The Day I Fell in the Manhole...

...also known as the day we visited the Topiary Gardens and the Park of Roses. However, I feel that I will most remember it as the day I fell in the manhole.

The story is long and somewhat boring, so let's just say that my entire left leg went into the manhole when the cover dislodged itself. My slip-on shoe plummeted 7 feet to the bottom of the hole, and I was left seriously bruised and wondering how in the world I was going to get my shoe back.

Then a very nice Frenchman and his wife came over. She was perfectly terrified at what had happened. I had my umbrella stroller with me, and she insisted very adamantly that her husband lay down on the grass, extend the stroller into the hole, and using the hooked handle, retrieve my shoe.

He and I exchanged silent looks. Mine said "You really don't have to go that far. The shoe isn't worth very much at all." His said, "Do I really lay prostrate on the grass in the middle of this beautiful garden to retrieve a perfect stranger's slipper?"

In the end, his wife won out, and I left with both of my shoes and the largest bruises I have ever had in my life.

The gardens were beautiful and the children had a wonderful time exploring. Here they are...