Windin'

 So.......after spending a glorious week with the girls and friends in London we took plane to RAF Gibraltar. The airport there goes by that name despite the absence of the RAF. The runway crosses the only road on to the peninsula and traffic stops whenever a plane lands. Anyway, stayed in a really nice hotel in la Linea and walked into Gib.

I digress momentarily to offer some insights into my hotel/motel rankings developed over years of watching our daughters row. They always stayed in the nice places while we stayed in what were once called "no tell motels". My ranking system is based on whether one can read a newspaper through a bath towel. The Bellair and Track and Turf in Camden NJ offer towels that are almost as opaque as a windshield. The places we stayed in Europe included towels that actually absorbed water and light. Maybe it's a European thing.

Anyway, we had wintered in Gib in '92/'93 when we realized that plans to do so in Marseille included the possibility of snow. The prevailing wind there is westerly blowing out of the Med. The current through the strait is easterly so coming and going by sailboat is often a problem. When the wind turns easterly it is called a Levanter and the result is shown here. Results in a dark and gloomy day there and bright sun a couple hundred yards away across the airport. A windrose painted on the wall of a ferry terminal shows the various winds and their names. Thus endeth the lesson for today.

Europin'

So, as most of you are aware, Animal House is really a creation myth not just the best movie ever. I followed its lead in mid April when confronted by a dwindling bank account, a desire to no longer work [nothing new there] and the fact that Lesley was living in London for the semester and Emily was planning on a visit, I decided to hit the VISA card hard and go visit the "old" Europe.

Left for London where on the first morning met a good friend name Simon. He was from Africa [country began with a "Z"] and wanted his picture taken next to a brand new Audi. I suggested the new Jaguar a few rows over and we became fast friends. Was going to use the picture to promote his micro lending scheme whereby he promised to make 300% profit per month. First time I have ever met one of those e mail writers in person. They do exist so maybe the rest of their stories are true.

Spent a wonderful week in London visiting many new places and some of the old we had seen together in 1993. This is taken in the exact same spot outside Buckingham Palace where we witnessed the changing of the guard back then. We were there this time to return our tickets to the wedding the next week as we thought the crowds would be a bit much. Didn't miss much as our seats were right behind the Beckhams and not in a particularly good location.

I did see that the Queen does not have WIFI in the palace. But did notice that many of the people attending the wedding brought their own in the form of satellite dishes disguised as hats.

Workin'

So, my time in FL came to and end followed by an intensive four weeks of work in an effort to pay for the last five. Don't have any pictures of my labor but an interesting conversation to recount.

A long time friend announced his retirement. Sitting with him one day before the morning session began we discussed his future plans. After awhile I told him that every once in awhile I felt jealous of my friends retiring with safe and secure pensions. He sort of smiled and said that as far as he was concerned I had been retired from the moment we first met 35 years ago. On reflection, I would have to agree. Retirement is only a state of mind. Careers have it ass backwards allowing people freedom from the work routine when their health is in decline and their kids have moved away. Next up will be a series of discussions on travels in foreign countries spending my children's inheritance.

I'd also like to thank all my many fans who inquired as to my next post. Both of you have way too much free time.

Remembrin'

Remembrin'

Remembrin'

Homin'

So, I don't know why all good things must come to an end but my time on the beach did. Saw the biggest moon in the world on the drive home as a form of consolation although it would have been better over the Atlantic than Alexandria.

Seems a good friend wanted to sell her rowing shell. It was in our back yard so I offered to do it for her. She and her partner are expecting a baby soon. Ended up selling it to a guy from CT with the same last name as that of a guy I called Dirtball who played basketball in college with another good friend. Kelly and I drove the boat to the CRI boathouse. CRI is where our daughters learned to row awhile back.  They got interested in in when Kelly read an article in the Boston Globe mentioning a learn to row program for high school kids and our older daughter was at that age. The article mentioned a coach who had gone to high school and rowed in Buffalo. Em signed up, Les followed and we met a lot of really good, lifelong friends along the way while enjoying their success.

Anyway, the buyer, when asked about his name said he was from Buffalo and had coached at CRI in 1995, the correct year. He didn't know Dirtball. So it had to be the guy Kelly read about and is partially responsible for our ladies involvement and success in the sport.  It did not provide him a discount, however.