Starting out on a new phase of one's life, it's inevitable that some experiences are positive and some...
well are 'learning opportunities'!
It was with a little uncertainty that I arranged this week away - what would I do with myself all week?
Shouldn't I be working instead?
The prospect of spending time with my furthest-flung daughter and the chance to recharge my batteries
made the decision easier in the end.
It seemed a great opportunity to revisit old haunts from holidays when the children were small and we came each year to Cornwall.
But also (surprise, surprise) I arranged to meet with Pbase friends, old and new. I had a super day out with
Ann, Lee and Margaret - despite the fact that our Challenge theme was ignored by the Suffolk office of T.I.T.C. LOL!
But then I was also kindly invited over to see the famous Alstead-Mingay establishment.
Although I already knew Linda, I was a bit unsure about imposing myself on Linda and David who I had not met before.
But I needn't have worried! What wonderful conversationalists and hosts they are. I took to David immediately!
We covered all sorts of topics during our demolition of five bottles of wine (well, OK 4 and 3/4!)!
From Ukeleles to Asteroids; from Beatles songs to organic gardening!
I'm sure some of those empties were from their previous revelry but Linda won't have it!
I picked up many interesting points of debate and information before the (cough, cough) second glass caught up with me!
But what came across so strongly was their passion for life, their home, their garden, their animals,
their photography, the world at large and of course each other!
And they channel this through their ability to focus on their goals and on the here and now - something I so sadly lack.
I learned so much from these special people - but I need to act upon it!
David and Linda's passion and focus is warm and positive and genuine - unlike the more malicious way these
attributes are applied by the Cornish seagulls who attacked me and stole my Cornish Pasty yesterday! Look at the evil in their eyes in this pic!! LOL!

And finally .... I have no idea how Linda has managed to write her long, lucid, interesting PAD commenteries every day for so many years - I'm exhausted! (or maybe it's last night catching up with me? ...... )