Melbourne Thursday

Well, what goes up must come down and so our return flight home was the same as the route we took to the US - Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Sydney Melbourne. Because we had a 5 hour stopover in Chicago George had arranged for us to have lunch with a lawyer from there. On arrival it was a beautiful clear sunny day, temperature of 1 degree! David picked us up and we went to a very nice steak restaurant about 7 miles from the airport.
I was very impressed with United Airlines, they were on time for every flight which is a miracle these days. But when we boarded in LA I noticed that all the crew in our area were fairly old, like really fairly old! After take-off George was allocated a different seat as the power wasn't available for his sleep machine in his original seat. When the Purser got him settled she came back and sat with me for a little while & I thought 'you've been around for a while'. During the flight I had a little chat with another stewardess & she mentioned she had flown with Pan Am so I said I had worked with Ansett and she said 'I'm an old lady, Im 64!' Well, I had to confess that I, too, am 64 and then she told me that another of the stews had been working 47 years so would have to be close to 70! She also told me that they think the Purser might have a bit of dementia as she had repeated herself so many times. Hello. Anyway, we all arrived safely and those 'girls' did a sterling job.
Really nice to be home. Long distance travel, with all the security issues, isn't a cup of tea anymore! But am very grateful for the chance to see new places and meet up with old friends.

Atlanta Monday

Took it easy this morning. George finished all his Overseas Christmas cards, ready for posting before we leave the US. Decided to use our 2 day train pass & go to the Lennox Mall at Buckhead. Like we needed to do more shopping as no room in the suitcase. But let a girl loose in a shopping mall and sure as eggs she'll buy a dress! Ah well it just fitted in.
Had dinner with Dean & Katie Booth who we have known from IBA days. They took us to Bones, an absolutely beautiful restaurant in Buckhead, specializing in steak.
Took the car back to the rental place at midnight and ready now for the marathon tomorrow.

Atlanta Sunday

Drove down to the airport this morning and were able check into our hotel early. Traffic was lighter than usual, being Sunday, but I doubt it is ever really quiet on the roads. With 6-7 lanes in some parts you need to keep an eye on every mirror and every signpost.
Took the train to CNN and Coca Cola Museum, which took about 30 mins. CNN was interesting, our tour was for an hour but a bit quieter from a news point of view than during the week apparently. Coca Cola Museum was also good, plenty of memorabilia to see plus films and art work. At the end we were invited to taste over 60 different Coke sponsored drinks from around the world. Most very forgettable as awfully sweet and incredible flavors. In the end I think water is a better option! We were all given a small bottle of coke before we exited through the gift shop. No need to tell you how much cr...p was in there. But people were spending like there is no tomorrow. Back at the hotel we had a glass of wine and a blackened Tybee Island Fish sandwich for dinner. Of course that came with a truckload of chips so another kg added today!
Looking forward to going home.

Atlanta Sunday

Another glorious day in Atlanta, Georga. We are so lucky with the weather but the leaves are now starting to fall and I guess any day now it will start to get cold. George and Scott went off to see the Southern Railway Museum which featured trains in the civil war. Apparently it was fantastic and George had trouble deciding on whether to buy a confederate or a Yankee hat - fortunately decided on neither!
Kelly and I went shopping to a lovely little village on the outskirts of Atlanta. Cute shops all selling Christmas stuff and the area reminded me of New England. Then met the guys for lunch at Poe's which sell ribs etc.
Had a break then met again for dinner at a very nice Mexican restaurant. Expect not to recognize us when we come home - each day I gain another few kilos I think!
Moving to a hotel near the airport today and will go to the Coca Cola Museum and hopefully CNN if we have time. otherwise will do that tomorrow.

Savanna to Atlanta Friday

After another plastic breakfast we packed up and headed for Atlanta. Planned to go via Augusta but changed our minds as would have been another 100 or so miles and meant arriving in Atlanta in peak traffic. We manage very well with me driving and George navigating but enough is enough. Kelly & Scott Burleson picked us up from our hotel in Marietta. Fantastic to see them and we talked over dinner for hours. We are going sightseeing with them tomorrow.

Savannah Thursday

Up and about early again not to miss that plastic breakfast. Actually my bagel and tea was very nice. George tackled a waffle, followed by turkey and egg patties along with turkey bacon. As I said yesterday, we don't have to eat it. Walked it off then took a trolley ride around the area and ended up at Mrs Wilkes restaurant for lunch. This is famous in Savannah, named after Mrs Wilkes in Gone With The Wind. Lines of people queue for ages and are seated in tables of 10. The food is typical southern fare and I counted 22 different dishes on the table. Everyone helps themselves and the food consisted of such things as fried chicken, beef stew, sliced beef in sauce, corn bread, sweetcorn, cabbage, potato salad, okra, beans, baked beans, noodles, spinach, and many more, followed by dessert of cherry or banana cobbler. Good value for $16 per head.
George took himself off to the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum in the afternoon while I meandered around the beautiful houses and shops. I ended up back in River St and took a ride on the streetcar - a very old very well preserved 1930's Melbourne tram. Not much to buy here other than delicious fudge and taffy and lots of food items produced by Paula Deene (who is famous in this area for her food and produce etc). Back to the hotel to do some mundane chores such as a load of washing and to check email etc. Went out for a light dinner at the local Thai restaurant. Oh for a real poached egg on real toast!!

Savannah Wednesday

Well, another day another plastic breakfast! We do NOT have to eat here but you sort of live in hope that 'tomorrow' will be different. Nothing wrong with the juice, coffee, bagels, etc but egg patties?? I promise to take a photo tomorrow. Even difficult cutting them with plastic knife. They are little disc shaped pieces of egg - I can just imagine the big plastic bag that is delivered weekly with the directions on the pack 'microwave for 29 seconds on high'!!!!! They match the turkey patties which are inedible and look nothing like turkey meat. Enough of that.
Decided to drive to Hilton Head, a 54 mile drive that was only about 23 miles on the way home. Went wrong somewhere but it didn't matter as the scenery was terrific. Hilton Head is obviously a haven for the very rich and is planned so that almost impossible to get on to the beach. We ended up parking in front of a house & walking along the private pathway so that we could at least touch the Atlantic. Enjoyed lunch at The Earl of Sandwich Pub at HH.
Tonight we drove to Tybee Island for a crab dinner. Difficult finding the place in the dark but when we finally arrived we found the crab was really delicious. They had a pond with small alligators. A drive along River St so that George could buy an ice cream then home to catch up on emails etc. And to watch a bit of TV which is all about the next election.
As you can tell, this is not an action packed holiday. No museums (yet), churches, galleries or anything too strenuous.

Savannah Tuesday

Just made breakfast by 9.30 after long sleep in. Breakfast at Spring Hill Suites and similar places is rather plastic! Everything is disposable and the hot dishes this morning were egg patties and turkey patties. George said he couldn't see much gobble in either. Decided to take the trolley bus around (hop on hop off) the 14 stops and can't believe how lovely this city is. Built on a grid system it has parks and squares everywhere and the old buildings and houses are amazing. No high rise buildings, even in the CBD. We walked along River St with loads of restaurants and gift shops and sampled some delicious pecan fudge and spicy nuts. Footsore and weary we came back to the hotel and my lights went out for about 3 hours. Like jet lag but a week late! Had a late dinner at a place just opened today called 606 East Cafe.
Tomorrow we plan on eating crab! Spoke to Caroline this morning. Also talked to the Fitzgeralds in NZ. They are the authority on all things American as have not only visited every state in the US but every state Capitol too.

Charlotte Savannah

After a leisurely breakfast with Rona & Dick we said goodbye to them and to Charlotte. Was like a big let down after all the activities of the past few days. With George navigating and me driving we headed towards Savannah. Stopped for lunch somewhere along the way and arrived here at around 3pm. Great highways make for an easy journey but you don't really see too much on US highways because of Forrest both sides. Staying at the Spring Hill Suites in the Historic District of Savannah. We walked for a little bit around town and ended up at a Thai restaurant for dinner. Very nice after having had no hot spicy food for a week.

Charlotte Sunday

Rona and Dick put on brunch this morning for about 60 people. Rona in typical fashion had the most beautiful table arrangements with chocolate lollypops with Nina's picture and pencils, pads, decorated girls on sticks and other goodies as well as a buffet breakfast complete with chef to cook individual orders for hot dishes. A magician visited each table for entertainment. Some guests started to make their way home afterwards going in all directions across the US. For those still here tonight we were invited to Howard & Mindy's house for dinner but George & I had made arrangements to have dinner with the Wrigleys. Hugh was an old employee of Hedderwicks, Arthur Robinson years ago and he and his wife Diana have lived in the US for over 20 years. We did call to Howard's on the way and were very impressed with the area with magnificent trees all turning their leaves. Hugh & Diana have two kids, Jack & Tessa, and we had a very nice dinner with them. Will leave Charlotte after breakfast tomorrow. We have a reservation at a hotel in the historical district of Savannah for four nights from tomorrow. Guess it's about a 5 hour drive from here.
Had a nice chat with Caroline this morning. She's still having the most amazing adventures in Borneo and should be writing for Lonely Planet!

Charlotte Saturday

Up bright and early for the big day! Drove Sandi and Norm (old friends from LA ) to the Temple for the Bat Mitzvah at 11 am. Really beautiful ceremony which took over an hour. Nina wore a beautiful dress (last night's dress was amazing, too). She is so petite, like a little gymnast. Buffet lunch to follow at the Marriott and then most people gathered in the courtyard to gossip while others went shopping across the street at the Mall. That included me but didn't buy much as the suitcase is full already!
We dressed up for the evening dinner dance which was fantastic. Pre dinner drinks and gorgeous savories then ushered in to the ballroom where it was decorated with amazing flair. There were about 30 13 year olds and a large table of slightly older teenagers as well as about 60 adults. The kids had their own seated area with buffet and we were all served at the table. Nina wore yet another show stopping dress in silver and she was ushered in to the room to the Russian National Anthem. A few short speeches (and the singing of God Bless America) preceded the candle lighting ceremony and then the DJ took over and entertainment began. Much dancing, delicious food and good company made for the most enjoyable night.

Charlotte Friday

An amazing day mainly centered around food, again! The day began with an early lunch for Howard's 46th birthday (father of Nina). Rona & Dick put on lunch at Harpers, a nice restaurant that has typical American food. Dinner for Nina was at 6pm and held at Red Rock restaurant. Delicious food, once again, but no one overly hungry. Off to the Temple for an 8 o'clock service,. This was the usual Friday night service and it included the two Bat Mitzvah girls and their families and friends. Very interesting for non-Jewish people and although this is our third Bar/Bat Mitzvah all three have taken different formats. We are off to the Temple at 11am tomorrow for the formal ceremony, followed by lunch here at the Marriott. Then we are invited to a dinner dance at 8pm, again at the Marriott. All I can say is that thank God our kids aren't Jewish as we would be broke by now!!!!!
Really lovely to see everyone again. Have known many of the guests for more than 25 years and we do feel like family. Nina is the adopted daughter of Mindy and Howard and came in to their family from Russia when she was two years old. She is pint sized and very bright and is like a little princess!

Charlotte Thursday

Dinner last night was at the Mexican restaurant just near the hotel (Marriott, Southpark). The first wave of family and guests had arrived, a group of ten. Enjoyed meeting up Rona and Dick and some of the grandchildren.
Breakfast a long family affair which ran into lunch!! Fabulous weather, 74degrees, so really beautiful sitting on the terrace reminiscing. Nice to soak to Caroline on skype in Borneo then to Noelene in Auckland.
There is a large Mall right across the street so Nina and I spent a couple of hours browsing through Maceys and Nordstroms.
Now gathering for drinks before dinner. The numbers have expanded, now about 24 people here at the hotel!

En route to Charlotte

George's suitcase arrived this morning and we were able to get the sky train from our hotel to the airport to collect it. Whole exercise took 15 minutes! Now halfway to Charlotte and have stopped at an outlet mall where a few purchases were made, mostly by G. Such good value especially for men. Because of free wifi we elected to dine at McDonalds!! Weather is beautiful, about 23C and the trees are in soectacular colours - absolutely the nicest time to visit the East Coast.

Atlanta

Have finally arrived in Atlanta after a marathon journey. All went well, flights on time, service very good until only 1 bag came out on to the carousel here in Atlanta. We had a tight connection in LA due to customs, long lines of people waiting to exit and of course we were the only ones asked to step aside and have another check! Sent our bags off but George is still waiting for his. They haven't been able to locate it yet so we could be visiting an outlet mall sooner rather than later!
Staying at the Spring Hill Suites near the airport for the night - really lovely facilities and now plenty of room in the closet!
Picked up a car & I drove while G navigated - fortunately traffic light! Would be easy to take a wrong turn when tired and dark.
Will drive to Charlotte tomorrow.

On our way to the airport. As usual luggage is very heavy. Can't figure out why after 45 years I still haven't got it right! We are flying United via Syd to LA, then on to Atlanta via Chicago. Seems like the long way round but fits in with our fares. Pleased to be going to cooler climes as it's going to be really hot in Melbourne this week.