Clary's Travel Digression

Happy Birthday Greetings to two special ladies.

Thanks, that's nice of you. I hope Clare is having a good birthday. Is she really in Italy now? I'd like to go someday. <sigh>

Yes, Piffka, you would love it to bits. Italy has got everything. We have discovered it rather late in life.

Happy Birthday! To two top ladies. Many happy returns, from a wet and windy Cheshire.

McTag

Well, my word. Diane has a birthday thread going for Piffka. Where be she?

And a happy birthday to Clare.

Ciao.

I think Piffka is with her family tonight. And Diane, I dunno, but prolly nearby us.

Hey y'all! Thanks for your birthday wishes, my feet didn't touch the ground yesterday but only because I was travelling - woke in Richmond, brunch in Queen's Park, tea in Oxford, supper in Bristol and bed in Totnes!!
Not in Italy till Christmas Eve - but looking forward to it immensely! Marzipan and all.
Happiest of birthdays to Piffkin - seem to have got the wrong email for her again - but will try some more!

Totnes is an odd name, I think, and the town is old.

Do you know the origin and the meaning of the name?

Surely you are not asking me to tell you about the history of 'the fort or lookout on the nose or ridge of land', are you?

History of The small town with a BIG heart

Who would have ever thought that Totnes and Troy were somehow connected?

Here one connection between Troy and Sacramento (my birth place) that is interesting and worth the share.

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/biography/pqrst/schliemann_heinrich.html

Thanks Walter, thanks c.i.

I have been through Sacramento on the Greyhound bus. It looked nice, early one morning in June, 1977.

Totnes is nice too, lovely. Let's all go to Clary's for afternoon tea, next summer. I'll bring the scones, jam and thick cream. Devonly.

So it's on me for the butter.

Well, I have some tea.

And I'll have some scones...

sounding good.....

You'll be very welcome. I might not be there of course, but just push open the garden gate and make yourselves at home in the tiny walled garden.

And that website pinched MY slogan - my school is 'the small school with the BIG heart', which I invented to appeal to the rather 'Hello Kitty' sentimentality of some of our students, especially the Japanese (sorry, c i! you may not be sentimental at all)

Merry Crimbo to Clary in Italee!

And anyone else who can be bothered to turn on their computer on Christmas Day.
Dinner will be ready in about one hour, so I have got time to drink beer and look in.

Cheers!
Have you decked your halls with boughs of holly?

Merry Christmas, Felice Natale to all my readers, from the Four Seasons Hotel, Milano - a magnificent place where we have just enjoyed a 6 course Christmas dinner but so choice and delicate that we donàt feel the customary bloated torporò we were upgraded to suites, would cost 785 Eruos a night but all free because of Number One Son!! Many of the staff here have worked with him in London, so thereàs much good will and hugs and free this and that. Ah, glory! La Scala was closed, but there was a magnificent exhibition of its interior building etc in the tall and beautiful galleria nearby. Itàs very gloomy and rainy ì however, we can enjoy family presentes and games and chillìout while watching crappy tv on our plasma screen.

I'll bring the finger sandwiches and cakes. Gotta share this with all of you. During the Trans-Atlantic cruise last month, I went for afternoon tea almost every day. It was fantastic, with choice of tea, scones, finger sandwiches, pastries, and cakes. I'm looking forward to another cruise with Oceania Cruises; they're first rate.