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This is the adorable face that greeted me when I got home today, after the schlep from LAX.

I now know how sardines feel, having been squashed into economy for the long haul flight (oh for those airlines who give media business class seats!) but I met a fabulous Kiwi who lives in the South of France who is going to make a great story for one of the magazines I scribble for. I'm all about making lemonade, etc.

During the two weeks I was away, someone switched on the sunshine. So after unpacking and chucking on a load of washing, there was a glorious walk in the Town Belt with this furry bundle of goodness. We ran into several dog walking mates who said they'd missed me and asked about my travels, etc. It is sooooo good to be home and to be a part of such a nice community. I know it sounds like a big, fat cliche - and this could be the jet-lag talking - but I sure lucked out with the life I have and the place I live and the people who share  my world. It's great to wander but it's much, much nicer to come home.

Speaking of wandering, had a fabulous weekend in LA and will sort those pics out later this week. For now there is work to be done and sleep to be had and furry ears to rub.  

Tomorrow it is back to a 6.45am alarm and the 20-hour-a-week speech-writing gig....sigh.

The South - and gravity-defying hairdos

I finally arrived in Nashville - a day and a half after leaving Welli - and a tangle of flights and check-ins and security and filling in of forms.

Oh, and an hilarious eight hour layover at a dodgy LAX hotel, where I had to wind back my watch several decades. But it was clean and the staff was friendly and the roar of aeroplanes, not too far away, wasn't too intrusive, allowing me to grab a few hours' kip. And to have the longest shower in the history of womankind.

It got even better when I checked into my hotel in downtown Nashville this morning - there were 3,000 women from the Pentecostal church here for a conference. Which isn't interesting in itself but where it does get fascinating is that they don't believe in cutting their hair which, of course, means they end up with quite a lot of it. And then they get creative with styling, including up-dos Dolly Parton would be proud of. A unique, if slightly odd, introduction to the city.

Had a quick wander in the glorious sunshine and then collapsed in my room.

But Nashville sure looks pretty and I'm looking forward to the next few days. Only a couple of pics from today - promise more tomorrow when the Trafalgar Tastes and Sounds of the South kicks off..