Just a couple of photos from London today. And I decided to leave the giraffe up top for another day or two.
Went back to work and yoga today. Survived both. Work and dentist tomorrow.
London
And it rained.
A very impressive amount of rain fell this morning. Our building seems to have missed the absolute worst of it. And, I decided not to go to the hospital this morning. Mostly because I was lazy. Not because I was smart.
Speaking of smart. The stupidest thing that I did or allowed to happen on the RTW adventure was I seem to have switched GPS recording on my phone photos off on the second day of my trip. Well, I guess if that is the worst thing I did, I shouldn’t beat myself up too much. I know where I was anyhow.
From the Honolulu Aquarium. It is a small, but really nice aquarium. And, most of the critters are from local waters – so it’s like seeing old friends.
If octopus lived longer, I believe that they would be running the planet. And, they would be doing a better job of it than we humans.
After Adventure Debriefing
One of the things I do on long flights is writing a little note to the files. This one, I wrote it while flying from London to Bermuda was a bit of a post mortem on the RTW Adventure.
Ramblings from London to Bermuda June 28, 2019
London was good. So was Edinburgh. I was sort of under the weather most of the time. And I didn’t do very many normal tourist things. But, it was still good. I think I should plan on a visit to the UK or the continent every year for as long as possible.
Will I take another lap around the world? East to west next time? Top to bottom? Move out of my urban comfort zone? I don’t know. Circumnavigating the planet has been on my bucket list since before we had bucket lists. Back in the day, you could buy a ticket on Pan Am 001 from here to here for about the cost of a VW Beetle and you had a whole year to do it.
With advanced years come issues. Energy must be conserved. Isn’t that something we learned in Physics 101? Sometimes money has to be spent on things like cab rides. The cost/benefit analysis is no longer about money but about if I do this will I still be able to do that. And, for damn sure you don’t want to leave anything for “next time”.
On the positive side, people are really nice to little old ladies. Even nicer when I deploy the cane. And I have become much better at accepting help when offered and asking for help when needed.
I have learned that coffee shops exist for a reason. When I am feeling tired, lost, or overwhelmed, that’s when I need a coffee shop. Stop, sit, rest. Drink coffee. Regroup. Then carry on.
Don’t take “just in case” stuff. Anywhere I will be going, they will have stuff. On this trip, I acquired a cover for my new iPad. (At the Apple store in Singapore). Because my iPad just felt strange without a cover. And I bought a pair of cheap earbuds because my Dr. Dre’s just flat out died. (At a scuzzy shop in the Edinburgh train station.) I bought some bandaids in Singapore. I also bought various OTC sinus remedies in the U.K. I wish one had worked wonders. But no luck. So, if I need something I can get it. That is the extent of my shopping.
Clothes are vastly overrated. Socks must be wool. Well except for compression socks for the plane. Along the way, I ditched a shirt that I just didn’t like. If you are going to wear something day after day, you really need to like it. It needs to fit perfectly and feel good. At my age looking good ain’t happening. And, 2 shirts were enough. I also abandoned a little purse that wasn’t improving my life. And, this morning I retired my sneakers. Will make it home in sandals.
Will see about the camera. I am thinking maybe not next trip. Will have to see if I got a killer shot. A shot that made taking the camera worth it. I am not Ansel Adams.
PS – no decision on the camera yet.
The hair of the dog.
The hair of the dog. Seems to me the best way to get over a trip is to plan another. Not an adventure mind you. Just a trip.
Yesterday, I made this little to do list.
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Open my mail and be sure everything is OK.Handle all the emails that I moved to the LATER folder while I was on my trip.- Put the last of my trip stuff away.
Finish my taxes.- Finish my projects for The Asylum Employee Gift Fund.
- Teach the folks at the hospital how to update our software.
Made some progress on it today. And, here are a couple of photos from UK.
In 1820, they didn’t have anesthesia or antiseptics but they had damn good drugs.
OK. What now?
Well, actually there are several “What Nows”.
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- Open my mail and be sure everything is OK.
- Handle all the emails that I moved to the LATER folder while I was on my trip.
- Put the last of my trip stuff away.
- Finish my taxes.
- Finish my projects for The Asylum Employee Gift Fund.
- Teach the folks at the hospital how to update our software.
That should keep me busy for a while.
Oh, and there are 2,623 photos to cull and catalog. You will be seeing some of them.
The food doesn’t actually come out of the vending machine. It is a very early version of “online DIY ordering”. You figure out what you want. Push the right buttons. Insert the correct amount of money. And out comes your order printed on a ticket. You give the ticket to the cook. Who gives you your food. What I got was usually a surprise. But, I like most Japanese food – I don’t share their fondness for raw eggs – but most everything else is OK and usually really good.
A very low key 4th
Carlton and I loved Independence Day. And, our last July 4th was no exception. In this picture I was playing around with the remote release feature of my new camera and Carlton was polishing his sword. If he were still alive he would most likely be rattling it this July 4. I didn’t think anything of this image until after Carlton died. That Is when I realized that it was our last picture together.
I am taking a pass on this July 4. I have closed my blinds and do not plan on watching the fireworks. Or the flyover. Or the tanks. Or listening to the speech. I may watch the annual PBS July 4 concert. Or maybe not. The only thing that I would like to see is the Trump baby blimp. Which the FAA will not allow off the ground.
I am not as perky as I would like after my victory lap around the planet. Getting old sucks. But, it beats the alternatives. For now. The trick is to keep the brain and body sort of synchronized. Don’t want one to fail before the other. Mine seem to be degrading gracefully and in sync.
Re-entry
23,450 miles. Doesn’t seem like that far.
Got back to the Asylum before 5 o’clock and had a great dinner with the Asylum sisters. And brownies and cinnamon ice cream.
Good news is I lost a few pounds on the trip and my clothes fit a lot better. Now let’s see if I can refrain from eating everything in sight. On a trip food isn’t around 24/7.
Damn, the adventure is over.
This lovely creature is the Vida. It is moored off my ferry dock with a small crew on board. I suspect her owner just took possession. 55 meters, brand new. Read about her if you like.
I spent about an hour floating around in the sound today. No salt water for me until November. Gotta soak it up when I can. I am toying with the idea of come back here late August or early September. The 2 hour direct flights from DC end on September 3.
Will be leaving for the airport noonish tomorrow. Then back at The Asylum in time for dinner. Not ready for the adventure to end.
Bermuda and another lazy day.
It has been an interesting day weather-wise. It has been alternating between rain and sun, but always windy. Right now it is raining and cloudy out my front window but I can see blue sky out my back window.
No matter what the weather, I had to hop on my ferry to seek breakfast and food for the rest of the day,
But, why not checkout Greenbank?
I found it online last summer and selected it because they had a room and because it was on the water and 100 yards from the ferry. I also like that it sort of sounds like it is a location in a very early James Bond film.
Took this shot from the ferry this morning.
I love this place. It is totally 1950s.
Time for dinner. Ham and cheese sandwich. And apple pie.
Bermuda Day 3
Really windy this afternoon, so I have been forced to read, nap and eat inside. My room is very comfy and I can see the water. I spent the morning outside. Reading, eating and floating around off the dock.
And that’s all I did today.
My friends at The Asylum promise brownies and cinnamon ice cream if I come home. Everyone has a price, and mine was never very high.
Tomorrow, I will need to make a trip to town fo more food. After that I shall get busy reading, napping, eating and floating again.
Bermuda Day 2
Did very little today. Rode the ferry over to Hamilton where I acquired breakfast and then I got some groceries. No, wrong word. Groceries sort of implies cooking. I acquired foodstuffs that can be consumed with minimal prep.
I am willing to guess that Greenbanks dates back to the 1950s. It consists of about 10 cottages and rooms. Very low key and relaxing.
Bermuda
I am just where I wanted to be at this stage of the adventure. Stretched out on my chair waiting for sunset. I have a little coffee and a couple of granola bars. The party boats are circling around blasting reggae music.
Good flight from London, never mind that that we had one of those chatty captains and he kept insisting that we we’re going to Barbados!
When I got to the hotel, there was no one in the office. So I wandered around to the room that I requested and there was a key in the door. I just assumed that it was for me and moved on in. Nobody has come to kick me out, so, I suppose it’s mine.
The ferry boat just went by. I’ll be on it tomorrow. To get breakfast and provisions. There are no stores, bars, or restaurants with in walking distance. So, I am dependent on the ferry. Good to see it putter by.