UK: FRIENDSHIP & PARTIES

FRIENDS: Us Two - AA Milne........Wherever I am, there’s always Pooh, There’s always Pooh and Me. Whatever I do, he wants to do, “Where are you going today?” says Pooh: “Well, that’s very odd ‘cos I was too. Let’s go together,” says Pooh, says he. “Let’s go together,” says Pooh. “What’s twice eleven?” I said to Pooh. (“Twice what?” said Pooh to Me.) “I think it ought to be twenty-two.” “Just what I think myself,” said Pooh. “It wasn’t an easy sum to do, But that’s what it is,” said Pooh, said he. “That’s what it is,” said Pooh. “Let’s look for dragons,” I said to Pooh. “Yes, let’s,” said Pooh to Me. We crossed the river and found a few- “Yes, those are dragons all right,” said Pooh. “As soon as I saw their beaks I knew. That’s what they are,” said Pooh, said he. “That’s what they are,” said Pooh. “Let’s frighten the dragons,” I said to Pooh. “That’s right,” said Pooh to Me. “I’m not afraid,” I said to Pooh, And I held his paw and I shouted “Shoo! Silly old dragons!”- and off they flew. “I wasn’t afraid,” said Pooh, said he, “I’m never afraid with you.” So wherever I am, there’s always Pooh, There’s always Pooh and Me. “What would I do?” I said to Pooh, “If it wasn’t for you,” and Pooh said: “True, It isn’t much fun for One, but Two, Can stick together, says Pooh, says he. “That’s how it is,” says Pooh.

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UK: PETS!

Pets ...Furry Family ..They Will Not Go Quietly They will not go quietly, the pets who’ve shared our lives. In subtle ways they let us know their spirit still survives. Old habits still can make us think we hear them at the door Or step back when we drop a tasty morsel on the floor. Our feet still go around the place the food dish used to be, And, sometimes, coming home at night, we miss them terribly. And although time may bring new friends and a new food dish to fill, That one place in our hearts belongs to them… and always will.... To all our furry family - our hearts are forever yours. RIP across the Rainbow Bridge - until we meet again: SIMBA, RUSTY, SASCHA, ZEUS, BRANDY, AMBER, SIMBA, TAFIA, MUFASA, RAFIKI, ZAZU, PUMBA, TIMONE, KITTEN(s), SHAKA, ZULU, MILLIE, SHUMBA

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Ireland

Often referred to as the Emerald Isle, Ireland has vibrant cities tucked beside cozy bays and sheer cliffs. Creative Irish souls include: James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, W.B Yeats, Seamus Heaney and George Bernard Shaw. Guinness, Jameson, Bushmills, and Kilkenny are favoured tipples. Hearty stews and rugged landscapes. Pubs with Irish music: craic agus ceoil. What's not to love?!

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Spain

There is so much to say about this vibrant country: The major cities are Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia all of which offer unique traditions, languages and sites. Tapas is almost as much a cultural activity as a style of eating. La Siesta is the well-known nap of two to three hours in the heat of the afternoon. The Flamenco is made up of six parts: singing, guitar, dance, vocals, hand-clapping, and finger snapping - awesome! Originating in Valencia, paella is a rice dish prepared with meat or seafood. Wonderful wine from deep red Riojas to the light and sparkling Cava although sangria is probably the country’s most famous drink. . Salvador Dali was born near Barcelona is a cultural icon. Spain’s most famous architect, Gaudí’s work can be admired in Barcelona. The only downside is bullfighting has been occurring in Spain since the Roman times but is hopefully going to end soon - the last fight was in Catalonia when the majority voted for a ban in 2015.

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UK: Cambridge 1994

Cambridge is a city on the River Cam in eastern England, home to the prestigious University of Cambridge, dating to 1209. University colleges include King’s, famed for its choir and towering Gothic chapel, as well as Trinity, founded by Henry VIII, and St John’s, with its 16th-century Great Gate. University museums have exhibits on archaeology and anthropology, polar exploration, the history of science and zoology. We enjoyed a great visit with our friend who was completing his PhD there.

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UK: Lake District – 1994

The Lake District is a region and national park in Cumbria in northwest England. A popular vacation destination, it’s known for its glacial ribbon lakes, rugged fell mountains and historic literary associations. Market towns such as Kendal, Ambleside and Keswick on scenic Derwentwater are bases for exploring the area and home to traditional inns, galleries of local art and outdoor equipment shops. We enjoyed Striding Edge and Helvellyn at 950m...spectacular!

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UK: Camping in Cornwall 1994

Cornwall is a county on England’s rugged southwestern tip. It forms a peninsula encompassing wild moorland and hundreds of sandy beaches, culminating at the promontory Land’s End. The south coast, dubbed the Cornish Riviera, is home to picturesque harbour villages such as Fowey and Falmouth. The north coast is lined with towering cliffs and seaside resorts like Newquay, known for surfing.

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