(written on Thursday 28.07.10)
Okay – so we didn’t blog yesterday... but we left the hotel relatively early – so as to ensure that we got our lovely car back on time... another lady waved her ‘magic wand’ over the bar code and proclaimed that we had nothing owing!!! Anyway – as you have been following the car rental saga... everything has been sorted...
...we were at the airport way too early to check in – but passed the time by calling Tina in South Africa – finishing off our books, and doing puzzles and crosswords... and ensuring that our cases weighed exactly 23kgs... so we were able to put some of the weight from hand luggage into the main luggage... we were the first in the queue to check in... and once that was done we were off... Jay is not impressed with Duty Free in American airports... as they don’t seem to have many shops...
Before we knew it was time to board and be off......the flight was good... and within less than six hours we had landed... but it was 05h00 in London, making up for the lost five hours...We needed to book a coach back to Dorset... having done so we needed to wait until 07h15...
...but – having adopted the pass time of talking to everyone... we met an elderly woman at the carousel whilst getting our luggage, and she happened to make her way to the ticket booth as she too needed a ticket for the coach – but needed assistance... so we assisted her with that... and then she had about 40 minutes before her coach – so we sat chatting... obviously we got on to talking about our trip – and what was just amazing was the fact that she said she had done the same road trip, from Boston to Seattle with a friend of hers, taking six weeks... she mentioned so many of the same places we have visited... on asking her when she did the trip she said, “...in the late 60’s...” Wow!!! Isn’t that just amazing to meet a woman, who must have been in her early 70’s... and she still spoke about her road trip with such passion, and it was clear that it evoked fond memories for her!!!
...anyway we finally got home at about 10h30... to our wonderful home – that has been so well looked after by best friends Lindsay and Helen... it was just like we had left yesterday!!! Although on getting home – even the garden had been done – that doesn’t happen even when we are at home!!! Thanks Lins!!!
We unloaded everything – and popped over to see my Mom... it was lovely to see her, as we had missed her loads... my Mom told us a funny story... as you may recall when we left we presented both my Mom and Suzi with maps in order to follow our journey!!! Well – every time my Mom has seen Suzi – Suzi has shown her Nanny Syl her map, with loads of stickers on it – tracking our journey... and obviously we have commented on the blog that we wanted to take a photo of the map... to put it on the blog... I think that panicked my Mom, who had not been tracking the journey (with stickers!!!) – and so for the last week she has gone back to the beginning of the blog – looking for all the comments to Suzi, about places in order to put her stickers... so that she could get her map done – in case we wanted a photo of that one!!! As we sent loads of postcards to my Mom, we are going to put them across her map, and take a photo – but there are still a few yet to arrive!!!
...We tried not to nap in the afternoon... but jet lag finally caught up...
Just some thoughts we’ve had and wanted to put down:
We both truly believe that people are brought into our lives for a reason...some just for a moment...some who stay longer... well, there have been so many people that we have met over the past three months, most of whom we will never see again, a few who we would like to keep in touch with, and some who we may actually meet again... also this experience has rekindled a friendship from many years ago... Pauline, we never got to New York... New York feels like a holiday all of it’s own... and we plan to visit within the next few years... it will be lovely to meet up and meet your family!!!
We have learnt such a great deal on this trip – we have so many wonderful memories and we have had so many tremendous experiences...
...we do believe that we have had angels looking out for us... three months of travelling – and everything was so positive – the worst thing was getting a flat tyre, but even that experience brought two people into our lives, for that moment, who will stay with us for always... and the lesson too will always remain...
The travelling part of our road trip is over – but the memories will remain – we have learnt so much about ourselves and each other... we have learnt a great deal of factual information about different people, places and cultures as well as a little about those of you who have shared of yourselves on the blog....all these experiences have been really humbling in many ways...
... we have yet to sort out all our photos... we have them sorted to about mid June and we have no idea what happened after that... but we have lost count of the number of photos... but we’re guessing we have about 8000!!! The test will be picking those that get to go in the albums... and we have decided to get 8 – 10 printed onto canvas... for a gallery in our hall... We had planned to buy an art piece for our home, in order to remember our journey – but then decided we couldn’t get more personal than our own photos... and so we will be making our own art piece!!! So how we are going to pick those final prints, and agree, will be a test in itself!!!
As Jay said on an earlier entry, it takes time to assimilate one’s learning... and so I think that we will continue to be learning... I also think that our road trip is something that we will be talking about for a long time to come...and we hope you will join us on the next adventure we take.... no doubt, we shall keep you posted.
Finally, here’s to a mutually agreed masterpiece and more adventures in the future.
Ciao for now.
x
So this is the last morning i can read this and soak up the trip alongside both of you. I really, really am gonna miss doing that but I know, at least for me, you are just over the road and across the desks at work. Thank you so much for taking us all along with you.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Ann
Hey ladies,
ReplyDeleteOnce again, welcome home - now the hard bit begins - getting back into the swing of UK living!! Glad that you are back safe & well - we missed you. Hope to catch up sometime soon - don't forget your little suitcase!
Big Hugs
M & J
xx
GRACIAS RAUNCHY SENORITAS :-)) FOR ALL!
ReplyDeleteHope the flowers had their angels by their side and they survived just ok for making a pleasent site for you both :-) don't dare to mention the chocolats! :-))))))
Aaaanyway...sooo much has been said..yet,no words will ever capture the true treasures you hold in your hearts :-) keep living the miracles....here's as good as there...ooor anywhere :-)
this precious moment is theee...only...ONE...;-)
Love :-) Joy :-) and Blessings your way x x
Hi Linds and Jay - Well! my Travellers - now I can call you Travellers - and you really know the meaning of the word! - and you are quite correct - it is not just about going from A to B - it is so much more - the people you meet - the incredible and stunning parts of this planet you have seen during these last months - your own perceptions and ideas, which surely have gone through a change - and I think the lady you met at the airport, was there to show you that your wonderful journey is not over - for you will carry the memories of your trip for always! I can relate to this lady - and we do have an advantage - because we have been 40 - but you have not been 74!! (but - hang in there! it will surely come!) and if your mind is open to everything around you - and you have love within you - I promise you, you will never lose your passion for life - and every aspect of the life that you have!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that your road trip across America - turned out to be all - and more - that you could have wished for - and all this high tech equipment is great - it has enabled me to be part of your journey - and that has been a lovely experience - and I give special thanks to the angels - who have watched over you!
So Welcome Home my Travellers - it was so wonderful to see you - and hold you again - and as two special ones come home - three special ones are leaving - so I will borrow your blog to wish - Elfreida, Susie and Duncan - a safe journey and a fantastic holiday in South Africa - (give Cape Town - the Kruger Park and Misty Mountain, my love! Brilliant memories!) I will be thinking of you all - and speaking to those angels again! I know you said you would not have a blog Dunc - but do hope you read this!
Keep well - keep safe - loads of love - Moi
Hey again girls!
ReplyDeleteWow! WHAT A TRIP! You were blessed indeed. The Angels had spread wings over you.
Suzie did a GREAT job with her map, I'm glad you girls included a photo of it.
I must say the photo of Linds & Suzie is simply gorgeous.
The idea of putting some of your photos onto canvas is perfect and for the record, many of them are already works of art.
You girls DID WELL =)
I'm going to sorely miss these regular glimpses of you & the sharing in your thoughts & experiences =(
Its been GRAND.
I still hope you'll consider a weekend blog or some such, for your friends & loved ones, far away & near.
Blessed be & travel safe always
^j^
It is good to know you are both back home safely having had the most awesome time ever. We have followed you every step of the way - not always commenting but both of us always looking and talking about what you have been up to. We envy you so much. One day maybe.
ReplyDeleteWill be good to meet up and hear all about it and see the photos. You are going to be scrapping FOR EVER! Hope to see you soon - Starbucks is always a nice place to visit!
Karen and Nigel