Newcastle Futures – best bunch of people!

My work home – check it out, we are even on Facebook – how modern are we!

Newcastle Futures – best bunch of people!

Relaxing waiting for the Packing to start!

Not quite packed!!

Not long now, are bags are out ready to be packed. We are in deep thought about clothes, is it going to be warm, cold, wet or more than likely all three!! We have to pack for two whole weeks dilemma dilemma!! Then we realise no one is going to see us longer than a day in each stop. We could effectively wear same two outfits all the time hmmm….. Worth considering. Not being experienced road trip travellers we have sort advice of others. Some people have laughed and said it’s great, dead easy, while others have warned 1) do not stop for hitch hikers no matter how much they remind you of your son 2) don’t try and go around a moose 3) don’t try and reason with a brown bear and of course 4) if the road seems to come to an end STOP!!! All very helpful and it has been logged in the travel file.

While our favourite Rabbi Trev has given us some very clever little holiday gadgets and indeed some expensive jackets which we are very grateful for. My Trip Buddy BB has pointed out that they match perhaps people will take us for a sect or a walking group. Son Number 1 added we could always wear a touch of beige and make it clear WE ARE BRITISH! Only only 5 sleeps before the adventure begins.

Greatest video that shows we can sing the same song if we try

Greatest video that shows we can sing the same song if we try

Its not how long it takes to get there its that you get there!

Not sure!

Getting ready for Boston

Its nearly here “the Boston trip”, well New England really. Boston B and I have another week to prepare ourselves for the big USA trip AKA the Thelma and Louise hit the road again. Bit creepy really because if the real Thelma and Lousie did hit the road again they would be skeletons, afterall those of us that watched the film know that their wrong turn took them over a cliff edge. A fate I am sure BB and I will not be trying to repeat (well at least on purpose that is). Our friends are not so sure we are ready for this venture as neither of us can particularly read a map or park a car, luckily we have a sat nav for finding out where the roads/village/places of safety are situated, as for the parking (we have booked a SUV – maybe not the right choice come to think of it) I think we will need to pray that the spaces are large with no other vehicle within a 2 metre radius of our desired space. As for our ability to be independent travellers along the prearranged route, our friends may have a point. Since booking the route I have been telling anyone who would listen of the places we were going to be visiting, only to find that while BB picked up the itinary in June, neither of us bothered to check whether it was correct. Turns out the places I have reciting are not on the actual tour we are going on. Hey ho maybe our friends are right, time will tell (and this blog as it turns out) bear with us we know not what we are doing. I love it – we are going to find that cliff edge and fly (metaphoically I hope).

Our view from the lovely little cafe near the river in Murcia called Tornasol.

The Cathedral in Murica city. Unfortunately it closed just as we approached it!

Day 5 in Big Brothers House – Getting up late, we decide to visit the local graveyard which is not as morbid as it seems. Set a little way from the village this little white walled setting sits nestled in scenic views of the mountains. If the people were alive I am sure they would appreciate it. Here they build a three hole walled small housing that takes 3 coffins. Which once slid in place is walled up with concrete and a very dramatic photo or depiction of Jesus or him mum Mary takes pride of place. Then is added a very serious photo of the deceased. Everyone seems to have the same look on them that it makes me consider whether they decide to pose for it a bit like we take school photos. Also there seems to be no children, youngest 13 year old boy, who died in 1948. When I asked our spainish neighbour her reply was no children die! Or at least that’s what I think she said. Also there seems to be big gaps in years if death, this my neighbour tried to explain is because during Franco rule most of the villages were deserted as Franco demanded people came to the townships to work. Lady J told us there is a celebration that the locals hold in the cemetery each year on the 31 October called all Saints Day or the day of the dead (similar to our Halloween). When all the dead spirits rise again, in preparation the cemetery is cleaned and polished, flowers are purchased in competition between each family for the biggest bunch to be displayed by their relatives tomb. They then prepare food and drink for the dead and leave it all out – to rot!!!! Or maybe the dead do get thru the concrete and gorge themselves not worrying any longer about their diets. Apparently you have to be dead to attend so I have no reports back how good these parties actually are. They probably are pretty dead.

Already for our come dine with me experience