Geo: 21.1478, -86.835Monday 1st November dawned and off to Heathrow. All went very smoothly, the transfer from hotel at Gatwick to Heathrow by National Express, the Air New Zealand flight which arrived an hour early in Los Angeles, and shuttle to the Custom Hotel a short distance from the airport. This (“boutique”) hotel claims to be a trendy, ultra modern design which probably explains the family of 3 sheep in reception. However, when I picked up the telephone to answer the early morning call I was TOTALLY deafened by the loudest cockerel imaginable crowing down the phone! Not a calming way to start the day. Despite the rude awakening we were beginning to think this travel lark was a picnic. It was as well we did not know what was coming next.The next day we checked ... read more

Geo: 40.0279, 4.16433 Week 3 – Time for the thermalsHalf way through week 3 now and there was a huge change in the weather a few days ago. First we had a storm followed by heavy rain for 15 hours. After that the sun shone between showers, which were not sufficiently heavy or frequent to prevent us getting out each day and going for long walks. The rain brought out lots of small crocuses on the paths. They appeared from amongst the stones overnight. Huge heather bushes on the headlands burst into pink blooms. We took the bus to a small town called Fornells which is pretty with a harbour and sheltered bay, almost like an inland lake where you can learn to windsurf and sail. The plan was to walk across to the next urbanisation ... read more

Geo: 40.0279, 4.16433 First Stop MenorcaWe have been here 3 days and are settling in well. Because the season ends this month there are few people around. The complex is spread amongst pinewoods and set back from the beach behind protected sand dunes. White topped stone walls surround each tree or clump of trees to protect them. The weather has been like the really a perfect summer day at home which we rarely experience, with the sun hot during the day but not with the burning intensity found here in the summer months. It has that sleepiness of autumn at home but with warmth.Already we have walked along the headland into the next bay and seen a variety of birds. Last evening we tried to find our way into a small area of wetlands which we ... read more

Geo: 52.0667, -0.6Went to see Templar Road to reassure Anna that all our furniture will not burst the house at the seams - unfortunately Jim indicated that he thought that was a serious possibility and accused me of believing all containers, from car to house, have the same properties internally as the TARDIS. Told them it is my "can do" approach to life and it usually works!... read more