Around the world in 80 Years

Our latest piece of whimsy is fast transforming itself into an area worthy of a bench. What started out as a modest crossword around a water heater cover has turned itself into a feture that just keeps on growing.

Ruprecht and I have travelled, separately and together, for many years now. Ruprecht started in his late teens and my first venture overseas was when I was 11, a trip back to the old country with mum and dad. We are talking mid 60s, when British Airways was BOAC. We travelled in the state of the art VC10 and our first two stops were still in Australia. It was a 30 hour trip with a stop to refill every few hours - 5 more if my memory serves me correctly.

There is a corner in the garden, between the carport and the water tank, a nothing piece of land that has struggled to find a purpose inlife. The once lack lustre violets in the back garden have taken over, loving the shade of the water tank. It is tumbling down the retaining wall into this neglected space giving this tiny pocket a certain appeal. It needs work but I can see potential.

I am envisaging a 'homage' to our many travels. The crossword of places visited is over twice its original size and I am toying with another that chronicles the rivers and waterways we have cruised. Ruprecht loves his river trips (a bit like Ratty messing about in boats) and we've done a few.

We haven't done it in 80 years - still got a few to go - but money does tend to run out. Ruprecht is proud that he has stepped on all 7 continents and travelled 4 out of the 5 major rivers. I'm proud that I've been to the 6 continents that count. Happy to have given America a miss. But we still have a few years left - I might be tempted by Canada if we win the lottery.

There are nods to our travelling dotted around the garden and I am often torn between the excitment of travel and the comfort of my garden. Who am I kidding? The garden wins hands down!