Work is done with now for an incredible 12 days!
Busy of course to wind up today, but on a high after a very interesting visit to New Milton.
After similar recent converstaions in Hythe, Ringwood (and Wickham) it is becoming clear that there are a numbe rof Market Town Initiatives trying to happen around the edge of the National Park. The focus within the park by NFDC and especially their tourism unit is quite shameful - groups trying to get visitors to the surrounding area are finding their options very limited and support from their council non-existent.
Which could potentially be good for us as this negligence is creating a frustrated market looking for opportunities to get signage, mapping, and general destination marketing projects under way.

Excellent diversion for lunch to Pebble Beach at last, one of the area's hidden gems. Highly acclaimed restuarant on the clifftop at Barton on Sea, overlooking the Needles. Took a client and met the owner. Could be a key player in the sponsorship of a project in the area, but (like so many others) is sceptical of the NFDC and reluctant to get involved in anything that involves them.
So I think we need to start distancing ourselves from them. And one person in particular, who recently got an OBE for servcies to his own ego it seems.
Some thinking ot do and decisions to make regarding business direction, funding options and the like.
But not now.

Thoughts turning to a week in a farmhouse in Devon.

B and S have now gone home.
I really did not enjoy their visit this time, and everyone else seems to be equally jaded by it. they have literally done nothing but sit on the sofa since Saturday night.
"Babysitting" for Tx and I yestrerday so we could take a very rare together walk to the pub for a couple of beers, but otherwise they have showed no signs of interecting withthe rest of us at all. Must be especially difficult for him, who I can only assume was bored out of his head.
Awkward leaving too. I was at work, and Tx left the house at 10.oo for playgroup. So when his Mum arrived to pick them up (and deliver furniture to his new house) there was only K here to make tea and stuff. Perhaps best though - I know Tx didn't exactly look forward to meeting her.

We've arranged for Kink to stay here a couple of days next week while she attends the opening and preview of the artvaults this year. With her new girlfriend.
Its all so complicated - I would hate to be her.
She lives with a boyfriend, but has irregular and occasional (when she's here by herself) liaisons with two different girlfriends down here. AT least one of those is sexual.

Could easily confuse a stupid person.

Time for some dark music.

The Drift, maybe. Or some less familiar Nick Cave.
Obstacles and Playgrounds just doesn't inspire me, though I did promise I would listen this week.