Saturday 29 June 2013

En avant!

I am closing up my delightful blog residence for a few weeks. The chandeliers have been 'bagged' and dust clothes placed over the furniture.

Why?
Because AGA and I are off for a month travelling hither and thither in England: ambling north south east and west.  It's all very exciting I must say.  My camera is charged.  My itinerary is ready.  Clothes for all seasons have been packed 'just in case'.

I have chosen to take the following books to read:

'Crown and Mitre' by Robert Neill - an old favourite of mine set in the time of the Restoration of King Charles II

'Daggers in the Forum' by Keith Richardson - I recently obtained a copy of my own, in pristine condition, of this 1976 classic on the lives of the Gracchi Brothers in Ancient Rome

'The Life of St Teresa of Avila by Herself' - I get a lot out of reading this book

'Memoirs of the Missionary Priests' by Bishop Challoner.  I shall be in York and will be visiting the site where some of the Missionary Priest were martyred in the 16th Century.

'The Letters of Pliny' - I do like that gossipy old Roman Gentleman!

I wonder if I shall actually read them all?  Probably not but I shall try.  I can't travel without at least some books to read and having a car for this trip means that I can travel with a small portable library which I intend to augment by various purchases en route!

Anyway, as I say, our bags are packed.  The hire car is ready.  Our Euro Tunnel tickets are to hand and a picnic is being prepared for us to have en route for our first night, in Calais.
We leave in an hour so there is just time for me to wish you all an enjoyable summer or winter with all the nice things that those seasons should contain.

 I have left a tray of Eccles Cakes for you to eat in my absence:

And feel free to wander about our small balcony garden:


I shall return in August feeling (hopefully) revived and ready for action after what has been a somewhat busy and difficult twelve months.
Bye for now,
Kirk

11 comments:

  1. Hello Kirk,
    a month away sounds wonderful. I'm sure you're going to find loads of books (and other things) along the way, and end up with a car sagging with the weight of them all!
    Have a great time!
    Faisal.

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  2. Oh the summer months are calling all of us to other frontiers, but we look forward to seeing your travel fun in all the glorious photos you share, Kirk! Anita

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  3. Hi Kirk, what a wonderful plan! I have no words. It would be perfect for me too, so, enjoy a lot your landscapes, your mountains and rivers, your museums, and your books. Congratulations!

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  4. Thanks for the Eccles Cakes, and have a wonderful July — we'll look forward to the photos!

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  5. Bon voyage, Kirk and AGA!
    I've got Pliny's Letters on my table as well... A perfect combination with tea and your wonderful Eccles cakes! Enjoy your adventures-- I can't wait to hear all about them in August!
    Warm regards,
    Erika

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  6. Sorry to have missed the departure! Thanks for the inspired reading list!

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  7. I hope you and AGA have a wonderful time away.
    We are coming to the UK last week of August / first week of Sept. Perhaps we might see you there? D&P.

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  8. Hi Kirk, I absolutely envy that you have the opportunity to spent 4 weeks in England! But at the same time I am happy for you, because I know you are about to travel in a wonderful country and hope you have a lovely time. Looking forward to when you start blogging, again!
    Christina

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  9. dear kirk, I've been away too, and what with one thing and another, here I am, and it's nearly August. Fortunately the others have left me one of the Eccles cakes you so thoughtfully provided. I must admit it's rather stale, but still quite tasty. Looking forward to hearing whether you read the books ( no Kindle?) and about your travels. cheers, catmint

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  10. Have you returned yet Kirk? We miss you!

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  11. A month off? Wow, I'm envious. I don't think I've ever been able to take a month off anything, ha. Hope you have an incredible time. Can't wait to read and see what all you did.

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