Life, And Other Natural Disasters...

In The UK - it has to be the Rhins of Galloway.  When I was a lot younger - we're talking around 30 years ago, folks - we took our annual holiday in this area; initially, we rented a static caravan at a little site where the caravan was just yards away from the beach.  When the local council implemented new regulations regarding facilities, the owners got rid of all of the static caravans and we found a cottage that suited us nicely.  I'm not sure whether I appreciated it when I was younger, but as time wore on, I appreciated the simplicity and peace of the local village, Drummore.  Every so-often I go back even if just for a few days seclusion.

In France - I went on an exchange program between my high school and one in a town called Sully-sur-Loire (ogambear knows).  I actually ended up about 10km south in the village of Cerdon du Loiret.  It was rural French heaven.  Boules in the town square, a bar, a bakers, a patisserie, a bookshop, a pharmacy and a grocer.  I think that was about it.  It was my first introduction to France and I loved it.

Rest of Europe - Truth be told, I expected to fall in love with Stockholm and I was not disappointed.  Every season reveals a different side to the city, whether it be the leaves of fall, the calm waters of summer or the frozen harbor of winter.  The medieval old town (Gamla Stan) I could wander round for ages as well as the Skansen open air museum with its buildings from all over the country.  And its bears.  And the long summer nights when there is live music all over the city and ABBA songs keep slipping into your head...

In the USA - There are several places that I have fond memories, whether it be my first ever excursion over the pond to Boston or the long haul west to Portland OR or San Francisco.  But Tucson has the happiest memories and possibly some more bitter sweet.  Whether it is the people more than anything, or waking up and looking out the window at huge mountains in the distance.  Or maybe the way the roads seem to go on forever.  I don't know, but I will be back there some day.  I just don't know when.

To be continued some day...

Grrrr...! I had a bid in on an e-bay auction, and before the weekend (i.e. before I went away from any internet access), I was winning and no other bidders had even shown an interest. Needless to say, when I got to the PC in Stranraer library this morning, two snipers had fought it out in the dying seconds of the auction. So, it looks like, in future, I'm going to join the league of snipers. Against my better nature.

SEPT 10TH : BA7853 Depart Southampton 1045 Arrive Glasgow Intl 1200

SEPT 14TH : BA7856 Depart Glasgow Intl 1600 Arrive Southampton 1715

Away to Bonnie Scotland for a few days.  Probably without computers - eek, will I survive???!!!  It's another trip back to the Mull of Galloway, which has an inexplicable pull that invariably means I get lured back there every couple of years to get away from it all.  Quite literally.

Other news - Plumber has been.  I now have nice gleaming new taps (faucets) in the bathroom.  Things are officially starting to look up...!  More next week...