Where Does the Time Go??

When I checked just now, I couldn't believe how many days had past since last I posted some news here! Put it down to the fact that I have been so busy, crisscrossing the country and having a wonderful time visiting friends, many of whom I haven't seen for quite awhile. Of course as I mentioned earlier, my time in Tenerife with Di and John was really special - thanks so much, both of you, for introducing me to the Canary Islands and for making it such an enjoyable visit!

After the four-hour flight back from sunny Tenerife, it was a bit of a shock to be greeted by the gloomy dusk and fog at the tailend of a short November day in England, but in no time at all, I was enjoying a warm welcome from Sarah, and her son John, in Fittleworth, Sussex - a short train ride down the line from Gatwick Airport. Sarah and I first met on another train some 43 years ago, when we were both travelling out west from Montreal. (We had both travelled over from England to Canada on the 'Empress of Canada', but hadn't bumped into each other on board ship!) It turned out we were two of the few who were making for Vancouver... We both taught for a couple of years in the same area and for a while shared an apartment in New Westminster, BC. Needless to say, we shared many memories during my overnight visit to Fittleworth and Petworth - the 'Raffle Capital', according to Sarah! - where the sun shone and we enjoyed a lovely wander around, culminating in a tasty pub lunch in front of a blazing log fire! Thanks so much, Sarah, for a great time - and for arranging for all that warmth!!

From Fittleworth it was back to Leicester, from whence I had departed so hastily when presented with that Tenerife 'carpe diem' opportunity, to Holly Cottage, in the nearby village of Stoughton, home of cousins Ann and Judith, where another warm welcome awaited..... Over the years, Holly Cottage has proved to be a relaxing retreat for recharging batteries.......primarily min, but also those of netbook, camera and cell phone! Thanks, Ann, for all the running around - picking me up and dropping me off, both early and late - and for all those tasty home-cooked meals! All much appreciated!!

Wednesday, last week, another 'carpe diem' opportunity presented itself and thanks to being picked up and dropped off at Yate station , by sister-in-law, Judy , she and I managed a visit to The Heathers nursing home, as well as a quick bite to eat, plus I was reunited with the larger of my two bags, which J had been keeping for me - and all that was accomplished in under two hours! Thanks very much, Judy, for making yourself so available!

This quick turnaround in Chipping Sodbury/Yate enabled me to get the train to Bath, in time to take advantage of that 'carpe diem' opportunity, which came in the form of a last minute ticket to hear the Nash Ensemble play in the Assembly Rooms in Bath. This concert was part of a series for the annual Bath Mozart Feastival - but Mozart wasn't being played!! Nevertheless, it was a memorable experience, shared with Stella and two friends of hers (who already had tickets) from Shrivenham. We had previously arranged that I would visit Stella for Wednesday and Thursday, then she came up with the suggestion that I try for a ticket for the concert......and despite the fact that it was officially sold out, I was successful the morning of the event! I spent a most enjoyable couple of days with Stella - she and I go back to teaching days in Cumnor, near Oxford before I went to Canada! - and I was even able to share in a pub lunch with Stella, her daughter, Jo and husband, Ian. .. There's also a possibility that Stella and I will manage a trip over to visit her son, Phil (one of my Godsons) and family, in early December. Many thanks, Stella for a wonderful visit and for running me over to Yvonne's. (Do hope our trip to visit Phil, Sharon and Findlay works out!)

Jaunt - but Brief - in Tenerife!

Hola, from Tenerife! My last evening here, but have managed to pack a lot in to a short time.... I flew down here on Sunday, almost on the spur of the moment, at the kind invitation of friends, Di and John. (Di and I taught together, many moons ago, the year before I headed off to Canada.) D and J, who have been down here since the beginning of the month, sent me a text at the end of last week, inviting me to join them here this week - a real 'carpe diem' opportunity! - so here I have been, in the Canary Islands, some 700 miles south of southern Spain, soaking up warmth and sunshine, for the last few days......
Yesterday we took a drive up into the centre of the island, to El Teide, an extinct volcano. It turned out to be the perfect day for such an adventure, as the weather was unusually clear at that high altitude and the sun shone the whole time. There are some amazing rock formations surrounding the crater - I'll TRY to post some pictures!
Just tried, and once again received the same message - only difference being that this time it is in Spanish!!

Same Old Message...so NO Pictures!

Tried, yet again, to post some pictures, but once again without success...
Still in Yate/Chipping Sodbury today, but later tomorrow expect to take the train up to Leicester, where I shall be spending a few days with cousins Ann and Judith, at Holly Cottage, in the village of Stoughton. Ann and I have some planning to do re: a few days away together somewhere and also hope to do some biking, if the weather co-operates..... I may also take a little jaunt on my own, to catch some late fall sunshine, but nothing settled yet....

Still Unsuccessful....

...but I shall keep trying to post pictures, as well as text.

Just back from a very enjoyable visit to Callington, Cornwall, where cousin Mags and husband, Alan - plus their two feline friends - now live. I travelled down by train to Plymouth, where I was to change to the train for Liskeard. This train had come down from Londonand before it even arrived, there were warning signs that it was full, with passengers standing... No kidding!! Those hopefuls who had been waiting on the platform in Plymouth, were 'shoe-horned' on to the train; thankfully, the train drew up with an access door right opposite where I was standing, so I was one of the first to get on. I immediately stationed myself, plus suitcase. right by the door, with a grab-bar to hand, so that I wouldn't have to fight my way to the door when I reached my destination.... I was glad the journey to Liskeard wasn't longer than half an hour - and being so close to the door, I wasindeed able to exit without problem...

Alan was there to pick me up - Mags was on a day-trip to Exeter with the WI - It was a beatiful drive from Liskeard to Callington, in the late afternoon sunshine, but unfortunately, that was the only day when the sun shone. The rest of the weekend was misty, blustery and drizzly. On Saturday, though, we did venture out in the car to Whitchurch, where we enjoyed an excellent pub lunch, then continued on to Tavistock. There we browsed around the covered market,after which time the drizzle had let up sufficiently for some picture-taking along by the River Tavy.

Although outdoor activities were somewhat curtailed by the inclement weather, it did mean that we had time to browse through old photo albums and re-live some of the highlights of the past! All in all, another very pleasant interlude, punctuated by some delicious meals - that roast pork dinner you served on Sunday, Mags, won't soon be forgotten!! Many thanks to you both for a most enjoyable time - and to Cassie and Sadie for the entertainment they provided. (I hope I shall be able to post pictures, one of these days.....)