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This was then, This is now.

This was then, This is now.
So had it changed, The Philippines my Wife’s home town. Of course it had. For the better or for the worse? Its hard to say but Its probably just right; just right for the me that is me. Or the me that is going to be me if you see what I am saying. So what started this why the heck did I get so captured by the Philippines. Stupid question relay I got captured by a very silly woman who took a shine to me (who wouldn’t). Here she is.  I bought the ticket and got on the plane to visit even though I had no reply saying she would be at the airport to pick me up or even that my presence was require. I am a bit like that. That’s her with the perm and the Mango ears. So what does 25 years change look like, I sort of know as  the good lady wife traveled home every year or two returning with pictures and videos (You have probably seen my blogs, well probably not) but I had to visit, there are certain things that can only be experienced, lived, remembered, field tested and the like. Alona Kew White beach first, and I was pretty ahead of the curve here pre Instagram etc. Pre tourism actually that’s the boat me and the wife hired for the morning 1995, and that’s 2019. What else changed well, without being indelicate I did. That’s me in the middle. and that’s me with a middle. I would like to point out that the silly kids cycle helmet actually makes me look sillier than I normally look (Honest) I reckon it adds a whole 10lb to 20lb to the photo.   Transport sort of changed but I prefer the old school Bangka took them in preference so here is a before and after, the modern one is the one that exploded and drifted off down the coast  but hey I am all about the adventure.        Biasong spring well not going to show you what happend this time, pretty crap typical disaster by the locals.  Here instead is a moonlight boat trip on the way back from Biasong 1995. These gents are what I believe are called my posse or entourage, more of them later.   You can see...

Happy 55

Happy 55
Well Happy Birthday to me. My surprise Birthday trip from the good lady wife to the Philippines pretty fantastic.Part Holiday part recon it was a success. I can state categorically, no phone no wifi no TV is actually the best. Unplugged with intermittent free wifi when its needed..     So first the birthday bit, went to Bohol to Pangalo Island and stayed in the same cottage at Alona Kew White Beach as 25 years ago before I asked the good lady to marry me. Its a good job I did it back then as the photo evidence from this trip definitely puts my chances nearer to ZERO. Also Stayed in the Fox and Firefly Echo Lodge pretty awesome and lots of other places.   Well the second part of the trip worked on the LOT  surveying the best location for the cottage. Well lots of work here are a phew photos of the proceedings   One last romantic image and a  warning  to fellow travelers.   all the best for the New Year until Next...

On the way to the Phillipines

On the way to the Phillipines
Well standing in Honk Kong airport, arse numb after 22 hour layover view outside marvelous. Off to layout my Beach cottage, here is a scale model. Will check in again on my 55 birthday from the Alona Kew White Beach...

Its Wet, very Wet, 54 days of summer rain Wet!...

Its Wet, very Wet, 54 days of summer rain Wet!
We did have 3 days sunshine. Fortunately the three days we went camping. The rest of the time the weather has drowned my tomatoes, Chilies and hot peppers and high winds snapped the branches so had to make chili curry chutney. Various levels of spice all the way to scotch bonnets so not all is lost.   Written absolutely nothing but have just finished the adjustments to my new Antique Oak writing station and have a new Bluetooth keyboard, just need to update the wheels to brass and porcelain, currently 1970 hostess trolley wheels.   New old truck making me very happy. Truck version of the ZR 2 4 x 4 SUV my son rolled. 31″ x 10.5″x 15″ BF Goodrich all-terrain Tyres, 4″ lift and 3″ wider than stock track axles    ( Hence the wide Fender flares) positrack locking diff, Bilstine off road shocks from the factory 4.3l V6.  nice exhaust, sounds the part, especially when you put your foot down oh and Bright Red, Victory Red.   #1 Daughter starts year 2 of her Degree #1 Son starts year 4. And that’s about that, hope everyone is well and things are going to plan. ( Actually thinking about it i did write 490 words in the last chapter of the book. Shame I haven’t done the middle bit or I would have finished by now. Oh well best laid...

Hot and Cold

Hot and Cold
well not a lot of thinking going on over here summer turns to winter and I once again wonder why. Not why the seasons come and go but why here in the bloody cold. I know I prefer hot to cold . SEE                               Well not sure where I am going with this but it dawns on me that If I am to keep memories alive they need to be somewhere other than in a cardboard box. Maybe there is a randomness to it all that does not need to be so heavily curated. I met this guy in a bar has something to do with a local entertainment free paper bands and the like and I remember all that stuff at University so for the heck of it some photos to remind me I Like Rock and Roll.                                ...

So Good in Sogod. S Leyte.

So Good in Sogod. S Leyte.
So November 2014 all bundled up winter hat and all and once again loving husband I am let the good lady head home to the Philippines to visit her father and family and high school friends,and was I jealous, well a bit. Now I am not complaining but this is the lady who dragged me here to Alberta – 40c wind chill. When I fell in love with her I was fairly certain (and yes I did meet her in Alberta so that should have been a clue) I would be opening a beach B-B-Q restaurant  and fishing and sitting in the sun. I guess those pesky kids have something to do with it  but I plan on getting back out there. Hopefully not too long from now I will be retired from the cold Alberta winter and be on my veranda looking out to sea in my beach cottage with the wife at my side and Tanduay rum in my hand. I think Bikinis will have something to do with it too my good lady gets more gorgeous and glamorous every year.     That is not the beach outside my beach front lot but you get the Idea. I did crack the whip and the good lady had tasks to do  so I can build my cottage, and we are ready I just need some more money. For those of you that have heard me go on about this here is proof that things are moving to pace.                   And that is that rough plans to be turned into blue prints and I will spend my 20th wedding adversary building my retirement cottage should I ever get to retire.  ...

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