Greetings All, from WSM on the south west coast of the UK on a VERY wet and blustery Autumn evening.
Well what to say? Only that it's blowing a Bl**dy Hooley here! Methinks about surfing on the waves of the tail end of Hurricane Florence, or whoever? But I can only imagine what greater devastation Florence has bestowed on some of You PMR GCA Lot in the US...
If this continues, I sit here nervously anticipating BM (Benjamin Mansions) becoming suddenly and violently detached from the UK mainland, being whisked precariously northwards up the western side if the North Atlantic in the 60+ mph winds (Italian Chandeliers, Roman artefacts, Ikea furniture and all) and ending-up wedged ignominiously between two rocks off the Western Isles of Scotland with a bunch of RNLI Lifeboat personnel shouting "MB, YOU'RE DOOOMED..".
That's ok in one way. I love Scotland - and Scotland's Western Isles are a magical place. But does this mean that (if Tedski and I survive the ordeal..) I'll have to apply for Independent Scottish Nationality, start eating Haggis, Tatties and Neeps, wear a Kilt and play the Bagpipes every day? And.. change my surname to 'McBenjamin' and adopt a 'Cod' Scottish accent? I'm practising already. The phrases "Och Aye", "The Noo", "Yer bum's oot the windae" and "Lang may yer lum reek" come to mind. I've no idea what Tedski will make of it. And for my taking part in the Scottish National sport of Tossing the Caber? No smutty jokes please, Aunties... 
Actually, I'm getting used to the idea of becoming a 'Scotsman', rather than an 'Englishman' - even if unplanned and due to extreme circumstances. There must be some vague symbolic analogy with the tortuous complexities of the Brexit negotiations here? But at this time in the evening (and with the vestiges of 3 years of PMR and the Preds) I'd better not attempt to expand on it.
Only to say that, if I'm not in contact for a while, I'll be back in touch from my new location as the (new) Baird of Benjamin Castle soon, 'the noo'. Tedski will look 'bonny'' in a kilt, as will I. We both look forward to sampling the delights of Glenmorangie, Laphroaig, Glenfiddich and other fine Scottish Whiskeys as an alternative to the Red Stuff (in my case) and Vodka (for Tedski). Oh well, that's Change for you..?
On the more serious subject of Change: in this silly rambling, the analogy of PMR, GCA and other Life Changing situations came to mind too. In other words, we can't always anticipate what Life, and the Winds of Change, will throw at us (like the current storms here). But, if we can adapt to them, maybe we at least have some hope of surviving them? You tell me...
Keep smiling on the Journey: and whether you are in the UK or not, keep in mind that This, too, Will Pass and Things Can often Get Better 
Best wishes and enjoy your weekend wherever you are in the world.
MB 
