I had such a wonderful time in London. I am so lucky that such a charming city is less than two hours away. How amazing it is to be able to catch a train under the English Channel and just pop out the other side. Best of all, our delightful hosts Luke and Shyla were waiting to greet us on the other side. While Adrian and Luke spent the morning at the British Humanist conference, Shyla and I celebrated our free thoughts with the rituals of shopping and drinking tea. They even graciously permitted me to spend the night in their georgeous apartment. I was bestowed with the presence of their cat, Suma, kindly watching over me while I slept. I opened my eyes in the middle of the night to find her perched on my pillow, staring intently at me. When I said “Hey Suma”, she freaked out and fled from the room. Luke claims that she was whispering “I’m just a dream – I’m a dream” as she disappeared. Playing with their charming kitty really made me want some of my own.

Over two days Shyla guided me through a bunch of wonderful British stores and I bought a range of scarves, Cadbury caramel eggs, and a “Keep Calm and Carry On” card. This is one of my favourite propaganda posters. It was one of three posters designed in 1939 during the war with Germany. While the other two, ‘Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution will Bring Us Victory’ and ”Freedom is in Peril’ were distributed immediately, this design was held in reserve in case of invasion. The poster was forgotten for sixty years until it was discovered folded up at the bottom of a box of books by Stuart Manly of Barter Books. They framed it and put it up on the wall of their bookshop. So many people asked for copies that it is now one of their most popular products.

I am finding it very hard to dress stylishly for the office. I end up looking like Betty (above), while the rest of the women here resemble Amanda (below). My workplace is full of international women who shop in Paris and who have a knack for pulling together an interesting corporate outfit. I end up looking like a grandmother, a school child, or a flight attendant, rather than a competent business woman. I have no training for this. I have spent my adult life in university settings, where anything above track pants was considered glam. I don’t even know where to shop. I guess the first step is to change my shoes. I am going to try a tiny bit of a heel and if I don’t break my ankle on the cobblestones, I shall consider it a success.