The man from the Clapham Omnibus

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 .