And finally back to Colorado

If we needed to be reminded why we've come to live here , we didn't have to wait long. On both the first 2 days we cycled in to Aspen which , in the off season, has a completely different feel to it. Quiet streets, no traffic to speak of, uncrowded cafes, piles of aspen leaves on the bike trails, much snow on the mountains but from mid mountain level up and of course magnificent autumn colours. And time to reflect on a fabulous trip to UK and Ireland with virtually every day being a happy , exciting and rewarding one. Can't wait for the next.

We're now planning next short trip before we both start work on Thanksgiving to Mike and Joan's new home in Tucson , AZ returning via the Grand Canyon and Bryce National Park.

Back at 270 Meadow Ranch.

On the Owl Creek trail looking up to the Snowmass ski area

Beside the Aspen public golf course on bike trail to Aspen

Looking up Mill Street to Ajax - and no traffic.

Asheville, NC

A most successful visit with Betty at aged 91. Doing really well and enjoying piano and bridge to the full.

Ganny Moon and Granny Eye

Jane had gifted Mary with a private aerial yoga lesson and had found Blue Deleeuw on the net and booked it in advance. I tied but got sea sick and retired.

The stunning Smoky Mtn fall colours in evidence

Frensham Heights

Johannes and Jane gave us a good tour of the school started in 1924 - one of the first 3 co-ed private schools in the UK. Most impressive.

As head of Outdoor Ed  this is what J has to keep tabs on . Wow!

A plug for the department and so much to be proud of.

Could have been Downton Abbey - interestingly also used as a military hospital in WW1

The South Downs

Jane and Johannes laid on a superb weekend for us at East Lavant , Sussex on the edge of the South Downs.  After a night with Harry in Clapham we took train to Farnham where Jane met us. Very close to Johannes ' school - Frensham Heights. From there we drove down to the South Downs  and based ourselves at a lovely little inn for a couple of nights and 2 great days of mountain biking. Back to London on the Monday via Martha and John in Surbiton. Flight Gatwick - Edinburgh where  we were joined by Keith and Fiona for dinner - sorry Fiona for more clobber to store - before flying off to Newark and then Asheville , NC the next day.

Our cottage attached to the Royal Oak Hotel

Ready to go or what

Can't beat the English bridal path

As Johannes had warned us - the Sussex equivalent of Independence Pass. But no less enjoyable!

Glorious Goodwood - our route took us right past it

The conditions tested us a bit on the Sunday , but as ever Johannes had a great route for us to cope with them.

A quick visit back to Parkley Craigs

Too much nostalgia - sorry about that.

Just had time to join Vince and Annabel at Hopetoun Garden Centre for lunch and then a fleeting visit back to PC before the 3 of us got an afternoon flight to London.

Annabel, Vince. M, Dougal , Jane

The edge of the oak tree we planted on the left and the copper beach in the very centre

The Farmhouse where we had 16 happy years between 1990 and 2006

and the view to die for from the front of the house and the conservatory. John Kerr's lines as straight as they ever were.

Clearing Morrone - phase 2

We couldn't have done this without Jane. What a star she was. And between the sadnesses of our last stay there after 30 years of the happiest times imaginable and much hard work, we had a lot of laughs and the occasional recreational relief . Closing on Nov 15 and we wish our successors well. To Astrid , our huge thanks for her friendship and expertise in helping us to run a successful business over that whole period. And to Johannes and Jane for all they've done in the last 8 years. We couldn't have done it without you.

Straight down the middle. The 9th tee Braemar golf course

Ros and Jane - the precise spot of the altar on May 19, 2012

No going back now

Flute found and dusted off

A farewell tea and thank you to Astrid and to Charles and Elizabeth

Night before leaving. To enjoy Braemar you've got to enjoy ' weather ' !

And it was wild - fitting conditions for a last walk up Morrone hill

The morning after and a last stroll out on to the moor behind Morrone

Locking up

We'll be back !

Ireland

The van journey to Tipperary was a breeze. We left our hotel in at Blackhall , Edinburgh v early and got to Troon comfortably in time for a 10.30 ferry to Larne. Made a bad map reading error by heading off west after getting to the south side of Belfast ending up almost in Enniskillen, but soon got back on track through Armagh and eventually via Dublin to Roscrea. Dennis had the children not just in bed but asleep by the time we arrived and Meghan got in a bit later after a grueling business trip to Birmingham. She and Dennis both took the next day off and we got a tour of the  new vet practice building in Ennis which with luck they'll open for business in April next year. Much work to be done , but at last they've bought the premises through years of dogged determination and they have an exciting spell ahead of them. Ennis is a delightful cathedral and medieval town ( where they were married ) just north of Shannon airport and the project will entail them in moving there next Spring. We've offered to assist !

Iona and Cormac

An excellent restaurant in Ennis close to their new practice

Playing tickle monster with Granny Moon

Horsey, horsey!

Clearing Morrone - phase 1

The objective this week. beginning Sept 23, was to take the rental car to Dundee , exchange it for a Ford Transit van , return to Morrone, load it with furniture , garden equipment and a mass of stuff for Meghan, collect Mary from airport, take her to AS to sign Morrone papers, and drive via the Troon - Larne ferry to Roscrea , Tipperary ! Mission accomplished  - thanks in large measure to Greg and Di Desson who came to stay for a memorable last visit to Morrone.

Greg , Di and Meg after completion of a mammoth task of packing , lifting and loading. The meticulous packing of china and glassware by Di was a sterling effort if ever there was one.

The Fannaichs - Mid Sept

The main purpose of the UK Autumn 2013 trip was to sell Morrone. Any other activity was to be a bonus. Mary was to follow a week later.

1st bonus was to spend a night with Gail & Spencer Patrick ( not to forget a coffee session with Barbara at Ryan's bar at the Edinburgh West End immediately on arrival ) at their lovely Ravelston home.

Meetings that day to progress Morrone sale and off the following day, via Morrone to pick up climbing gear,  to Altguish Lodge between Inverness and Ullapool. On the magnificent organisation of John F,  joined there the Yorkshire gang and had 2 superb ( and very long ) days on the Fannaichs one day and the Beinn Dearg range the next. 7 Munros in 2 days and took total to 13 in the year. At that rate should be finished before my 75th birthday !

Rod, Peter, Adam, John & Simon

Looking North from the Fannaichs

We were a long, long way from civilisation at this stage.

Remind me someone please of Peter's lovely and loyal companion . This was a day for ever to be remembered.

Between the Don and the Dee on way back to Braemar. Ben Avon in distance.