New Country New England

Leaving Orkney at last after so much anticipation turned into a wee bit of a test. The flight from Kirkwall, (on a 36 seater remember) went through the 'alternative' storm route. In many years of flipping back and forward to the isles, I can only remember one other time it was as bad. The rain was that heavy, we couldn't see the wing, which we were seated next to!!!! Needless to say Jake was not best pleased and it kinda took the gloss off the initial excitement.

The next stage was the hop to Dublin on another plane with a propeller. What is this? Feel like an extra in the Dam Busters! Not a good trip again. For some reason, the carrier whom I will name Lidl Air, only managed to reach 20,000 feet, which resulted in a cabin air pressure that felt like soup. Just the hour and half of this torture. Badly popping ears, pains in the sinuses not a good welcome to the Emerald Isle!

I will zip through the Dublin airport stop with a couple of comments. The drink prices are crazy! Obviously the powers that be, do not want to sell or encourage alcohol in Ireland. Second and brilliantly best, all the USA arrival pre checks are completed before you get on the plane. Didn't take long and meant that when we arrived at JFK, we picked our bags up and exited the building. Fabulous.

The flight to the US was brilliant, we asked for champagne and was informed they didn't have any. Sad faces from Jake and me and a slight mention we were on our 30 wedding anniversary trip. Sudden smiley faces when the senior cabin attendant informed us that drink was free for us all the way! First Willy Wonka moment of the trip and we're not even there yet.

Didn't see much of New York. Quick overnight at a airport hotel with an a/c straight off the wing of a 747, meant a disturbed first night.

 Picked up the car the next morning, a metallic black Ford, with a spoiler and paint that sparkled in the sunlight. That'll do for the first wee bit.

We have been invited to stay with a couple of friends who we first met in Negril a lot of years ago and saw again last year for a couple of hours in London when they were visiting the UK. Home is in New Hampshire and is in a stunningly beautiful part of the country. Norm and Kerry are wonderful people who understand the Scottish sense of humour so so well. They took us to wonderful places, Portsmouth in New Hampshire and Portland in Maine. Both lovely port towns with history and excellent food and most of all some of the best pubs we could hope to drink in. Second Willy Wonka moment for me, the pub with 116 draft ales. I'll say that again.......116 draft ales. Just speechless.

Our time with them and their friends went so fast, but we didn't stop laughing and have enforced a friendship that will last as long as we do. Thank you both so much for starting our Road Trip in such style and comfort.

We've visited several States already. New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont  and Massachusetts. Each is scenic, full of trees, so many trees and lovely people. Almost everyone is wanting to engage us in conversation and even buy drink.

I have a wee problem in so much as I can't seem to load photo's on this blog at the moment. I will try and crack this as soon as possible.

On we go West and more friends and new places to see.