elisi: Living in interesting times is not worth it (Default)
elisi ([personal profile] elisi) wrote2006-07-31 09:25 am

The Royal Visit. ;)

This is sadly not going to be as comprehensive as I'd like, since the school holidays have started and computer time has been reduced even more. *pouts*


Aaaanyway, Her Majesty [livejournal.com profile] the_royal_anna was supposed to arrive (by train) at 2.30 the little station down the road. Alas, trains were to prove a *problem*! Suffice to say, the train got rather delayed and a flurry of text messages followed (it was rather fun, actually - I hardly ever use my mobile phone, so it was nice that it finally earned it's keep!). I went to pick up children from school (last day!!!) and then we walked into town (children love shops!) and finally picked up Anna from the main train station 2 hours late. At least there had been air conditioning. She (thankfully) recognised me, and we could do that 'OMG I can't believe it's really you!' thing - oh and she wore a FFL top! *So* cool! :) Basically she is just as a sweet and adorable in RL as she comes across online, if not more so! And tall and pretty and funny etc. The perfect guest!

A while later Darcy came by to pick us up in the car and we all squeezed in. The children btw were very excited and chatty etc and continued to be so all weekend. On Saturday Little Miss M even told me (indignantly), that "Anna didn't just come to see *you* mummy!"

So... we got back and Darcy (being the chef) shortly afterwards proceeded to make tea (= dinner), while Anna and I attempted a conversation that was continually interrupted. Until she began handing out presents which was very sweet of her, and kept the children quiet for quite a while! (ETA: She brought lovely French cakes and biscuits, as well as colour changing felt tips and books!) Anyway, Darcy decided that we were going to eat in the garden (which was a brilliant idea - it was sunny, but slightly breezy, in short perfect weather). So he hauled the dining table outside, and laid the table with the good china (Royal visit after all), and we had a really, really lovely time, and only broke one little plate (thanks to Impish Girl). Darcy (although still deeply suspicious of the whole fandom obsession) is very impressed with my fandom friends! :)

Oh dear, this is terrible, my memory is already fading... what happened next? I think we emigrated inside when it got a bit too windy and then tried to get children to bed. They wanted Anna to read them a bed time story, which she very sweetly did (This version of 'The Princess and the pea' which is a very excellent book, btw). Meanwhile I got the baby to sleep and then we tried to work out what to watch. 'Lost in Translation' was on FilmFour, but it was half-finished already, and anyway, we felt we ought to watch Buffy. It took a while to narrow down, but in the end we chose 'Life Serial' which is always wonderful. :) Sadly it was getting late when it was over, and we decided to head to bed, since we all value a good night's sleep!

Next morning I found Anna besieged by children, but she said that they'd not woken her too early before bringing in a basket full of toys. Then they decided that Animal Hospital would be more fun, and Anna and I had much fun acting out a 'date' between Trude (Mostue - this will be funny to those in the UK) and Brad (we decided that the male vet was undoubtedly Australian, and loved surfing. If you saw him you'd understand). Seriously Anna is a fabulous, fabulous guest! :)

Then there was breakfast and getting Impish Girl ready for a birthday party, and when she'd left we decided to go to the park (there is a fair at the moment). Fair, sadly, was NOT open yet, so we walked round to the duck pond and the flower gardens and generally enjoyed the sunshine and ice creams, until Anna checked her train tickets and discovered that her train left at 1 o'clock rather than 3 like she thought. Which was definitely a *headdesk* moment! She decided to go for the later train anyway, so she could stay as long as possible... (see? Too sweet!) Had a somewhat sparse lunch (where did all our food go? Aaah!), but at least it was filling and we had eggs and salad and stuff. Then (I think, as I said - memory slightly hazy) there followed a "Oh have you read this fic? You can borrow it if you like!" (etc) I only have around 10 short fics printed out, and half of those are her own) so at least she didn't get over burdened.

And then it was time to go to the station again (no!!!) because time just *flies* when you're having fun and enjoying the company of someone as lovely as Anna. *deeeeep sigh* She managed to change her tickets (and I really, really hope it wasn't too expensive! ::worries::). Then there were goodbyes and hugs and sadness... and then after we'd left, she found out that her train was *delayed* so it would come even later than she thought... gah! At least she did get home the same day!

And now I must go because I've spent far, far too long here (baby asleep you see, can't last!), dealing with children now and again (wiping off BLUE lipstick that went all over f.ex.) and so on.

That was probably all very boring for anyone who isn't me (or Anna), but I get all obsessive over this sort of thing, which is odd considering how I usually never write about RL... and I'm sure I've forgotten loads!

Will be back at *some* point this week with an essay I hope (which I also gave to Anna and she's been giving me lots of excellent pointers), if I can find the time to polish it off.

And now the baby woke! ::runs off::

ETA2: This was part of the birthday present Anna sent me back in 2004. Isn't it adorable? It somehow perfectly encapsulates her character. :)

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[identity profile] fer1213.livejournal.com 2006-07-31 01:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Sounds like you both had a lovely time. :)

[identity profile] frimfram.livejournal.com 2006-07-31 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Aw, it sounds like so much fun! But I have to ask about the blue lipstick. Is one of your daughters in a God-King of the Universe phase? :)

[identity profile] fotada.livejournal.com 2006-07-31 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
That sounds like a really lovely time! ::squishes you:: That cross stitch is wonderful! Where's Wesley, I wonder? :)

[identity profile] calturner.livejournal.com 2006-07-31 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so glad you and Anna had such a good time! :D

*hugs*

[identity profile] awmp.livejournal.com 2006-07-31 07:43 pm (UTC)(link)
sounds like you had a lot of fun :D

[identity profile] ibmiller.livejournal.com 2006-08-01 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
So much fun, it does seem. I wish you both well!

[identity profile] kittyzams.livejournal.com 2006-08-02 11:00 am (UTC)(link)
Aww, it sounds like you guys had a blast! I'm so happy that you were able to spend time together. Anna certainly seems to have a way with children, and it's so nice that your kids adored her so! What fun.

I am literally bouncing to tell you some news, but I'm not sure if I'm supposed to announce it to the world yet, so I'll just use her initial. S is coming to stay with me for 26 days two weeks from now! I am so excited that my stomach gets butterflies every time I think of it! Can you imagine? Almost a month with a fandom friend! I am wickedly happy about it all. *eg*

What's the what on kathyh doing the banners this round? Did you have a chance to ask yet? And yes, I am up at 4 in the morning playing LJ catch up. Heh. *smooch*

[identity profile] kittyzams.livejournal.com 2006-08-03 05:10 am (UTC)(link)
Yes! That S!!! And you should totally abandon your family and come too! Heh. Just teasing, but wouldn't that be great? *g*

Coolio to Kathy, let me know what she says! *smooch*

[identity profile] the-royal-anna.livejournal.com 2006-08-03 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Reading this is like visiting all over again - I'm very grateful to you for recording it in such excellent detail! It was a joy to spend time with you and your lovely family - thank you all so much. :)

[identity profile] sweet-ali.livejournal.com 2006-08-09 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
Oh it sounds like you had a lovely time together adn I am deeply jealous(of you AND Anna).

That present from Anna is damn adorable. I love it!