a rollercoaster called Riga

Well, I'm now composed enough to fill you all in on our latest jaunt into eastern europe, the highs and lows of which i've never experienced in all my travels.
Firstly, the opportunity to catch up with far flung friends- High.
The chance to visit a very old, very beautiful town on the Baltic- High.
The realisation that the town is still very much under state control, as a friend is piled into a paddy wagon, just because he climbed on the base of the 'freedom monument' so that bear could take a photo- Low.
Swimming in the mirky waters of the Baltic sea- a chilly High.
Celebrating our first aniversary with dear friends- Emotional High.
Saying farewell to some of those friends the next morning as they jetted back to far flung regions- Low but High.
Wil and I placing hand engraved locks on lovers bridge in honour of our partners and relationships- Huge High.
Enjoying a top notch japanese feed for our last night- Absolute High.
Going out for a last drink and finding the cheapest bar in Riga- Dizzy High.
Coming home to find our cameras, plus Mezzy's wallet and phone, missing from the room- Incredibly low Low.
Realising all my photos of all these fantastic experiences were gone forever- Even Lower still.
And that was the catalyst..... at that point, the dreads came off. Afew tears were shed from each eye, as 12 years hit the floor one by one. It was a crazy event. I'm still getting over the shock.
They were born in travel, and they have died there too. The decision was made for me. And thats the only thing I can tell you.
I'd love to show you all the photos of this rollercoaster ride, but some scoundrel (not my word) in the marketplace in Riga is deleting them right now.
And thats it.
Thanks to Mez Isa Rusty Mel and Nat, Paul Markus Wil Greg and Lucas for sharing this ride... rest assured, it's one I'll never forget. Thanks for your support. Love youse all. And special thanks to Nat and Isa for helping dismantle and clean up my head.
A tentative cheers.
bsr

It's all happening....

What an exciting time of year. Here at the chalk farm massive, we eagerly await the arrival of a few fixers. Smell Gibson will be cruising into town tomorrow fresh from her trip to Syria, followed by the Wood on friday, returning from the state of ozmosis, and then Rustle Rustle & Markus touchdown on Sunday, leaving thier Mumbai madness in a dusty heap. Crikey, lookout. We'll hit the turps for Isa's birfdee on friday, and then attempt to lay low until we arrive in Riga. Joining us in Riga will be a veritable feast of amigos, which is unreal. Moscow Mutant will meet us there, the rest of us are all on the same flight!!! Which to me = trouble. I really really hope they don't have free grog.... just kidding. When we arrive, we'll be escorted to our abode, an old castle on the river in the heart of the heritage listed town. We are all in the same dorm, visions of the wagon come to mind, although, I think we might have a door.
But, before then, ORIGIN I.
What can I say except.... it's all happening.

Camping in Bath...

May Day long weekend saw me and the girls head cross country to Bath. A quaint little town built by the Romans quite some time ago and famed for it's thermal springs, hence it's name.
On the way we stopped at Thame to visit Vixsta and Ali B, who is growing at rapid knots and now starting to walk & talk. Time certainly does fly by.
Once in Bath we embarked upon a culinary tour before hitting the campsite.

They wouldn't let us into the park with grog, so we sat in the middle of the main roundabout and enjoyed a picnic.

Roughing it in the wilds of western England.

It's hard work all this bbq-ing...

Where are Isa and Mezzy???

Bath wall in springtime.

I can't help taking snaps of me and pubs bearing my name. This one was a beauty.

For some reason the girls found this sign amusing. I can't for the life of me figure out why.... but I posed for the camera anyway.

It was a great weekend. Always so pleasurable to get out of the big smoke and plant bare feet on the grass, build a fire and give yourself up to the elements. It's moments like those that make you feel alive..... and realise just how fortunate we really are.