Hope Dad plus one has arrived safe and sound. Enjoy the Christmas festivities and best wishes for New Year.
Look forward to seeing photo of boat with Christmas lights!
Glen Douglas
Yesterday did not sound at all like fun
enjoy Christmas
Glen & Chris
Pamela Berkeley
Hi, everybody! I'm sitting here in cosy Leiden (with every light turned on, plus candles, to ease the winter night), wrapping things and counting down the days (now, hours!) until I see Barcelona and meet you all! 3 1/2 days to go! Ian arrives here Thursday night (hooray). I hope it warms up some (is VERY cold here). Barcelona, here we come!
Cheeries, Pamela
Dad Douglas
I really enjoy your Blogs, I was at Seascape today and she is put to bed for the winter. The County Hall in Ayr with its carpet is great for laying out the sails for inspection and folding away! No sail problems. Really looking forward to seeing you all next weekend.
Pamela Berkeley
Dear Liz, John, Ellen and Anna,
Well, it's chilly and damp in Holland today, but at least not grey and completely misted in, with wind and rain (sound familiar?), as it was most of the week. This is by way of saying that I'm *really* looking forward to meeting you and visiting in Barcelona later this month. Barcelona has the reputation of being very hip, with lots to see and do. Reading your messages, though, I guess it's also not entirely tourist-friendly, so we'll be careful with our wallets. The food is lovely -- I haven't had real Spanish paella in a long time, so that will be a treat.
I live in a tiny house (originally built in 1620 as a weaver's house, since Leiden was the fabric center of Holland for a long time: wool, linen and cotton) in the south of the city, just inside what was the southerly city wall. In Holland in order to have city status, the city had to be walled in, but there are now no vestiges of the wall, sadly. Leiden has lots of canals, and the last bit of the Rhine flows through it, emptying out into the North Sea a few miles west of Leiden. Last year saw me full-time in school here, at the U of Leiden doing a one-year program in Dutch language and culture, in Dutch, following a very long-held dream. Having not used the Dutch I acquired here a long time ago in the interim, the year was a real bear, but I came through more or less intact. At some point in late spring, I looked at my budget and after some real panic, saw that I had to get a JOB (a nasty moment), and ended up at the Amsterdam office of a huge London law firm. I'd worked in maritime law in Washington, D.C. for a long time, so after settling into the framework of the new firm (quite a bit of settling in!), things are more or less normal. The commute, door to door (bus to train to Amsterdam-South station), takes an hour, which I still don't enjoy, but it's a good means to an end, and the firm got me a work permit, so I'm legal to be here indefinitely (with any luck, will never live in the U.S. again). Living here now feels completely normal. From the start (August 2006), living here was always easier than in D.C., even with my very spotty Dutch. I just felt at home here. I brought my two little black cats (Alice and Dorabella) with me, and they just love living here. They run races upstairs, when they're not sound asleep. They took to Ian immediately, which amazed me, since they're very fussy with new people. They love curling up in his suitcase.
I promise to travel light and take up as little space as possible! We're trying out a new Spanish airline, called Vueling, since it was a lot cheaper (and had better times) than KLM. So, 21 days to go! Meeting all of you, being with Ian and spending Christmas in Barcelona will be a triple treat. I can't wait!
Good luck, fair sailing and best wishes for your trip up the Costa del Sol. Hasta luego!
Pamela
Eleanor & Keith
Hi J,L, E & A. You look like you've been having a really good time. In a way I'm jealous but in a bigger way I'm not since I actually hate the sea, would be constantly sick and don't think much of Spain! lol
Bruce seems to be doing fine, the last time we saw him he seemed chirpy (are dogs chirpy??) so I suspect that Andy is looking after him well.
Keith & I are moving this weekend to the new house in Dalry. It's all a bit hectic, there's boxes all over the flat and we're in a bit of a panic wondering if we'll get everything packed up in time - Andy of course has been popping in to offer his negative tuppence worth! He's taken Friday off to help us move which was nice of him, probably have to buy him some beer or something! Maybe we could strap some boxes to Bruce's back and he can help to!
I'm just back from a week in Barcelona on business, I won't bore you with the details but my colleague had her handbag stolen and I was really ill for most of the trip so we don't have fond memories unfortunately!
It's good that the girls are making friends with other boat kids, it all sounds like a fun wee community.
I won't bore you anymore... keep having fun and keep posting your photos etc so we know now you all are!
Lots of love
Eleanor & Keith
xx
Stephen
Hi Glad to see you are all still having a great time. Just to let you know that I passed on your regards to everyone at the graduation..needless to say everyone wishes you well. The uni is very good at organsing these events..shame it didnt extend to their lectures. There was a small group of us from social work course. So one event over and now we are getting organised for our trip to new zealand etc. So catch up when we get back.
best wishes Stephen
Shona, Ed & Cara The Puppy
Hello to you all from Bonny Scotland!
Sounds like it's all go with the Douglas Clan! So happy you're having such a great time. Your photos are fantastic. . . . you all look brilliant and very happy and healthy.
Have emailed you some pics of our gorgeous wee Hungarian Vizsla puppy Cara. . . . she is a wonderful and very determined wee pup!
Liz. . . I'm glad you're missing our good old cold Scottish weather (but you loved it really didn't you?!!)
Sending you all lots of love and hugs. Take good care.
Shona, Ed & Cara x x x x
Emily And Isla Menneer
Hi to everyone !
Sounds like your having LOADS of fun !
We are really glad that you are all enjoying it and I hope it is all going well.
We love all the pics !! Keep adding more !!!!
Your boat looks really nice.
Hope to see you soon.
Say Hi to Ellen and Anna. Bye xxxxxxxxxxxx
Stephen Scanlan
Hi
Glad to see yo are all still enjoying yourselves. John just to let you know the diploma has finally arrived..this very day. So you can check up to ensure you have received yours. bye for now. best wishes
Glen Douglas
Glad to see you are all doing well, will follow your adventures around the world
Glen &, Chris
Dad Douglas
Great to get more news and wonderful photos. Love to you all