Milan

Lake Chelan neighbor Milan Moss has been a good friend since we first met in 1995. This picture is the perfect example of what I mean. In my absence while he was in Chelan, Milan protected my favorite bottle to the last drop. He made darn sure that no one else got any of it. I know it wasn't an easy task but he stepped up and did it and asked nothing in return. I don't even know how to thank him for doing that for me. Year after year we have spent many hours together either fishing or just killing time at Happy hour with our families and friends. As I left to go back to England this year, Milan gave me some advice for the first time. He told me to "slow down". Now I'm a person who's gone through life like it's a 100 yard dash. It's possible that in my haste, I've missed out on people, events and places that probably were important. So going forward I'll take his advice and make an effort to slow it up a little. Thanks Milan for the advice and the friendship, and thanks for taking care of my bottle. Can't wait to see you next summer!

Arizona friends

Here are our best Arizona friends. Paul and Mary rode from Arizona to Sturgis South Dakota, up through Canada and finally to our Chelan house 5000 miles later. They got a 1 week rest at the lake cabin. As any good'ol Harley rider would expect, we spent half the week working on Paul's Honda. We had a wonderful visit and were joined by more great friends, Bruce and Becky from Seattle. We miss our friends and family a lot but we keep well connected with the Internet, and this blog, that tells nothing but the truth.

Innamorata

We're finally home in yhe UK after a 3 week holiday at the Lake Chelan cabin. I can now get caught up on the blog. Our Chelan neighbors Pat and Bonnie treated us to a dinner cruise on the Innamorata. This is a 1956 Chris Craft that was built for the late Dean Martin. The name is Italian for sweetheart, after one of Dean's songs. We kind of took over the boat since we had 12 in our group. It was a wonderful warm summer evening, and the food was great. We were allowed to go below and tour the boat. So guess what! All of the girls had to climb onto the Dean Martin bed in the aft stateroom for a Kodak moment. Left to right are Becky, Lora, Mary, Julie, Bonnie, and Joanne. It doesn't make sense that he died in 1995 and the women still want in his bed. I'm alive and well and they sure aren't jumping in my bed for a picture. What's wrong with me!

Touchdown Brooke

Brooke successfully touches down after jumping from 12,000 feet and experiencing a 100 mph 1 minute free fall. There is probably only 1 in 10,000 people that would overcome their fears and make this jump. Daughter Brooke's life will now change as did mine. It's not about the jump, but it's stepping out of your comfort zone and taking a chance. Many of us find reasons to say no to life's opportunities and challenges. Brooke will now have more confidence in herself going forward in life. We now know that she has plenty of courage, I just wish that I could pass down to her some of my good looks and charming personality. Then she would have the whole package. Can you believe the BULL! Click on the video below.

Skydive

Here is a 1980 picture of me with an old Wenatchee friend, Rufus Woods in Issaquah Washington. We did our 1st static line jump after a few hours of ground school. I made a dozen jumps after that but only got a 5 second free fall from 3500 feet. Now the hottest thing in skydiving is the tandem jump. This is where you are tied to an instructor. I called Rufus and asked if he was ready for another adventure. I guess we both were so there we are 28 years later in Snohomish Washington. We both did a tandem jump from 12,000 feet. This gave us a 1 minute free fall. Now that's the ultimate thrill! Watch the video below!

EVICTION

I've given a few out in my lifetime but have never received one. Last Saturday we were served with our first Eviction Notice. What good timing as we are packing our bags to go to the US this Friday. It appears that the landlord hasn't been making his payments. Even though our rent has been paid on time each month we will get the boot. How do you like that. With investors who've speculated on a rising market, the house of cards are falling in on them. I've been told that this is happening to a lot of renters here in England, where banks take back properties and they have to move. I acted quickly under a bit of stress, and was so lucky to find and secure a new flat which will work out fine. We had finally met most of our neighbors and made new friends, now we get to move for the 3 rd time here. So now things are sorted out and we can go on a much needed 3 week Holiday and enjoy ourselves. But wait, This story isn't over...Just when I think things can't get any worse, My wonderful wife informs me that she will host an all girls weekend at our Lake Chelan cabin and could I please find another place to stay on that weekend. Now this is what you call a real piss-cutter, and it's not one bit funny! I've been evicted 2 times in 2 different countries in the same week, and the week isn't over yet. What's next! An old friend recently sent me a book that taught me to find something positive no matter how bad your problems are. So I took this to heart and thought it would be a good time to do some skydiving again. With all of my bad luck out of the way, I'm sure nothing more could go wrong.

Open House

After living here in our flat for 7 months, we decided it didn't feel like home. I guess that was because we didn't know any of the neighbors. So last Saturday we threw out some invitations with the good help of Simon, our concierge, to an open house and barbecue. Well about 2 dozen people showed up and we had a blast. Much to our amazement, this had never been done before in our apartment building. Some people that lived here for over 2 years met their neighbors for the first time. Now we can organize an emergency party, to meet the people we didn't have room for. The English people are wonderful folks but keep more to themselves and harder to get to know. Anyway with a little good cheer, food, and music, the ice was broken. Now that we've officially broke in the place, with a good ol American party, It finally feels like home.