SOME NICE MEMORIES OF VERONA, BORGHETTO AND THE LOVELY PEOPLE I MET THERE..

 the arena in Verona

 eating salade caprese in the Piazza del Erbe

I HAVE BECOME CAT WOMAN...

No, not the black latex covered, masked minx with a whip, Michelle Pheiffer look-a-like although I have been known to wear a fluffy tail for fancy dress, party optional.    I am now looking after two cats. for a friend who is going to India. Its not forever (we have put a time limit on it) but it is educational.
I love animals, as in I will more likely cry at an animal being treated unkindly or dying in a film than I will a human being, unless of course that human being is very very special.  And I'm more likely to cry about them not fulfilling their potential or suffering unrequited love than death which is much more final and stops the pain, for them anyway.
As for pets, my father had a cat called Smokey that behaved more like a dog.   I liked him but I think my grandfather who lived with us treated him unkindly but then again it could have been my mother who did that, as she was the one who told me this, and she didn't particularly like my grandfather.
A part from Smokey, we didn't have pets. I had a hamster which died in his sleep, although my best frenemy, Rosemary, told me at Sunday School that I had buried the thing alive as they hibernate. I went  home crying to be told by my dad that the hamster had indeed died, that no, I wasn't able to dig it up just to check, and that Rosemary was a spiteful arsehole - although he didn't say the arsehole bit - just intimated at it.
Tom has had four gerbils - the first two were wonderful creatures, brothers and loving towards each other and everyone who handled them. The second two were not wonderful creatures, one was nervous as hell, the other one I'm sure was possessed.  I should have called it Damien.   The thing escaped from the cage and went wild for several months, darting about. Even at my fiftieth party I had to explained to bemused guests that the thing darting about the floor wasn't a rat/mouse but Damien.  He nibbled at the sofas, shitty little thing, but he escaped, and I hope he's somewhere safe and happy now.  Sort of.
I've had two tortoises for twelve years, who look like a married couple - miserable but contented in their misery because its safe.   They move slowly but in the summer with stealth, as long as there's a dandelion leaf going.
Bruno the street cat visits us on a regular basis as he does everyone, looking into their eyes and getting fed and stroked.  He is a charming rake of a cat, but he goes and doesn't shit in your house, which is more you can say for the human variety.
Back to the two cats.    I have to keep them in for three weeks, or they find their way home. One probably would, but the other is special needs - their owner says that, that's not me, but I agree with her. The cat doesn't know who or what he is (or if he is indeed a he) - her words not mine.  Very fluffy, very 'big boned' and darts off at any direction, he's been up the chimney three times.   I thought he had escaped but no, he hadn't.  He meowed loudly at me at five in the morning by my bed and I told the owner he was still OK after, poor girl, she had cried a bucket and I had felt guilty for a day.  So I have two cats.
I prefer people to cats. Or animals for that matter.  Given the choice, I'm not sure I would choose to live with either.  Tom I love unconditionally but I have never met a man worthy of the same.  Having just been to see Gone Girl, which reminded me of my ex husband - him having the qualities of both the woman and the man, I think you compromise when you have pets as you do when you have a relationship.    You're cleaning up after them, in return for some affection. Although I'm not sure we should expect even that.   At least with humans you get some conversation, although again, even that may not be very good and if, like animals, they are 'on send', its not two way.    I suppose animals can't be emotionally abusive, but the cats wake up at five am meowing the house down to be fed, so I suppose thats a sort of torture, but at least it means I'm starting work early.  I would be happy to get up for Tom when he was a baby every two/three hours but only because he was my son.
Perhaps that's why some people prefer living with animals as they've had very bad conversation, because I can't really see how and why living with a pet is better to living with a person. They do not love you unconditionally.  Cats definitely don't and dogs may love you, but unless you feed them they die or eat you, which is a bit of a bore.  Probably why I stick to tortoises.

WHERE FOR ART THOU ROMANCE?….

Two days in Verona, two in Lake Garda.   Sherbert coloured buildings glistening in the Italian afternoon light.   The exquisite architecture, fascinating history, and walkability.   It is a busy city that does things slowly.   Everything is blisteringly romantic and you will find it challenging to find a partner to match the moment.   Visit Boghetto and the Sigurti Gardens.   Ideal places for romance if you can't like the Clooneys afford Venice.
The least romantic bit about Verona is Juliets balcony.   You queue for the pleasure of woo hoooing to a courtyard full of tourists.   Stayed at the effortlessly stylish and polished Hotel Due Torri, in the centre, walking distance of the Arena where you can sit on hard stone seats and watch opera and ballet.   Take a blanket and cushion. I was here when I was 18 and didn't have that advice. And the ballet was bad so the Italian audience booed.  You wouldn't see that at the National.  Well, not since I've last been.
Food phenomenal. People wonderfully friendly and well, Italian, so happy about being happy. Italians are unfaithful to their meals, they talk about breakfast when they are eating lunch and talk lunch when they are eating supper.
The British appear so stilted when they travel to Italy, as though their anality stands out more in this environment, which was captured well in a Room With A View.   The Italians have their own stuff.   I talked to one of the hotel managers and we got onto the subject of Italian men.   She said she would never go out with an Italian man.  "They are all liars. As long as you know that you are fine. They will tell you anything and everything and be the centre of your world and then go and tell the next one exactly the same.    And they are passionate, the best lovers.   And they will always be true to their mothers.   They are vain.   And they are lazy."  But their country is wonderful.
Cycling along Lake Garda was bliss, on route to and from the wine festival there - although not a good idea to cycle back along the Lake, but I made it.  Veneto is dreamy.
And from one extreme to the other.
And I went to see Gone Girl, a film about a marriage which is toxic.   I would say it would resonate with over 90% of those who are married or who have been married, probably even higher.   OK, its extreme, but I don't think that extreme.  The man is lazy, unfaithful, selfish, boorish, self absorbed.  The woman is calculating, manipulative, angry and very disappointed.  And they are both fake and wish each other dead. Yup, true of most marriages I would say.

WRINKLY OF RICHMOND AND WONDERFUL AUTUMN

After a horrid summer, the smell of Autumn is almost intoxicating. It has that distinct sweet smell.  I've taught loads of yoga which I've loved, and even had time to try out keratin hair treatment  (brazilian conditioning) at Metropolis in Kingston

which works really well on my hair smoothing out the wrinkles. @l_kerabelle @metrpoliskt1   The hair looks lovely but I've still got loads of work to do on the face.
 I visited the Olympia Show and tried out an Elemis facial which was brilliant, and had my nails painted turquoise which goes with my rings, although I had an interview the following day and had to explain away the nails.
A part from that I've been living a hermit existence but went out tonight to celebrate a very good friends birthday at the London Corinthia Hotel. Met some fascinating people, and took a photo while crossing Waterloo Bridge.  London is a wonderful city, especially on a warm Autumn night.

ANTARCTICA IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL! ITS OFFICIAL

One Ocean Expeditions Are Officially Good For The Soul

Leading travel writer, journalist and broadcaster Sarah Tucker gets emotional about the Antarctica Cruise in “The A to Zen of Travel”

Leading small ship Polar expedition cruise company, One Ocean Expeditions, has been recognised for providing life changing travel experiences that are good for the soul by travel writer and broadcaster Sarah Tucker. Featuring the Antarctica Cruise in her latest book ‘The A to Zen of Travel’, Sarah took this voyage as part of her book research, concluding that journeys like this one help rid people of emotional baggage such as heart ache, loneliness, anger issues and lack of focus.

Travelling to Antarctica with her fifteen year old son Tom last Christmas, the prolific travel writer added the experience to her latest book as a perfect example of how and why specific journeys work on a much deeper level than merely tick boxing a destination.

"I travelled with One Ocean Expeditions and headed first to Buenos Aires, which is an incredibly sexy and vibrant city, one of the most interesting in the world and then onto Patagonia, and Ushuaia.” Explains Sarah Tucker. “We had expected a trip of a life time, which many of those on board did, but nothing prepares you for something like this, not even David Attenborough.”

One Ocean Expeditions Christmas in Antarctica expedition is a specialty departure, which features a tailor-made family adventure for those parents or grandparents travelling with children and young adults. Exploring and sharing adventures along the Antarctic Peninsula, creating memories to last a lifetime, One Ocean Expeditions staff lead the way with interactive educational experiences, on-board programming and onshore guided excursions, as well as a unique approach with child led photography.

“What I noticed on board was that many people were becoming very emotional about the experience, telling me how 'healing' the experience was,” adds Sarah. “The crew were not only there to show them the ropes as far as getting on and off board was concerned, but to also talk about how the place made them feel and think about their now lives and life experiences.  It was a very intense experience."

"Antarctica is often called the seventh continent and is the last one people
who have travelled extensively seem to feel they must 'do'”, concludes Sarah, “but from an emotional perspective it should be one of the first. Travelling via Buenos Aires and Ushuaia adds to the experience.  A trip to Antarctica is the yoga of travel. It clears the mind and calms the spirit.  Humbling and empowering at the same time, you don't feel you are following in the footsteps of great explorers. You are the great explorer!"

One Ocean Expeditions offer a range of Antarctic cruises from October through to March, including the voyage that Sarah Tucker and her son went on, the 8-night ‘Christmas in Antarctica’ departure, which sails from Ushuaia, Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula on 20 December 2014.  Prices start from US$7395 per person based on twin share, from US$5595pp for triple share and from US$9495pp in a One Ocean Suite. The price includes all meals and accommodation plus zodiac excursions and landings, activities for children and young adults, overnight camping in Antarctica, ship transfers and foul weather gear.  Price excludes flights UK – Ushuaia. Dates: 20 – 28 December 2014, (Ushuaia/Ushuaia).

The book, which was written whilst Sarah studied psychology, includes a foreword by notable psychologist and author, Professor Edward de Bono. Having studied Sarah’s work, Professor de Bono commented, “"You will never choose your holidays the same way again. This is a remarkable, innovative book that will not only change the way you travel but change the way you think about yourself."

About One Ocean Expeditions

One Ocean Expeditions is managed by one of the most seasoned teams in the expedition cruise business. Known for their focus on delivering high quality, superior luxury adventure travel, One Ocean Expeditions is poised to set a new standard in the expedition cruise industry.  www.oneoceanexpeditions.com.

The A to Zen of Travel is available from Waterstones, all good book shops and Amazon. For further information contact Sarah Tucker on 07990946135.

For further information on One Ocean Expeditions please contact Debra Taylor on debra@toucanmoon.com, tel: 01491 613424 or 07956 852197

BREAKING UP IS EASY TO DO..ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SAY YES

Scotland will say yes. If they say no, its a fix. Psychologically its more positive to say yes, so whoever chose for staying together to be a 'no' should be shot.  Someone likened it to a divorce.  Even if they say 'no' the way this has been handled by the media as well as the politicians has been appalling.  Everyone has looked bad.  The Scottish have looked like thugs on TV, the journalists have looked antagonistic and lacking in intelligence and the politicians have looked desperate and smug.    We have a beautiful country, its just being knowingly undersold.

And why have I gone all dewy eyed about the UK?

I took psychology exam today and was with a TV company this afternoon.  I had time to walk around Westminster today for an hour, which I haven't done for ages.  Warm day, sunshine, acted like a tourist visiting the souvenir shop of Westminster Abbey (didn't go in to the Abbey itself £18!!). And sat on the grass between meetings/exams.  (love taking exams, hate revising for them).  What a beautiful city we have.  What a glorious city. Incredible architecture. Absolutely wonderful. I'm not sure if its the best in the world, but it is utterly fascinating.  Yes there are downsides.   If you are bored of London you need to get a life.   If you can't afford London, that is more understandable.   The rich are creating ghettos and they're not even English rich.   The traffic is appalling and we continue to treat cyclists like road kill.  

London still (just) allows diversity. It shouldn't be the privilege of the rich to live here. They do not make it a better place.   Just visit anywhere which the rich have made it their ghetto (Knightsbridge) and there's an unhealthy energy, as though they've brought their sick ruthless karma with them.  

And Boris -don't charge for the fireworks.  The 'wealthy' who live in London can cough up for the rest of us.  They have more than enough money to pay for 'administration and bouncers'. In fact I'm sure they can lend the New Years event some of their own.

LIMITLESS AND LUCY

Just watched the film Lucy with Tom.   Go see.  It makes you think.  Or makes you think about thinking. The process.   The film is basically about expanding the mind. Using the brain more efficiently and effectively - literally seeing through things, what you're sold and told, and being a free spirit and thinker.   Everything establishment doesn't want us to do.   The film is based on the premise we use only 10% of the brain.    Tom tells me its a myth we use only 10% of our brain. I don't know how he knows, but he says he knows.     I'm not sure who worked that out - the 10% but basically the film (Lucy) explodes the mathematical way we structure life.   As the protagonist (played by Scarlett Johanssen - the  'Lucy' of the film, says at one point 'the only thing we've learnt in a billion years is one plus one equals two and that's even wrong'.    It simplifies things of course, because it's Hollywood, it's only got an hour and twenty minutes to explain the meaning of life (which as one plus one doesn't equal two, I suppose isn't four and three quarters either).  It flushes the use of math down the toilet to explain things. Or anything of importance.

Mathematics is limiting and limited.  It structures and explains, but has become like a end in itself where it only existed to explain, function, be part of the journey to something more esoteric.   Which is sort of what Lucy is about.    Lucy played by Scarlett Johansen (obligatory gorgeous) is helpless victim (but bright - goes to Uni - has to study - its an American film so they've got to be pseudo PC although I think its lost on the X Factor/CBB/Great British Bake Off generation being fed mental trash.  Then due to Chinese/Taiwanese (never specified) drug baron, she carries drugs which expand her mind.   What does she do with it?   She realises her time is limited, its the only thing that makes us exist and that she wants to share what she knows before her cells choose to literally go their own way.    She does so, and puts her knowledge in a neat package so to speak, for universal good. (although she puts it into the hands of a man…..but that's Hollywood for you.  But it is Morgan Freeman, and as he's played God in the past, you've got the idea its in good hands..)  

Contrast this with Limitless - a film also focused on a mind expanding drug - albeit one you take one at a time - willingly.   A man takes it (obligatory gorgeous male actor forgotten name of) and uses it for, good sex, making money, learning languages so he can impress in restaurants, in bars, mainly women, to have good sex, creating power, creating fear, being politically powerful, making money.   Getting one over.   I suppose the moral to that is - give a woman power and she shares it, she uses a higher deeper wisdom, and realises true power is in sharing it, give it to a man, and despite having a bigger brain, he still only manages to have one thing on it - sex and keeping power to himself.

Of course this is just Hollywood's take on what men and women would do with incredible intelligence given the same 'pill' and opportunity.

and ps. Joan Rivers is dead.  What a summer.  Watching the TV from France over the summer amongst the birds, bees and butterflies, I watched Syria, Iraq, Ebola, Libya, Rotherham, hurricanes in the US, volcanoes in Iceland and a Baked Alaska in a tent somewhere in English suburbia, and the deaths of  Robin Williams (what a waste - that was over money, I'm sure), David Attenborough, Lauren Bacall, and now Joan Rivers - larger than life characters, power houses whether you liked them or not.  And Kim K gets Woman of the Year.  What for? Alliteration?    And Tony Blair gets philanthropist of the year. What utter utter bollocks.   He gives money that he's made from the banks that pay him millions to talk to them, which they've in turn taken from the populace (us).   He's still giving our money away and getting awarded for it.   When will the world wake up and realise all the Emperors of establishment, each and every establishment, past and present have no clothes on. What pill do we need to take?  Hope they give it just to the women.