éclectique discussion

Just a chat about anything, it can be non-book related things over tea to get to know each other better. I'm doing a half marathon (my first) in Paris this fall. Only thing is, I hate running! ;)

Alysa wrote: "Just a chat about anything, it can be non-book related things over tea to get to know each other better. I'm doing a half marathon (my first) in Paris this fall. Only thing is, I hate running! ;)"

Which rather begs the question, WHY?! :D

I have a crippled left knee (torn cartilage that's inoperable) so even walking a half-marathon would be impossible for me.

Wow a half-marathon! The only time I run is when the bus is speeding down the street and I'm running late. Sometimes they're nice enough to stop. My cousin declared his intention of running the Boston Marathon to raise money for cancer research. Not sure if he's serious or been training for it. At least there's no snow, unlike last year when there was too much snow.

QNPoohBear, I don't run either, unless I'm being chased by some monstrous thing.
Alysa, I do admire your willingness to train for and run a marathon. I can't imagine the hours you must be putting in. And Paris! That's a place I would love to visit.

Speaking of tea, my sister and family just got back from the Azores where they visited the only tea plantation in Europe. How did I not know about this place? My sister brought back some nice pekoe tea. It's very pleasant and mild, not as strong as the British black tea I've been drinking. The Azores has never been on my list of places to visit but now I know about the tea, I'll make sure my sister buys a lot more if they ever go again.

Paris is nice. I spent one weekend there on a student bus trip from London. I flat out refuse to set foot on another boat ever again after I nearly died of seasickness on the ferry. I don't recommend going on the ferry in the middle of winter. Brussels was a nicer, more compact city with amazing waffles and chocolate. Who can dislike a city where they have a great sense of humor about their most famous landmark? We were supposed to be studying European politics as part of coursework that London semester but some of our guest speakers canceled so we had more time to explore.

Aww Michele, sorry about your knee that really sucks. But on the plus side, you get out of having to do half marathons! You'd be surprised (or maybe you wouldn't) on how many people ask me "why?" :)

QNPB, Paris is the only reason I'm doing it in the first place! And I actually backed out of running tonight because of too much snow. I'll go sometime tomorrow instead... promise!
I had no idea there was a tea plantation in Europe - how amazing! I didn't realize you were in England. It's next on my "one day" list. Where-abouts are you? My grandparents and great grandparents are all British (2 English, 1 Scots, 1 Irish). Love that adorable little pisser.

Rory, Paris is the only reason I put on the shoes and go out the door!

I've been to the UK three times, but I never made it across the channel. London is my favorite place in the world.

Alysa, Paris is my next goal.

QNPoohBear, where are you in the UK, if you don't mind answering?

I'm in England too. Oxford, if anyone's interested in knowing that...

Michele, how wonderful!

Michele, I am consumed with jealousy! Lucky you!
You too Rory! Okay, I envy all of you! ;)

I'm not in England. I lived in London for a semester back in college more years ago than it seems. I visited Bath in 2013. It was wonderful and I hope to return in 2018. I brought back Jane Austen tea and an obsession with it. I'm in NEW England. Not as charming.

Michele I am so jealous! Oxford is on my bucket list of places to visit. I'd love to visit the University and all the special collections libraries.

I vote we meet up at Michele's for the first annual éclectique book club meeting. ;)

*snorts* If things go my way I won't be in Oxford in a year's time! (Looking to move nearer to my mum who has major health issues.)

I'm in for meeting up at Michele's house, whether she's in Oxford or not.
I miss the UK so much. I shouldn't complain, California doesn't suck where I'm located.

Meet up at Michele's and then at Rory's! There's a lot of great history here in New England but I hate living here. It's like one big small town.

I would love to see New England, so you're next after me.
There's some history here, as Monterey used to be the capital of California when the Spanish owned it, but nothing like you've got.
QN, have you been to Salem?

No I have never been to Salem though I really want to go. My parents had talked about going to the Peabody-Essex Museum but we haven't done it yet. I've been to Plymouth. That's about an hour away or two hours by the scenic back roads. I need to post about that on my blog. I have so much to write ...

QNPoohBear wrote: "No I have never been to Salem though I really want to go. "
When you go, take plenty of pictures please. :)

Rory (Miss Bracegirdle) wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "No I have never been to Salem though I really want to go. "
When you go, take plenty of pictures please. :)"

Of course I will. I hope we can get there some day soon. It's a good 2 hours away, which to people in New England, is a very great distance!

Two hours is nothing to a Californian! :D

Michele: So sorry to hear your mum is unwell. Where does she live? Sending best wishes that you can be nearer to her soon.

Alysa wrote: "Michele: So sorry to hear your mum is unwell. Where does she live? Sending best wishes that you can be nearer to her soon."

About 65 miles away from me, which I realise is nothing to Americans, but I don't have transport of my own, and I'm on a limited income (thanks to the crippled knee can't work full time), plus I have a boss who resents me taking time off 'cos it means he has to do the work. So visits currently only happen at Xmas.

Michele,

We do what we can, and if phone calls, birthday cards and Facebook are what you are able to do, that's just as good as being physically present. I hope your knee gets better so you can run about more.