"I made it to Split" James texted. He cycled from Switzerland to Croatia, destination Split. On the photo we see him in Venice en route to Croatia. You can read his blog here

Island of Jura
I’m woken at 4 am by an orange glow and the sound of munching grass. A stag and three hinds are grazing cautiously. Slipping my boots on quietly, I creep round the edge of the campsite to position the stag in front of the fiery dawn.
See blog - Tarbert to Kinuachdrachd
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Planet Earth - Iceland - Fimmvorduhals Trail
Cresting another hill, the most wonderful panorama unfolds. Perhaps it’s fatigue, but I’m suddenly overcome with emotion — unforgettable. Valleys coated in luminous lime green moss. I descend through magical Gooaland — “The Land of the Gods” indeed.
See blog - Fimmvorduhals trail
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Gwenda recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Here she is at home enjoying a rare moment of relaxation with her cat Boysie.
Gwenda says: "I took a few bags of garden rubbish to the tip the other day. As I was taking a bag up the steps to the skip a show-off in yellow jacket took it from me and run up the steps to the skip. OK he was a bit faster than me, but I forgive him - he did look gorgeous.
100 next !"

Sisimiut, Greenland, at the completion of the solo 100 mile Arctic Circle Trail.
See blog - Arctic Circle Trail

Made it on the ice cap today.
Tony Urwin, 3rd September 2022

Sisimiut, Greenland, at the completion of the solo 100 mile Arctic Circle Trail.
Tony Urwin, 29th August 2022

Day 72: Porlock to Minehead
"... a perfect morning to explore Porlock Marsh, gorgeous in the early morning light. Nature has arranged the perfect ending."
See Porlock to Minehead
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Face-to-face drinkup in a heated hut in Bull's Head garden

Day 72: Porlock to Minehead
"I reach Minehead early afternoon, with the obligatory pose by the SWCP start/end marker."
See Porlock to Minehead
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Day 62: Boscastle to Bude
"That was an exciting night. The tent survived! Unfortunately, my boots and gear are still wet from yesterday. The weather looks threatening, so I pack quickly, and enjoy some beautiful early morning views....The sun is out, and I stand on the cliff, arms wide, eyes closed, drying out in the warm wind. The restorative power of the sun."
See Boscastle to Bude
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How to pass time on a long car journey

Day 56: Portreath to Perranporth
"The sky is on fire. I am torn between sitting in the dunes to watch the sunset and finding the way to the campsite before night falls. I am not confident of navigating the hilly dunes in the dark with only my headtorch, so I press on, crossing a golf course. I could always pitch on a green if I get lost. That would go down well with the early morning golfers!"
See Portreath to Perranporth
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Day 42: Plymouth to Seaton
"It is a scorching morning, so I cool down with a pint of Dartmoor Legend outside The Devonport Inn at pretty Kingsand. A sailor tells me the village was the setting for Mr. Turner, starring Timothy Spall, a film that I missed. He is heading to The Isles of Scilly and convinces me to include them in my trek."
See Plymouth to Seaton
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Emsworth to the Needles
"I reach a tiny platform on the cliff edge. There are birds silently gliding and soaring. Black silhouettes. The only sound is from the waves gently rolling up on the shore far below. The view is breathtaking."
See Emsworth to The Needles
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Orpington, 5th May 2021,  15 minutes before sunset. A moment later it all disappeared into twilight.
Kanzan Cherry and Golden Elder in the garden. The fata morgana on the horizon is the reflection from indoor lights.

Isle of Grain Tower Battery
"I want to explore the mid 19th century offshore gun tower in the mouth of the River Medway. It is only accessible at low tide so this means a very early drive over and then back home in time for breakfast."
See Isle of Grain Tower Battery
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"The howling wind is whipping up the sea and the loud crashing of waves on the deserted shingle fills my ears, as the sun breaks through the clouds. Stunning. I stay here for quite some time. How can the rest of the walk better this?"
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Sunset at Stein, Isle of Skye
from Pat and Marco 19th October 2019

Norfolk Broads - a real discovery - we cruised on the Belle of the Broads. Clear waters of the Broads are framed by yellow and white water lillies overshadowed by trees. Lots of fish and wild birds. We passed other big and little boats. Families fishing or having Sunday lunch on the deck but still finding time to wave enthusiastically. A real gem. Love Mirna&John x

Hobbledown Farm, Surrey - half term - looking after granddaughter. After all day activities we collapsed on a bench watching her climb. The voice arrived: "Are you coming up here, guys?" It makes you feel young despite of aching joints.

Peter and his carp, near one of his lakes at Cussac, south of Limoges. Peter says: "A quick health check, photo, weigh and record against their chip then a gentle return. Carp are similar to dolphins. If they are kept wet they can live out of water for several hours."

Sunny morning, 28th Feb 2018
(-8℃ last night on the way back from Snowy Pairs)
View from Newstead Avenue over Orpington and High Elms.

"Enthusiastic Novices"

This email from Choo arrived the other day. 

Subject: Old email from Mirna dated 19.9.98!! (20 years ago!)
dear all,
I was throwing out old papers and I found this email from Mirna written 20 years ago and still relevant!
Amazing!
Have a good laugh.
love Choo

(Full transcript to follow)

Hello from River Danube, on the way to Vienna.
John and Mirna x

On the River Danube cruise with our BridgePal friends Reg and Judy from Oxted.

Greetings from the Seawreck cottage, Isleornsay, Isle of Skye
                                      from Pat and Marco

"One loaf of Hovis please"
from Marian and Brad

On one of the hottest days of the year we walked down Castle Eden Dene a four mile long shady narrow gorge emerging onto the...

...Blackhall Beach, streaching empty for miles in each direction, basking in blazing sunshine, birds diving into the sea. It was like landing on another planet. Collieries used to dump their waste directly into the sea and onto the beaches. After the last collieries closed in 1993, the coastline was cleaned and restored to its former glory.

"Life is cosy. Love Boysie x"
B&B "Chez Gwenda"

"Life is beautiful. Love Boysie x"
B&B "Chez Gwenda"

Gwenda's new cat Boysie with Teddy and Lamb. First day in his new home.
"Life is great, folks!"

UK Football Clubs Quiz (Quizmaster: Janet):
Heavy toilet - Luton, Car smashers - Wrexham, Prison clock - Celtic, Heavy lock - Bolton...
Rodney's Quiz:
Did you know that 25% of population hate brussels sprouts? It's in their genes. A quick survey around our table revealed that 1 out of 8 people hated brussels sprouts...

30th December 2016
Winter Sun in Druridge Bay.
Mirna and John

Seasons Greetings from Jamaica
Chrissie

Having a wonderful trip. Yesterday we visited the 9/11 memorial. I found it too emotional at times. I couldn't visit one of the rooms. Alex took this picture of me taking a picture of a church which survived 9/11 and became the refuge of rescue services for tea, coffee and respite. Dietrich was taking a picture of the new Oculus  building next to 9/11.
We have seen Hamilton on Broadway and today have Central Park buggy ride, champagne lunch for my birthday and Beautiful the musical tonight.
Barbara

Sunset on the beautiful Isle of Skye. Pat&Marco

Monday, 10 Oct 2016 - We were walking past Roman Villa at Lullingstone as a group of Saxons on horsebacks arrived - King Harold himself with entourage  (that's certainly worth more than 3 points) - arrived from York as part of the 1066 march reenactment (950th anniversary). They were aiming to get to Hastings by the 14th October when the battle begins. Poor King Harold... he looked tired...

Pat and Marco with their grandchildren at their son's wedding in Pitlochry.

Playing bridge in Thailand can be a criminal offence - read here about it.

Voted Best European Christmas Destination 2016

It used to take just 15 minutes on the tram to get to the centre... I wish I was there...

"Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Chrissie"

"You know why I am livid! You went to bed with an ace!"

"Harry at the Lincoln Memorial Service to Bomber Command.
Love Gwenda x"

"Greetings from Chennai! - Derek"
Worlds Teams Championships 2015, Chennai, India -  England Ladies Team:
Sally Brock & Nicola Smith; Heather Dhondy & Nevena Senior; Catherine Draper & Fiona Brown; NPC: Derek Patterson; Coach: David Burn

"Hello from beautiful Portree. Pat and Marco"

"Swimming with the dolphins in Mexico - Chrissie"
Ole! Do they do fit-showing jumps?

Weather good so far did Alnwick yesterday at Cragside today x (Marian)

"From Nairn Games. Massed pipes and drums. Love Mair x"
(see it on YouTube)

"Hello from Loch Ness. Mair x"
Oops, he popped up just as I was uploading...

"From Nairn Farmers Show
Love Mair x"
Thank you for this lovely piccy, Mair. And here is a farmer playing bridge, not in Nairn, but in India.

"Full results are available on this website within a couple of hours of the end of the session."

"Hello from Palma! Great hotel - life is good
back next week - Peter Cox"
"Is this your holiday job, Peter?"
"From Peter Cox: Re Holiday job -
I get a bucket and spade to follow the horse!"

Beautiful blue Adriatic, white sailing boats, oleander in bloom, scent of dalmatian pine, red sunset and bonaca, old fisherman with a glass of wine... and... a bridge club down the road!
                                                        Mirna &John x

Hello from Norman K in Kefalonia. 
That's what you call a crystal clear sea!

Have you been wondering where Pat and Marco are? Here they are in New York with their daughter.