We could have been together for five days if it wasn't for my work
and my inability to plan.
The disappointment in her voice hit me, although she said, "it's alright",
when I told her I couldn't come because I had to work all of the next week.
Then suddenly a two day gap in the planning, and I, seeing myself drive
up to her after work, started thinking of how to do it and make it a surprise.

When we chatted on line, I told her I wanted to walk with her again in our
city and she asked with sad voice: "When?.. When it's Christmas?"
I answered: I'll tell you 5 hours before I come. I could almost see her sit up.
I had to arrange a car. Mine wouldn't do because the brakes needed replacing.
I had one day to do it.
One fourteen hour workday to work, get a car and pack to do the four and a half
hour drive to her. To fall into her arms and sleep together, knowing the one you
love is beside you. Tangible, touchable, "grabable".
Skin touching and not 454 km apart.

The last person I wanted to ask was my mom, because she needs her car.
But it came to it, that I had too.
I called her just before I finished work and she said, sure! Come over!
I drove home first and showered so I wouldn't look so tired.
(you know moms. "You look tired! Shouldn't you rest before you drive?"
Although she just packs up and goes too).

I packed three underwear, socks, a T-shirt and a sweater and drove to my mom.
She came back from France just the day before. She needed the car back on
sunday which was OK, because I had to work again that day.
We talked a bit but she saw my haste, gave me the keys and papers and let me
go with: Hug Joanna and give her my love!"
I drove to the gas station to fill the tank and called my Jo, shouting:
 "I'M ON MY WAYYYY!!!" and heard a loud Weeeeeeeeeeee!!! on the other side.
She never forgets to say: "Drive carefully, darling!" It squeezes my heart.

It was the shortest trip to her, ever. Being Thursday night/Friday morning, I only past
trucks while driving left most of the time.
Sometimes singing out loud to keep myself alert.
Four hours, one cup of highway coffee and lots of juice later, (3 am) I found myself
in our city, trying to find a parking space in her neighbourhood.
Another 20 minutes later, after just parking, almost ditching the car somewhere near
her house, we fell into each others arms.

                                   --------------------------------------------------

Before I drove off to Hamburg.

Projection and sound for a church meeting. Mike (great colleague) under the pulpit,
were we had our sound and switch booth, taking a pic of me, taking a pic of him.
(one of my projectors, on the right, shining in my face)



Of all the things I do with video, I still LOVE doing projection!



Lay on my back on stage to make this for you.
The old restored roof of the church.



Breakfast, the first day in Hamburg.
(trying to open a jam jar, granny closed with a wrench, ha ha)



Hamburg centre. The girls in front of the library.
Noooo, the ones in blue!!! he he.



With the girls at the Elbe. Having fries and drinks and fun!
Look!



And it sails into the setting sun.



The sun is setting.
The fisherman is telling them, he comes here every two weeks, staying at
the quay until 4 am to fish for eel. After catching the eel, he smokes them.

He gives them the willies when he shows and tells them, the worm still
lives when he puts it on the hook and that the eel eats it alive!



Enjoy....Sunset colors



The next day after another lovely breakfast. A walk along the Alster.



A man, probably with his dad, in a Lovely wooden canoe, paddling along.
My dad † was a boat builder. Wish I could still do this with him.




Come in!!! The water is great!!!!



Joanna taking the picture of the girls and me in a passage.



I saw a man putting his canoe in the water with so much thought and care!
He enjoyed and took time in preparing what would be a lovely afternoon canoeing.

I saw the sun on the tree and the boathouse and thought;
This is a picture of which they make 1000 pieces jig saw puzzle. (Think I will do it)



The drive home.

With a tight stomach and a hurt in my heart I leave my Love in our city.
Suddenly realizing the sun is shining through the rear window.
I should be heading west! I took a wrong exit! My thoughts were with Joanna.
Suddenly saw signs directing me to Berlin!
I took the next exit and turned my nose towards the Netherlands.
The setting sun in my face. Four hours of driving and thinking of her.





                                                     "Skyping"

 After our "weekend" together, we lie in our own beds again looking at our screens   
       
                     
                               
                                 and are chatting before going to sleep.

She makes my heart grow and gives me tingles in my stomach when she smiles and
chuckles, sticking out her tongue at me.
It gives me a warm feeling seeing her like that because I know how hard life is for her sometimes.
Seeing and hearing her giggle, free from worries for a moment makes my eyes wet and my heart squeeze.
She makes me shut up and look at her in awe. She lets me be myself and make her smile and laugh out loud.

My Love,
Unaware of your existence and disregarding the fact that I needed someone in
life, I found you. While I was telling myself: The best thing for me
was to be alone, knowing too well, somewhere deep in my heart, that I
was longing for what we have now.

Today, while driving through the rain to Amsterdam, (My car fitted with new brakes)
I accidentally press a button on my radio to find out there is a CD still in there.
My favorite Level 42 track starts. I haven't heard it for so long!!
I turn it up so loud, that the mirrors on my car start vibrating on the rhythm.
I play it over and over again and am using the wheel as a drum kit, hoping the air-
bag won't explode into my face.
The doorman of the parking garage of the theatre must have had the song in
his head for the rest of the day, because I played it loud with the
window open, after getting my ticket.  It echoed through the, still empty, garage.
It made me smile, made me jump in my seat because the music reminded me of what I have when I hold you.....

Your Pete.  ;-))


To bad they took away the embedded clip.
BUT you can see it anyway by pasting the link

;-))




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOwRaeyv4YE

Heaven in my hands

I'm going nowhere
Gotta face up to it
Gotta wake up to it
I feel so guilty
Killing time is a sin
There's no way you can win
A dam burst of dreams flow thru me
They slow me where I could be
Flash point feelings flow
Thru my mind moving

From the mountains to the sea
I'll run across this land
Looking out for strength and beauty
A diamond in the sand
And I will chase the four winds over
Trying to understand
And I won't stop until I'm holding
Heaven in my hands

I won't let nobody
Turn me off of the track
Now there's no turning back
Won't let no worries
Turn my head inside out
Now there's no room for doubt
I'm heading for my destiny
And it feels electric to me
Flash point feelings flow
Thru my mind

I was lonely going nowhere
Drowning on dry land
I was almost stranded there a
Shipwreck on the sand
But now I'll chase the whole world over
Making my demands
And I won't stop until I'm holding
Heaven in my hands

From the mountains to the sea
I'll run across this land
Looking out for strength and beauty
A diamond in the sand
And I will chase the four winds over
Trying to understand
And I won't stop until I'm holding
Heaven in my hands
I was lonely going nowhere
Drowning on dry land
I was almost stranded there a
Shipwreck on the sand
But now I'll chase the whole world over
Making my demands
And I won't stop until I'm holding  
Heaven in my hands

;-))