Changing habits

October 16th, 2009 | Category: US road trip autumn 09, la vie

So today I did something new, I ate fish! I have good reason to.
Alan and I did stuff, and finished off with breakfast burgers while driving across town to meet a man with a boat.
This man with a boat is known as duck, strange, but true. Duck took us on this boat out towards Cuba, until we couldn’t see land any longer.
We went out into the deep blue to fish, deep sea fish. I think we were inspired by the large photograph that grandpa has hung in his house of him stood by a very large marlin, or sail fish I’m not sure, that he caught down here in key west.
We sun creamed up, and from the red patch on my back, I can’t quite reach my whole back, oops! For it was a glorious sunny day, and then we went in search of birds and sea grass. The birds tend to hover around fish activity which they can see much better and from much further then we on the surface can. And the grass makes for a good hiding place for small fish trying to avoid predation.
Six hours at sea went by in very little time. We dragged lines, searching for tuna and dolphin. The dolphin are not the mammels that we all know, but a fish which goes by the same name. And bites we got, catching a couple of dolphin.
This didn’t last long, and so we motored off further toward the horizon. And before long, by aid of the birds, we found more activity. But now this school of fish was hungry and excited. So we used some more classic rods, making for harder work, but more fun. We caught 8 dolphin so far, lost a couple, threw one back as it was too small. Fish polulations need to be maintained.
Time running out we head back to land. But following sone birds we came across commotion, tuna. However there were dolphins, the mammels, chasing them around, so we started the chase. You have to get ahead of them, so as not too spook them by getting too close. Yet to no avail, we caught no tuna.
No matter as we were lucky enough to see some great turtles, who watch us then dive into the blue below. And even more beautiful we were entertained by the dolphins to a dance, some flipping in the sunset!
Alan and I got set up in the supermarket with some olive oil and Ginger sauce, and I made a salad. So the moment came, and it must have been maybe 8 years since I ate fish, but I did, and enjoyed it, but don’t think that I’ll be making a habit of it. Well that’s pretty extreme for me.
The other guys here commended us on our great fish, so yeh, a great day and successful. :)
What next but to watch ‘into the wild’ and chat about life and loss. It seems that most of us here out of 7 have lost a sibling within the last year, strange, connection, but most of all the realisation that we all go through these strugles and surprises that come at us as we go through life.
So the film has been done beautifully, not to the book, but based upon real life, it is beautiful while sad, but paints well the picture of his life and the effect he left upon the world after death.
And with that it’s that. Another day in America, doing the American thing!

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite PicLens No comments

Quipate

October 14th, 2009 | Category: US road trip autumn 09, la vie

I hear sirens, so off goes the music. Maybe it’s the firemen can’t be arses to talk room to room so use loud speakers.
We’re 100m from fort myers beach playing a cardgame: shithead and we’re almost out of wine, all of the cider having been drunk down on the beach.
Fill in; today was a boring 400mile drive down Florida.
We arrived here in time to have a swim in the sea while the sun was setting.
Alan is afraid of the sea, even if it is 2ft deep! Creepy crawlies nibble away your extremities?
It is wonderfully warm here, in the sea and out.
We tried having a pic nic dinner on the beach, but due to the serious amount of mosquitos attacking us, we retreated from the water to drink and play cards.
Alan picked the game, won initially, but that didn’t last long.
So i’m sat here with wine, cards, bread and humous while he’s off buying liquor.
I could cheat and change his cards, but is it worth it?
We’re going to sleep in the tent tonight. There are no camp sites, we’re not allowed to sleep on the beach, so upon the recommendation of a local, we will stay in an RV park, and see what happens in the morning, maybe the owner will wake us us and give us trouble, if not, then Bingo! Free night :)
Oh and it’s beautiful here by the sea, damn these demon insects.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite PicLens No comments

Flying free

September 13th, 2009 | Category: la vie

I am being walked over by a little ladybug. A squirrel just came up to my feet to ask for food. A red squirral sat a foot away watching me walk. And a heron perched just three feet away.
I’m in regents park amongst the ponds and willows. Pretty cool!
Yesterday we had a biiig gathering in and around Glastonbury to say farewell to Nam. First off, we were gathered at a special place for a fire ceremony, and chanting. It was a totally new experience, and not just for the family, but the whole group of those who loved Nam. It was pretty intense, and fun trying to walk through a crowd with a dead leg after being sat for so long. Also, it was a perfect sunny afternoon so all the more excellant. We finished with a fire lantern which floated off up to the sun.
Then after a pint in town we had a party up in Glastonbury. Bands, music, fire and much loved talking of nam, and other fun, even dad dancing :)
Afterwards, trixi and I went for a long lost walk with much nettles, brambles, lostness, wine, fields, stars, shootings stars, fun and sleep deprivation.
So now I have time to kill so I’ll head to Selfridges for some ice cream, mmmm

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite PicLens No comments

Natural goodness

September 08th, 2009 | Category: la vie

Sat by a baby river in the glorious sun by the reeds, loving nature.
It’s great to wander about, get stung by nettles, use Dock leaf to take the sting away, enjoy juicy Blackberries, and sweet nettle flowers.
I met with sean the other night and we had a bit of a crazy run around, having the odd pint, great conversations and laughing at kareoke in the only open bar we could find late sunday night in Peterborough.
Now I’m down cambbridge way to chill and organise myself for the next week before heading away. I had to get out of the house as the Internet and tv were making me feel stupid.
Oh and I had some fun with smarties and camera this morning.

No comments

Au revoir Suisse

September 04th, 2009 | Category: la vie

So I’m on a bumpy easyjet flight to Manchester. It’s not bad, I’m sat by the wing exit so have plenty of leg room :)
On the way through airport security I removed everything from my pockets, removed my belt, and still I beeped passing through the scanner. So while the security guard tried to pat me down, it got tricky as these shorts have no hope of staying up without my belt or hand to hold them, so all the security guards had a good joke on me.
On Wednesday, Nic and I headed down to Milan for the afternoon. The day started of with nic having a huge hangover and me a little worse for wear, but driving over the Saint Bernard pass was so stunning I felt great. So awesome that I had to keep stopping to take in the views. Driving across Italy was smooth and fast as usual. We chose to do the park and ride, thanks to wikitravel’s advice.
Milan is pretty cool, didn’t seem too touristy, but was pretty while modern also. I had liked to find some sunglasses, as I’d like some with prescription lenses. But like with current spec trends, I’m not a fan and never found anything, I’ll have a look in London, but may have to wait until LA.
Pizza and cocktails ended the day by the canal before heading back to Verbier.
Yesterday ian and I did some stuff, like cleaning the car, photographing it, then going for a joy ride up the mountain. It was super strange to be up there where I’ve spent so much time in the snow. It got a bit steep but nothing my car couldn’t handle, maybe a little something for the vertigo. We saw some marmots, odd creatures, take lots of photos, and made the car all dusty again.
The week I have been surrounded by Wii’s, but I prefer doing the real sports.
Oh and I’ve been having trouble with my ears, especially my right ear. They’ve been blocked, I’ve had trouble hearing, and it even got to the point where my ear was hurting. I’ve tried ear drop to see if I could clear them that way, but it on improved for a day. My toncils have been swollen and sore also, so I think I’ll have to try and see a GP when I find one. And my ears are having issues at altitude now.
So no more car now. It’s been great fun to have a comfortable, powerful, head turning car, but I’m not sad to lose it. I’ll certainly think twice before buying such a luxury toy in the future.
Maybe we can find something fun to drive in America.
So to the lake district with dad this evening, a nice walk tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll be nice and fit for it after exercising at altitude the past days.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite PicLens No comments

Sic transit

August 29th, 2009 | Category: la vie

I’ve spent a rough night in my car. At first I slept in a car park overlooking Dover. I woke at 1am to a police van parked behind me. The didn’t see me asleep on the folded down rear seat, half in the boot, and were worried something horrible had happened. But the were off after a short background check.
I woke later to two cars parked near me, 10 or so young guys with torches checking over my car. When one came up close I climbed to the front, switched on the engine, and drove off, blinding them.
I found a much more pleasant place to sleep up the coast, and enjoyed a beautiful sunrise over the sea.
Martin and I now qualify to dive :)
We did some dives in an old quarry, flooded with sunken boats, cars, airplane ad newts. It’s pretty fun, and I can’t wait to do it in warmer waters.
I’ve spent a couple of lovely evenings with ammy, ron and louise. (Martin’s boat neighbours until he got floating). They are all awesome people and have surprised me, and given me some ideas and thinkings for my journeys. They also had a connection to Nam that I didn’t know of, and was great to converse with them.
So now I’m on the boat to France, swaying here and there, it’s fun to watch people wobbling down the boat. I’m going to take a long, but hopefully scenic route down to swissland.
Bon journée.
Oh and it’s colllllddd, welcome to autumn!

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite PicLens No comments

Wrinkles

August 25th, 2009 | Category: la vie

Ben’s party was nice. Excellent to chat with people.
I had naughty thoughts about a friend. Never before. Well was a strange weekend in all.
I came back to the boat to go fruit picking with Amythest, but I read some dive homework and passed out in the sun on the deck. I’m nice as brown again.
The past two days, martin and I have been on out dive course at Andark near southampton. It’s going great, didn’t matter too much that martin and I hadn’t done all of the homework in time, we’ve caught up now.
The only sketchy thing wad martin guiding me about without my mask, in a murky pool, getting lost. All fine.
We splashed out, mind the pun, and bought snorkel, mask, fins and boots, not too costly, but now we look like raving trouts!
So off on Thursday to Frome in Somerset for our lake dive.
I feel good this evening. I’ve walked and bought cider, local, for drinking in Switzerland. I finished my homework. I have time to sleep early. :)
Good night.

21:12:2012???

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite PicLens No comments

This is England. ’s summer

August 22nd, 2009 | Category: la vie

I’m down on west wittering beach. Lovely golden sands. Old English country homes along the dunes. Kites flying. People swimming. Yachts sailing. Reeds twitching. Children laughing. Second world war planes droning above. Waves crashing beyond. This is the most english beach i’ve been on. Perfect for a bit of sun bathing!
Where’s the ice cream? Cider?
Sat here is gorgeous on this beautiful sunny day, with the isle of Wight a haze out there. England at it’s finest. I guess the cycle ride here put me in the perfect demeanor. This area Is awesome.
Yesterday was quite a sucess. After an early wake, tidy up, the boat was hauled off down to the mud. We kept busy doing bits. And a few hours later, the tide was up, and the boat was afloat, can I day huray? It’s taken a bit longer than initially planned, but we motored her down to a marina.
It feels like purpose is partially fulfilled, and is great to feel her floating. Not long now and she’ll be ready to sail.
Last night after all of the excitment, I went off with oli. I worked with oli in the Cyberdog shop in Camden years back. It was great to have such a serious, deep conversation. And quite a surprise, as I never knew oli was of such a way of thinking.
The two pint of local cider, and take-away Chinese made for a good sleep.
Well I better get moving, wash and get yo London. It’s ben’s birthday party.
It’s such a shame to leave paradise.
…another time.

No comments

Soggy pug pig

August 21st, 2009 | Category: la vie

Today was a glorious sunny day, for the most part.
It was great to have the day with my other family. After a hearty breakfast we went for a walk along the coast, with much Fronk play, channel swimming and a pic nic on the beach.
Deb managed to put us half to sleep with a fire at home.
So I ran off before my eyelids fell. And now I’m back near Chichester.
I’m very happy to have managed to get down to kernow and the draganfly cottage.
So an early rise tomorrow, and time to see if this big boat can float!

No comments

Just what the doctor ordered

August 20th, 2009 | Category: la vie

I’m laying in a cottage in Cornwall with big green letters painted on my front saying ‘lucky dip’ :)
I had a lovely morning chatting with trixie. A wonderful pretty fairy girl, and lots of sunshine. So I left Glastonbury feeling much better than when I arrived. All the people there helped me feel good, and some told me that I did a good deal to make them feel better, so all in I left there feeling good ;)
Well I got to cornwall and the gorgeous weather was grey and English. But I was instantly ordered to get naked, painted up, stuffed pants with lottery tickets and the family and I went off to stand in a field, laugh at others, but mainly get laughed at.
We did not win the dress up contest, by far. Deb scared away all of the photographers. And we had a long walk through town, scaring children who we only wanted to give sweets and make them smile. We were carnival :D
Ali, deb and I had Chinese, mmm and met Izzi, mark and a rather hairless drink.
I really hope we get to go to the sea and swim tomorrow, even if it does rain.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite PicLens No comments

Next Page »