seasons greetings

Hello my free spirited followers and those who are not or wish they were,

Because you haven't received any crazy e-mails is I'm back. Back to the hetic rush of the holidays parties, friends rellies the works. My last days or should say last week in the UK was as good as the first. The usual entertainment on the trains of course was on going even the talent in the underground (subway) was festive for the season. I don't know how these talented musicians have been missed there were even a few rock bands playing great sounds.

Saying good bye to friends is always difficult. Two of my roomates stayed in London for a night who were roomies of mine in Torquay. I had a wonderful Sunday roast in Bristol with dear friends two days before my departure. I went down South the last day in England to participate in a school function with at that time total strangers now a good and lasting friendship. The gentleman who picked me up from the train (won a good card game on that ride with some Welsh women that included me in their game) after the school session was over, took me to his manor. Yes manor. The table seated 40 guests in his formal dining room at first I thought I must be in some type of movie set. The rooms just went on and on. After the question do you live here alone I started to wish I had a fairy godmother who could produce a wand to take off years like alot of them.

I also went out with some Italians I met while staying in London and oh yes a woman from Iran. I have been invited to Sardinia which I think will be a must. Learning English has been a lifetime project so Italian will have to be a quick learn as most on the small island do not speak English.

After bidding Steven goodbye the last morning I in London, I took my last undergournd ride to Paddington railway station for the Heathrow Express. The usual nonsense of happenings at the airport especially this one. It appeared a 1000 people were all in line for my flight. After standing in the winding lines for almost 2 hours my foot which I broke 4 years in Ireland started bothering me. When the annoying people in front of me who seemed blinded as when the line moved forward didn't..................I took my injured foot as now an injury that just happened like yesterday. When the representive of the airline walked past I spoke in hushed tones of my "yesterdays broken foot" and how severe it had become. Immediately up went the rope and off I went to the ticket counter. Only than to be ushered to the Business Lounge to relax until my ride came to fetch me to bring me to the gate at the right time. Flight back was great only the next evening less that 24 h ours later a huge Christmas party I was to attend. The foot did not hurt anymore however I found that not the hangover I had been suffering from but the ill and now just getting over what ever that was.

Needless to say it is always good to sleep in your own bed even if it is only for a short time. This time for a few weeks and I shall be in another plane (not on it as they say in the airlines) I ride in the plane not on it....................... for my next adventures.

Tomorrow will be Christmas and today I am another year younger as the old stuff don't go anymore. The friends all over the world as well as my family and friends here in North American I send blessings to everyone and the healthest of New Years. I have been blessed with the friendships and love received from everyone. My list of people is so big I have to send my e-mails off in three different segs. Thanks again all of you for being who you are and as they say in my heritage an Irish blessing to you all and for now off to 7 o'clock Mass.

Back again in a few weeks.

me

Donna M. Keep the e-mails you never know when I show up again on the train station in Exetor John V. well John I'm glad after the stories I have been told I wan't there........................
Wally I shall be calling you how many more bullets do you think you might find> Wholesome
Mike and Emily Got my phone call Bill and Dale
The Barrys have now moved back to Loggieville Bob has been sick When the snow goes away will see you than.

Stay warm and think tan.

Everyone else gotta go will be thinkiing of you

Another different day

Hello friends, Another day without the sun however, it is not cold nor snowy, rainy or are we expecting ice in any form except maybe in a glass. Since our last journey i went on a visit to the BBC (Brittish Broadcasting Company) it is like a small city of it's own. I found out the information about visiting and where else but on a train. Made the appointment and myself and a small group of about 10 people tramped through studios ect for 2 hours. Amazing it was going to a radio show tomorrow night because of it. That was an early am thing which made the rest of the day availaable so what else it there to do but get on a train and go somewhere. (I have a brit rail pass so I can go anywhere). This time I took the trip to Hereford. I had to make a change inb Newport where ever that is and yes I met another lady who had asked me to watch her luggage while she took her dog (big big dog) for his what ev er. We sat together on the train with the dog of course and started chatting. Most interesting person. She is English but leaves town like I do to do different things. Her's was to go to Alaska learn how to drive a dog sled ect. She did and so successful at it she not only went into the ididarod race but went with a team to the North Pole. As we were approaching Hereford she asked me if I would stay and go back to the farm she is on in Wales and spend a few days there. Because of other commitments I couldn't but next trip I shall be there. We are staying in touch and a possibility we may be going to Africa together to do a backpack trip together. I went for a look around Hereford went to the Cathedral got on another train for Worcester which I had no idea where that was either. during these rides the train went through parts of Wales. The scenery was beautiful. On the way back to London which took over 3 hours, I met up with an elderly gentleman who invited me for evening tea at his sisters place. I denied only to feel good that people are friendly if you are. Yesterday brought me to the afternoon theater to see Phanthom of the Opera. There is no way I could explain it other than remarkable even beyond that. I left the theater headed towards Trafleggar square to see what was on for St Martins in the fields church for the Christmas caroles. On my way there an elderly gentleman ahead just fell on the sidewalk out cold. He was well dressed a lady called 999 for help along came a medic on a motorcycle with all kinds of bags attached to it with meds ect. He tried and tried to revive him as well as the ambulance crew which came after to no avail. It just left everyone in a bad state not knowing who he was who he left behind and why. I did continue on the the church but not in the mood for the caroles just walked around a bit before coming back to Kenningston.

On a better not the underground also has it's many enteraining things as well. Besides the musicians playing everything and anything for a few bits of money dropped the crowds of blankless people just waiting to get on and got going. No eye contact whatever only blank stares while on the train. Last night was different. I got on at Convant Garden packed train as usual only it did not go anywhere. The doors were still open when a voice came on "get your foot out of the door" doors still open and again the same voice tone and words. Of course you have to picture this in a cockney accent. Number three only the word bloody foot was now added as well as we have a train behind us waiting as well for us to leave. Again nonething. Police arrive on the scene of course no one see as it was in another car ahead and people started laughing and communication with one another. Good ride it was after that packed and all.

Today is another theater day. I have been able to achieve to get cheap but good tickets. This day will be to see The Lion King. I plan on going to a few other places to have a look before I have to be at the 2:30 showing.

Hopefully will be able to leave on Saturday after I met some people that are taking me to their home (I haven't met these people at all) in Bourmouth to meet Samaritans and get some more training) Liverpool hopefully be the next visit. Tuesday brings an all day class with the Samaritans on speaking with the schools. I have no idea where this place is where again I shall be picked up by Allastair who ever he is.

In all it's been wonderful but like all good things have to come to an end well not excatly and only another beginning around the corner and that will be soon.

Keep on living everyone time is running out on this computer so have to go plus someone I don't think I['d like to know just sat down beside me.

By for now until the next time

Me

Wally............... Should I get a gun permit before I come? WOW love that story

Anne...........I have lit a candle everyday and said a prayer sent on your message to Mike and Emily

Children..........miss you and tinkerbell are you now ready to fly away?

John.............be ready

Dave..........sorry I missed your birthday Dave F. That is.

Sorry!

Hello along time since I have taken the time to get on the internet. I have so many wonderful messages from all of you I can only send this piece of what ever it is worth of my travels. To start with I started off the day by going to a latin Mass in a church that was bombed in 1940 and just got finished. Dramatic I must say. The choir was full of angels voices. Good start I must say to do what ever the rest of the day I don't know yet. However to back up a bit there is alot to tell you from the past. I had told you all I was going to Birmingham on the 29th for the Military Tatoo. Getting there is three hours from London so of course back onto the trains. The Tattoo was brilliant lasted three hours however the Tattoo in Novia Scotia is also as good. I got lost a bit on the walk back from the NIA saw more bloody Santa's than I could count. Got to the station in time found where the platform for the train was and got a seat (another table with 2 on each side). All women. the seats across where going the other way and it was good as along came bit of a tart of a women all dressed in her finest with a somewhat embarrassed lady sitting next to her. She had a suitcase big enough to stuff a body or two in and after finding the luggage racks she sat down and proceded to go into a large cloth bag. Out came a bottle of booze which she gladly started chugging from. My three ladies all looked at each other in delight as three hours is long but with entertainment it's quite good. As the evening progressed she started to speak to us and low and behold out came bottles of cream liquours for us all., She insisted we embibe with her and gladly we all did. It became a merry train ride for sure. At least I wasn't sitting next to the bad breath guy. My cousin Steven and myself went to a rock concert with the Royal Philamonic (can't spell ) orch. in the Roayl Albert Hall. We were behind the orch. in unbelievable seats could see if anyone's eyebrowns needed plucking we were that close. Heard some great queen songs led zeplin the works I could not believe it. On the way back we saw sign ouside of a small shop for a turkey dinner the following evening. We went in a made a resv. This happened to be in American thanksgiving. After returning the following evening we were in for a surprise. The rest. was a carribean setting we were served by Eastern Europeans and our turkey dinner amounted to chicken fried turkey onto a head of potatoes with something foreign in them as well. We were quite amazed on what there idea of a turkey dinner was. All in all we had a great time. Of course I took to the road again and Steven went off to Ireland for 4 days. I found a place I had been looking for in Wilshire called Lacock. The village belongs to the National Trust so everyone living in the village cannot change anything to the dwellings. The youngest dwelling was built in 1800. You could just stand there and see wjhat life really must of been like back than. There is also an abbey having a chirstmas fair at the time I'm glad I went as another scene for Harry Potter where it was filmied as well as many other films. I stayed in a old rectory turned into a B&B. As I rang the large bell with an angel standing over it thought for sure a ghost would answer the door. Instead a lovely lady dressed in riding clothes so new this is the place as somewhere there is a horse. Indeed there were 2. Was invited to go and watch a jumping session which I thoughly enjoyed. Invited back to have a ride hopefully sometime this week. Of course another train to get me some what there and to find the bus was a horse of a different colour. Buses were all over Chippenham where I was to stand in this certain spot to get my bus to Lacock. It finally arrived with the name of the bus company on the side "Andy's Bus"...I could just visual what the andy guy looked like and he did. That was journey number 1. To find my way out of this place was as difficult no good train stories however going back. I met up with my room mate at the hostel in Penanze had lunch and mooched around London for the rest of the day meeting up with some of her friends. There is so much to see here I dohn't think in a life time it could all be done.

I am going back to school again for classes I am taking relating to what I will be doing when I getback. The people I have met have been wonderful I don't believe anyone is unfriendly if you are not. Again have been invited into homes for a cup of tea and it all says one thing to me. We are all alike no matter what country. I am grateful every day for having experience too many to write ab out but experiences I shall never forget. Having an English dinner in Bristol next Sunday with friends I met in Thailand and the Saturday before going out again with friends I met in Mexico.

Off now to London town to look up many more things to see and walks to do.

Live today like it is your last............

ME