the way to Oz. Shall visit one day I hope.