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 .