It’s been a hectic month. Here is a potted history:
October began, as it always does, on the 1st. I, unusually, was in Edinburgh celebrating with my best friends the 20 year anniversary of starting at Edinburgh University. As well as the reunion party..
I saw my friend Hermione and her lovely son Zac..
and got to stay a night with Smarty in his swinging Edinburgh pad. It was awesome if exhausting and my sleep patterns were destroyed for a week. But my love for Edinburgh was re-affirmed and I left with a feeling that I really want to live there again before too long. [more pics]
A week later I was in San Francisco with Sara visiting my friends Jez and Rani. Well that was the pre-text, what I really wanted to do was to meet their daughter Amu. That did not disapoint. Dial Q for cutey!
We also went for an excursion out to Big Sur which was marvellous: the winding road along the Californian coast and then hills and forest of Big Sur itself. We stopped in on the purple sands of Pfeiffer Beach before lunching at the wonderful Nepenthe restaurant. I saw my second ever hummingbird as we sat on the terrace! That’s living all right. [more pics]
Then back to Cowtown at last. And now I have less than 2 weeks in Canada. With the clock ticking all the little things that make living in Canada so great stand out. I was really struck by just how happy the girl at the dry cleaners was when I popped in last week. I couldn’t help but feel that nobody back home would ever be so stoked to receive my dirty shirts or so keen for me to have a great weekend having done so. I’m ready for the British weather but I wonder if I’m truly ready for the grumbling!
This last weekend was also my last chance for a trip to the mountains. We loaded up the ThoughtMobile with Anne, Sharan and his wife Aksheta and ran to the hills. The weather was far from perfect but the views were still glorious and even better was the smell. Getting out of the car at Bow Summit to see the view of Peyto Lake I was hit by the wonderful fresh smell of sap and pine that I will always associate with the Rockies.
Right now I’m planning my leaving party and saying my goodbyes. Packing will start at the weekend and then I’m home on the 1st.
Well, some trip man. Good stuff. Said swinging pad possibly available for rent in the not too distant future. Just a thought.
I’m sad about you leaving Canada. I know that Calgary and Toronto are miles apart but I liked knowing that another outapper was in the same country as me. As always any time you want to visit you are totally welcome to stay with us.
Great pics of Auld Reekie! Nice to see your old stomping grounds (mine fleetingly), plus the birds and Hermione too. Good luck with the relo — a real loss for Great White North.
You are going to be missed my friend.
The ski hills will be anxiously waiting for your return.
All the best - JR