Canada to Patagonia at a Worrying Age

As per usual, I get nervous before leaving a favoured (and comfortable) place. However, it’s probably exactly the right time for me to go.

The night of the candles was as you may imagine it, in that there were a lot of candles in windows and on balconies, etc. Unexpected was the number of caballeros who flooded the town. It was great and special and all those things you expect (but don’t rely on) when travelling to new places. At one point it was impossible to move down the street for the number of horses blocking it. The smell was memorable as I think most of the horses had not been to town before and were hence quite nervous.

Easier at this point just to drop in a couple of pictures, I think…

First picture would be horse – second is the lovely landlady of my local. I promise I’m not in Spain!

Final pic of the town is of the castle specifically built to upset the British in the 17th century. Plus ca change,,,

Outside chance of a post Sunday or Monday – otherwise this might be it for 10 days or so. Enjoy shopping for Crimble.

Last Routemaster bus travels today. Dennis gets kicked out of Commons again. He’s looking good.

Tonight’s song is Not Clean by Ghostigital. It’s just been released. If anyone can secure me a copy of this fantastic limited release track for my return I will be truly grateful. I guarantee a special Colombian present for the first persion that can confirm posession. It appears you may have to go into a shop.

Left picture above is me and Tine at start of last night (well 11:30pm) – the first new picture after our friendly Colombian host had managed to wipe the first 10 days images off my memory card! Still it created more space for the night’s pics. On the right is me with the bottle of rum I’d just bought at the night club Andy took us to – which is the middle of God-knows-where, and I can never take you there. Other John bought a bottle of hooch to go with it. We left about 2:45am and as the taxi dropped me off by my hotel I popped into my local for a nightcap. Luckily it was last orders…

Thanks to all who were there (I’d essentially hijacked a Spanish school outing, but everyone sang Feliz Cumpleanos). It really was a special start to the birthday.

Thanks Clare for waking me up just in time for breakfast. It was perfect timing. Really good to talk to you, Mum, Dad and Isis. I’m sure the card will get here eventually.

By some mad quirk of happenstance I never got to go to the mysterious beach at La Boquilla till today and I’m so pleased I waited until my birthday. The people in the picture are Tine, Greg (from Texas) and Delia from Switzerland. Thanks you three for a day that was ‘Just Right’ in every way – you know what I mean.

We have huge and delicious meals in front of us. Bloody rip off at three whole pounds.* We stayed there for about 5 hours and I had a few dips in the Caribbean. Other visitors to Cartagena – please ignore Bocagrande and just head out to this place when you have a day with nothing to do. It’s great. (And Marbella looks pretty good to…)

Bus journey back to town was Just Right as was the fact that when I switched the tv on at the hotel it was to see Rooney’s majestic strike aginst Portsmouth. Shame about the Chelsea result. I’m still having a couple of bob on United, though.

And now I’m just getting ready to go out for the night for the end of the birthday. I don’t care if the night’s a washout, mind. The last 24 hours have been brilliant.

Thanks to all who have texted, emailed, commented and rang. Derm and Col, your message was waiting for me when I got back to hotel. They meant I was out.

What on earth am I going to do next year?

Happy Birthday a day late to Olly – trust you had a great one mate.

* Food and drinks provided by “Compae Pello” – Weddings, Birthdays, Reunions, etc.

So I ring England just to make sure it’s still there and all that, having caught a local bus to Bocagrande to sort out my business. The local buses, by the way, picture to follow, are an absolute treat. ... [Continue reading this entry]