I'M JUST SO EXCITED

As you know I don't like being where I live and try and go away as much as possible as a result. And I have three very lovely trips coming up.

I'm getting so excited, and I don't know which trip is the most thrilling.

The first is wonderfully familiar and will be Philadelphia.
I'll arrive a week on Friday lunch time. Eve will be late picking me up, and we'll drive to her house. She makes me stay in her bed and she goes in her daughter's room. So whilst I'm unpacking she'll be changing the sheets. Then she'll go off to the store, whilst I make my way to the porch. I'll sit in the same place I always do and in a short while Eve will emerge with a try laden with cheese, crackers, grapes, salami, olives and large gin and tonics. And there we will sit regardless of the weather till it's too dark to see and the mosquito's have realised I'm there. As there is one thing the mossies love, it's me!!! Then we'll move to her front room. Pat Methaney will be put on to play and the conversation will continue till about 9pm when I'm falling asleep with jet lag. I could tell you a complete break down of Saturday and Sunday as well, but I'll save you from terminal boredom by stopping.

On Monday, fingers crossed, Sorrow will arrive, she has a 7 hour drive to get to us, I know I did the other way last year! And she will be there till Wednesday. Eve will be at work, so Sorrow and I can pick up where we left off last year's conversation.

All of that has me tingling with anticipation, I love the familiarity of being there. I love the routine, I love being with my friend, she is the holder of all my secrets, as I am hers. And I have ten wonderful days of just being there.

So that is one exciting adventure, the other one that is thrilling me, is one that will take place in September. I go with my beautiful niece to Berlin for the weekend. She has been to Berlin a few times and is keen to go with her aged Aunt and show her the sights!!!! Then on the Monday we part, her back to the airport to got back to Liverpool and me to the train station to catch a train to USEDOM!!!!!! Guess who I'm going to see there..... yep Paco! and possibly Hans, and GELI!!! YES!!! How exciting is that? It will be a real challenge for me to get across Germany by myself, not speaking a word outside of please and thank you! I'm going to stay with her through till Friday then get myself back to Berlin and then the airport.

These two trips represent all that is safe and known in my life as opposed to a real challenge to my fears. I can't wait for both! And of course inbetween there will be a summer trip down to Devon. Just as well I don't ever go out, about from walking round here, as I'd never afford this otherwise.

The photo is a very special door to an enchanted world somewhere in America.