Over The Bridge

On the Sunday we made our way to Times Square. Busy and bright.


We took one of those open top buses that drive around the city and point out the main attractions. This is one of the first things we do when arriving in a big city. It is a good way to get a rough idea of the layout of an unknown place.

Did the Empire State Building thing. That was interesting as it allowed us to get a better idea of the overall layout of Manhattan.

The weather was cool and damp. I had to ditch my hairdryer at the airport before we left Australia as the wattage is different in the US and I did not want to carry my big gun dryer around. It was about two years old and playing up so that was okay. However, it did mean I had to use the crappy hairdryer supplied by the guest house which meant that I had a bad hair day every day.

It is interesting when you first arrive in the US and hear the accent. You see, we get loads of American shows here in Australia all the time and are very exposed to the American accent.

So, when we arrived in the US and heard people talking it was like being in a sitcom. Seriously, it was like walking around a movie set. That was only the first day or so of course. But it is kind of funny.

Our day was cut short because my son was still suffering from terrible jet lag. He fell asleep on the bus, at the restaurant where we had lunch and on the train back to Brooklyn. When we got back he went to bed and slept for hours.

We did too. It was really inconvenient but just one of those travel things.

Ciao

LC

The Wedding

Guess what?

I will be watching the Royal Wedding.

I am not a big fan of weddings.

In my life I have been to no more than five weddings and that includes my own (which was in a registry office with two witnesses). They are just not my thing.

But I just love a Royal Wedding. All that pomp and ceremony. The Danish Royal Wedding was divine. I expect this one will be fantastic too.

People go on about the cost to the tax payer and perhaps there is some merit in that. But tell me that sending a man to the moon isn't a bit of a cost that needs some justifying. Or sending thousands of men to their death via some pointless war. Or building thousands of miles of roads so that more cars can pollute the earth when a decent railway system would make so much more sense.

Nope, now and then a non celebrity, non rock star, non movie star wedding is great.

And I intend to enjoy every second of it.

Ciao
LC

Brooklyn

We stayed in a lovely place in Brooklyn. It was called "At Home In Brooklyn". When I first booked to stay in Brooklyn almost everyone questioned my choice. They kept asking me why I would stay there and not right in the middle of New York? They said we would have to take a train over to Manhattan every day. And that Brooklyn was just a suburb. Blah, blah and more blah.

The best thing we did was to stay in Brooklyn. It was a beautiful reprieve from the noise and crowds of what was going on over the bridge. I loved the brown stone houses everywhere. You see, for us, it is more interesting to stay where people live as opposed to staying where people visit.

The trip into the city was great. Train travel in a different country is an interesting way to see a cross section of people.

Where we stayed was just lovely. Our host was great. The atmosphere was so warm and friendly and breakfast was always a welcome sight each morning we came downstairs.

The day after we arrived we made our way across the road to the lovely gardens. The blossoms were almost out and the photo below is of one of the three of us under the one tree that had blossomed a few weeks before all the others.


The weather was cool and the sunshine was welcome.

My son was very, very tired and I think the expression on his face says it all.

In the garden was this wonderful work of out made from saplings. It was woven into something that appeared like some sort of giant beehive. I am not sure how long it would be there for. Maybe it just rots away.

Just a random photo.

Daffodils were out and all cheery.

We headed back to where we were staying because my son was so tired he had to go to bed. It was about midday.

My husband and I took turns in walking around the neighbourhood and down to the local shopping centre. I cannot remember much about it because I was also tired.

So, not much happened on the first day we had because of jet lag.

In the evening we went to a local Italian restaurant for dinner and then headed back for an early night.

Our big, soft bed was such a welcome thing to sink into.

Ciao

LC

On The Plane

We left for our trip early on a Friday morning that already seems like a lifetime ago. Bags were packed at the last minute and then loaded in the back of the car which we would park at the long term car park at the airport.

When I locked the front door I said a mental goodbye to the house and finally felt like I was going on a holiday.

For me, there was a feeling of "aaahhhh" as we left. The months prior had been stressful for me and I knew I needed a break. The Oxfam Walk, my work moving office, our house being flooded and the intense journey into therapy had kind of worn me out.

So, that was at 8.00 am we got away. This escape was followed by an hour long drive to the airport, a further drive around the long term car park and then catching a bus that took us and our luggage to the the international departure terminal. Then standing in the check in line. Standing in the customs line. Waiting in the baggage security check line.

We had breakfast at the swanky Cafe Vue and then made our way through the duty free section where K bought himself a video camera. I pondered as to whether or not a new camera was needed but lost interest when I had to use my brain to make comparisons between all the types on offer. Anyway, later on I have a camera story for you that just makes me cringe.

Some more waiting was had by us in the lounge. Then lots of waiting in the actual plane before it took off and flew us to Sydney. Then we waited in the transit lounge for a couple of hours before boarding the plane that would fly us to San Francisco where we would then catch a connecting flight to New York.

After leaving the house at 8.00 am we were finally flying out of Australia at 3.00 pm. The down side of travel is waiting. All those in between bits that you kind of forget about like a woman forgets about the pain of child birth and goes back for another baby.

Normally waiting around like that would be almost unbearable but is it just one of those things you expect when holidaying.

We flew United Airlines which was a first for us. The plane was old, tired but clean. Interestingly the average age of the staff was well over 55 years old. The flight itself was bumpy with long periods of having to stay seated due to air turbulence. It was the noisiest flight I have ever been on because it seemed to me to have an abnormal amount of screaming babies and noisy teenagers.

What was not fun was the lack of entertainment that is usually situated in the back of each seat. Just one screen with one choice of movie to watch made the trip very long and dreary. I read a book that I had downloaded onto the Ipad, read a magazine, watched the movie Tron, tried to sleep and at something I believe was food. I then repeated the process more than once over the thirteen hour flight.

On arrival to San Francisco we had a further five hours of flying to do. We had been separated and sat all over the plane which was annoying. It was the longest five hours and I actually ended up paying for online internet to reduce the boredom.

We arrived at JFK at about 9.30 pm and were picked up by a pre-organised taxi and driven to the place we were going to be staying for the next seven days.

As we walked up the steps to the guest house the owner opened the door and welcomed us into a warm and beautiful place. We had a cup of tea and then made our way to bed.

As I went to sleep I wondered (not for the first time) just how much more it was cost to travel Business Class when doing a long haul flight.

I hate flying and flying in economy on an old plane is about as bad as it gets.

We woke up at some hideous time in the middle of the night.

Jet lag is just one of the things that is unavoidable when travelling overseas. The older I get, the harder it is to recover.

Hopefully it would not last long.

Ciao
LC

Home

Arrived back from our holiday this morning just before midday.

We had a mix of good and not so good times but I think good always wins out.

I will be posting photos etc. once things settle.

Sadly, my father in law passed away while we were on holiday (last Sunday).

Needless to say, it was a shock to come home to. Even though he was old and frail and his passing was not unexpected, it is still a shock when it happens.

A lot to do over the next few days.

Ciao
LC

Homesick

We want to go home.

Sigh.

Ciao
LC

Noo York

Have finally arrived in sunny Brooklyn.

Seriously, I could spend just seven days here and not even get over to Manhattan.

We are staying at a lovely place in Park Slope.

Tomorrow we will walk over Brooklyn Bridge and do lots of big city things.

Today my son spent a lot of time getting over jet lag so K and I took turns just looking around while he lay in bed.

I would load photos but still have to work out how to get them from my camera onto the Ipad.

Am still too jet lagged to do anything too technical.

Ciao
LC

Holiday

You know and I know that I am going on a holiday soon.

Very soon actually.

Friday morning.

Shall I tell you where I am at now?

Nowhere. My house is a pigsty.

I have not packed a suitcase - but they are open at least.

At work everything can could have gone with internet, phone, sexy Mac computers and the printers did go wrong.

At home I tipped a bottle of vitamin e oil all over my bathroom bench and then whatever was on the bench I put in the basin so that my husband (not me) could clean up the mess. That was about two hours ago and the stuff is still in the basin. I work like this all the time.

It used to bother me but now I understand that it is better to go with the flow of my personality. To fight the way I function is pointless and thoroughly depressing. I can thank therapy for that acceptance of my lazy self.

In the hours before we all go to bed tomorrow night we will just have everything sorted.

Then again, we may not.

It's not like we are travelling to the Sahara Desert where nothing can be bought.

Seriously, I could buy everything I need on the way to the airport lounge.

The house will stay looking like it has been ransacked because we still have no carpet and won't have until after Easter.

None of it matters.

Just a holiday is what matters to me right now.

Me and the boys.

Ciao
LC

Errrrr

It would be reasonable to say that I am having a SHITE day at work.

Ciao
LC

What The?

Ages ago I must have mindlessly given my email address to some stupid Astrology website (yes, I like Astrology) and when they wanted money from me so that I could find out more about my future I just ignored it.

Anyhow, in my email box arrived the following response to my lack of response:

Hello Linda, I am writing to you now because ever since you contacted me on the 3 January 2011 I have felt particularly close to you. I know that this may seem strange to you as we have never met face to face and our contact has only been through the emails I have been sending you. But as far as I am concerned I am used to developing this kind of relationship with certain of my correspondants.Linda,I can see clearly that you are somebody very interesting and with a great personal richness.

As far as I am concerned human relationships are of the uppermost importance and are the key to very many things in life. It is for this reason that I so enjoy entering into contact with a client and then following their evolution and direction with all the transits and other astrological events that could occur during their future.

As far as you are concerned Linda, I want you to know that I will always be available for you and at your disposition as, once again I must say that, you are someone with great personal value. As a matter of fact I do feel honored to have entered into a close and privileged relationship with you.

I am sure that you are feeling just about the same thing too. Linda, all of my attention and my vigilance is focused on you and I will always be at your service. I will not hesitate to tell you if a certain change or significant event is set to occur in your personal astrological configuration. Linda, you can fully count upon my devotion.

I really wanted to produce a 'Crystalline Reiki Grid' for you, a grid which comes from a very ancient technique which I have now been using for a number of years with a great deal of success. This work aims at producing a very beneficial and positive magnetic influence and brings protection, chance and opportunity to the focus of it's energy through the interaction of a range of powerful precious stones. There is no magic or sorcery in all of this. We now know that magnetism exists as it has been proved by scientific techniques and it is certain that this energetic field can have extremely beneficial effects. The technique of the grid has existed for thousands of years and is extremely efficient. To be more precise, the grid is a way of arranging stones in a sacred geometric pattern. This pattern is then activated by a connection with a 'line of light' through the stones so that they radiate an energy field which then reaches out to the person the grid is destined for. I norm ally offer this work to those of my correspondants which I feel closest to and to those I want to bring very strong positive energy. To make this work effectively for you and so that you get the best out of it's actions, you simply need to concentrate on the photo of the grid which I have attached to this email to 'activate it'.

HERE IS THE PHOTO OF THE REIKI GRID WHICH I PERFORMED ESPECIALLY FOR YOU Linda,

Here there was a link that I have chosen not to publish for obvious reasons.

As I have said I place a great deal of importance in our relationship and I will remain entirely at your disposition.

Your friend, Jenna

What do you think of that wonderfully person response? I wonder if there are people out there who would believe those words.

I did like that bit that said I could click on the link to activate the Crystalline Reiki Grid. However, I think had I clicked on the link it may have activated the Crystalline Reiki Trojan and wormed its way into my computer and bank account.

It's not often that someone sends me something so full of promise.

Junk mail at its best.

Ciao
LC

Boo Hoo

I just want to know how after walking 108.75 kms on Friday/Saturday AND doing an exercise class tonight I have somehow managed to put on 2kgs since Friday morning. It's enough to make me wanna cry which is good because I think it is fluid retention. Can you get rid of fluid retention via the tear ducts? Ciao LC

That Walk!

It's done.

Yep, that 100km walk has been achieved.

Actually, officially, the walk measured 108.75 kms but they don't tell you that snippet of information until you are at the starting line.

But believe me, the knowledge of that last 8km stuck in our minds when were were at the last 8 kms.

The day started out with glorious weather.

We were pretty excited and possibly a bit clueless as to what was ahead.

As we stood around waiting for the start we noticed two distinct groups of people.

Those who have done it before (walking sticks in hand, prebandaged knees and wearing skins). We kept saying "do they know something we don't?".

And those who have not done it before (walking sticks left in support car for later, gym gear and baggy shorts).

Guess which ones we were?

It was pretty crowded but very exciting.

The excitement wore of to a slight agitation with the crowds taking ages to move ahead. We passed people in front whenever we could (when it was safe).

We clocked in at check point one was 12km from start. Some people clock in, do what they need to do such as check feet, eat etc. and then clock out.

We just clocked in and out then went and ate, refilled water bladders and checked our feet etc.

At this stop I encountered my first problem. The "preventative" blister pads I used reacted with my skin and peeled some of it off. And I had my first blister appear.

We were there for about half an hour and then headed off.

No idea where we were but it was going well and the weather was so kind. All happy faces.

Lovely walks through interesting bushland. This was check point two and around 2:00 pm but we clocked in after we had eaten because the check point was quite a long way up a hill so we figured food was more important than clocking in. So since the last check point we had done 10kms which totalled 22kms in all. By this stage we were pretty hungry. We stopped here for an hour before heading off. The walk towards check point 3 was when the real incline started. We stopped for a short time to have a drink and stretch.

My feet were feeling the pain.

Can you see the expression on my face? Does it say anything?

The inclines were hard work. But we all just put one foot in front of the other.

After stopping at check point 2 we made our way to the next one which was another 15kms and took us roughly three hours.

My husband was the support person for this one and because parking was not available he and my son had to carry our change of clothes and food we needed and then catch a shuttle bus to meet us.

Somehow poor K forgot my food but fortunately I had enough with me. He did have my change of clothes though!

We changed into warm clothes and headed off to check point 4.

By this stage things were dark and cold and one of our team members had great trouble warming up and for a brief time was experiencing borderline hypothermia but picked up after a big dose of sports goo. We headed into the dark bush with our headlamps on. The path was slippery and I nearly fell over more than once before getting the feel of walking in the bush during the night.

There was one particular hill we had to climb that we had done twice before and guess what, it was still there waiting for us in the dark. So up we went.

We arrived at check point 4 at 9.30pm. Another team member was pretty sick at this point. A combination of a virus and too much sports drink was enough to knock her around. But after an hours rest and some hot food she was ready to go.

At check point 4 we changed into wet weather gear because the skies had opened and the rain was falling. We left here at about 11:00 pm and made our way towards the next check point.

It was at this point we were heading once again into very narrow bush tracks and things were slow because there were a lot of people doing to same thing. We all had to go single file and slowly, the night air lit up by headlamps.

Below is a photo of us at the halfway mark. Still smiling.

We walked on towards check point 5 (no photos) and I was so tired I actually hallucinated through the night. Don't know about you but I am just used to walking 50kms and then being up all night. I thought that the cold breath coming out of my mouth was firstly a bird flying towards me and I ducked away. Then I thought it was someones hand. It was after I thought it was leaves drifting in front of my face I had to really collect my thoughts. The problem may have been heightened by the very strong painkillers I took as well. Maybe I was high as a kite!

I also thought that the big stones on the path were dead animals and that the trees were coming closer.

It was when walking on a straight path with my eyes shut (possibly asleep) that I know I was very tired. Oh, yeah, and continually finding my mouth wanting to hang open.

Check point 5 was more food. At least I think so because I cannot really remember. I was so desperate to go to sleep. I did go to first aid and get more blisters sorted.

We left there at 4.30 am and made our way to check point 6 which was about 13.5 kms away. Arriving there at about 7.00 am and leaving at about 8.00 am. I had to spend a lot of time putting new dressings on my feet. We had 20kms ahead of us. I burst my huge blisters, bandaged and taped things up, took 2 Nurofen plus tablets and off we hobbled.

Oh, those portaloos behind us were disgusting. However, I managed to get changed in one without putting my unshod foot on the ground. I dreaded the door opening or, worse, the thing tipping over. They are stinky and horrible things. Sometimes I would go into one and see food in there. Who would eat in any toilet let alone a portaloo?

The walk to check point three was long, long and really long.

Did I say it was long? Oh, my face says it was long. My face also tells you how my feet were. And my ankle that I almost twisted early in the walk was now very painful. As was the left knee. Things were hurting.

More tracks. Beautiful scenery though.

Sigh.

Arrived at check point 7 so much later than we thought we would. By this stage we were all so tired and could hardly talk. One team member vomited and had such an upset stomach. The sports drink did not agree with her. I had not had any sports drink but did have a big bottle at this check point because things were aching and there was a big hill coming up. During the week I had dosed up on magnesium and other tissue salts in anticipation. Sports drinks make me want to vomit.

I was starving now and just ate as much as I comfortably could. Pasta, sandwiches and chocolate.

So here we were about to finish.

The last leg of the walk was so very, very hard. It was at this point I used walking sticks because the trek was all up a very steep incline with one deep decline and I needed to keep my knee and ankle going.

So below is a photo of us running towards the finish line. Yes, running. We had enough in us for a brief sprint to get under that finish line gantry. It was a great feeling of achievement.

I was on a high. Very happy for so many reasons.

My older sister (who I have not seen for months) was there to meet me along with my husband. My son was not well and stayed home. But that was okay because he made me a video to wish me all the best.

We compared the walk to the film Inception. Each check point led us to another nightmarish part of the walk. It was very hard at times and we kept saying we would never do it again. I would make jokes like "take a good look at where we are because we are not coming back".

On the way home in the car I started to cry. Just tears of relief, tears of tiredness and tears just because they needed to come out. When I got home my son asked how I was and I burst into tears again. He hugged me and said "you did so well mum, I am so proud of you". I finally had a hot shower and went to bed. I slept like the dead.

Now I am up and about. Feeling a bit stiff and still very tired but pretty good considering.

What did I learn? You can have too much popcorn, pretzels and even chocolate. That I never want to see another nut bar. That everything is funny when it is the middle of the night and you have walked over 60kms and not slept. That the "F" word has a time and place often at that same time of the morning.

I also learnt that it is good to challenge oneself. That working as a team is so much better than working alone. And to do good for people you don't even know is so satisfying. I learnt that people are generous, helpful, kind and supportive.

During the later part of the walk when we were tired and there was pain we said we would never do it again.

This morning I said to my husband I would never do it again and he said "yeah right". He must know me.

So, would I do it again?

You betcha.

Ciao

LC