view from the top

i've decided that - since i am taking a break from ultimate/running to finally heal this broken bod - i'm going to further explore the areas nearby on the weekends. this picture was taken in Newbury, at the top of Beacon Hill.



History Lesson 213 (as per Wikipedia):

The hill fort on the top of the hill has never been systematically excavated, but the land and ditch are sharply defined and well preserved. The Beacon Hill camp, built around 1000 BCE, was probably inhabited by around 2–3000 people according to calculations from similar camps. It is one of a number of hillforts, which are strung out along the north-facing scarp of the Hampshire Downs, overlooking the Kennet valley to the north.

The 5th Earl of Carnarvon, George Herbert, was buried here (just behind the fence, all alone):



The 5th Earl was an enthusiastic amateur Egyptologist, undertaking in 1907 to sponsor the excavation of the royal tombs at Thebes by Howard Carter.

It was in 1922 that they together opened the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, exposing treasures unsurpassed in the history of archaeology. Several months later, Carnarvon died suddenly, giving popular credence to the story of the "Curse of Tutankhamun", the "Mummy's Curse." His death is most probably explained by blood poisoning (progressing to pneumonia) after accidentally shaving a mosquito bite infected with erysipelas (whatever the fuck that is). At five to two in the morning (that has to be an approximation), the lights in Cairo (where he died in a hospital) went out and plunged the people into darkness (how spooky!!). Reportedly, at the same time, back at his home, his dog gave out a great howl and died.

sure .. make the dog die when it was the stupid owners fault for disrupting a tomb. hmpf.

His colleague and employee, Howard Carter, the man most responsible for revealing the tomb of the young king, lived safely for another sixteen years.

hmmm ....

feeling smarter now? yeah, me neither. but isn't it (the first one) a pretty picture ?!

back, by further demand

hiya! sorry for the delay in posting an update. i've received a gentle 'nudge' from Bubba to write a new post since he's 'tired of looking at medusa'.

okay, okay message received loud and clear. here's the latest news ...

shortly after coming back from tuscany, i was on a flight to go back home for a visit. it was a hectic time but very good. i've learned that going 'home' for a visit is a truly different experience. different in the sense that most ppl (including myself) figure that you have loads of time to see everyone and visit your old haunts.

yeah notsomuch.

instead, you try to fit as much as you can in. you hope that friends will understand your dilemma, cherish the moments you have with the ppl you do get to see, and when the visit is over - you can't believe it's over!

the family had a c'mas celebration on friday, october the 13th. since both my sister and i have never been huge c'mas fans - this was quite appropriate - and fun. the gifts/toys i got for my niece (Allison) and nephew (Wil) were a hit. i'm always surprised at c'mas to get gifts for i tend to fall onto Santa's 'naughty' list for the most part.

i'd like to think that that is part of my charm ;o)

Fran (sis) took me to this great little place for some fantastic food. if you ever find yourself in South Mountain wandering about the countryside, you have to go to the Laughing Wren. Ginny (chef/baker extraordinaire) owns this lovely old farmhouse and has turned part of it into a restaurant. you will not be disappointed if you go. Ginny's great sense of humour, warm demeanour and fantastic cooking ability makes this an awesome stop along the way. oh, and if jams/jellies are your thing she makes this amazing sangria jelly (and many others) that will make your taste buds sing!

actually, that's just true of everything that comes out of her kitchen.

sooner than i could believe, i was back at the airport with my family saying goodbye. plane ride back to the UK was freezing but off of the plane, the weather was a lot more mild. i quickly slipped back into the 'groove' of work/play. it's been 9 months since i've been here and i think that i've finally figured stuff out. getting way more comfortable behind the wheel on the wrong side of the road. you know, when i've said before that 'i think that i'm beginning to settle in' .. yeah, well, i lied. only now am i beginning to settle in.

really really.

work has been busy/ever-changing. i'm going to South Africa (Jo'burg) on a business trip next month and am tacking on a few days (vacation days) in Cape Town for a bit of beach and r and r. quite excited about that trip from a business perspective and am really looking forward to meeting/learning from the company i'm going to visit with. personally, i'm hoping to meet up with some friends in CT.

went walking out in the countryside with a friend last weekend ... we were laughing at this guy who was on a dirt bike with the smallest wheels ever as he was trying to get through some mud. but check out the scenery behind him:



there is some beautiful countryside to enjoy here!

well, i guess that's about it for now ... i promise to be more diligent in my postings Bubb :o)

hugs to all,
Px