Christmas is officially here --- official!
Nigel has finished work, all is wrapped, all is bought, all is complete and we can now relax and enjoy the blessings of the season. We had a wonderful meal out with our neighbours last night. We are blessed that there are four houses and we all get along so well and we always include a meal for all fo us in our festive celebrations. It was a lovely evening.
Today we went to the Christmas Tree festival at church, which was as beautiful as always and we had time for quiet reflection on what Christmas is all about. It has been too easy to lose sight of that in the past few days. We needed that gentle reminder.
I do have ... drum roll ... a new paper page to share today! YEY! I haven't done any paper scrapping since before we went away - over a month with no paper and glue is the longest I have gone since 2003 when I started scrapping. It felt good to get my hands sticky again.
It is not the title page or even the start of the trip - just a photo I wanted to scrap. I was so excited to go to the Christmas Part in the Magic Kingdom. This was one of the Photopass photos right at the start of the party.
I also have a page made with a new release by Dawn Inskip called A Mixed up Fairytale
It documents how dreams do come true - I had a dream to see Disney at Christmas.
And the next installment of the travelogue is also about living a dream
Today I am thankful for
- quiet reflection time
- beautiful trees to enjoy - many that bought tears to our eyes
- preparations complete
- good neighbours - in every sense of that word
Sunday 26th November 2017
Natchez to Nottaway Plantation
Start time 7.30
Start miles 17226
End time 8.00
End miles 17400
Total miles travelled 174
I can't think about that today. I'll think about that tomorrow. Because tomorrow is another day.
So today was a mix of real highs and real lows. The highs were lovely and the lows were pretty hard to deal with .. Despite trying, especially with someone dead inside by your side.
We had a bit of a lie in ... Not getting to breakfast until 7 .... Whooooo! And that was after seeing the sun rise over the Mississippi and taking some neat photos from the parking lot. We were so thrilled to see this from the car park on Nigel's recommendation. He was so right to encourage me, forcibly, to go see it.
Imagine my surprise when we had the exact same view from the warmth and comfort of our table at breakfast.
Ah well ... Our outside view had been more authentic, if colder. Breakfast was good, but Americans don't get tea. I asked for tea for Nigel and hot water for me as they had only black tea. They bought Nigel a tea bag and filled both of our cups with tepid water. We ought to learn to drink coffee to be honest. Tea may as well be a foreign word to Americans. Breakfast finished and flavoured tepid water consumed, we headed off for our next adventure. Back on the open road
We heeded off and were soon into our 8th and last new state of Louisianna. It would have been nice to have had some warning about Louisiana. I had made sure I had studied the map carefully all the way through the road trip to see where the state lines were. I had, stupidly, relied on Nigel telling me he knew where Louisiana started and, unlike me, I hadn't double checked. Result ... No photo of the Louisiana state sign. I was mad ... But secretly knew I had a sort of shot from our inadvertent bridge crossing yesterday! But best not to share that. Louisianna also looked like England.
We had a shorter drive today and crossed the Mississippi again at Baton Rouge on a massive bridge. their bridges are metal monstrosities that are at the same time industrial and beautiful.
Although I had read about it. I was still surprised that the Mississippi was so industrial ... Really heavy industry and such traffic, for no reason, on and around the bridge at Baton Rouge. We saw the Capitol building in the distance and nearer to Nottaway at Plaquemain a huge flame from a chimney that must have been 40 foot high. IT seemed such an environmentally unfriendly waste of whatever was fuelling the fire. We drove past field after field of sugar cane and figured some of the industry must have been sugar refineries. America must use a whole lot of sugar ... A considerable amount of which clearly went on Nigel's IHOP break
It also served as a reminder though, that sugar and cotton (and tobacco and other crops) were the crops historically grown and were farmed during a very bad period of American history. It was a sobering reminder –and there would be many more during the day as we visited two very different plantations – that the economy of the area had been built on slavery. The beautiful houses were where the wealthy lived, the wealthy who owned slaves who worked to provide the very wealth they enjoyed. I had made a point of doing background reading on this before we travelled and it was something we tried to focus on as we looked around the plantations and the beautiful homes. It is something that should not be forgotten.
Nottaway was the place I had been so excited to see, though I was worried it would not be as beautiful as I was expecting. I was scared it would be a disappointment. It looked magical in photos ... Like a plantation. such as Twelve Oaks from Gone with the Wind.
As we pulled in the gates I figured it was going to be perfect ... And it was. Well the plantation was ... Life itself took a little turn we hadn't factored in.
There was a huge paddle steamer in the dock ... The American Queen .... and so we took pictures of that first.
I collected our tour tickets and we amused ourselves for the half hour wait by taking pictures of the outside.
Yet another Niagra moment. The first picture shows where we stayed - I hadn't believed it would be possible to stay somwhere like this but actually it was not massively expensive and our package included the tour and breakfast.
Also a tragic moment. I had bought a brand new iphone the week before our trip as my previous phone had battery issues. I was so proud of it. It was all black and shiny and new and lovely. I had also bought a new case. A case in two parts and yet I was choosing to only use one part ... The thin un padded part. And thus it happened ...I dropped my brand new I phone 7 twice. Twice. For goodness sake. TWICE! The first time chipped it. I was sad as the toughened glass screen protector was chipped at the corner and so was the case. Foolish to be sad about that. The second time I smashed the screen so there were cracks massive cracks in several places on both the screen protector and the screen itself. Now THAT was something to cry about. I cannot tell you how distressed I was. It was stupid. It was a damn phone. No one died, no one was at risk. It was a phone. It still worked. It could get fixed. It didn't matter. But oh my goodness it did. Nigel is Mr Dead inside when things go wrong and his lack of understanding made it worse. I know he does it to keep me calm but it has the exact opposite effect and means I am upset and blooming angry. It spoilt the day even though I pushed it to the back of my mind. And the worst thing... It was my fault. I was stupid. I didn't have it in the case, which might have saved it. I was careless, as usual. A klutz... My usual accident prone careless self and I never learn. Ever. And I deserved it.
We were on the ten am tour with lots of Americans from the boat and they were somehow typical of the type. The guides were in costume and we had a great guide who was very knowledgeable. There were some amazing facts and figures. The plantation is the biggest surviving plantation in the south. The house is over 55,000 square feet, the doors are 11 foot tall etc etc. It was a fascinating tour and the building is very very beautiful. There are great views over the levee to the Mississippi and the porches were gorgeous. But, like all of the plantations in the south, the ability to build such a beautiful home came from the fact that the owners of the house were also slave owners. Itw as wealth built of the blood, sweat and toil of others.
You can see how close the levee and the mississippi are from this shot.
I did take pictures, but as I also took them again later when it was quieter - the inside pictures are following later.
It was a super tour but we bailed just before the end. You know me ... Places to go people to see! Why do things slowly when you can do the. Quickly. Oh wait .. That's when accidents happen.
We headed back to Baton Rouge, getting gas on the way and seeing a 99 carriage train. Either that or the distress of the day means I can no longer count accurately. We went first to Magnolia Mound, but they didn't open until 1pm. Typical me ... Too early. If I had a penny for every time I had rushed something and then been too early, well I would probably have enough for a new iPhone!
We headed back into Baton Rouge, horrified by the traffic trying to get on to the bridge. We went to see the Old state Capitol first. Once again we were very lucky. It was a Sunday and so there was free parking.
We walked round, took pictures against a blue sky and walked across railway tracks and up the levee to gaze at the Mississippi. It was 21 degrees. No need for the hoodies today.
From there we went to see the new state Capitol ... A very different building but beautiful in its own way. Again, another one of our many city trips where things were I possibly quiet enabling us to see so much so easily.
Time to head to the plantation again, this time open. We had chosen to visit Magnolia Mound as it was a Creole plantation and so quite different in style and origin to Nottaway.
We met a very nice girl in the visitor centre and we opted for the $10 guided tour. Once on property we thought we had made an error and were visiting papa lazarous plantation, but we were proved wrong. We walked round the outbuildings seeing the slave quarters, which were in stark contrast to the other buildings, and the overseer’s house.
We saw sugar canes and the pigeonry and then waited for the house tour. Lo and behold it was the girl from the gift shop doing the tour of the main house and we were a tad bemused at first. She was, however, a seriously good guide. She was fun, knowledgable and we were able to ask questions. I really enjoyed learning about Louisianna history....French to Spanish to French to American. The house was small, although a bit of a tardis as it seemed much bigger on the inside, but beautiful and we learnt what Creole meant and about creole style. We learnt that the parcels of land were given out to people on two conditions; they had to be Catholic and they had to agree to build a road and levee it was a way of the government ensuring roads and levees were built at no cost to them. The parcels of land were long strips each with river frontage. We also learnt about the Louisiana purchase which doubled the size of the US. The tour did not include anything about what the slaves lives were like and we would have liked to have learned more about that too. It was a good almost hour tour and well worth doing. Wanting a worry wee before we left we had to wait until our guide transformed herself back to visitor centre host and unlocked the building with the restrooms.
We the headed to the California Pizza Kitchen for dinner ... We had been looking forward to this and it would be the only CPK all trip. The traffic going the other way trying to get over the bridge was nose to tail for four solid miles. We had to go back that way and so we watched it with dismay. The restaurant was a long way out, past the mall of Louisiana and in a new complex. Parking was cheap ... Just 50c ... And the meal was good. The trouble was, having rushed breakfast we rushed yet another meal as we had googled an Apple Store near by in the Mall of Louisiana. It was open until 6 and we got there at about 4.30. I cried ... Not about the $149 ... Though perhaps I ought to have cried about that too ...but the fact I might lose data, might lose the phone, might lose my mind. They took the phone and the lady was so nice and so reassuring. Went to J C Penny for the loo and bought trousers, as you do. When the going gets tough the tough go shopping. We were back in the store at 5.30 and, as I type this I am waiting to see if my phone lives.
The update is that at 6.20 I received my phone back ... New screen, new black bits. It looks brand new. No data loss, all ok just a lesson of $160 learned. I cried and cried, we hugged the lady, I cried some more and Nigel remained...as ever ... Stoic saying he always knew it would be ok. Sometimes he just needs to hug me and understand my anxiety. He is a bit too Clark Gable ... ‘Frankly my dear ... I don't give a damn.’ He does, of course, give lots of damns ... He just can't show it. And deep down I know if he did it would make me worse and more upset. I know, deep down he is staying strong for both of us, but sometimes, just sometimes … you know!
We headed back to Nottaway in awful traffic and finally got in at 7.40. No one on duty ... This is the day that just keeps on giving. Nigel phoned Bob, who kindly left his number on the desk whilst he was doing security checks …which was code for getting his dinner ... Bit of a give away as he had it in his hand when he returned. He checked us in, showed us how to work the elevator and we entered room no 1 ... The Cordellia Randolph suite. Oh my. We were sleeping in a stately home.
Our bags were in there waiting for us and we admired it then set off to take night time photos.This was our room.
The estate is huge but it was mild out and very surreal. There is a restaurant on site and we could see people at the bottom of the rotunda eating their meal. They, however, were not lucky enough to be staying there in the main house.
It was even more surreal when we walked round the inside. We had toured the main rooms this morning as part of a forty strong tour group. Tonight there was just we two. It was awesome, weird, and not a little spooky. Playing music just added to the Twilight tower of terror vibe. It was a trip we would never forget.
The white room was stunninga nd just look at the size of the doors for scale.
We returned to our room and tried to relax. It was lovely but we were terrified of it ... It was a little like staying at someone else's house where you are extra careful and respectful except here floors were cedar, furniture was antique and we were on edge. There were mod cons like air con and plenty of sockets but it was a step back in time.
I have loved Gone with the wind, both book and film, since I can remember. It was one of Mommy's favourite films and I have read the book and watched it several times with her and many times since. Our tour is even called the Gone with the Wind tour. Heavens one of our cats is called Scarlett and had we had a daughter she would have been saddled with it too.
Tara was never posh, but Nottoway was Twelve Oaks and some.
Tonight ... For one night only ... I am Scarlett! I will make the most of every moment because tomorrow is another day.
Nigel's journal
Sunday 26th November 2017.
AN APPLE TODAY KEEPS THE TEACHER AT PLAY
We awake starting to adjust to the time zone change and with a better nights sleep. I am detailed to load the car which is a goodly walk away through the hotel. On reaching the downstairs I notice the outdoor pool by the window and, by chance, decide to take a closer look.
With the sunrise on the horizon over the Mississippi and the Natchez bridge a prominent foreground feature, it makes for a stunning view. I quickly snap it on my phone but the photographer in me sees that the perfect location is really outside at the back of the hotel in the far corner of the car park.
I quickly load the cases out front and return to broach the subject of a small diversion before breakfast with Karen. Fortunately I am armed with the phone picture as evidence, so I am able to convince her that it really is worth the additional time, although, I wisely suggest that we can drive to the rear car park to save time and stop us from freezing!
We agree that the view is spectacular and well worth the trouble it is a perfect subject for the Mississippi and for Natchez so apart from simply soaking up the sunrise we photograph it from every aspect.
Time to head to breakfast with a somewhat smug look on our faces. Smug indeed, that is until we reach the breakfast room and realise that we are seated in the window overlooking the self same view (same pissing one!) from the comfort of our table. We quickly agree that this would probably have satisfied us but would never match the quality of the photos we gathered from outside!
An enjoyable breakfast in front of this memorable scene before getting on the road with a mission to get to our next destination in good time. Just like yesterday, we aim to arrive at Nottaway plantation in time to take the Mansion tour and still leave time to visit Baton Rouge and enjoy a much anticipated evening meal at the nearby California Pizza Kitchen.
The drive takes us into Louisiana as our final new state of the trip and due to husband error in not watching the route or paying attention, we happen upon the state sign unexpectedly and Karen is unable to catch a photo in time thus leaving her collection incomplete by one.
This single factor has the potential to ruin the entire trip, but she is unaware that worse is to come later today!
The climate in the car is decidedly icy and not due to the air conditioning. We notice the climate outside has also changed and the landscape is rather green and undulating more like England with large expanses of fields and short green grass. The visual effect takes on an appearance that leads you to think that you might be driving on some sort of oversized golf course as the features look very much at home in that context.
This is soon to change as we reach the more built up areas of Baton Rouge, picking up the interstate that will connect us with the Mississippi again and in fact take us across it to the route down to plantation.
On the other side of the river we have around twenty five minutes to travel and are in good time to make a ten o clock tour time at Nottaway. We relax a bit and notice the heavy industry that abuts the river and in particular a massive flame from surplus gas burning from some sort of refinery. It is visible from miles away and we estimate the flame alone is in the region of forty feet high!
On high alert now and with much anticipation, we await the first appearance of Nottaway which we both consider a potential highlight of the tour. Our first indication comes as the GPS announces “in one mile turn left onto Nottaway Boulevard”
We slow the pace and move into the correct lane and are pleased to see the boundary wall and sign come into view on the other side of the road. Swinging into the driveway we are wide eyed with wonder on the approach. The Mansion comes into view and is just as we imagined. It’s pure white timbers set against the clear blue sky amidst the deep green trees makes for a jaw dropping sight. It's simply beautiful and we can't believe we are going to stay here the night.
Almost at once I notice that there is a massive paddle steamer with its funnels just visible over the levy and with a mini bus bearing the name “American Queen” across the car park the indication is that this iconic vessel is visiting at the same time.
Full of excitement, Karen bounds out of the car, to confirm our arrival and our booking on the morning tour, whilst I set off with instructions to climb the levy quickly before the boat disappears! Of course it is tied securely to the bank and has just unloaded its passengers for a scheduled tour of the plantation and is going nowhere.
I not only climb atop the steep embankment but manage to descend the other side almost to the boarding platform. To say it is impressive is a great understatement. I had a preconceived impression that these vessels were classical, luxurious and somehow romantic but the scale of this giant sat serenely at the waters edge was simply quite outside of anything I could have imagined. I wanted to stare at it and take it in, but I mustn't let it get away without photographing it for two of us!
Turns out I didn't need to as just as I had climbed to the top of the levy once more I was alerted to Karen who having completed her registration had just reached the top as well and was taking her own shots.
This was quite some distraction considering that, at this point, we had hardly looked at what was now behind us, the spectacular Nottaway Plantation Mansion.
We descended the levy together and entered the grounds with the sunshine blazing onto the dazzling white exterior. Having established there was around fifteen minutes before the tour we went on a rampage of photography worthy of Niagara. We just kept on snapping with camera and phone in a frenzy of excited activity.
The frenzy was in fact so severe that it caused Karen to drop her phone in a fingers and thumbs moment causing a small chip on the casing. This was a disaster and actually worse than missing the state sign!
Imagine how much worse it was still when, within moments, she dropped it for a second time only to see that this time the screen was now shattered with several cracks across the face. Such was the horror that I believe it could not have been worsened even if spiders and cockroaches had emerged from the wreckage! She was simply devastated that her week old, brand new, IPhone was in bits and she was now in a similar state. There are no words in such circumstances. Knowing what it meant to her but also trying to be practical my efforts to console her by reassuring her that it was perfectly fixable with a new screen and no matter about cost, but it simply didn't cut it.
This one event was certainly going to ruin today, the day that was supposed to be one of the most joyous of the trip.
Battling hard with the impossible task to put it to the back of Karen’s mind, we embarked on the tour, courtesy of our meticulous guide who's costume would put you in mind of the Mad Hatter. Far from that character’s personality however, he was actually slow and precise in explaining the history and every aspect pertaining to the Mansion. It made for quite a long tour but we learned greatly and it certainly enriched the whole experience. The group numbered around forty people and we were surprised to meet one couple who hailed from Southampton and had been last nights occupants of the room we were to stay in. I don't know about Karen, but I tried not to look too closely or think too much about the couple who would have slept in our bed or used the bathroom twenty four hours before us, as for me, a hotel room is always best considered as brand new and unsullied when you take possession.
We cut loose from the tour one room before the end but not before taking time to soak up the view from the second floor bay window veranda that was such a feature of the building.
It was time to get on and to explore the Louisiana capital, Baton Rouge and another plantation visit at the contrasting Magnolia Mound.
After getting gas we were quickly over the river again and in the right direction for the plantation. As we pulled up to the gates we realised they were firmly shut with opening time around an hour away!
We decide to head for town and find somewhere to sit/eat for the duration but in a sudden change of heart we go in search of the capital building instead. It had been very visible on the skyline and Flossie (our GPS) knows the way!
It's a short drive but a long queue eats up the time. We arrive at the old capital building and parking is available so we stop for a while to take pictures. It's a warm day so we extend the meandering to the river front where there is an appealing view of yet another cast iron bridge.
It makes for a good subject and we collect an image or ten of that too.
Back in the car, we head for the new Capital building and discover it is surrounded by picturesque and quiet gardens, so plenty of opportunity for more snapping. Karen on foot and me in the car!
The hour or so needed is now more than consumed so we turn our attention back to Magnolia Mound and return through the now open gates.
On first sight we begin to think we have made a mistake. There is little to see other than a few small buildings huddled around an area about the size of a football field. No big manor and not much in the way of signage either. The fact is that we have just come from Nottaway which is the largest plantation in the south and this is considerably smaller and in the creole style which is why we have selected it.
As we cautiously enter the welcome centre, cum information building, cum gift shop, we are greeted enthusiastically by a young lady who seems glad to see some customers. It turns out she is the receptionist, come salesperson, cum tour guide, cum just about everything.
Keen to fulfil all of these rolls at once she welcomes us and gives us the low down on tour prices.
We must have looked hesitant as she quickly adds that there are discounts for elderly, service persons, veterans, students, teachers children and just about everybody! Though apparently NOT for speedway fans! Oh well it doesn't hurt to ask.
I skilfully lie to secure a $2 reduction for Karen as a teacher whilst Karen is hiding in the bathroom. I am proud of my bargaining prowess whilst Karen is frightened that my fraud may be rumbled if they check up and find she is actually retired!
Finally we are directed to assemble for the tour in around twenty minutes at the front of the property.
We take a circular route around the smaller outbuildings pausing momentarily at the Slave quarters and the Overseer’s house for pictures. When the time comes we are ready for the tour and our guide duly appears, of course it's the multi tasking receptionist.
She turns out to be very skilled and clearly this is a job she loves. She is informative and knowledgeable and we learn a lot about the plantation as well as the history of how the Mississippi land was given out. It's intriguing and the 1hr tour goes quickly.
At the end of the tour we head back to the car but before we depart we have to linger a few moments while she completes her final roles of the day, as security officer to unlock the reception building and restroom attendant to direct us to the bathroom. Maybe the reason the car park is free is that they cannot think of anyone who could take the money and issue the tickets?
Hunger is getting the better of us and I've promised a trip to California Pizza Kitchen so we set off in search. The route takes us deeper into Baton Rouge and we are surprised by the amount of traffic building up in the opposite direction aiming to cross the river. We take note that this is a return journey we do not relish and even consider abandoning our plans. But we are not quitters and we push on like members of the intrepid club.
The restaurant is further than we had thought but is located in a modern shopping district very reminiscent of Winter Park. Initial worries that parking will be impossible are dispelled when we find a space close by. Loose change covers the meter cost and we walk the short distance to the restaurant. Sadly, Karen is still overcome with worry about her damaged phone and the meal is totally overshadowed by her concern. In blind hope she googles the Apple Store only to find that there is one least than a mile away in the neighbouring mall of Louisiana.
Food is now on the table so we need to eat fast and get to this place where help may be at hand.
Flossie is on form and gets us to the correct parking place and as I park Karen cuts a dash across the tarmac. It will be easy for me to follow her trail as the smoke coming from her shoes lingers long enough to be visible to loving and sympathetic eyes.
It is 4.30 in the afternoon but once Inside, she is quickly in the hands of a clip board wielding Apple Expert who is keen to help.
Explaining our urgency, they rally to our aid and promise to resolve the issue before nightfall however long it takes and irrespective of their closing time at 6pm.
Unfortunately, in order to do this they need to a specially fashioned IPhone spanner to prize the product out of Karen's vice like grip amongst fears and promises of no data loss, ICloud back ups and scouts honour!
At this point I'm not sure who is more afraid of failure, Karen or I.
We are expected to return before 6pm but the repair is likely to go on at least until 6.30 so we head for a clothing store to try to refocus.
After a small purchase and less than thirty minutes we are back in the Apple Store where closing is imminent. It's lights out and only a chosen few customers remain in a ‘lock in’ situation as repaired phones begin to appear from the back room.
We are informed that ours is moments away and it appears it has been a success.
Another Apple genius appears with Karen's phone now wrapped in cellophane and declares all is well .. no data loss and the phone looks brand new again. Within the two hours Apple have saved the day and amidst her tears of relief and joy, and not a little embarrassment I guide my exhausted wife back to the car.
The heavy tailbacks have not diminished and we think about an alternate route but decide to brave it out. It's slow going but the line is moving and a combination of tiredness and relief after the phone fix keeps us from too much irritation.
Having crossed the Mississippi once more, we note the burning flame is still going strong into the night sky and almost guides us home. The return to Nottaway goes quicker than expected and pretty soon the lighted gate sign is there to greet us as we enter the now seemingly deserted grounds.
The mansion is beautifully lit and the shining white walls are outstanding against the blackened sky.
Unsure just how to access the inside we go to the reception desk, where we entered before, half expecting it may be closed.
The door is unlocked and we gingerly go inside as if entering a private home. It feels wrong to be alone after our earlier experience of it being such a public place.
There is no one in evidence and lights are dimmed. We call out to no avail. Then I notice a note from Bob who introduces himself as the night manager and states that he is on his rounds and will return, but his phone number can be used to summon him.
As it is late, we decide to a call will be helpful to our cause.
He responds after a while and reassures us he is on his way. When he arrives it confirms that his rounds clearly include the kitchen as he is carrying a hot meal, his supper by all accounts.
We are keen to get settled but, obviously, Bob is in for a long night so is rather too keen to fill his time by getting to know his guests in some detail. It doesn't seem to bother him that his supper is going cold! We are polite but give concise answers whilst he regales us of his visits to some of the places we have already seen. After this and a rather slow, one fingered, interaction with his terminal, he finally manages to get us checked in, but there then follows a demonstration of the lock system in the house. It's complicated and, although Bob seems adept at showing all the manoeuvres necessary to secure us, I doubt it will be as simple when we go it alone.
He then escorts us to the elevator as apparently this too may need training. We can't help snapping pictures as we march swiftly down the path. The elevator is ready and Bob dispatches us to the third floor and we really are ‘on our own’. The house is empty and it's a little disconcerting. Earlier today we were part of a large tour group with guides and everything. Tonight it's just us. We open the door and enter our room, Number 1, a magnificent collection of period furniture meets our gaze the centrepiece being a four poster bed with pink satin trim. It's a stunning sight. Unable to believe that we are all alone we sneak around the house taking pictures of the now empty rooms and soaking up the atmosphere (which is a little eerie!)
We venture outside too and almost as if we are the only souls on site we have the whole place to ourselves.
On return to our room, we carefully negotiate the furniture as if not to disturb anything. It's like sleeping in a museum but we manage as best we can and admit whilst unique and adequately comfortable it is distinctly UNcomfortable in this context. We sleep reasonably despite the recurring noise from the train horns on the nearby tracks which seemed romantic earlier but a bloody nuisance when trying to nod off!
