Homeward bound.

 A few days gardening in lovely sunshine probably got rid of a few grams around my middle!! 

  Got up to London yesterday. It was pleasantly warm. Hotel was in a great spot but after wandering around for a while the pain in my foot became too much. Reclining on the bed helped!

  Woke to rain this morning so spent most of the day dodging the puddles going in and out of shops although I spent a couple of hours at the Modern Art museum near Marble Arch - very interesting.

  I gave myself more than enough time to get to Heathrow but in its usual way it was chaotic but finally through to gate. Unfortunately no restaurant or bar here. - maybe because I'm flying with Malaysia?! 

 It's been a great trip but back to reality on Friday! So until the next time ...

Back on dry land!

 1/10 

We have been speeding across the North Atlantic trying to beat major storms. The weather has been grey or beautifully sunny, winds just above gale force or light and breezy. Most nights we have been seriously rocked to sleep!

 Whales have been seen in the distance, just their spout, none seemed willing to leap out of the water for us! 

 We have met interesting and not so interesting people but we've had many laughs!  

 Entertainment has been varied but the comedians, juggler, music groups have been terrific. Quizzes haven't gone so well but we,ve tried! 

 Meals have been great - eaten far to much! Marmite on toast sounds good at this moment but it's just one more night of choices  between - 6 starters, 6 mains and 5 desserts!!

 We are slowly chugging along the English channel and arrive Southampton tomorrow morning - we will be 'chucked' off by 9:30 am! We've been putting our watches forward an hour for the last 5 days to get us into the correct time zone.

  I managed to get the 'ship' cough and sore throat but apart from an extra morning in bed carried on!

3/10 Arrived back at Jakes early yesterday afternoon to find that the straw stubble was now green grass in need of a mow  and that the freezer part of the fridge had packed up!

 Today will be spent in the garden! The weather is still quite warm and the sun is shining 

Sydney Nova Scotia

 Halifax was beautiful although cold until mid day. It's the second largest natural harbour in the world and so peaceful after the mania of New York.  We did plenty of walking along the waterfront and up hill to great view points. 

  It was such a relaxing place and so peaceful.

  25/9 Another beautiful sunrise aided our cruise into Sydney - no famous Opera House here!!

Have had a wander it is rather lovely even with a temp of 13C!

This area was the site of many convoys during the war and some pretty awful times for the people of this area.

Very patchy wifi. Start our journey back to Blighty tonight - get back to Southampton next Friday morning. Hope the 6 sea days are not too rough

Continuing on!

 22/9 Arrived at Newport, Rhode Island and were transferred by tender to the town. We got on a free bus which took us around the area looking at the different mansions - there's plenty of money here!!.  One mansion was made totally from marble!

  The harbour was full of yachts - this was where the America's Cup is/ was held -  there had been a boatshow a few days previously. It looks as if the season here is about to close as many of the shops have closed down.

 It was very hard to find a coffee shop but eventually we did - great pastries here! 

  23/9 Gale force winds and rough seas had us zigzagging around the ship. We were unable to go out on deck because of the wind so our attempt at a mile was inside. I was up and down to get the washing done so that was extra steps! 

 Went to a talk, a couple of quizzes and a good afternoon read. Great vocalist in the evening.

 24/9 Have arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia to an incredible sunrise although it's rather chilly. Getting off soon for a wander.

Have left NY

 20/9

  After a day at sea we were up on deck at 4:15 am to watch us entering New York. Passing the Statue of Liberty we arrived at Pier 88. I'm now staring at the aircraft carrier Intrepid (WWII), which has various Navy planes and helicopters on it's deck. There is also a back drop of tall buildings!

  Back to bed for an hour or so then up to breakfast to find that it was raining! We didn't let the rain stop us so up the 4+ blocks we walked to Times Square - it was manic! Being Sunday every man and his dog was out. It was a case of watch your eyes as you ducked and dived between umbrellas. 

  Deciding the best course of action was the hop on bus which we took to the 9/11 memorial. The awful memories of that day still linger when you are there. You look at younger people and wonder if they fully understand the impact of that day. 

 We found a great coffee shop before wandering some around until we reached Central Park. By now we were seriously drenched including our trainers! 

  We finally made it back to the ship after walking for hours - first job get out of wet clothes and have hot shower! 

Yesterday was better with the sun out. Once again we walked for miles.

 Left NY as the sun was setting - couldn't see it for clouds! After three visits to NY over the years I dont feel a need to go there again! 

  22/9 We have just arrive at Newport, Rhode Island. Will will be tendered from the ship.

Boston continued

 17/9 continued.

Salem is a rather strange place because of the 'history' of witches. The streets are full of skeletons, witches and other trash connected, basically, to Halloween.

  Finding a cafe we got talking to a local who had once been a guide. He told us how the town prospered on the reputation of witches being there. Typically there were no witches but that didn't save a number of women and a few men from the gallows. We visited the cemetery where their names could be found.

  We wandered around before stopping for a lobster roll. The train trip back was easy and we tackle the subway again - went to the wrong platform once but realised before jumping on a train. Legs are swollen and covered in a heat rash, feet are sore! Very hit today!

  18/9 Decided we would get a ferry to the centre. Once again we were wearing out our shoe leather just trying to find the ferry stop. The ferry's first stop was the airport - which is a free ride from the city. The ship is docked almost opposite the airport so the planes  are coming in low and fast. We continued on the ferry until our city stop. The skyline and waterways are very interesting. 

  When we got back to the ship we had a swim and in the afternoon pool once again watching the planes landing and taking off. 

  We sailed out of Boston watching the city change colour with a spectacular sunset.

On to Boston.

 13/9 Continued! I did go up on deck it was quite a sight coming into Quebec especially to see the huge chateau like hotel towering over us all.

   We made the effort to walk to the top town no funicular for us! Some of the streets are cobbled, difficult for walking on. It has a very French feel.

  We decided to get the hop on/ off bus but once we got on decided to stay on  because it was so crowded. It was a two hour trip but it was really good and went a long way. Luckily the rain held off until we were nearly back. 

 14/9  We were up early today and off the ship after a quick breakfast because the ship was leaving at 12 noon. We walked up to the top of town  and had a very long walk along the boardwalk and up 310 steps up to the citadel. We managed to get a very nice coffee and hot chocolate loaded withso  cream plus one of the best almond croissants ever - we divided it between the three of us!! Good thing I don't live in Quebec- I'd be there every day!!

 15/9 Day at sea. The weather was great today. Went to a talk about whether the moon landing was a hoax. Sun bathed on the balcony - it was so hot. There was a ' Look at the night sky' so we went up on deck one of the staff was there with and was telling us about the Milky Way etc. We were were told to turn to the port side and started checking the starts there when the most amazing 'shooting star' appeared - it was bright green followed by a yellow /orange 'tail' as it burnt up! The staff member said he'd never seen anything so spectacular.

  16/9 Up early today to get to the laundry.- 1/2 hour before it opened! We are going to be restricted water usage again!  Managed to get it done before breakfast finished!

Went to a drawing class - still life. Did our mile walk and had an afternoon read. Watched comedian and FreddieMercury impersonator- both very good.

  17/9 Glorious sunrise coming into Boston. USA border  crossed without problem. Just seen 3 of the crew arrested and put in handcuffs!!! 

We have navigated the subway and are now on the local train to Salem.