Sunday 6th November 2016.....535 days later..........

I was on the road by 6 am and it was just getting light this was going to be a long day so I wanted the early start..the roads were very quiet and mostly all Toll roads some people do not like the toll roads  but I always take them more expensive yes but safer better condition less traffic....

 Now you know where your chicken dinner comes from!!!!

 I eventually arrived in the State where San Miguel is located!!

It was a long drive 950 km but with stops and drinks food and music no worries...

At 5.00 pm I was knocking on Karen and Gregg's door..these two fabulous friends are my landlords and they have a wonderful home on the ground level and my casita is on the first floor I have my own entrance and although it is small it has everything I need and Casita Doris is my new home!!!!
Here are a few photos thanks to Karen she got it all ready for me..

  Love the bathroom colors!!!

 and my very own private patio,,,,

Ella guarding my new comforter...

I got most things unpacked just have to arrange everything tomorrow..love this lamp!!

Karen and Gregg invited me downstairs for a lovely Pearson style dinner....BBQ ribs, spuds and beans thanks so much!!

We spent some time catching up and they are going to be great landlords!!!

So after 535 days here I amglad to be back in SMA and in my new casita,,,my busy life starts tomorrow stay tuned!!!!

Yashi Kochi!!!

Saturday 5th November 2016...feels really good to be back in Mexico!!!

Before I get into today want to tell you that I have heard by e mail from the owner of the airbnb place from yesterday and he wrote to tell me that he is so sorry he left an elderly woman in charge and obviously she is not doing the job..he is going to pull his listing off till he returns and he wants to send me a cheque to cover the cost I paid for his place but he also wants to pay for my hotel room as well..a generous offer......it was no biggie to me I found a place that was fine and I know things happen!!!

Had a good sleep and was here by 6.45 am this morning...

Sorry the Internet is very slow and my few photos are taking for ever so i will talk you through them...

Took a photo of the Mexican Border crossing which I passed through with no stops no search just a smile and a wave from the female guard..

The sun was shining and life was good being back in Mexico..the drive through the mountains was exhilarating until I came to the ROADWORKS!!!!

A photo shows me stuck in a huge long line of trucks and cars waited over 45 minutes and then it was slow going on gravel road whilst they do construction.......but eventually onto the open road and the mountains!!!

A long drive but stopped often had lots to drink and some snacks after about 500 km reached the huge city of Chihuahua..I had to drive through a little before turning off onto the by pass but again no problem.......

Three things started to happen at once...firstly I needed gas...I have a count down meter an it was at 10 km but I had it judged to get me to the town I needed to be and it did..just!!

Second it was just starting to get to dusk and I make it a rule if it is possible not to drive in the dark..and I just made it.

Lastly I really needed to go to the bathroom...so quickly checked into my Hotel!!!!  I know too much information!!!

I am in Jimenez at the hotel I always stay it is very lovely beautiful gardens and a pool and the rooms are spacious clean and comfortable, a gated parking area with a guard and I drive right up to my room!!!

It was 750 km but was a long day with the hold ups but a real long hot shower and a walk around the grounds did me well!!!  Plus with the time difference I also "lost" an hour.

This is from my desk top and not a photo so quickly uploaded!!
Today's drive!!

Inga sent this to me....it is a photo of a Grandmother too embarrassed to walk down the halls of the hospital so her Grand son donned the gown to make her feel not so bad..that is true love!!!

It is 10.30 pm and I am ready for my book and bed!!!

Tomorrow I hope to start at sunrise and a really long drive but worth it to hopefully pull into San Miguel before dark!!!!!

Ysshi Kochi!!!

Friday 4th November 2016....last day in the good old US of A!!!!!!!

I did not have to check out till noon so took my time this morning over breakfast and some e mails and route planning and then carefully packed Little Bluey...everything fitted perfectly and at noon in the hot morning sun I was on my way!!!

Really enjoyed my short time in Tucson thanks Linda for everything hugs to you!!!

Interstate driving almost to Tombstone..

 I have visited the town before and seen the tacky tourist gun fights before so just cruised through this time...

Soon onto the open one lane and quiet roads!!

 In Bisbee this was a major industry!!

By 3.00 I reached the border town of Douglas and my airbnb place...I had been in touch with the owner and he informed me that all was ready for me he would not be around as he was in Canada but told me where the key was in the back garden....
I knew from the site and the photos that this was not going to be a 5 star experience and it was small and basic but first of all the key was not where  he said it was but the door was open...it took me all of 30 seconds to decide that there was no way I was staying here.....it was filthy, dust and grime on the counters, the floor disgusting and the bathroom I would not rather talk about...how he received 8 previous good ratings is beyond me.......
I drove into town and found this old historis Hotel, it is basic but clean and has a fridge in my room so I am happy...
I did send an e mail to the airbnb owner explaining what i found and told him I would not stay there I shall contact airbnb when i get to SMA and i feel sure they will refund the money to me this place does not do their reputation any good at all.....funny 18 months of travel and my last airbnb is a bust!!!

My room is basic but clean

 I bet is was a great place to stay in the hey day!!!

I am in McDonald's having supper and using their WiFi..

Today's drive...

I plan to cross the border at sunlight and I have about an 8 hour drive to the hotel I always stay at in Jimenez, Mexico!!!

Not sure if I will have Internet tomorrow....if not plan to be in SMA Sunday around supper time!!!

Have a great safe and happy weekend ...
Yashi Kochi!!

Thursday 3rd November 2016...my last day in Tucson!!

Ella enjoyed her first evening with me..she looks very content!!!

Went to Linda's around 10.00 am and we went to Walmart to do some last minute shopping and then we went  on an errand and along the way took these shots !!

I like this one!!

It was about 3.00 pm when we stopped for a late lunch or early breakfast to a family restaurant we always go to for my favorite chicken fried steak..they have these neat quotations on the walls!!

Then it was back to Linda's lovely condo where we sat on the patio with these views!!!

I wanted to come to Tucson and just spend lots of time with Linda and I have done that we have been wonderful friends for many years and we always just pick up where we last left off....so I said my fond farewells and as I headed home the heavens just opened and it rained so hard...I think the Governor of both California and Arizona should honor me with a rain maker award..I have brought rain to both these drought-ed States!!!

On a serious note I spend many hours, days, months on my own and although I try to be safe there is no accounting for the unexpected so two years ago I purchased an ID Bracelet through a company called Road ID..it is the red band you have seen on my wrist... on it was my three closest friends names and their phone numbers and the thinking that if something happened to me on my travels that the people helping me would call one of those names.....
Since then two of the phone numbers have become defunct so I was giving this some thought when I was in Nanaimo and decided to order a new bracelet, this time a black one....

Heather in Nanaimo is my power of attorney and we talked and supposing something  did happen and someone called her how would all my , friends, family and contacts know......so I printed off my e list of contacts and gave it to Heather so it made sense to have her name phone number and e mail address on my new bracelet as seen below...

I have purposely photo shopped out some of her number and e mail for personal reasons....but now I have this I feel more secure in my lone adventures!!!

Tomorrow around noon I drive just over 100 miles to the border town of Douglas where I have an airbnb booked...it is just a small room with not much for facilities but the price was right and the location is great for an early morning start across the border into Mexico on Saturday.
I just heard from the owner of the room and he is in Canada right now but left me instructions on how to get in.....I also think I have Internet there.....

Yashi Kochi!!!

Wednesday 2nd November 2016.....a lovely day!!!

I had a great sleep and my camera was charged and here are the shots of my place..looks nice right??

I went to Linda's this morning and together we drove to her Community Church who are having a huge garage sale on Friday and Saturday and spent a little time trying to help sort through the abundant donations they have received!!!

We then drove back to Linda's and this is the view from her patio, pretty impressive!!

and then it was time for R & R!!!!

I swam up and down here quite a bit and so enjoyable!!

I know some of my female readers have been starved of photos of myself so here you go and the usual advisory..

Parental warning partial nudity!!!!

Some might say this is a good head shot of me!!!!

We then went to meet Linda's family for dinner and this is the sunset over the mountains...

and the opposite view quite lovely!!!

These are some of linda's adorable grand children...don't you love their shirts????

What well behaved and beautiful kids!!!

The whole family and me....I really must try to ask someone why my shots are out of focus, any ideas I don't???

Well a new woman in my life..I know what you are saying another one!!!

This one is going to be a long term relationship her name is Ella and I see many great days and nights together!!

For new readers you will have to go back to the middle of June and read about my days in Kruger National park and my life making memory of contact with an elephant to realize why those animals are really special to me!!!!

Home in time to watch the thrilling end of the Baseball World series!!!

Yashi Kochi!!!

Tuesday 1st November 2016...Rabbits, rabbits, rabbits!!!

By now you know you need to say the above the first thing of a new month for good luck during that month!!!!!   Also where did October vanish to ????

The B & B place provided a wonderful self serve breakfast this morning and I took mine with me on the road as i left just after 8.00 am for my long drive to Tucson.

I found out last night that i left my camera charger in Nanaimo, I brought the wrong cord so sorry no photos today...I did stop and buy a generic cord that is as I write I hope charging my camera but not sure about it!!!

It was 615 km drive all on uninteresting Interstate highway....I stopped a few times to cool down and have some drinks and arrived in Tucson by 3.00 pm.

This was my route today!!

 and my route to date!!

 checked into my airbnb place and this time it is a small flat, very nice and modern with a kitchen and just what I need....I have no idea why the font changed to this!!!!

I unloaded all my stuff into the apartment and had a shower and went about 10 miles to where Linda lives in her lovely condo...It was very special to see her again after almost 18 months and of course with the loss of her beloved Guy still in her mind we had lots to catch up on.

She cooked a wonderful Pearson type meal a crock pot roast it was amazing.....we chatted and exchanged stories and then I hit the wall, just got really tired.......

So I came home and it will be an early night for me.

I have three nights here so Linda and i will do lots of visiting!!

Blessings to all my readers!!!

Yashi Kochi!!!