End Coming Near

my free spirit followers and fellow free spirits,

It has again been a long time since the last e-mail. So many things happen on a daily basis it is hard sometimes to find internet cafes especially when travelling where there is no way you can get to one. My days since arriving in the UK have been great especially when people you already know you want to see again. It has been three years sinceI have been here alot different when I first arrived. Since leaving \northhampton I boarded the train to Canterbury. Booked into the hostel called Kipps and again another adventure was to begin with another new and good friend who happened to be in my dorm called \lee Ann from Australia. \only 7 people in this dorm and all females for a change and no one on a broom. The white cliffs of Dover I knew where not far away (1/2 hour) with a castle to go with it. LeeAnn & I boarded the bus next morning heading for that direction. Meeting people is always the way in the free lanes we travel and again got places to go including France.

The castle was great showed me nonething whereI would of wanted to live in that time but the tunnels were the best including the ones just opened that had been guarded scerets for years during war time. We had to go with a group which was quite a secured one. We just kept going deeper into these tunnels seeing where people actually lived during the Second World War going on with operations coding, decoding, everyting was set up like it was back than. An operating theater with hospital beds ect. including the ones used during the Napeloen times. The White ciffls of Dover hold many secrets and they are truly white. A chalky type stone. We took a trip through Sandwich on the usual double decker buses that yoiu think you will be in someones bedroom on every turn as the streets are so narrow. Margate was a beautiful seaside town as well. Finally we arrived back to Canterbury and all we could see was the beautiful cathedral looming in the distance as we neared. Flowers and trees budding everywhere even though it was cold and damp made the trip so worthwhile. \plans for the next day was for France which ment we had to go back to Dover to catch the ferry to Calais France. Shopping is not the backpackers thing as we already have too much in our ruck sacks so went for more adventure. The church of notre Dame was the first stop. It had been bombed somewhat during the second world war and was closed. We got in. Trust me we do things the right way. A guy we met let us in we had met with our confused french and his poor English got us through the side door of this massive church. It was sad to see damage of the past but the hope of the people to finally bring it around again to the original beauty it once had. The tower was next. Everything it seemed in this little place all had something to do with the war. \of course came the pub ( our french improved) than the pastries. By the time it was to leave to get the bus back to the terminal we had met many locals and new friends with invites back to France.

Maidstone was our next day out to the \leeds castle voted the most beautiful in the world and \i believe it. We had to take the train than a bus. The train was world war 11 vintage we had our own doors with our own comparments which seated 8 people comfortably. We met a guy from parliment who wants to take us on a tour when we get to \london. For sure it will happen why not............. The castle and it's grounds were beyond belief. Flowers, beautiful trees, swans, lakes, streams sheep on the hillsides all made it before we even saw the castle. The most amazing maze went along with it plus a under ground grotto once you found your way to the top of this bloody maze. It took us forever it seemed to get there. A falcon show was just beginning to go on once we got out of the grotto. Jesters and people dressed like knights were everywhere on stilts celebrating the Easter week. When we got back to the hostel people we had already met were deciding to meet Sunday for Easter in the Cathderal for the 11 o'Clock Mass. My self a Canadian from Dawson City of all places and a guy from Littleton Massachusetts USA all decided to meet at 9:30. Out came the dress pants for the occasion a little wrinkled maybe but still better than what we usually wear. Everyone who is who was there and we got almost front row seats. The choir was unbelievable including the orchestra to go along with it. The organ almost blew out the windows. An experience \I'll never forget. We had a Easter dinner together at a pub went back to the Cathedral for the 3:15 evensong. Unforgatable.

A friend I met while in Mexico in December of last drove to Canterbury to stay with us. We left driving to Rye than onto the playground seaside of Brighton. Our hostel has a bar plus a night club and is called St Christophers. Go figure. We decided to stay here as there is much more to see than we thought. A location people pay alot more than we do Our bunk faces the Brighton pier and can see the rollar coaster going around at night. We plan on staying as again our friends from the hostel in Canterbury are meeting up again with us tomorrow. I leave on Saturday by train for Bristol to meet with friends \i met on the ship. They are taking me somewhere than drop0ping me off a few days later to Cardiff Wales for another backpack adventure.

I don't know when or if my travels will ever endIsuppose nonething ends if you don't want it to. There is no such place as far away and when we can't dream any longer than it's thenwe die.
My thoughts and hopes are real like every one elses and to never take any risks in life is risking nonething in my mind. to meet up agaiin with fellow traverlers like my self is now paying off.

Till the next time I bid adue to all. Keep on living life it's like throwing your heart out in front of you while you run ahead to catch it

Me.

Mark.......can't waite. Will call you after Wales is over.

Elke....I'll call you tomorrow sometime about Holland

Helen ... thanks for everything too bad you had to leave

Dave F.... great talking to you hopeing to hear from you before you leave the UK

Dave H..... & Ann W. got the pictures finally done they are great will send you some when I ever get back home which won't be too long I'm afraid...................

Wally..where are you are you in Florida yet\? Give me the details. We have lots to talk about. Miss you terrible.

My children I'll be coming home soon can';t waite to see you

Dr. Don..... the cast is off what an experience that was you will love this one. All is ok. Can youmake me an appointment the end of \may?

Chris....think we need to talk end of May? and Joe I'm staying with you when that happens.

Lisa will call you sonn as well can't waite for \Ireland

Long Long Time

Good d'y mates,

I still have this bloody plaster on my left arm so makes this rather difficult to do this. However, it has not slowed me down a bit as I still ride, dance, drink, and chase men rather efficiently. I left everyone off in India Cochin I believe. Bombay was really the eye opener however. I took a trip that was so restricted I don't know if or not I really wanted to see what I did. The whole ball of wax involved seeing parts of Bombay even people that live there don't tread too lightly. People were having there hair cuts on the street, people just laying there, naked children, but the worst was when we came upon the scared waters surrounded by many many tiers of steps. This is where the dead are burned. Wow what an experience that was. I have taken pictures of all this. They even have donkeys with carts in the am taking out the waste from toilets in peoples houses for dumping. My God it was awful. Cows are everywhere and the people all feed them before they feed themselves as they are so scared. You are dodging the cow doodles everywhere you walk. After that it just seemd countries melted into one another. We were in Omen after I believe. Went to Jobs tomb there went with some people on the ship where we hired a taxie and he took us to places I also have pictures you wohn't believe. One in point was their meat market. Mind you we were the only white people there. They looking at us and us looking in return. Mostly at their guns by their sides either laying down or standing by their shoulders. The meat was all out on the gournd on a piece of cardboard. Unbelievable. As we wondered along came the cows heads that had been cut off. Fish guts, flies, fish not too good looking and smelling worse were aobut as well. One man wanted my silver bracellet and was willing to go after me for it. One of the guys I was with fortunately was bigger than him so that ended that. Other countries all had their greatness as well as parts which I shall always remember. Turkey was most interesting as well as Rhodes. If I was to pick the best place was Jorden as we went into Peitra the lost city. The most amazing place I have ever been to. As you that know me I ride. I see a horse I'm on it. Cast and all. I had a funny experience in Petra as you could ride so far into the canyon for 3.00 American money. After 4 turns of back and forth I finally met an Arab man who was dressed like he was in a play. His horse was quite active, beautiful a full Arabian cuffing the ground and snorting at the wind. We carried on a great conversation regarding horses ect. he offered me his horse for a ride which I took followed his instructions and went up a large hill type thing until \I came to a bluff. Overlooking the people who were walking down to petra mind you. I had on Arab head gear which is another story but looked I suppose from a distance I could look like an arab. People started taking pictures as I stood up there on the horse. Soon I was waving the queens wave back at them. It was not until days later someone I knew on the ship was sharing photos of Petea and guess what...They had taken a picture of me. I had many laughs on the trip. Dubrovnick I would go to again. There is not too much left of the bombings of a few years ago. A completly walled city it was with fab. people. Croatia I would have to say was my favourite. Other prots in Greece where nice and by the time we arrived in Venice and it was over was very sad for all. Many many people from Australia to Canada i have met will always be rememberd. I will be meeting up with 2 backpackers also on the ship. One from Oz which I shall be seeing in Dorset the other from California will be there as well.

At present I am in England heading from Canterbury to France in the next few days. From there I have Dorset and Bristol than on the 19th an 8 day backpack trip through Wales. AFter that I may be going to London before I leave for Ireland to see my friend Lisa in Sligo.

The people and the memories shall forever be embedded in my mind. I t is hard somehow to believe the life I almost missed really happened and still is. The friends all over the world have become a part of me as well as I a part of them. Life really is precious and should be lived to the fullest and I'm far from missing any of it my friends.

Keep on e-mailing guys good to hear from you.

May the sun shine on all your faces................

Me

Joe L. So good to talk with you. Stay alive till I get to Maine and see you both. Miss you dearly

Chris Anything you need from Ireland besides a blessing?

Russ and Jim stay home so I can talk with you

Mark need your number in London will be seeing another friend Micheile hopefully will be seeing you as well.

Elke I have lost Matt Matt's number give me yours so I can call you for arrangements in Holland.

Bill M HOpefully will see you on the long weekend. Keep me in touch with the goings on as to arrangements for the commital service.

Bob & Marg hopefully will be for dinner on the long weekend.

Everyone else do take care and keep me informed of the goings and comings in your