PatSquire

October 13th - final entry The flight passes somehow - combination of eating, sleeping, viewing screen films / TV programmes. Land at Heathrow more or less as scheduled. Slowish to disembark - it is a big plane! Clear passport / immigration and then realise we have to go through security yet again. Slightly anxious time as gate for Edinburgh due to close at 11.15 and it is now 10.55. Despite usual body check when I set off the alarm (it would be worrying if I didn’t!)we get to get to gate with plenty of time to spare. Board for a 50min or so flight to Edinburgh. Bags arrive as we do and after a call to taxi firm we are soon heading home. Sort out mail and head off for some sleep. Its been a great ... read more

Tuesday 12th October Farewell to USA Tried to make MSN contact with Mark. Able to text and he to see / hear us but nothing more. Used gym / pool briefly after lunch and completed packing trusting suitcases meet weight limitations!! Shuttle bus arrives c 12.10, as scheduled and after one other pick up in Pasadena, heads to airport to arrive in good time. Check in good have been any more straightforward. Not able to pick up a free wi-fi signal in airport departure area so write up blog entry instead. Head through security - slow process at best of times, made even longer by the most thorough search/ pat down I’ve ever experienced! Plenty of time for a coffee at the gate. Board as scheduled. Settle into in-flight routine - meal, on-screen entertainment - film ... read more

Monday 11th October Final day for sightseeing etc. Booked shuttle bus to airport for Tuesday departure then took bus into downtown LA. Left bus near Union station - familiar territory with the ghosts of the Page & Moy party still hovering in the area. Wandered around the original centre of LA including restored main pueblo. Was hoping to go into City Hall and have a tour (Rough Guide says its impressive ) but it was closed as apparently its Columbus Day. Continued to head South along Broadway (not the same one as in New York but still apparently a theatrical area) Very much an Hispanic area now. Very little English seen or heard. Wandered through old market. Ice creams and drink in shade most welcome. Took a short but steep cable car up to the financial ... read more

10th October (Sunday) Day starts with an on line video link up with Anthony and the children. Off with Paul & Ruth to park near to Nathaniel’s for BBQ time. Thirty or so other folks from the wedding show up so there are plenty of burgers, chicken and sausages to go around. Glad of shade of trees and it is still very hot and sunny. Say farewells to most people as unlikely that we will see then tomorrow (Monday).... read more

9th October - the BIG day Managed a video link up with Anthony, Vicky and the children. First visual evidence of Rory standing and walking. Song and dance from Charlotte. Out for 25 min run along the highway - very hot. Over to D&S for lift to Michelle (Nathaniel’s best ‘man‘)and Leigh’s place for brunch. A very tasty selection of dishes in an absolutely stunning setting. Back to the hotel with time for a short rest and swim for Jennie before donning finery and off to the wedding. This time our ‘chauffeurs’ are Nicky and Sylvie. The service is somewhat unorthodox, by UK standards but nevertheless a beautiful and moving occasion. The church itself is light and airy and the priest has a very human touch to his manner. Short period of photos outside (very hot) ... read more

October 8th After breakfast to Nathaniel’s and meet Julie her mother and brother. Help load drins into cars and then back to the reception venue to unload the booze. With Mike and Aldwyth to Gamble House for a guided tour around the building at 1.20pm. This is a house of architectural significance in this area and further afiled, having been designed by Charles and Henry Greene in the “Arts & Crafts” style. Took a brief walk around the area to look at other houses of architectural distinction and then driven back to the hotel. Lift from David & Sally to Nathaniels for the evening party. Walk down to Montrose for wander and coffee before returning to the house when the party got underway. Chatting with various folks before being given a lift back with Nicky and ... read more

7th October Arcadia LA Leisurely start which included a brief MSN text conversation with Anthony (video link didn’t work) plus him sending a brief video clip of greetings from Ben & Charlotte. After breakfast across to Embassy Suites to meet up with others. David kindly offered to drive us to the Huntington Gardens and Museum so we all 3 spent a lovely day wandering around the gardens and viewing the various exhibits in the ar galleries and museums. Back to the hotel for a snooze whilst Jennie had a swim and then off for a run. Couple of blocks down the road is Arcadia Park so nice to be able to ru n on grass for a chance. Wandered around the local restaurants and eventually settled on a meal at Sesame Grill. Very tasty. Back to ... read more

MANHATTAN PHOTOS... read more

6th October A card from Jennie and e-mails from Mark and Anthony remind me its my birthday! I reckon this one is 32 hrs long if you count the day as starting in the UK and finishing in California. Pack bags after breakfast and check out. Wander around the shops for a while. Back to hotel to collect bags and arrive station in good time. Train scheduled for 2pm departure. Boarding proves to be very straightforward and although the seats in business class are no more comfortable or spacious than in coach class, there are other benefits in the form of complimentary drinks and snacks. Comfortable journey of approx 2 ½ hrs to Glendale (just before LA Union station) where we are met by David who has kindly come to pick us up thus saving the ... read more