Long Time ... no typing (so its a long post!)

But I’ve been sorting out the social calendar for the next few months… alas it does little for my carbon footprint this year … which following the thought process of how to scare people in this city (that climate change and sea level rise really is important you need to take mitigating action now! Or else this city floods sooner) isn’t really the way to go.

So since I’ve last typed I’ve sort out a flight and weekend in June to the Netherlands to go Scrapbooking (Aka crafting) which should be great fun (a couple of the Monday Night Craft night Crowd went last year and said it was great, both the workshops & the company!), so far only two album tracks are out (aka a book in a ½ day session) and I’ve gone for the one by Donna Downey called ‘A Year in the Life’ which will be a chance to record what I got up to in 2007 well … and maybe to take forward for future years. There will be lots of classes to take come the end of the month (and you can change your mind until May) after the big craft show, CHA, has been and companies have released their latest lines. So more lovely things to make and new skills to learn. Also a chance to catch up with a country I have a soft spot for I think, The Netherlands. Is it their practical and innovative thoughts on flooding … or are they just a low lying kindred spirit? So I’m tagging on some extra days using YHs and getting cheap flights so some Sand Dunes & the bright lights of Amsterdam will round off the trip.

Whilst on the subject on Youth Hostels, Dr T and me have cashed in the Clubcard vouchers that will pretty much pay for our holiday spanning my birthday and our friend’s wedding in May. We’re heading for East Anglia for a bit of North Sea Coastal air and the odd inland stop off. We will no doubt also wave the NT and EH cards whilst in the area (Ortford Ness is on the list, as we’re staying in a YH near it). I do find I rather like YHs if only for the chance to stay in often some rather interesting buildings (like the old one Kings Lynn is in). It will also be a chance to catch up with a friend & a relative on the way.

Another YH moment probably in April in my favoured London spot, St Paul’s YH. I’m afraid its another craft moment, maybe with the sister (she’s got a thing for alcohol inks in her new foray into papercrafts) and also maybe catch up on some sights/ museums while up there.

Having cashed in the YH destined Clubcard vouchers … the next batch will go towards Airmiles for me .. I’m just a few hundred short before I can book myself a holiday to Washington DC (again using a YH base) in September and maybe catch up with an old friend who will be in Charlotteville by then.

…and not forgetting a couple more Girlie Weekends … Eurostar to Paris & alas another flight to Dusseldorf for Cologne in December again. Add in the short hop flight from Soton to Manchester for SAGGA AGM (it was cheaper and a lot shorter travelling time than the train) and that totals 4 flights in a year … no good for the carbon footprint!

Mind you all this will cost relatively little what with Clubcard YH nights, Airmiles flights, Sheraton points on hotels, flights booked months & months in advance & FunFares with National Express. I think the travel bug will be satisfied to sustain it for a Dr T induced drought for a while (I think I will try to convince him Malta is a nice place to visit for his imposed conditions, firstly they must speak English (despite my ability with French & German) …and not be the US with their security marlarky).