Another picturesque spot to do some reading: in Morro Bay, looking out at The Rock. King Ottokar’s Sceptre, which introduces us to the Balkan nations of Syldavia and Borduria, sets the scene for some of Hergé’s richest inventions, from the two nations’ cross-border rivalry to the maddening diva Bianca Castafiore. The travel brochure which Tintin reads on the flight to Syldavia is an amazing creation that effortlessly fills the reader in on the history of these two nations, while also being completely realistic and organic to the story (look at the Syldavian language, for example). While not as politically engaging as the later Calculus Affair, this book is certainly a more authentic, less gimmicky adventure than the earlier books, with realistic anschluss overtones and a serious outcome at stake.
We spent much of the day today driving back from Cambria, where we enjoyed a very nice, intimate wedding last night. The whole weekend was a really nice end-of-the-summer treat, from breakfast at Cold Spring Tavern to our three wineries and a night at the Madonna Inn. Some photos:
