Walking To The Beat Of The Fall

It is beautiful right now! The yellow, red and orange leaves are beautiful against the backdrop of the sky and the everygreens. Every where I look the scenery takes my breath away. Daughter 2 is probably getting tired of me continually stating "Look at that tree!" or "Do you see the sky tonight!"

I have been out and walking this fall. I have visited the Botanical Gardens - each time a new experience! I walked in a 5K over the week-end. It was great to get out and push myself - walking in the nippy weather with the leaves falling off the trees - felt like I was in a fall snowglobe. A recent trip to the near by savanah was breathtaking. My heart soars just walking around town seeing all the fall displays. Of course, I am grateful for all my walking buddies in my life. I feels exhilitrated after our dose of nature.

I suggest it for everyone - walk! Get out there. Find new paths. Explore your area. Experience nature at its finest.

On the Move To The UK

I couldn't believe my passport! Three years and no trips to the UK . I decided I had ignored my previous home long enough and hitched a ride with Sir on a week-end trip to jolly ol' London. It is amazing to me how three years can go by so quickly - yet stepping off the plane and heading to customs felt like it was just last week I there having a tea at an outdoor cafe with Daughter 1.

Nothing had changed going through customs at Heathrow. The traffic on the streets remained crowded, loud and chaotic. The weather didn't disappoint me - one minute sunny and bright, the next cloudy with rain. The mixture of color and languages sharing the streets remained unchanged. Three years has passed me by and my Londontown was the same. Walking through the streets brought back so many memories my head was spinning. I am sure Sir was tired of me stating over and over . . ."do you remember when..."

How did I spend my 24 hours in town? Due to a tube closing (rail work) we couldn't venture to our old stomping grounds - so I chose - the tourist thing: walking for miles from Leicester Square to Trafalgar Square to Covent Garden to Regent Street to Embankment and finally back to the tube. I was not disappointed. The crowds of people gathered at Trafalgar Square waiting patiently to have their photos taken while on top of the giant black lions existed then and still remains a beloved activity today. The smells that drifted from China Town years ago remains exactly the same - it warmed my heart and soul. The music, street entertainers and clanking of dishes at the outdoor cafes took me back to the days when I had a stroller pushing my way through the crowded streets of Covent Gardens. I enjoy feasting on my favorite curry at one of our favorite hang outs - Wagamama's - while waving to my favorite restaurant - Belgo's - I will have to visit it next trip!

What changed? Shopping. We headed to our favorite shops on a mission .... and they were closed. Poof. Maybe my pocketbook is happy but I was down right disappointed!

After a great evening dining with friends, staying up way to late, getting to bed in the wee hours of the morning . . . I packed my bags and headed home grateful for the time spent with Sir, my walk around London, my evening with friends and 16 hours on the plane without telephone or a computer!

I won't wait for three years to pass again!