The World News by Bazza the Intrepid
I am off
I have just passed Lord Howe Island at 29,000 feet. I know this because the First Officer interrupted the film to tell me (and the 387 mostly odd passengers). This holiday started for me when the flight attendant (they are not air hostesses any more) asked me what I wanted to drink. I should just point out that I did not actually see Lord Howe Island as I am in the middle of the plane, over the wing. I did, however, see the cloud over Lord etc. etc.
No wonder Americans are weird.
Well, when we had got into the cloud, the pilot told us what we were going to see on the way to Los Angeles. Basically it could have been summed up as cloud and the Pacific although he did dress it up a bit. The weird thing was that in the civilized world (Australia) ** it was 3.02 pm Wednesday and in Los Angeles it was 9.02pm on Tuesday and we arrive 5 hours before we leave. Apparently there is some line we cross that divided the world into two days – I suppose the people in First class might see it as they are not over the wing.
Pre Flight training
As I am scheduled to trek across the Andes in Peru to Machu Picchu, I thought the odd walk to the shops might not be amiss. Well, I got really keen and joined the local Gym and pretended to understand how to work all the exercise gear. I kept well away from the torture chamber (the other name is Aerobics class). I was keen to lose some weight and build up muscle in case I was ever on the beach and got sand kicked in my face. I wanted to kick more sand back. I weighted myself each week for 6 weeks. One week I lost a kilo, it went on again the next week. I was around 100 kilos with my radio in my pocket (sadly it did not weigh 10 kilos). The scales are the balance type were you move weight up and down an arm and were it balances is your weight. Well, I did the final weigh in the day before I left and Whoa! it was the right side of 97kgs, unfortunately it was also the right side of 87 and 77kgs. The scale had broken!!! Talking of weight, my luggage is 23kgs, I take more than that to the office every day.
Airline Food
The secret is to pre-order a low calorie meal. It is hand prepared and usually much more interesting that the regular ones. Although sometimes you have to ask for the regular desert when it is a Sticky Toffee pudding. You don’t know how lucky you are. I stumbled across a Classical radio station whilst driving to the EPCOT centre in Orlando, Florida. Radio stations here go by their call signs rather than dignified titles such as Radio National or Triple M. This one was WMFE, pronounced Wumfee, how can you take a radio station seriously that answers to the name of Wumfee. They kept on reminding me that they were commercial free. I suppose they don’t count the pleas for subscriptions, with religious fervour, that lasted 5 mins 23 secs. By the way, they seem to own limited CD’s as Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons was on twice in an hour.
Don’t miss it
If you get the chance, you must see the EPCOT centre, it is fantastic, the technology is so up to date. The home theatre set-up was worth $100,000 (Aus). Judy was worried that I would come home with one, as if I would. Quiet at the back. Universal Studios is a must see as well. The Back to the Future ride was so well done. You and 5 others sit in a car that is on hydraulic computer controlled legs. A movie is projected about 3 feet away on a huge screen and you duck and dive through the space time continuum. The Internet ¿ What a wonderful world You realise what a truly worth while invention the Internet is when you are in a spot. I have been using two Visa debit cards from Barclays Bank in England while I have been travelling. Sadly, I had lost track of how much money was in each. After US$3 and 20 minutes in the Internet, I had reconciled the cards, made a small transfer and way on my way singing a happy tune. All this in a Bookshop on Miami beach when it was 1am UK time.
I have Bean to Lima.
The fun started in the plane on the tarmac at Miami airport. The captain said there was an hour or so delay as they had brake problems. I guess the A300 Airbus did not pass the ‘Pink Slip’ test [MOT for the English readers]. After jacking up one wheel, changing the brake pads, we were away. I was met at ‘Jorge Chávaz’ airport (The Peruvian Kingsford-Smith or Heathrow for the English readers) by Janial, the taxi driver (anyway his name was pronounced Jan-ee-al). He spoke a little English and with sign language, while driving, I learnt that he had tree children like me, only he had one son and either, two daughters or two sons with long hair. Not sure which anyway they were 8, 12 and 15. It gave me a chance to practice all my Spanish vocabulary . Yes, I got all 5 words into the conversation. These were Uno, dos and tres (One, two and three) The other two took a bit of thought but I finally managed ‘El Hombre’. For those of you who may have forgotten how I learnt El Hombre, (detailed in European Newsletter #6) I will refresh your memory. It was when Judy stumbled across TV2´s broadcast of the extra time in the Aus vs. South Africa Rugby World cup match when, in extra time, Stephen Larkam kicked a drop goal and was called ever after ‘El Hombre’ by the commentator. I hope to learn at least two more Spanish words before I leave in 10 days. Languages, as you can see, are not my strong point.
Time to say Adios Amigos which may mean Bye Bye (or something else)
Some USA bits that spring to mind
Did you know that there is a definite logic behind the large street address numbers in the USA. Take for example the address of the St Petersburg Main Library in that town in Florida. It is 3945, 9th Street. Well the building is on 9th Street past 39th street (and before 40th) , in fact 22 buildings past (45 divided by 2). Clever isn’t it. It really helps to know this when you are lost .
Miami Beach
I was really surprised to see that Miami is very much in the 1950’s. There are very few modern buildings, most with the rounded style of the 50’s. There is also quite a few empty large hotel and many more in need of a little TLC.
Girls – be careful where you go to school in Patacarna.
I hope that is how you spell the ruined city in 30kms south of Lima where 4 civilizations including the Inca’s lived. They where last there in 1532 when the Spanish came. I can’t check the spelling here in this Internet cafe. So, there is a girls school where the only things taught were how to be a wife to an Inca ruler, weave tapestries and make a drink from corn. They left school when they were between 13 to 15 years old. Some became wives and others were human sacrifices, 13 each year on June 24th.
Driving.
The most interesting is ‘Do not use your mobile phone on this stretch of road’. Drivers are warned as there were so many accidents because drivers were on mobile phones. I mentioned earlier about the airplane problems and the Pink slip. Well in Lima, I believe, the only thing they test for a pink slip is the horn. It is used far more than brakes. The buses are interesting, they are mostly 10 seaters, full, with a man hanging out of the door on the side. It seems it is his job to shout at passers by. He may collect money but I never saw this. I hope to go to Cusco in the Andes tomorrow but the tour company does not have a plane ticket yet so we shall see.
A Day at Leisure
It has been a funny day today – the fun started last night. I finally received my air ticket from the tour company last yesterday to fly here (to Cusco) today. First, they did not realise I was coming to Cusco today and second wrote the return ticket a week early. The flight here was leaving at 6am which meant a 4am start from the hotel. I had already planned to see a folk show last night so I knew it would be a late night, the show did not start until 10 pm. It was very tourist oriented but the three singing and dancing groups were first class. The compare of the show welcomed each table in turn and the band played appropriate music from their country. There were tables from Nicaragua, Spain, Honduras, Chile, Italy, Japan and Italy. They introduced me as ‘El Caballero de Australiano’. (The Gentleman from Australia) The rest of the intro went over my head. I think the tune they played was the Peruvian marching version of ‘Waltzing Matilda’ – I don’t think it will catch on. Anyway, I did get 3 hours sleep, arrived here in Cusco safely although I am in a bit of a trance. Thank goodness the pilot did Geography at school. He could obviously read Contour lines on the map because he flew higher than 11,000 feet. (As Cusco is at 11,000 feet this was a good scheme. Any lower and he would have made a whole in the Andes. In fact, because of my trance, I forgot to ask him if he used the map of Winchelsea near the south coast of England to do ‘Contours’. It was the only one our school had so it made the exams a bit easier. You know the type of question ‘If you stand at the post office are you able to see the church’. I always put No – it was safe because it is always misty at exam time in Winchelsea. But, I digress, back to my trance I think it is the effect of the lack of sleep and high altitude. I have watched TV, I did walk to the main square and sat in the sun to read. I am going to have to smarten my ideas up as I am meant to be walking over ‘them there hills’
Now I can speak Spanish.
I have cancelled the Spanish lessons. I went into a shop to get a bottle of water and the lady asked for ‘Tres cincuenta sol’ which I understood as 3.50 sol. You may think that this was a one off but there is more. Last night I came up with ‘La cuenta, Por Favor’ – which as you all know is ‘The Bill, please’.
Adequate proof, I think.
The fountain is clean.
I sat for half an hour this morning in the main square Plaza de Armes watching the council workers cleaning the fountain. It is comforting to know that in Peru thing work the same as in US, Australia and Europe. The task required two men to man hoses and sweep whilst the man with the red cap supervised.
The trek is under control.
I talked to Mauro, the leader of the trek to Machu Picchu, on his mobile, at 9:45am . He was still in bed waiting to go to hospital later in the morning. He assured me that he will be out in time to trek the Andes. I will keep you posted.
The trouble with heights.
Really high ones (above 11,000 feet) is that you experience headaches and loss of appetite. The first is is cured by Coca tea. This is a drink of hot water with green leaves and twigs floating there in. Anyway it was either that or the two aspirin that did cured the headache. I went to a corner store to buy the aspirin, they were sold by the each at $1 Aus. I said No Thanks. I bought them next door in bulk at 9cents each. The loss of appetite is easy, I eat every other day at La Yunta.
The fountain works fine
I am sat in the square, again. It is another beautiful sunny day. After the council cleaned it, the fountain is playing happily. This is the second day I have chatted to a retired Professor of Peruvian History. He has lived all his life in Cusco. I am assured, by him, that December is when the rains come, I hope he is right.
Mauro lives
He has been discharged from hospital and will organise the trip details this afternoon. He suggested that I go to the central market this morning. I took his advice and, while I was there, bought an exercise book to write up my exploits. The market was the only place, during this trip, that I felt threatened. It was a cunning plan. Someone sprays water on you and two or three others close in and push you. The solution, that I came up with, keep you hand on your wallet and push right back. It worked in this instance.
Back at the square.
The place is in uproar. The two church clocks are striking 11, 4 police cars are going round the square with sirens blaring and the pigeons are in a frenzy.
The twitching has stopped.
and the headaches seem to have gone too. I am now sat in my favourite cafes, La Yunta. I am have my morning tea, Coca of course. This crop of leaves seems to be a bit more twiggy than yesterdays. I should clarify ‘favourite’. Well, you see I ate here the day I arrived. Two days later I decided that as I was still alive and my stomach was not making its presence felt above any other organ in my body. I thought that I should eat here again and again. This is my 3rd visit. By the way, don’t chew the twigs, they don’t exactly melt in your mouth. As Coca tea is good for the effects of altitude, I wonder if I drank enough, would it cure my fear of heights?.
Answers please, on a postcard to Senior Barry Hunt, Hut 82, Inca Trail. There will now be a break in transmission as I will be in a tent, up a mountain for a day or two. I hope to give you a first hand report of Machu Picchu at a later date.
PS It was not 11 o’clock but more like 57 o’clock on Tuesday morning.
The Inca Trail – Day 1
I am sat in the failing light at 6 o’clock in the camp at the end of day one. The most important fact to be noted is that I survived day one. The day started with a bus ride to KM82 – a railway stop – no station just a train stop. The ride was about an hour on an unmade road. There were the usual rocks and boulders to be negotiated. The highlight was when the driver stopped the bus after 50 mins and got out. He walked about 2 meters in front of the bus and removed 2 rock the size of Easter eggs. I burst into hysterics. We had gone round and over some of the Andes largest rocks. The weather was very hot which made the trek that bit more arduous. The best part was when I bathed my feet in an icy stream and they went numb.
The Inca Trail – Day 2
What a day! We started walking at 6:45am. It was climbing up all the way to Dead Woman’s Pass. The distance over ground was 7 kms and an ascent of 1000 meters in 2hours 45 mins. The same as walking up the Eiffel Tower over 3 times! I stopped as little as possible although my progress was, at times, very slow. It was as much a case of determination to get to the top as fitness and stamina. It was really really difficult. The fastest up was 2 hours – I was 10th out of 28 – I was quite proud of this. If you take into account age I was maybe 3rd or even 2nd. I reviewed the condition of my body (whilst walking) about every 10 minutes. I thought about how my feet, legs, stomach, back and head was.
Only once did I get a message from my chest which made me worry. Thank goodness it was nothing more serious than a stitch or similar. I was determined to look ahead one step at a time as looking up to see how far there was to go was very disheartening. The worst such moment was when I was near the top and I looked up and saw some of our group at the top of the pass. This encouraged me until I looked up 10 minutes later and everyone was further away!. I don’t know how to explain it but it was what I saw. The effect on me, as you might imagine, was hugely negative. From then on I looked one step ahead.
From Dead Woman’s Pass we went down 400 meters (1 and a third Eiffel Towers!) and up another 200 meters – all of the above before lunch on Day 2. I ate very little on the trek although the food was excellent. It had a lot to do with the sanitary arrangements.
Inca Trail – Day 3
This was the easiest day so far, we saw, in the afternoon, Machu Picchu for the first time. When the Spanish conquered in 1532, they destroyed the Inca temples and built, often using the same stone and on the same site, Roman catholic churches. The Spanish destroyed the centre of the Inca civilisation, Cusco. Machu Picchu escaped this destruction as the Spanish did not know of its existence.
On day 3 we camped at Winay Wayna which was named after a red orchid that grew there and bloomed all year round. It means “Forever Young”. This Incan town it at the head of the Urubamba valley gorge. The Incas certainly knew how to pick awe inspiring sites for their cities. This site was only rediscovered in 1945. You wait till you see the photos. I hope I get them on our web site before Christmas along with the photos of Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail – Day 4
We arrived at Machu Picchu just after dawn. If you are ever lucky enough to go to Machu Picchu do not arrive by train and then bus. Arriving by bus makes it just another tourist attraction. At the very least trek from KM104 (This two day hike is much shorter and easier terrain. This way you can see Machu Picchu from the Sun gate, this is the most perfect way to glimpse one of the most beautiful creations that man has made in partnership with nature.
What is wrong with me, I have gotten quite poetical and not a joke in site. Not unless you think of the coach party that arrived at 1pm. I don’t like to be racist so I won’t mention where they were from . Well, it was there fault they lost the war and their country was split into east and west. All the member of the party had climbing boots with not a spec of dust in sight. The men had trekking trousers (with zippered detachable legs). They were all neatly creased like a business suite. Still they did have to climb the 17 steps to the entrance to Machu Picchu.
The Confession
The return from Machu Picchu to Cusco was to be by train and bus, a trip of over 4 hours. I confess I could not face this and chose to return by helicopter! The seating arrangement was the stuff movies are made of. We sat 12 down each side of the ‘copter facing each other. It only needed a green light, a pat on the back from someone called Biffo or Tiny and we would have all jumped out behind enemy lines. Good job there was not green light as there were no parachutes either.
The snow capped Andes on that clear day was so beautiful, a photographers dream. About 10 mins into the 25 min trip, the flight attendant announced that we could, one by one, come forward and take photographs. I, you will be surprised to know was first in line. I had lined up and taken the first shot over the pilot’s shoulder when he turned around and said he would take a photo for me. He took the camera, opened the side window, steered the helicopter with his knees, and took the photo. What a classic!
To North America and beyond
I am sitting in a half empty plane on my way to Miami on route to Washington DC and thence to London. I am reminded of those earlier travellers to North America, The Pilgrim Fathers. This snippet of very useful information will particularly interest one of our English subscribers to this much sought after newsletter. I am referring, of course, to that upstanding citizen of renown and good looks, Mr. Jeremy E. Hopkins. I need hardly remind you that it was Mr. Hopkins who, in the face of great personal danger, tried out, single handedly, the navigational instructions to reach our cottage at Barford St. Michael in the summer of 1999.
I think Mr. Hopkins will now be forever etched in the memory of this newsletters vast electronic and printed** readership of 15 in both hemispheres.
** One of the two printed copies goes to my mother who at 91 years old is not quite old enough to get connected to the Internet. (She could not dive until Simon, my son, taught her when she was only 71)
Back to the Pilgrim Fathers, I am sure most of you will remember the important facts of their Mayflower voyage. There were no farmers or ploughs on board but William Mullins had the good sense to take 126 pairs of shoes and 13 pairs of boots. The little known snippet of information, which may have escaped you, was that two children were born on board the ship. One of the children was named Oceanus Hopkins. Is this a long lost relative, Jeremy?
Weather report from London
The sun is shining. The birds are coughing and only a few places are cut off with the recent rains. All is nearly right.
London Town
I am sat in the Green Man – this is the pub in the lower ground floor of Harrods. In front of me is a pint of Scrumpy Jack’s. Jack makes a full strength cider – 6% alcohol. As a precaution I have tied myself to the bar stool. I actually came into Harrods to use the loo. Well, one does, doesn’t one. I passed a pair of Church’s shoes, they were over Aus 300 Dlr each or 600 a pair. I resisted the temptation to buy. I found the loos after a while, they were called Luxury Washrooms. It cost a pound to enter. They were very posh. The water was turned on by an electronic beam. An attendant seemed to be employed to wave in front of the beam for everyone. One poor chap did not know this and jumped about 2 feet in the air when the attendant rushed at him just as he was about to wash his hands.
Luckily I was able to get my pounds worth, so to speak, as there was a drinking fountain in the luxury washroom so I drank plenty of water and was able to “go round again”. Harrods had thoughtfully supplied 3 kinds of after shave / eau de toilet. I tried them all, I did feel a bit faint from the fumes but I soon recovered. If you have 35 minutes to spare and you are in Harrods I can definitely recommend it. I did not buy anything but I know were it all is. I got a free store guide.
What should I hire?
Those of you that have kept up with the weather in the UK, will know that rain is the order of the day. The question remains, do I hire a car or a boat? Just to increase the fun people have been panic buying petrol in order to create a crisis. This scheme have been reasonably successful. In order to resolve my car/boat dilemma, I talked to to Budget rent a car. I knew they might be somewhat biased as they don’t do boats but I thought I might give it a go.
The person I talked to had special talents in Customer Service. Keep in mind when you read the following transcript that Budget is a Service company in the business of hiring cars that, mostly run on petrol, and are designed to be driven along English roads.
Q: What can I expect in the way of problems purchasing petrol.
A: Don’t know mate. We can’t get petrol, the car you get may not have any petrol in it.
Q: Do you know the state of flooding on the roads in Wales and the North West?
A: Don’t know mate. We can’t be expected to know the geography of all the places around.
Q: Do you have the phone number of the AA (Motoring Organisation) so that I can find out?
A: Don’t know that mate. (Note the varied reply). You should watch the television if you want information.
At this point I thanked him for his help. I don’t think he understood I was a little sarcastic. This is word for word the conversation!
PS The cider – I did slip off my stool as:
a) The cider was stronger than I thought or
b) The ropes were looser than I thought.
I did not have another drink as I could not afford the loos.
Wales and the Pandy
I have moved from London to the border of Wales. I simply must tell you this one! I am sitting in the lounge bar of the Pandy Inn at Doristone. You know Doristone near the Welsh border, it is just past Stretton Sugwas, actually it is nearer Bretton Sugwas. I will tell you about the Pandy in a moment. I am a few kilometres from Hay-on-Wye, the 2nd hand bookshop capital of the world. There are 39 bookshops in Hay which is a small town.
Now picture this, it is Sunday evening, and I am writing this by candlelight next to the log fire. There is electric light but the candles are necessary to see to write. There is a November chill outside, I have a pint of Scrumpy Jack’s best cider at my elbow and all is right with the world. I have not forgotten the Pandy.
The Dilemma
The wise men who are responsible for running the London underground have a dilemma to solve. The government want to put on a New Year’s eve firework display in London. They, of course, want to ensure that people can get home by tube afterwards and discussed the service available with the men at the London Underground.
Unfortunately, the response was not what they expected. If a firework display goes ahead there will be too many people in London so the tube trains will not run late. If there is no display then traffic will be light and they will put on trains as they will be able to cope with the reduced load.
Work the logic out of that!!
The Archers
On my way to the Pandy Inn, I listened to the Archers. This is a radio soap about the inhabitants of a mythical farming community in the Midlands of England.
The show started in 1946 as an entertainment/information show for farmers after the last world war. I think it, has the distinction of being, the longest running radio show in the World.
Back to the Pandy Inn.
I was not able to find out what a Pandy is exactly, it is to do with water or water wheels. The building was erected to house workers while they built the local church. A local chap, Richard de Brito, was feeling a bit guilty about his part in the murder of Thomas a Beckett and decided to build a church to ease his conscience. This all happened way back in 1185. A much more recent customer to the pub was Ollie Cromwell in the 17th century. He was the chap who the civil war (2-1 after extra time) and changed the name of king to Protector. (A king by any other name). I wonder if he tried Scrumpy Jack’s, he should have it is very good. Go North young man.
I am now over a third of the way to the Lake District in the North of England. I am in Warrington – it is a town just off the M6 motorway. I have found the only Internet cafe in town. It started as a clear, crisp day – frost on the ground and 3C. It had turned to rain in the last half an hour, I think that there is a law that says it must rain in the North of England.
I think it is fish and chips for lunch. That should cheer an old chap up. I think I may be able to write just one more “Ramblings” before I head homeward for old Sydney town.
Go North young man
I think I left you in Warrington, well I am now at Holmstead Farm in Cumbria, The Lakes district of England. It is a pity that a really pretty farm like this has to smell like a farm. I think they should invest in Rose Garden or Ocean Breeze fresh air spray, in bulk. They could probably get it from the factory in 44-gallon drums. It would go some way to de-ponging the atmosphere.
Did I miss a bargain?
I drove on for an hour or so along the motorway from Warrington when I felt a little tired. So I stopped at a motorway services centre. I had a wander around in the fresh air, bought a newspaper, and was just about to get back in the car when, a man stopped me. This is his story. He had run low on money gambling at a casino the previous night. He was Italian, he showed me his passport to prove it. He needed £145 to pay for his car hire, he showed me the car hire papers. He had one suede and two leather coats, all new and he wanted £145 for the three, this is about Aus $320. I refused.
Did I do right? Answers, on a postcard please to “Mr Barry Hunt, Cumbria”
I made it, again.
I am writing this at the edge of Easedale Tarn (lake) in the Lake District. I nearly did not make it. I bought a map of the walking paths to get up here (800 feet and 7 kms round trip). Two things were against me. Firstly, the map was aimed at walkers on hills. It did not have very good detail of the bit from the car park to the path at the start of the walk. I knew there was something wrong when I saw Dove Cottage on the left hand side of the road and then again, 10 minutes later, on the right. The problem, I thought, was that I was trained in the Andes and Mauro, the guide, was always on hand to tell us the way. Where are you, Mauro, when I need you? My English equivalent of Mauro was the Postmaster at Grassmere Post Office. He put me right.
Unfortunately, the day is wet and misty, something that seems to have escaped some people’s notice. I am referring to the local weather forecasters, mostly amateur, on the local radio station, Radio Cumbria. There were about 5 people from around the county (or one person giving 5 forecasts using slightly different voices). I can’t believe they all said the weather today was going to be fine. Well, they did not exactly say fine, they all said it was going to be a ‘grand day’. Their accent was just the same as Wallace from Wallace and Grommet. You remember they built a rocket in the cellar and went to the moon for a picnic to taste the cheese there. (It was not as good as Wensleydale) Anyway the show was called “A Grand Day Out”. So, I digress, back to the weather forecaster(s).
You see, I think you have to put yourself in their position. With all the rain here lately, they have probably been flooded out of their homes twice in as many weeks. I suppose anything less than Storm force 12 is a “Grand Day” to them. Back to the shore of Easedale Tarn. I have just seen the other side of the lake as the mist lifted momentarily. Not long enough, alas, for me to unpack the camera I am afraid. Well, I wonder if I can find my way back to the car?
I made it, again, again.
This time it was more spectacular. I climbed the wrong fell (hill). I should have gone up to Pickle of Stickle (I am not joking, that is what it is called) but I went up Harrison Stickle instead. An easy mistake to make. I turned right too early. It was a great view but unfortunately a dead end path, 2415 feet of it. It took one and a half-hours to go up the wrong way and only one hour to come down again. On the way down there was a hailstorm. It did not make the going any easier. I consoled my self by playing with my Conkers on the way down. I should explain. In the pocket of my rain jacket are some, Conkers or horse chestnuts that I collected on our walks in the forest in the Czech republic. They have remaining there waiting to be jiggled. A habit that seems to annoy my better half so I have to do it when she is not around. .
I think I have excess gravity, I kept on sliding upon my sit-a-pon, four times in total. I was very happy to reach the bottom and be back on really firma terra.
Is British TV going Japanese?
One of the characteristics of Japanese TV is that they have game shows that humiliate the contestants. I think the TV here is going that way also. There is a personality on TV here called Ann Robinson who delights in being rude to people on her quiz show, the Weakest Link. She also conducts interviews for news programs. That is when she really gets into her stride and continually interrupts the person she is interviewing, I am waiting for someone to tell her where to go and punch her on the nose. Well, I fear all good things must come to an end as well as this series of newsletters. I will be heading homeward in a few days back to sunny (now) Oz. I hope I have, at some stage, managed to bring a smile to your face and a chuckle to your lips – that was certainly the intention.
Bye from Bazza the fairly intrepid.