Scutt Pics

The end of May & it was back to the west coast again for a long break from the grind back home. There was still work to be done to finish off the cabin & a punch list (snagging list as we'd say in the UK) to focus our contractors mind on. We set up a WiFi network, hung a couple more pictures, completed some painting, pruned a few trees, cleared some scrub, fixed a kitchen unit, built & fitted some steps for the deck ... & then collapsed ! Not all work though; we did get a chance to explore some of the local attractions - the peaceful lakes up in the Paulina Mountains, the falls along the Deschutes river & the remarkable volcanic lava formations. (go check out the Snowgoose web site if you really want to know) Unusually for central Oregon at this time of the year, the weather had not been that good, with lots of cloud & cool temperatures. So it was off to Vegas once more for a bit of guaranteed sunshine.

Canon W H Elliott died in 1957 after a distinguished life dedicated to the Church. In his time, he had been a regular preacher in Canterbury Cathedral, a radio broadcaster during the 1930's, Canon Emeritus of Coventry Cathedral and Chaplain, not only to Kings George V & VI but to our present Queen Elizabeth from 1952 until his death. Earlier in his life, he had been vicar at Holy Trinity in Folkestone. In April, I went with my mum (Irene) to visit that church where they have applied a memorial inscription on the entrance doors. And of what relevance is this Rev gentleman to the Scutts ? Why did we visit & why do we remember him ? Well, as I'm fed up with publishing this blog with never a response, so I'll leave it to my mum, or maybe my brother to post a comment & explain all ... over to you, family !

A birthday treat, Trix took me to Venice for my birthday. A little cold, but but from our hairy water taxi ride across the lagoon from Marco Polo airport, to the very last coffee, a truly magical experience. I stood in Venice, on the Bridge of Sighs; A palace and a prison on each hand: I saw from out the wave her structures rise As from the stroke of the enchanter's wand [Byron] Though there are some disagreeable things in Venice there is nothing so disagreeable as the visitors. [Henry James] You can take your dog on the Vaporetto but don't forget to bring a leash and muzzle. Always carry a pooper-scooper and plastic bag to keep your dog from soiling the city. The fine can be quite high, from €25 up to €500. Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go. [Truman Capote]

The final port of call on this tour - Los Angeles. In the Fairfax district, between Hollywood and Beverley Hills we stayed in a terrific, if quirky, little hotel called the Farmer's Daughter on the corner of Fairfax Ave & 3rd Street. (Click on the link - their web site is worth a look). Walking is something of an unusual prospect on the streets of LA, but this area, not far from the La Brea Tar Pits, the Page & LA County Museums or Wilshire Blvd, has a wonderful Farmer's Market (just across the street from the hotel) and, the rather good Grove shopping centre all just a stroll away. This being Cinema City, the Golden Compass had just opened here, Sean & I decided to see the just released film American Gangster (whilst the girls shopped) - it was safe to assume that we would both fall fast asleep in a warm comfy cinema, but this film kept us both wide awake & on the edge of our seats - strongly recommended ! A trip to Universal studios was a must & though ...

The final leg of the grand US tour; from Bend, up over the Cascade mountains, via the cowboy town of Sisters between Mt Washington & 3 Fingered Jack & on through appalling weather to Eugene. From there, leaving winter temperatures behind, a flight down to Las Vegas for a few nights of high rolling (12th-15th).

And so, via an overnight stay with Rennie in Portland it was south to Bend & a return to Snowgoose Cabin for a few days (9th - 12th) Though the construction work is complete, there were still a number of snagging items (or the punch list as our American friends call it) to sort & of course all those finishing & furnishing details - bedside tables, a TV for each bedroom, pictures to find & hang, the stove to install and of course a new clock for Sean to hang in the kitchen. A brand new ladder set got Ren excited as at last he could clean up the high great room windows.

November 2007 and its back to North America; but this time we wanted to go touring with our good friends. Sadly they couldn't make it, so we went with the Nearys instead ! We've known Sean and Eva for many years; we were at their wedding & they were at ours (its always useful to keep witnesses handy) First stop Vancouver, and a few days (4 th to 6 th ) in this lovely Canadian City with sites such as Gastown , Grouse Mountain, the Capilano suspension bridge & Granville Island. There can be few Cities to rival Vancouver's stunning setting; with a backdrop of mountains, forests and the deep blue waters of the English Bay & Burrard Inlet - every office & apartment window seems to enjoy a great view. Best day ? enjoying the sunshine, unusual snacks & quirky little shops on Granville Island ... or was it Eva's face as she negotiated the swaying suspension bridge. Thence by train to Seattle for a couple of days - it should have been a spectacula...