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My thoughts: I must ride my bike in London because there are actual signs requesting that cars pay cyclists due respect. I must go to St Pancras Station because it looks beautiful and Jim and I would like to catch a train from there to Paris to visit the Sennelier shop 4 BIS, RUE DE LA GRANDE CHAUMIERE. I'm thinking about trying audio books based on how much RH likes them, but as I commented on her letter to you, that I'm concerned whomever is reading the book is doing it wrong. My point of reference: I loved Winnie the Pooh books as a child and read them over and over. The first time I heard the animated version of Pooh by Disney, I was horrified. They had every single voice so terribly wrong; I still feel that way. 😁

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Gosh, Terry, that's a heck of a distance! And mostly on pavement, too - you must have really felt it in your knees; I know I do!

I like your idea of switching off for Christmas week - or actually they call it 'Twixmas' these days, don't they?! I don't see much to attract me in early January, though, that's the thing. Wake me up in March, maybe?!

The Christmas tree at St Pancras looks absolutely wonderful - but boo hiss to the silly lady on her phone. What ARE people like, hmm?

I'm sorry not to have swayed you towards the audiobook as a method of text consumption! As you know I'm a new convert - BUT to be honest they only really work for me in these two scenarios:

1. For a book you already know and love (and are therefore confident of not missing anything);

2. For a book you don't actually care very much about (and therefore won't mind missing anything).

I'm sure you'll agree that point 2. renders the exercise rather pointless - because why would I want to consume a book I don't care very much about?!

Terry, you win! 🏆

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I can't wait until January 2nd too.

It's my birthday day. :).

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Dec 20, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

I think they should leave that "tree" in Pancras station as a permanent fixture. Just lovely! Hell! Put one in ALL the stations! As a reminder to 1.) slow down, and 2.) read. I wish you a quiet, introspective season, Terry. Now.... about those resolutions...

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author

I agree! Thanks Sharron and you. What resolutions? I never make any 😂

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Yeah,I know. An idea whose time has come?

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Dec 20, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

Ah, you’re fast! I still have your email address though should there be another significant landmark I can descend upon with my demon spawn. It was a wet day indeed, we stayed in the whole day - you’re brave to venture out. Thank you for sharing!!

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Sorry. We had to go into London (Moorgate) so we thought we might as well do that too. I didn't let you know in case you thought I was being weird! I still think you should descend upon it with your demon spawn!

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I'm of 2 minds about Christmas - the eternal kid in me LOVES it as the ultimate / penultimate ( ? ) holiday, then, after a certain saturation point, I want to avoid Christmas movies for another year, & if I hear another version of " Last Christmas " or " All I want for Christmas is You ", I want to pour superglue in my ears followed by 2 sturdy noise reduction earplugs. Maybe I'll stow away on a flight to Jamaica or Rio de Janeiro to at least be spared from the winter weather.

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I once spent Christmas in a South American capital city - sadly it was no match for home! 🥵❄️

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Really? I have never been to South America. Bet it was nice and hot though!

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It was not nice, and it was hot. And the heat was also not nice. 😕

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My saturation point is the first song I hear in a supermarket, or belting out from somewhere in the high street. Rio De Janeiro is probably too noisy. I'm off to the Arctic circle myself (in my dreams)!

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I can recommend Australia. Our heat and salads and prawns and fruit make for a very simple enjoyable Christmas. And it is easy to get outside to escape that ‘infernal racket’. Grin. Hoping the kid in you wins out for a while longer. Enjoy!

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it's a bit far :-)

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Here's the part where I channel my inner Topol / Tevye from " Fiddler on the Roof " & sing " If I Were a Rich Man " ! Once, I had a sizable trust fund & could afford to travel...... Now, not so much. But thanks.

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exactly!

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I chose the ‘hunker down’ option instead as we also had a cold and dreary rainy day. No regrets at all. (Good on you for getting all that exercise.)

Re the next bit, I do tend to think of you as the ‘bah humbug’ man, so I would have been very surprised if you’d said that you enjoyed Christmas and all its visitors. Sometimes I wonder if I’m a bit of a ‘bah humbug’ woman actually. We’ve had enough relatives die in the past couple of decades that our Christmases are very small affairs these days - lovely and quiet and peaceful. A pleasure! (Hmmm... Just reread that. I am definitely weird. Ah well.)

Loved the photos of your Station too. A very beautiful place in its own way.

I hope you have a lovely Christmas break Terry. All the best for the year ahead. 🤗🤗

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I experience lots of bah - humbuggery as well. I had an aunt who prepared for Christmas in AUGUST, getting cards addressed & ready to mail, starting shopping, etc., then by Christmas night, she & the decorations would be down.....

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