Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Last day in DC
Everywhere I look people are reading Harry bloomin Potter books... on the trains, on the buses, at the stations, in the street... everywhere!
Got up late today as it's our last full day here in DC and eventually made our way down to the Space and Aeronautical museum. Its free to get in dont'ya'know :-) Now, I'm not really a museum person, but this place kept me busy until they kicked us out at 5pm.
We then thought we'd get the Metro over to the Pentagon, take a couple of pics before heading back to Foggy Bottom... Bit of a waste of time as you ain't allowed to take pics of the Pentagon and from ground level it just looks like any other office building. Hey ho, back on the Metro and back to the Froggy Bottom pub for a bite to eat and another couple of beers... I'm gonna miss that place.
All the sunshine we've had, I've now got burnt ears! LOL :-)
Got up late today as it's our last full day here in DC and eventually made our way down to the Space and Aeronautical museum. Its free to get in dont'ya'know :-) Now, I'm not really a museum person, but this place kept me busy until they kicked us out at 5pm.
We then thought we'd get the Metro over to the Pentagon, take a couple of pics before heading back to Foggy Bottom... Bit of a waste of time as you ain't allowed to take pics of the Pentagon and from ground level it just looks like any other office building. Hey ho, back on the Metro and back to the Froggy Bottom pub for a bite to eat and another couple of beers... I'm gonna miss that place.
All the sunshine we've had, I've now got burnt ears! LOL :-)
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Busy bees...
Wow... what a day! Last week we had a call from the US shipping agent who needed us to sign the US equivalent of a Carnet de Passage. So today we were up bright and breezy (7am!!) to get the train back to Baltimore. We hopped onto the Washington Metro to Union Street Station and caught the commuter train to Baltimore. Then picked up a cab to the Dartrans office where we met Bridget for the first time. It was good to meet her and she was very re-assuring about the progress of our container. Then it was down to business... The bill needed paying! Dartrans normally do business with other US based companies so don't take credit cards. Not a problem, says I, we'll leg it down to Dartrans bank with my credit card, their bank account details and a total amount and bobs your uncle! If only it was that simple. The first branch of M&T bank basically said we couldn't pay the money. So when we went into the next branch I tried a different tactic which completely confused the bank clerk (I think she had an IQ of about 2). Eventually, after explaining about 4 times that we wanted to pay money into Dartrans account from my credit card, she finally twigged. The transaction took for ever, but we finally left the bank with a reciept showing that the money had been paid into the Dartrans account.
After all that rushing between cities we needed beer, so stopped off at the Froggy Bottom Pub again for a bite to eat and some light alcoholic refreshment... Several pints later we staggered the 3 blocks back to the hotel with the satisfaction of a few good jobs done... hick! ;-)
After all that rushing between cities we needed beer, so stopped off at the Froggy Bottom Pub again for a bite to eat and some light alcoholic refreshment... Several pints later we staggered the 3 blocks back to the hotel with the satisfaction of a few good jobs done... hick! ;-)
Sunday, 22 July 2007
Washington's National Mall - wow
What an excellent day :)
The sun was shining when we woke up, temp in the high 80's all day today which made us think of all of you in Billing's mudbath (still would have loved to have been there :) ), Berkshire even made 'the weather channel' this morning (my new favourite past time!), the flooding looks scary! Hope everyone's ok and Hampshire isn't too affected.
We decided to spend the day walking around the National Mall (not the shopping kind). On our way there we stumbled across the National Treasury and figuring the US of A has lots of money we thought we'd ask if they'd fund the next Flying Spanners trip to Ladoga... but they wouldn't let us in.
Not to be perturbed we completed the short walk to the White House (we're staying on the same road don't'chaknow - it's alot smaller in 'real life') and thought we'd ask the President if he could spare the cash... but they wouldn't let us in there either. Sigh. At least we tried :)
Shortly after that there was a security alert which meant we were all rushed from the gate as the fire engines and Police cars came rushing past, we're hoping it was nothing to do with dodgy people with Russian t-shirts on looking for money....
Not to be perturbed we completed the short walk to the White House (we're staying on the same road don't'chaknow - it's alot smaller in 'real life') and thought we'd ask the President if he could spare the cash... but they wouldn't let us in there either. Sigh. At least we tried :)
Shortly after that there was a security alert which meant we were all rushed from the gate as the fire engines and Police cars came rushing past, we're hoping it was nothing to do with dodgy people with Russian t-shirts on looking for money....
We completed our walk down to Capitol Hill, looked at the building (no sign of Will Smith or giant Alien crafts) and the free botanical gardens (very relaxing) and walked up the National Mall to the Washington Monument (very big, 555ft actually), past the WWII memorial (very moving), reflecting pool (very green) and up to the Lincoln Memorial (very marbley). Stunning scenery and a lovely relaxing day after the hustle of New York.
Sadly the excellnt pub we found yesterday called the 'Froggy Bottom' (in Foggy Bottom) wasn't open, so we settled on a TGi's (because it was there) before heading back for an early night before rushing back to Baltimore tomorrow.
Tracey - that sun cream you recommended is excellent, I know because I forgot to put some on a bit and that bit's now very red! lol! P20 for anyone who's interested.
Saturday, 21 July 2007
Welcome to Washington DC!
WOW! You should see this hotel room! It makes the Milford Plaza in New York (the one we just left) look like a stinky old hole... We have just arrived at the Melrose in Washington DC. The sign on the back or our door says that this room normally goes for $499 per night! Thanks to Expedia, we are paying about £58 :-)
And to make matters better, I'm updating this blog on the back of somebody's unprotected wi-fi connection, so I don't have to pay the $9.99 that the hotel wants per day :-)
Had breakfast in New York, now just about to go out for dinner and beer in Washington... aren't we just the little jetsetters!
Mind you, we still can't wait to get Charlie Camel back, then the holiday will really begin.
Thinking of you all having a fun filled funky time at Billing... kinda wish we could be there, sort of, in a roundabout sort of way, maybe ;-)
And to make matters better, I'm updating this blog on the back of somebody's unprotected wi-fi connection, so I don't have to pay the $9.99 that the hotel wants per day :-)Had breakfast in New York, now just about to go out for dinner and beer in Washington... aren't we just the little jetsetters!
Mind you, we still can't wait to get Charlie Camel back, then the holiday will really begin.
Thinking of you all having a fun filled funky time at Billing... kinda wish we could be there, sort of, in a roundabout sort of way, maybe ;-)
(lack of) Shopping in New York!
...Mm. Forgot I'm not really a shopping person! :) Lasted a whole hour before I thought it best to get on and see some more sights. Admittedly I couldn't find the 6 story 'Nike' shop and if I could it would have been a whole other story!
So, popped into the Grand Central Station, part of it was still shut off due to the huge steam explosion yesterday, but saw most of it and it was stunning. I love the buildings here in New York, they've been a really pleasent suprise, lots and lots of history for such a 'young' Country.
Got another call from the shipping agents ... they were suprised the Landy was in a container! Which suprised us due to all the conversations we'd had with them about the Container!! We now have to head back to Baltimore to sign more papers (the equivalent of a Carnet), despite already sending quite a few back. Still, these things have to be done and tbh I'll do anything to get Charlie through at the moment!
Oh well. That's life. A lovely Italian meal helped calm the nerves and I finally managed to pick up a bit of New York cheescake on our last night in New York before we head off to Washington tomorrow...
So, popped into the Grand Central Station, part of it was still shut off due to the huge steam explosion yesterday, but saw most of it and it was stunning. I love the buildings here in New York, they've been a really pleasent suprise, lots and lots of history for such a 'young' Country.
Got another call from the shipping agents ... they were suprised the Landy was in a container! Which suprised us due to all the conversations we'd had with them about the Container!! We now have to head back to Baltimore to sign more papers (the equivalent of a Carnet), despite already sending quite a few back. Still, these things have to be done and tbh I'll do anything to get Charlie through at the moment!
Oh well. That's life. A lovely Italian meal helped calm the nerves and I finally managed to pick up a bit of New York cheescake on our last night in New York before we head off to Washington tomorrow...
Friday, 20 July 2007
Good Things and Bad Things
Good Things: Ben and Jerry's also make smoothies. This I did not know. But it makes me happy :) hehe.
Bad Things: Shipping! Grrrr.
Well, we flew out on the 15th, Charlie originally been promised as arrived and ready to go on the 16th.. then we were told there had been delays, no worries, this gives us time to 'do' New York, Arrival expected by the 24th.... now we're told he will arrive by the 22nd (maybe) but will need 5 days to clear US customs. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!! I apprieciate it's not the companies faults, but it is frustrating :) Not being a 'hotel' or 'city' person, I now find myself in a hotel in a city... for another week. Poor Dan is bearing the brunt of it, but doing well (I think he keeps switching his hearing aids off :) ). I can hear Canada and my lovely shiny new bike calling, but at the moment we seems to be confined a bit!
Still, not to be perturbed (sp?!) we've booked in to a hotel in Washington (yet another great deal from Expedia who always seem to beat the pants of everyone) until Wednesday when we'll make our way back to Baltimore (maybe) to hopefully pick Charlie up. We've gone for the train option this time so if we get the call saying he's ready we're only a 40minute train ride away.
The cities are amazing, but I can't wait to get on with the 'proper' holiday :)
Well, having spent all morning sorting that little mess out, it's 12:51 and we've yet to have breakfast, more importantly, it's 12:51 and this was my shopping day! Oh well, I've now spent all my money on hotels anyway, hehe. Off to Grand Central Terminal and the Library again, then going to see what bargains I can hunt out - we're getting over $2 to £1 on the credit cards at the moment, excellent news :)
I'm starving. More New York Pizza anyone?
Jen
Bad Things: Shipping! Grrrr.
Well, we flew out on the 15th, Charlie originally been promised as arrived and ready to go on the 16th.. then we were told there had been delays, no worries, this gives us time to 'do' New York, Arrival expected by the 24th.... now we're told he will arrive by the 22nd (maybe) but will need 5 days to clear US customs. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!! I apprieciate it's not the companies faults, but it is frustrating :) Not being a 'hotel' or 'city' person, I now find myself in a hotel in a city... for another week. Poor Dan is bearing the brunt of it, but doing well (I think he keeps switching his hearing aids off :) ). I can hear Canada and my lovely shiny new bike calling, but at the moment we seems to be confined a bit!
Still, not to be perturbed (sp?!) we've booked in to a hotel in Washington (yet another great deal from Expedia who always seem to beat the pants of everyone) until Wednesday when we'll make our way back to Baltimore (maybe) to hopefully pick Charlie up. We've gone for the train option this time so if we get the call saying he's ready we're only a 40minute train ride away.
The cities are amazing, but I can't wait to get on with the 'proper' holiday :)
Well, having spent all morning sorting that little mess out, it's 12:51 and we've yet to have breakfast, more importantly, it's 12:51 and this was my shopping day! Oh well, I've now spent all my money on hotels anyway, hehe. Off to Grand Central Terminal and the Library again, then going to see what bargains I can hunt out - we're getting over $2 to £1 on the credit cards at the moment, excellent news :)
I'm starving. More New York Pizza anyone?
Jen
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