"Treat yourself my good man"

It's time to go. Mum and Dad have returned to collect me.

I sign the guest book

and bid farewell to the staff, tipping the faithful retainer with a half chew bone.

Once my bags are packed and I have them bought to the car, there is just time for a modest acceptance of their gushing thanks for the gifting of my visit and a final "au revoir", before I must depart, a soldier of fortune, a gambler of fate, a sniffer of tails, not knowing where I shall next land and who shall fall in love with me next. To bear the burden of so many hopes and dreams is the weight I must carry.

I am forever, Findlay