Burma Cyclone

The reported death toll in Burma rises today to 50 000 and I'm sure its much higher . My cousin and his family run a school there for children with disabilities in Rangoon . We weren't able to hear until Tuesday morning that they are still alive . Even then all we know is that they have no roof left on the property , no fuel ( presumably to pump water ) , no water , little food , and with two very small babies in the family this is not good news .

My cousin has five children , all of them raised in Thailand for most of their lives . His eldest daughter Christy is a well known pop singer in Thailand , and searching for information about my cousin and the school and their situation ( stupid , Burma ... no information out .... ) I came across masses of info about Christy I didnt even know was out there . YouTube - Christy Gibson sings Thai YouTube - christy&jonas . But for the moment I have no idea where she is . No doubt news will filter through gradually .

Final pilot succeeds

Final pilot succeeds ! We have a long walk at Plankey Mill near Haydon Bridge and Alice negociates the Bridge without mishap though we are disappointed that the old swing bridge is gone .

She relaxes sufficiently to snout her way around the tracks without panicking overly and is so shattered when we return to the car that she flops exhausted by the car as we unpack a picnic and barely raises more than an ear as two little lads play football almost on top of her . Even Mr Grumpy the next door dog couldn't undermine her confidence and she simply dozed on while he griped and complained ( possibly the smell of my fellafels was getting up his nose ) .

July ... Camping ... here we come !

Early morning walk incorporating Lord Collingwood ,and the " pilot"

The pilot failed abysmally .. only because spotting us seated outside Luis' under the canopy , the staff invited us and Alice inside where she was offered a large bowl of gravy bones and one of water . Inside she snaffled sausage sandwiches , collected cuddles and tried to climb onto the leather sofas . Not much different to home then really .

Camper Van Pilot

The camper van is booked for a week in July , starting in York , first night in Bronte country ( Howarth ) . Given that we will have greyhound with us and it will of course be hot and not raining ( ever ) we plan to have Alice with us at all times ( too hot to leave her in the van and besides she might be too silly ) .
So tomorrow is a pilot . After her walk , en route back through the village , we will stop and order breakfast at Luis and sit outside under the canopy for huge lattes and sausage baps complete with HP sauce , rain or shine . Alice has not practiced the art of sitting and watching yet .
Following this a day trip with picnic and an attempt to simulate van conditions .....while its still not too late to cancel ...!

Alice goes for the duck

Click to enlarge ... duck is a blur .....

Alice contemplates a duck .....

... in the background at the sailing club