Coconuts in the canal

It's been a while since I reported in, but Lyn and I have been quite busy. The trip to the Pacific Northwest was everything we would have wished ... and more.

THE WEDDING was a real treat ... the 'people watching' was world-class. Anna and Steve have the grandest mixture of friends; so we appeared to be seeing a melange of millionaire bikers, Hollywood execs, pirates of both genders, and a large posse of lovely, caring and talented folks. It was actually quite the privilege for us to be accepted as just part of the crew!

Anna making an honest - and very happy - man of Steve. Guess who coiffed Steve's hair?

Our return to British Columbia was poignant, and almost sentimental. Whilst it reminded us how lucky we had been, for three decades, and what great friends we have left behind; the visit engendered no sense of regret. That was then. This is now.

Laurie and Rollie took us down to their cabin, for a beautifully tranquil couple of days.

Well ... not until the result of THE REFERENDUM were announced, anyway. ;-)) (I've just noticed that my Irish Passport needs to be renewed. I must get right on that!)

Now; we are on our way up to Manchester, by way of a few side-trips. It's almost a hundred and fifty miles, so it will take us just over a week!

Ah, yes ... 'coconuts in the canal' ... 

Whilst we were meandering through Birmingham (about 2 months ago) we noticed, on a few different occasions, coconuts bobbing about in the water??? Recently; heading into Coventry; we again saw this sight and felt it to be strange; as there were no coconut palms anywhere in view! Chatting with a 'local' we gained the insight that: in areas of the U.K. where there are large communities of folks from the Indian sub-continent; there is a tradition carried out by folks living near the River Ganges. During funerals: grieving relatives deposit coconuts in the sacred river. The Ganges; being relatively remote from the U.K.; nearby rivers and canals are pressed into service, by local grieving relatives; as a substitute. Are we - we wonder - being too gullible, in accepting this explanation for the floating nuts?

We have now left The Saltisford Arm (Warwick) which has been our 'pied-a-terre' for a lot of the past 9 months. (Thanks Ian and Jackie!) Now we are heading North, to establish a new 'pied-a-terre' at the Portland Basin (at Dukinfield, on the outskirts of Manchester); with Sandra and Guy (boatyard owners).

As you might surmise; we are drifting - gradually - towards our house in Shipley, Yorkshire.

It has its own mooring; but when we'll actually get there ... ???

Hope you are all well. More anon, Tom and Lyn.