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