We had an early start with the alarm going off at 6am. Some breakfast items had been left in our room the previous evening but unfortunately we had to leave most of it behind because due to airport security restrictions there would be nowhere to put any leftovers.

The hotel porter loaded the electric buggy with our cases and took them to our pickup point where we met our taxi driver for the return journey to Naples airport. The journey over the mountains, through national parkland and offering magnificent views of Vesuvius was spectacular as the sun rose.

We got to the airport in plenty of time to check in. Unfortunately the boarding staff were rather slow with their service so our flight was delayed slightly. The flight itself ran smoothly as did collecting our car from the airport car park and our onward journey home.

You will recall from a previous post that over the past few years I have created a personalised calendar as a Christmas present for Mr C. For 2016 a fellow blogger sent me a lovely calendar in PDF format that I was able to print off hang on the wall above my computer. I enjoyed his beautiful photos so much that when the year ended I left the calendar hanging up with December’s photo as we crossed over into the New Year of 2017.

I was wondering what I would replace it with until I received an email  offer from Moonpig on half price calendars. I thought the offer was too good to miss and created a January gift for me. I am impressed by the photo quality and printing, so next year I think Mr C will be getting a personally created but professionally printed calendar at full price. He is worth it

I tried to mix the photos about a bit but some of them are inevitably the same as the photos I chose for Mr C. Below is the front cover photograph that I chose for my calendar as a bit of fun. Seeing it full size and professionally printed I think it would make a good advertising photograph for Bottle Green or the Alnwick Garden

PS: Click on the top photo for links to the original uncropped photographs

Today was rather unsettling; things changing and people moving on causing a tinge of sadness all round.

The funeral service of one of Mr C’s closest friends took place. I still find it difficult to take in the reality as he was so young and full of life. Rest in peace Bri I raise a glass to you.

As the evening twilight fades away the sky is filled with stars invisible by day.

Longfellow

Today also saw the departure of two of my work colleagues to pastures new due to restructuring of our organisation. One of those colleagues currently sat close to me and was a live wire inspiring everyone he came into contact with. He had only been working with us for a year and didn’t want to leave but his contract was due to expire and he had to plan for his family and future.

My other colleague is leaving on a voluntary early release scheme. She started working for the organisation the same year as I did. It seems like a lifetime ago now as I look back over all those years. I am sure we will keep in touch and I will be seeing her on the longstanding annual London trip in November.

The three goodbyes led to hugs and tears along the way…

St Augustine

After an unexpected summer day in Tynemouth it was time to say goodbye to both Newcastle and Tynemouth and journey to our next destination.

After breakfast we said our goodbyes to the remainder of the southern contingent (two had already left the day before).  They went off to do some shopping whilst we made our way to the Place de La Concorde to see the obelisk and the fountains which turned out to be especially spectacular due to the sun illuminating the droplets of water as they fell.

On the way we called in briefly on the Tuilleries Gardens which are still pretty even at this time of year.  We then had one last drink sitting outside at a cafe bar enjoying the sunshine before making our way back to the hotel to await the taxi that was returning us to the airport in time for lunch.  The taxi arrived on time but checking in at the airport was a bit haphazard and there was a problem with the plane at Birmingham which meant it arrived about an hour late.

Retrieving the cars from the meet and greet parking ran smoothly and we arrived home safe and sound eventually.  Now I am busy planning my next trip

The day had finally arrived for my extended family get together in Paris.  The midlands contingent were just leaving for the airport as the southern contingent arrived in Paris via Euro-star.  The journey to the airport, the meet and greet parking service, the flight and the private taxi from airport direct to hotel all ran like clockwork.

We shared our flight with the England Women’s football team who were sat in the rows of seats just in front of ours.  We didn’t land at the main terminal at Charles de Gaulle airport which meant a bit of a trek to get to where our baggage was unloaded.  This gave us the opportunity to chat to the ladies from the England team on the train journey to the main terminus.  We were informed that they were training that evening and that the following day they were having a ‘friendly’ match against France and that the match would be broadcast live on BBC3.

On arrival at the hotel I unpacked my bags and freshened up after the long journey before meeting up with everyone in the hotel reception.  We then set out to find a suitable restaurant for our evening meal.

For more of this weeks PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.

Those of you who have been following my blog for some time will know that last year presented some challenges for me and that I have not had much time for relaxation.  I was hoping for lots of free time over the Christmas break to enable me to gather my thoughts and get refocussed.  My days were a little bit more crowded and busy than I would have liked but even so my thoughts are coming back into focus (for now at least).

I know it sounds a little trivial, but one of the things I wanted to get tidied up was my flickr account.  I have been very lax with connecting my photos to collections which would make it easier to view a particular holiday or interest of mine.  I have now got that in order which then led me to sorting out all the superfluous groups I had managed to join for one reason or another. Eventually I get to the point and title of the post…

Before life crowded in on me one of the groups I enjoyed was ‘Perpetual Travellers’ (aprox 3 years ago).  It is a group of people that like to explore ideas, pathways, freedom, spirit, enlightenment and the experience of the journey and pathways in life.  These ideas were explored by conversation and through art and poetry.  I am hoping that in 2011 I will have enough free space to further explore these ideas.

Dani who started up the group had this to say:

I very much like the idea of: ” the experience of travel is more important than reaching the specific destination.” as long as we have a direction. But we do this, retaining the freedom of spirit to be able to suddenly change direction, if circumstances force us to, or if we need to change to discover new ways of welcoming the light.

My thoughts at the time were:

I think freedom and learning from others is important and exploring your own thoughts leads to enlightenment and new paths.

From Muslih-uddin Sadi:

Of journeying the benefits are many: the freshness it bringeth to the heart, the seeing and hearing of marvellous things, the delight of beholding new cities, the meeting of unknown friends, and the learning of high manners.

J. R. R. Tolkien expands on the idea:

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

There are many pathways on the journey through life…