Westgate to Fulford Moor House Walk

York is one beautiful place. Lately the typical day here has been 30-40 degrees, wet and sometimes windy. When I say wet, I’m not talking about southern type rain where the bottom falls out of the sky for hours along with booming light shows. I’m talking, intermittent drizzle all day long with lots of grey colors broken up with a small amount of sun. Since last night the river Ouse has risen more than a foot. This morning the water is ambling along meeting the top of the banks in places and reaching the grass at bank top. As I walked in this morning, I was planning an alternate route for my half hour walk to work. There are paved walking paths on each side of the river Ouse, my plan is to walk the opposite side of the river. It appears that the banks on that side is a good 2-3 foot higher than my normal walking path. The alternate path passes by the great Rowntree Park and I can get to work by crossing the river at the Millennium bridge which is one good looking bridge. The consistent weather is trying at times. I’m enjoying the daily walks even though it is a little cold and grey. see ya,

j'bu

It's a New Year and it already feels different!

It’s already the tenth day of the new year. Happy new year to one and all. This year is moving on. All I can remember about Dec, 2005 is our return from our holidays ( “hols” as they are referred to here! ) in Albertville, France. Betty will be posting more about the days in the French Alps later. She’s recovering from the cold that I gave her!

England is feeling like home. On the return train trip to York from the Airport and France, we agreed it will be great to be sleeping in our own bed again. Even though the bed is two months new to us, we missed it and our flat at Westgate in York. We couldn’t wait to get back because we’ve come accustomed to the routines of England. Don’t be mistaken, England is no US of A, it’s very different in a surprising way.

On Jan 5, we closed on the sale of our Cannongate Property. Each banking and legal related activity highlights our countries differences. The UK is very rigid and allows if any little or no flexibility. Working overseas and by phone to the US allows for an infinite set of failures to what ever endeavors you attempt. Time and effort are the remedies for all the mishaps we’ve encountered. Thank goodness things eventually get done.

For the good and the bad of it, we get five TV channels (count them 5, Cinco). We could get more but I’m not sure anymore are needed. You know my theory of “Too many Channels”, “Too many Choices”, “Too much Information” and just too much stuff. We’re sticking with five. So far this year, we’ve spend more of our time on the couch, in front of the TV, in amazement of the spoken word. We howl … how could our common language be so different? To our great amusement the evening hours pass. There is absolutely no telling what’s going to be depicted on British TV. If I told you about it you wouldn’t believe it. The British broadcast whatever it imagines. I’m sure some of the folks back home would have heart failure or come back from the dead if the same stuff were shown on regular TV. It surprises me the things they say and do and the things they don’t say and do. .... see ya.

j'bu