Tuesday 3rd April 2012

Dinner by the river

So in all nearly four weeks away.  Its good to be back.

Lillian in the National Art Gallery

The trip to Washington was successful from a work point and it was good to have Lillian join me for 10 days of the three week period.  The weather was really very good with some lovely warm sunny days of mid 70s with a few, dull, grey and even wet to spoil the run of fine weather.  When the sun shone people came out to play and Georgetown cafes and bars came to life with many opportunities to eat outside.

As ever we sampled a few with the highlights being a bar not far from the Arlington Bridge where you could sit by the river and watch rowers, including coxed eights go up and down.    Weekends meant being out walking and for the first time a visit to Roosevelt Island which is in the middle of the river Portomax and Washington harbour.  Another first was a few hours in the National Art Gallery where many masterpieces hang.  These included some various styles of Picasso and the famous self portrait by Vincent Van Gogh.

It was Cherry Blossom time - everywhere looked lovely

Only back in England for three days before heading to Cyprus where I was able to catch up with all three children and share a meal out with Steve and Emily on Monday night.

So 3rd April was return day.  The usual 0820 flight via British Airways which was completely full with every seat taken.  The majority were filled by families with a number of children.  Traveling with four under the age of 7 not my idea of fun, but even worse when they are sitting close to you and they start getting restless within the first thirty minutes of a flight.  You can chose your seat but nit who sits nearby.

With only hand luggage, a quick phone call to say ‘Honey I’m home” and I was soon in the car having been collected by Lillian at the departures drop off.  It was 10 minutes from home to the airport, she timed.  At home I was greeted by Rosemary and Hugh, friends form Dubai days who were making themselves comfortable in the garden.  They had arrived earlier in the day.  Three hours whizzed by catching up on news and after a beer and a glass of wine it was walk into the village to eat.  nice to be back.