I'M A LEGAL ALIEN!!!!

Congratulations to ME!! After 5 years- my work permit was about to run out- so it was either apply to stay or go. Well, not up for another big life change- and still so much to do and see on this side of the pond.SO - I applied for what is called " Indefinite Leave to Remain".This is a precurser to citizenship (which I will apply for next year- no worries- don't have to give up US status). The Leave to Remain (LTR) allows me to live here- forever hypothetically- come and go , and work in whatever field I want (whereas my work permit was tied to my current employment).I am also eligible for benefits if necessary . As I plan to stay til retirement and pick up another little pension here- I probably will not be changing jobs- but could do something part-time now or later. When I get CITIZENSHIP- then the world opens up! I can live and work anywhere in the EU. France continues to call me... but- when I do retire (6-7 yrs- ugh) I think I will throw everything in storage- do a grand finale tour of US first- see everyone and places I haven't been- then maybe do the same in Europe and England.THEN decide where my dollars and pounds go the farthest and where I most want to settle.Or at least stay awhile....can always sample several countries. It's expensive now to obtain the LTR and citizenship (£1200+ each) so I will be on an austerity budget awhile.But with couch surfing-- I may still get out to some places here or abroad.It is so cheap to fly and stay so many places in Europe from here!! Thinking about a short trip to Malta this Spring (have a same age couchsurfing host I've been in contact with)-= a friend may take me to Italy- my girlfriend in Paris-- and the kids may come out this fall. And I continue to try to hook up with sailors-if only for day sails!!!But even if I stay in England this year- I haven't totally tapped out London yet- so always something to do if I get off my butt and brave the rain:) - and lovely places only a train ride or drive away. So do come visit- before I take off on the road!!

XMAS 2010

Merry Christmas! This was a VERY quiet time for me. I had no plans- other than study for my Life in the UK test-(and gather papers for the settlement application) and unfortunately came down with severe bronchitis and was sick throughout the holiday period. But I managed to put up my little tree. And a few weeks before the holidays went out to dinner and drinks with my girlfriends from work. I did go out to a quiet party at Dialo's (the brunette's) home for NYE- so did a little socializing- but no wild partying for me this year!

Paris with Marie August 2010

Pictures of Paris- never have enough- can never go back too many times.

PARIS- AUGUST 2010

On my way "Home " from the canal trip (below) I stayed a few days in Paris with my friend Marie. She bought a beautiful new flat last year-and I was excited to see it and her! She took me on a lovely nightime cruise on the Seine in Paris- I strongly recommend it !!We hit the French market on Saturday (great shoe deals !!) and did some shopping in the city. Unfortunately- near Montmarte my wallet got lifted.But luckily she helped me out until I got home- so the shopping trip carried on! She also hosted a great dinner with her friends - who spoke some English. they tended to revert to the French- but my ear is getting better if not my own fluency. I always have a good time with Marie-even if we sometimes struggle language -wise- but somehow we get along and understand each other. Sorry she's no longer in London- but great to have a friend in Paris!(and she has one in London!)

FRENCH CANAL BOAT TRIP - AUGUST 2010

In August I met up in France- St. Jean de Losne- with a gentleman " Capt.Ty" I'd "met " on a sailing dating site. In addition to a big catamaran, he had a little canal boat in France. We wrote for 18 mos. prior to meeting. You all know I'm a risk taker- so off I went to meet him and go on holiday. The boat was in a marina in a little village called St. Jean de Losne - south of Dijon- on the River Soane and gateway to the Burgundy canal region. But our time was shortened as he needed repairs on the boat so we opted for going up the Saone with a few side canals. (but much fewer locks)So no wine tasting this trip.But still lovely. Sadly, it was not a romantic match. But we got along well enough for 10 days- met some lovely people on the way - who we took on a day ride and then enjoyed a lovely dinner in their home.I'd still like to do the wine tasting trip- but dealing with locks is a chore and very time consuming.Better to go on a luxury barge and have the staff handle the ropes-unless you were spending a very long time and in no hurry. But the lifestyle is very relaxing. When not at the marina- we found docking on the steps of the town Auxanne- which was really beautiful.But from these pics you can see that St. Jean was picture perfect.

French canal boat 2010

Shots of the boat and where we were docked before starting off- right by the lock out to the river. The boat had two bedrooms and a full kitchen and shower room. Lovely eating al fresco. We spent 3 days in the marina getting work done on the boat before taking off. The weather was lovely though- lied around (on boat and grass) and read, napped and had great meals in the village of St. Jean de Losne. Hair suffered after 10 days on the river-(when the boat pic taken) but worth it.

Canal boat in France 2010-on the Saone

On the River Saone: because we ran short of time- we did not go up the Borgogne (too many locks- like about 200 in 12 miles or some outrageous number) So we meandered up the River Saone to Auxanne and another day in Gray- which was very Gray- due to weather). But the river and the connecting canals were lovely- smooth and relaxing. We docked on the steps of Auxanne several nights (up and back the river) and went to an outside local festival "play" one night. Professionally organized and directed- it featured half the villagers I think in a mish mash of local and national history. No pictures of that- but it was quite quaint and traditional. Loved walking into town to pick up our croissants and cheese and the weekend French market. Also took a bike ride along the river- I haven't been on a bike in 30 years !!!But would definitely pick it up again if I lived somewhere like this!!!

Canal boat in France 2010

Elephants in London

A couple weekends ago I went to a park with a date to see this collection of hand painted elephants. Previously they had been distributed in varied places around London (200 of them !)They were for sale to support an elephant rescue charity. I think they were mostly painted by local artists- as I recognized the work of a few who show in local galleries.They were all pretty amazing and all together an incredible sight!

The " WEDDING"

Here's some pics from their actual ceremony night.It was held in a lovely old mansion in a park. One of the nicest and classiest "weddings " I've been to THE social event of the season..Didn't get that many good pics. But it was a great gathering of all of us from theUS, work and a few others they've met along the way here.

"Hen party"

Two lovely friends-Becky and Susan- Americans who came over with me- got together here- and fell in love. As civil unions are allowed here for gays and lesbians- they decided to tie the knot. These are pics from their "hen party " or shower. it was actuallly rather sophistiacated (not a drunken pink cowboy hats thing..But they did have some Goth belly dancers. And a couple Kareoke stars.

More random London

More London pics and the yellow grass pics were taken from the train on the way to Wales.It is called "rape" and it is really an intense yellow against the rest of thelandscape. It was very striking.Someday I'll paint it!

Random London

Here's some random London shots. A few from Richmond- the park with odd trees and a pub by the river (Thames). Also, one day "whilst" walking into the nearest shopping area by work- a horse driven hearse went by and I had my camera ! Not the best of shots but an unusual site. Also a lovely flower laden cart by a pub (above pics)

More sailing

Here's some more sailing shots- Brrrr!

Gone Sailing

Hi all- Trying to update here- So I went sailing this Spring- before the nice weather set in. Up in Wales by the isle of Anglesey.I am on a sailing/dating website where people look for crew, company and occasionally romance. This trip was just a " company" jaunt as it turned out.But then- hard to have romance on a 25 foot space- on the sea- with the loo in the center of your "tent"!(and only a curtain to divide you) Also-after the first day- with no shower - personal hygiene can be an issue!
But no worries- had a good time despite being VERY cold the first 2 days.In fact the first day- we didn't sail- it was raining.So hung out on board- read, slept, talked and played scrabble by candlelight.The next day we went out through the strait past Puffin Island (a bird reserve) to a little bay village.Stayed on board that night though. It was a bit rough at times- I had to wear 3 layers of clothes(yes, I've gained weight- as I QUIT SMOKING- but not too much- it's the layers!!) But I like bouncing up and down on the water. You may not know this- but my Dad used to have and race yachts on lake Michigan.I never learned the ropes really but I have always loved being on the water and I figure living on a island now- it's a good time to get out there and do it !!My Skipper- Chris- was very easy going- a good cook- and handled "Dansaskip" fine on his own. So I mostly relaxed and enjoyed. - Anyway- our 3rd day we sailed back to Bangor and the weather was very nice for once- and very smooth sailing.Though I'd prefer lolling about in the sun in the Med-- it still was fun- and I hope to hook up with some other sailors this summer too- ya never know where it might lead.. but at least it's a good day out.

COUCHSURFING

One of the things I started doing last year this time was being a Couchsurfing host. I usually do this when I am not dating anyone regularly (as it does impose on privacy) and just get a need to have some "Kids " around... so I host mostly travelling college girls to fill my need to be a Mum once in awhile. Couchsurfing is an international networking site for people who love to travel (or meet those who do). It is intended to be a cultural exchange and a means to allow people to travel at less expense-- as you don't charge for letting them stay with you (although they usually bring me some wine, or chocolate or make a meal- although a Brazilian girl treated me to Cirque du Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall (which was fabulous!)when she came back a 2nd time). I have had guests from Taiwan, China, France and the U.S. You can go almost anywhere and look up hosts in an area for a place to stay.It is great to have someone tell you where to go in an area and how to get around and mutually share cultures.
I started hosting last year when I thought I might need a place in Rome to meet Arisia when she thought she'd meet her boyfriend there while he was playing in an orchestra for a few weeks.
That didn't happen- so I then thought I should host people to get good "references" for future travels of my own.
Although I mostly host young girls travelling alone or in pairs- I have had a mother and her 23 yr old son from Australia-(they travelled all through Europe and to Egypt mostly couchsurfing!)- and recently a 25 yr old girl and her mother from Brazil.Everyone who've stayed have been delightful. I have a special surrogate " daughter", Andrea- who is from Hamburg.She's stayed twice and is now studying art this semester in England- so hope to see again. Several others have come back a second time. Sometimes I go out with them to a pub or do some shopping or site seeing-- but as usually here during the week- I tend to cook for them (sort of) and just provide them with a safe comfy haven. I have a good size sofa bed and all modern conveniences here.Much nicer than a hostel !! They all seem to love me and I do feel good knowing they are safe. As for ME going "surfing "- I did it once- just for place when I had to go to a training a bit aways. Haven't had the time or money to go elsewhere on my own- but I am definitely thinking of it this summer- if only around England. There are not too many of us mature "surfers"- but there are a few. I also made friends with another local host, Ian-(52) who is now a very special (GBF)friend (except he is travelling all the time !!) People literally can go around the world this way if they plan things out properly. So we'll see....but in the meantime, I enjoy the company. Despite my unconventional lifestyle at times- I still enjoy being a " Mum and a Chum". So check out Couchsurfing.org.

More France MIsc.

Here's a few more shots- in Riems- and of course my friend pointing out the all important streetside condom vending machine:)

More France

Here's some shots of the Champagne houses and the giant cask in one.