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The whole place went mad for Halloween. Houses and gardens were all decked out with cobwebs, skeletons, pumpkin lanterns and other spooky stuff. We even had an area of our offices decked out and all the kids were invited in for a “trick or treat” party. I’m not sure who had more fun. That night, the traffic through Pine Bush was at a crawl with dozens of dressed up children (and a few scary adults) filling the streets for a haunted house event. Lights, music and hot dogs. It was the last day of the year for the ice cream parlour and they were exchanging candy for ice cream. I really enjoyed the spectacle. Bob (see previous blog) wasn’t so enthusiastic but did brighten up at the sight of one or two of the older girls costumes.

Well after the excitement of the Vegas visit, it’s been relaxing to spend some time on home turf. I did have one multi-day trip on the east coast with the last stop in Boston. Business was wrapped up sooner than expected so, rather that kick my heals at the airport, I rented a car and drove back. I was able to get home at a decent hour and there was lots of autumn colour to be seen on the way.

Autumn is giving Rob plenty of work in the garden. The trees have provided a lovely display in the last weeks but have now shed all those beautiful leaves. Until recently, Rob has been able to mulch them when mowing. This week, though, there have been just too many for the mower to handle. Well that’s what the old boy said when he convinced me that we (he) needed a leaf blower. What is it with boys and toys? He’s been out there for two whole days blowing piles of leaves around the lawn. He said that he needed to finish it before the snow came. He only just managed it. There was a bright white carpet to greet us this morning. The locals say it’s going to be a harsh winter and that we got off lightly last year.

Mother nature seems to be getting ready. Our plants have lost their leaves and died back. Only the box wood has any colour but the ornamental grass is still magnificent, even as it fades out. The animals know something is happening as well. The deer are coming around more often, the squirrels are back and the birds have become very active on the feeding front. The other day we looked out on the lawn to see it covered by a mass of black birds. There couldn’t have been an insect left!

A week or so ago, I left Rob pottering in the garden (fighting chipmunks) and joined the ladies at the “Quilters Attic” for a one day course. It was just so relaxing. I learned some new techniques and ideas for Christmas. It’s generally been busy on that front!

Talking about relaxing……. we’ve both decided that the hot tub was our best idea this year. Well, Rob insists it was his idea but we know don’t we. We climb in after putting in some time on the gym machines. Mind you, it’s getting a little exciting on the trip too and from. The evening temperatures have been hovering around freezing for the last week.

We’ve been remarkably social in the last few weeks. We had a very pleasant meal at a local restaurant with a couple who live nearby but even further into the woods (they’ve had bear in the garden!!). Coming from the west coast, they are just about as far away from home as we are. They told us about a local artist that works with glass. The following weekend we went with them to visit the studio. It was a kind of open day stoke sales opportunity. They were demonstrating glass blowing and showing a variety of pieces from vases to stained glass panels. The studio is an annexe of the house set in the woods. Rob was very impressed by the glass blowing demo and the house but I think the event was a little bit “artsy” for his taste. Amazingly, neither of us took a camera. Fortunately our friends remembered.

There has been a lot of activity in the field to the left of our driveway. It soon became clear that we would have a new neighbour. The basement was quickly formed and concrete poured. Then, incredibly, the whole single story house, complete with plumbing, electrics, a fitted bathroom , a fitted kitchen and all the appliances arrived on two huge trailers. This was followed two days later by a giant crane which flew the two sections onto the waiting foundation. The building was completely watertight by the end of the day. Good job too as it bucketed down for the next two days. They’ll be in for Christmas.

So it’s been another busy month …….. in a relaxing sort of way. Oh, I nearly forgot. Rob is back on the road again …….. more boys toys. Apparently it’s got a 4.7 V thingy. More importantly, it can seat six. That saves mine on the trips to the diy centre and will make things easier when we have visitors!

click on image for full splendour ……

I’m pleased to say that everything is pretty much back to normal after the “landscaping” accident. I’ve got my car back as good as new and we have a cheque in the bank for Robs. (although I’m not sure that’s the best place for money these days) We haven’t found a replacement yet but hope to pick up a bargain soon. The rental company provided a couple of different trucks for Rob to try. They were a breeze to drive even if they were the size of a small house. Oh well I’m sure he’ll find something soon. ……. then I won’t have to keep adjusting the seat and mirrors on mine!

One of North America’s big tourist attractions is the Autumn (Fall as they say here) colours. It’s usually associated with New England but it’s just as spectacular where we are on the Southern edge of the Catskills. What was really interesting was driving north into Canada and seeing the countryside changing from green to red. By the time I returned at the end of the week, it had spread all the way home.

We’ve had glorious weather with temperatures into the low 70’s (all changed now though). We took advantage of the blue skies to go for a bike ride in our local state park. Quite a few other New Yorkers had the same idea and we had to join the line to get parked. It wasn’t bad once we got away from the car park ……. it’s a big place.

We did something over 15 miles around the lakes of Miniwaska and Awosting. There were some difficult uphill sections that we walked but the paths are well maintained and ideal for mountain bikes. One of the rules for bike riders is the use of a crash hat. Of course, “grumpy old granddad” objects to wearing a crash hat on a push bike …… “I’ve been riding a bike for 50 years with out one” …….. “They look silly” ……. etc. Anyway, after the third time of being told off by park rangers, he has decided that it’s easier to wear one. It doesn’t make sense to me. The “buffy old bloke” has no problem using a helmet when he’s flying or when riding a motorbike. It’s funny really, he’s just becoming Victor Meldrew.

We’ve just got back from a short trip to Las Vegas. The company holds a convention there for customers and though it would be nice to see some of the surrounding country this time. The flight in passed over some spectacular mountain/desert scenery and over the Hoover Dam and it looked too good to miss. Our stay was right in the heart of the strip at the Caesars Palace Hotel. Las Vegas is like Blackpool on steroids or perhaps like Disney World for big kids. I’m not sure that Rob was really comfortable in the town but it was a fun place to be working for the week.

We hooked up with our friends Paul and Robyn to make the most of it. It was great to catch up and enjoy dinner(s), the Jersey Boys (amazing show) and a road trip to the Hoover Dam. The Dam Tour (endless fun) started and ended with a top down ride along the strip in the “American icon” Ford Mustang………. well that’s what Rob said. I just kept thinking CSI! It’s only about 20 miles to the dam but wow, what a change in scenery. That mountain come desert look is something I remember from old westerns.

The dam is a remarkable structure and is a national monument. It gets a lot of visitors but we were pleased to find that it’s all well organised and the people seem very proud of the whole thing. We had a lot of fun with the staff and the “Dam Tour” …… how many times must they hear that! We had a top quality guided tour of the whole place including a trip into the heart of the dam and the turbine hall. At one point we were able to walk along a 6ft tall tube to see the view from a grating half way down the dam wall …………. and this is where Bob (buffy old bloke) excelled himself. What is he like! Well I’ll tell you. If he’s not being a grumpy old man, he’s reverting to child hood. Just imagine what an eight year old boy would do if he’s asked to go down a long 6ft diameter tube like tunnel ………….. yes that’s it …… think skateboard pipe. He only starts running up the walls…….. big kid. And yes it all ended in tears. Not being a kid any more, he lost his footing and landed on his elbow ……. chaos ensued with calls from the deep to alert medical staff at the surface.

Still, the tour went ahead and we were met at the surface by a bemused first aider …….. what more can I say! We continued on our way back to Vegas via lunch beside lake Mead. The fish were taking advantage of the no fishing rule and looking for offerings.

Apart from the weekend, I actually had to work so Rob looked after himself and walked the strip form one end to the other. Thank you to our friend Jayne who took time out and join Rob for lunch. I’ll try to meet up next time.

Getting back home after a week away was a bit of a shock. Leaves covered the garden and the first night went below freezing. It’s been time for logs on the fire and wrap up. I’m suddenly realising that I’ve been over here very nearly a whole year. So while I caught up with being away from the office, Rob busied himself in the garden in an attempt to keep on top of the falling leaves. They are everywhere. Rob was up a ladder clearing the gutters yesterday.
The wild life is also getting ready for winter. The squirrels are busy burying nuts all over the place and the deer are coming around more often again. One surprise though is that the Mantis is still praying in the fountain grass ……. perhaps he’s praying for warmer weather.

I’ve been having a quiet Sunday with my quilting and generally relaxing after another busy week. Rob is pottering about in a wet garden after the heavy rainfall last night. We didn’t sleep enough last night following the evening excitement, but I’ll get back to that later.

My lovely little friend, Toni, came to see us last weekend. She flew in on Thursday and took the train ride up the Hudson. Rob did his taxi bit from Beacon station and then turned around again to come and collect me from Newark airport. After a short nights sleep we had a noisy pancake breakfast reunion. It was so good to see her again and be able to get some girly time together. I think the buffy old bloke was pleased that I had someone else to go shopping with.
The weather Saturday might have been better but we didn’t let it stop us. We took a tour through the back roads into the Catskills. The mist and clouds were hanging low over the forested mountains and we managed to get a lunch break just as the heavens opened again. The traditional Diner we stopped at was run by a Greek lady who instantly recognised our ascents. She had lived in southern England for some years. There were some interesting photos on the walls. Pictures of locally spotted bears (not bears with spots!), hunters with their “kill” and a whole bunch of the cast from a 2006 film “the night listener”, staring Robin Wiliams. The Diner had been used as a location. Our route home took us via the quilt shop in Woodstock and the college town of New Paltz.

Sunday brought sunshine and another pancake breakfast…….. Rob insisted! As Toni was due to fly back that evening, we stayed close to home and took a walk in the grounds of Mohonk Mountain House. I was in charge this time and we avoided the scramble and the Lemon Squeeze …. much to Toni’s relief. It was a beautiful day with blue skys and sunshine. The temperature was in the mid 70’s (23c ish). As an added bonus Toni and I had the distraction of seeing lots of tri-athletes completing their event with a swim across the lake (last of 3) and a run to the skytop lookout. The winner was 7 mins ahead. Anyway, following that excitement we needed a sit down so had lunch at the Picnic Lodge ……. very nice too! Rob wouldn’t let me come to the station to drop off Toni. He said that we didn’t have enough tissues. It was sad to say goodbye as the next time I see her it will be at her new home in New Zealand.
Bird watch continues. Rob has been trying to get some close up shots of the humming bird (the ones that he said would never live here) I selected a couple of the MANY that he has taken. I’m pleased that digital photography was invented …….. we’d be keeping Kodak in business otherwise. I’m not sure what the other bird is but there seem to be lots circling around here.
So now to the excitement I mentioned at the beginning. The landscaping work is almost finished at the back of the house now. We’ve added a stone patio, sorted the drainage issues and built planting beds that include the big rocks that were dug out, on the way.

It’s relaxing to sit in the hot tub and imagine what it’s going to look like next spring. Ok, you have to look beyond the muddy patches and the straw protecting the grass seed but it’s really taking shape now. We’ve had a couple of big downpours and the run-off no longer streams across the drive way.

Talking about driveways; ours is totally empty since last night. We are carless. It all happened with a big bang. Resulting in a pile of mangled vehicles.

Tony (the landscaper) was loading his tractor onto it’s trailer, attached to his pickup truck, at the top of the drive. All of a sudden the whole train started rolling down the hill ….. with Tony still sat in the tractor cab. The pickup, trailer and tractor slewed across the grass and hit both our cars which we had parked away from the house for safety!

Rob’s is a write off and mine is extensively damaged. Tony was, thankfully, unhurt. It’s amazing that the tractor didn’t topple off the trailer as it wasn’t yet strapped down. Still, it’s only metal and not a body that we were clearing up. The next couple of hours had the driveway fill with police patrol cars and tow trucks. We couldn’t sleep very well last night and Tony was here first thing to clean up the dive and lawn. This will keep the insurance companies busy for a little while.

Wow, it’s been almost a month since my last post. I can hardly believe that we are coming to the end of summer. Some of our trees are turning an autumnal red and the nights are decidedly chilly. Day time is still very warm though at 70/80s (25 -30c).
I’m writing this from my hotel room in Montreal before I fly off to California on Wednesday. I’ll be back home on the east coast on Friday night so it’s another hectic work schedule.

A lot has happened in the last month. I got very close to packing the old boy’s bags after he took me on a Sunday afternoon stroll on our back yard mountain. It all started nicely with a pleasant walk through the trees at the Mohonk Preserve, on the old carriage road that follows the base of the cliffs. We continued on towards the Mohonk House Hotel on our way up to the sky top look. What the buffy old bloke didn’t tell me was that we were taking the direct route. It starts as a scramble over big boulders and ends with a verticle climb up a a crack in the cliffs, called “the Lemon queeze”.
Ok, there are ladders to help but ………..

Great views from up there though.

I was speaking to Rob this morning and he tells me that it seems very quiet around the house now that Georgia, Indya, Claire and Lee have gone home. He’s been busy sorting out the place out and looking for all the bits and pieces that were left behind. It was lovely to see them all and I think they enjoyed their holiday. ……. especially the splash pool, the hot tub and the icecream parlour. The funniest moment, for me, was Indya brushing Rob’s hair and pointing to the top and saying “granddad’s hair’s poorly”. From the mouths of babes.

We had trips to the city and to the Ulster County Fair to see the bull riding.

Granddad did have fun teaching Georgia to use the lawn tractor. I think grumpy grandad is a little greyer now.

The latest wild life.

It’s been a little while since I wrote to the blog and I can report that we are fully recovered from the excitement of the Welsh invasion! All enjoyed the cruise back across the Atlantic into Southampton. I hope to get some photos soon.

Thankfully I was able to arrange another playmate to come over to keep Rob out of trouble. Sister Sue and Malcolm sent Patrick over for a week. I’m not entirely sure what he expected but I think he had a good time ………… and I think Patrick enjoyed it too!

The three of us took a picturesque Sunday train ride down the Hudson river into Manhattan. We walked and walked ……. and walked. From Grand Central Station, through Time Sq, up through Central Park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and back to Grand Central Station. It was a lovely walk but very hot. At least Patrick was able to tick off a few things on his extensive list.

For the rest of the week I had heavy work commitments and so Patrick was left to keep Rob amused all by himself. I think he did a pretty good job. Especially the whole day spent at Woodbury Common outlet centre. I know how much Rob secretly enjoys our visits there and is never happier than when he is carrying my bags allowing me to flit from rack to rack; store to store. Patrick was able to stock up for all those College essentials.

A second trip into NYC was abandoned due to a lack of parking at the station. Instead the boys did some local sightseeing including the new HQ for Orange County Choppers.

The following day I dropped them off at the train station for an early ride into the city. It was another marathon walk to take in the sights from mid town to down town.

No, this isn’t a scene from the new series of CSI NY, but Patrick walking back down the steps of the Supreme Court building, having gallantly helped a mother with a buggy. Doesn’t it just restore your faith in young people?

Following the exertion of “Manhattan in a day”, I think Rob needed a rest so Patrick spent pretty much the whole of the next day immersing himself in the cultural experience that is American comedy TV. He tried several times to explain “Friends” to Rob but I’m not sure that he succeeded at any level.

I think Rob found the excuse he needed to exercise his inner child. He took Patrick for a day trip into the Catskills, not to see the beautiful forested hills but to float down a mountain river on lorry inner tubes. There were no photos but you can get an idea from the web site www.towntinker.com

We had the opportunity to go see the local baseball team. It’s a big family thing with lots for the kids to get into.

Now that Patrick has gone home I have to dream up lists of jobs to keep Rob amused. Thanks for for giving me a week of Patrick.

Things have been hectic at work as usual. I did give the office a little light relief at my expense the other day. I was explaining that I was having to go visit a client and asked where in the US “Ar-can-sus” is. The office fell about and explained that Arkansas is pronounced “ar-can-saw”. I felt a little bit of a plonker but it’s ok. I’m going to send them all to Wales …. Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

I’m writing this from my hotel room in sunny California. A little bit south of Los Angeles. I’m here for the rest of the week after hops between Newburgh (home), Atlanta, Little Rock and Huston. I can’t say that I’m a fan of air transport in the US. It’s not a very customer friendly experience. I just hope they get me back home to my own bed on Friday.

So here I am, 3000 miles to the West of home and only a couple of weeks ago I was 3000 miles away in the UK. I was in a rush as always with customer visits. The highlight was being able to be grandma for the day. I was able to spend a whole day with Sarah and Alana which was very precious. It’s lovely to see them together and share their time. Alana is growing fast and is a very happy and contented little girl and I’m so proud of Sarah for the care gives. It was so nice to hug them both.

Apart from bringing back memories of a lovely day out I was able to scratch a long standing itch. I found a Nintendo Wii calling me from Dixons. I’ve been trying to persuade Rob that it’s a good idea for ages. Anyway, I’m sure that Georgia will have fun with me when she comes over in a couple of weeks time.

We have another new addition to family ……. a hot tub. It’s fabby and a great way for us to relax together at the end of the day. Rob wired up the TV system so we can enjoy a soak in the tub, a glass of something cold and catch up on CSI …….. perfect.

We have been trying to get out to music events since we have been here. The latest was last friday night at the performing arts centre in Saratoga, about 120 miles north from home. We went to see The Police supported by Elvis Costello. We arrived really early and had to wait to get in. We still didn’t manage to get a good space on the lawn (well there wasn’t much lawn left anyhow) But, in the end we found a space behind the camera stand. The operators kindly moved their stools and gave us a perfect view. Elvis was in the best voice and gave a great performance. Sting came on and sang on “Alison”. Not all of the 20,000 crowd were in place to see this part of the show but those that were there got a real treat.

After a short break, The Police took to the stage accompanied by the full lighting and video support. They were greeted enthusiastically by the 20,000 strong crowd (in a way that only Americans can). We were treated to a really good run through their popular songs with plenty of opportunity for audience participation. Lots of clips on You Tube. It was a very good night out …… even if we were both knackered when we got home.

I’m sitting up in Montreal reflecting on and resting after a packed fortnight. It’s been wonderful to have a house full. Thanks to both Mums, Tom, Gill, Liff and Gill2 for the pleasant company. We both hope you come back soon. Here is the gang under the watchful gaze of Christopher Columbus. We were waiting for the boat to take us up the Hudson as far as West Point.

In the second week we took a trip to visit West Point. They were getting ready for the next intake. The Bus carried us around the various buildings and locations of interest. I hadn’t realised the emphasis placed on engineering skills. The place is really a military university although our tour guide seemed mainly interested in the sports achievements.

It’s a lovely setting with gorgeous views of the Hudson. You can see why the location was so sort after during the War of Independence. The view is looking North.

Evenings were a study in outdoor living. Dinner on the rear deck after drinks on the front porch. Of course there were more drinks with dinner ……… the local wine shop know us well now!

Mum and Gill sample the Margaritas.

Of course no visit would be complete without a trip to the outlet centre (unless you are Rob). A good shopper can do it in one day. A really good shopper needs two!!

Niagara Falls is only 350 odd miles away and I let Rob take the oldies out for a trip. They arrived in time to see it at night and went back for a daylight view. By all accounts, the road trip was very scenic.

 

 

The weather behaved very nicely to give two rainbows.

The excitement was a little too much………..

So ….. at the end of the week, Rob drove the oldies down to the city for the a weekend of sight seeing before cruising back on the Queen Mary (the oldies, not Rob). Rob dropped off the rental and journeyed back on the train and I met him at Beacon station. We went off on our own trip to Connecticut and Rhode Island. Friday night was a gig with the Doobie Bros and Chicago. Well we are getting on a bit. They were very good especially the last 20 mins when they all came on stage together to do a medley of their best numbers.

On Saturday we visited an old mill site that is supposed to be the birth place of the industrial revolution in America. Rob said it was really interesting to see all that pirated textile machinery (yawn). He took lots and lots of pictures………..

On Sunday we took a leisurely drive down to an area called Mystic Seaport. It’s a site devoted to remembering boat building and life on the coast. Rob was in charge of the camera again but took no useful photos ……… what’s he like?

It’s been a great week. A house full of oldies! just time for a very quick blog update. I have been trying hard to juggle work stuff to allow me some time to be with them and we’ve had a good time. Lots of tea, lots of talk, catching up and laughs. The local super market and the wine store want some advance warning of the next visit!

Right on queue, the wild life came out to play and we now have two sets of turkey chicks. The humming birds really don’t worry about us being around and just come to feed when they want ….. all the time. New arrival this week has been a plague of Japanese Beetle!

Two notable excursions were taken. The first to the home of former President FD Roosevelt. The home was surprisingly modest and something of an old Victorian style interior. The Library is in a separate building and houses an exhibition that could keep you interested for hours.

Later in the week we took a boat ride down the Hudson from the Newburgh waterfront, past the George Washington HQ, Bannerman Island and down as far as West Point. A very relaxing time.

Very sadly I had to say goodbye to Mum at the airport on Saturday. It was so lovely to see her xxxx

The thing I’ve been most worried about, for the last month or so, has been an invite to a corporate golf event. I don’t often get invited to things where I am the customer so I like to take any opportunity I can. The only snag with this event was that I was expected to play!

Eekk! It’s been a long time since I last played properly so I had to take it seriously. Luckily there is a driving range in the town (Pine Bush – more like a village really) and a resident pro to give some lessons. Anyway, after three or four sessions and having Rob caddy my clubs around a couple of courses, I was ready for the big event.

It was held near Memphis in conjunction with a round of the FedEx Cup so I also got to see some of the worlds top players in action. Our host had organised a team event (shot gun scramble). 36 golf carts all taking off together in 96f heat. I was a bit nervous as I didn’t want to let the team down. It turned out great with all my practice paying off. My ball saved the day quite a few times. We didn’t win, but I was really pleased with the way my game is going.

It wasn’t all hard work though. We were fed and entertained really well. Giant buffets, an Ice Bar and lots of FedEx logo golf goodies. We even got treated to an evening on Beale Street in Memphis with all it’s live music and street entertainment. Work can be tough sometimes!

Rob told me to look out for this place. I think he said it had something to do with Elvis Costello …. or was it Elvis Presley?

Health care in the USA is very different to the UK. You have to pay for it. That is, you pay an insurance company and they pay the bills. Don’t get Rob started on the subject, he’ll end up with a heart attack. I guess I’m one of the lucky ones as my insurance is paid by the company. I had to go to the doctor because I have been getting a bit of sciatica after a long drive (in the car …. not golf). They were very nice but once you are on the books as a new patient (guinea pig) they want to find out if you are healthy. Or as Rob puts it “how much money they are going to be able to extract from your insurance”. I’ve been examined and tested for everything you can think of. I’ve been prodded, probed and poked in pretty much every crevice.

The final examination was a screen for colon cancer complete with rubber gloves and endoscope. I had to fast for 24hrs prior too. I get grouchy if I haven’t eaten and it’s not made any better by the mixture you have to take the night before. Rob dropped me off at the clinic at 6.30 in the morning with instructions to return in 2 hrs. I was wheeled in and the nurse connected me to every conceivable monitor device. She gave me something and said that I would feel a little drowsy. The next thing I knew I was looking at photos of pink inner bits and being shuffled along to the reception to meet Rob. I’m pleased to say that I’m fit and well ……. except for the sciatica which they can’t do much for. I have to sleep with a pillow between my knees????

We have had two new critters in the garden. One big and one small. Both Turtles, the big one was 10″ across the shell and the small one about 3″. The heavy rain must have persuaded them to travel. The big one was crossing our drive in the woods and the little one was wandering across the back.

The front garden is starting to look good now that the grass is growing back. Rob is remembering to water the hanging baskets and it’s a real treat to come up the drive after a day at work. We are nearly ready for summer visitors.

It’s been one of those rare weeks when I’ve been working in the local office. Very fortunate as we both had a trip to a local doctor to get a medical for the green card process. It was actually three trips in all, what with x-rays, TB tests, blood tests and shots. My arm is looking like a pin cushion. Rob says I’m a wimp.
I’ve been able to get home and enjoy the warm evenings with Rob, admire the new landscaping and watch the birds. Talking of which, we spotted our first humming bird. They are tiny, iridescent green and flap their wings faster than a fast thing. Rob scoffed when I bought the humming bird feeder and now he has to eat a hat or something else made of felt. He claims that the bet’s off because they were attracted to the new plants and not the feeder. It’s great to see them, whatever bought them to the garden.

Monday just gone was a holiday here in the USA. It was Memorial Day. It’s the day that they remember the servicemen lost. They take it very seriously over here with parades and everywhere decked out in (even more) flags. So we took advantage of the long weekend and went to southern Vermont. It’s a mainly rural state with a big history of independence. The home of the Yankee! Naturally, everywhere you turn, there is a reminder of how they kicked out the British. Charming. Farming isn’t really viable any more and things are mostly geared up for the tourist trade. They do a great job at keeping up the traditional look with red painted barns and well managed land. A lot of very hard work must have gone into clearing the trees and rock to create fields. There are lots and lots of both! And ……… I finally got to see a moose.

We made our base at a cosy B&B in the small town of Bennington. On Saturday morning we were able to wander down main street, closed to traffic for a fair. Stalls had everything from arts and crafts, chainsaw carvings, hand made furniture to complete tat. The town was displaying the life size sculptures of a local artist. Placed in locations around town, the life size figures depicted people going about their daily lives. The tourist (below), the window cleaner, the little girls sharing an ice cream etc. They’d be vandalised in a moment in the UK.

We then went is search of covered bridges …… a bit of a speciality in Vermont. There were five or so in the area and we saw them all. The locals must have thought we were a bit mad to be taking photos of an old bridge. It didn’t distract them from their fly fishing though. It’s very popular in the area with dozens of people of all ages in just about every stream.

From Bennington we travelled north to the town (village) of Manchester. They’ve turned it into a tourist/retail destination. The old part is quite small but dotted around the centre are factory outlets and craft stores. There is also a major fly fishing centre there.

Sunday we travelled north east taking in part of the very scenic route 100. It winds it’s way gently through the Green Mountains. It was a very pleasant trip up to the small preserved town of Grafton to fetch some really good cheddar cheese. Some rich philanthropist decided to put lots of money into the town to ensure that it would not be forgotten. It was once a very important place when sheep were the big thing.

We were able to pick up some water and delicious sandwiches at the village store. This would be our lunch following our climb to the top of Bald Mountain in the nearby Townshend state park. A 2 mile climb up alongside a babbling stream and through the trees to the top. Unfortunately I was followed by a pack of hungry midges that wanted to make me their lunch so we didn’t hang around too long. It was a lovely walk though. Steep, hard work but worth while. Dang midges. Bitten several times. We took a gentle drive back to base, even finding a quilting shop on the way. ……. result!

Monday was travel home day trying to avoid the major roads and taking in the countryside. On the way we stopped off at Saugerties to walk the short distance to the lighthouse on the Hudson. It’s all automated these days but you can stay there on a B&B basis. It was names as one of the best lighthouse breaks in the world (The Telegraph or Guardian). We arrived home to find Tony the landscaper irrigating his handy work (with a hose). The grass seeds had germinated and gave the dirt a green tinge. It’s nice to go away but lovely to sit on our front porch with a nice cup of tea. Back to work tomorrow…………

We can’t believe it’s May already! We’ve been in our new home nearly 6 months and a lot has happened since the last post. Winter has gone and spring time is is rushing into summer and temperatures have been up to 27 degrees (80 in old money). That said, there was a very sharp night frost late in April that upset a few fruit growers. As you can see, the trees are full of leaves now and the grass is a lush green. Rob has had lots of fun on the lawn tractor.

Not the one in the picture though. He’s not allowed on that toy. Work is nearly complete on the landscaping. Most of the hard work has been done, the planting is almost there and the new grass shoots will be up before we know it.

It’s also great that we have had visitors out to see us and have re-stocked Rob’s essential Euro food store. (Branston, Cheddar and Tesco Muesli – No Added Salt or Sugar). He gets (even more) grouchy without his regular fix.

Work has been keeping me busy with trips to California, Nevada, Florida and also Montreal in Canada. The next big trip involves golf. That means I’ve been trying to get back into the swing (hehe) of things. I’ve got a good caddy to carry my clubs around the practice course! He needs a little training to stop him trailing the trolley across the greens and to stop giving advice …… but he’s not bad!

There has been lots of animal activity in the garden. We have regular visits from a group of wild turkey (now that Thanksgiving is a long way off). The old male shows off to three or four young ladies each morning.

Yesterday we got our selves sorted and went out for a long walk. We are so lucky to have a mountain in our back garden. We took a circular walk from “Sam’s Point” for around 9 miles through dwarf pine trees, past lookouts that gave us terrific views of the Catskills and the surrounding area. We were both pooped at the end of the day and collapsed on the sofa. We had a really good day though.