Outer Hebrides from the Roadside

Until a few days ago I was part of this group where I post my pictures taken of the Outer Hebrides. There was a flap about what I posted and I left the group. They are still fighting over what I posted, the conversation on this group site continues even though I'm no longer part of the group. Anyway why should I give away my pictures for free and get this kind of flap. I still love the Outer Hebrides and will return next summer to take more pictures of the Machair.

Letters

Its nice getting mail, today we get emails. I've been emailing a guy I met in Portugal. He is surprised to hear from me and I'm surprised to hear from him. It doesn't matter who writes to us but a little note is always welcomed. This goes to notifications from Amazon Kindle. An email from them means a statement that I sold a few ebooks. It isn't much but the fact that something sold is always welcomed news and for that I am very thankful. I watched a video on Youtube once, when the author said, don't write ebooks, you might not even sell a copy but I say write. I find immense joy in doing the research and in the writing especially on an obscure subject. There is an author whose job is to write on obscure subjects, he has written many books and they are not cheap. But if you need information on an obscure subject, you have to go to him and pay his price. My books are not priced like that at all! Granted how many would read a book on the garden of Ninfa and make special plans to visit it? Only me and I'm not apologetic.

Sao Bento train station, Porto, Portugal

He said, 'lets meet this evening.' I said, 'OK.' Where? At Sao Bento train station. Its a great place to arrange a meet up when one is traveling as we both were. We met earlier on a train leaving Sao Bento train station for the Duoro valley. We are still in touch. When I tell people I meet that I write, everyone wants to know if I'll write about them. Indeed I do try to fit them in. Him, especially but I meet so many other people and with today's technology, its much easier to stay in touch. Other travelers have met the love of their lives on the road. But my intent is always to get a story, come back with stories. So I do throw myself out there and let the chips fall where they may. After all as they say, life is best lived without a script.

Scotney castle, UK

With the coming of the first chill in the air I know I have to close the book on another year. It was a great year, one filled with enough travel. I first set eyes on Scotney castle a year before and tried to figure out how to get there. It was easier than I thought, train from Paddington to Tunbridge Wells and then bus to Scotney. Then a long footpath about 20 minutes of walking up to the entrance. While this is not Scotney castle, it is the old castle that has been left to ruins to make a romantic folly. There was no bad side to this old lady, she looked great at every angle. She stands majestic over a moat and is so lovely. It always lifts my spirit each time I gaze at her. As the year closes I'm researching for astonishing places to visit in the next year. Life is so exciting.