It is a day off for me, contentedly holed up in Tuttle Manor, where I have read Father O's insightful comments of this morning about Weekends on the Old Sam, New Show thread in the other section. I agree entirely. I, too, miss her scripts which provided us a more considered and literate offering, a more polished work, a display worth watching more than once in later airings. That charming layer of Samantha's mind has mostly been removed, or at least greatly compromised, in this new series, as has her special immediacy she so easily shares with her viewers if given the opportunity, rather witlessly and thoughtlessly thrown away as I see it today. It seems most of those commenting on this forum have realized that as well.

I won't be in tonight to see the London and Portsmouth episodes since I'll be getting a 'Measure For Measure' of my own, but I did read today Samantha's blogs (I hate the word "blog" and still prefer "journal") of the two new editions, and I do hope viewers here remember to go see those offerings of hers. If you're looking for Samantha, you'll surely find her in her writings. They have not changed, and she has not either, the wit and creativity is of course still, as ever, there. She's worth looking for, too.

Although I won't catch up with London and Portsmouth til a viewing after tonight, I certainly know well that cotton-headed feeling of jetlag and sleep deprivation in that first London day, or two... or sometimes three. Last September it was really not til the fourth day that I finally caught up with my head (it was in Derbyshire by then, too), but I still love that first surreal day of roaming London, even though I don't always know quite why I walked to where I did. It generally doesn't matter.

It is wonderful up in the Whispering Gallery of St. Paul's, and higher up, domes within domes (and tricky going if you're about 6 ft. 2 tall), with those views from outside high atop, other Wren chuch spires and towers sprinkled down below among all the new construction of The City.

And Paddington is my favorite train station of all London - that first view of it when you emerge from the tube stops below is a magical moment for me. So many of my favorite destinations depart from Paddington - the trains to Exeter and Plymouth way down into the southwest, to Bristol and Bath and Somerset, to Gloucester and the Cotswolds, and to Oxford up the Thames valley. I love that place for all its promise in the cool mornings, and tired but contented completion of daytrips in the evenings (empty Strongbow cans left on the train behind). I even love the destination boards up above with the stray pigeons. But I've never, ever, seen anyone buy a tie or pair of socks in those stalls by the platforms - a total mystery to me. Sorry they moved the World War I memorial statue way off to a distant corner where no one ever sees it anymore.

But I look forward to this London episode, and what should be a most intriguing Portsmouth, NH. But don't forget, everyone, to read Samantha's journals on them, too. They are part of the trip, and much more than a mere Weekend.

Captain Tuttle,

I believe you will enjoy the London show as it felt far more like the shows we've thoroughly enjoyed from Samantha over the years. Actually, it felt a lot like something PineRidge would put together. Perhaps they did film some Passport to Great Weekend shows. Didn't someone say they caught credits on another Weekend episode naming the producers from PineRidge? Hmmmm she says, hmmm.

Portsmouth was also enjoyable. I wonder if she found the odd/rock record shop down the street from Friendly Toast.

I may have to look for Flo's on my next trek to NH.

Leia,
I DID finally catch up with the London and Portsmouth episodes late late Thursday night (I think they re-air in a few minutes today, too, as it's late Sunday morning now) and it did have a more PineRidge-esque feel to it, didn't it, and I don't believe the end credits were shown, although I might have just missed them. I believe it was shot last fall - I was there in early September and I think they were later in October, so perhaps that was before the mysterious and lamented PineRidge purge.

Curiously, that was about the only episode of the series shown thus far that actually touched on the getting to the destination and around while in it (and yes, at those tube prices Tuttle found himself cheaply walking quite a bit last trip, although he loves doing that in London anyway).

I'm not sure I ever knew about those green huts for taxi driver (You talkin' to me?) teas and snacks or if I can remember passing by one of them. But it might be worth clarifying that entry to St. Paul's now is far from free, more like fifteen bucks, but for a worthy cause. I don't know if the trips up into the dome (and it's easy to miss the entry for that, under the great dome itself) were ever free.

Oddly, I was just taking some people up TJ's tiny steep stairs the other day and one of them said, "It's just like in St. Paul's Cathedral!", and last night someone asked me if I ever watched someone named Samantha Brown because she just did a London show (Tuttle's existence is still a secret in real life here so I didn't say anything about the hundreds of bizarre posts I've launched to her over the years). Last week I saw a tourist with a Kittery, Maine t-shirt, and this morning outside the grocery store I saw a New Hampshire license plate, and those are far from daily sights in Virginia, I assure you. So the aura of Samantha Brown is very present this week. Must be the Portsmouth episode and the power of her feelings for it.

I enjoyed that one as well, Leia, but I've never been there, or to New Hampshire at all. Only even been to Boston once, and to a wedding in Worcester, long ago. I've certainly heard about Flo's however, and it was surprisingly fulfilling to see it virtually with Sam. I'm just a mustard and chopped onions guy, though. Hope you get back there soon, although I suspect business might have picked up there after Thursday night, so you might have to wait in line.

Thanks for the note, Leia. Nice to see Dejardins has some comments on London (and Portsmouth) as well. And again, everyone, do check out Samantha's writings.

Thank you so much for reminding me to read these. It’s certainly reassuring to find that Samantha is her old self, even if the shows aren’t quite up to the old standards.

Well, David, I've seen now that Samantha's Washington entry is out, and although it seems like it could use just a bit more editing work it's nice to read it (the promo for it I've seen looks a bit unnerving, however). And I didn't realize I was so lucky, living a couple of miles from a Whole Foods in my town.

One dark winter afternoon I wandered in the snow from the Capitol building to Georgetown and after some bookstore musings most the way back again, which I thought was an accomplishment, felt very sophisticated and urbane in my trench coat seeing my footsteps in the DC snow. But that must have been quite a hike (in her Great Hotels years?) Chevy Chase-wards. Wonder if Samantha went via Rock Creek Park, or just charged up Massachusetts Ave? Some fabulous embassy buildings that way, but gets pretty steep heading up towards the National Cathedral and beyond. Quite a trek, I would think. Washington is a beautiful city when you cross the Potomac from the Virginia side, but maybe less walkable in the dog days of August.

Capttuttle brings to mind something we’ve discussed herein several times in the past, meaning the discoveries and adventures we’ve had by accident whilst traveling. I believe one of the marvels of travel is the unknown. Some are terrified by the unknown. I view it as being quite fun and addictive. Once while en route from my hotel to a London university in a terrible downpour, I asked the taxi driver to stop at a Kensington ATM. There I was approached by a reasonably soaked aristocrat who asked if I was through with my cab (like everywhere else in the world, more rain = fewer taxis). When I said no, he asked if we could share it to his destination and then mine. I agreed (and why not?), and then we went to pick up his business partner. The gentleman cell phoned ahead and I received a coffee for my trouble as well as having my cab fare paid. Thereafter, the conversation on the way to their factory was if they should purchase a new single or twin engine helicopter and, in, politeness, were kind enough to include me in the conversation. We exchanged cards and still exchange pleasantries by mail from time to time. [Capttuttle will doubtlessly recognize this story as quintessentially London in its ethos.]

One Parisian afternoon, rain drove the daughter and I into a mall (of sorts) in Montmarte (Passage Joufroy, to be exact). Bookstores, antique shops, an antique cane collectors store – and, of course, she had her hair done at a chic salon. Did I mention the bars and restaurants??? The point is, had it not been for the rain, we’d never have found it.

And so on and so on, I suppose. There are many more stories such as these, meeting people, finding out-of-the-way gems, struggling with the language (which I find to be fun too), and experiencing adventure. And all of it unplanned.

One cannot help but wonder what gems SB finds in her travels that we’ll never see. I suspect there are more than a few. How about you?

Best, Intl Doc

Yes, it appears that track changes was left on for her DC entry, so we’re seeing things that were supposed to have been edited out. I must agree the promo makes it appear to be another one of the more unenlightening episodes in this overall disappointing series. I’ve only visited DC once, and that was about thirty years ago. About the only thing I can remember, is that it was so expensive I had to cancel my plans to visit NYC on the same trip. As for London, I once spent about eight hours there on a day trip from RAF Fairford, where I was on temporary duty for a military exercise. It didn’t rain, so I missed out on any weather created adventures.

Washington, DC just reminds me of the trip we made in 8th grade. There's nothing quite like a 100 (give or take) 13 and 14 year olds running around the city without adult supervision. In hindsight, they're lucky we all came back.

I am curious as to where one can go and pull the clothes off of men. I'm not saying I want to go there, I'm curious though as to what lead to that...event. I shall find out, WE shall find out tomorrow.

Und typoes happen to thee best of us. Was the copy editor on vacation?

In late May I made a trip to Washington, D.C. for some sightseeing, in particular to see (and, of course, photograph) the monuments and memorials in what I have always felt is the most beautiful capital city in the world. David will be interested to know that I did this trip in conjunction with one to New York during the same week. Unlike my first trip to D.C., twenty years ago, the weather was fantastic and got some great pics. I also took in some baseball (now there are only three major league ballparks I have not been to). I stayed in Arlington and despite the great Metro system, if I had to do it over again I would have gotten a hotel in Washington (conversely, in New York, my abode was a Munchkin-sized room in mid-town Manhattan and I vowed afterwards that I will never again pay so much for so little).

I was there during Memorial Day weekend, so the theme of the trip was motorcycles and remembering. Could not get near the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, but did experience the Korean, FDR and, most impressively, the WWII memorials. I also made my first visit to the beautiful Arlington National Cemetery, very timely considering the significance of the weekend. The serenity yet magnificence of the place overwhelms you. No, we may not be as old as a country like China, but there is nothing like a visit to D.C. to cause an American to reflect upon and take pride in the history of our own “great experiment”.

I miss reading Samantha's blog entries. I hope she'll write them for up-coming shows.