The Bluestocking, a unique location for daughters and sisters of earth, frost, feathers, fur, scales and spines

I daren't tread into the bookish parts - my TBR pile already extends to a couple of bookcases and several hundred books on my Kindle.

I have been on MN a long time, and as my current UN suggests, I've had other -better- usernames in past lives.

This is my first seat at The Bluestocking, however.

I am usually found wandering around the bookish areas of MN adding to my TBR pile.

If only!
Perhaps I should have tried it when casting for Baron Bigod.

Empress, perhaps the cathedral is really closed because they don't want you snooping around in there with a team of gerbils.

I have been on MN a long time, and as my current UN suggests, I've had other -better- usernames in past lives.

This is my first seat at The Bluestocking, however.

I am usually found wandering around the bookish areas of MN adding to my TBR pile.

If only!
Perhaps I should have tried it when casting for Baron Bigod.

Empress, perhaps the cathedral is really closed because they don't want you snooping around in there with a team of gerbils.

Oh, and Hedgie? Turn off the hose now - I think they're clean enough.

I'd love a play with a telehandler.

Massive congrats on losing the half a stone. Tell me how to do it. I gained half a stone last year (I stress-ate) and have managed to hold steady this year, but it doesn't really seem to be coming off.

I look back fondly on those years of breastfeeding, when I could eat like a bloody horse and not gain an ounce. I didn't do too badly afterwards, either, then this thing called the menopause came along.

If only!
Perhaps I should have tried it when casting for Baron Bigod.

Empress, perhaps the cathedral is really closed because they don't want you snooping around in there with a team of gerbils.

Ooh nice.

Looking forward to hearing about the Flåm train tomorrow. Top tip is to try and sit on the left of you're traveling downhill, for the best views.

Well spotted! I find asking for 'very French, very handsome men' is a useful prompt & apparently works no matter what AI is used. 😂😍

ETA: If only it worked IRL.

Tis indeed. Not quite the same thing as a telehandler either.

In other news, I'm pleased to announce that I have successfully re-lost the half stone I also lost earlier this year. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I’ve only used hello, please & thank you so far, but I’ve understood snatches & been able to read stuff, so pleased with that.

The hotel’s basic but comfy, and I’m up on the 8th floor & have a balcony, which was a lovely surprise. Mine looks over roofs, some of them very interesting-looking roofs (pic 1), & there’s a bigger terrace on the other side of the floor looking out to the harbour (pic 2).

I arrived around 3, dropped my stuff & got out there.

The harbour walk is absolutely beautiful, especially the further you get. Towards the end it’s possible to go up a cliff to where the old fortress & enjoy the views from there (pics 3 & 4). I can see exactly why they’d have put it in that spot.

It felt a bit surreal though, because it’s 17 degrees, kids are playing in the water & I was sitting on the bank with a biscoffi & rum & raisin gelato. I had a huge breakfast at Heathrow & wasn’t hungry for much else.

(Incidentally, SAS Airlines provided free tea & coffee & came round to refill people’s cups every so often. More airlines should do that.)

Catching the 10.30 train to Flåm tomorrow.

Isn't the chap in the middle one of the French teachers from many threads ago?

Hello BlackForestCake, is it you that is new or your username? Ditto Notmybestusername?
It a bit of dilemma - just how much bounce should I put into my Tigger-like welcome to newcomers, if they are in fact regulars who know all about the wonders of the Bluey?
As Edmund Burke - a regular dahn the Staunch Ally, you know - said
'I had rather be thought Tigger-like in my welcome than rational in my reserve'*

Welcome! the food and drink are delicious and magically devoid of any of that troublesome stuff like gluten or calories or the kind of alcohol that triggers breathalysers. They are served by a team of highly trained professional bar-gerbils - some of whom have a side-hustle as International Gerbils of Mystery, but don't worry, service is still prompt.

As JanesLittleGirl explained, there is a corner for everyone and everything in the Bluestocking, Pedantry Corner, Crafting Corner, Moping Corner...
more corners than an old threpenny bit😁

*Some sources have that as 'I had rather be thought insane in my charity than rational in my malice' but I think they are wrong😄

Oh, and Hedgie? Turn off the hose now - I think they're clean enough.

Fork-lift-type thing, innit?
Thanks for the machinery, Kitty - and Norway looks stunning!

Fork-lift-type thing, innit?
Thanks for the machinery, Kitty - and Norway looks stunning!

Oh, and Hedgie? Turn off the hose now - I think they're clean enough.

Not a tractor, but a very nice bit of kit nonetheless! Thank you!

The sky! The sky! it's beautiful!

I’ve only used hello, please & thank you so far, but I’ve understood snatches & been able to read stuff, so pleased with that.

The hotel’s basic but comfy, and I’m up on the 8th floor & have a balcony, which was a lovely surprise. Mine looks over roofs, some of them very interesting-looking roofs (pic 1), & there’s a bigger terrace on the other side of the floor looking out to the harbour (pic 2).

I arrived around 3, dropped my stuff & got out there.

The harbour walk is absolutely beautiful, especially the further you get. Towards the end it’s possible to go up a cliff to where the old fortress & enjoy the views from there (pics 3 & 4). I can see exactly why they’d have put it in that spot.

It felt a bit surreal though, because it’s 17 degrees, kids are playing in the water & I was sitting on the bank with a biscoffi & rum & raisin gelato. I had a huge breakfast at Heathrow & wasn’t hungry for much else.

(Incidentally, SAS Airlines provided free tea & coffee & came round to refill people’s cups every so often. More airlines should do that.)

Catching the 10.30 train to Flåm tomorrow.