Everyone's Talkin

LL

In days of old.....remember where this is and the guy at the table? The drink on the table is yours

We're back in Florida to enjoy one of the best times of the year and the link below is quite pertinent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AzEY6ZqkuE

So, to continue my story for you from the previous blog. 

Remember that place in Spain - the one you chose? Bit of a s**t hole in my view. That went at a handsome profit in late 2005. God knows what I was thinking when I bought it! As a reminder here is something you may recall:

We now have a beautiful home in Marbella, an apartment in Puerto Banus (our personal bolt hole) and of course our other home in Denia.

Have to say that having found the right woman to spend the rest of my life with, we decided to invest heavily in real estate at the bottom of the market 2006 - 2008. Ash had been widowed as you know - around five years - which you didn't know. So we were both coming out of a period of bereavement and both with relatively young adults around. Thankfully, all four of the young adults were well adjusted without any problems. Common ground for both us and a lot in common, apart from our age difference which seems to make little difference. Ash is younger of course but I'm still fighting fit - benefit of having a younger wife I guess

Back to the real estate. At the time I still had the property in East Anglia that you were aware of but you were totally unaware of my full portfolio, including the London apartment I alluded to several times. I let you know I had a few properties in Norwich at one time (wrapped in a company) but that was all I was going to let on about, apart from what I then had in Florida. I had other property in other US States but as you said, one shouldn't let someone new in your life know too much. You gave advice to me to that effect, after we had parted. As you now know...I didn't need it, I had long since decided on that approach even before meeting you.

We, Ash and I, traveled Europe a lot in the first year or two of having met. I love travel and so does my wife. Ash had spent time in London, Paris, Milan and Madrid mainly in connection with the fashion side of our business. So we decided to explore Europe together and that was when we hatched our plan for homes over there. A fresh start and fresh properties was what we agreed. Over the intervening years we have a string of places now, most of which you are aware but include Marbella and Puerto Banus, Sorrento, Skyros, Barcelona, Paris, Carcassonne, Venice and of course London, Sandbanks and Keswick. Ash fell in love, not only with me (!), but also with the Lake District.

Apart from homes here in the US that is a taste of how and where we live. It doesn't include our commercial property or activities and I am not going to elaborate on that here. It would either bore you or make you insanely jealous!

That's probably enough for now...maybe more than enough for a 61 year old woman who 'missed the boat' and was left standing on the shore through her own silliness. You could have been celebrating in the sun instead of the snow (?)....each and every year since your 49th year - the year we met.

You should have stayed and listened - your life would have been transformed. You didn't know best, in fact you have never known best...just muddled through with your pride frequently leading you to a fall.

I think you have seen these homes before so I will leave you to figure out where they are and ponder on what life could have been ....for you.

Ciao

A Little History

LL

Rather than point out the decisions and actions you made and managed to get so wrong, I thought I would write about some of the places I have been and the things experienced. Merely, in part, to show you what you have missed particularly as you are now a semi -retired pensioner with 'failing' eyesight.

When I first moved to the States, permanently, in late 2006 the first place we stayed was at Ash's parents home in Martha's Vineyard (look it up). I had previously met them about a year earlier and Ash of course in early 2005. That was around the time I traveled from Massachusetts to Indiana, Florida, Ohio, Utah and Oregon. I admit, I missed out California and Massachusetts out of my itinerary as advised to you :)

Around that time I decided that, combined with your dalliance a year earlier, and the fact you were already talking with your current partner, was enough to justify my moving on. It was quite apparent that you were not as committed as I was, whereas I had by late 2004 formed a lovely friendship with Ash. It was only a friendship then.

In March of the following year 2005, my suspicions regarding your behavior were confirmed. You'll have to guess how - but you were then speaking to him. That combined with your past dalliance was enough for me to develop a plan 'B'. That is when had Ash invited me to the USA, to meet her parents and also to show me around, so to speak. By that I mean the businesses she had built up and had full ownership of. I will leave you to guess at her parents wealth and interests.

We traveled all over the States quite rapidly visiting various sites and businesses. My trips to Indiana, Florida, Ohio, Utah and Oregon were only part of it.

So, back to late 2006. A big step in some ways, deciding to live in another country but having found the (third) love of my life (if you don't count my teenage crushes!!), it seemed the most natural thing to do. I was pretty familiar with my 'new' country from my many previous visits. Many of which you were unaware of...being pre your time.

I suppose I have missed something out and that is the considerable investments I had accrued over most of my lifetime. What they amounted to is now probably apparent to you.

Bearing that in mind and Ash's own substantial wealth, we purchased our home in New Hampshire with a very large acreage to indulge both mine and Ash's love of horses. The land came with a fair bit of forest and the slopes of our own mountain! We love it there. In winter we have snow mobiles. which suits me as I don't ski - see photo - that's mine below

Here's one of Ash's 'boys', Brad and Tom, out on the slopes:

I think I have mentioned in the past that we also hunt on our land. Surprisingly, I'm still a good shot but I do practice a little now which I never did in the UK.

You have seen inside one or two of our homes so I am sure you will have some idea of the standard of furnishings, space etc. I guess it would be fair to say our New Hampshire home is a country property (it's near Concord) and cosy, but in no way small.

My first few years were spent amalgamating our resources and undertaking a consolidation of activities. Ash's skills lay in the retailing and leisure (hotels) sectors and mine in property where I made quite a few million (understatement!). Since then we have diversified into some commodities and a few other areas. You are probably aware that the economy in the US is powering ahead and we are too.

Nowadays, I have more or less 'retired' and spend time on our boats, horse breeding, writing and travelling....of course. Still fly the smaller plane too - that's the one with the props!

About 5 years ago we bought a beautiful home in San Diego - ultra modern - and we love it. It gave us a base on the West Coast, apart from our home near Lake Oswego, Oregon. You could say we have both ends of that coast covered.

One of my main activities is writing and I am nearing the completion of my eleventh book. The preceding ten have all sold extremely well and I have toured the country in the past few years at signing events. It seems that there is a certain 'touch' in my genes when it comes to success. Maybe I should tell you the name under which I write....or leave you to look for my photo in as many books as you can manage :))

I also cook and have featured on national TV in the USA bringing a fusion of European, Asian and American cooking to the fore. Had some good coverage in magazines over there, too.

So much has happened since...you know what, it would be far too onerous to write it all down. However, we do have three grandchildren ranging from age 1 to age 3. They are a delight to us both. It saddens me that my late wife wasn't able to see them, but I'm sure she is looking down and smiling.

I guess I haven't mentioned Florida. I made quite a packet out of selling the properties you were aware of, although those weren't the only ones - I had heeded your advice before you gave it!! That is, not to reveal to people the extent of one's wealth. 

We bought our home in Naples, and that is our home,  when we married. In your terms, it's vast and equipped and furnished to a very high level. Apart from the pool which I have mentioned in the past, we have a home cinema, several lounges - great for entertaining, which we do a lot - and a library plus all the usual offices including a six car garage block etc etc.

On Sanibel we have a little (well small-ish) cottage that we escape to when we just want to enjoy each other's company and nobody else's. Last time you were there was after Hurricane Charley in 2004, I recall. The Island has changed a lot since then and in other ways not all. You only saw one small corner of it. We often take the boat there from Naples...our new larger one that is.

You know a little about that corner of the USA but probably nothing of Australia where we have interests and also two homes. Bit like one of your questions 'why do you need another camera'...why do we need two homes there? Well pretty much like Naples we have a large place for entertaining, near Brisbane and a place we, just the two of us, can escape to in Noosa. Oz is our bolt hole for about one month of the year - where we both get away from it all, completely. 

I like Oz a lot. From Melbourne which I prefer to Sydney way up to Cairns. Last year and this we have been exploring the islands offshore from Brisbane, across Moreton Bay. That's Fraser, Moreton and Stradbroke. I love Cairns and the rainforest up there but Ash is a little more wary as there are some very large crocs, apart from snakes etc. the front in Cairns is very modern with lots of great restaurants.

You should have stayed. By comparison your life is less than mundane. I will write of the other places we call home in the Far East, West Coast and Europe in another blog.

It seems that whereas I lead a very varied and exciting life, yours is everything you didn't want it to be, but thought it would be with me. All those weekends traveling, eating and coming home again...now that is a big yawn!

Just shows how wrong you were. Life offers us various forks in the road. I've never met anyone that always chose the wrong fork each and every time, but I did when I met you. How I laughed when you told me that you thought life with me would be boring - you knew nothing. You refused me based purely on surface appearances it seems. Still waters run deep and you hadn't even broken the surface, yet you made your mind up. Impulsive and perhaps that is part of the story of your life...that tendency has contributed to the decisions you made and made badly.

I will return to my further travels etc soon. Any questions, just contact me - you know how;)

We're in NH now here's a photo from late this last year near one of the mountains

Time and Timing

*Time decides who you meet in life, your heart decides who you want in life and your behavior decides who stays in your life*.

I left LL. Not you, me. You thought it was you but it wasn't. You have no doubt come to realize this by now. As the quote above says - your behavior decides who stays in your life...and it did, in your case. Your behavior let you down as it has so many times in the past. Now look who you have ended up with. Funny isn't it that all the decent guys you met either walked out or left you.

Time decided that I met you and if I hadn't been in Florida at the time we probably would have never talked. It was pure chance in a way and a particular moment in time.

My heart decided who I wanted in my life - to quote from above. At that time it was you, but you let me down tremendously.

It was your behavior that determined who didn't stay in your life.

You do choose the wrong destinations at the wrong time of the year don't you...or is it that neither of you can afford more. As to flight delays, we have none of those or any baggage restrictions on our own plane :) By the way you really do look old now and your face is a lot puffier. No, I'm not being rude - just stating a fact. In men those wrinkles are character...in a woman...well...

You visit Lanzarote and take interest in Benidorm. We spend Christmas here in Barbados and spend time in Paris, London, Rome, Milan etc etc. No comparison really. To think I entertained buying a place in Benidorm to humor you. When I did sell up that sh** hole in Denia at least I made a profit from the deal. Incidentally, I still see Hans occasionally when we are there.

I'm sure you convince yourself you made the right decision in not returning but you don't really believe it I'm sure. Then that obese person who is soccer mad. How oh so very boring. Funny isn't it that your perceptions of life and people are almost always entirely wrong...as are your choices. I have invited you to communicate but you have failed through lack of courage, as always. You know how if you ever get over your prejudices, inferiority complex and insecurities.

Taking the opportunity to put the finishing touches to my tenth book and start the eleventh. You know how I like to write. ...and at least mine is literate, grammatically correct and creative.

After Christmas we will stop off in New York and Boston partly on the book front and also to pick up the guys and their wives for the naval re-union in London. I will then take them all to Sandbanks. Our own flight of course and our own pilot and our own jet.


Never like to leave you without a few photos so here you are:

  Sunny Day on the Bay

You Know Who this Is 

 Someone After you (sort of) and before Ash

 The Trip that Speaks for Itself

That Guy and one Grandson

 Fancy some Breakfast?

Guess you have noticed that the man in the hat is in no way obese - taken last month

Ciao donna sciocca

Fun and Parochialism

LL - One of the best Christmas vacations we've had. Now back from Barbados and off to London via New York City soon. I never like to 'sit still' too long!

 LL - How was your break?

Incidentally, you are very quiet on Twitter these days. Nothing to talk about? FM seems to have plenty, but then he isn't the most modest of men. He likes to voice his opinion more or less as gospel on many subjects. You must find that annoying at times, although I guess you are easily led.

What fun you could have had if you'd known what side your bread was buttered. You are one of those people who, on dropping their bread, finds it always lands butter side down. That's if you can figure out which side it was buttered in the first place. Confusing? The answer to your problem is in there.

I will be in New York when you read this. Book eleven meeting with my agent and the publisher, prior to London later this week. Mine don't sell for 99c on Amazon or in Barnes and Noble/Waterstones/ BooksaMillion/W H Smith etc etc!

Given my age you wouldn't imagine that one could have so much fun as I do now, would you. You were with me for the ride once, but decide to change horses midstream and 'fell' by the wayside (I love metaphors). You should have stayed in the saddle. I'm still enjoying the ride albeit with a different partner....

We will enjoy NYC for a couple of days or so and then head for London for the weekend. The re-union is in London the following week - Navy, of course. You never believed me about that, which I find quite hilarious now. I never thought I'd laugh at you back then, more laugh with you, but since then you have provided plenty of fodder to amuse me.

In comparison to me, you lead quite a parochial life. Not only now, but when we first met. Back then you hadn't been on a plane for what was it? 23 years? Travel by bus I recall to your favorite destination - Spain...and you are still going there. Where is your sense of adventure (and his)? Or, maybe it's a question of funds......You laughed at me and always had to mention my money, but I think I laugh last because without it you are very restricted on what you can and can't do. You are still working, which sort of proves my point further. What are you this month - 61 - it must be tiring especially when you aren't 100% fit.

As you have seen from my photos, I am quite fit and in comparison to him very fit. Whatever possessed you to take on a tub of lard like that? Neither M, C or yours truly ever looked like that!

Life is, as I said, fun. I satisfy my wanderlust, my literary aspirations and the buzz I love from business. The money is incidental, but allows me to pursue many interests including flying, horse breeding, our boats and the interest I have in property (ies) and homes including their design inside and out.

There are so many things you said in 2006 that make me laugh, but I suppose the funniest is the remark 'will we have enough money to live on'.

As always here are a few recent and various photos:

For You....as a reminder

Some of my favorite photos:

Sunday Morning Florida:

Previous Photo taken from our apartment in NYC:

NYC:

That man again...living it up in Brisbane on a scorching day 10 weeks ago:::::>>>>>>

Next stop London. You could always contact me...but I might wait until the world freezes over first LOL!!

Ciao