Friday, August 24, 2012

A safari in Poole

I mentioned in my last post that I visited Poole for the day. It was like being in Europe. The sunny Mediterranean Europe that is...not Scotland, Europe!


I was in London, staying with my friend Tania, (who was my first visitor in Uganda), meeting her lovely daughter Polly and sweltering in the summer heat. She had the brain wave of visiting her parents and brother at the seaside. Brilliant idea!


Tania and I went for a jetski safari (thank you, Ross!) to cool off. (I actually think Tania just wanted to get-me-back for all the bumpy long drives in Uganda!) I had a go at driving, but was happy to let Tania take control...so I could concentrate fully on holding on tight!

It was so much fun and I highly recommend the safaris, it was a thrilling way to see the beautiful Jurassic Coast. It was also a great way to end my summer in the UK.

I am leaving the UK tomorrow, saying au revoir to; reading in bed in the morning, radio 2, cash-back, the weekend papers, green grass, wine (oh my God...why am I going!!!???) and of course having to say goodbye to my mum. (As I said earlier, I feel like I have been saying goodbye all holiday, but my mum gets the last one at the airport!).

So, back to a place that was 'home' to me a while ago. I'm off to Kuwait. Where I have lived twice before in my life. The first time as a teenager and went to school there for a couple of years, then later as a teacher, where I lived, before Africa , for four years. And again, now. A bit older and wiser (well-I like to think so anyway!)

It is definitely the end of the summer...it has rained now for two days. I must be ready...I've changed my mailing address on my profile on Facebook (the equivalent of redirecting my mail), my visa in glued into my passport and my bladder bag is filled with gin. (Tut tut-the things we do!)

So, I really have said goodbye to Africa, for now at least. So 'and beyond' I go-hence the change to my blog name. Thanks to the lovely Rachel at Tunes and Spoons for giving my blog a new look. I really love it, hope you do too!

Deep breathes. Here I go!



Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Lately, in London

At the airport
self check-in machine-"You are too early to check-in for your flight."
me- "I think the machine is not working. It says it is too early to check in".
BA lady- "Oh, don't worry, just go to the bag drop."
me to Bag drop lady-"I think the check-in machine is not working. It says I am too early."
Bag drop lady-"You are too early to check-in for your flight. A day early."
me- (Oh dear!) "What day is it?" (Why did I ask that?)
Bag drop lady-"Thursday."
me -"Yep, that's the day I was planning to fly on." (Oh God-am such an idiot!)

So, 5 days in London town. Exhausting, but oh so much fun. Plus, I must have lost about a stone due to sweating so much...score!!



I even got in a wee trip to the seaside at Poole - it felt like a proper holiday. (Well that is after I was given my visa for the land of sand-and what a palaver that was!I may tell you more about it, but if I don't, you haven't missed much-it is all such boring bureaucracy that is just bollocks.)

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

You'll have had your tea.






After my superb wee visit to Edinburgh, I've been home for a couple of days. Time to do some paperwork, time to run (my belt now has to be one notch bigger!), time for phone conversations with friends I have no time to see, time for baths and afternoon naps. Time for all these things are running out.

Today I have to spend some time on gown-up things, like bank accounts and paperwork. So much paperwork, organising lots of bits of paper to allow me into a country, one that I am not even sure I want to go to.

Tomorrow I am off to London town. I travel the world, sometimes alone, my first time in Africa for example, not a problem. London? I am getting mini heart palpitations. I am armed with maps; maps to the embassy, maps to my friends, notes to myself about the maps, the said paperwork and telephone numbers. On my last visit I was reminded, "We don't speak on the underground." Maybe it has changed now. Apparently we Brits are friendly now, or for the Olympics at least.

I am a Edinbugger!




Monday, August 13, 2012

ssssh...it's a secret


A few months ago I read about Edinburgh's secret Wild West. So, when I was through last week, my friend Jo and I walked to the other side of the city to find the wee hidden alley.

Yippie aye yay!

 We tried to take serious cowboy photos, tricky with passing cars and parked cars on the other side of the little alley, but hey, we had fun!


The scene was built at the back of some buildings for an advert for a furniture shop, but now is a wee hidden gem in the city. It was the start of a great girly day.