Time flies and the end nears (of 2008)

It sure does, it is weeks since I last posted on here and even so I have no exciting news to report.  

I spent a week in Chicago on the way back to London earlier this month and thoroughly enjoyed myself - although would have been much more interesting to not have been working.  I was very limited in the times I could get out to explore so I didn't get far and now need to go back to complete all the things I've missed out on...

We got back to London almost 3 weeks ago and it has all been about settling the babies in and getting life calmed to a comfortable point for the family.  Since returning, I have had two days off and due another tomorrow.  Really looking forward to it!

Lucy made it back to NZ after her accident in India.  Unfortunately the whole time she was in London I was in Illinois and we only got to see each other on the eve of her flight out to NZ.  I was part of the pack horse gang that she needed in order to get all her luggage to the airport.  

Megg is now living in London too so I get to see her every now and then which is lovely. 

I am making plans to go to NZ sometime soon - although 'soon' may be 2010 at this rate!  Too much to do and too little time...

But right now, Christmas day is ending and I must make it to bed ASAP as I have babies who will require my attention in 2.5 hours.  

Good night!

A bit more detail

I hired a car the other day and accompanied by Bob (Dylan) and Melissa (Ethridge) took a drive to St Louis, Missouri. It is just across the Mississippi from Illinois.

Firstly I headed out West and then took the Illinois River Road (highway 100) south. I was stunned and pleasantly surprised at just how beautiful it was.

Countryside Illinois is all about farming and this time of the year the fields are all yellow with corn stalk after the harvest. Some of the fields were in the process of being ploughed. It's been a late harvest this year apparently due to weather conditions.

The trees have all lost their leaves, but the leaves remain on the ground so the colours are still bright and bold in places.

The river was huge - nothing like it in NZ or the UK - although the Thames comes close! I came to the conclusion that it must be a major summer holiday spot due to the number of camp grounds along the rivers edge.

After a bit on the Ilinois river I crossed through a lovely farming valley and drove along the Mississippi instead. I was most impressed to set eyes on this river. I had bought Bob's CD simply because it had a song called Mississippi. It proved to be a good thing - excellent driving music!

I didn't get into St Louis until about 6pm and all was dark. There was no sign posting giving even a vague indication of where downtown was. I had booked a hotel so needed to navigate there otherwise I could have just stopped anywhere.

I followed my nose and made it to the only street name I knew - Broadway. I then spotted exactly where I wanted to be so I was mighty impressed! My nose does not always do me justice when trying to follow it but in this case it did me well!

After something to eat, I took a walk out on the river front to the arch that is St Louis. When asking around before I left as to what I should do in St Louis, the only thing anyone could tell me was the Arch!

It was freezing!! About -7or8C. I had my down coat with light polar fleece under, gloves and scarf and I had to keep moving!

I got some photos whilst watching my back very carefully. The place was not exactly bustling with tourists (or locals) and I was very aware of being alone in the dark with my very expensive camera.

Back to the hotel and I spent $10.00 in the adjoining casino. I guess an hours entertainment for $10 is not too bad... Hmmm, not sure where my luck went - last time I went to a casino I came out with just a little more then I spent after an hour.

Then it was bed and to be rudely awakened by the phone at 1.40am(?????). I didn't bother answering - although I ought to have and mentioned my displeasure!

Another rude awakening at 9.15am, a quick shower and the 100 mile drive back via the main road.

Stats

I took a 24hr break and arrived back at noon today.

While driving I saw
11 dead opossums
5 dead raccoons
5 dead small unidentified creatures
2 dead medium unidentified creatures
1 dead large bird

...and rather unpleasantly 5 very large splats of blood and fur that I take to be the remains of deer meets truck.

I did also see a few living creatures - not good statistics proportionally though.

2 deer munching in a field
1 completely bonkers red squirrel - skimming along a railing on a bridge with it's body low as possible looking somewhat like a SAS recruit.
1 hawk like bird
3 trillion small black birds swooping and darting around in an enormous 'cloud'

And I think that was it.
I saw the Illinois river - a tributary of the Mississippi and I saw the Mississippi!! I was very excited about that.

And this morning on my way back, I put petrol in the car at a the incredible rate of $1.66 a gallon!!! A definite change from the $3.40'ish that we put in the car in Florida just a few weeks ago!

Lincoln in Springfield

Abraham Lincoln - standing outside the building in which he practiced law.

The house in which he lived with his wife and 4 sons

The gorgeous stove on which they cooked. This was my favourite thing in the house!

My last days off

I'm not managing to get to my blog these days and it's not for lack of time.
I am holed up in a hotel suite with a family in Springfield, Illinois. We're awaiting the babies to be well and fit enough to travel back to London.

Last weekend I took the train into Chicago and met up with Jane who flew over from NY. We had 2 nights (Jane had 3) together and stayed in a hotel quite central.

I had been told the architectural boat tour was very worthwhile and so had Jane so on the first day we dropped our bags and went off to do it. I loved it and I think jane enjoyed it, although we were both somewhat cold throughout the whole thing... I caught my first snowflake of the winter on my glove.

The boat was open on top and we sat there in the cold (temperature at freezing point...) listening to a very interesting woman disecting the city into eras, architects and styles. The cold aside, it was brilliant. Chicago's cityscape is awesome. So diverse and bold in the design.





We took a walk uptown the next day and on the way walked along the edge of Lake Michgan.





It has whet my appetite for Chicago and now think I need to spend a week or more to really explore.

Here's 2000 words.

No time to write them so here's a couple of pictures instead...


The lovely view from outside the hotel where I am staying with 2 tiny babies.

And a sunset A La Springfield Ford Car Sales Yard.

Surprised...?

I'm still a little surprised to find myself in the Mid West now after being in the South East just a few days ago.

This morning I got up early and took a train to Springfield, Illinois. Arriving here an hour later then scheduled - better late then never (although with first impression of Springfield, 'never' may well be an option I would consider!!) .

While on the train, I found myself peering with expert eyes into all the water holes we passed, expecting at any second to spot a gator. I was in Florida only 2 weeks but I certainly learned quickly how to spot the wildlife! And now I feel I still should be on the look out. Alas there are no gators this far north.

I did spot an small eagle like bird on a power pole, but was too slow with the camera.

Springfield is small and spread out - we're about 20 minutes out. It's main claim to fame is being the home of Abe Lincoln or as many younger folk might remind you, it's also the fictitious home of the Simpsons.