Are we there yet?

Not quite done travelling. I went to meet Kathy in Socorro, New Mexico on the road from Colorado. This was Thursday when we set off along US 60 through Magdelena, passed the Very Large Array radio telescope, Datil; and stopped in Pie Town, New Mexico for . . . pie and coffee; Quemado, Red Hill and home to Arizona.

I've gone all quiet. Reading. Looking at photos. Just contemplate the grazing horses.

Blast from the more recent past

About 1990 that is. With my meanderings about the web and thinking of past interests I came upon some steam engine sites. Traction and railway. I have quite a few snaps of shots I took at the Weeting rally in about 1990. I have spent nearly all my spare time today scanning and labelling photos to upload to Flickr dot com. Steam engines fascinated me when I was little and I liked nothing more than to go down to the station to watch shunting work; or to go and sit with the level-crossing keeper and watch the signals and marvel at the new Britannia's pounding up from London hauling passenger trains to Norwich. At the library I would find all the railway books and look at the pictures of these powerful beasts snorting smoke and steam. Later, when I could read, I would read all the stories of railways in The Railway Lovers' Companion.

Mr. Button was one of the local council workers who looked after the steam roller at the local works. He built a working model. Mr Banyard was another engineer who build several working models of traction engines.

. . . to resume seeking . . .

. . . to rest my eyes on a far horizon, that ever receding edge of the world keeping me at the centre of the plain, on the plane, at the centre of space/time. Erehwon comes to mind; and Flatland. Julian of Norwich bricked up in her cell . . .
. . . the tide is out . . . but . . . Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.
--Mahatma Gandhi

Six hundred and sixty miles

. . . home. Zoë knew what was coming and didn't make a fuss and snoozed on the back seat of the car except for pit stops the last of which was at the El Malpais National Monument in New Mexico. I had stopped here briefly on the way to Colorado last Friday morning. The road between Grants and Quemado is lonely and passes through the badlands formed from the lava flows from volcanos which last erupted only eight hundred years ago. La Ventana (the Window) is a natural arch just off highway 117 . . .
Place names which intrigue me because they are juxta -posed on one signpost along Interstate 25 in New Mexico:
Cimarron
Eagle Nest
Angel Fire

Post Factum

I managed to practice and play a little music; no writing; no inner musings; no mail; no money; time of little consequence . . .

This kite stayed aloft for most of the week-end; came to earth just three times.
All good things must come to an end. Two more shots of one Colorado sunset minutes apart

One More Day

The views of the distant, snow covered Rockies over Denver are spectacular, especially at sunset.
One more day in Colorado. Now I am finally relaxed and caught up with time. Kathy is thrilled with the trailer (caravan). Last night was the first opportunity we had of spending the night in the trailer together and trying to sort out the plumbing. Sassy, Kathy's cat, has taken over the bed as that is her safe place. I've been playing the dulcmer; and Steve has been entertaining us with lots of music. Zoë has been wandering about but staying well clear of the horses! Fred the llama stays aloof in his pasture. Am I any closer to finding myself? No, but . . . this sure is a beautiful place in which to lose oneself.

More Travelling

Colorado this time. A gathering of families and friends to celebrate Dale's earning the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University at Fort Collins.

Colchester Castle Redux

Jet Lag

I'd forgotten all about the effects of flying at great speed across many time zones; especially from east to west. I've been feeling very sorry for myself but now I've re-acquainted myself with the dulcimer and played some jolly jigs and rollicking reels I'm feeling a little better.
I took 337 pictures and eight brief video clips whilst in England. So what? Now I need the find the 3,370,000 words to describe the memories they evoke. Didn't I cite the 'one picture is worth ten thousand words' text?

Tempus fugit

My time in England is almost done; the rental car is due to be returned tomorrow; I have finally bought a book by Alain de Botton; I have just relished the greenery and noise and bustle of people about their daily business, walking and talking . . . the traffic and main roads I could do without.