One train, four days, four time zones

Well its pouring with rain in Seattle (it always does, apparently!) and so its an ideal time to catch up on the Blog! When we last reported in we had spent a few days in Toronto, this first pictures shows us waiting for the departure of the train to Vancouver. The train didnt leave until 10pm so its long past Janes bedtime as you can see! We are sat in the sleeper class lounge, and she has taken the name to heart.

The space consists of two seats like the one we are sat on, facing one another, which fold down into a bed at night, and the curvy bit above which folds down into a slightly less comfortable bed at night time! To give you an idea of how vast Canada is, we spent the first day and a half on the train in one State - Ontario. In that time we could have travelled up and down UK three times!

Long stretches were very straight as you can see from the view out of the rear window. On the first day we were held up for three hours due to the track being washed out by flood water as a result of the thaw; however they fixed the track very quickly! Also passenger trains have to give way to freight trains as the freight trains are too long to fit into the sidings as much of the line is single track as you can see! Freight trains can be up to 2 miles long and take 5 -10 minutes to pass you.

Upstairs in the observation lounge is a great place to see what is going on - plus they give the occasional glass of free champagne so its well worth being up there. Unfortunately, everyone else knows that too.

One of the longer stop-overs was in Winnepeg - where the weather had come in a little - six inches of snow on the ground and the rivers were all flooded over the paths that ran alongside them. Behind Jane is the new pedestrian bridge they built on the historic site of the Forks. Jane is looking a little chilly - it was about -4 degrees C at the time.

One feature of the journey was the amount of spare land that each little town had - so they proceeded to cover it in lots of scrap cars - the ones shown here are all classics - in UK I am sure we would have snapped them up and restored or salvaged them - rather than letting them rot.

Heres a pic of the actual train - two engines but only about 9 actual carriages, but the second one is in case one of them breaks down or for some of the slightly steeper hills in the Rockies. This is in Jasper at the start of the Rockies. We had a brief stoppover here, and wandered the streets looking for the elk they said did the same, but clearly it was their day off.

Once we set off into the rockies we actually did see some wildlife however - a black bear; some moose (or is it mooses?) and elk (although we are still not sure what the difference is) The scenery was fantastic however, as you can see, and literally takes the breath away. We were lucky enough to be able to sit at the front of the dome car as we went through, and it was fantastic.

Anyway, four and half days later we arrived in Vancouver, but more of that in the next blog, so look out for that one soon - in the meantime,  keep those comments coming!

New York to Toronto

We plucked up courage to go up the Empire State building, Robin couldn't look down so Jane took this one.

We had a very slow journey to the airport due to misunderstanding the NY Metro - a kind lady told us to get off or we would have ended up at Rockaway wherever that is. We missed our flight to Buffalo but got on on standby on the next one. Interestingly one of the passengers then decided she wanted to get off just as the plane was reversing back from the gate, and she was allowed to, so we were a little late in leaving. From Buffalo we easily found the Greyhound Bus stop for the hour or so trip to Niagara Falls. Everyone and their luggage had to get off the bus to go through the customs shed and get back on, but we realised our hotel was just up the road so Robin trundled our bags on the trolley we invested in at Bed Bath and Beyond in New York, which (fingers crossed) is still surviving. The hotel room had the luxury of a bath, and two double beds.

In the evening we discovered the true tacky splendour of Niagara, (think Blackpool without the trams) but the falls are stunning, even though the nighttime illumination is a little colourful.

We decided to sample the Winter Falls Experience - Niagara's Fury is an animated cartoon and 3D experience which involved getting wet and shaken about. The Horseshoe Falls themselves are a fantastic spectacle (free), though the 'Behind the Falls' experience was not, we could only see ice.


On our final day, after checking out of the hotel we decided to visit the final attraction of the Winter Falls Experience, the Butterfly Conservatory. I was a little surprised on waking up that morning, to find a

parking bill stuck under the bedroom door - as we had no car that did nnot prove difficult to resolve. We left our bags in lockers at the bus station and walked the 3 miles or so alongside the Niagara river to the a very pleasant nature reserve and the butterfly conservatory. Robin had very high hopes and it did not disappoint, in fact it surpassed  them. It was full of the most beautiful butterflies from all around the world, fluttering, resting and feeding. His wish to photograph one on Jane's nose was not fulfilled however we did see one alight on someone else's nose, and one did a poo on his camera!

After walking back to the bus station we caught the 3pm Coach Canada bus to Toronto, a couple of hours trip which allowed just enough time to catch up on some sleep. Arriving at the bus station downtown we took a free tram ride (you need exactly 3 dollars so the driver kindly let us off the fare - not the tram).

Our first day in Toronto we hung out in Eaton Square and discovered the PATH, a labyrinth of underground walk ways through shops underneath the financial district. Yesterday we took the ferry out to Toronto Island Park, a series of small islands just offshore and linked by bridges. Mainly a holiday spot but people live there too, on the ferry back we found ourselves surrounded by schoolchildren on their way home from the elementary school on the island. A beautiful sunny (cold) windy day, walking along the boardwalk by the beach it was hard to imagine we were on the shores of a lake not the sea. Ufortunately, we discovered that the season officially starts on Friday, all the cafes etc. were 'closed for the season' - luckily we took sandwiches.

Tomorrow (Thursday) we catch the train to Vancouver - arriving Monday, so our next blog will be from there.

Here we are in New York

 Well, we are finally underway - Keith and Pauline came up to the Premier Inn at the Airport and saw us off with a few drinks - here is Jane sat outside the next morning complete with the bags ready to jump on the Hotel Hoppa to terminal 5.

Thanks to Anna's husband we got to use the Business class lounge which meant free coffee and muffins away from the hoi-polloi.

Made our way from JFK via the air train and the subway  and discovered that our bags are really heavy! Especially after the last three blocks we had to carry them to the hotel (see below for room pic). Room is bit tiny but clean and done out in old style.

Weather has been good until today, with lots of sun. So far we have been on the obligatory coach trips, uptown and downtown, and had a good walk around Times Square and surrounding area. Also had a look round the American Museum of Natural History, but this was rather large and we got museumed out after two floors and had to retreat to a coffee stop in Central Park.

 Saturday in Bryant Park where we had a picnic of vastly overpriced organic cheese and tomatoes from the farmer's market in union square. Won't make that mistake again...!

New York has loads of parks and is surprisingly clean and there are coffee and street food stands absolutely everywhere. Sunday we walked along the West Side next to the Hudson River (where that plane crashlanded a couple of years ago) and down to an old disused railway line that has been turned into another park -at roof top level hence the name - the High Line park. see pic below

 Ideal for a sunny Sunday afternoon stroll. There were even sunloungers alongside the path.

There's so much to see we can't do it all justice, but I think the highlight for me has actually been Grand Central Station. The main hall itself is stunning, see pic below. Especially the ceiling painted with stars and constellations. But just as amazing is the food hall downstairs under the concourse, with every kind of food you can think of. A very welcome surprise to a very tired tourist!

 Here's the main concourse...

And finally, today (Tuesday) we walked across Brooklyn Bridge. See pic below. Great views of the Manhattan skyline, though we almost got blown away (literally) Afterwards the rain came down and we had a soggy walk thro Chinatown and Little Italy on the way back to the hotel.
Tomorrow its Central Park and maybe a bike trip, and possibly out on the river to have a closer look at the Statue of Liberty. Back again soon.

'Homeless' and keyless

Just about to move out. Feeling sad but relieved that (almost) all my wordly goods have been safely moved to store. Robin, Nick and Bill did an absolutely fantastic job of stacking everything into 75 square feet, with room to spare. (See below). A warm sunny spring day made the job much more plasant than it might have been, with sandwiches in the garden at lunchtime.

The removal men...

thanks guys!

I've very mixed feelings now, sad but very relieved that the interminable weeks of organisation and admin are over, ready to get on with the next stage of my life. The really strange thing is not having any keys! (Well apart from the handful still in my handbag that I found and have no idea what they are for!)

Thanks also to Franky and Neil for their company and hospitality last night and for driving us to pick up our hire car for the next 4 days while we spend time with Robin's family.

penultimate - what does that mean?

Well, if the last one was the penultimate UK one, then this one is Penultimate UK 2 - the sequel, as we will try to fit one more in on the eve of our departure, sent from the Heathrow Airport Premier Inn - (as recommended by Lenny Henry!)

Well, lots has happened this week - Robin sold his car for more than the BMW garage was going to give him - but not much more (sobs), so that went Monday - first time he has been without a car effectively for 37 years!. Still, the trusty bicycle was still available and has taken him swimming, recycling and shopping. In between times we have been packing up Janes house ready for the big move out on Saturday, whereupon we will both be homeless and car-free for the foreseeable future. Having carefully transferred all of his music and important documents to his phone - his memory card failed. Robin is very impressed with his phone at the moment, as you can imagine :(

South East Water are convinced Jane has already gone and have been sending letters beginning " we understand  your property is currently empty..." - not quite sure who they were expecting to read it??? Tempting to send one back saying " Yes it is..."

Janes sons Robbie and Chris popped in to say 'bon voyage' which was great to see them before we disappear. Chris is still here and has spent time adjusting his body clock to student holiday time (mornings? - what are they?). Of course back in Santander world the clock runs completely differently - Robin has now been sent six credit card agreements to sign (he gave up on agreement 3) and still no-one there will issue him with a credit card or phone him and tell him whats going on, despite waiting 7 weeks. He now appears resigned to the fact that six will arrive just after we go!

Anyway - thats about all our news for now - there is so much to do still and little time to do it so we will sign off until departure time!

the penultimate UK blog - 2 Weeks to go!

Well, things are accelerating nicely - so much so that we can't keep up! Week began with a trip for Robin to get his final jabs for the trip - so he turned up Monday afternoon; used the computer setup at reception to log in and sat in the waiting room - for 45 minutes on a slow burn fuse. At that point I asked at reception if the travel nurse had taken a turn to the worse to discover that my appointment had been cancelled and that they had written to tell me. I pointed out that my mail was being forwarded and the letter had not arrived.! I then asked why the wonderful computer system could not have had a message on it other than "the  nurse knows you are here and you will be called when your appointment is due". Lot of red faces and mutterings went on from both sides. Went back Tuesday and managed to see the nurse that day.

Jane did her last Sams shift and on Tuesday went out with Jann to have lunch and a massage - very nice apparently! Have done some more emptying of stuff into the dump and a lot of time on the computer updating the travelling itinerary - discovered google maps is easy to use but not easy to edit - the trip round New Zealand should be very interesting. Jane foolishly agreed to do them for the Australian leg of the trip (he he). thursday  we popped and had lunch with one of her Aunts who has travelled the world and met a lot of very interesting people.
Meanwhile the Santander Credit Card saga goes on - robin applied for it many weeks ago and inbetween times robin moved in with Jane -this has thrown them into a tizzy and they cannot cope with a change of address. As a result, he phoned the application progress line - thats the line on which the person you speak to is unable to update  you with the progress of your application. She told him that they were awaiting documentation - "what documentation would that be?" he enquired " my screen doesnt tell me that" said the helpful assistant - "ok what documentation have you received so far" - "my screen doesnt tell methat "said the helpful assistant (no im not repeating myself - thats her job!) robin is going to contacted tomorrow! (a likely story)


Went to Reading today - someone agreed to buy Robins car (Yippee!) and he visited JMA in the afternoon. The Academy was just as bonkers as always, but it was lovely to see a lot of his old friends and make them all jealous!

Anyway we are off out for a bite to eat now - a final uk post will appear next week - hopefully more interesting than this one - stick with it and offer some comments

21 days to go!!!

Grandad at the new gate!

Well, up to seven followers already! - soon there will be hundreds, we think!! Well lots has happened since our last post - Jane has found someone to rent her house, and thanks to the skills of  the bloke living in the shed, the back garden now has a lovely new gate. (Makes it much less draughty too). Meanwhile there have been a number of attempts to attach the new loo seat - following attempts to glue the old one and wood-fill it. Mr and Mrs Meanie then went out and bought a new one.(Well Mr Meanie helped her carry it to the car) Meanwhile we discovered it cost twice as much to book a train ticket for the pair of us to visit Robins mum as it did to hire a car for four days - shame the car is a rollerskate size.We have had thirty two attempts to produce our final itinerary but we think that is going to run and run - its growing like topsy and will need a suitcase all of its own. Still the lovely weather this week has meant we have been been able to get out on some great afternoon walks in the sun.


 

luvely car!

Meanwhile the number of offers on Robins car has risen to a mighty none - yes none not nine! How can they resist -offers on a postcard please (sensible offers only -all others will be ignored!) Meanwhile Olly is holding a giant party with his website on the 1st April - he says its to do with music and a surprise pop band - nothing to do with us leaving on that day! The job of getting yourself out of a house continues, particularly when dealing with telephone companies - Virgin media very kindly offered Robin a refund of 3 pound and 6 pence (which they said they would send him a cheque for) and to let them know if it hadnt arrived in 60 (sixty) days! - theres a technology company for you