Update 2

For LL

This is just a continuation of the update blog from yesterday LL. Like to keep you in the picture - and that's coming from a photographer, among other things.

To the other things. 

As you know I was in Miami last week and the weekend. Part business, part pleasure. The business part was another cooking show for TV where three different cooks appear to show their skills. I was one of the three and it was fun. Filmed live so plenty of banter to and fro between us. On the same subject, I've written/compiled two recipe books which will hit the stores and Amazon etc this Fall. I hardly need the money but its not about that, I do it for the pure enjoyment. Like my books they are not published under my real name. Despite the TV appearances, I value my privacy

On the book front #17 is ready to go this Christmas and number eighteen is a work in progress. I told you that I have two identities dating back to much earlier days ( and two birth certificates to prove it!). I write the books under the name you don't know.

The economy is doing great over here and all the businesses that I and Ash's family are involved in are doing well. Retail we got out of a couple of years ago and now sell clothing online only. Exclusive stuff mainly, and I will miss Ash's expertise in that area. I have a joint venture with my friend Rick where we have fracking operations in several parts of the country. The main one being in Texas where we are pumping Texas light (crude oil) from the West Permian Basin. On top of those areas there is extensive real estate and hotels etc, plus the pharmaceutical company based here and in Denmark.

Military service and the banking world were an excellent training ground for business and now LL. I am richer than I ever dreamt of. Not a bad way to enjoy semi-retirement. Lots and lots of friends around the world and more than a few ladies who enjoy my favors, make for a pretty good life. 

All of that LL, plus my travelling and I still have time to paint. It is quite relaxing.

Here are three memories for you - three nightmares for me, as it turned out!

 2003 - Italia

2004 - Espana

2005 - Florida

2017 - Not far from my home here....now who leads the 'boring' life?

Ciao

An Update - April 2018

For LL

Despite our parting almost thirteen years ago you still manage to amuse me. Reaching out on here to compare 'notes' with people you really don't know at all, posting comments and photos that none but you and your man can have any interest in. I find it quite funny in all honesty because they are aimed at no one. You have no interaction with anyone here. I must surmise from that you are trying to impress (?) me. 

I think it must be some attempt to overcome your own inferiority complex. You certainly suffered from one when I knew you, but heaven knows why. Must have been the narrow life you had led and your lack of travel or movement from that one location.

Either way, what you are attempting fails miserably but keeps me amused in the meantime. What's will all those shots of your restaurant meals? Are they meant to impress? Then there's your comments attached to them. Phrases like 'simply the best' etc. No they are not. They may be good, but I doubt they are the best. It's just another attempt by you to impress. A need you seem to need to satisfy, to show 'how good' your life is, to justify to yourself that the choice you made wasn't the wrong one, when you know it was.

No one wants to admit to themselves that they made the mistake of a lifetime, so in a way I can understand what is going on in your head when you post that stuff.

Just some random thoughts. Change of subject now.

My latest grandchild (from Ash's youngest son and his wife) is now just seven weeks old. He is a bonny lad and number seven grandchild. Two girls and five boys. Not bad is it LL. When I knew you it was zero.

In addition to my jet and the twin engine turbo prop, I now have the helicopter I told you about. It's great for short hops and difficult to get to places and it can be landed at at least two of my homes. It was lovely for me to get back in one after flying them in the Navy, although I leave the flying to a younger pilot these days. Cars? They get changed like I change clothes. I still have a Lincoln, Mercedes, Bentley and Astons among others. They are not all here in Florida though.

No changes in the homes, they are the same. I will be in the UK this weekend before leaving for Portugal, Spain and Italy and hope to spend some time in London and down at Sandbanks before heading for Europe.

Thought you would like this little update to keep you in the picture, and compare it with your life.

Oh, by the way, I won't be alone most of the time. I have several 'friends' that will see and enjoy at my various destinations.

Finally, the photo below is from September 2004, taken Barcelona. It was the paella we shared at the restaurant at the top of Las Ramblas. I won't say happy memories because at that point I knew you had been going behind my back. I gave you too many chances didn't I, and you still abused them thinking you had gotten way with it. You are the architect of your own misfortunes LL, scaly.

Ciao

Life Style Choices

For LL

First there was this place. Somewhere we could spend long weekends and short breaks at you said. It was your choice and in making that choice you told me a lot about yourself.

It was a s**t hole in my opinion LL. My judgement was awry at the time due my fairly bereavement, I have no doubt about that. In fact if I had been OK I doubt I would have ever taken you on for those two and a half years. We would never have met. In some ways I'm glad we did, in others, most certainly not!

The purpose of this short blog is to show you the difference in our life styles and our expectations. The first few photos below are of that place in Denia. At least I made a profit after completely re-furnishing it and ... it didn't go totally to waste. I entertained a few people there before I sold up

The second set of photos is of another place in Spain which reflects my standards. I'm not saying where but it is on the Costas ...

First your choice ....































And now my choice ....

I love the place. Sea views, no distance from the town center, two pools etc etc. I entertain there a lot and will be doing so in May. Your choices, your decisions have always been the wrong ones all your life ... haven't they.

Ciao ... tu folle donna

Bemused and Amused

For LL

Perhaps that should be A-mused and Be -mused LL. Either way your ideas of a life that isn't conducted in a rut, as you once put it, is quite laughable.

Take last weekend for example - same old restaurant as you tried to rub my nose in way back in early 2006. You took great delight, it seemed in telling me how you liked that place that he had introduced you to. Fact is, I wasn't impressed at all. Now there you were again. Then yet another steak meal at his place....boring!

Why you post that stuff on social media beats me. Is it supposed to impress someone? If it was partially aimed at me then you failed miserably. I spent my weekend here in New Hampshire, on the ranch part the time, with a lovely house guest. We ate out in Massachusetts in a superb seafood place, walked the shore together, and went riding back here. On top of that we took a scenic ride in my new helicopter. How's that compare  with yours so far?

Then on Sunday I cooked for my house guest. Not a plain old steak and boring, predictable veg. As you are no doubt aware I am quite an accomplished culinary artist, these days. Twelve, nearly thirteen, years have passed LL. I have made good use of those years, but I'm not so sure you have. Viewed from over here, your life seems to have all the elements of that rut and boredom that you so wished to avoid when I knew you.

You should have seen her face when I collected her in the helicopter. It was a picture!

As I have said elsewhere, I will be in Europe soon. First in the UK, then Portugal and onto Italy via Spain. It is so easy when you have your own plane. My life bears no resemblance to yours, or indeed to the one I was leading so shortly after the death of my first wife. I think you would love it, but you missed your chance well and truly. 'Why do I always make the wrong decisions'  - to quote you - yes indeed, why do you only you know that.

The invitation for coffee still stands...😊

Ciao

PS Check out the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony. It's where I have a home - right there on the Gold Coast just 150 yards from the shore and beach. Still confident you made the right decision?