Recycle road map

Mum, Dad and I travelled almost 800 miles from Gourock to Kells, Co, Kilkenney, Eire and back, to visit my brother and his family for Easter - please see previous other blips (here is where I should LINK and don't now how - tips please!!)

We navigated using Tom Tom with SEAN as our guide - fab, accurate and a real companion on the way - especially round Belfast and Dublin .

Dad (aged 89) had a map to help him / us along the way in case SEAN got lost and also so that he had control of the paperwork. Sometimes Dads just need to do this...but also they can't trust technology - until it comes to very tough inner city roundabouts and traffic lighte - in which case "it's marvellous!".

The map was HUGE and uncontrollable to turn between one sheet and another. It took mum in the back and dad in the front to sort it out on the return journey. and there were endless wee (and rather large!) rips and tears - some rather invasive and irrepairable!!!

On our return I got out my heart cutter and chopped up the whole map into heart shapes.

I sent garlands of hearts to various family members and also to some close friends, who loved them.

My BLIP heart is one of those you buy from a regular outlet. You are supposed to stick photos in the circles but our photos are too big and go squint (which I can NOT live with ).

I wove the map-cut-out-heart garland around the wire heart decoration which looked rather good.

You will notice(if you look VERY carerfully) that there are 3 little hearts hanging in the middle of this wire / map heart.

I have a very dear friend who I met when I worked in Sudan, 20 ish years ago, and who now lives in Colorado. She loves life and all that could be wonderful in it.

Every year she makes me a special hand made - just for me - Christmas Card. This year there were 3 white Doves of Peace carrying 3 separate messages - JOY, LOVE, PEACE.

If I could wish anything for you, whoever you are and whatever your circumstances I would wish you Joy, Love and Peace , not just for today but for ever.

Read into this what you will, but I love it in my kitchen as a strong, but beautiful reminder, of my values and my journey ....not sure where I'm going but I'm enjoying the view!!!!

I think that's good!