My last visit had been just a few months before…..just prior to leaving for my private, hotter-than-hell visit to Turkey. I was physically worn out and mentally…..well, let’s not go there so it felt good just to sit and talk and, more importantly, to continue to enjoy the cool refreshing weather that I had craved. I explained to my hosts about the never-ending blowtorch-style of heat that I had endured in Turkey but my discomfort seemed to roll off their backs. Bill and Jean, Barb and Glynn had been to Turkey several times in the last few years but never at the time of year that I chose to torture myself with. They all felt that England in the late spring and summertime was superb so why go elsewhere when the grass needed mowing, the vegetables needed planting, tender loving care and picking and outdoor lounging on deck chairs was essential.

By the next day I was ready for some serious big-city trekking and when Jean needed to pick up a prescription and do a little shopping we were off to Bristol. Even though I had only been back a day, Jean didn’t seem to mind that I wanted to go to a travel agency that had posted discount fares. I still had a month to kill before my return flight to Canada and I didn’t want to be sitting around the house although it would be more than okay with her and Bill. In my absence, they had redecorated the upstairs bedroom and constantly referred to it as “my” room.

After her chores we stopped in the mall for lunch. Jean is what I would refer to as a “cheap date.” We picked up some freshly made and cellophane wrapped sandwiches and a couple of bowls of hot soup at the only shop selling ready made stuff and sat at one of the tables to discuss where my next trip should be. We never stopped jabbering at each other and when a napkin wiped away the last of the crumbs on my mouth and took a fast swipe at the table we headed into the travel agency that sported the widest array of discount flights pasted to their window. I assured Jean that we would stop for a cup of tea right after I found out where I really wanted to go for my last few weeks.

Colorful flyers offering cheap packaged deals to Majorca were plastered all over the windows and sandwich boards of several travel agencies in the mall. Upon closer inspection the same problem existed with Majorca that had occurred when I wanted to go on a packaged trip to Cyprus. The price for double occupancy was cheap compared to the price for one after you added in all the single supplements. In the end I knew I would be doing exactly the same thing that I had done for Cyprus. Just buy a ticket and be on my way. Even though it was early September and would be a little cooler, the thought of spending one more day in unbearable heat made me cringe. I decided to think about it a while. We headed home for a lengthy discussion with everyone at the dinner table offering his or her two cents. In the end my options were still open to discussion. I still didn’t have a clue as to where I wanted to go.

After dinner, and while it was still light, I took a sharp left out the door and headed farther down East Court Road to a few houses away on the left just as the street curved. Some friends of Jean’s, whom I had met a time or two, wanted to hear about my adventures. David (or Mouse as his friends called him) was waiting for me at the garden gate since Jean had called to let him know that I was on my way. I got a hug and a kiss on the cheek before he introduced me to his life-partner, Dal, an English born Pakistani.

Before I sat down I was offered a glass of red wine and a tour of the home and garden. I was on my second glass before we parked ourselves into cozy seats. We talked like we had known each other all our lives and told bawdy jokes like we were sailors on leave. It was pitch black by the time I left to head home.

Without benefit of a flashlight I walked up the middle of the road, afraid that I might fall into a ditch before finding Cloud Hill Farm. Thankfully all the outside lights were on and the front door was answered on the first knock. Over a steaming hot cup of tea we had our last of the evening discussion about travel plans.

Jean and I watched Jumangi with Robin Williams and Bonnie Hunt in the morning and drove into Wells for the afternoon. I had decided on my next trip. I would be going to Prague by luxury coach.

I suddenly felt the thrill of the old days. I would get into Prague early in the day with plenty of time to spare finding a place to stay. I would have an open return ticket.