London Trip, Days 1-3
Flew in to London overnight on Thursday, leavin NYC at 6:10pm, and arriving at Heathrow airport in London at 6:30am Friday. I REALLY should have slept on the plane, but it was British Airways, and the attendant kept plying me with mini bottles of delicious red wine, and there was an individual TV screen at every seat with a wide selection of movies. How was I supposed to sleep with wine and Iron Man? I will probably watch it twice more on the way home.
Anyway, Friday was spent pubbing and clubbing with Myke and Dave. Saturday we took the train to Stonehenge, and then walked from there to Salisbury Cathedral via Wilsford Cum Lake and Old Sarum; a distance of some 14 miles. We walked across Sting’s backyard on the way.
I am a reasonably fit fellow, but 14 miles, especially when I am a bit atrophied from a month of being chained to a baby crib, was a tad much. I was in good spirits for miles 1-8, but it was downhill from there, despite the incredible beauty of the countryside. By the time we got to Salisbury, I was just trying to keep up. Ensign Cole just got out of the Coast Guard Academy and in far better shape than I, but he was still a bit winded. Dave, of course, was still fresh as a daisy.
Today I scouted some bookstores. The book isn’t technically supposed to be out yet, but one small store ordered one copy, put it out early, and already sold it! Another store had several copies on their fantasy display table. I was really shocked. Seeing the book on display really brought home the fact that this is really happening. I squealed like a kid. I signed them all, of course.
Here’s some more pictures. I will blog again at my next opportunity. If you’re in the UK, remember to stop by stop by the Forbidden Planet Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue in London, between 6-7 for my book signing!
Dave felt the need to photograph my fundament while I crossed the stile:
Call me an infant, but you know you’re laughing, too:
14 miles? Long walk:
My pig army will soon sweep across the land and trample all who oppose me under its muddy hooves:
The Lady of Salisbury Cathedral:
Drinks at the Black Horse:
Not pictured: A surreal evening that wound up at a kebbabery, drunk as lords, serenaded by an equally drunk Elvis impersonator in a fringed leather jacket, singing Johnny Cash badly – surrounded by 18 year olds.
In knee socks.
You think you’re a fantasy author? Tip your hat to God, sir. You simply can’t make this crap up.
Is the Pig Army one of those things they have in the new Risk games to replace the old kinds of armies, and then you invade Great Durnford instead of Kamchatka?
Pigs have hooves?
Glad you’re having fun, and that you didn’t get hailed on for molesting that statue like I did!
ps: I think you have a cute fundament, and I miss it.
That’s awesome Peter, you deserve it! 🙂