Tuesday 19 October 2010

Yum!



sunny, warm, temps 70's

Ahhh - a day to ourselves. Woke up about 8. Breakfast about 9. Then decided to go for a walk.

Five hours later we got back to the hotel! Walked all over Chinatown, then Michael and I walked down to the waterfront. We were going to have lunch in chinatown, but we weren't hungry yet, and were yearning (against all our instincts and our nature) for exercise. So off we set for Embarcadero blvd. Lovely walk. Fabulous city.

We were aiming for Pier 39 - Fisherman's Wharf. Hoping to find a great, atmospheric seafood restaurant. What we found was overwhelming - and not in a good sense. Just lots of tourist traps. But we did pause long enough to see the sea lions, who make the waters off Pier 39 home. There's a photo of Michael, with the lions in the background...looking a bit like hors d'oeuvres.

Then we hoofed it off to Pier 7 and the Waterfront Restaurant. Had the BEST lunch - perhaps ever. Sat outside, looking over the harbour and the Bay Bridge. Michael had seafood linguine. It was amazing!!! And I had perhaps the best halibut I've ever tasted. Honestly, it was terrific.

Another magical time in San Francisco.

Yesterday, when we got back to the hotel room from lunch there was a beautiful bouquet sent from Minotaur Press and St. Martin's. How wonderful is that?

Oh, also want to mention that next week - on October 28th - we'll be in Quebec City for the Quebec launch of BURY YOUR DEAD. We'll be doing it at the Literary and Historical Society - where much of the action in the book takes place. And it will be broadcast live on CBC Radio Quebec. From 4 to 6 - then a party after. Everyone's invited!!! In fact, the Canadian publisher, Hachette Canada, has arranged for a special rate for rooms at the Chateau Frontenac, for those of you who'd like to come for the launch.

If you call the Chateau - at 1-800-441-1414 - just say you're booking for the Louise Penny book launch, and if they ask for the code give them, HACH1010. It would be such fun to see you there.

Quiet day tomorrow...wow. Feels wonderful.

8 comments:

A. Wright said...

Oh, if only I could take time to go to the Quebuc launch of "Bury The Dead," Louise. So very tempting but not this year, maybe next year.

--Alice

Eileen K. said...

The celebration sounds wonderful. Apparently the Lit. & His. doesn't mind its portrayal in the book! And to stay at the Chateau Frontenac would be divine. Unfortunately, work keeps me in Michigan. Have fun, and while this is a launch, it's also a pre-award party. The structure, the time shifts, and the layers of character in Bury Your Dead have taken a great series to a new level.

Diane said...

I was so looking forward to being at the event but impossible this time. I'll keep an eye on your events schedule, and then someday, sigh, I'll meet my favourite writer face-to-face.

Hope you are getting a well deserved rest! And again, congrats on the award! Hope you have a mantle to start lining them up on.

Donna K said...

Louise,
Now you've done it! Your portrayal of winter in 'Bury Your Dead' has
actually created a yearning for the white stuff and cold squeeky snow.
Here in northeastern Wisconsin I don't know if this is a good thing, ha, but it has created an excuse for a shopping spree...

Fisherman's Wharf was a huge disappointment to me after having been gone for so long, but we found a place still 'primitive' and unchanged..at the very, very end towards the bridge.. on the right as you're walking towards the bridge from pier 39. been around for decades..old atmosphere, untouched. great brkfst.enjoy

Margaret J. McMaster said...

Anytime I'm staying in a lovely, serene hotel room such as yours, where the colours and the furniture work to create a great atmosphere, I'm tempted to find out the name of the decorator and where to get furniture like that for the home. The table and chairs are exactly what I've been looking for.

carole said...

Before reading Bury I re-read the Brutal Telling and that turned out to be a wonderful idea -- the two stories melded together and I didn't have to go through the frustration of waiting for the next page to turn! Thank you so much for creating an amazing community of realistic, engaging and always honest characters and a wonderful storyline.

lil Gluckstern said...

What a wonderful time you are having...just wanted to tell you that Amazon honored you with a whole special email, highlighting all your books. Congratulations again!

Louise Penny Author said...

Hi all,

Yes, this is a serene room - wonderful way of putting it. I particularly love the wallpaper in the bedroom. A sort of gently shimmering baby/aqua blue.

An oasis.

Wish we'd persevered further along Pier 39 - but the cacophony was such an assault we withdrew.

And Lil - thanks for that info! Hope you're feeling better.