tikichris

So, the Volcanic ASH-tastrophe means we’ve got an unexpected – but certainly most welcome – guest stranded here at the tikichris ranchero.

This ASH-fugee (as my wife’s started to call her) was the gracious host for a significant chunk of my 2009 trip to Laos (see my Shoes with a View post for many of the wonderful reasons I loved visiting Laos and hope to return this year). Seeing her stuck here in London kinda makes me wish I was stuck there in Laos for awhile with a pair of sturdy walking shoes on my feet and my trusty camera hanging round my neck. Despite having just blathered on a bit in my last post about the “seemingly ever increasing list of potential holiday hassles” and how I’m keen to stick round England for any possible upcoming holidays, Laos blew me away and I’ve gotta get back there – hopefully by the end of this year.

In the meanwhile, there are plenty of beautiful places to explore right here in England. I’ve actually managed to get out of town a few times in the past month or so but have yet to get my fill. Indeed, a recent visit to Wiltshire’s Langley Chase Organic Farm to view its fascinating flock of rare breed Manx Loaghtan sheep only left me hankering for more non-city time. Of course, that trip to the farm was more of a wellies than walking shoes expedition, but the green grass and fresh air did me a world of good.

With more travel uncertainty hovering over the UK like a giant cloud of volcanic ash (Oh wait a second! It is a giant cloud of volcanic ash.), I don’t suppose I’ll be heading out of London this weekend. Maybe a walk in the park with my wife and our ASH-fugee guest, but that’s about it.