Book club at the Adelphi in Leeds

Had an intellectually stimulating evening
discussing The Handmaids Tale at the
Adelphi in Leeds with Claire' book club.
Although they lost me afterwards when they
started talking about vampires and going
to see the New Moon. I really don't think a
vampire movie would really be my thing.

Distance travelled: 93 miles

Beer n Banter in Cheshire

Hi All,

Just decided on a bit of a boozy trip to the Far Side (across the hills to the east) to help Graham celebrate his 21st birthday (again!!). I joined Graham, Vicky and Tim Jnr and met up with Graham's Sister, Helen, and her family, Dave and son Michael.

On Friday evening I managed to dodge the border guards as we crossed the Pennines from wonderful Yorkshire in to cold wet Lancashire - I smuggled myself hidden in the spare wheel of Graham's Car.

On Saturday after a late rise we went wholesale shopping at Costco. Couldn't take any pictures as we were trying to stay 'incognito' as were playing at being mystery shoppers and nicking all the free samples.

On Saturday evening we headed back up into the hills (but still on the Far Side) and visited a great pub called the Hare and Hounds. Lots of booze, food and banter happened and all went home happy.

Above is a picture of me with the evocative lights of Manchester over my shoulder!!! There is also a picture of me before I started drinking. Unfortunately there wasn't anyone steady enough to take a picture of me talking to God down the great white telephone!!!

After another late rise on Sunday (thank goodness) we went on a trip to Bents Garden Centre - one of the best Christmas displays around, so Graham says. I was still feeling a bit rough and had to stay in the car whilst sleeping off my hangover. Sunday afternoon I was pleased to get back across the border in to Yorkshire as I was beginning to get a hunger for black pudding and doing Eccky Thump!!

See you soon - Monkey

Still the London Trip

From Greenwich Observatory, I'm about to visit the Maritime Museum, just behind me. I notice too, the discredited banking capital at Canary Wharf in the distance. Pity its Sunday, or I would go and give them a piece of my mind. To help them to work up some more monkey business!

London Trip again

I think you can just about see me perched on the wingmirror of this rather fancy Red Cross Ambulance

I was able to get a lift in it to the aformentioned Dulwich Picture Gallery courtesy of my host's daughter's boyfriend. It is a completely different driving experience - seeing people give way courteously to you rather than carve you up - even without the blues and twos going. Parking's dead easy too - just stop anywhere -no-one gives you a ticket.

London Trip Part 2

A Canalletto ( spelling is not my strong point) in the Dulwich Picture gallery. Venice again.......... Must go there myself sometime.

The trip to London meant a journey of 512 miles there and back

The Big One!

On top of El Teide, at 12,197 feet the highest mountain in Spain(!). Thankfully I was able to take the cable car most of the way and only needed to do the last 500 feet up to the top and the crater under my own steam, using the special pass I was able to get in Santa Cruz last week. I didn't much like the smell of bad eggs or the hot smoke coming out of the fumaroles, but I was reassured that there hasn't been a proper eruption here since 1909.

For the record, the round trip to Tenerife was 3,928 miles, I toured 399 miles by car while on the island and walked 44 miles, climbing 8,700 feet. Phew!

View from the top

Worth the climb for the views across Las Canadas and down to the Rocques de Garcia. But at 8,917 feet the air is thin and I am well out of puff.

Sunset view of Mount Guajara

The view from my hotel balcony towards Mount Guajara. Tomorrow we will be climbing the 2,630 feet up from the hotel to the top.

Making Friends

With the new friend I met near where we were staying in Garachico. The lava came down the mountain and through the town in 1706 and destroyed the harbour, which now consists of rock pools for bathing.

Palmar Valley

Looking down towards El Palmar, with Mount Teide looming in the background (I get there later with a little help).

Above Masca

Not good for my vertigo but worth it for the fantastic views from the ridge across the Masca valley and down to the sea.

Walking on Tenerife

Here I am sitting on a Bird of Paradise flower in the botanical gardens of Puerta de la Cruz at the start of my walking holiday.

London Trip

On Saturday 3 October I went for a weekend to London. At Greenwich Observarory I saw the 4 chronometers that Harrison made, which helped our sailors navigate the world, and in the meantime..........

My trip to probation!

On Monday the 28th September I went to visit Probation in Scarborough - I hadn't done anything wrong it was strictly on work business - I am not a common criminal !

I had a great time with Colin and Rachel - but they were a bit mean and didn't get me any fish & chips or even an ice cream - how tight !!

Also Rachel muscled in on my photo - how rude !

Sunday 27 September 2009 Jervaulx Abbey

Jervaulx Abbey - in ruins - I think it was Henry the VIII that did for this, after the Northern uprising led by John Aske, as the rebel troops used this area as a base camp for a while. It had been one of the richest church estates in the country. Not much left now though.
The sun shone and we had a picnic ( with bananas - my favourite) and read the papers and went for a bit of a wander along the river and went home.

I didn't pray -saw no point really.

Added 32 miles to the total travelled.

Friday 25 September 2009 Whitby

How can I possibly regain my cool image after being associated with such strange hand coverings?
You will note the ruin in the background - associated with Dracula I am informed - and I definitely noticed a few people in the town with the total black garb look ( Goths?) - is this the new look this season? Perhaps I will have to reconsider my attire. And tell my 'handler' she should reconsider...

More ruins to go to next I gather- again - why??

Friday 25 September 2009

This is a bit of a comedown after my Italian trip, but at least it wasn't raining. We walked along the beach from Whitby to Sandsend, and I sat on this handy rock to catch my breath. After a short lunch break ( not even fish and chips!) we walked back - what was the point? We added 90 miles though to my total travel distance.

Tower of Pisa, 19th September 2009

"Is it just me or is that not straight?" - Bonanno Pisano, Architect, 3rd August 1063

The last stop on the trip, after an overnight stay in Lucca, with 1362 miles on the clock.

I'm looking forward to getting back to North Yorkshire. Give me a scone from the canteen any time rather than all of this ice cream and pizza.

Siena

After being blinded by the camera flash it was a bit difficult to see inside the cathedral but people tell me it was nice.

San Gimignano

Relaxing by thel pool, taking a break from the sightseeing. Now, where's my drink got too?

Sunset Over Florence

Watching the sun go down over the city was really beautiful although my seat was a bit uncomfortable.

With David in Florence

...and they claim to have evolved from monkeys. I can't see the similarity myself.

Piazza Santa Croce, Florence

I met up with some prime mates for lunch in Piazza Santa Croce.

Ponte Vecchio, Florence

The start of my Tuscan tour, with 1200 miles already under my belt.