Doug E. Fresh

And Morocco just extended their curfew hours to 9pm. Time to find plan B for holiday travel. What a shitshow.

Thanks for the feedback, all great stuff. We have done Fez before, around 10 years ago, so are familiar with the vibe (and chaos) inside the Medina. We are also looking into Essaouira or other beach area but haven't researched it much yet. The main goal would be to avoid anything that is a bit of a tourist trap (lower risk during Covid, probably) with pretty nice accommodation. I guess we need to decide how much pool/resort time we want in Marrakech as that will determine 4/5 days versus 8. Part of the goal of the trip is just to get away and unwind for a bit without being on the go and sightseeing all the time.

After nearly two years of no real vacations, finally getting around to planning one in mid-September and thinking about Marrakech/Atlas Mountains. Tentatively looking at 3 days in Marrakech (looking for a very local Riad as opposed to a hotel), 2-3 days in Atlas/Foothills and 4 to 5 days back in Marrakech to just unwind and relax with soon pool time at one of the nicer hotels - Mandarin, 4S, Royal Mansour, etc. Anyone have advice on how much time to spend in the Atlas Mountains - 2 nights vs. 3? Looks like there is quad biking, some mild hiking/walks, etc. to do but wondering how difficult it is to fill 3 days there.

Live from London. You can stick your calzone up your ass. IMG_1237.mov

Three Lions on a shirt Jules Rimet still gleaming You England haters can suck it. This is a young, talented England team that can get it done. Far better than years past. Do I think they are better than Italy? Marginally no, but I will take the one match at Wembley and the momentum. And Italy was vastly outplayed by a Spain team that just couldn't finish. London is rocking these days and it's fucking great.

Shit happens. Go look at Luis Enrique in the 1994 WC against Italy for a lack of a red card.

Got Pearl spayed today, no issues. I guess the onesie is the preference over the cone of shame here in the UK.

Kensington Palace is on the west side of Hyde Park, which is London’s largest (and most famous) park. It’s a great park, but I don’t get there often as it gets so crowded and we’re closer to Regents anyways. Plus plenty of other great places like Primrose Hill or Hampstead Heath so options abound. Tons of pandemic pups around now. I think something like 3.5 million pups were bought in England during lockdown.

Pearl seeking out any sunshine she can find in London.

I am with you. Spent 2 nights there a few years back on a Big Bend and Santa Fe trip. Just didn't do it for me at all. Was glad to move on.

Couldn't agree more. Went there once a few months after it opened and thought it was overpriced and the food didn't stack up. MAD seems to be more about the decor and the scene than the dining. That being said, I think they do a great job at BCN.

I have to admit, I am mildly curious about this place opening soon in London. It's going to be horrible, I am sure, but good for some mild entertainment. https://chilibomb.co.uk

I have always found that bulldogs love to sunbathe and will seek out any warm spots trying to get a sliver of sun. Pearl tries to do it every afternoon with what little sunlight is available.

Got my first AstraZeneca this afternoon. So far no side effects. A bit tired but also had a late and boozy one last night so that’s probably it.

Yeah that one confused me. I live in London and while there’s been a spike in places trying cue, it doesn’t mean it’s done well.

Thought so as well until I noticed a pretty good ding on the ceramic bezel between 1 and 2 o’clock

Pearl is now at 3.5 months and settling into London life. She’s coming out of her shell, although a bit more timid than our last bully, Lulu. Outdoor pubs and restaurants open in 2 weeks so she will hit the town soon. 8A9AE57D-3F36-46CA-88E3-0A6D8F73DEC4.MOV

Word has it that it has closed permanently.

I wouldn't book anything you can't cancel or get refunded. In the UK, the general message is don't bother planning to go abroad for your summer hols. Vaccine rates should be good by September, but the unknown with travel restrictions, quarantines, etc. is likely to be a factor most (if not all) of this year. This seems to be largely driven by the new variants that keep popping up and a desire to limit travel until things are better under control.

It is interesting watching this story play out on both sides of the pond and how differently she is viewed in the U.S. versus the U.K. I am back living in London now, and she is becoming more and more unpopular by the day over here, even amongst the American expat group. The common views I hear are: - is anyone at all surprised that a senior member of the Royal Family might have made a slightly racist comment about Archie? No, not really. But many believe that if you are going to make a claim that strong on Oprah, you should be specific about what was said and who said it. - she says she knew very little about the Royal Family and PH, but her childhood friends say she was a huge fan of Princess Di growing up. She knew what she was getting herself into with the marriage. - yes, she has been treated harshly by the press but certainly not worse than Camila, although probably tougher on her than Kate. I personally don't have the context on this point because I don't keep up with this shit but I vaguely remember criticism of Kate and her family from my time here before. - people here generally find it believable that she was depressed and having a difficult time but are skeptical that she was truly suicidal, when PW and PH are supporters of 7 or 8 mental health charities. Harry could have gotten her help. - She comes across "fake" and as a "social climber" I don't necessarily agree with all of this myself, nor do I care that much about it. I have never seen her speak before and didn't bother to watch the interview as there was enough other media coverage. But of the bits I did see, she doesn't strike me as someone that is completely genuine here.

Maybe check out JL Bar Ranch in Sonora.

I’m going with 99 year old Prince Phillip, husband of Queen Elizabeth. Admitted to hospital on Tuesday for what was supposed to be a few days but now extended until next week. Prince Charles showed up to visit him today. Now I’m not starstruck by the Royal Family at all, generally disinterested. But my place in London is across from the back of the hospital and it’s surrounded by police, news media and paparazzi. I now have to show a bill with my address on it every time I return to my place and new police shifts don’t recognize me. And with the covid lockdown it’s too hard to sneak in a few friends due to the police presence. The old man needs to get on with it, one way or another.

Got the new pup home today. Pearl is settling in well so far, and hyper as shit today. Definitely going to be a handful. Tried to sneak in some friends to see her today but our street is completely blocked off by police and hard to get in or out. We share a street with the back of a hospital and apparently the Duke of Edinburgh was admitted. It’s a complete shitshow.

Not sure I’d put second growth BDX in the good value bucket. I love BDX and Burgs, which are about 2/3 of what I buy, but value is not the play there at $75 to $100 per bottle for most seconds or much more for the LLC or Pauillacs.