tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40717302738660672522024-03-06T00:43:02.267-08:00Minus-a-MapRamblings of a lost girl...
“For my part I travel not to go anywhere but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” Robert Louis StevensonGraphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-60224642843214581282013-04-09T17:33:00.000-07:002013-04-09T17:33:10.078-07:00Inspired by peacock(s)Yes, this is for you.<br />
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I suddenly felt a need to write and thanks to you, who climbed through my window over fourteen months ago and has become a part of my very being, I want to carry on with what I started too many years ago.<br />
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It has been neglected for fear of rejection, lack of interest and poor self confidence.<br />
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And now I want to share this with the same fervor as I want to share my life with you.<br />
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Shiki<br />
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<br />Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-60837665856805678972013-04-09T16:45:00.001-07:002013-04-09T16:45:10.704-07:00Mind Full<div>
All these things rattling in my head, rolling their way through my mind. </div>
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Round and round they go. </div>
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Sometimes deep, sometimes stubborn, sometimes angry, and other times just plain funny. </div>
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During the day they dance and float, peeking out for a moment then diving back into the dark recesses of my subconscious. </div>
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Like fireflies they glimmer at night, teasing me: they want to play... </div>
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...Insomnia. </div>
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Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-63870037347253582432011-10-05T21:26:00.000-07:002011-10-11T18:17:56.511-07:00Dear Jakarta<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Like a rebellious teenager you cover your body in the snake-like tattoo of traffic, reek of smoke and pollution, and pierce the sky with your tall buildings. Shutting the world out with your hardcore exterior, you make it hard for us to approach you. To understand you. To like you. </div>
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Are you scared of letting people too close? Abandonment maybe? </div>
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You show us only your busy roads, bustling bodies and plethora of standardised concrete buildings. Guilty as charged you accept the accusations of 'another big city'. You lock yourself in the confines of your room angry at the world for not taking the time to get to know you. For leaving you. </div>
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Despite your attempts to thwart my efforts I stuck around. I saw your hidden gems. Pleading ignorant to your almost mechanical deamnour, I found your veins oozing with generosity in Cibubur, hospitality in Bintaro and your beating heart in Jaksa. I discovered the beauty in your lights, the acceptance of your differences. I caught the colours in your Batik and the sweetness of your language. </div>
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It was all there: in your loving locals and embracing 'bule' (foreigners) who come and go. And stay.</div>
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Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-47173478046043590932011-10-05T20:44:00.000-07:002011-10-05T20:44:52.332-07:00Inspire Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If travels are not enough to spark a flurry of prose what then will get my pen to paper? </div>
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It's not lack of subject matter: for there are always wanderings and ponderings, always oddities, characters and beauties- yet no words spring to mind.</div>
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Lazy? Perhaps. Inadequate? More so. My words are trapped in the darkness of my mind, the starkness of the paper. Like cheap airfares ideas are snapped up in exciting prospects only to lose their sparkle as the additional charges rack up. What starts as a beautfiul clean page soon becomes an ugly blotch of scribbles and scratches, not worth a second glance nevermind copying. </div>
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Still, I continue these incessant scribbles in the hope that someone may find joy in my words. That I might find joy in them. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrtnidWZ5eVbstUsnxKeEoFvuYaMLszYl20IDntF6GoaccgLqleQ5Mu7mnX7qZ4w4cG1tocIyKomzOizqLp52LAZNGMjgiJ5yDBwe64NRuQ9hx21jHMRgaQLIEDw3sBgJjXkQqWPGrDuj/s1600/CIMG1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrtnidWZ5eVbstUsnxKeEoFvuYaMLszYl20IDntF6GoaccgLqleQ5Mu7mnX7qZ4w4cG1tocIyKomzOizqLp52LAZNGMjgiJ5yDBwe64NRuQ9hx21jHMRgaQLIEDw3sBgJjXkQqWPGrDuj/s320/CIMG1061.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kuta Beach- Bali Sept '11</td></tr>
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Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-22763141298071116352011-08-11T20:23:00.000-07:002011-08-11T20:23:35.528-07:00Heart-wrenching<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">One of the sweetest and possibly most emotional conversations I've ever had and one that still rings in my ears today:<br />
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It's 7:30am the day I leave to Indonesia. I have just walked through the door after spending the previous night with friends. I walk into the TV room where Tom is watching TV.<br />
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Me: Morning Tom-Tom.<br />
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Tom: Morning Rashika (pause, then whispers) it's your last day today...<br />
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Me: Yes, I know Tom-Tom, I'm really sad.<br />
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Tom: (quietly) I'm sad too.<br />
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Me: I don't want to leave Tom Tom (I meant this)<br />
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Tom: I don't want you to leave...<br />
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Writing this still has me choking back the tears. I have never heard such sweetness in one tiny voice before. <br />
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</div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-18073255897433599512011-08-11T20:12:00.000-07:002011-08-18T00:42:05.322-07:00Well, I never...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Three things:<br />
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1. I was really and truly sad to leave London.<br />
2. I cried my heart out on that plane.<br />
3. It's been three weeks and I still miss <i>home</i>.<br />
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There I said it. The 'H' word.<br />
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How I came to love a place I used to loathe is beyond me.<br />
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But, here I am, in Mc Donalds (damn you capitalism) in the centre of Jakarta, having seen some breathtaking (sorry no pics due to my camera being stolen- but that's another post) islands of Bali and Gili Trawangan, seeing shooting stars in their numbers, learning how to use Asian toilets and meeting wonderful, hospitable and friendly Indonesians: and I miss home!<br />
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<div closure_uid_290ly1="95">In a way it's nice, it means I'm not a robot. I'm not as averted to attachment as I think. And I've carved a life for myself that was all me. And maybe in the greater scheme of things it doesn't really matter, but for me the last seven months in London was the home I created for myself, by myself and that's a nice feeling!</div><br />
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</div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-10222888991181832122011-07-21T14:11:00.001-07:002011-07-21T14:11:56.100-07:00Kids love me.<span xmlns=''><p>"You're the best nanny ever!" Tom whooped when I told him the news: Nando's for dinner. <br /></p><p>Ordinarily I would never take the kids to any fast-food place; I believe in balanced home-cooked meals- like any good nanny worth their job.<br /></p><p>Of course Tom would think this after my announcement. I mean, what else do I do with a 10-year old dressed in nothing but a t-shirt and shorts, sitting outside in the rain, at dinner time because I've locked the keys in the house? And of course, the <em>four</em> spare keys I cut this morning are on the kitchen counter because I hadn't handed them to the neighbours as I was meant to. <br /></p><p>And let's not forget that I'm babysitting tonight…<br /></p><p>Yip. I'm the best nanny. Ever. </p></span>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-89979585226917456572011-07-19T14:14:00.001-07:002011-07-19T14:14:33.540-07:00AWOL<span xmlns=''><p>For those checking in on my blog, however infrequent, you may have noticed a slight lapse in my ramblings. Apologies for the long absence, two months I believe. I have been far too busy actually living and my blog has had to take the back seat; I trust I have your understanding in this regard! <br /></p><p>Hope to update you all within the next week, otherwise you'll be hearing from me from another continent- exciting times ahead!<br /></p><p>Much love and all that xxx</p></span>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-35397173843242128282011-05-26T12:35:00.000-07:002011-05-26T12:35:58.670-07:00Mull Over This<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">In true gap-year style I'm discovering new things about myself and the world around me. As much as my framework has shifted it has also stayed much the same, both intentionally and unintentionally. At the core things have remained the same but just become clearer and it's often without realisation that I catch myself saying and doing things that prove (more to myself) what I'm about. <div><br />
</div><div>So with this I have claimed my own philosophy: "for the experience" is always a good reason to do anything. <div><br />
</div><div>Of course this is completely subjective but whoever you are, whatever you're like it's bound to get you out of your comfort zone! </div></div></div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-81276126718434999212011-05-20T05:20:00.000-07:002011-06-04T04:48:14.091-07:00Pretty Pictures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">Click the pics!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midnight at Hyde Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn in Sicily</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lonesome</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">50/50</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKz4S87li1Uw6fCdC8btQ1WwPK9KCAYeu_-t90SQk2i4Y3dEpDC7R3NIL0Lzti6rh5OQImhar1MoECrQFCPmyMZekb479bEJIjeaZvqd9IN4wMS7wkX7BVL7ZwDe2fkucIzZAZcvvwxG1a/s1600/SAM_6422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKz4S87li1Uw6fCdC8btQ1WwPK9KCAYeu_-t90SQk2i4Y3dEpDC7R3NIL0Lzti6rh5OQImhar1MoECrQFCPmyMZekb479bEJIjeaZvqd9IN4wMS7wkX7BVL7ZwDe2fkucIzZAZcvvwxG1a/s640/SAM_6422.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peek-a-boo Simona</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb301FYRatSRCzwOB4BCO2Q5OY4B-k2_Ur10lfpWQ8nZwZTYNP-Z20Mp8KPbwhGSwnk5BpGsIyJAiMnvyj1vpEWjouLiKPFNdd1WbfXNflcytSvhmUJx94hCAwFVfExOO2fbfoUBjo5gbf/s1600/SAM_6896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb301FYRatSRCzwOB4BCO2Q5OY4B-k2_Ur10lfpWQ8nZwZTYNP-Z20Mp8KPbwhGSwnk5BpGsIyJAiMnvyj1vpEWjouLiKPFNdd1WbfXNflcytSvhmUJx94hCAwFVfExOO2fbfoUBjo5gbf/s400/SAM_6896.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9l8WkCdOaGAPNCoRpnzwVxhzk8tjRb_Q0SCD5UGolMa7ro-u8G-JOEfc_e8idunyPf9MVS70gHmsfzw_lsFGx4ye-LCRUcTeTOTCTSbGo3SVCZSpG8yyi9JCHGCt_bqJS2-whW2t_smeu/s1600/IMG_7336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9l8WkCdOaGAPNCoRpnzwVxhzk8tjRb_Q0SCD5UGolMa7ro-u8G-JOEfc_e8idunyPf9MVS70gHmsfzw_lsFGx4ye-LCRUcTeTOTCTSbGo3SVCZSpG8yyi9JCHGCt_bqJS2-whW2t_smeu/s400/IMG_7336.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look at their faces</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYfaOcJdqE7oLuVlNPXcUc95X-W8wRwMpy4PWM8BnVzh04zmIGg2KKde9QeF9gmzS25rFfioO_27LOg7NZjRyd-Q2KVMtu4geGosJcq9wsVEvYnaXm_HsW_a4-TsO28zbHKp_nDTs0T7E/s1600/IMG_7415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYfaOcJdqE7oLuVlNPXcUc95X-W8wRwMpy4PWM8BnVzh04zmIGg2KKde9QeF9gmzS25rFfioO_27LOg7NZjRyd-Q2KVMtu4geGosJcq9wsVEvYnaXm_HsW_a4-TsO28zbHKp_nDTs0T7E/s640/IMG_7415.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh Susanna</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjs47K4bkBPF7aW0XZN-OLIckvrI7g-4mQybaeYfrYZq68nbIoVEY8Vx9kigZelrrfHFxgVPsyxE0EWsXXY2RsRcGVkYBc33vMlB34YtVviYZIskR0CfVWwmw-ZaAdxSsNnWZ_UNWqCwHy/s1600/SAM_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjs47K4bkBPF7aW0XZN-OLIckvrI7g-4mQybaeYfrYZq68nbIoVEY8Vx9kigZelrrfHFxgVPsyxE0EWsXXY2RsRcGVkYBc33vMlB34YtVviYZIskR0CfVWwmw-ZaAdxSsNnWZ_UNWqCwHy/s640/SAM_0274.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Like the Elephant Graveyard from the Lion King</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSTmyiw66xKwvSyu71z_Pq_VCbpENOAcdmAbEXxoP526bVrA9NuR35oe1LjUXZEx7xOwJlHxSK2dI_n1IMMJ3Vhw2Det4HowmV5HV6Z-iGJMXH2oLjDhnuh314BKL0XHB_eSCSi-Aty5k/s1600/SAM_0325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSTmyiw66xKwvSyu71z_Pq_VCbpENOAcdmAbEXxoP526bVrA9NuR35oe1LjUXZEx7xOwJlHxSK2dI_n1IMMJ3Vhw2Det4HowmV5HV6Z-iGJMXH2oLjDhnuh314BKL0XHB_eSCSi-Aty5k/s400/SAM_0325.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRMM6oLWd-tO-K7TjO4suORMoL3P5TSmjiQsmo2Xf9Xm-IekfjX0tx_7oxthCUBmciMsL2ZBGEsw8uiDe5iF2SRW4R1GJ2is1xrHRyDE5Hfxmqo23HA5lPcQWWxvDVceXG3Cbefdjzx5y/s1600/SAM_3456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRMM6oLWd-tO-K7TjO4suORMoL3P5TSmjiQsmo2Xf9Xm-IekfjX0tx_7oxthCUBmciMsL2ZBGEsw8uiDe5iF2SRW4R1GJ2is1xrHRyDE5Hfxmqo23HA5lPcQWWxvDVceXG3Cbefdjzx5y/s400/SAM_3456.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Picture through a telescope</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lEtnC-CpYAaWKhpQmi2ANOyyLXil-5kLRzJOMfm1hD4ATgwHl9_fDMW246SmtcKql-eEIGYpBI2bYnFCeGltFg-RHmU5mK9IJnn8tzExP6CbPqvfSkz45RmfU_cigc8OBgq8YDe6gQO9/s1600/SAM_3483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lEtnC-CpYAaWKhpQmi2ANOyyLXil-5kLRzJOMfm1hD4ATgwHl9_fDMW246SmtcKql-eEIGYpBI2bYnFCeGltFg-RHmU5mK9IJnn8tzExP6CbPqvfSkz45RmfU_cigc8OBgq8YDe6gQO9/s640/SAM_3483.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidue211m8viMAWToec4hieje_iZVhCAnBDdPTiF9qpAPkhrRP1cpt3MQFqRGsmVe8Z4LfdIjezkX1SzTN8PMBZGzuAGeMLjVNuoCrqRAMwbx_4NL7Ej5TnD7w1F3nOvLW5P69GQjr2qKMi/s1600/SAM_3758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidue211m8viMAWToec4hieje_iZVhCAnBDdPTiF9qpAPkhrRP1cpt3MQFqRGsmVe8Z4LfdIjezkX1SzTN8PMBZGzuAGeMLjVNuoCrqRAMwbx_4NL7Ej5TnD7w1F3nOvLW5P69GQjr2qKMi/s640/SAM_3758.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trust</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAj5f3QKZbb25KLQJe8qgEnlLKM3rp0jrDQrC1ysISyxhbIj6V1_NANZWhkBz0N-FDiNUHIAR43rhM5Gxsyqrm5rtAo-H3GmqRlirZ63wUiyZx5TNWiXWg15ZLKuJKV5L4W1I6uHSWKW7E/s1600/SAM_3194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAj5f3QKZbb25KLQJe8qgEnlLKM3rp0jrDQrC1ysISyxhbIj6V1_NANZWhkBz0N-FDiNUHIAR43rhM5Gxsyqrm5rtAo-H3GmqRlirZ63wUiyZx5TNWiXWg15ZLKuJKV5L4W1I6uHSWKW7E/s400/SAM_3194.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grapefruit Face</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-40273062803398427862011-05-20T03:52:00.000-07:002011-07-21T14:14:49.698-07:00Toss the Bucket List!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgTV0-g8zrpOUvkxLBuQThe7Bk8TwwGmPzPgQDNHtrLqqq49NVOy4ppoU5UsWBTvo8zFarYEn8OExizYwNZus5pNfrKlUi74DT4uV150nLkiLC2joopy1y62AKtpmyIyWcQFX542iR4J8/s1600/SAM_5600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgTV0-g8zrpOUvkxLBuQThe7Bk8TwwGmPzPgQDNHtrLqqq49NVOy4ppoU5UsWBTvo8zFarYEn8OExizYwNZus5pNfrKlUi74DT4uV150nLkiLC2joopy1y62AKtpmyIyWcQFX542iR4J8/s400/SAM_5600.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Turquoise Coast of Turkey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>A collection of new things I've done- some exciting and some not so exciting. Remember you can click to enlarge the pics!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp6Nrsv7mTDhxzPTbtgHugYH06SJjekp8DH_wgACo1Iqz3NjLnzuaaoqBOw0TqReGsOZp-I4q97FeZuS-T8ePge9o616lNhAbo20D5ASZg4w87w3SQhu3UQSxzLufWqhgUBGPgUp7FEQa/s1600/SAM_4936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp6Nrsv7mTDhxzPTbtgHugYH06SJjekp8DH_wgACo1Iqz3NjLnzuaaoqBOw0TqReGsOZp-I4q97FeZuS-T8ePge9o616lNhAbo20D5ASZg4w87w3SQhu3UQSxzLufWqhgUBGPgUp7FEQa/s200/SAM_4936.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is whatever you think it<br />
is!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>* Be strip searched<br />
* Become involved- or at least interested- in politics and human rights<br />
* Hitch-hike<br />
* Sit under a Baobab tree<br />
* Attend a New Years Eve party (have never done this!)<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaZDPsmeMh89ATJ_uI1RdBVh96zZ28Yrhh6LffDSw15iz1wLJXaEUd1JqUzh1XNMZKF3SpkcGuwzgo29msOwp3ko7sreQCdsvQChOE7Opp0xxCpOS4OS6AgF2LrIW80FPZgqPHZrv7rZj/s1600/SAM_1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaZDPsmeMh89ATJ_uI1RdBVh96zZ28Yrhh6LffDSw15iz1wLJXaEUd1JqUzh1XNMZKF3SpkcGuwzgo29msOwp3ko7sreQCdsvQChOE7Opp0xxCpOS4OS6AgF2LrIW80FPZgqPHZrv7rZj/s320/SAM_1266.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteering at Walk the Walk Moonwalk-<br />
walking marathon that only started at midnight.<br />
I was on crowd control! lol! 15 000 (women mostly<br />
it was for breast cancer.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>* Live in a château<br />
* Get a tattoo<br />
* Do a mountain trail by myself<br />
* Work as a pub cleaner<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*Not freak out at seeing snakes (Europe's most poisonous at that and more than one)<br />
* Make/be friends with unlikely people<br />
* Sleep on the street<br />
* Try to support local/up & coming artists/musicians/photographers as much as I can<br />
* Cook meat (not my proudest but hey, not all lessons can be fun)<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">* Build a huge snowman</div>* Like wine<br />
* Shop for chickens (er... to keep)<br />
* Miss no one<br />
* Pretend I'm Australian and have people believe it (until I answered Fosters when asked what beer I drink)<br />
* Send a message in a bottle<br />
* Pick olives<br />
* Date a Pakistani ( <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><b>very</b></span></span> short lived! Oh and no offence to anyone)<br />
* Volunteer/Charity work- it's addictive<br />
* Cycle as a mode of transport (took me a while to pluck up the courage!)<br />
* Swim in 9 degree water<br />
* Write a Wikipedia article<br />
* Book the first and cheapest bus to anywhere<br />
* Climb a volcano<br />
* Smoke weed with F.W De Klerk's niece (let's see who actually reads my blog...)<br />
* Have no money<br />
* Write an essay on WW1 (the joys of being an nanny...)<br />
* Get involved in my community<br />
* Dress up as a (three) Musketeer<br />
* TEFL qualification<br />
* Be involved in a mass protest<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzO9F1GfBtDb3jRO5gUccscFOA6opf_rz70jkmHY9jtpWigjjhwaG4x1lXxt9stFTWTqaJaG9BaClM-1lSTE59S_9Ox2PTzX3_JI_-SJ8AQ4e1beuVeCFkKCdjMxw7NcT5PANVfunR3FHG/s1600/SAM_0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzO9F1GfBtDb3jRO5gUccscFOA6opf_rz70jkmHY9jtpWigjjhwaG4x1lXxt9stFTWTqaJaG9BaClM-1lSTE59S_9Ox2PTzX3_JI_-SJ8AQ4e1beuVeCFkKCdjMxw7NcT5PANVfunR3FHG/s320/SAM_0282.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caught right in the middle of the 'Black Bloc' anarchists was<br />
pretty scary.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>* Faint from being ill<br />
* Sleep under the stars for two weeks<br />
* Run for charity<br />
* Have more money than ever in my life<br />
* Jump from a 10m cliff into the sea (10m looks a lot different from a jagged cliff top!)<br />
* Get free drinks... not just for me but for whoever is with me (guys & girls! seriously, it's quite a skill!)<br />
* Be<b> completely</b> self-sufficient (see above!)<br />
* Farm<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSitPD_LnC5PJPPoAiBhMVowvd-JaCpFye0ANaTBABfDcLtkw3qGdRSmqueLvlwP8qx_sgGmYGHGKPYu7dW8ZOgZBAAgCEV7umljl3z2-vPFSX_VWijRRfk81pYyIssK3HdFGmn8__pE1/s1600/SAM_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSitPD_LnC5PJPPoAiBhMVowvd-JaCpFye0ANaTBABfDcLtkw3qGdRSmqueLvlwP8qx_sgGmYGHGKPYu7dW8ZOgZBAAgCEV7umljl3z2-vPFSX_VWijRRfk81pYyIssK3HdFGmn8__pE1/s320/SAM_0307.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hyde Park March 26th Protests </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">* Listen to my gut feel/inner voice (which isn't always the voice of reason!)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">* Learn a language<br />
* Ride on the back of a motorbike<br />
* Been to (need I say it, illegal) underground party</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">* Love my country</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">* Au-pair</div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBj1MHM92775cyESX7puFxNGxpNqZNyEU0MqFVFKhZDkmskgDIa3JbxcwHzzDbbSmw9HwtQ8wwSZpLWncEUUgz9BLG5GtG78dKal5mLJdWvf2wySIUFb5YEiF_y-eqCIm80r0vnWEL2V2x/s1600/SAM_1242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBj1MHM92775cyESX7puFxNGxpNqZNyEU0MqFVFKhZDkmskgDIa3JbxcwHzzDbbSmw9HwtQ8wwSZpLWncEUUgz9BLG5GtG78dKal5mLJdWvf2wySIUFb5YEiF_y-eqCIm80r0vnWEL2V2x/s320/SAM_1242.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle one: Thomas 'Tom-Tom' Blackler<br />
my GPS where ever we go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hkc5wFCbs5YrcMszSWRv3HlqLkOpDe22HkWd6u6kIzTK6OdjDQ1G_FNASnP0LC9ZMEIJM6Z5_oZROSlkxdCwd59Dr7oDAEAgovY1DudAOgjHN4V5f8izdKCuRg_CzlRynCR2uxhSk-er/s1600/SAM_6831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hkc5wFCbs5YrcMszSWRv3HlqLkOpDe22HkWd6u6kIzTK6OdjDQ1G_FNASnP0LC9ZMEIJM6Z5_oZROSlkxdCwd59Dr7oDAEAgovY1DudAOgjHN4V5f8izdKCuRg_CzlRynCR2uxhSk-er/s400/SAM_6831.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trekking through Wadi Arugot</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOC69gAsy7JOcFsZ-GHVlVv-YtVKKz3jaGLGxySkO10s2ZewOza5EiAkIXF0Ual2wpMFHOTd6BgwXrTKvuVy8Woe37qR266WJrDwp2REzB4DA7lzSWzQpcRgry0hXR9kIsxVkQCov1agf/s1600/SAM_6961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOC69gAsy7JOcFsZ-GHVlVv-YtVKKz3jaGLGxySkO10s2ZewOza5EiAkIXF0Ual2wpMFHOTd6BgwXrTKvuVy8Woe37qR266WJrDwp2REzB4DA7lzSWzQpcRgry0hXR9kIsxVkQCov1agf/s320/SAM_6961.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedouin Market Beer'sheva on the<br />
hunt for chickens</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNJ5b9HZj6MVuT61NheUtd_vImiAyDU0j-enwP1Ix1Jn11Ezf2hLlLmBpPLiUt1o9gDQO_CcLqAtDt07kQv37Lr2sJcoSj0k7DHKeFlpNMnSxNjApiZgvK7ohRKOLlqEzfyUOnNQ4yQli/s1600/SAM_6976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNJ5b9HZj6MVuT61NheUtd_vImiAyDU0j-enwP1Ix1Jn11Ezf2hLlLmBpPLiUt1o9gDQO_CcLqAtDt07kQv37Lr2sJcoSj0k7DHKeFlpNMnSxNjApiZgvK7ohRKOLlqEzfyUOnNQ4yQli/s320/SAM_6976.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Simona checking on our chicks</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj2ujK2frpegxYUdP0B5EiUqQ1LokgHzFjMABPISlFggqRmNKFLNB-tuQVT4AMN4C6G1F8tMV0MTdVdHqn-zuMM7nwLybxNUOrZYcjsc50Zi4P3mlHHA6V_nQvwrYsIMvg2MM0fCfE6oJ/s1600/SAM_5630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj2ujK2frpegxYUdP0B5EiUqQ1LokgHzFjMABPISlFggqRmNKFLNB-tuQVT4AMN4C6G1F8tMV0MTdVdHqn-zuMM7nwLybxNUOrZYcjsc50Zi4P3mlHHA6V_nQvwrYsIMvg2MM0fCfE6oJ/s400/SAM_5630.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A swim before our dive in the sparkly waters of the<br />
Turquoise Coast</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And things that (hopefully) I'll be doing soon but take a bit more planning:<br />
<br />
* Drive a 50 seater bus<br />
* Squat<br />
* Learn to dumpster dive (hopefully while I squat)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8mACJNW-Dx3zJ4h-YlNPxEMinjvANP3wnDVDAle7jZFtqntQPBrWIu0gVb3abhwAVQYseMde5d4TX-gK-RxJ4o0A4mIApSRtiAFfnlDLxBQ2KzxM8ga3gvv96NJlzJ0byKLif809R8Z5/s1600/SAM_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8mACJNW-Dx3zJ4h-YlNPxEMinjvANP3wnDVDAle7jZFtqntQPBrWIu0gVb3abhwAVQYseMde5d4TX-gK-RxJ4o0A4mIApSRtiAFfnlDLxBQ2KzxM8ga3gvv96NJlzJ0byKLif809R8Z5/s320/SAM_0288.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Etna</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-35896901118862485292011-05-11T08:15:00.000-07:002011-05-11T08:15:10.366-07:00Still Retching at the 'R' Word<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">The royal bandwagon is about to collapse. No, wait, it already has by the looks of these ad's. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately the painfully obvious and nauseatingly obscure tarnish the few good ones. All of which appeared in the same morning paper the day before the wedding.<br />
<br />
Apologies for the shoddy scanning job, I had to keep from gagging each time.<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDOpYJtuJSAVmTYz-jDYD4ddSdvtr3_npn9_2awkucA8rRtPDMhbkrCyE7VqCMYPVyBMgjtztiN-RuFJwZCz_liiPY9iKfCktdXvcHdCKQHzlfedOj5eIgno-Auw1dAYN8of9Kilta5RO/s1600/scan0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDOpYJtuJSAVmTYz-jDYD4ddSdvtr3_npn9_2awkucA8rRtPDMhbkrCyE7VqCMYPVyBMgjtztiN-RuFJwZCz_liiPY9iKfCktdXvcHdCKQHzlfedOj5eIgno-Auw1dAYN8of9Kilta5RO/s320/scan0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL_2yu9IB_BsmBo0IkR2l1E9neXRJsjN4PLvL7LJsNaVf3JkjuphnYVcOz3_UDrjwo-hX6vusiqjNNaRkuKo64kjwnlKEumZWaIBpRkQmV21k9ZcKtwdr-oQcvo3PFxMW4kNPU2usOiL2/s1600/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL_2yu9IB_BsmBo0IkR2l1E9neXRJsjN4PLvL7LJsNaVf3JkjuphnYVcOz3_UDrjwo-hX6vusiqjNNaRkuKo64kjwnlKEumZWaIBpRkQmV21k9ZcKtwdr-oQcvo3PFxMW4kNPU2usOiL2/s400/scan0002.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVbnCzgMhuqfz0CQ2tZUtI596J84L06Fh3IH6fap4dHUp3JVIEI9LJtu4OAVCfZQDkn-90zdBRjEBnEGUNO53FqdqYAbwj0lSZyZqBS9wIZYVLTk536D7Syw9OFfLEKWjfdQ44UlF-yW8/s1600/scan0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVbnCzgMhuqfz0CQ2tZUtI596J84L06Fh3IH6fap4dHUp3JVIEI9LJtu4OAVCfZQDkn-90zdBRjEBnEGUNO53FqdqYAbwj0lSZyZqBS9wIZYVLTk536D7Syw9OFfLEKWjfdQ44UlF-yW8/s320/scan0005.jpg" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you think ad can't get any worse <br />
look up the definition for 'royale'.<br />
<a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/royale">Wait, I'll save you the trouble</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9SIZru8JXTw228w41LuNw6zn74bUV4iI_Zuis1h573i94QBlv-E9jXz0S17UB4_uVe78fFk22r5DYXSw3p8BRjyFd0mHOSChRRVEee5UWATFMidmA2hePXStW2TpDX89T3jrhEkJpbJK/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9SIZru8JXTw228w41LuNw6zn74bUV4iI_Zuis1h573i94QBlv-E9jXz0S17UB4_uVe78fFk22r5DYXSw3p8BRjyFd0mHOSChRRVEee5UWATFMidmA2hePXStW2TpDX89T3jrhEkJpbJK/s320/scan0001.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You have no idea how refreshing this was<br />
after spending an hour on the<br />
tube surrounded by<br />
Royal Wedding this, that and the next</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhtIxicjciXjmNwA4sPZAmiKuVsP8ow0pBgqg4GtRSR5t9oOJUzO-pnwdsExe1Yv-wqc544ldlUx0ne4FbnX_IkjFrHB4xal6CUR47OuvUhxmJd-S6w9f3D9oPDVgEs0Qv1KQ2eLX9EXL/s1600/scan0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhtIxicjciXjmNwA4sPZAmiKuVsP8ow0pBgqg4GtRSR5t9oOJUzO-pnwdsExe1Yv-wqc544ldlUx0ne4FbnX_IkjFrHB4xal6CUR47OuvUhxmJd-S6w9f3D9oPDVgEs0Qv1KQ2eLX9EXL/s400/scan0006.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huh?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X9iibazuGajo6pZqFRYYeuT8TOJtdrhzHPb3SATVupmOZQi9IZL5-D3oyA8TocwiGimd3j-9cwFrkgODv5zwUPnjS1NOubInOtM0DhrVAE8S9nPYq8wBDAouC8Ti9oShDdKZi4Fejaw4/s1600/scan0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X9iibazuGajo6pZqFRYYeuT8TOJtdrhzHPb3SATVupmOZQi9IZL5-D3oyA8TocwiGimd3j-9cwFrkgODv5zwUPnjS1NOubInOtM0DhrVAE8S9nPYq8wBDAouC8Ti9oShDdKZi4Fejaw4/s320/scan0007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just throw in the 'R' word and you're good to go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG8pVkDVsbSnRcgJlFMx9MlishJfWTS41bo-aqCMbjPNXT3bsSlXYAtqSp5giX7cRxyVI6wc9J261rRvLhZlmao8-Jgtsmyq-fftvthyphenhyphenaI54GImb-NPnk_aQr1n6bsrHnGKZt39vb-qZn/s1600/scan0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG8pVkDVsbSnRcgJlFMx9MlishJfWTS41bo-aqCMbjPNXT3bsSlXYAtqSp5giX7cRxyVI6wc9J261rRvLhZlmao8-Jgtsmyq-fftvthyphenhyphenaI54GImb-NPnk_aQr1n6bsrHnGKZt39vb-qZn/s320/scan0009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3qfZydFQl1Z8SZ_7N66QibZKCG0l0iPnOjYcrQoptk29g6uXd3B9M1MaI8bXfmkm67PPiiRfkJ6EQyS2S8na3rxeuUNB18x1Z0Nxn5ioCI-Z6hhLS6xCEwzLEXzJ_ZdK3Q-yj998kqQa/s1600/scan0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3qfZydFQl1Z8SZ_7N66QibZKCG0l0iPnOjYcrQoptk29g6uXd3B9M1MaI8bXfmkm67PPiiRfkJ6EQyS2S8na3rxeuUNB18x1Z0Nxn5ioCI-Z6hhLS6xCEwzLEXzJ_ZdK3Q-yj998kqQa/s320/scan0010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easyjet rescued my numbed senses with this<br />
full-page orange number.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div></div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-63114683224558632752011-05-05T13:07:00.001-07:002011-05-05T13:34:53.827-07:00Voetsek!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83n8l1u9CVzBB9j14ch1sC0wi5KzDaz2BHRiF3iDH05RllfkOnpZtK94H29VZuoK30HZREAUt7qKd09edRABVcLI-g9HFPRhJUiEWQyAsw5lGAZx9zJ8GmFPF09vMCJP-Wi7DhOKrwSHg/s1600/SAM_1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83n8l1u9CVzBB9j14ch1sC0wi5KzDaz2BHRiF3iDH05RllfkOnpZtK94H29VZuoK30HZREAUt7qKd09edRABVcLI-g9HFPRhJUiEWQyAsw5lGAZx9zJ8GmFPF09vMCJP-Wi7DhOKrwSHg/s320/SAM_1021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard earned wages for these babies, hopefully they'll see a lot<br />
more races in the future!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Ask me to run a kilometre a month ago and that's about the response you would have received (along with an indignant wave of the hand). If I was feeling particularly perturbed by the question it would probably have just been 'Tsek!'. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And since I have an international readership, no wait, I don't. All three of my followers (thanks guys!) will know what I mean. But just in case there's a foreigner lurking around, 'voetsek' is a very impolite way of saying 'go away'– I'm sure you know what I mean. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, well here's why I won't make a very good writer: I get distracted too easily…</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Anywaaaay,</em> nearly 8 weeks of training and I'm able to run 9km– haven't tested 10k yet– in a reasonable time. Let's not mention the three asmathic incidents that have caught me off-gaurd whilst training. The third one had me in hospital this past weekend. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">However, I think it is safe to say that without pushing too hard I can do a good time… </div><div style="text-align: center;">There. I can run. Quite a distance. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Erm… that's all I wanted to say… Oh, and I needed some new takkies coz I'd worn the old ones out with all my running. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStPIogZ6taqxoUI-BPDauOhdZgHugc0Mpu9SXhYM3JF3AHHPv1qAmsqFNXEIq9vT9BCyLWXFfo3wdMPEHpY2WA9nR_HpWOrc9hcY91njBL4guWE5qn4MPBFsq_9aFKv1jPYGqK-MyjBnL/s1600/SAM_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStPIogZ6taqxoUI-BPDauOhdZgHugc0Mpu9SXhYM3JF3AHHPv1qAmsqFNXEIq9vT9BCyLWXFfo3wdMPEHpY2WA9nR_HpWOrc9hcY91njBL4guWE5qn4MPBFsq_9aFKv1jPYGqK-MyjBnL/s320/SAM_1015.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'd think after nearly 6 months of training I'd<br />
be skinny... not a chance. Thought I'd have<br />
my guns back by now...</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-13465753289404581722011-04-24T17:06:00.001-07:002011-04-24T17:50:03.079-07:00The Not So Accidental Hobo's<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My time spent living in London does tend to make me feel very much <em>unlike</em> the adventurous globe trotter. On occasion I'm able to grab my rucksack, get a cheap bus ticket to anywhere and take it from there. (OK, in reality this has only happened once. But I'm hoping it'll stick.)<br />
<br />
A couple of weeks ago on a rare long weekend from work, I booked coach ticket to Brighton and was ready to go off on a Friday morning without any money or accommodation and a 'let's see what happens' approach. The day before I was due to leave a fellow traveller, friend & sucker for the unknown, Ariane, decided she'd join in the adventure. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lmgnNsInnzLPUbgVuhiNeGB9tDj-h8p7oujGi3aCQa1QZiWDmIhCMmfC-Lc4db9yE3o_joBgT-d9FpzHBlB6p9QQc2i7ZVZu4YqCYVHkOxF5pXCxYxPZwkdDqz3Ik0Z41MkBUZfI_ICG/s1600/SAM_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lmgnNsInnzLPUbgVuhiNeGB9tDj-h8p7oujGi3aCQa1QZiWDmIhCMmfC-Lc4db9yE3o_joBgT-d9FpzHBlB6p9QQc2i7ZVZu4YqCYVHkOxF5pXCxYxPZwkdDqz3Ik0Z41MkBUZfI_ICG/s400/SAM_0480.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mCTXmsd196xdWXp-6bDVgbfVYnA1-D6Ts_KZFIkFz1Tbftkk1HI-7nfRqICE3VrW2nsTCp3pQ5YSQWizZCpnZrsDHPLFLw6Yf9IJZMF2dZ4cXyUsZJ2Z9Hqcm39BfDJ6gZN25tdElxB8/s1600/SAM_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mCTXmsd196xdWXp-6bDVgbfVYnA1-D6Ts_KZFIkFz1Tbftkk1HI-7nfRqICE3VrW2nsTCp3pQ5YSQWizZCpnZrsDHPLFLw6Yf9IJZMF2dZ4cXyUsZJ2Z9Hqcm39BfDJ6gZN25tdElxB8/s320/SAM_0519.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We arrived in Brighton greeted by rays of sunshine and people basking on the beach, revelling in those golden rays we so rarely see. Naturally, we ditched any sightseeing we should've done and headed for the beach. And there we stayed– literally.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5rsOe4b9YF8rP3-DDdqI9XylB-gW-oRgYcAAMAu1IjOjt0Gz9qjgI45OnA2QkmsCMC1-U9rma1zHlOY-gif9T8sJ_qM9eVIIrg6E5iKrx56lJ-fq1ZV9I7mwL9ZoH-_sjjgxhowHZWmu/s1600/SAM_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
My original plan was that if I didn't find any accommodation, not that I'd looked <em>at all, </em>I'd sleep on the beach under the pier. Ariane, armed with £8 and a sleeping bag and myself armed with £20 and, well, that's all, met up with a Couchsurfer on the beach where we shared baked beans and<br />
bread. (Poundland special 2 tins for 99p!)<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lhVqmwC5dUSzt46W6rsBFKld7ZBSbYQaq81ZT2XTWHbp3xvYH-0xt2oc2aVsSVUK2ppe9MiHE3uJzV1ZeGucnIeRKISreRWEdnTB4JjDnd2JHRFQDzoTdFB9V3AiOIuM1ri4lQHhAupV/s1600/SAM_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lhVqmwC5dUSzt46W6rsBFKld7ZBSbYQaq81ZT2XTWHbp3xvYH-0xt2oc2aVsSVUK2ppe9MiHE3uJzV1ZeGucnIeRKISreRWEdnTB4JjDnd2JHRFQDzoTdFB9V3AiOIuM1ri4lQHhAupV/s320/SAM_0515.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig the CSer & Ariane after Baked beans for dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The three of us hung out for a few hours and when he found out we had nowhere to go, offered us a place to sleep. We turned down the kind offer for a night on the beach, as one does. The sun set and things got cool, we headed for the nearest pub to see out the rest of the night until bed time. <br />
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At about 10pm we decided it was time to drink our own (budget) cider on the beach and turn in for the night. We shivered through the two litre bottle and some cereal from Poundland before deciding it was time to get some warmth and sleep. <br />
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Being a Friday night, the students of Brighton were out in their numbers and it was hard to find a decent spot to rest our weary heads– we'd abandoned the 'under the pier' idea since the beach was too windy and cold. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1E7vPU2C6M7jZs4FFUoSVvDPMbB-aivlaSgDRmazi9_mSFmIkrsCRdYnsgh4vNMVA7e-vgflxIV1yh1IDZwU54v7yOK7vE9nzZOvwUTJzCF7Bt2yb8wgzO_a-EoMaWM8OzBJJk4uk3My/s1600/SAM_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1E7vPU2C6M7jZs4FFUoSVvDPMbB-aivlaSgDRmazi9_mSFmIkrsCRdYnsgh4vNMVA7e-vgflxIV1yh1IDZwU54v7yOK7vE9nzZOvwUTJzCF7Bt2yb8wgzO_a-EoMaWM8OzBJJk4uk3My/s320/SAM_0552.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the alley from my bed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>By this time the night was an icy 6 degrees and I<br />
finally understood the concept of 'wind-chill factor'.<br />
<br />
We scouted out a quiet alley next to a resturaunt and some flats. Ariane laid down her sleeping bag and I, um… I hadn't thought that far and just laid. I curled into a ball and soon the laughs and clip-clops of party-goers faded into a somewhat comfy sleep. This didn't last long, as I presume my being still for so long and the wind that had picked up caused me to feel terribly cold and I shivered awake. Soon I was waking up a reluctant Ariane for us to find a warmer spot. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4TN-ZPq7MXbtSVG8MXh6x1pF_JfseUdZlfIX0EbxMidDBfdzD5cjbnsxZnHtEusJZz-KFHxKEDAureywNE3JjWkEwsAhXkrkECz-v0ads3WacWtKvg0zGtLYWiqrsH5H6hAb8AsRl4e5/s1600/SAM_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4TN-ZPq7MXbtSVG8MXh6x1pF_JfseUdZlfIX0EbxMidDBfdzD5cjbnsxZnHtEusJZz-KFHxKEDAureywNE3JjWkEwsAhXkrkECz-v0ads3WacWtKvg0zGtLYWiqrsH5H6hAb8AsRl4e5/s320/SAM_0538.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bed time- I get the top bunk!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5rsOe4b9YF8rP3-DDdqI9XylB-gW-oRgYcAAMAu1IjOjt0Gz9qjgI45OnA2QkmsCMC1-U9rma1zHlOY-gif9T8sJ_qM9eVIIrg6E5iKrx56lJ-fq1ZV9I7mwL9ZoH-_sjjgxhowHZWmu/s1600/SAM_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5rsOe4b9YF8rP3-DDdqI9XylB-gW-oRgYcAAMAu1IjOjt0Gz9qjgI45OnA2QkmsCMC1-U9rma1zHlOY-gif9T8sJ_qM9eVIIrg6E5iKrx56lJ-fq1ZV9I7mwL9ZoH-_sjjgxhowHZWmu/s320/SAM_0536.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ironic that the restaurant we sleep<br />
next to is called 'The House' ? </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvralRHyWHXiPiKetU1FKArhplPoR65L-fAk3Xy2VO6RXuj8HQC1L5MCJRwo1FVY4Arly30fqcO4bkZ3M2RgegIKij8hkbySWQ5DcedZLizdXxqdoUUG8gDxdlah1FKxbGVE6JchYmhBs/s1600/SAM_0549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvralRHyWHXiPiKetU1FKArhplPoR65L-fAk3Xy2VO6RXuj8HQC1L5MCJRwo1FVY4Arly30fqcO4bkZ3M2RgegIKij8hkbySWQ5DcedZLizdXxqdoUUG8gDxdlah1FKxbGVE6JchYmhBs/s320/SAM_0549.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comfy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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Eventually we found somewhere I thought would shield us from the wind and we crouched behind some sort of extractor fan boxy things. The sounds of the streets were louder, the seagulls more annoying and the wind excruciatingly colder. I wrapped up tighter in my ill-prepared, <em>summer </em>attire and Ariane's beach towl and spent the rest of the night rocking back and forth like the autistic kid in Bruce Willis' Mercury Rising.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2KfTvWkveWVgFt_JwDsm0DEsTuDAiogUgukalVqSa1Fr_yfd-mreFkTlJqLdOfcq_HcZrtPpzwde7qxlePPeFGyrpUsXQiSlMmkFOCfP-7JCgmN2xwjT_8j667MZR2jScFrCm-FcPBC2/s1600/SAM_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2KfTvWkveWVgFt_JwDsm0DEsTuDAiogUgukalVqSa1Fr_yfd-mreFkTlJqLdOfcq_HcZrtPpzwde7qxlePPeFGyrpUsXQiSlMmkFOCfP-7JCgmN2xwjT_8j667MZR2jScFrCm-FcPBC2/s320/SAM_0623.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slept behind those box things behind the railing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Cold, hungry and bored the night wore on slower than I've ever experienced. If I did doze off it wasn't long before drunk shouting in the streets or squawking seagulls woke me up. <br />
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Soon it began getting light and at 5:45 we decided that we had to move before the town began to stir: the streets were already being cleaned and workers were arriving at work.<br />
Smelling like hobo's we dusted ourselves off, gathered our rucksacks and jumped the railings onto the street. Where did we head? The only place that was open at that ridiculous hour. The beach.<br />
<br />
We walked along the beach for a few hours, not feeling any warmer but able to laugh about the whole thing and recount the annoyances of the past night.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzZTesUBkAMMuSkdK_L6LdpML9sJlHA-j6LtT6cWqCJ6BTI2iwHwdV9VoF3_CkJfuQ4rwMmvm_oovvtniFs3rlPog8q2rf5hRijSHwxfGMTRLtgHTGp2GkQs_mPmr0aojcded1i4FtKHd/s1600/SAM_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzZTesUBkAMMuSkdK_L6LdpML9sJlHA-j6LtT6cWqCJ6BTI2iwHwdV9VoF3_CkJfuQ4rwMmvm_oovvtniFs3rlPog8q2rf5hRijSHwxfGMTRLtgHTGp2GkQs_mPmr0aojcded1i4FtKHd/s320/SAM_0568.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wish we had the £1 barbecue the night before-<br />
look at that flame!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">After a while we found ourselves at Mc Donalds where we splurged on a coffee and our bits of cereal from Poundland. We spent another few hours there, freshened up in their bathrooms, wrote a message in a bottle, laughed at our antics and plotted our next adventure. With our precious pennies dwindling we went back to our 'beach house' to have breakfast of more baked beans (this time we had a barbecue courtesy of Poundland) before going to the park to catch up on some much needed sleep and warmth in the sun.</div><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh657PBQS-I2U2Nn3rk_uoriCaYPGDV1V1bpHTnt3WBlBiqUtzSZeye3RQPK4biTSz63ku6cTsGIKF7P3dqEmDGTUOoyHYuCND5wJcWf-cjtt3KGeM1L-OCavmvJAVV3tvtX9_B6HBzAcM/s1600/SAM_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh657PBQS-I2U2Nn3rk_uoriCaYPGDV1V1bpHTnt3WBlBiqUtzSZeye3RQPK4biTSz63ku6cTsGIKF7P3dqEmDGTUOoyHYuCND5wJcWf-cjtt3KGeM1L-OCavmvJAVV3tvtX9_B6HBzAcM/s320/SAM_0586.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast on the beach. More Beans!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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Unable to face another night in the cold I asked the very Couchsurfer who (obviously thought we were completely nuts) offered us his place the previous day if we could crash at his. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenwg9yOI2n6175vuuuorcI6jFsI7cqbmlvGemBdVIBve2K9WLt3Jgg89v90_ct68HJJSzCoHuGX0ixsDCn7MdAAm0hhNcru3p7ZvzT6pKbeC3HbhqwgTHEYYzJPlZyJ1kwOBGlLQGj8dN/s1600/SAM_0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenwg9yOI2n6175vuuuorcI6jFsI7cqbmlvGemBdVIBve2K9WLt3Jgg89v90_ct68HJJSzCoHuGX0ixsDCn7MdAAm0hhNcru3p7ZvzT6pKbeC3HbhqwgTHEYYzJPlZyJ1kwOBGlLQGj8dN/s320/SAM_0486.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our supplies from Poundland: Beans, cereal & cookies= £3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>All I can say is that if I'm ever asked about the craziest thing I've ever done, I won't have to think twice about my answer. Oh, and that I never want to eat Baked Beans again...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzShZaiafnxFUk5TohD7sHVeup6q9c7iDRqHbGDVpYcjgnLpa2kd2GyRvougdohjmsO1BbJa1yPb4x2oss-0d9-K5mLikHWDNw4c0GImGLfRmSseJQxCb8FoTWBzlrvj-X0da8NXbJ4AM/s1600/SAM_0603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzShZaiafnxFUk5TohD7sHVeup6q9c7iDRqHbGDVpYcjgnLpa2kd2GyRvougdohjmsO1BbJa1yPb4x2oss-0d9-K5mLikHWDNw4c0GImGLfRmSseJQxCb8FoTWBzlrvj-X0da8NXbJ4AM/s400/SAM_0603.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWf8Dx-u90P0QtR77AgfrO5n8MATLiK1FDBeY3U5Nt5_PbkYRpMiJdsyVG3JxW6nBgOCeHAjk8JYDDwHqE-n1kPlZ_h2DpZqZzKmyWd5fx_tJozCZPwGt3K9LJi_gJCnwYv2FJbYB4_jcA/s1600/SAM_0606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWf8Dx-u90P0QtR77AgfrO5n8MATLiK1FDBeY3U5Nt5_PbkYRpMiJdsyVG3JxW6nBgOCeHAjk8JYDDwHqE-n1kPlZ_h2DpZqZzKmyWd5fx_tJozCZPwGt3K9LJi_gJCnwYv2FJbYB4_jcA/s400/SAM_0606.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42dA1i77J88_nHVp315kzo_kkA0RWgvh8GFuHKacMdSE23nblpiIezOLdShOsPYccP3Tj33wBBaPMT0W8J5tY7o5oY_NzZTPIU-v6YISZpuM1XMdswZ6ZvSKuKpTe_x6_ysz3hV8p_Pn1/s1600/SAM_0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42dA1i77J88_nHVp315kzo_kkA0RWgvh8GFuHKacMdSE23nblpiIezOLdShOsPYccP3Tj33wBBaPMT0W8J5tY7o5oY_NzZTPIU-v6YISZpuM1XMdswZ6ZvSKuKpTe_x6_ysz3hV8p_Pn1/s320/SAM_0617.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passed out after beans for lunch!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-63486406159492419602011-04-24T15:29:00.001-07:002011-04-24T16:02:57.694-07:00Oh No!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While most girls swear they'll never turn into their mothers it's pretty much inevitable and we just accept it (kind of) and move on. So when I started showing signs of a) looking (although I'm a belter– no thanks to me – the legendary Pillay bum has found this Jutle) and b) sounding like my mother, I just took it in my stride.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Imagine my surprise when I realised I've TURNED INTO MY FATHER!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TnEfj0B9y4s86QmyBpiOpwn8kj15tFR3A-mtptz6lY22uzTcCv12Xljt3eVg1kmYx0Kd1AWFwXTvQuC-IomQZmI5R43b5gSwCdCjDOaW4njWJ_vHQbAYQcS4XQoyy0kLDoEsjFsZBLKH/s1600/SAM_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TnEfj0B9y4s86QmyBpiOpwn8kj15tFR3A-mtptz6lY22uzTcCv12Xljt3eVg1kmYx0Kd1AWFwXTvQuC-IomQZmI5R43b5gSwCdCjDOaW4njWJ_vHQbAYQcS4XQoyy0kLDoEsjFsZBLKH/s400/SAM_0039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFjFJCX1jqEpg6hwht6N0Ir1TBZ3k6qIcQETpsGPVYiHnoq3YlMSC2ran6YNNd_K45IIISi6exdCJE-6rj5cefx0XXcPTzQl86CiwpXFiaepkAjPbwlq0TvpyqbBvpMRIl2SxIssitgxm/s1600/SAM_0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFjFJCX1jqEpg6hwht6N0Ir1TBZ3k6qIcQETpsGPVYiHnoq3YlMSC2ran6YNNd_K45IIISi6exdCJE-6rj5cefx0XXcPTzQl86CiwpXFiaepkAjPbwlq0TvpyqbBvpMRIl2SxIssitgxm/s200/SAM_0471.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He'll happily chuck a chunk of<br />
whatever into his lunch box- my new<br />
trick too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Seriously, I didn't see it coming. It sort of just crept up on me. A little wise crack here, a bit of dumpster diving there and before I know it I'm a fully fledged crack-pot!<br />
<br />
<br />
Let's just go through the list:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*The man will eat ANYTHING. I mean it. Carbonised bread that can't even be called burnt toast, porridge soaked in fruit juice, scrapings of the condiment jar, the list is endless.<br />
* Using any scrap of something as a towel/scarf/shirt/bandana- more often than not, as all of those.<br />
* Picking up random things off the road/dump/charity shop and hanging them about the house as decor. <br />
* Unable to resist a good stretch on any wall/rail or object that may or may not be appropriate to do so.<br />
* Being annoyingly finicky about other peoples stuff (not a bad trait just annoying if the stuff in question is a car coz he'll drive at a ridiculously slow pace & not use it for anything other than it's intended purpose). <br />
* And who could forget that warped sense of humour. Yip, the one that no one else gets. Ever. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp8_o21gJySrf_KFj0lmV3HQtRtseZcGlTEcLnziBR59RmzpidpEPh74BvVWaJp_b-g0SjHJGHXzCkDsGdbMA4zWDn2qmA7_nYX7mIXXq5trcPAzhCry2sRfyYzw5hiZYxrgCZqX6SGXd/s1600/SAM_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp8_o21gJySrf_KFj0lmV3HQtRtseZcGlTEcLnziBR59RmzpidpEPh74BvVWaJp_b-g0SjHJGHXzCkDsGdbMA4zWDn2qmA7_nYX7mIXXq5trcPAzhCry2sRfyYzw5hiZYxrgCZqX6SGXd/s200/SAM_0455.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My wheels, at my disposal any time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now for the shocker, I can easily claim all the above as my own. These antics and more have been unleashed into the world. So ring the alarm, 'coz the next stop is tatty clothes and the loony bin!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XPu_VNokiTwETA3x5o3GSNWaRqPjwSymoAb7PH4xxeoMber7Uh_Lk-X9BRuupWCkmlfW9txNJi7dx7C0V5vxZF4NhXh-eLHybJqC7qW-i9InaxgXuxpaogCk9m88D9LRxsePdX9_kNWt/s1600/SAM_5167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XPu_VNokiTwETA3x5o3GSNWaRqPjwSymoAb7PH4xxeoMber7Uh_Lk-X9BRuupWCkmlfW9txNJi7dx7C0V5vxZF4NhXh-eLHybJqC7qW-i9InaxgXuxpaogCk9m88D9LRxsePdX9_kNWt/s400/SAM_5167.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only other people more like my dad than I am!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
* No feelings were hurt in the making of this post, however I'm obliged to mention that this post should in no way be seen as a complaint and that the parent in question is very dear to me (as is the more sane one).<br />
<a href="http://www.myhosting.com/blog/SAM_0039.JPG"></a><a href="http://www.myhosting.com/blog/SAM_0039.JPG"></a><a href="http://www.myhosting.com/blog/SAM_0455.JPG"></a></div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-49530601184454918292011-04-06T12:18:00.000-07:002011-04-06T12:18:31.202-07:00Toodle 'Loo'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">'But, it's boring', Tom (my little minion, I can dream can't I?) whined. He wasn't talking about his chores- he doesn't have those- or having to wait for the bus, or even his 13 pages of maths homework. 'Pleeeease, I need it... I get borrrrrrrred...' he beckoned, his voice squealed like a rusted windmill in a tornado. I know we've all been there, a lot of things are boring at his age. But even we accepted that some things would just never be exciting so it was best to just get on with the task at hand.<br />
<div><br />
So, if it wasn't the chores or the homework what could possibly be <i>that</i> boring for this 10-year-old?<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>The loo.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Yip, that's it. In all it's glory: he's bored on the bog. <br />
<div><div><br />
</div><div>And what exactly was the in-flight entertainment he so desperately needed? Possibly more desperate than natures call itself? An iPod- a brand new touch version, might I add. </div></div></div><div><br />
</div><div>Say hello to what we've raised: the generation of constant entertainment. Whom, even at this relatively primitive level, will need their attention * virtual choke* <i>engaged</i> in some sort of mind numbing piece of technology just so that they can get through a pee.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.shirtcity.com/php/startpage_image_check.php?img=2044&typ=catalog&size=400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.shirtcity.com/php/startpage_image_check.php?img=2044&typ=catalog&size=400" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Goodbye trusty pile of grubby 'loo' mags, hellooo iPod stand.</div></div></div></div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-37004630209839679042011-04-02T10:20:00.000-07:002011-04-02T10:21:46.888-07:00What To Do When You Can't Find a Job<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">I laughed my socks off when I found these highly embarrassing (but somewhat entertaining) videos. Taken at what turns out to be just the start of our trip after being on a constant job hunt. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sorry Kayle to implicate you in this uber blush worthy material! And sorry that it sounds like I'm calling you a tool- whoops!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Jan 2010)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxWFFB8HUheEkT3gsDuNYTuevkoOOHHCzlYmFfmXUFWpRRQjx5lEpFJAjIUXzymmjkc-YOlzVFdNNhK4Q_DMg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwse_6uFvLavbK3bYc_F2HphoW2yNGx2zhKPo9iz3Oejg5s8iFlrqtM0IOcpWKGBHCG4D5WQq4eDBepZmpSQg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NydJmfXqcLOQgoYDwaprAJXpVVRm-h3blOFbDix8Y68lo20frGBxH3aspISeYV2qpqDBqZBphXh863yg5m0UjfglqdTPgpW6VbkNlMAFSPeH45n_OD6KjyXRuIGVUugdEvj3XVyq9R4O/s1600/100_1829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NydJmfXqcLOQgoYDwaprAJXpVVRm-h3blOFbDix8Y68lo20frGBxH3aspISeYV2qpqDBqZBphXh863yg5m0UjfglqdTPgpW6VbkNlMAFSPeH45n_OD6KjyXRuIGVUugdEvj3XVyq9R4O/s320/100_1829.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After watching these videos I really appreciate the Snowman! <br />
Probably the last one I'll ever build too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-43045907807838706532011-04-02T09:21:00.000-07:002011-04-02T09:21:55.172-07:00Highland Game(s) Drive<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">Apologies for the terrible sound quality- and narration. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Well the narrator in general! Worth a few giggles though!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Aug 2010)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx_R5szPKPhmGx1Od1D2WaEPToVHis3yvsNd9zK9JyNjrcIYqBZY5A2Ivgk2tUF-i933hmuLBK-FmsaAjvMZw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyjbSSifT80dTSFBmFBBCzpoO3fIVXRgqpNNnlp_GtzxzUVHpEetoi-SKgMh_UXMqEedQlVEII0gDfua7KoKw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
</div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-45380862274037471102011-03-15T02:55:00.000-07:002011-03-15T02:57:43.516-07:00I love you. I love you not. I love you...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV28BlN0N99uQasE0a_HiCPGxD5fQSS7Yxd2eDiDhhpvBCO7XUy-u9SnOaN2z6_MJh9paHIRp0NnzIU5WJ9QcjEN1ks99b8eLJxeCUhEqNp7JaHSw7WDyzOv-yqZHsIjEFHqAzUDLKtKaE/s1600/SAM_5299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV28BlN0N99uQasE0a_HiCPGxD5fQSS7Yxd2eDiDhhpvBCO7XUy-u9SnOaN2z6_MJh9paHIRp0NnzIU5WJ9QcjEN1ks99b8eLJxeCUhEqNp7JaHSw7WDyzOv-yqZHsIjEFHqAzUDLKtKaE/s200/SAM_5299.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>A Gap Year experience just wouldn't be complete without the complementary holiday romance. Falling in- and out- of love is all part of the experience. Or so Hollywood and countless WH Smith travel novels tell me. Nevertheless, even this cynic has managed to feel the love. Wait, maybe love is a too strong a word, let's call it attraction.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRgUXlsP6O11oYafeB0gwyzsqY_ZokWiTemx0UChdlAtcjsfIxbIgpkkO_lR6Eo9c65Th1Y30mdmXTJAQvsXFkUOWtu7Eaw7qXiUyUrV66oDK__FXVqE8S4wOkvUTg5ju3jmAMS6IeASl/s1600/SAM_1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRgUXlsP6O11oYafeB0gwyzsqY_ZokWiTemx0UChdlAtcjsfIxbIgpkkO_lR6Eo9c65Th1Y30mdmXTJAQvsXFkUOWtu7Eaw7qXiUyUrV66oDK__FXVqE8S4wOkvUTg5ju3jmAMS6IeASl/s320/SAM_1205.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Warm sunny days spent flirting in parks, a good night out at a pub or spending the day trawling through flea-markets is <i>almost</i> enough to make me forget about those bleak, sludgy days that make me want to strangle every last person trying to squeeze into the already over crowded tubes. Yes, the past two weeks has seen this romance blossom as the days become longer and the nights warmer. Flowers are springing up and I am finally free to enjoy frolicking in the sunshine.<br />
<br />
Sunshine and flowers, flirting and frolicking, you must think I've gone barmy. Actually, it isn't a London lad that's set my heart aflutter but Lovely London itself. That's right, I said lovely. And it is, really.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Lg-9gPFVawtUQDPyImDxttgn73wmr9MJnNEtBL1f4Id1HQbuUfThy94od22fvTxc4y_tJ1tfH2r1NRI8zhyphenhyphenzUp7chlBhm1aeF0bHiGHCduhVITg_lRktNahVeRxBBGJqb3LpwKlnUQfi/s1600/SAM_1929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Lg-9gPFVawtUQDPyImDxttgn73wmr9MJnNEtBL1f4Id1HQbuUfThy94od22fvTxc4y_tJ1tfH2r1NRI8zhyphenhyphenzUp7chlBhm1aeF0bHiGHCduhVITg_lRktNahVeRxBBGJqb3LpwKlnUQfi/s320/SAM_1929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1N20F8bhQRQsPlpLD4vhNFzcRoKkrTpHU0vP1IGq5dkqku4y3Sm3vGt6jiHe8UhFXcmwJ6wngLlaj3e93sy8O0Y19-mDe-xWQMSrxoQA386uOls496ISpahCGczOk48cOWMHHd0AMcWwZ/s200/SAM_1475.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="150" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practically royalty...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After a cold, grey winter spent shivering on buses then sweating on tubes only to be splashed by sludge from passing cars, the sun is finally making a regular appearance and London is like a different place: smiling, friendly people run, walk and ride their bikes- as opposed to the miserable people who run, walk and ride their bikes. And although this won't be my first summer here it has been my first full winter and it has been hard to imagine that it would ever end. Alas, it nearly has and how I look forward to when it finally does: walks along the river, a visit to Regents Park, daylight till 10pm, oh I'm excited already! On that note, maybe talk to me in a few months time when the tourist season is in full swing and I'm still sweating on the tubes- there'll surely be another grumpy complaint on here... <br />
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I say, old chap, a fair weather lover indeed!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCtdohWvrzTjaZQqQJuUB6tvPI9iB7DQdhL-DAEyLvfmi967Yl-F1Ugf3sRdE25dh9Uwz15sqC6_dtqTl5JdNN5oE_enwTiG6NFSdcNev-T7SGAnVU11XuhJX6xgjjnLNy3xsf2Y8eVu0/s1600/SAM_1694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCtdohWvrzTjaZQqQJuUB6tvPI9iB7DQdhL-DAEyLvfmi967Yl-F1Ugf3sRdE25dh9Uwz15sqC6_dtqTl5JdNN5oE_enwTiG6NFSdcNev-T7SGAnVU11XuhJX6xgjjnLNy3xsf2Y8eVu0/s320/SAM_1694.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFj9RYPw-kx4HgafVT9fuflFQbSdhf_Aqp0axRJ5KRp9LXhsK_hml6U-KarlY6DhC-7lp1fZ8P8ekIRXyD2XzGNkGfIzkMLjsVAKUxfHgwfUUS3EA2pV8YC7zffhwfSJ2Jf-nb9n6ntmq/s1600/SAM_1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFj9RYPw-kx4HgafVT9fuflFQbSdhf_Aqp0axRJ5KRp9LXhsK_hml6U-KarlY6DhC-7lp1fZ8P8ekIRXyD2XzGNkGfIzkMLjsVAKUxfHgwfUUS3EA2pV8YC7zffhwfSJ2Jf-nb9n6ntmq/s320/SAM_1206.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hardly the overcrowding I mentioned!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrc4D1n4lO8bOyQJ4L0JiKDcnsdowwDFGdz3n8Se9i8bv9Kump5M8u9kWEwtzk55rbBYmcrmZLn3okpWv1pgp10hbZxf8IlLDdEIcbyQDzU6pSZPxeLFplRMFbn4ALq6_HdE6bUSSc5Sa/s1600/SAM_1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrc4D1n4lO8bOyQJ4L0JiKDcnsdowwDFGdz3n8Se9i8bv9Kump5M8u9kWEwtzk55rbBYmcrmZLn3okpWv1pgp10hbZxf8IlLDdEIcbyQDzU6pSZPxeLFplRMFbn4ALq6_HdE6bUSSc5Sa/s320/SAM_1422.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few hours of snow- Xmas 2010</td></tr>
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</div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-29837767310202794162011-03-12T11:42:00.000-08:002011-03-12T11:42:50.759-08:00Taking a Tumble<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Today I came down from the proverbial high horse. Well, not so much came down as fell down. All it took, dare I say it, was one Facebook comment and I seem to have spent the entire day brooding about it. About me.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>My (Facebook) friend back home, someone I studied with, I call him a friend because he is one of the few that does stay in touch and likes to keep up with my travels. Now and then we have a good banter about our whereabouts- mine in some weird country doing some weird thing and his, well his is usually his cubicle working on the latest ad. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Today I made a jab at him: he was just jealous because I'm taking cool pics while he's just fiddling around with pixels. Need I say, that was quite the bitchy remark and he didn't take it too well. In the greater scheme of things it did make me realise though, that I may need to cool down on the free-spirit, why-grow-up kind of thinking. I mean, that's fine if I want to rebel against the 'system' but that doesn't mean everyone has to or wants to think the same. I think I may have got a little too serious about this anti-average Joe, two and a half kids, white picket fence rebellion that seems to be a travellers undercurrent. Or maybe that's just my ego. Either way I want to put a lid on things and enjoy my choices and what I'm doing- which means leaving others to do the same.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qjUAjtufs2IVqygHDRwQh-2g8bXW4wdeX5FhkMfukYGnfBHIAMEL_lmOTEnrisd-569UB3d59jDxHtOKiwRDiv4sZZ7CXa9KxXRznbX9OA40SDqOAbRFmhy0iwmSevILE16cmf636UvG/s1600/SAM_3416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qjUAjtufs2IVqygHDRwQh-2g8bXW4wdeX5FhkMfukYGnfBHIAMEL_lmOTEnrisd-569UB3d59jDxHtOKiwRDiv4sZZ7CXa9KxXRznbX9OA40SDqOAbRFmhy0iwmSevILE16cmf636UvG/s320/SAM_3416.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's no wonder I didn't fall off...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxHqgVHClHHC6xEYYRPPEDoiX4NQRUHkOoIJ4zyWtaYHyp2gnXOukY5UjAqtBmoMxdUX0H8csGb1fgm7RU27AJ0vgZW-spy9sj_DKDGlHHNI3E95HQOZTvzYTCTueAQEgpUUm5O8sFwca/s1600/SAM_3410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxHqgVHClHHC6xEYYRPPEDoiX4NQRUHkOoIJ4zyWtaYHyp2gnXOukY5UjAqtBmoMxdUX0H8csGb1fgm7RU27AJ0vgZW-spy9sj_DKDGlHHNI3E95HQOZTvzYTCTueAQEgpUUm5O8sFwca/s320/SAM_3410.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.... after spending a truly Spanish Friday afternoon in<br />
Malaga (2010) with this sweet landlord...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdS5hGFUPRUQHfxQwzMslaqV4RxObBtyznHpyA3gErbtAHbH_0y75IPQssLwCGrkSdmMiYMQo3p2I7Q8rNPM98om6ikwFS1LgaAyje-4gPZ2zSd2Q6Vbc_bgHtfmcc6VjezmGmTA7bhdK/s1600/SAM_3417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdS5hGFUPRUQHfxQwzMslaqV4RxObBtyznHpyA3gErbtAHbH_0y75IPQssLwCGrkSdmMiYMQo3p2I7Q8rNPM98om6ikwFS1LgaAyje-4gPZ2zSd2Q6Vbc_bgHtfmcc6VjezmGmTA7bhdK/s320/SAM_3417.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.... playing this...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroJ3k21LBnmsssNPnnbZ89eTqTvMDU1TY-oYkU7VcA7C6OYyVhJzoGMCHk0s8RY1bj_Vb6EKlT1O5M8X9J_H84LPfis0edboKzHDb6QwkIJAMkxoLOdpUonEj8BmNu6R7mXWPGjYTSJhl/s1600/SAM_3412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroJ3k21LBnmsssNPnnbZ89eTqTvMDU1TY-oYkU7VcA7C6OYyVhJzoGMCHk0s8RY1bj_Vb6EKlT1O5M8X9J_H84LPfis0edboKzHDb6QwkIJAMkxoLOdpUonEj8BmNu6R7mXWPGjYTSJhl/s320/SAM_3412.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and drinking (lots) of this...</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-22802613766046402602011-03-10T08:38:00.000-08:002011-03-10T08:41:32.979-08:00Too Good to Title<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What happens when left handed people try snowboarding with the right handed majority.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We're like clueless beached whales on snow!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyxRfW-OydIxx4bS2Zl5BVcilUwP1LglAfNzftjxaZUhJF185HuoPgK4KPx_RmDxDqLSAoViuOZvQr1XFjzjw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Austria 2010</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-34383287938779181612011-03-04T06:31:00.000-08:002011-03-04T06:31:39.957-08:00I'm sorry. Not.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Sitting on the tube today I picked up the the daily newspaper, (read: overnight sensationalist stories rather than cutting edge journalism) and came across yet another celeb article containing yet another annoying 'tweet' about how sorry (insert less than famous celeb name here) is about (insert appropriate scandal eg drunk incident/catty remark/extra-marital affair/shooting an intern).<br />
<a href="http://bossip.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/tiger-woods-e1297708673927.jpg?w=545&h=261" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://bossip.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/tiger-woods-e1297708673927.jpg?w=545&h=261" width="320" /></a><br />
Now, this tweet (I'm still asking why a post on Twitter is not called a Twit?) led me to ask whether social media sites are fast becoming the cowards way out for wrong doings- for those in the public eye at least. From trivial panty flashing to extra-marital affairs these glorified status updates- surely dictated- seem to appease fans and I'm asking 'Why?!'. Not to say it has no place but all this hiding in a virtual world seems to me that the days of genuine, public apologies are long gone. True strength of character, sincerity and the makings of a strong public figure has now become a Smartphone screen and 160 characters.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/2010410//500.michele.twitter.lc.051010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/2010410//500.michele.twitter.lc.051010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Don't get me wrong, it's not that I take pleasure in others' humiliation or even care for these celebs and their wrong doings but I do question their sincerity when it comes to these social sites. Are they heartfelt apologies or just another string tugged by management?</div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-46398722741609055012011-01-26T06:03:00.000-08:002011-01-26T06:03:33.827-08:00Hopscotch'n All the Way<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<a href="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/v/va/vancity197/579516_hopscotch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/v/va/vancity197/579516_hopscotch.jpg" width="176" /></a>I remember playing hopscotch as a kid, throw a pebble into a block, and hop on over to whatever number you were on. Starting off was easy but the further you got the harder it was- sometimes the pebble would land in the right block and other times it was to the one above, to the left or right or even the previous one. Then there was the dreaded wobbles, teetering on the border of where you should be and where you might like to be. I've enjoyed playing some global hopscotch: I know where I'd like to visit, but sometimes I overshoot and land up some where to the left or right or torn between my plan and where I'd really like to go.<br />
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I think that's what keeps things interesting, in fact I'd take a bit more overshooting if I could. As long as I get to the places I want to see, I'm not particularly fazed about the order or whether it makes geographical- or economical- sense. I've once flown from Tel Aviv to Sicily via Latvia and Rome.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcusESQ8fHxRXVWFfYrn06h-O9nw18x_EMPgzQnB6yevDrYlhYfE-HXnxk60SbISlvLCatR-07YcP87pLy8pjeaNE29zRqo2sTm-DyY3lA7oN8w6q8a3GP1SPmQetBN41Tf4gi6V7YfxPF/s1600/SAM_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcusESQ8fHxRXVWFfYrn06h-O9nw18x_EMPgzQnB6yevDrYlhYfE-HXnxk60SbISlvLCatR-07YcP87pLy8pjeaNE29zRqo2sTm-DyY3lA7oN8w6q8a3GP1SPmQetBN41Tf4gi6V7YfxPF/s320/SAM_0255.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Etna, Sicily. Active volcano that we climbed<br />
Nov 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Yes, things are better minus a map!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6iGM8Fc4OtDKJTVlbtAvChKJFSJTKdLwivpxNvC4ddcyR97cOGVBo3YFQbHa84S_hgYKBLmiLy72mPv1py3uC1u1HkqNOQEtupw966SGMSHsSQh1-EEkCcUMKExbrUw_7wUxyq7PpN5E/s1600/SAM_1523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6iGM8Fc4OtDKJTVlbtAvChKJFSJTKdLwivpxNvC4ddcyR97cOGVBo3YFQbHa84S_hgYKBLmiLy72mPv1py3uC1u1HkqNOQEtupw966SGMSHsSQh1-EEkCcUMKExbrUw_7wUxyq7PpN5E/s320/SAM_1523.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couch surfers @Madam Tussaud's Dec 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWSvHjQ2yqldFtiJ_o93wBrw_pyOvVdy590HDjRRftjiZpav0rI1zZ_w0IEckW24bvcRvnGB_ynrT5awxaOv6n4aZ7VzJC4IPTyygDr0qwL-vBYOjaV5YTs-FODHIsWZ-kcQigX-EYopV/s1600/SAM_3691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWSvHjQ2yqldFtiJ_o93wBrw_pyOvVdy590HDjRRftjiZpav0rI1zZ_w0IEckW24bvcRvnGB_ynrT5awxaOv6n4aZ7VzJC4IPTyygDr0qwL-vBYOjaV5YTs-FODHIsWZ-kcQigX-EYopV/s200/SAM_3691.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touching the highest point in Grazalema<br />
If it were't for the clouds we'd <br />
see Africa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG8XPh2NiJEoseIhQycKFW3r_K0I73qZTi5Ke0E-OY9sbxra5Mxqx8e1NcEqqseMklfcPkkxqVJARU6CYDxRUMVGxbyhEkbBbCaaZE0KWGiRvJi0akIa4pmqrX5HsQB-QuopI31v_zucr/s1600/SAM_5619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG8XPh2NiJEoseIhQycKFW3r_K0I73qZTi5Ke0E-OY9sbxra5Mxqx8e1NcEqqseMklfcPkkxqVJARU6CYDxRUMVGxbyhEkbBbCaaZE0KWGiRvJi0akIa4pmqrX5HsQB-QuopI31v_zucr/s200/SAM_5619.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Turquoise Coast in Turkey<br />
the diving was amazing</td></tr>
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So how exactly have I been managing to throw my pebble to places such as France, Spain, Turkey, Israel and Italy all on one- long gone- pay check?<br />
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I will forever lament their names, Workaway and Couchsurfing will always be my perfect idea of travel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO1RsHFfObeQmkvsdB5qiMVrs-tR7nfXWddLNg2Hu3FQH6X4In-HvwdVYFzMRvWxU2YYof-6_J5ft8WStHybvokMF0uhtUjhyphenhyphenJ9hOnkgFVfSi_C5k2k9y7Bzl-etw9_cZL8gIJi3xlSl_/s1600/SAM_6479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO1RsHFfObeQmkvsdB5qiMVrs-tR7nfXWddLNg2Hu3FQH6X4In-HvwdVYFzMRvWxU2YYof-6_J5ft8WStHybvokMF0uhtUjhyphenhyphenJ9hOnkgFVfSi_C5k2k9y7Bzl-etw9_cZL8gIJi3xlSl_/s200/SAM_6479.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for Shabbat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>What more could I possibly want than to live in a place for a few days/weeks/months and be completely immersed in the culture, the language and the people? Learning, experiencing and being has been one of the greatest privileges so far.<br />
<br />
<br />
My Workaway experiences have been nothing short of fantastic while my latest Couchsurfing exploits have surprised me each time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbM_SWiOlqaukJuL3-w3IPBrigUIHWDygIb679fvvRNIK4usbFr9YHA30UhNARMwXuw7VHIZWQFuotzjhG5cNOfb_n3YRhRr2yaeFU981z1JdtRnLm8i_LfLvGwzUK_LkT9tsFkyJTD3h/s1600/SAM_2430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbM_SWiOlqaukJuL3-w3IPBrigUIHWDygIb679fvvRNIK4usbFr9YHA30UhNARMwXuw7VHIZWQFuotzjhG5cNOfb_n3YRhRr2yaeFU981z1JdtRnLm8i_LfLvGwzUK_LkT9tsFkyJTD3h/s200/SAM_2430.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Living in Château's, grouting 12m pools, swimming in natural springs, painting, visiting castles picking- beans, oranges, lemons and the odd nose- moving rocks and rubbish, climbing mountains, walking hills, cleaning hotel rooms, crashing in studio apartments with strangers, dodging heroine junkies, writing websites, going out all night, sleeping under the stars, trekking on a volcano, building sheds, jumping from cliffs, and hitch-hiking. And that's before I mention the wonderful people- hosts, travellers and locals who have each contributed to gems of information, treasured memories and uncontrollable laughter.<br />
<br />
<br />
Summer 2011, let's see where my pebble lands.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKflDoIiiTZfY6gXyDUufaVwh8GBeDDUkAAjmXjlRs7y425a0jkptAKrqNevwimimt7rPsTLKlSn-e4EneigvzVUKTmV_tvEo2XT5mWcQSE-jVJQeSLX-o3et8JhY3iT4lEvyYoyATOUC/s1600/SAM_6862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKflDoIiiTZfY6gXyDUufaVwh8GBeDDUkAAjmXjlRs7y425a0jkptAKrqNevwimimt7rPsTLKlSn-e4EneigvzVUKTmV_tvEo2XT5mWcQSE-jVJQeSLX-o3et8JhY3iT4lEvyYoyATOUC/s320/SAM_6862.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite a couch- our room in <br />
Gent, Belgium</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGPMcB6WZVXs-2ZSLq2WUiX3VMIM09ItJvDtsztqGsrMPJH6jw5laxKp1TwA8clttzm6d3Z2W3TZz5F43JlXOsnvFeSJao1UGeI0XEbxd6B9Egg9Fp33CA8WqAx7bRPqoJtxZ_ps1ASCd/s1600/SAM_6259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGPMcB6WZVXs-2ZSLq2WUiX3VMIM09ItJvDtsztqGsrMPJH6jw5laxKp1TwA8clttzm6d3Z2W3TZz5F43JlXOsnvFeSJao1UGeI0XEbxd6B9Egg9Fp33CA8WqAx7bRPqoJtxZ_ps1ASCd/s320/SAM_6259.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A reminder that while you were<br />
out/sleeping/reading/cooking/living<br />
people were shooting up on your doorstep.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking olives in Sicily<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myth (not) Busted: Reading on the Dead Sea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68onLJJydtquN0KPoiAMyhxe1bhAagx6WAz2Jyi0nmRbXpfte8zWet_IEngdBwZg0NiplSxetIAaVR6sF-Emvm-yEim_I8ilFROZuWjm9CXB4b216iL7uaWfySeleOT0zlww5aNQcQXdo/s1600/SAM_2426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68onLJJydtquN0KPoiAMyhxe1bhAagx6WAz2Jyi0nmRbXpfte8zWet_IEngdBwZg0NiplSxetIAaVR6sF-Emvm-yEim_I8ilFROZuWjm9CXB4b216iL7uaWfySeleOT0zlww5aNQcQXdo/s320/SAM_2426.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We never got to test out our grouting <br />
handiwork</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 weeks of broad beans </td></tr>
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</div></div></div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-11072345577729965892011-01-18T10:50:00.000-08:002011-01-19T06:45:09.357-08:00Failure To LaunchWord on the street is that this travelling thing is supposed to be filled with lessons: every day poses new situations and one is meant to gain and enhance many skills over this time. Or so they say...<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>I for one seem to be the only person whose a) already terrible skills have worsened and b) managed to say/do the stupidest of things. I must admit, I don't really mind and do manage a sheepish grin from time to time. </div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Obviously I've learned a lot of valuable things, for example that no matter how old I get, how far I travel or how many times I look at a map, whether I arrive somewhere will always be hit or miss. My sense of direction has completely eluded me over the past year and I'm sure it'll be the reason behind my prolonged absence...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://nikolasschiller.com/images/you_are_probably_not_here_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://nikolasschiller.com/images/you_are_probably_not_here_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div>So here, in no particular order, are some of the most memorable moments of stupidity:</div><div><br />
1. Epic fail: Almost trumping all moments is this tale...<br />
<br />
When planning our road trip to Scotland, Kayle and I decided that I would take an early bus from London to Stafford (in the midlands) as I'd done before. She would then meet me at the station in the afternoon, we'd leave straight away and spend the night in Glasgow (allowing maximum time in the highlands). As I'd taken the journey before to Stafford, I knew that I had a 40 minute stopover in Birmingham, so I got off the bus and waited. When it was time to board I hopped back on and continued to read my book.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8308vYLFwy5Q1BSlD5zbuFONqn2wS5KZjvhlnp0NQ1Ul2hz0CccDgTvwvjIOldTX2BJp380onUnAaEG_o52HknOKrA21ge0axj38Hpv0RJU-8pzcK-fr3p9RSWW6hiEZbwugLeeyHsRj/s1600/SAM_5343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8308vYLFwy5Q1BSlD5zbuFONqn2wS5KZjvhlnp0NQ1Ul2hz0CccDgTvwvjIOldTX2BJp380onUnAaEG_o52HknOKrA21ge0axj38Hpv0RJU-8pzcK-fr3p9RSWW6hiEZbwugLeeyHsRj/s320/SAM_5343.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Er... Kayle, don't wait for me...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>At 17:40 when my bus was due to arrive Kayle calls to say ask why I'm late, I tell her that it can't be much longer. At 6pm I look out of the window and realise that the scenery is very different and that I'm more than 30 minutes late. Panic sets in as I run to the nearest person (very few passengers by this time) who then tells me that I'm in Wales!<br />
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A dear old lady helped me get off at the next stop and organise a train back to England, where I eventually arrived at Kayle's house late at night. Delayed by a day and a half we had to set off to Scotland at 5am!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://blog.solar-states.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/duh-duh12333878231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="http://blog.solar-states.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/duh-duh12333878231.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">2. Most recently (two days ago in fact), I was at a bar for an open mic night/live band organised by some travellers from Couchsurfing. I'd been there about 10 minutes and as more people slowly trickled in, someone sat next to me:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Sanjeev: Hi, I'm Sanjeev.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Me: Nice to meet you, I'm Rashika.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"> we talk to different people and five minutes later....</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Sanjeev turns to me: So it's Rashika, right?</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Me (quite freaked out) : Er... yes, how do you know?</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Sanjeev: You just told me...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>3. Kayle and I are planning a trip to Ireland for my birthday, a few weeks ago we met up for coffee and began talking about flights and prices.<br />
In a moment of absolute clarity and feeling like a money-saving hero I exclaim, "Can't we take a train there!"<br />
<br />
<br />
4. Every morning I drive Tom, my au-pairing kid, to the school bus stop not too far away. On some days the dad will come with to show me the route or if he needs a ride. Two weeks ago (still being new and going through the routine) I was surprised when the dad got into the drivers seat, he parked (rather terribly- in the middle of the road) at the usual dead end close to the bus stop. We all jumped out and he said that he would walk Tom across the road (what I would usually do). Slightly confused as to why I was with them in the first place and thinking that he'd really parked like a wingnut, I walked away . I got home and a few hours later the police are at the door asking about the car because someone had reported it with all the doors open and the keys still inside but when they had driven past the road they had not seen it. Still confused I say that it should be with the dad at work as he had taken it that morning. Turns out there is a tube station next to the bus stop and I was meant to meant to drive the car back.<br />
<br />
To the slight relief of my thudding heart and before I could puke in a police car, they realised that they had not looked as far as the dead end. With renewed hope I stared anxiously out the window as we approached the road and luckily the car was there, nothing amiss.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1207.snc4/155943_461832041178_577786178_6163450_3305013_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1207.snc4/155943_461832041178_577786178_6163450_3305013_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, the map is upside down...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>5. On every trip I get hopelessly lost but this one is totally worth mentioning for it's sheer stupidity... it's really one of those moments that I just have to ask myself "HOW??".<br />
<br />
It was my last day in Tel Aviv and my flight was quite late at night. I decided that I wanted to spend the entire day vegetating on the beach and have lunch at what is meant to be the best hummus bar. For starters I woke up really late, so decided I'd go straight to the hummus bar. Map in hand, I went more or less to the area I had been the day before, with some difficulty (naturally) I found the small, crowded bar- and yes, it is the most amazing pitta and hummus I have ever tasted, no one goes for their service, that's for sure!<br />
<br />
Completely stuffed and with the staff glaring at me to get a move on, after all it isn't a restaurant, I left for the beach. Stubborn as I am, and believe it or not determined to improve my sense of direction, I set off map in hand. I found the harbour, I found a lovely lady to walk and talk with for a while but I never found my beloved beach from the day before. Two hours later, and my time slipping away, I was still walking along the shore and walking and walking... and walking... every little while taking out the map and thinking OK, not that far now.<br />
<br />
Time dictated that if I didn't start heading home (where ever that was!) I'd become a permanent Israeli resident. I moved inland, stumbled upon a bus stop, pointed at the map, tried to utter what little Hebrew I knew to the bus driver and with some difficulty he understood where I wanted to go "Aaaah, you want Tel Aviv?"....<br />
<br />
Yes, I had walked straight out of Tel Aviv... with a map and possibly the best navigation tool in the universe- the sea.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1183.snc4/150542_10150095498841015_564111014_7440084_2266684_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1183.snc4/150542_10150095498841015_564111014_7440084_2266684_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not complaining the 2hr walk<br />
was beautiful- just in the wrong<br />
direction!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs581.ash2/150360_10150095498291015_564111014_7440069_161005_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs581.ash2/150360_10150095498291015_564111014_7440069_161005_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The destination I was aiming for...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071730273866067252.post-81330763014583686892011-01-13T15:35:00.000-08:002011-01-24T12:51:47.004-08:00Great Scots!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3O3Xg1um5Z49wB7ZpDL4xglOkr4fYBVzYv_rSA0mjsEqP7ql5jSbVBBzdPsgvBf9punk_Q1_qHa7Y_FFZ_zSJDk0L5jkjgEPvSsOFdmXX7cWFRP812Py2iFL8FebQl1KYennW3VwTdmV/s1600/SAM_3836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3O3Xg1um5Z49wB7ZpDL4xglOkr4fYBVzYv_rSA0mjsEqP7ql5jSbVBBzdPsgvBf9punk_Q1_qHa7Y_FFZ_zSJDk0L5jkjgEPvSsOFdmXX7cWFRP812Py2iFL8FebQl1KYennW3VwTdmV/s200/SAM_3836.JPG" width="200" /></a>May 2010 saw Kayle and myself head from sunny Spain to what was rumoured to have been a rainy Scotland. Stepping off the plane at Glasgow airport at 11pm, the cold hit us like a ton of bricks and we thought we were in for a rough time.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>After meeting our new host we camped the night, before our long drive up to the highlands. And what a night it was, wrapped up in numerous blankets and sleeping bags and wearing all our winter clothes!</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGFObvo-qwyPR2joDORcqfm_QdYVMt4JiMtfnqvEEQo_8-i4ZGADxd9o94nTZfx65GH4m5ACJIbcWWgl4CG-u-ucJ8evWR2Bvp7ra0oMBJ3m3fgX8hMQEw0XZRPdAYBIMD1ZRwSyqo321/s1600/SAM_3854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGFObvo-qwyPR2joDORcqfm_QdYVMt4JiMtfnqvEEQo_8-i4ZGADxd9o94nTZfx65GH4m5ACJIbcWWgl4CG-u-ucJ8evWR2Bvp7ra0oMBJ3m3fgX8hMQEw0XZRPdAYBIMD1ZRwSyqo321/s200/SAM_3854.JPG" width="200" /></a>The next day we started a supposed 4-5 hour journey to the highlands, taking the scenic route along the coast. Unfortunately it ended up being nearly 10 hours as we broke down in the middle of the highlands with nothing more than the "hills" ie mountains for comfort. At least we had our camping kit if AA couldn't find us! Eventually we arrived at our new home....<br />
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</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qWGj-YWwFcWIAJri3Gwaq90VSIlI7a2yTe0IDhX0EyznoHlI6D3MrKsi5dKyRYkydktgXDT4QT_JI3uR6jScd1RlhgI6i8qcmnq3rt5y-cyU0EG8yNVg_uIUNDZ1BY0zcVgRgG28ySyp/s1600/SAM_4358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qWGj-YWwFcWIAJri3Gwaq90VSIlI7a2yTe0IDhX0EyznoHlI6D3MrKsi5dKyRYkydktgXDT4QT_JI3uR6jScd1RlhgI6i8qcmnq3rt5y-cyU0EG8yNVg_uIUNDZ1BY0zcVgRgG28ySyp/s320/SAM_4358.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Cluttered is a wee bit of an understatement. And this was the lounge <b>after</b> we'd already been there for 2 weeks clearing up the place. My permanent spot was on the floor next to the radiator and t.v.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was the soldier always on lunch duty, the others lost all focus upon entering and would come out empty handed.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVkWZCmrncDqvPfy_6pPiAZYEB7KlnMcnpU7xq5_draJIIV78-VKGYVqcWXVtLH_vrfeZT6DPpiTf-RuFnhV1261e6pJjgwiKRCbn52oTEtekVD_pRv7Msq2TIMgQF-rojsZyuolcEanG/s1600/SAM_4357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVkWZCmrncDqvPfy_6pPiAZYEB7KlnMcnpU7xq5_draJIIV78-VKGYVqcWXVtLH_vrfeZT6DPpiTf-RuFnhV1261e6pJjgwiKRCbn52oTEtekVD_pRv7Msq2TIMgQF-rojsZyuolcEanG/s200/SAM_4357.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The actual width<br />
of the kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">But with views like this from our garden, who cares what the inside looks like!</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpO-5Z7XymceJNwE5cclxC5G6fGL8h2PViNGrMMgXaylM6Sy40obB_Hs5ksoYJyIaMoHMLw0-lW8Yuwyl79vhRHKwMaAJwPKOU38mk1C9r_DPoNhiRo5pHfsihHI7J1o2mr3YWTuhUeQSu/s1600/SAM_3902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpO-5Z7XymceJNwE5cclxC5G6fGL8h2PViNGrMMgXaylM6Sy40obB_Hs5ksoYJyIaMoHMLw0-lW8Yuwyl79vhRHKwMaAJwPKOU38mk1C9r_DPoNhiRo5pHfsihHI7J1o2mr3YWTuhUeQSu/s320/SAM_3902.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QxMUX0OEOVcItWgmMipBI0jFU752GbYkW3Z98-YMm8z67_7tuXj1gOmOgthhNy7vxGOgQwkW6fNJFNk5zDEJX-QfXGHejeF-CSNo3vONrdEh1zgcwSmzqLebWGBgJgOiRXRA-ksJnS2d/s1600/SAM_4045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QxMUX0OEOVcItWgmMipBI0jFU752GbYkW3Z98-YMm8z67_7tuXj1gOmOgthhNy7vxGOgQwkW6fNJFNk5zDEJX-QfXGHejeF-CSNo3vONrdEh1zgcwSmzqLebWGBgJgOiRXRA-ksJnS2d/s200/SAM_4045.JPG" width="150" /></a>Katy, from Brighton, was another volunteer on Clutter Island and arrived two days after us-so we had someone to drown our sorrows with at the pub- and who helped build the shed into which we moved the rubbish from inside the house. She didn't last too long but was a good laugh, I think we may have lost her in the clutter. Next to arrive was San Diego-an/Mexican, Regina, who lasted even less time and eventually hopped on the bus with us to Edinburgh never to return again. After Katy's and Regina's untimely departure there was a Candian girl... I can't remember her name, she was only there one night and also hopped on board with us when we left on another adventure. Looks like Kayle and I outwitted, outplayed and outlasted on Clutter Island and were the sole survivors- a pity there wasn't a million dollar prize and those awesome bandanna's!<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Scotland is a place of many 'firsts' for us. Our first (although wonderful) host that seemed cuckoo. The first time we hitch-hiked and the first time the word pint entered our vocabulary! </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We spent a lot of time at our local (a 4 mile walk away, trust me there's not a light in sight when you're stumbling home) and came to know many of the locals, young and old. There was Ronan our host's nephew, Sean (both pictured further down) the blind chef who lived in a great caravan, a guy called Pumpkin- never understood why, but he was a crazy driver, and then there's our dear friend the fisher-boy with the yellow 'willies' (apparently saying wellies in an SA accent is a bit of a problem) who ran around the pub pants half down trying to show us his hernia- the literal kind! Most of those we met are fisherman and you'd be surprised at how many have never left the highlands.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We enthusiastically joined our friends in the Scottish national sport- drinking & banter. Each flowing as easily as the water in the lochs. One such night of debauchery saw us waking up to a scene straight out of a teenage spoof movie...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXUXxs1IpZFIaoMp0Q4orHDWSCjGUhyphenhyphen8yAcpa1OLCovuhOaXb_di0CJVYAvJCUWPdXHZuipeX-co2R9GaVpTEBcfvxH84jIYUs18Lw2c4ZkqTC6Q-G5OZfINWKiGlXnn9M0J3gy2jypeT/s1600/SAM_4008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXUXxs1IpZFIaoMp0Q4orHDWSCjGUhyphenhyphen8yAcpa1OLCovuhOaXb_di0CJVYAvJCUWPdXHZuipeX-co2R9GaVpTEBcfvxH84jIYUs18Lw2c4ZkqTC6Q-G5OZfINWKiGlXnn9M0J3gy2jypeT/s320/SAM_4008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Fields and fields of sheep and not a soul in sight. We knew how we got there, we knew who were with as I'm sure everyone did (our village was tiny- don't even think of hiding in the trunk of a friends car to scare them, no sooner had I done it someone asked our host whether the small Indian girl always stayed in the boot!) </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Sadly, after a few weeks, some crazy nights, beautiful walks, plenty of craic (fun) and a trip to Edinburgh it was time to take a nine hour train ride to England. And this time there were no runaways. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Fast forward to August, after months of hard work in England and before setting off around Europe again, we decided a mini road trip back to one of our favourite places was in order.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hW5rEnKbBkxLJrd-TUS25NP_wlWKIpRtxxAaYKwMvIMX-wxUIKC-74PhOdi2MB3q70sS7rwpK-WWh8XNBvkjQFqmBuP8qaUTVut0vAhcSEw-twuzMOuApZNNYYgODcNHeMD2EeAxqO0h/s1600/SAM_5442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hW5rEnKbBkxLJrd-TUS25NP_wlWKIpRtxxAaYKwMvIMX-wxUIKC-74PhOdi2MB3q70sS7rwpK-WWh8XNBvkjQFqmBuP8qaUTVut0vAhcSEw-twuzMOuApZNNYYgODcNHeMD2EeAxqO0h/s200/SAM_5442.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I'd like to say the drive went forth without a hitch, but the fact that I was involved does carry with it some risk! (I won't go into the dopey details but there's a reason I don't use maps!)</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">When we did finally make it to the highlands, the weather was as beautiful as we'd left it, if not better, and the scenery a well received change from London's busy streets.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWSjdOscpa6d0mNxZcZv7l_rWvkPZixnR9Bc_6AZ2nhhR-Nj14vDnZpWanIA9CYXVz4wAhyphenhyphenvyayeiI3YQPnD2u4o8OYu6eRm7JzvEJQERB9fP-dWJDpWkOU5uEzhUfA-Eub1fMZOWijZM/s1600/SAM_5517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWSjdOscpa6d0mNxZcZv7l_rWvkPZixnR9Bc_6AZ2nhhR-Nj14vDnZpWanIA9CYXVz4wAhyphenhyphenvyayeiI3YQPnD2u4o8OYu6eRm7JzvEJQERB9fP-dWJDpWkOU5uEzhUfA-Eub1fMZOWijZM/s200/SAM_5517.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Friendliness, a good craic and a wee<br />
pint can always be counted on. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div>As the saying goes it's about the journey not the destination, and as eventful as the journey was, meeting up with people we thought we'd never see again was wonderful - Ronan, Sean, Katy (who now lives in the highlands) and even our host.<br />
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We stayed for a couple of days before making our way back to London where Kayle and I split up for some solo travels.<br />
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These breathtaking views were completely worth the long drive and few days.<br />
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<div><span id="goog_819984319"></span><span id="goog_819984320"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHyAjJLw6gqJhFDJQ-hp5MCtvnZEpP47j2-tIy9TqJEy9IJU9oMEpymz1q_365Oz-jlptfigAPcgRQwXx_jOSnPZVDTq2iYcYikSDNCP7sMa9WbKrUsQ5WR75-tOb9KmbiL8nGGVEFj-q/s1600/SAM_4337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHyAjJLw6gqJhFDJQ-hp5MCtvnZEpP47j2-tIy9TqJEy9IJU9oMEpymz1q_365Oz-jlptfigAPcgRQwXx_jOSnPZVDTq2iYcYikSDNCP7sMa9WbKrUsQ5WR75-tOb9KmbiL8nGGVEFj-q/s320/SAM_4337.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHyAjJLw6gqJhFDJQ-hp5MCtvnZEpP47j2-tIy9TqJEy9IJU9oMEpymz1q_365Oz-jlptfigAPcgRQwXx_jOSnPZVDTq2iYcYikSDNCP7sMa9WbKrUsQ5WR75-tOb9KmbiL8nGGVEFj-q/s1600/SAM_4337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFf5BP6hBlrJro6bIvQVE6MgR2tcaBVCs2SG6ucSQCpycnJGxzN3CnLBAjW-Cgfbb1EcZ_M8wRvTfcLkaBO4gLBT2Mz5y_2IFJgrXQUm1DGmh_PmO64RyEB-1vp7ldxKdrZDAZrCbGkGz/s1600/SAM_4124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFf5BP6hBlrJro6bIvQVE6MgR2tcaBVCs2SG6ucSQCpycnJGxzN3CnLBAjW-Cgfbb1EcZ_M8wRvTfcLkaBO4gLBT2Mz5y_2IFJgrXQUm1DGmh_PmO64RyEB-1vp7ldxKdrZDAZrCbGkGz/s320/SAM_4124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div>Graphophobichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03218958328964339980noreply@blogger.com0