Relaxed and ready.

More walk-abouts, more tea, more lunches, more naps.  It's simple routine and I've rested an inexplicable part of me that needed restoring. Yet while I've been nourishing on the one hand, the other has me chomping at the bit to do more, but there will be lot of time for that later. 

And talking of nourishment, my plan to gain some weight while here is working nicely. Guinness, shepherds pie, trifle, repeat.

It was dusk as I left 'The Fox' and after a cheeky half I almost went double or nothing and became a  customer at 'The Village Chippy'.  Despite already having eaten dinner - the thought of buying a bag of chips arose, not because I wanted them, but because I could....but I couldn't!

These boys look like they pulled an all nighter at the Leeds Festival.  Though standing at the bus stop outside The Mexborough, I was unsure exactly where they'd scrubbed up......or maybe they hadn't?

The Leeds Quicksliver store-classic. Well this place had me fooled, and there I was thinking I'd snap up a new pair of board shorts!

Blimey-you're just as liable to draw blood on your neighbors ankle as break your own in these! I'm so out of any kind of fashion loop it all looks like fancy dress to me (or perhaps that's just my age)? 

There is one more element I forgot to add the lovely tea, lunch, nap, repeat routine which is that of taking lots of photo's. It was impossible not to over snap all the copious plants, shrubs and trees at the lovely gardens we've visited.

The routine is working, I've added a few pounds and feel more grounded for it. I've learned more about my G11 (thanks to my bro above) and spent lots of time running after my Mum who had a blast with her new found mobility freedom.

I've talked to the animals....

.....and swung from the trees, but now it's time to move on. Toodles for now!

Up, up and away.

Two days before, arriving in San Francisco I'd once again been overpowered by the sheer volume of concrete. Flying out over it, it was easy to see why, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it's still one of my favorite cities.

As I kicked back for my haul across the Atlantic, I had a moment of thanks to American Express for their milage program and Virgin for their Upper Class cabin!

I landed in London on the last day of the Olympics and my concerns of delays traveling across the big smoke were ill founded. In fact, it was one of my quickest transfers from Heathrow to Kings Cross, providing time to puzzle over these people standing in line in front of a sign saying 'Platform 9 ¾' and a sawn off shopping cart! Evidently, if I was a Harry Potter fan, I would have been in line too.

As I took my seat on the train for the last leg up to Leeds, we'd barely left the station before there was a mass cacophony of crinkling crisp packets and fussing cellophane as sandwiches and snacks were released for consumption. The Brits do love a picnic.

You know you're heading North when the refreshment announcer proclaims “Starbucks coffee, Yorshire tea and Cadburys hot chocolate are available in the buffet car. We apologize that the drinks trolly cannot serve any hot beverages as due to electrical difficulties with the hot water” ” (cue collective chuntering). We might be able to throw a successful Olympic Games.....but some things never change.

As I stated to nod off, the conversation from the two women in front of me drifted my way. “You know, he's a bit dodgy that one is ” said the first lady in a conspiratorial tone, “I think the word you're looking for is knob head” said the second, bold as brass and not skipping a beat. And the next thing I knew I was in Leeds.

I'm staying with my bro and as any good sister would, day one - just as he'd got his post work comfy's on, I grabbed him and we cycled all of three minutes to the local for a swift one. Priceless.

The village of Thorner is a perfect hub for me. Two pubs (The Fox and The Mexborough), a post office, a village shop and St. Peter's dominates the landscape. Two minutes up the hill you're in the countryside and public footpath heaven.

Luverly juberly.

In the UK days are ruled by taking advantage of the weather. Mum has discovered a mode of transport that allows her to romp about with me when the sun is out. Most of the local parks offer motorized scooters for free and lordy lord she's in heaven! It's a winning combo as I love to get out and about in all the local fabby green space and she can now join me while getting the wind in her hair.....or not!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

A taste of things to come, concentrating on my three point turn.

Roundhay Park on a quiet afternoon.

Sunshine and flowers-shocking!

The local wildlife.

Full speed ahead, there's no stopping her now, must dash!

UK

The primary reason for my visit this year was to help with the last push of unpacking from my Mum's recent move. Her new flat is beautiful and I was totally impressed by the 95% of work that had already been completed. The limited space of this lovely new home required aggressive culling on her part. It's not easy chucking away memories, so much so that as Mum said 'no' I said 'yes' and have ended up with five boxes to be shipped back to Maui!

All I can say is "thank God there's not room for any more stuff", because Mum does love her Amazon account. Customers who viewed this item may also like....the rule is "one in - one out"!

Of course home visit's are all about family and so here's my brother Red being polite and sitting on the tree chair his girlfriend bought him, which I think he preferred putting up - than sitting in.

Meanwhile, me and Red's girlfriend Liz relaxed and enjoyed our coffee from the comfy swing whilst laughing at my brother sitting awkwardly in said tree chair.

And finally, to make sure I really did leave Red dropped me at Manchester airport.....but not before charging a bevi to my room, cheeky git :-)