It's cold and wet -an afternoon at home and a reflective mood have led me to have a look at the past 18 months of living here in England. So - the Highs:-
Having my brother Peter there ready and waiting at Heathrow and quickly taken to the hospitality of his home.
Catching up with Clive Bowring and visiting the IOW.
Staying a night with John and Brenda Shapiro in their lovely old cottage.
Arriving in the lovely little town of Ramsey and finding the flat on the school grounds more than adequate for our needs.
Joining Ramsey Golf Club and meeting some super blokes in the Seniors division.
Finding out that we had dozens of National Trust places to visit within easy driving distance.
Going over to France with the car and surviving the driving, at the same time visiting some fabulous places and staying at some super Gites.
Christmas in Vienna and the Christmas Day Mass with the Vienna Boys Choir. A piece of Sacha Tort.
The Lippizaner Horses and the wonderful sound of Ave Maria sung in the courtyard.
The Christmas Fair at the Summer Palace Schonnbrun.
The Isle of Wight in a waterside hotel.Joining the English Heritage at Osborne House.
Visiting Dick and Eileen Lancaster at Blandford Forum - a 55 year old reunion.
Developing an interest in the Fens and it's history.
A visit from David and Nancy
Iceland - the waterfalls and geysers. The wonderful dog sledging and the warmth of hospitality shown at Senna.
Pub roast lunches.
Prague - getting rid of the "traditional Czech lunch!
A visit from Graeme and Dianna
Norway -seeing Sarah and Baard.
The Flam Railway and the great train trip across to Oslo.
Finding out that the Oslo Hotel also provided a light dinner in the price.
Getting lost up in the hills and the lift in a car when we were lost and tired.
Making friends with Ruth and Tim and visiting their lovely home.
Making friends with Pam and Maurice at Ramsey.
Cornwall and the tiny cottage. The beautiful villages by the sea. Tintagel Castle.
Yorkshire - another lovely cottage and Mrs Coates the lovely owner. The moors and stone wall fences. Great pork pies
found at a little village. Unbelievable scenery.Bolton Abbey.
Yorkshire again via Wales Chester and The Isle of Mull.Trip in a canal barge draawn by a horse.The fabulous aquaduct. The Isle of Mull a treasure in itself - can't forget the hand dived scallops bought from the divers themselves.Tobermorey a little gem.
Stirling Castle and the odd couple running the B and B at Pickering. The steam train to Whitby and the original Sir Nigel Grenfel -what memories.
Carol's birthday in Paris with Sarah joining us.Travelling on the Eurostar under the Channel. The coach sightseeing trip with a difference. Notre Dame.
France again this time to see Jeanette Alain and Morgan - the trip to the Grand Canyon,four wheel driving with Jeanette - wonderful days.
Norway for Christmas - Baards parents and grandparents joining in on Christmas Eve at a memorable party. The Cabin out of Gol -Cognac with Rolph - dogs pulling skiiers - the seeing eye poodle.
THE LOWS
Arriving in UK suffering from the "trots" courtesy of Malaysian water.
Buying the Vauxhall and finding the clutch slipping the second day on.
Cashing our travellers cheques and finding that the Bank treated them as cheques and had to wait for clearance.
No shower in the Ramsey Flat.
The school was a disaster- Carol very unhappy with a shithouse administration.
Blowing up the engine in the Vectra because I forgot to check the oil.
Finding out we had to pay the rates of 800 quid on the flat.
Long delays at airports going through security.
Hairy landing at Toulon courtesy of Ryanair.
Finding out that the transfer of the car registration had not taken place!
The problems with British Gas and their bill for 7,900 quid - never resolved.
The delayed flight from Oslo home to Heathrow - then the taxi taking us to the wrong St Giles - the lonely wait on an isolated railway station to get the last train.
Basildon Golf Club and the muddy course Yuck
V
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