The man from the Clapham Omnibus

My daughter Emma was twenty on Halloween 31 October 2009 . She is a master of multitasking . She is balancing all of these . University work doing a History degree at the University of Portsmouth A part time job at Argos on the Isle of Wight A - live in long term boyfriend Matt Bailey The pressures of living under the same roof as me , my wife Julie , son Adam and the said Matt keeping up good relations with her many good friends - no mean task on its own . keeping her green card options open . On Saturday 7th November she held a birthday and fireworks party for about 30 . It was a resounding success building on a fine history of excellent Halloween Birthday party's going back 15 years and a high point of the social calender

Returned from the Peninsular with my mind made up . It was a close call between Anacortes , Langley and Port Townsend ! And the Winner is......................... Coupeville ! It made me think of the three legs of the Isle of Man . One foot in England , one in Ireland and one in Scotland ! Coupeville is charming in its own right and for my daily needs has everything . For my rarer needs I can reach almost everything in 40 minutes ( even by free bus ) and for everything else I might want ( inc Seatac Airport ) within 2 hours . Its weather is great , its people friendly , its natural environment magical and it is very affordable and well positioned to appreciate . I had decided to buy the 2000 square foot four bed rambler @ 239,000 on Otis street that I had viewed last week . Went to see the excellent Janet Burchfield of Front Street Realty for a more detailed view before putting in an offer . On passing saw a Sale pending sign , newly hung outside - was that for me ? A bit quick...

Took a day trip from Port Angeles to Victoria on Vancouver Island in Canada . At about $25 round trip ( passenger ) from the hotel door it was a really good deal . On both 55 min crossings we saw both humpbacked Whales and Orcas . It really is impressive to see such beautiful and huge creatures with your own eyes in their natural environment . If you ever get the chance visit Victoria - Both the city and its people look so darn good . There is beauty and interest at every turn . Historic buildings , Seaplanes , Whale Watching , City tours, Bars , Restaurants , Museums , Parks , Carriage and rickshaw rides , Quality shopping , Stunningly beautiful mini-skirted hostesses Harbour tours floating aquarium street entertainers and so much more PICTURES HERE

Port Townsend is a really charming place with beautiful wooden Victorian houses along tree lined streets in the square mile Uptown area These overlook the waterside downtown businesses along Washington Street .It has quite a large senior community as evidenced by the crutches and incontinence pants on sale in the local drug store . The streets are fairly clear throughout this part of town as there is no through traffic though parking can be difficult as there are so many businesses here . It is also home to many active democrats judging from the profusion of " war is not the answer " peace signs and Obama bumper stickers . Lets hope he succeeds in making the country better and they are not replaced over the next couple of years with " I didn't vote for the change " ones . He has a lot of good will but the jury is still out ! Port Angeles has wider busy streets with heavy through traffic though well managed with the main highway passing to the south and being s...

We left the security of Darrell and Cindy's beach house and took the 4:30 pm Keystone to Port Townsend . We intended to stay there but accommodation was in short supply due to the upcoming " Wooden Boat Festival " We checked out the Econo. Lodge followed by the Sundowner Motel and finally , after some bargaining with Mrs. Patel we went to the HP Sequim Inn and Suites which promised a room for one at $ 69.00 but only offered a twin bed room for $109.00 . We returned to the Sundowner Motel and took up the very fare discount we had been offered of $69.00 for a very clean ground floor twin bedded room . The Patel family from Gujarat show true American values . They work hard in their own business in the belief that their children and grandchildren will benefit from their diligence and labor . We went across the road to " Fred's Hobbies and guns " where we found out about a local shooting range - Sunnydell . It was on Dryke road . As usual we were welcomed as ...

Made it to Oak Harbor where by Adams choice we crashed out at the Auld Holland Inn - pics. here where you can get a twin queen bed room with clean sheets for less than $60 bucks . Got cut off by Virgin mobile - Wanted background checks -didn't send me a text or e-mail to explain exactly why and what they needed . A fax of ID etc . Even refunded my credit . All on a pay as you go phone I have had for a year ! I might bin the phone . I went toAT and T - up and running for $ 29.95 inc airtime and phone . Met Darrell who treats me like a long lost childhood friend . He was painting a house with his son Seth and an ex marine Surf Dude called Ben . Properly chilled out and recovered from trip . I really like Coupeville but I am concerned about wife and son as they do not drive . Adam really liked Langley , but it is a tad more expensive . The Journey goes on X. I'm getting fond of the view and the folks around here . Will stay on till Labor day and visit the peninsular on tuesday...

After a too long journey ( in more ways than one ) I am back in the USA with my first-born Adam . My body arrived at the San Juan Motel Anacortes 22 hours after stepping across the threshold of Castle Cottage Newport Isle of Wight . My brain got there a bit later . We have visited Guames Island where we were marooned when the ferry broke down. Annacortes where the sun sets over the San Juan Islands from Washington Park . La Conner where they serve excellent tea for two dollars a cup . Deception pass by boat where minke whales and orcas hunt for food . Oak Harbor where the skys are filled with the sound of freedom - US Navy jets , sometimes quite late . Met many interesting friendly people ,too many to mention - all in the first two days . Even with this being my fourth visit to the area I am still awed by the scenery and the people .

One of the great things about the Isle of Wight is its growing music scene . When I was a teenager the biggest band in London was Madness with their fresh individual music . Their lyrics really spoke to me and millions of others . Who would have believed that 30 years later they would re-form produce a new album and perform to a sell out concert within 200 yards of my Island home . As an adult I quickly remembered the words of songs I had not herd for a quarter of a century . They truly are timeless . Their music will go on forever -Their writing and performing skills put them , in my mind on a par with the Beatles . Their Lyrics talk of the ordinary experiences of the London of my youth . I know where they are coming from unlike so much of the Gangsta , Player type of music shoved down the throats of modern youth . I will buy their albums both old and new on disk Pictures Here

I would like to pay tribute to the bravery and sportsmanship of Speedway riders in general who entertain and enthral us spectators with their daredevil riding . I would particularly like to mention Nick Simmons who was hospitalised one Thursday trying to keep his unbeaten record throughout a home meeting at Smallbrook on the Isle of Wight when he hit the wall at over 40 MPH. in his final race . In true champion fashion he opened the next race the folowing Tuesday by soundly beating the track record .

Three months ago I applied for planning permission to brick up an internal doorway . I was required to do it by building control who said that because I had let the upstairs and downstairs under separate contracts to separate people I had created two flats and must regularise the situation . The planners did not mind me converting the property but wanted me to split it left and right with two staircases instead of top and bottom . Too much work and would result in two less liveable units ! They have now formally rejected my application with the following reasoning ! The proposed conversion of the property into two flats would represent an over-development of this site , which would create conditions likely to give rise to overlooking of the private amenity space to serve the ground floor flat and a loss of outlook and light due to the elevated position of boundary treatments and would be detrimental to the living standards of prospective occupants of the ground floor flat and according...

I have sent a DVD slideshow of my 4000 mile trip around part of Washington State and Oregon to some friends I have also included the jpeg's on a separate disk To be honest I have sent them because I want to - not because they want them . Throughout my life my mother clipped newspapers occasionally photocopying items , and sent them to me and others . I have still got a few envelopes unread though she has been dead for years . I seem to be falling into the same behaviour . When my brother is visiting nearby I always make an effort to see him and get my wife to invite him for dinner . I organise my whole schedule to fit in with him . He rarely says thank you and does not appreciate my efforts at all . I have thought about it and have come to realise that I actually do it for myself . It makes me feel good about myself . It truly is better to give than to receive . We have an idea or vision of how we would like to be and enjoy working towards this . we may delude ourselves that thi...

When unexpected major events occur we sometimes have to take stock , step back and re-evaluate our lives . I am a man possibly with an old fashioned moral code living in the wrong century . Alternately I may be among the best able and equipped for the changes that may be about to occur . I actually try to live by the British Stiff upper lip best set out by Rudyard Kipling in his wold famous poem about manhood IF . I have highlighted the lines relevant to my current situation and will behave accordingly . IF you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet wi...

When I was 21 I would have died for my country - now as I approach fifty , my main concern is to die outside it's punitive tax regime . It's hit the fan ! The Devil is in the detail ! I got a shock on Tuesday when my solicitor told me over the phone that , after discussion with the senior partners , he was no longer going to work on my mothers inheritance tax . My first response was " had I done anything wrong " Now I fear that there is some problem in the detail of her and our actions and recording of them which may make a huge difference to out tax liability . The kind of sum we are talking about is the kind of money you make in a lifetime of employment . The kind of money that made the honest bankers of the past jump out of their windows . The kind of money that the bankers of today expect for their yearly bonuses . A lifetime ago my mother contacted a solicitor to get professional advice on reducing the future liability of her estate to inheritance tax . We as a...

I'm back in the old UK and can best describe my experiences in Washington and Oregon in this way . It was as if someone had told the people that Jon. Hinchliffe , a slightly eccentric Englishman was coming and they were to make a fuss of him and make him especially welcome and that whoever treated him best would receive a huge reward with lesser prizes to all . It really was that good . The first toilets at Gatwick after landing were good but the next had taps that you had to turn off manually . The knobs were dripping with something and the exit door handle was whet so I had to re-wash and get some paper to turn the taps and open the door . Got to Portsmouth and found the trolleys needed a pound coin . Went into the small railway station shop to ask for change - explaining that I only had notes and American money . "I can't give you change you will have to buy something ! " she said . " Welcome to the U.K. " I thought . Turned on my U.K. mobile - firs...

Thanks Lee it's good

All went swingly except for a move to a different gate till yours truly boarded the Alaska Airways night flight from Seattle to Orlando . I got on almost last , checked my boarding card and sat myself down in seat C15 - one of the few remaining empty seats . The last few stragglers had taken there seats and I had just taken off my boots when a smart looking lady , backed up by a not at all effeminate steward told me I was in the wrong seat . Surprised I checked my boarding card . There it was in black and white print - C 15 , problem was this was the old gate number not my seat number . I duly got up , grabbed my boots and hat and walked silently to the back of the plane to my correct assigned seat . Every eye seemed to be on me and for the first time in as many years as I care to remember I actually felt myself beginning to blush - It had been a long day ! Met up wilt Lloyd and the staff at Eagle Management who manage my Florida property portfolio . Stayed at 628 which was luckily av...

After gifting the sleeping South Africans with my no longer needed camping gear I took the early Port Townsend ferry . I sorted out my growing pile of goodies and checked out the free Naval Underwater museum at Keyport . It is excellent and worth a visit . Next the beautiful Island city in the trees Bainbridge Island and the big ferry to Seattle . Revisited the Museum of Flight which I popped in to on Labour Day and saw the actual museun . Decided to finish where I had begun and Visited American Life .I got my green card by the eb5 route by becomong a partner in a company which is helping regenerate SODO and employing Americans . Henry was on a fishing trip to Alaska but Jo took time out to chat about the business and things . She even recognised me from my earlier brief visits . The Investment building has come on a long way in the last month and the site was a veritable hive of activity . Hit the Museum of flight and did the laundry . Despite the sat nav ( GPS ) I still got to SET...

After a good nights sleep at my new friends Bill and Connie's house I had to take back a book I borrowed from my new Friend Darrell . We met up for a Maccy D in Oak Harbor with another friend . He offered his guest suite again but I was not sure where I was going to be later so I said I'd call . I went for another look at Langley . I am still enchanted with the place . Spent a happy hour walking about , met an English ex pat who had almost ( but not quite ) lost her accent . Everyone smiled and had time for each other . Had an omelette and ended up in the bar above the excellent Star Shop - (one of two in town) Everyone treated me as an old friend . Headed to the state park to renew my acquaintance with the South African Family working as assistant rangers but all was quiet so I Crashed out in my old friend the Blue Jeep for the last time . It is preferable to sleep under the Pine trees surrounded by happy American campers than cheap motels .

I revisited my thoughts on Port Angeles and its people . I think they seem the kind of folks you would like on your side in a bar fight . A bit rough and ready , diamonds in the rough . I definitely would not want to get on the wrong side of them . They have a good SCUBA business which helps divers find buddies through a card system instead of a more organised club . The houses near the down town area are relatively cheap and possibly a good investment as Webster park limits expansion to the north . I looked at a 1500 sq foot plus full basement and garage -A fixer upper but sound for a mere $165,000 . This would due to its central location rent well at about $ 800, a return of about 5% - a good one but at the moment not for me . I just don't want to tie up funds till my family is more settled . urThen there was Sequim . The businesses looked a bit more recently painted and the people a bit smarter . A smaller but very walkable downtown and other retail/services areas just a short d...

My last scenic detour of the trip was to Cape Flattery , the farthest westerly point of the continental " lower 48 " Even after seeing all the Oregon and Washington coast I have seen in the past few weeks the view is still breathtaking . There are also many deadly and easily accessible cliff edges with no stupid warning signs . The height of the cape gives a view down onto pine tree covered island stacks and glimpses into huge tall sea caves .( pictures here ) Finally got to Port Angeles which is also having a Twilight resurgence . It is bigger than Port Townsend and smaller than Bellingham . It has a dive shop and gives easy access to the mountains and the sea . Hiking hunting fishing diving boating ( inc kayaks ) Just an hour away by ferry from Victoria BC and 2 .5 ish from Seattle . Has a good walkable downtown with close by residential blocks of cheaper than PT housing . It has its own Cinema and Wal-Mart . It has a speedway track where I spent my fathers day evening for ...

Went on the mossy and spruce trails just before the Hoh rainforest visitor center opened at 9 . Although only two miles I did not finish till after 10:30 and I could have taken longer . Weird tree forms ! Diff. pic. lnk. Next Ruby beach , still aching legs from yesterday but again spectacular ! Went back to Forks which is riding the wave of a "Twilight " phenomenon and on to the hungry bear cafe for a steak - and the best wi-fi of the trip . headed to cape Flattery to camp for one last scenic detour -back to home hunting tomorrow . Here is me behaving like I was almost 15 not 50 !

Had a great night for only $12.00 then discovered no showers or even hot water on site . Early walk by lake stunning whistled and chatted to myself because I wanted to avoid bears and cougars . Drove up to Sol Duc Hot Springs along a glass clear fast flowing mountain stream with many good photo opps . Behaved like a kid and walked across a deep section on a fallen log (Pics here ) The springs did little for me so I headed for the beach Realto Beach - and La Push beach two , They are very photographic - a must see ! The walk to beach two has great shaped trees . Look like giant trolls turned to timber . Got a $1:50 shower at the local gas station shop . Entered the " twilight zone " of Forks Washington " a good honest loggers town but a bit spread out for me . They also measure their annual rainfall in feet not inches . I'm off to the rainforest tomorrow , will talk later . Nighty night !

Boarded the PTExpress at 0850 . Good crew , good passengers , good weather , good luck , good sightings , good stop in Friday Harbor , good legion museum , good icecream , good journey back , good drive to Crescent lake , good photographs , good campsite , Overall a really good day . A good time was had by all . Good ! More Picture here and here I think they are pretty good

Woke after a fitful sleep and a clear head . I booked another night in room 1 to take a day out for whale watching . Visited Hadlock and Irondale . They were not for me . Went downtown by jeep criss-crossing Port Townsend along the way . Walked the length of Water Street with occasional side detours .Ended up at the desk of Louis Scheck at Windermere real estate . Had a long talk and learned the advantages of this Victorian town of 8,000 . It is only two hours from Downtown Seattle via the continuous Bainbridge Island ferry service which offers good parking . It has a bus y schedule of events and is very walkable . In addition to the mainly touristy businesses of downtown it has another heart Uptown where among other more generally useful businesses it has the Uptown Bar which has live music and a busy darts club . ( pics here ) This would suit my family well . I headed for the nearby gun club jeffersoncountysportsmen.org which is run by an ex Alaskan Bush Pilot who li...

Said my goodbyes to Darrell and Cindy and headed back to Langley to look at that house As my builder friends back on the “Island” would say it is pissed ,as bent as a nine bob note , built with an Egyptian spirit level . I found the reason why when I went into the lower level garage . Some maniac had dug out a basement in the sand under the building . In fact he dug it so close at such a steep angle and below the foundations . This house could be demolished by a water hose in the basement or even by a severe downpour I would love to save it but not anywhere near the price the bank are asking . Maybe the building is listed and they just wanted the plot so were trying to destroy the house to clear the site or for insurance I’m going to let you in on a little secret . I’m a logical matter of fact kind of guy . I like mystic people but generally don’t take these things too seriously . But ! And it’s a pretty BIG BUT ! I had a weird experience , a totally unexpected emotional experience wh...

After a good nights sleep under the pines I went back to Langley for another look . Just 100 yards prom downtown I was drawn to an old red British phone box . It was outside a slightly sad looking place with an exterior lockbox . It was obviously neglected and empty and for sale I was interested . Location location location .As it was early on Sunday I did not pursue this interest . I took a few more pics of beautiful charming Langley and headed north towards Coupeville . As I passed a sign for the Central Whidbey Sportsman’s Association I did a left to see what shooting they offered I happened to walk in on a familiar range briefing . I explained my situation to the man running the shoot lyndell and he invited me to tag along . On stage one he offered me a .22 rimfire to have a go . By the end of stage 5 I had been given a 9mm Glock and a Smith and Wesson 8 shot wheel gun in .357 magnum and was writing down and adding up the times . This Speed Steel competition is a mont...

I was going to take the day off from driving . I was drawn to Langley and went to their library for free wi-fi but got there too early as it opens at 11am on a Saturday . On a whim I decided to try out Whidbey Islands free bus system . ( It is not free of course but is paid for by a 0.6 % sales tax instead of charging passengers ( riders) a fare ) . I rode the hourly bus to Clinton which was 15 minutes late on its trip from Oak Harbor . A local told me that here they operate on “ Island time “ a phrase “Calk heads “ will be very familiar with . WARNING TO CALKHEADS OVENERS AND OTHERS WHO TRAVEL REGULARLY ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT ! THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES CONTAIN DETAILS OF THE COSTS OF TRAVEL IN THIS REGION WHICH IS LAUGHABLY CHEAP COMPARED TO ISLAND PRICES ! at £1.00=$1.50. I took the ferry to Mukilteo which is FREE to foot passengers leaving the Island , the costs being covered by the high price paid by foot passengers going in the other direction ( $ 3.95 ) and the outrageously exc...

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about people and the way they are effected by their environment - the prevailing culture . Almost every personality wants to fit in with others thus they quickly conform to the behaviour patterns they witness around them . Here in the Pacific Northwest they really do seem to follow the golden rule - Treat others as you would want them to treat you . They always seem to have time for each other . This is self reinforcing , If you are good to others in your daily dealings that goodness really does spread around and even from a selfish point of view , in a small community , it will be passed back to you eventually . In the anonymity of a big city however this is not directly true . As people have smaller communities ( i.e. family , friends ,neighbourhoods ,clubs , societies etc.) within the larger ones ( Wheels within wheels ) behaviour patterns conditioned in these more personal environments are continued into the bigger ones thus there is still a cultu...

I awoke to find I had not been dreaming and I truly was a guest of two fine Americans . On there advice I first went to the small picturesque town of La Conner . It has a compact selection of excellent mainly tourist shops with small blocks of charming houses adjacent . It is growing but still has building land close by . A definite possibility and a good opportunity to get an ideal house built in a good yet affordable location . There is an excellent wooded park at the end of the down town area . There is a red iron bridge there known as the " rainbow bridge" which crosses over onto the Indian reservation . I crossed this bridge and looked at the retirement community living on land leased from the local Swinomish people . They were out in force raising funds for their upcoming canoe racing regatta by washing passing cars in exchange for donations . I still had desert dust on my rental jeep so I made a contribution . Anacortes somehow doesn't seem to have a single less th...

The angry young man in the baseball cap pulled to the side of the road blocking my path . Should I drive swiftly past him and make my escape ? It was entirely my own fault ! I had let time slip talking with an elderly lady about gang troubles in Sedro-Woolley . I then made a poor rushed left turn somehow missing his large 4wd truck as I crossed through a gap in the traffic . I decided to stop and face the music . " I'm terribly sorry " I said ."It was my fault I am an English tourist and I missed you completely .I am used to driving on the other side !" He smiled broadly " That's O.K. buddy , I just thought you were shouting at me ", his hand shot out palm first , grasped mine for a firm and totally sincere handshake ." Have a great day, Welcome to America ". ---In London I would have got a mouthful a fist or even a knife , here a handshake and a welcome ! --- Only in America "what are you going to do for work when you move her...

Verbage to follow .... i'm in the pub .... I started the day with a tour of the largest building in the whole world . The Boeing assembly plant at Everett WA. I wont boor you with the numbers but it could house all of disneyworld Orlando and still have 14 acres of covered parking to spare , It is B I G ! Met an ex marine called Wendle who invited me to see a restoration museum nearby .I was tempted but actually got itchy feet and decided to fire up the Jeep and enter the big city they call Seattle , Here I got lost in a marble tile an glass monolith - the home the Regal bank and many other leading businesses . I opened an account as they are linked to American Life and this will make my banking life easier .Here I met an actual Australian and was amused to learn that they are constantly asked if they are English . This was a big big building (pics here ) .$10 lighter for parking I headed along the radius of the rough circle I had drawn around Seattle and within 15 minutes...

Slept fitfully - sheet was too cold sleeping bag was too warm . Hit road early . It's weird but I have now driven 2,500 miles on my own without the radio or any music and the only time I was bored was briefly in a rainy Portland traffic jam ! Today visited the small ( ish ) towns of Spanaway , Sumner , Orting , Buckley and Enumclaw . The Jewel was Enumclaw which had a great central area but was not as cheap as the very pleasant Orting which has grown very quickly and thus has traffic problems for commuters and many bargains due to foreclosures . Both are worth considering as are close to Seattle ( football and everything ) and also Pacific Raceways . I had a long chat with Tom Fulkerson of the American Home Center who manufacture and deliver ( inc full site preparation ) manufactured homes . I was very impressed with the size , quality , construction and price of manufactured homes and am not surprised that they represent 30% of all homes on the market and would consider them quite...