Big e - sorry about late reply - got home last night - pretty tired as my host during the last fortnight dragged me across mountains and valleys, mostly in his 'burro' which is an all terrain vehicle and our dear NBD manages to use in all sorts of ways, including climbing to the top of it in 1 second flat in order to get a better photograph. He is nimble and quick, both in body and mind and I have a friend for life, wish we'd live closer, but the journey across by plane isn't half as bad as I thought it would be.
As you know, I also had a stint on the 'biach' seat of his Harley-Davidson motor byke- all of 5 hours - first time ever on a bike for me - don't even ride a push bike - but got addicted quickly. NBD is the most amazing driver - would do a formula 1 driver proud in a motor car, but even more so on the bike, as we practically drove on winding roads most of the time, and at the end with almost no visibility and a damp road and cold weather (and he had given me his jacket to wear), that I was having visual distortions of the lane next to me, but got home safely.
Saw a wonderful film on the way back 'Green' something about an Italian-American semi-mafia chauffeur being hired by a black musician to take him on tour, some of it into the deep south - apparently a true story. Loved the music - again due to NBD's influence will practice some boogie rhythms . . . . on piano.
Back to 'normal' and all the problems, including having broken down in my car on my last day here before departure to the wilds. Only thought occasionally about my very sick girl in England - it was such a reprieve from constant worry - am so grateful!!
Don't even remember what nics I had as a child, one of which was my father's and I use as a sign-on for my emails with GMX, so can't disclose, but found out meaning of it much later in life. Sure Dad didn't know. At work I had all sorts of nics but realised people don't give you nics unless they like you, so was always happy, one I can disclose: 'hurdy-gurdy' because I was always fast and ran everywhere - as there was so much work in this particular job - one of the lawyers became one of THE important legal eagles appointed to the Australian High Court, now retired, I am sure - (I didn't keep up with people I met during my working life) Loved that job, but eventually had to leave as they stopped shift work - which suited me then, as I had children in high school and Mum being home at least every other week in the afternoons was important.
One of the employed lawyers there I got friendly with, eventually became a personal friend and he, his wife and young son came to our house a number of times and we went horse-riding with him - 'Richard' (that was his name) had to have a horse - he was American and grew up with horses, hubby had a trial run on the horse, managed quite well, I didn't, but spent time in car with my friend, who showed me how to survey the street and traffic ahead as you would in an aeroplane (he had flown over 300 reconnoitre flights during the Vietnam war) and just generally showed off, but was a lovely guy. Lost his wife and son to inherited heart disease, but found another lady. I went over to visit Arizona after my husband's death - loved America and the easy-going and friendly ways they have, but much crime where my friend was working as an adjunct to the local Sheriff, due to it being a major drug route to the North.
AFter the legal job I did casual work, worked for all sorts of interesting little companies, including Argyle diamonds for a while - interesting mob those surveyors and geologians ..... never scored a diamond though, would love, just a single one, as a pendant - but have been given an imitation by my English granddaughter, which looks pretty good, too. Essentially I like natural stones as jewellery, have two beautiful coral necklaces, one - red - in the Italian style, but bigger and a really 'with-it' one with large black corals sticking out like claws round the neck - suitable only for certain people and occasions.
I realise now how privileged and lucky I was with the jobs I had - especially since I was a migrant - mind you with perfect English and the right 'posh' accent which no-one could quite define, except it was 'good'. I get picked for a South African, mostly.
Thanks for 'shoe' explanation - I need a wider shoe, too, but just a 'B' fitting, as being 'continental' I don't have the dainty feet of our English cousins (!), but manage to buy my shoes on-line, but try and get stuff made in 'Portugal' 'Spain' etc. have enough at the moment. Was down to 3 pairs a while ago.
So glad you have family whom you so obviously love - as a migrant there is no such thing, unless you are Italian and the whole 'clan' is here. We always made friends easily though, now I am a bit picky, can't be bothered with too much small talk and stuff like that. I like interesting people, as I think I am also interesting - read a lot, even scientific stuff, as long as I can get someone to explain something complex to me.
Need to run and check on my car, which is majorly sick!
Taurisk
