Feb 18, 2018 - Trip to New York

I hate self-promotion to let people who are interested in reading our travel blog know there is an update. So, if you are interested in reading the updates, please click on “Request Updates” and fill in the very minimal information requested. Then I can send the update message from the blog site. If you DON’T want to read the update then you can just delete the message. If you DO want to read it, then just click on the link in the email and it will take you to the blog site. Trip to New York On Saturday October 28th we left for Monroe, New...

Feb 14, 2018 - Welcome Aboard!

Our Winter, 2018 trip has at number of components. We’ll start in San Francisco and visit our son Greg and his partner Chuck. One day will be spent with our friend Linda Casey. Then we fly to San Diego for an overnight and the next morning, board the Azamara Quest for an 18 day voyage down the West Coast of Mexico; Guatemala; Nicaragua; Costa Rica; through the Panama Canal; Cartagena, Columbia; Miami; and back home. We hope you will enjoy this trip as you travel along with us.

Jan 27, 2018 - Heading to JFK Airport

Some computer stuff this morning repacking my bags for the flight this afternoon to JFK airport and back to the USA I have been out of the country the pass 8 weeks. Has been another great trip but will be nice to be back home and not living out of a suitcase, LOL. The flight is 5.5 hour flight with a layover in New York, so have booked a hotel near the airport for the night and will be heading to Denver tomorrow morning at 8:30 this is a 4.5 hour flight, The flight was not a full one so had a whole row to myself, very nice LOL. Got into JFK...

Dec 23, 2017 - New York

The 'red-eye' flight from SF was great although our seating wasn't the best. Side-by-side instead of front-to-back would have been nice although Gilly did score a few head massages because of it. Our hotel was old but homely and quite well positioned near Carnegie Hill, just a few blocks from Central Park. Free afternoon wine, cheese and nibbles everyday went down well with us. Overnight snow and a 2 deg C daytime temperature definitely got our attention but was novel for us and good for our preparations. The following days did warm up a...

Dec 20, 2017 - A Very Special Weekend

This past weekend we attended a very special event in New York City; the wedding of Debbie's daughter (my step-daughter) Jenna and her bride Emily. Leaving Savannah aboard Amtrak's Silver Meteor train we arrived in NYC Friday morning around 11:00. We had all afternoon to relax before we attended the welcome dinner which was at a fantastic restaurant in Brooklyn, named Frankies 457 Spuntino. The food was delicious and many of their friends got up to say a few special words about this great couple. Jenna and Emily's friends are really a great...

Nov 12, 2017 - to Westport by train - day trip

Sun 12th Nov - - - last full day, Westport day trip It’s another cold day and not expected to go above 7degC. Had breakfast in the room as normal (cereal and banana) and then at 9:20 called a Uber to take us to Central Station for the MetroNorth train to Westport. Departed at 10:02 and arrived at Westport at 11:16. Great to be welcomed by Brett again at the station. Very exciting to meet Fred and Sue - first time since the wedding in 2011. Chatted over coffees and then had some Thai for lunch. Kids were super excited to go down to Compo...

Nov 11, 2017 - in New York - Veterans Parade,

Sat 11th Nov - - - Veterans Parade Great news - we’ve made arrangements with Brett and Lindsay for us to do a day visit tomorrow. Up and back by train same day. Will give us an opportunity to catch up with Lindsay’s folk who are down from Upstate New York for a few days. Exciting plan to finish off the holiday. Today’s Veteran’s Parade will occur from 11:15 through to 3:00 marching from Madison Sq Park on 23rd St right up 5th Avenue to 52nd St and be followed by a festival on sorts on 53rd. We set off at 10:45 along 57th St until we got to...

Nov 10, 2017 - in New York - Very Cold, Rockefeller ice rink, Macy’s,

Fri 10th Nov - - - Very Cold, Rockefeller ice rink, Macy’s, Today we were warned - there was a FREEZE warning on the TV last night. The morning temp at 8:00 is 40degF (3degC but with the chill factor it feels like -4degC). Normal people stay home and stay warm. So!!!! We headed off to the Midtown area towards the Garment district where Macey’s is. With a detour via the Rockefeller Centre of course. The ice rink was only half the size of the one at Bryants yesterday and no where near as nice in setting. Kept walking and came across a dozen...

Nov 9, 2017 - in New York - ONE World Trade Centre

Thu 9th Nov - - - Ice skating, 1WTC 100th floor Our walk today was intended to take us to Rockefeller Centre, but with a failing memory I had the wrong street and we walked too far south before heading east. We ended up at Bryant Park - but bonus, they too had a large ice rink outdoors. Bought a cuppa and sat down to watch the skaters. Walked to nearest subway and caught train to WTC/ Oculus. The ride up to the 102nd floor was amazing as the 3 walls of the lift showed a video presentation of what was outside at the different levels. 102...

Nov 7, 2017 - in Mattituck - USA Election Day, walk locally

Tue 7th Nov - - - USA Election Day, walk around Mattituck Lauren has work today so Zaylee and Quinn go to child minding (like Kindy). Saxon will also go with them as his school is closed today for the election (as in Local Gov't). Therefore we have the day to ourselves until 3:30. Great opportunity to get out for a walk. Headed off to the beach on Peconic Bay we went to on our first night. Brrrr! It was even colder - icy wind straight off the Arctic (except that it was blowing from the NE). Followed the road around to the playground the...

Nov 6, 2017 - in Mattituck - library, drive to Ranch, “Thor - Ragnarok”

Mon 6th Nov - - - Mattituck library, drive to Ranch, “Thor - Ragnarok” Tim headed off to work taking Saxon to the school bus at Riverhead - they only moved to Mattituck 3 wks ago. Mid morning after 3mth old Quinn woke we went out for a drive to check out the local library which Lauren had not yet seen. We were all impressed and Zaylee had a lovely time playing the puzzles on the computerised table - finger controlled. Back home for lunch incl Quinn. The day is fully clouded over with constant misty drizzle. We went out again hoping for a...

Nov 5, 2017 - in Mattituck - church, tour Ranch, Thai dinner out

HINT - You can change the map anytime to see the part of the trip you are reading - CLICK the map names under the map shown ....... have fun ........ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sun 5th Nov - - - (end daylight saving, church, tour Ranch, Thai dinner out) As Student Minister (read Youth Pastor to High School Students) with the Senior Pastor away, Lauren will be giving the address at all 3 services this morning - 8:30, 9:45, 11:00. So Laurie headed off early this morning leaving the 3 kids with...