(A point for anyone who guesses the song lyric – thats a bragging point coz there are no prizes)*

What a finish to 2016. We arrived back into Derby on December 12th mid afternoon in the pouring rain.  It was a horrible journey back weather wise but nice to be back home.  We were getting very excited about our adventures for the following three weeks, it certainly was going to be cram packed.  It started off with a lovely Christmas get together with our friends at the “Dog” in Pentrich (Derbyshire).  The company was great, Secret Santa was fun and the food was very very good.  The day after we made our way to Guildford and stayed with Jann for the night, it was an early night as we had an early start needing to be at Heathrow Airport by 0615am.  Not too early that we couldn’t enjoy some home cooking, mince pies made while you wait hmmmm very nice.

Jarjar continued to have his own adventures, a night at his favourite Aunties house where he was allowed upstairs as a Christmas treat and then he got 6 days with his Nanna who also ensured he was loved and spoilt.  His human cousin Jade took him out for some lovely walks, he did miss us but maybe not that much.

New York here we come. Heathrow was surprisingly efficient we were asked some questions at the bag drop desk which resulted in us being deemed “low risk” and that was a huge benefit on our way home.  A nice breakfast a celebratory bucks fizz and group 1 boarding.  All going very smoothly which could not be said for the flight.  It was a tad bumpy, the seat belt sign was on and off, on and off, on and off it might as well have just stayed on.  The cabin crew were told to sit at one point can’t say I was that impressed but I guess the pilot tried his best to avoid the bumps we cruised at 32000 feet as opposed to the normal 36 or 37000 feet. Anyway the plane was new with wi-fi, great interactive video screens so a bit of live football and three movies later it was time to land at JFK.  A note for anyone travelling in the future via American Airlines, especially if you like a tipple other than wine.  A G & T is “hard liquor” and chargeable – on the way home the great big tumblers full to the brim of wine were not “hard liquor” and free.  You live and learn.

Our previous welcome to the USA was slow and drawn out at Boston but the JFK important people with guns were polite speedy and they smiled.  The bag moving people who don’t have guns were a little slow although I think I would have been slow in that very cold weather, the bags were freezing and when we got outside it hit you like a brick good job we were prepared.  It took 2 hours to get to our hotel.  The election of Mr Trump has not been so popular with some of the residents of New York and even less now as the already gridlock traffic conditions become even worse due to the security arrangements.  We were also the last two to be dropped off.  I booked our transfers via “Expedia” and they used a company called GO Airlink Shuttle the total cost for return transfers for two people (airport to hotel) £61.10, a taxi ride each way $59 (Uber around the same as the taxi fare). Good value for money we thought.

The Knickerbocker 6 Times Square (42nd street) was to be our home for the next 5 days. The welcome and complementary room upgrade set the scene for the duration of our stay.  A TV the size of a small motor home and a bed the size of a small swimming pool with remote window blinds thrilled us immensely.  I had complete control of the TV remote and Denise had complete control of the blinds (she broke them…. we had to call in the maintenance man to fix them – actually she didn’t break them the “bell Boy” did showing us (her) how they worked).  The TV worked perfectly throughout our stay.

At short notice our American relatives from Richmond, Virginia, managed to join us for three days, we hadn’t seen Kymberly, Bob and Jimmy for three years.  Jimmy looks like he has had his feet in the manure he has grown so much, he is big lad for 12.  It was lovely to share our time with these lovely people, we had a good laugh, saw loads and learnt loads.

Denise and I have been to NYC previously and had visited the usual stuff so this time we had a clear idea of what we wanted to see. First off was an evening boat trip to see the city lights and the Statute of Liberty by Night.  This was on the evening we arrived, our first of a few Uber rides saw us arrive just in time, we can recommend this little trip its only an hour long but the guide was humorous and informative.  He couldn’t do anything about the weather and really all that was wrong with that was that was it was flippin cold.

Each day we walked around 10 miles.  We did have a bit of a laugh as although we all used the same tool to measure our steps mine showed a less distance to Kymberly and Bob.  Clearly the longer distance must have been right. NYC felt safe, clean and welcoming, we enjoyed all of the fantastic Christmas lights and the festive atmosphere.  The symphony of New York was loud and in full flow but somehow that was as it should have been we would have been disappointed if it was any different.

Grand central station was exactly as it looks in the movies, loads going on in a spectacular building.  We happened upon a young woman who was “modelling” in one of the concourses and Bob was concerned she was lonely and needed a little moral support.  After the shapes he pulled I was worried he would need the “support”, blimey for a big fella that man is supple.  We were not so sure the skinny young thing was too amused but we had a good giggle at the photos Denise took.

No NYC trip is complete without going to a show, so we did two.  The Rockets Christmas Special @ Radio City.  Such a great Christmassy extravaganza we loved it.

Radio City

The second show was the Cirque du Soleil Musical. Another super show

We did a couple of walking tours one around Central Park which was a paid up front tour which took around 2 hours.  The second tour was free but you tipped the guide what you thought was fair at the end.  This tour was of Greenwich Village, Chelsea and the High-line it lasted 3 hours. Both tours were very good but the “free by foot tour” was really good and I would recommend this type of tour if available anywhere.  The booking, the communication between you and the guide before during and after was excellent, we even had a photo of the guide sent for identification purposes.

Central Park

Greenwich, Chelsea & High Line

Obviously we did some retail therapy, the North Face store did well.  I seem to buy Denise a coat or Jacket at Christmas, apparently you can’t have too many coats or jackets.  Some years ago before going on a skiing trip Denise set her heart on a bright yellow North Face arctic summit jacket.  I managed to get her said jacket which was like trying to buy rocking horse poo anyway brownie points to me she loves the coat and can’t be missed in it.   It is very yellow, and by all accounts very warm.  She became a bit of a celebrity in this jacket.  Some photographer called out to her in the street “Mam I need you in this photo, I need that colour in my photo please come over” Denise’s reply as polite as ever “No thank you”.  In the North face store she was approached by staff and customers admiring her very nice big yellow coat.

She had a new coat this Christmas………

It wasn’t all about Denise, I visited the Apple Store – a couple of them and very pleasing it was too.

The five days flew by and it seemed time to come home very soon.  The flight home was smoother and very quick thanks to the strong jet stream.  Heathrow was surprisingly efficient again and Jann was ready and waiting to collect us.  The following morning, Christmas Eve we left Guildford to get back to celebrate Christmas at home in Derby.  Lucky for us we took the M40, a bit longer but less messy than the M1.

Seems Jarjar was aware we were on our way home and took to performing, poor Dorothy said she couldn’t do anything with him.  He changed his routine didn’t want his breakfast at the normal time and didn’t want to go out.  As we came to the front door his head popped up at the window, I wish I had a camera his face was amazing it was like “is it my Mums? Yes it is OMG it is its my Mums!” the next 15 mins were spent being washed talked to and heaps of puppy excitement – lovely to be loved like that.

Christmas Day was lovely 9 of us plus two dogs, lots of food, drink and games.  Boxing day we were at home but then on the 27th we were off again, this time down to Folkestone to see my sister. This time we weren’t so lucky on the road. 5 hours to do a 3 hour journey nasty business.  Once there it was a real treat to spend time with Theresa.  The following day we set off to London and the Royal Albert Hall.  Theresa had bought Denise and I tickets to see the movie ET with the sound track played by the philharmonic orchestra as our Christmas gift.  It was wonderful.  If you ever get the opportunity to attend one of these types of performances it’s a must.

So the Journey home was much better and now our focus is getting ready to leave for Portugal on the 4th January.  Hobby Hobster has been washed and polished and is looking very smart.  It was really hard work and took two days, thank goodness we didn’t have to do it. All of the boring bureaucratic stuff has been sorted, stuff like liability insurance for his lordship because most of the pet insurances don’t cover in Europe and then if they do its only for 30 days.  First stop is Canterbury and we cross over to France on Thursday 5th, followed by 5 stops and then 3 months in Albufeira.  I have been checking and the weather is nice and warm, not hot but not cold either, I have packed shorts!

We would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year, during 2016 we have said goodbye to lots of friends and family, its been sad and as some of you would say a “tightener”. We have chosen to embark on our different way of life and have the adventures we have.  The treats have finished but the quality of life remains.  Much love to our family and friends, thoughts of the family and friends we have said goodbye to, Happy New Year, good health, good luck and enjoy the love of family and friends.

* Neil Diamond – America