Not in Nargothrond, or, Glaurung's travels

[Jubal]

I'm not sure we have enough funds in the bank to build a henge

[comrade_general]

Just takes some elbow grease.

[Glaurung]

I'm not sure we have enough funds in the bank to build a henge

It depends how big you want it, and what it's made of. We could probably do one made of polystyrene a couple of centimetres high (cue This Is Spinal Tap).

Just takes some elbow grease.

I don't think that's a particularly robust structural material...

[Jubal]

Does elbow grease come in cans? We could make a can henge...

[Glaurung]

As advertised in the "Going to be away" thread, I am once again travelling in Europe, this time Spain and France. I flew to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain on Sunday, and have since made my way via Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona to Nîmes, almost on the coast in southern France. All this travel has been by train, of course. So far everything has gone according to plan: I've had a couple of late trains, but nothing with onward connections to worry about.

At the moment, I'm sitting at an outdoor restaurant table, digesting a rather good pizza, and lubricating it with some pleasant house red wine. Tomorrow I head into the Massif Central on some more scenic lines, hoping to avoid all the rail replacement bus services.

[comrade_general]

Sounds like a good time, G. Think you'll pop over to the States again some day?

[Glaurung]

Sounds like a good time, G.

Yes, it was, definitely. Lots of places I hadn't been to before, along with some that I had visited previously, but not for a long time. I can see me doing some more trips like that, though perhaps not in the hottest part of the summer!

Think you'll pop over to the States again some day?

That's the plan: August 2017, for the solar eclipse, as I think I mentioned some while ago. That might well be another four or five-week mega-trip.

[Glaurung]

Greetings from Sardinia! I arrived a couple of hours ago. The temperature is about 30C (88F), and I think I might melt if I spend too long outside. Fortunately (and deliberately) I have a hotel room with air-conditioning - I'm tempted to shelter here for a couple of hours.

[comrade_general]

I've been out working in those temperatures up against a radiant wall.

[Jubal]

It's grim and cold and wet back here

[Glaurung]

I've been out working in those temperatures up against a radiant wall.

Lucky you! I went out again anyway; there was a breeze, and I tried to keep on the shady side of the street, so in fact I have not dissolved into a puddle of sweat. It probably felt worse because, as Jubal implies, the temperature in the UK when I set off was more like 60F (15C). Hopefully I will acclimatise somewhat over the next few days.

Tomorrow I will spend the morning sightseeing in Cagliari, and then head northeast to Arbatax on the east coast.

[Jubal]

Glad to hear: non-dissolved Glaurungs are the best sort thereof

[Glaurung]

The UK Met Office forecast for Cagliari showed a 10% chance of rain much of the time I'm here. It looks as if all those 10s have rolled up together: there's a thunderstorm here at the moment. If I'm lucky it will clear the air and reduce the temperature compared to yesterday.

[Jubal]

Ah well - and yes, thunderstorms do tend to have a good effect on the subsequent atmosphere

[Glaurung]

Alas, it feels just as humid as it did yesterday, but it's cloudy so there's less direct heat from the sun. Still not ideal for walking around a very hilly city, let alone going up the 40m or so high watchtower at the highest point, but I'm only slightly melted and the views were worth it. Unexpected bonus: hearing church bells all over the city ringing for midday.