Postcard from London: Peaceful moments

Early evening, back at St. James's Park. Below, even at hectic St. Pancras station, a musical interlude (on "Play Me, I'm Yours" street piano). Enjoy your weekend! I'll be taking a break next week to travel home:)

Postcard from London: Cutty Sark in Greenwich

The 1869 Cutty Sark was one of the last sailing ships ever built, before steam power.

Also, a big thank you to Petrea Burchard at Living Vicuriously, as I - who have never won anything - just won her book, Camelot & Vine, in a giveaway...excited about a new read!

And continued apologies to those with Wordpress blogs, as I'm still having trouble leaving comments.

Postcard from London: St. James's Park

Lazy, hazy day. Still in London, but back to regular Princeton posting by end of next week. Thanks for bearing with my 'postcards.'

Postcard from London: Millennium Bridge view

Blue skies!

Postcard from London: Bossa nova in Soho

I thought I'd be in Princeton by now, but I was wrong. This was Saturday night with Rosalia De Souza - Rome-trained, Brazilian bossa nova songstress (YouTube clips of her smooth sound here and here).

My tiny point-and-shoot can't capture indoor, low-light images, but I tried. Sorry about the quality!

Postcard from England: Baddesley Clinton estate, Warwickshire

Moving back in time, I alighted here briefly before Paris. During Elizabeth I's reign, this 1400s moated manor harbored Catholic priests (see priest hole in 2nd photo), when it was treason to do so. Enjoy your weekend!

***

P.S. Fans of the Sherlock Holmes TV series starring Jeremy Brett (a Warwickshire lad) may recognize Baddesley Clinton as the locale for a gothic, entertaining episode, "The Musgrave Ritual." :)

Postcard from Norway: Cycle of life, Oslo

Funny and touching at Frogner (or Vigeland) Park. Sculptor Gustav Vigeland - who designed the Nobel Peace Prize medal - filled this park with over 200 sculptures reflecting our relationships and the cycle of life.

Postcard from Norway: Soft-lit fjord

After Paris, I took a real break and visited a friend and her family in Norway. They were lovely hosts, and we enjoyed casting fishnets, blueberry-picking, hidden beaches and long meals. I was so happy to see her.

A magical moment I could not photograph: As we ate outside one late and quiet night, "Amazing Grace," played by someone on a lone horn, sounded out across the entire fjord.

Postcards from Paris: When it sizzled

A heatwave was raging when I snapped these. Iconic bookstore (the original was founded between the wars by Sylvia Beach, whose Princeton grave is here) and water fountain...

{Too hot to THINK!}

{That's better!}

Postcard from Paris: Looking down

Yes indeed, I was in Paris! (It was a "working vacation.") This was the floor inside the Panthéon - where Voltaire, Rousseau and others rest - and petals on the street outside, near a marriage office.

Been too long gone...

But back in the world of stable wifi again! Thanks to all who dropped a note while I was away and hope you've been enjoying summer (or vice versa down under). I'm not back in Princeton, so hope you won't mind scenes from recent weeks. Can you guess where this is? (Hint: there's a famous tower in scene).

With special apologies to Versailles Daily Photo and Today Around Coventry Daily Photo for having just missed them when I was near their neck of woods! (Though maybe still hope for TACDP:)