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!)