Returning to the map thing

I decided that, rather than scour the internet for printable maps of the areas I want to include in my holiday journal, which seemed to lead to all kinds of inadvisable and extremely dubious sites, I’d just go and buy a cheap atlas to cut up.

But do you think I can bring myself to cut it up?

So, whilst scanning and printing out the maps in question (which undoubtedly is going to cost me more in printing inks than the atlas itself), I came across this curious juxtaposition of pages.

I know, Cyprus looks so comfortable there in the Bay of Bengal, doesn’t it?

This could give a child a seriously distorted view of the world, don’t you think?

A Spring branch

Sadly, not original but from here.

Still, a packet of small pompoms from HobbyCraft, branches from the garden, a hot glue gun and fifteen minutes of my time, and I think the result is pretty good.

There are pink ones in the sitting room.

Please, remind me…

…when buying a product labelled “World Map”, to check that the area of the map I want to use is actually included.  To be fair, the page above is called “Travel Map” but the transparency which goes with it (and which wouldn’t photograph well) is of the same image and bears the title “World Map”

I was looking for Asia and places east of Baghdad.

Oh, and Australia and New Zealand.

Then, just when I was about to write something mean about the American view of the world, I spotted that California isn’t there either.

So I withdraw that comment.

Our next trip will begin in Bangkok and we will travel via Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and India to Dubai.

I guess I’d better find another map for my journal.

Small things amuse me

Like taking a picture of a statue just as a white van passes by.

Well, it made me smile, anyway!

Spring sprung today

After yesterday’s quiet day, we began today in reflective mood.  Seeing the blossom whilst shopping in Bath brought a haiku to mind:

Snipped, I see, from the Japan Times in April 1994 and interpreted in a melancholic way, I must say that our spirits were rather more lifted by those blossoms set against that bright blue sky and we spent a happy morning in the sunshine.

Yesterday’s post brought two good things.  Firstly, a box of bits and pieces for the Mouse Paper Scissors class I’m taking which should have arrived weeks ago but seems to have been held to ransom by the UK Customs.  Oh well, better late than never (and yes, I had to pay…)

Then, this dear little packet flew from Australia in extra quick time and landed on my mat shortly afterwards.  Justine, of Once Upon a Fold is donating the proceeds from this little pack of Tokyo cards to the Japan Appeal and I couldn’t resist supporting her by buying a pack.  The package, beautifully wrapped (easy to tell that this was from someone who enjoys paper!) came with a  little extra card to create a Thank You card and was wrapped in gorgeous Japanese woodblock print paper too.

Delightful.

Oh, I didn’t mention the yummy lunch we enjoyed at Jamies in Bath, did I?  Antipasti with posh chips (parmesan and truffle oil), delicious bread and the softest mozzarella cheese. 

What a lovely day.