Iguazu Falls

We (Tony, Lesley and me) flew into Iguazu, to stay at Hotel Colonial (which is in need of some TLC) in Brazil, as it is cheaper than the Argentine side. Crossing the border is painfully slow!
That has got the negative stuff out of the way. The Falls are magnificent and are probably the best natural wonder that I have seen. My head is full of them and I cannot think of anything to compare.
It is not one waterfall but a whole series stretching in a marvellous panorama.

 The volume of water is impossible to comprehend.

The park is set up beautifully for visitors to get the best views. There are a series of walkways that get you to look safely over the torrents. The Gargantua del Diablo is amazing where water comes from different directions and pours down what seems to be hole, forming a plume of spray that we first saw from the plane.

There are high walkways, to stand just a few feet from where water is plumetting over the edge, and low walkways where you gaze up at the cascade. Sadly most of the wildlife has been driven away by the people and the narrow gauge railway that gets you around. We did see coatis, raccoon like creatures who come looking for an easy meal; many lovely butterflies and a few birds, ominously some vultures circling in the thermals above the falls.
Wherever there are falls there will be somebody with a boat to take the silly tourists for a close look - and we got totally soaked - like standing in the shower fully clothed. Then as soon as we got off the boat we had a 15min tropical storm - putting a dampener on the procedings!
Finally at just about the last view point from the Argentine side we got some great views of a rainbow, a full semicircle.
It is a wonderful place - beautiful, powerful, inspirational....has to be my favourite spot on the planet.

A Special Edition of the Blog for THE BOOK CLUB

Hello Girls,
Having a wonderful time, wish you were here!
Temperatures in the 30s every day. You never need a second layer at any time of day or night. Two thunder storms so maybe the weather has been very kind.
It is an amazing and vast city. Lots to see and do. We get one or two milongas a month in Nottingham, about 20 a night to choose from here! The styles are so different but the cultural differences more so.
Taxis are cheap and the underground even cheaper at 20 pence a journey, and fine for during the day. Taxis fly along with no lane discipline at all but a lot of respect for each other and little use of the horn. The pavements are terrible with piles of rubble where a paving stone has been removed.

The portenos are not as smart as I thought they would be but there are some fabulous shops. Every 10th shop sells the most amazing cakes!

The steaks are wonderful and a meal out is maybe half what you would pay in UK. Half portions of steak are on all the menus and that is as much as I can manage after not eating much during the day.
Enough of all that, how is the reading?

Club Malcolm

This is a very ordinary venue with a cafe, more like a transport cafe, fronting a tiled floor with plenty of seating. We had to wait for a lesson to end before the milonga started about 11.30. The standard was the best we have seen with the dancers just having enough room to execute some fancy moves.
There is a young group here which has rejected the classic tango of close embrace and it being so crowded that it is just a shuffle around the floor. This is flamboyant stuff and I could not see anybody on the floor that I would regard as worse than me. The only consolation was that there were a few collisions when I was not even on the floor!!
The lesson that we were not supposed to view, had been called tangocool and involved much more use of the arms rather than just a chest lead.
We sat at a table with an Argentinian who spoke excellent English and who danced with both Rosanna and Lesley.
A refreshing vibrant atmosphere and will visit here again.
(Better get practicing!)

Cafe Tortoni

Take a step back to 1900. All the waiters in black ties. A fabulous setting of old world Buenos Aires grandeur and elegance. Service that you probably receive at the Ritz, although I will never find out for certain. Whatever you order it will be the best of its type.
The only problem is the tourists - but of course the tourists keep it going - why was I allowed in with shorts on? I should have been sent home to dress properly.
We asked the waiter to take a photo - he held the camera at arms length to the side and I wondered if we would be in the frame. Of course we were exactly in the middle. They do everything right.

It is full of tango memorabilia - bust and statue of Carlos Gardel and other tango greats, photos galore.
The decor is amazing, oak panels, antique chandeliers, stained glass vitreaux.
This is a must, to dwell here and lose yourself in time.

Colonial de Sacramento, Uruguay

L, T and I took a day trip to Uruguay on a Buquebus ferry - a one hour journey. Included was lunch and a tour - I think this was a mistake! I learnt that the Portugese settled here first and there are stone buildings and parts on the city walls from that period. Spain took over and there are clearly colonial style buildings.

Independance from Spain was in 1825 but despite Colonial being the first settlement, Montevideo is the capital.
Our lunch was in a farm some 20 minutes drive out of Colonial - the place we wanted to see! It was OK but they seemed to cook parts of the animals that I would be embarrassed to talk about, let alone eat.
Then the coach took us around the outskirts, nice beach, then into the centre where we walked. When the guide was finished with us we had 30 minute before back to the ferry.
From the comments I have had from friends who have visited, Colonial deserves better treatment than this.

Long After Midnight at the Nino Bien

Tony joined us 3 dancers and we met up with Mike, a Californian who is resident in BA, and who had booked a table. We were there just before 11 and there were not many on the floor. It is quite a grand place but not the magnificence of La Ideal. Two rows of tables around the floor, waitress service for drinks and snacks, classic tango tracks.
I had good dances with R and L and managed to invite one other woman to dance, only to find she was Italian. Mike seemed to have absorbed the Argentine philosophy in that he did not dance with R or L despite sitting at the same table and chatting with them.
I think the Argentine man does not want to dance with foreigners in case he looks bad. The Argentine woman would rather sit the night out than be seen to be so desperate that she will dance with a tourist. Perhaps if she did she would not be asked by an Argentine man.
The tango that is danced is a bit different, usually because it is very crowded. It has to be close embrace and lots of turns. This can be coped with and I feel confident to dance amongst them - I am average and that is OK.
The social differences are huge and cannot be surmounted except by living here. We are instantly recognisable as English. It does not matter how well you dance, how well you dress, you cannot change your age or nationality and they are paramount.
However despite that, it is wonderful to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy the venues and be delighted that there is at least 10, usually 20, milongas to choose from every day!
Tony appreciated the problems of getting dances here and that it is a different world to the casual approach we take in the UK.
As at all the milongas we have attended so far, the dress by the men has been very casual (even jeans and T shirt!). The women here were well dressed and seemed to be significantly younger than the men. This was not so obvious at other venues.
We will certainly go to Nino Bien again.

El Beso

This is a tango club that the books say that you have to visit. It was very crowded and since it was close to midnight when we arrived there were no seats. We had to stand near the bar. It's well decorated and very much a club atmosphere rather than ballroom. Again I danced with Lesley and Rosanna and managed OK in the most crowded conditions yet. There were a lot of young well dressed women and probably the same in men but I did not really notice! I did think I must dance with other women to signal that L and R were available. So I made a determined effort with two women - the ugliest there (and I hope they are reading this!). The first turned her head so sharply away from me that she may have caused permanent injury. The second seeing that I was looking turned and ran to her friend for comfort.
We got, for the first time, the feeling that we did not belong.

A Step up - Confiteria la Ideal

This place says tango! It is a cake and coffee shop downstairs and a magnificent tango ballroom upstairs. Marble pillars, a tiled floor, a wonderful skylight and an ambience that is classic tango.

 Lesley, Rosanna and I went for the beginning and there were only a few couples dancing. We had room to dance!! And we did dance!! We were as good as any of the others and at one time Lesley and I were the only couple on the floor and we felt good. Pause to pinch - yes, dancing alone at Confiteria la Ideal.
BUT - then the good dancers got up. That was wonderful to watch but we did find out that they were teachers of some standing.
At least half of the people there had come to watch so partners were in short supply but nevertheless it was our best tango experience to date.

Another Visit to Salon Canning

Lesley and I went together to this milonga on a Sunday evening. We were shown to a table alongside the floor. It had been reserved and the previous people had left so we were very lucky. However it is difficult to see people to dance with from this ringside seat and as we arrived as a couple perhaps we were ignored as potential partners. So we just danced together and lovely as that was we felt we had missed out a little bit.
This is classic tango so it is close embrace, much turning around and nothing more elaborate than a few ochos. Although 2 or 3 couples manage more, it is not exciting tango to watch. Couples move backward, dance in the middle of the floor ,block a lane and move across lanes - all things I often do and am desperately trying not to do here! The dress standard is poor - men in T shirts and polo shirts. We must get to more milongas to see the portenos at their best!

San Telmo

San Telmo is one of the more exciting, flamboyant areas and it is where tango began. Tourists flock here to see tango (I am being a tango snob now!).

We decided to walk from Plaza de Mayo on the assumption there would be something to see. It was a very run down area so we had a long walk in the hot sun past buildings we do not want to see again. Eventually we arrived at the Sunday flea market covering Plaza Dorrego and surrounding streets. Virtually all of the hundreds of stalls were antiques (or junk!).

Very interesting to wander around, more for my interest in the stall holders than what they were selling.

There was some earthy tango being dance for the tourists (Yes, I am being a tango snob again!)
I know several people who have stayed in San Telmo but I am not sure where. On this first visit, San Telmo has been a disappointment but there is time to visit again and revise this impression.

Evita

Eva Peron is still important!
There are still large numbers who worship her and many who don't! Who mutilated her dead body? She was the supporter of the poor but dressed extravagantly.
The museum is excellent. It was on our list but we came across it accidently heading for the Japanese Gardens after the disappointment of the Botanical Gardens. The displays are great in giving the story of the Perons and hence Argentina for that period. English as well as Spanish. Tango music in the background, lots of film, some on TVs and others projected on the walls. Lots of clothes and other memoribilia.

I love some of the quotes from her speeches - 'I am loved by the poor and hated by the oligarchy'.
We decided to eat at the Restaurant (background music changed to Norah Jones!) and I had Meat and Potatoe pie - boring - no! It had a sweet meringue top.

So next time you cook cottage pie don't brown the potatoes in the oven but add a meringue topping and think you could be in Argentina.
At this restaurant there were some older Argentinians that were well dressed. We have not yet seen many really smartly dressed people as we were promised and that applies to the milongas as well.

Later we visited the Cemetery at Recoletta.

There is an incredible array of tombs.

Most important, of course, is that of Evita.

Comme il Faut

Lesley did today what every tanguera dreams of , she bought a pair of shoes at Comme il Faut.
For those non-tango readers, Comme il Faut make the best and most sought after dance shoes. They cost about 85 pounds here but 120 to 150 in the UK.
Their shop is at the end of an arcade that runs off one of the streets that joins Plaza San Martin. A small room where you state your shoe size (to be brought one size smaller as that is better for dancing) and heel height (7,8 or 9 cm). Shoes are open or peep toe. They will bring out as many pairs for you to try as you have patience. I can't imagine many people walking away. You feel you have been privilged to purchase.
Altogether a great retail experience!

Buenos Aires - A city tour - on the stage

Tony and Lesley have joined me and we thought the easy way to get a good feel of the enormous city was to take an open top bus tour. We started in the heart of the city at Plaza de Mayo.

 

There are still protests from the dreadful events of the 70's going on here.

However on the bus we just had to get off at La Boca - there were so many people milling about, clearly, it was so colourful and we wanted to join in.

We walked up and down the streets, listening to the tango music, watching some dancing, looking at the leather goods and the many photos and paintings of tango dancers. Eventually, having spent much more time than we had planned, we stopped for some food and drink. Of course there was a tango show - there are so many! Suddenly Lesley was on her feet and up on the stage. Usually this is just to pose with the man for a photo but it was obvious Lesley could dance, so they tangoed to the two guitarists. Mucch applause.

Then it was my turn to perform with the woman and to do as many steps as I could think of. It all went well - I don't think they have to fear that we will be taking over from them, but we both danced creditably.

The rest of the day seemed quite tame but we did get some idea of the city from our tour and how lovely that the background music to the commentary was course, tango music. It is part of the heart of the city.

The 'eyes' have it

This is my theory about the problems of getting dances in Argentina.
When I go into a dance hall in the UK, I have a good look around. I make eye contact with friends and sometimes with new people and think I must dance with that person because they looked back at me.
In Argentina you will have lost the chance to dance with those people. You can't line up people for dances later during the evening. When you make eye contact you have to mean business - it is now or never. Ask them to dance at that point or reject them for the evening. They may reject you and there is no point in trying later.
So when you enter the hall you don't have a good look to seek out the pretty ones, you just don't make eye contact - as if you were walking through a rough area of town and to make eye contact might provoke a fight. Then you make eye contact, you invite, you succeed or you fail. If you fail you wait until the next time the music starts and try with someone else.

Sueno Porteno - Boedo Tango

This was the real thing!
I paid to go in (less than 4 pounds) - changed my shoes and then entered the room. As always you wait to be shown to a table. Those around the floor are usually reserved. Tables are set in rows away from the floor, alternating a row for men, a row for women. Already I am nevous!
The floor clears comletely after a tanda (group of tracks) and the cortinas (non-tango music in between tandas) are long. Seemingly at random all over the seated area people stand up. meet at the floor and dance. But eyes have flashed and contact made. I am more nervous!
I make eye contact, mumble 'would you like to dance' which may be lip read in Spanish as "I will give you large amounts of money' - who knows. I raise an eyebrow, start to stand up and low and behold she smiles and also stands up. The deed is done. We are on the floor dancing, close embrace as everyone else. It is not overcrowded but still nobody seems to do anything but twirl around and a few ochos.
I have several good dances and everyone was kind. Nobody spoke good English but a few messages were exchanged. One woman gave me a little applause as we had no common language. How lovely. Some dances were a little awkward as the followers seemed to have an agenda of what they wanted to do!
This place caters for the older set. Don't say it - I know - that's where I belong. Not as smart as I imagined - no jeans, no T shirts but very ordinary shirts and trousers. The women just smart and none trying to look spectacular. Maybe 200 dancing in a large L shaped room. Seating for many more as they hold shows.
It started at 8 but has food and drink available. It would be good to make a night of it with a group. I left about midnight but people were arriving as I was told it runs to 5am. Music for a 9 hour milonga!!

I have been taking taxis everywhere and have never waited more than 1 minute for one to turn up. One journey took me along Avenida 9th July which has 6 lanes in each direction! I counted 7 cars across but both statements can be true. Lane discipline is non-existant.

I had a lesson with Edith who was recommended by Kathryn who spent a year over here. It was excellent, 3 men and 5 women, so some things are the same the world over.

ARGENTINA Queueing,Steak,Tango.

Yes, you have guessed, I am in Buenos Aires!
When you fly in, you realise what a huge city this is! I thought I would have a lot of time to kill before getting to the apartment, but the plane was nearly an hour late and then I had to brave the American Express bank to cash my traveller cheques. I had read about queueing for more than an hour as standard in BA's banks but did not really believe it. Well, an hour was an understatement! At least 5 A4 pages and a long till roll printed out to give me my money - in pesos not the US dollars I wanted! Bit of a financial crisis here and dollars not being handed out causing lots of arguments in Spanish but I could tell that pleasantries were not being exchanged.

So only half hour to spare in making the appointment time for getting into the apartment. Unpacked, I wandered out and by going in the opposite direction to the one I thought I was going in, came across Don Julio, not the man but the Parrilla, a steak house. You can watch them cooking these enormous steaks on the grill, then shovelling in coal to keep it nice and hot. Not to be daunted, and in true Brit style, I had a half portion. It was still a piece of tenderloin as big as my hand. The best steak I have ever tasted!

Then picked up my dance shoes and spurred on by steak and malbec I set out for Salon Canning, a famous tango venue with many tango souvenires available. I arrived rediculously early at 10.15 and watched the end of an advanced lesson - it did look advanced!
At 11pm the milonga began and I got chatting to a Californian who had lived here for years. That was relaxing and when he danced I made sure I danced the next tanda. Invitations were not that difficult, a matter of standing in front of the woman and looking eager (well, I look eager all the time!) and she stands up. A lot of time spent talking in between tracks. Two of the women I danced with were German and spoke English and one was Argentinian and spoke English and 2 others, I have no idea, as we just smiled and waited to dance when the crowd started to move. I think one girl (tart!) averted her eyes when I pointedly looked! I did see other refusals because men do prowl around and make a choice like choosing your steak on the grill! By the time I left at 1am-ish it was getting crowded. Although there were excellent dancers and probably better ones to come later (5am finishing) WE BRITS HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR! At least not at this milonga.
4 pounds to get in, 1.50 pounds for 10min taxi ride back.
So far so good.

ARGENTINA Atuel Canyon

I thought this was going to be a wasted day tour, part way through our 500km round trip, mostly through semi-desert scrub land. We had been driven through the charming city of San Raphael but then we had 15 minutes to look at a very boring dam that had created an even more boring lake. But back in the minibus we started our descent into Atuel canyon - very narrow dirt road with too many bends to count but spectacular scenery. Down in the canyon we followed the river (flow controlled by the dam) on its winding path. If I had been driving I would have stopped to take at lest 100 photos on the nearly 2 hour drive. We just paused, several times, so that we could look at a rock eroded to look like a penguin, for example - so what! Let's look at the strata, the colours, the types of rock, the fragility of the canyon walls with so many fissures. It was a marvellous experience and something I was not expecting and goes to the No. 1 spot! The locals can quite rightly say that they have a mini Grand canyon and Bryce canyon rolled into one.

We climbed up out of the canyon, still enjoying great views, to the second dam which has flooded the latter part of the canyon, creating an interesting lake with a few power boats circling. The controlled release of water from this second dam has given the river constant and predictable rapids which were being enjoyed by hundreds of campers and visitors. Rafting was the key sport and as we started our long drive home, there were a few miles of the river which were providing pleasure.

ARGENTINA Alte Montagn

This was the day for a trip from Mendoza to the Chilean border on a High Mountain minibus outing. Past the wine fields (happy memories), great views of those snow capped peaks and then into more rugged scenery as the road followed the river.
We visited Puente del Incas.

 It is a natural bridge over the river and there are spa waters which are reputed to quickly calcify any object left in them. At one time there was a hotel but an avalanche swept that away. You are now not allowed to walk over the bridge or go down to the river or into the Spa building. The rocks are vivid yellow and orange. It is spectacular but spoilt as so many people like me want to have look, and so all the paraphernalia of tourism builds up. 2 laps of the stalls in 5 minutes was enough.
Next we stopped for a view of Aconcagua and its glacier. It is 6962m high and the highest point on earth outside the Himalayas. I do like mountains.

We turned off the main highway which was just a few kms short of the border to follow a dirt road around many hair pin bends with a shear drop often on one side, up to 4200m. There a statue of Christ had been built about 100 years ago. I expected the temperature drop but the wind was something else.
For the last 2 years the ski resorts have not opened because there has been no snow! Mendoza and its wine production depend on irrigation from melting snow fields as the natural rain fall is 200mm a year. This is becoming a serious problem.
A long but worthwhile day out in glorious sunny conditions.

ARGENTINA Mendoza Wine Country

There were about 15 of us on a Wine Tour. We visited 3 wineries, learnt how to taste, and then had a sumptious lunch. It is surprising how a lot of sips of wine add up!
The country around Mendoza is flat and it may be that the flat Pampas extends all the way back to Buenos Aires. Heading west is more fun as you hit the Andes. Rising only about 100m allowed us a view to the Andes proper and the chain of snow covered peaks looked magnificent.

As expected acre after acre of vines irrigated by those snow fields. One winery was large with modern equipment, huge stainless steel drums for the fermentation.

 The next was completely organic, everything done by hand, from the picking of the grapes to ssticking the labels on by hand! How does that help - however it was the best malbec. The malbec grape is French, however this region is now the most important for this lovely wine. The wineries stressed what they did different in this age old process and time is a huge factor. Do you just let the sediment settle over a period of months or add chemicals and wait a couple of weeks. Let them worry about that and let's get the wine drunk!
I was amazed at the price. The wines we were tasting, which they were proud to have us taste, cost about 6 pounds a bottle or 25 pound for 6! Oh to live closer.
The lunch was amazing.

A table laden with a dozen cheeses, a dozen meats and so many vegetables treated in different ways, some in wine. Obviously a large glass of wine to help it all down. Then a vegetable dish, then spag bol (where did that come from!) and finally Dulche y Leche on ice cream. This is an Argentine favourite - caramel and honey - which they have on everything - fruit, ice cream, toast, probably each other!

ARGENTINA Mendoza, the city

Essentially we are in desert country so it is gloriously hot. Intensely so at mid day for a few hours and I have never felt the impulse to siesta so much. Despite the heat the city is green with irrigation from the Andes. Lots of parks, large trees and places to sit in the shade.

 There are elaborate fountains which are turned off at siesta time! The park one block from my hotel was thronging with people at 10pm last night, with at least 100 craft stalls, but almost deserted at 10am this morning.

I found the tourist information, asking in Spanish, and was sent to a tourist outfit where the girl spoke perfect English and I booked for some trips.
Then lunch where the waitress was Canadian and I had Milanesa, a typical Argentina meal, beef with ham, cheese and a tomato sauce over.
So, I am very pleased with my first impressions of Mendoza but it does not feel that different to Spain.
I went on a City tour in the afternoon. An earthquake destroyed the City in 1861 and there is a portion of a church that survived but you can't really see much for scaffolding!

There is a park where the city was, because the rebuilding took place several blocks away. The square that is near my hotel is the centre and there are 4 more parks a block away from each corner so we have spaces to run into if there is another earthquake!

There is an impressive monument to San Martin, who liberated Argentina and Chile, and there are great views of the Andes from that hill top which overlooks the City.

ARGENTINA - The journey

I am in Mendoza and it is 36 deg at 6pm. I am hoping that in 3 hours time there might be a restaurant open.
Now that the journey is over, I can say that it was OK. There was a lot of hanging about between flights and I have read 300 pages of my book. The actual flying part was fine and I have discovered that aeroplane food is better than airport food! Also immigration at Buenos Aires must be the slowest around. Sometimes confusing as announcements on Air France were in French spanish and English and I could not understand any!
I think I was 40 hours getting here and did think that my clothes may have to have been surgically removed but all is well and a long shower sees me nearly as good as new.
There is a lovely back drop of the Andes foot hills and I am looking forward to getting closer in the next few days.

Christmas 2010

Daniel picked me up Christmas morning and drove over to Annabelle and John’s house. We opened presents and we all seemed to be very lucky with all the stuff we had received, me most of all!!
We had the best Christmas dinner ever! Despite being vegetarian, Annabelle, ably assisted by John, produced the best gammon, glazed with honey and mustard, that I have ever tasted. All the trimmings matched in quality. Jelly made with Prosecco was the surprise element of dessert.
Games, somehow more food, completed the day.
On Boxing day we went to the Riverbank for lunch and then to my house briefly, before back to A and J’s to round off the celebrations.

I am so lucky to have such wonderful children.

A visit to Hereford 20 - 23 December

It was lovely to visit Cheryl, to help her with some Christmas preparations. Once again the journey could have been difficult with snow seriously affecting many parts of the country. However my drive to her Dad’s house was normal. Nottingham had been let off lightly and so I was a little disturbed by the amount of snow after turning off the M5.
We stayed over at her Dad’s house as the neighbours came in for a drink; one couple that her Dad had known for years and the lovely young couple who had bought the old house next door. We headed for Cheryl’s house the next day.
We were snowed in for a day and we turned out with the neighbours to shovel snow away to clear a way out! It was great fun and who would have cared if I had been unable to get away!! Well, maybe a couple of people, because I spent last year in Worcester Hospital with a quincey, I did not want my kids to have to rearrange Christmas again.
Cheryl and I did some baking, some eating and some drinking in true Christmas tradition. After some shopping in Hereford city, I headed back to Nottingham on the 23rd as that was forecast to be the best day for travelling.
Cheryl and Ian were off on a big Australian holiday on the 28th so it was a busy few days for them!!

Tango Festival Edinburgh 3 - 7 December

I braved the deep snow and uncertain rail journeys to visit Kay for Bailonga, the second of the Tango Festivals that Edinburgh put on each year.
My journey was crowded and took about an hour longer than expected, so I was very lucky compared to many travellers. The train terminated at Edinburgh as nothing was travelling further north! The snow around Kay’s apartment was at least a foot deep although the main roads were more or less clear and traffic flowing well.
Getting around was not too difficult although we probably used more taxis because of the freezing conditions.
We did 4 workshops, which were excellent, 3 milongas and danced at the lunch time gathering. I enjoy the learning process in the workshops most and it was great to partner Kay as I think we dance very well together. The relaxed atmosphere at lunch times is very enjoyable. The milongas, which should be the best aspect, where one can show off all the moves that have been learnt, are disappointing! It is usually too crowded although I am doing my best to dance small steps in close embrace as practice for Buenos Aires.
I stayed for the Monday to go to Jenny and Ricardo’s lesson but the snow came down, the buses stopped running, and we were snowed in. Next morning, although my train had disappeared from the internet listings, it was there ready to leave on time and my journey home was not delayed significantly.
Kay and I had a good time, battling the snow and the cold, and I look forward to dancing with her again soon. I feel I have a good friend in a lovely city, which is also the best centre for tango in the UK.

South West Coast Path - 2 23 - 30 November

It was a quick turn round for me – home from Newcastle on Monday and off to Bishopsteignmouth on Tuesday. Cheryl and I travelled independently from out homes to be collected from the station by Ken and Denise.
Walking more of the SWCP was the excuse to be in Devon but the delight of this week was to stay with my oldest friends who are the best hosts possible. G&T before dinner, some good wine to accompany great home cooked food. K and D share the cooking – well they have shared their lives for some 60 years, since the time we were at school together. They have met Cheryl before but this was an opportunity for them to get to know each other. Cheryl was so happy that they were so welcoming.

This was the week that snow came to most of the UK with a vengeance – but not to Devon. We had some cold, very frosty mornings but blue skies and glorious walking weather. With help from Ken and Denise but also using local buses and trains, we walked from beyond Brixham to Exeter, about 40 miles. Some wonderful scenery and we were able to explore Exeter as a city – very good indeed with some new shops; Torquay that looked wonderful from the coast but a little tired in the centre; and Brixham that was charming. We spent some time in ‘Living World’ in Torquay and were never closer to penguins!

We will certainly be visiting Ken and Denise again!

Dinner Dance in Newcastle 18 - 22 November

This is now a permanent fixture in my diary; the visit to Tony and Lesley for the Dinner Dance put on by the local Optical Society. Now I am not certain about Opticians, Opthalmists etc and there is a little bit of politics between the groups. However the dinner, venue and company were excellent and the live band gave a fantastic performance. I would be happy to see them in concert.
It is always a delight to visit Tony and Lesley as I am made so welcome and feel completely at home.
We did some Christmas shopping and went to see the latest Harry Potter film!

Cheryl's visit 13 - 16 November

It was good to be able to host a visit from Cheryl since I spend a lot of time in Hereford with her family.
We watched Forest draw with QPR and had an excellent meal at the Riverbank, which I think of as my local.
Originally we were going to do some walking but Cheryl needed more of a rest and we devoted time to retail therapy. Not at all what she normally wants to do but great to see her move smoothly into a shopaholic! I think we sorted some Christmas present problems out.
Then with a hired van we packed my sofa and ‘Hi-Fi’ stack into it and set off for Cheryl’s Dad’s house where one of the upstairs bedrooms became quite similar to how my living room used to look!