JOIN ME ON MY TRIP TO AMERICA.

[TIGGYWINKLE]

I think this might be a nice idea. I am going to America in October on my own for three weeks. My husband is unable to travel because of illness. I am really looking forward to this trip, as I have a very busy life, and need a break. I have just bought a laptop, because I need to run the business while I am away. I would like you to join me in the preparation, the schedule, and come along for the ride. I will post a travel log, so get out your map of America and lets begin.
I have just booked my flight for 485 euro return to New York. It is a good time to go to America with the exchange rate. I will spend 3 Days with my cousin in New York, and have a family reunion. I have lots of family in America. I know New York very well. Then we spend the weekend up in Connecticut with another cousin. Back to New York, and I plan to visit The Amish Country, in Pennsylvania. I have always wanted to do this. See all the crafts and the lifestyle. Then I will return to New York, and fly down to my dear friend in North Carolina. She has a horse Farm, and it is my second home. We will hang out, travel to some horse events, go up to Virginia to visit her daughter, and visit The Biltmore Estate in Ashville North Carolina.
I really want to share my excitement with you all.

[franbee]

Gosh TW how exciting! Wish I was really coming with you! Yes, we'll follow you all the way!

[buecherwurm]

Hi Tiggywinkle,
The Pennsylvania Dutch or Amish Country is really quite beautiful. Well, at least it was years and years ago. So I'm really looking forward to the photos you might post from there.
Do you know the book "The Novel" by James A. Michener? I thought it was wonderful and it gives some information about living in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

[sandybay]

Will be following your progress, looking forward to it. Will you be posting pics ?

Never been to the States so can't offer any tips sadly. But the places you are visiting are ones that have interested me.

Good luck and have fun planning :)

[Healing Hands]

I will be following your progress also to America as this year I am not taking a holiday, will look for to hearing about the Amish people and their way of living. will you be sending photos back to us as well?

[baab95]

Tiggywinkle, I look forward to hearing all about your trip. Unfortunately, I have only been to LA (nothing to write home about) enroute to Hawaii, so I can't offer any suggestions. I will however enjoy indulging in some vicarious travel when you visit the STATES. I am fascinated by the Amish restrained style of decoration, and hope that you post lots of lovely pictures. Can't wait! Enjoy your well earned holiday!!!!

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Thank you buercerwurm, I have just ordered "The Novel" on Amazon. I love researching the places I visit, and I am fascinated by the Amish Community. Luckily, I hadn't booked my flights to N. Carolina, and rail travel to Lancaster County, as there has been a change in plan. I am now doing the holiday in reverse. My friend visited Lancaster County last year, loved it, and wants to go back. We are going to drive up there, which is great, as we will be able to do the back roads, and see real Amish farmers at work. I am so excited.
My friend and I visited the West Coast a few years ago. We had a great time, but I love the traditions and history of New England and the Southern States.
I am taking my laptop(Tiggy) with me, so I will keep a journal and post lots of photos. I am starting to think about my holiday wardrobe. Because there are lots of things I buy in The States, and baggage allowance so strict, I need to plan carefully. Every time I travel I shave it down. I will keep posting snippits as I go along. Thank you all for joining in. It should be fun.

[Salle de Bain]

Wow! what an itinery...will follow it with great interest (especially the horse farm!)

Lucky you....

[eleanor2]

tiggy you are very very brave and adventurous i must say.sounds very exciting.will look forward to hearing of your travels.

[dinger]

look forward to seeing your pictures Tiggy hope you have a lovely time .x

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Hi everyone, Well I have booked my flight yo North Carolina. Got €50 off, so my saving on both flights have paid for the fuel charge of 150 Euros. Great to get a bargain. I got "The Novel" from Amazon, Buecherwurm, and I am enjoying it. It is great to have an insight into the Amish Community.I also found a book called "The Woman Rice Grower" about the social changes in South Carolina after the abolition of Slavery. It is so interesting. I love a series of books called "The Ladies of Covington" by Joan Medlicott. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina. I wrote to her, and she has invited me to have lunch with her. I am thrilled to bits. I have also written to my mentor in Conn. and it would be wonderful to get to meet her too. When I was sixty, two years ago, I decided to go for everything I wanted to do, no time for wishing, just do it, and I find it works. Talk to you soon. TIGGYWINKLE x

[eleanor2]

how lovely being invited to have lunch with an accomplished author tiggi.i can see you are going to have a very adventurous time.

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Hi, Really getting excited about my hols, but still have so much to do before I go.Have almost finished transfering stuff over to my new laptop. What a Job! I love it to bits, and thought my daughter's castoff laptop bag was a bit dull, so I gave it a make over to-day to match my travel outfit. Added a gold baggage tag to match, which I bought for £1.50. Made a little travel journal for the trip. My husband bought me a small video camera, so I have to figure out how to use it. The little glass angel is in memory of my dear soulmate and friend who died two years ago. She livged in America for a while, and we had some great trips together, so I have to bring her along. Still whittling down my clothes list, and only bringing 2 books to read - The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton, and Blue Slipper Bay by Wendy Harris. Photos below are bag before and after, my journal, and travel outfit, with my snuggle pillow to curl up on the plane. Will keep you posted TIGGYWINKLE x
Can't upload photos. Will try again

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Hope I can get photos uploaded

[Crocus]

Oh wow Tiggy, quite the holiday girl eh" I love your trip book, especially with the glass angel to accompany you - my trip book is next to my computer at all times with lots of different quotations, sayings, notes and what have you. Enjoy every minute of it and remember lots of piccies eh? Thanks for the pics! xxx

[keepersdaughter]

Tiggy, I hope you have a wonderful time. Everything sounds so exciting and what fun to be invited to share lunch with the author - should be very interesting, loads to talk about. We lived in North Carolina for three years in the 90s. Asheville is in the mountains and gorgeous in the autumn - wonderful display of colours from the changing leaves. Probably too soon for the season change just yet. It's still in the high 90s here urghhh. One of my favourite memories is a trip to Amish country that we made one weekend, actually it was when we were living in NC. It was just getting dark and we came across an entire field of fireflies dipping and diving flashing their lights on and off. We stopped to watch as it slowly got darker the whole field became alive with these tiny little lights flashing on and off in the fields of corn, it was magical. Hope you have a wonderful time, can't wait to hear of your adventures.

[eleanor2]

tiggi you made your bag look nice and posh.love how you have done your front page of jopurnal too.you will look quite the tourist.

[dinger]

wow Tiggy wish I were coming with you .xxx

[sunflower]

Have a wonderful time Tiggywinkle. I'm very interested in the Amish community as well, and would love to visit myself. When I returned to Canada a couple of years back I visited St. Jacobs mennonites community and farmers market. Their lifestyle is so interesting. You will love the book 'Forgotten Garden' by K.Morton. I really enjoyed it.
Have lots of fun.

[dinger]

You must be getting exited now Tiggy not long before you are off on your adventure . xxx

[Katelb]

Hi Tiggy,not sure when you' set sail' but I hope you have a wonderful trip,it should be very interesting with the busy schedule you outlined in an earlier post.
Have safe journeys and we look forward to lots of interesting pictures.x

[dinger]

Will be thinking about you Tiggy have a great time and mind what you get up to over there .xxxx

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Ohh, Tiggy, I hope I am not too late to say 'bon voyage'!

Colour me green ~ with envy! I used to live in the States. If you are going to Virginia, do try to get to Colonial Williamsburg, it is lovely there. I could wax lyrical all day, but I can see you already have a fabulous itinerary.

Enjoy, and I shall take my holiday this year through you!

[Crocus]

Tiggy mentioned in a posting that she's leaving in October, but when exactly I don't know. Hopefully she will come on site just before she leaves and then we can all wave her goodbye! xxx

[TIGGYWINKLE]

I don't believe this. BAH ! Have just written a long reply for the second time this week and when I press submit, it comes up as error 404 and disappears. I am too tired to do it again, but will try again tomorrow. Not going till Wednesday
Love TIGGYWINKLE

[Crocus]

Hi Tiggywinkle, I'm sure you are extremely busy today getting ready for your trip tomorrow! There are always those last minute stuff that need's to be done. I hope you will have a wonderful trip, enjoy every minute of it and bring back some lovely memories and of course some photos. Don't forget about us eh? See you!
Crocus xxxx

[buecherwurm]

Hi Tiggy,
Have a lovely holiday. There are so many interesting things to discover in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Looking forward to your reports and pictures.

[dinger]

Hi Tiggy just popped in to wish you a lovely lovely time . take care and think of us Musers here . If you get near a computer out there let us know how it is going for you ..Have fun Lots of love Dinger xxx

[eleanor2]

tiggy bon voyage.are you all packed and organised.excited and ready to go.oooooooooooooooo not long now.

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Bon Voyage, Tiggy!

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Thank you for well wishes. My emails crashed to-day and had to spend 3 hours sorting it out. My luggage is too heavy, so have to whittle. Bringing laptop, so will be posting. Hope everything works over there. Really excited, but feel sad leaving my husband, who is so good about me having a break away, as he knows I need it. Are you ready for takeoff? WHEEEEEE. Talk to you all soon.
Love TIGGYWINKLE X

[keepersdaughter]

Have a wonderful time Tiggy and look forward to hearing of your adventures, please keep us posted.

[baab95]

Tiggy, best wishes for your travels. Can't wait to hear all about it!

[eleanor2]

tiggi must be there now. all her excitement is begining.waiting for the first news installment.

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Hi, a beautiful red sunset for my arrival in North Carolina. Thelma collected me in her super new mini cooper. The weather is glorious, and I am so Happy to be here. Thelma has put in a swimming pool since I was last here, which is divine. Mooched around the farm, and met up with some friends, the dogs, and horses. So pleased to be hooked up to the internet. Took some photos to-day to post, to discover I left the most important cable at home. I 'm sure I should be able to buy another one. If not the new video camera also takes pictures So I'll sort it all out. Heading off tomorrow to Virginia, and on to Pennsylvania. Will keep you well posted. TIGGYWINKLE X

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Tiggy, so glad to hear you are there and that YOU are Happy to be there! Can't wait to see the photos. Some of the loveliest sunsets I saw were when I was camping in North Carolina (I used to live in Virginia, so went camping most w/ends in the Summer)

Have a great time!

[Crocus]

BY this time TiggyW must've reached her destination. I hope she enjoys every minute of it, bring back lots of piccies for us to see! xx

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Another beautiful Morning. Just heading off to Virginia, and then to Penn on Sunday.Camera problems, but will be posting Photos by Tuesday. TIGGYWINKLE

[Crocus]

Hi TIGGIWINKLE! One word: ENJOY!!! xx

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Sat 4th. 5.30p.m. We arrived at Thelma's daughters Home in Virginia early afternoon. The drive up is spectacular, skirting the edge of The Blue Ridge Mountains. We passed through a valley, and then up in to the mountains again. The mountains have a blue hue.It is a few weeks early for the Fall Colours, but some are beginning to turn. The peace and tranquility is lovely. Balmy weather with just the sound of silence,interupted only by bird song and crickets. I feel I'm floating on a cloud. Learning how to operate new camera. Pity you can't stop on the motorway to take some photos, but there will be plenty of opportunity. May try to post a few photos later. TIGGYWINKLE X

[Crocus]

Hi TW I can't wait for the photo's! xx

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Are you on the Trail of the Lonesome Pine? Isn't it in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Take me Home, Country Roads and all that. Lived in Virginia for two years, Fall was fabulous there, absolutely fabulous, splendid, A-May-Zing and I am soooooooooo jealous! Keep an eye open for the 'viewpoints' where you can pull over on the freeway!

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Oh, give my love to International House of Pancakes! Hope they are still in business, for after I left they might have seen a sharp dip in takings!:)

[buecherwurm]

Oh, I loved the International House of Pancakes too. Lovely stuff they made. I also enjoyed Dunkin Donuts a lot.

[Crocus]

I notice some teary eyed ladies on here TIGGY ~ by the names of RP and buecherwurm!
You'll have to bring back some piccies for them. I know how they feel though, I almost always miss the UK! xxx

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Oh, I loved the International House of Pancakes too. Lovely stuff they made. I also enjoyed Dunkin Donuts a lot.

When I returned I kept on about IHOP, and everyone thought I was going a bit doolally over I am hopping or some other bizarre misinterpretation. :)


Dunkin Donuts Bavarian Creme, cake style donuts, donut holes, and Krispy Kreme's Dutch Apple donut.
Wendy's Salad Bar and burgers; Arby's Roast Beef Sandwich; Biscuits and Gravy; Pumpkin Pie; Constant Comment tea; this list could get just a teeny bit out of hand. D'ya think we need Counsellor Bonnie?

[eleanor2]

yes rustic you have made me hungary.i think you are obsessed with food.you better make another appointment with counciller bonnie.
by the way tiggi hope you are having a lovely time.not being tempted to eat all these lovely but fattening foods.in the big apple.

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Hi all, A quick pop in. On the food front, my favourites are The Cheesecake Factory(been there already yum), Outback(going there tonight for The Blooming Onion) Fishbone- to go there yet. On the road, I prefer Wendys. and Starbucks Latte Coffee. Have had 2 great Dinners - Fillet Mignon, and a seafood Pasta with scallops, crab and prawns. I will be like an elephant by the time I go home.
At least I can hook up to the internet, but fed up with my camera scene, and can't seem to charge my cell phone. Not going to9 stress myself, but will have lots of photos, so don't worry. Had a great time in Amish Country. Will tell you about it all tomorrow. Weather still wonderful, and going to Ashville on Friday. Got to go and talk to the horses. Talk to you soon. TIGGYWINKLE

[Crocus]

Hi TIGGY! You're having the time of your life it seems! Carry on with your 'reports'! And enjoy .....xx

[dinger]

Hi Tiggy it sounds absolutely great there . Am so pleased you are enjoying it .I am looking forward to your pictures too .Have lots of fun xxx

[JG]

Tiggy, I can hear the excitement in your 'voice'. For someone who has never been to the places you're mentioning, I'm fascinated. And you seem to be stirring memories in a few of our Rural Musers. I'd be interested to hear some of their experiences from their travels too. Hopefully this will encourage them to describe them to us.
Keep the news coming

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Thanks for taking the time to tell us about it! Glad to hear you are having a great time.

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Wrote a long post, but had trouble sending it. Bah!Too tired to do it again. Will get back to you all tomorrow. Technology is great, but very stressful and time consuming at times. Night TIGGYWINKLE x

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Tiggy, you are probably both jetlagged and enjoying yourself so much that you can't focus straight! Don't worry, we'll get a guided tour upon your return!

Just keep having a good time and we'll see you when you return.

[dragonfly]

Tiggy so pleased you are having a great time. I am one of the jealous ones. You mentioned going to the Amish Country, do they still make those beautiful quilts? We are all looking forward to the photos.

If I am doing a big post I do it in word then copy & paste, that way if it doesn't post I still have it in word and don't have to re type it.

Have Fun. x

[Katelb]

Tiggy,so pleased you are having such a wonderful time,really looking forward to seeing the pictures when you return.

[dinger]

lovely to hear from you Tiggy . glad you are having such a great time.x

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Just in for a quick visit. Time just seems to be flying. In the 80's to-day. Got a new camera which I love, so taking lots of photos. Feel so switched off, and enjoying every minute. Just got back from Ashville, and had a great visit. This is such a good holiday, having the Horse Farm, Mountains, Lakes,Rivers, and this weekend the Ocean and New York. A bit of everything really. Don't have the time for a detailed account, but will do it when I get home. Love to you all. TIGGYWINKLE X

[eleanor2]

seems to have gone so fast tiggi .your preperation and now nearly time to come home. safe journeys.

[dinger]

Looking forward to hearing the full story of your adventure Tiggy .Sounds wonderful and exiting.x

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Hello everyone, Have arrived home in one piece. Had a great trip. Just wading through 3 weeks mail,House full of guests, laundry, etc. Should be back on stream in a few days, and will get back to posting.

[franbee]

Welcome back safely Tiggy, looking forward to hearing the rest of your tales.

[Crocus]

Hi Tiggy, glad you are back in one piece as you say! I'm sure you have lots to tell, lots of experiences and hopefully lots of piccies! Nice to have you back! xxx

[Katelb]

Glad you are home safe and sound Tiggy,looking forward to seeing pictures and hearing about your trip.x

[eleanor2]

nice to see you back tiggi.looking forward to photos and review of your trip to the big apple.

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Thelma’s Horse farm in N. Carolina is in The SandHills area. The soil is golden sand.The Pines trees grow naturally, and the area is dotted with Horse Farms, and Golf courses. The Village is quaint, which the railroad passing through.The trains still have the old toot toot, as in The Westerns of old.Thelma has 2 horses, and a trainer has 14 horses boarding there. They are event, and showjumpers.She has a training arena, and acres of woods close by.The pace of life is relaxed, and people are so friendly. Herre are some photos of The Farm, Monkee and Stan the horses, the swimming pool, arena, and Rockey the pet Rooster at the local feed store.

[TIGGYWINKLE]

More Photos

[TIGGYWINKLE]

We set off in Thelma’s new Mini Cooper from Southern Pines, to Blacksburg in Virginia. The 3 hour drive up along The Blue Ridge Mountains was wonderful. They are mountains covered in hardwood trees, they look fluffy, and give off a blue hue, hence the name. We stayed overnight with her daughter. We went to visit the memorial at Virginia Tech where the 27 students were shot. It is a beautiful memorial. It is hard to believe such an atrocity could happen in such a sleepy and peaceful town.

[TIGGYWINKLE]

We drove another 3 hours up to Lancaster County in Pennsylvania, to visit the Amish Country. We stayed in a beautiful B&B in Bird in hand. It was a Victorian house with wonderful gardens. We stayed in the Carriage house. Her are some pictures, and I will tell you about the Amish people and our experience tomorrow.

[Crocus]

Wow, lovely piccies Tiggy! I especially like the one at the local feed store with the chook on the counter! The last photos at the B&B are beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us. xx

[dinger]

Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures Tiggy . Glad you had a great time and are home safely . Back to the grindstone now eh !!!!xx

[buecherwurm]

Thanks for showing us your pictures, Tiggy. Are you the one sitting on the pumpkins? Love the garden of your B&B. Wish mine would look half as good.

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Yes, that is me with Rocky on the Pumpkins.

The Amish People.

The Amish are a Christian people who arrived in America in 18th Century, from Holland, Switzerland, and Germany. They lead a simple life revolved around family,community, farming, and self-suffiency. After 8th grade in school, they learn by doing. The boys farm, and the girls, cook and sew.They don’t use electricity, TV, Radio or mechanized machinery. The men and boys wear black homemade suits, and black or straw hats. The women and girls wear plain long dresses, pinnys and bonnets.The men grow beards when they get married, and wear their hair in a bob. They have large families.They don’t have their photo taken, so I had to respect that.They travel in horsedrawn buggies, or wagons. The women go barefoot, and use scooters (big kid’s ones) They look after each other for life, and don’t take social security. Their farms are intersperced with non Amish Farms, and they are a peaceful people. Everything is homemade and community based. They gather for a service in a home every 2 weeks, and the other week they visit each other. We saw the trail of buggies coming home the Sunday we arrived. It is hard to believe that such a community exists to-day. They are happy and content.

[Crocus]

Quite an interesting review Tiggy! I think they are happy and content robably because they honestly care for one another, lead a simple, just go about their everyday life. Perhaps we can learn something from them. xxx

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Indeed we could, Crocus. We took a Buggy ride around the countryside. Our guide Jacob was 75. Has 11 children, and 55 grandchildren. We had lunch at an Amish Farm - Root Beer (Brought home some extract) and soft dough Pretzels. They were delicious. Will try them, and post recipe. The preserves, home baking, and crafts were amazing. Thought of Sheddie in the antique and general hardware store. It was a paradise. I bought a two tier little cookie stand. The land is so fertile, not compacted by machinery. So restfull watching them working with a team of from 2 to 5 horses. Saw a little boy whizzing by with his miniature horse pulling a little wagon. Her are some photos

[TIGGYWINKLE]

we had a lovely drive over to Ashville through the Appalacian Mountains. We visited The Biltmore Estate which was build by The Vanderbilts in 1898. It is a French style Chateau. It is vast, and they lived in utter luxury. I cannot imagine anybody being so self indulgent. We had terrible difficulty getting accommodation, as so many people visit the area to see the splendid colours of The Fall. My writer friend, insisted we came to stay as her house guests. I was really excited about that. She lives out in the country, and her novels are set in this area. The little village of Barnardsville is so sweet. It was great to see the old tobacco drying shed. There are becoming so rare. Here are a few photos. I will tell you about our visit tomorrow.

[Crocus]

Hi Tiggy, your photos are lovely and tell a story. Is it you hugging the scarecrow?
Rustic Pumpkin will love the 4th photo in the first - she's mad about pumpkins!
Looking forward to tomorrow's story! xx

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Oh, Tiggy, you are bringing back such memories for me, and almost making me homesick for the States! Glad you had such a wonderful time, and love all the photos, especially the ones with pumpkins! America is the land of the pumpkin as far as I am concerned! Bit potty about them I am! For Bonnie it is frogs, for me it is pumpkins!

[Crocus]

I told Tiggy you will be mad about the pumpkin pic RP!x

[TIGGYWINKLE]

We drove up the winding road to Joan Medlicott’s home at Ebens cove. I was so excited. Joan has written a great series of books about The Ladies of Covington, set in a ficticious village close to her home. Her 4 dogs came to greet us. She gave us a great welcome. I stayed in her lovely guestroom, and Thelma stayed in her appartment down the road. We clicked immediately, and had so much in common. We took her out for a meal to a Greek Restaurant. Thelma was tired after the drive, so Joan & I changed into our Jammies, and sat chatting till the small hours. She gave me a draft copy of her latest book due to be published in February, another book set in the Virgin Islands, where she grew up, and another one of her books I hadn’t got. I am saving them up to read over the Christmas. I am going to help her promote her books this side of the world. She is also a member of The Red Hat Society. I was so glad I contacted her. The views from her balcony are amazing. Pity it was that little bit early for the true Fall Colours.

[Crocus]

Wow Tiggywinkle, those views and colours are really spectacular! You surely had a lovely inspring holiday! I suppose it's you sitting outside with your friend? xx

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Yes Crocus, it's me. Flew up to New York, where my cousin picked me up, and we drove on up to Conn.to visit another Cousin. She had a delicious meal prepared, and we had a great chat. The next day we went for a drive around the area. I bought a lovely pair of antique ear rings. Went to a super restaurant for dinner, and returned to NY the next day. Here are a few photos of the village church, and the beach

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Here are the photos

[TIGGYWINKLE]

What am I doing wrong?

[TIGGYWINKLE]

I put in one photo twice, and when I went to edit it, I right clicked on Block to Rural Muse, and it has deleted all my photos. How do I correct this? help

[Crocus]

Hi Tiggy, I'm not quite sure what you mean by Block to RM - in which programme did you do the "right click"? xxx

[Primrose]

Hi Tiggy

It all looks so lovely - when I have time I will read through your post like a story book.

Thank you.

xxx

[dragonfly]

Hi tiggywinkle, what a wonderful holiday, I wish I dared be so adventurous. What sort of books does your author friend write?

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Crocus, I have no idea what I did wrong, but I blocked all photos going to RM, in error. Don't even know how I did that. Was so upset. I went into my control panel, and fiddles about, and got firefox to unblock them, and they are back up.Have upgraded to Picasa 3, and still finding my way around. Then I was going to post in trouble shooting, and couldn't find new topic. I seem to be a bit addled ! Anyhow going to finish my trip now. Just to answer another question. The author Joan Medlicott's first book in the series is called The Ladies of Covington send their love. It is about 3 ladies who have ended up in a boarding house, due to family pressure. One inherits a farmhouse in N.C. The three move in and start a whole new life, doing what they want to do. It is light reading, but interesting looking at the possibilities of older age. Thanks Crocus.

[TIGGYWINKLE]

I have been to New York so many times, and know it very well. I used to go on huge shopping sprees, but to my amazement I have gone past doing that. I did however shoot down to Canal Street, where they have all the counterfeit Designer Gear. Not much there, but did buy snazzy sunglasses, a watch, and some earrings. I met up with a cyber friend, and that was very exciting.The last time I was there, I was in Twin Towers, and planned to go back, to say a prayer for those who died, but it is hoarded up to build a memorial. I did browse in my favourite stores, walked in Central Park, went to the farmers market in Union square, and enjoyed the day. We had a family reunion in a lovely restaurant on the Monday night, and it was great to see my cousins and cach up with family news. I don’t know when I will be able to go over again, as I have my daughter, husband and grandchildren to visit in Australia. Mr.T can’t fly long distance, so we have to do shorter trips together, and I don’t like to leave hin .
Tuesday I spent with my cousin and the latest addition to the family, adorable Isabella who is just 2. On Wed another cousin came over, and we went out to lunch. It was then time to go to the airport, the end of a wonderful holiday. Hope you enjoyed the trip.
Just a few photos taken in NY.

[eleanor2]

well tiggi i am glad i came back here to see if you had started your holiday review.it has been fascinating reading.the photos are so brilliant to.i think your visit to the hamish county the most interesting.that is one place in America that would attract me.how super staying with an author.bet the conversation was very interesting.a holiday of a life time.

[sunflower]

Thank you sooo much Tiggi for your interesting account of your holiday and the lovely photos. Like Ele. I especially liked your account of the Amish country and their ways. During the credit crunch we could learn so much from their community. Will your friend's books be availiable in this country?

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Sunflower,They are in the shops here, but I have bought some from Amazon. The first one is The ladies of Covington send their love.

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Eleanor, glad you also enjoyed the trip. I was very taken by the Amish people. Mind you, that's because I am 62, and have lived a very varied life, and ready for a quiet life. It is amazing that the young people fall into that way of life so easily. There is such an atmosphere of peace.