Farewell to the UK (again)

After a lightning tour of friends (those of you we didn't descend on can now bring the alcohol back out and relax) and relatives we are flying to Seattle, USA for something we never normally do, a relaxing weekend in a big city.

Angela is keen to visit all the locations of one of her favourite films, Sleepless in Seattle, but I have tried to point out that most of the film relates to New York! With my 50th birthday getting dangerously close (Sunday 29 June) it seemed like as good a place as any to get depressed!

After Seattle (and this is the real reason we are going to Seattle) we are flying up to Anchorage for a 3 month trip to Alaska, a state we have never visited before. Mentioning this now will give Tim and Ann, our Alaskan friends, a short window of opportunity to develop bubonic plague and reluctantly withdraw their offer of accommodation!

In the last week we have been walking the British countryside and eating things we can't get in Africa (brown shrimps, coldwater prawns, plaice, beer, cream teas with clotted cream, steak matured for 21 days, chocolate eclairs and all those other essential foods for a balanced fat free diet!)

On our last night at Bill & Lesley's, Bill produced his bat detector and we went out at dusk (about 10pm this time of year) to watch bats catching insects. The bat detector picks up and amplifies the echo location clicks of the bats as they zoom in on insects, fascinating stuff! We also admired Bill's latest creations, two sculpted otters, which he hopes to sell at the next outdoor show they attend.

Lesley kindly drove us over to Angela's parents (Jo & John) where we are currently awaiting our Seattle flights.

Whilst in Flimwell Jo laid on a surprise birthday trip to the Bluebell line, a famous steam engine railway in Sussex that is manned by volunteers. As you might expect it was a trip down nostalgia lane, I could remember the old carriages from my childhood, though diesel engines had replaced steam, even that far back! Of course it was a good opportunity and excuse to have a cream tea as well!

Despite a dodgy start, the weather has been remarkably kind to us on this visit back to the UK. We've sat outside to 11pm without thermal suits and we've had the pleasure of watching a fox and it's cub chasing rabbits in the field opposite every night.

England is looking very beautiful but it is nearly time to move on again.

Thanks to everyone here who has looked after us, very much appreciated as always. To those of you we were hoping to visit or contact, apologies but it is amazing how time flies, especially when you get to 50 years of age. Fortunately I only feel 49 so there is plenty of time left!

Of course we are very aware that jetting around the world has implications for the health of the planet. When we get back to Africa Angela will not be allowed to walk around or through the firepit, this way we hope to minimise our carbon footprint!

Take care and have a good summer (or winter if you are reading this down south)

Ralph & Angela