Train journeys and holidays

It's a Wednesday. I am on the train again. I have 20 minutes to post a
blog. For me, that's not a lot of time. I am far too verbose. My
essays as a child always started as if they were a
novel, ambitiously tackling the descriptive opening paragraphs
setting the scene for the reader... only to have to rush the ending as
I run out of time.

I don't have much spare time, so trying to research a holiday for val
and me is difficult, but I am having fun.

So far the three possible destinations have been India, peru/incas and
Thailand/Cambodia.

We have both decided we are a bit nervous of the altitude isssues in
Peru for differing reasons: walking at altitude and feeling unwell,
walking and not being able to keep up with the group, altitude and
blood clots. John Peel! So we have knocked it on the head through too
much alternate choice.

Have had some great itineraries suggested for India. Fortunately we
are of similar minds when it comes to what interests us. Culture,
lifestyle, scenery, mixed mode of travel, and the people. Val is
specially interested in doing a princess di, and visiting any
childrens charity projects, and that interests me too.

It is if course a question of how much we want to spend. Budget.
Deluxe. Delhi belly or perfect health and fitness throughout. I think
we will take a bucket load of hand sanitiser whichever destination we
choose.

One tour was a holiday along the Ganges. Great I thought. Reading
on ... Camping at night on the river banks ... Hmmmm, a screwed up
nose in thought, eyes to top left (visialising) ... Yup. Cautious. I
can cope with that. Uncertainty in voice... Reading on... In be
mornings we leave no trace of our having been there (that's good) ...
All rubbish is cleared... Uh ha.... And human waste buried...... Oooh
noo, I don't think so!!! ... Think again. Add to must list : private
shower and flushable toilet!!! One has ones standards!!!

Research to be continued.....

Nearly to Manchester time to leave the blog for another .... Oh, I
don't know how long... But I'll keep you posted.

Gill Butchard
0772 591 1320
This msg comes from my iPhone

New York New York

Its 6.00am in the big apple, and I am sitting at jfk awaiting my
return flight to the uk. It has been a brilliant trip. Arriving
Thursday, and departing today, Tuesday.

We have been so lucky with the weather. We had none of the snow or
blizzard that were a distinct possibility. We took loads of thermal
layers with us, and havent had to wear them all. In fact, I only had
to wear the stupid hat yesterday!! Instead we have had blue skies and
bright sunshine, albeit with a biting wind at times.

There were 24 of us for a meal on Saturday evening. This included two
friends who live in new york (a childhood friend and his partner), two
friends who live in phoenix (an old school friend and her husband), my
sister and her husband (who live in massacheusetts: I can never spell
it properly!!), and the rest were school friends and their kids (some
kids older than others)!

My sister was a surprise. Yes, a couple of clues had not escaped my
attention, so I kept an open mind as to whether she would turn up.
Brilliant. A few of my friends were in on it too!! Apparently, there
was a lot of subtefuge too, involving my stepson who was the conduit
for all communication with rob whose email is not sacrosanct as I have
access to it, both at work and home (his choice)!

So, now we are resting our weary feet (we have walked and walked),
waiting for our flight which is due to depart in an hour or so.

Sadly, it will be a while before we see our friends again as we live
quite a way away, even from those in the uk!! We are however so lucky
to have a great crowd of close friends.

Well, there seems to be more activity, and I must close.

Thanks to all friends and family for a great trip to the big apple.

Gill Butchard
0772 591 1320
This msg comes from my iPhone

It's been ages!!!

Typically me: start a diary, go large with it for a few days, then
abandon it!! Of course I have the excuses! My birthday is now in it's
third week and with a trip to New York imminent, it'll be going into a
fourth.

It's been fun. I have received som great presents and need to knuckle
down to the thank you letters!

I am in my lunch. Ignore the time this is posted. I don't know which
dateline it is using but I don't think it's the Uk. It's 1.00pm and
have just had something to eat, but sadly soon to be heading back.

With the Mon/Tue crowd today. Busy and trying to get right up to date
as I am off next week. Few laughs this morning not least because
Alison was being teased about her strong perfume!! It was I believe
referred to as air freshened at one point!!

I am off tomorrow. Lots to do. Blood test. Pick up prescription. Catch
up on invoices, accounts, and expenses. What doesn't get done tomorrow
will have to be done when I am somewhat jetlagged!! I also have to do
some ironing and packing for New York!!!

Well, it seems time has run out now. I must be back. Maybe I will blog
from the big apple!!!