Tales From The Bucket

  Escaped London ByTrainTo York... Took the train in a first class coach from London to York to pick up my car.  Met a really nice woman who insisted on waiting with me until Enterprise came & picked me up from the train station.  People are just so nice!  Drove off with a 5-speed, 4 door Hyundai.  And of course I got involved with heavy afternoon traffic.  Was nervous at first.  Intersections engineered in the UK don't really have stop lights.  Most of the intersections are controlled by roundabouts.  If they do have stoplights, they're at the super busy roundabouts!!  And there are "Give Way" signs to replace stop and yield signs. During my first week to 10 days in the UK I have had SIM card trouble.  The first international card let me use data, but wouldn't allow texts & calls.  That's a problem.  A BIG one. So I bought another SIM card as the first company couldn't figure out what the difficulty was. This new ...

MAKING MY WAY TO YOU... 42 hours upright, 21 hours in flight, 2 layovers (Seattle & Rekjavik), and no luggage lost!  Whew!  It's a new dawn and day traveling to the UK.  I left 4am 8/25 and arrived at 12n the next day.   Sunrise over Iceland   Iceland Air's Map of Trip                                                                   And I must report that traveling in 1st class all the way to London was indeed a treat.  Lots of leg room and I was even able to sleep on the plane. Highly unusual for me.   Very long lines at the border/customs process.  But I have to say, they were continuously moving.  Which is always encouraging.  I was routed to the electronic lines (no need for a passport stamp) and NO searching of luggage!  I'd probably still be at ...

IT WAS SWELL....WELL, MOST OF THE TIME I was thinking today after moving everything out of my Desiree house, that I was there the longest time since living in Anchorage. Nine years. The house was good to me -  it's made this whole adventure possible.  Bella & I were pretty happy on Desiree. And I am truly grateful.   I would like to take the time once again to thank some very special people who not only encouraged me, called me "Brave," helped me shlep my furniture, bins & boxes into the storage unit, gave me much needed hugs, offered places stay until I get on a plane, & made buying my house a joy:  My dear friend Jody for love & encouragement (I even got to sleep in MY bed last night!).  For Jody, Lisa, & Paul for the fabulous send off gathering on your patio.  My wonderful sisters Joni & Janie for all their help along the way since last December.  My community of sweet pals who never once said "WAIT! Are you crazy??"...

Making A Pretty Long List & Checking It           More Times Than TWICE The decision to go back to Scotland to "visit" actually happened rather quickly.  It's where I have been called.  I decided traveling with no pre-determined end date sounded like a good idea.  A really good idea!   And the more I thought on it, the better & better this good idea was sounding.  I have been more than humbled by the support from family & friends.  I felt inside like it was a little wild - certainly out of my zone since I've worked like a sled dog for over 40 years.  But ultimately it did boil down to this:   "What better time will come along?  Why wait anymore? When should I leave?  I decided to stay in Alaska through August.  Cuz who leaves Alaska  in the summer, right??                          Ninilchik Beach Creek at Hope ...