Day Eight

Up early and packed and in the car by 8am.

First couple of hours drive uneventful. Stopped to pick a quick drink.

Covered another two and a half hours and then stopped for the lunch we made before we left. Again uneventful.

The rest of the day can only be described as probably the worst time we've had in the states on all seven trips.

We headed to our hotel in Libertyville, 40 miles north of Chicago, through the storms which had developed and then hit traffic around Chicago which added time to our journey. Arrived at the hotel at 3.15pm local time, which was 4.15pm Eastern time, so we'd been on the road around eight hours. Quickly checked in and dropped our stuff off before setting off back towards Soldier Field stadium in Chicago. A journey which should have taken 50 minutes. Everton were kicking off at 5.30pm so we had two hours to do the journey. Unfortunately it took us three hours. The first 20 miles only took twenty minutes, so we did twenty miles in over two and a half hours.

Eventually got parked up and walked to the stadium. Got up to our seats in the gods and watched the last half an hour of the game. It was poor again! Thought we'd stay for a bit of the second game seeing as we'd missed most of the first but then trying to buy food turned out to be shit show. Eventually as the game was about to kick off I said to Ann shall we just get out of here and get food on the way back to the hotel. She agreed.

Finally found the car in the carpark and started the journey back. Got stuck in more traffic in the pouring rain. Eventually got to a McDonalds near the hotel and bought food and took it back to the room.

Absolute horror show of a day. I think we spent twelve and a half hours in the car. 

Ann told me not to write a blog tonight but I ignored her. She's asleep so she won't notice.

States visited - 6

Anger level - absolutely apoplectic

Day Seven

Got woken up at 7am by a dog barking in the corridor outside our room. It carried on barking for a least a minute really loudly. Most disappointing thing was this disrupted a dream I was having where I was trying to teach a duck to play a recorder. The problem it was having was its beak was so hard it couldn't create a seal around the mouth piece.

Managed to go back to sleep and this time woke up in the midst of trying to get to my car in a car park which was going to be caught in a flood. It was 8.30am, so decided to get up and not have anymore weird dreams.

We went to our first hotel breakfast of the trip. There was a waffle machine so I made one. Whilst it was cooking I went to get cutlery. There were no plastic forks. Spoke to lady on reception. She went off to get some more but came back saying there won't any. She told me to go ghetto style and use the back end of a fork. Which I did.

We had no rush as we only had one thing properly planned and that didn't open until 11am. Eventually we headed out and made our way a short distance northwards to the Ohio State Reformatory. Arrived just after 11am and made our way in. Picked up our self guided tour audio guides and set off.

The only reason we were here was because a few months ago when initially planning the trip I realised that this was where the Shawshank Redemption was filmed and that you could go in and walk around. We were going to heading past on our journey, so we put in a stop so we could see it.

I'm not going to write masses as the pictures will do the talking. It opened in 1896 and stopped being a prison in 1990. It is gradually being restored back to its former self having fallen into disrepair. Money raised through tourism is being put back in to fund the restoration. You start the tour in the parts that have been restored, offices, etc and then make your way into the cell blocks.

Shawshank

Warden's office

The actual safe!

Andy's office

Red's costume

Brooks was here

The sewer Andy crawled through

The actual tin found by Red

The tunnel from Andy's cell

One of the two cell blocks

We then had lunch in the cafe. Whilst in there a loud beeping started and just kept going. We presumed it was some sort of alarm on the kitchen equipment. Then a man who had been queuing at the till sat on a table behind us and I said to Ann I think its him making the noise. The lady at the till then obviously had the same idea and then asked him if he had one of the electronic audio guides. He took it out of his pocket and it was making a racket. You are meant to drop them off before you leave the last area otherwise an alarm goes off. She turned it off. He said 'I could hear the noise but didn't realise it was me!' Not sure how he couldn't hear it was him. We then went to the shop and got a magnet but also my first t-shirt of the trip. Had to really, couldn't pass up the opportunity.

Once we were back in the car it was after 3pm. We discussed if there was anything else we wanted to do. There are some other sites from the movie you can drive and find, but the most famous, the oak tree, has long since been blown down in storms. We decided that with a long drive tomorrow that we would call it a day. Nipped in to Walmart and then headed to our room. Swimming pool in the hotel is shut so we couldn't even do that.

Getting to write the blog really early as it is only 6.45pm. Feeling quite smug about that.

Managed to find that Shawshank is currently available on Netflix in France, so using a VPN, the laptop and an HDMI cable that I brought with me, we could watch the film to celebrate the day.

States visited - 4

Day Six

Our first proper travel day. All the day held for us was a 6+ hour drive west. We didn't rush up, but were packed and ready to go by 10.15am. Said goodbye to the dog and hit the road. Made our way out of Valley Forge and joined I-76.

Then we just drove. Listened to Tony Blackburn's Sound of the Sixties. Went through some tunnels through the mountains.

Mountain 1

Mountain 2

There was a mountain 3, but Ann didn't take a photo of it.

Stopped at a service plaza to use the facilities and grab a drink. Then headed onward. Got stuck in one bit traffic where two lanes merged into one for roadworks but other than that it wasn't too bad.

Last night I had spent some time looking for a place for us to stop and have lunch. As I did so, I happened across a town called Somerset and found a place called the Summit Diner. My brain suddenly realised that I recognised it. We had stayed in Somerset back in 2013 when we drove up the east coast. We had dinner in the Summit Diner and we were given a piece of cake the size of a whole cake. The review I wrote in the blog said it was the best meal of the trip so far and the cheapest, so my mind was made up that we would stop there again today. Here is that day Last time.

Thus not long after 2.15pm we pulled off the interstate and into Somerset and found the diner. We recognised it instantly. Wandered in but couldn't sit in our previous seat, so had to sit on the other side of the diner. Sign said cash only. Checked we had enough cash. Ordered food. Whilst we waited I recreated a photo from last time we were there which I had on my phone.

2012

2025

Ate our food. I had a grilled cheese and fries. Ann had something. 

We paid the bill and took photos of the front for posterity. 

Diner

Got back in the car and carried on west. Still had a fair distance to go so we just drove. Not much to report until we hit some heavy rain. We were due a rest stop but didn't fancy walking about in the rain so just carried on. Then the rain stopped just as we were about to pass a rest stop. Pulled over, used the facilities. Saw this sign in the toilets. Don't see this in British motorway services.

Just in case you shoot up whilst driving

It started to rain as we walked back to the car.

Then all hell broke loose. A thunderstorm hit us whilst we were sat in the car. It hammered with rain, lightning all around and the wind buffeted the car so hard that we thought it was going to start moving it. We checked satellite images to see where the storm was heading and how big it was. The parking lot of the rest stop got full very quickly with cars and trucks seeking refuge as there was zero visibility. Then the hail started. Had a chat with Helen online back home who checked weather reports. We ended up sitting there for nearly half an hour but then the worst had gone and there appeared to be a window of calm. 

Hit the road again and things were better for a short time, before we encountered another part of the storm, this was short lived and soon we were driving on dry roads.

Arrived in Mansfield, Ohio and checked into the Best Western. Nipped out to Walmart to get some supplies but when we got back we realised the carpet in our room was soaking wet by the window. Ann went off and got us a room change. Luckily, we got the room opposite, so the move was fairly swift.

Ate dinner watching Crocodile Dundee 2.

We've just seen the news of the shootings in New York. I think we walked past that building on Thursday when we exited the 51st Street subway station and walked to MoMA. It's a strange and sad world.

States visited - 4

Day Five

Woke up at 7am. Closed eyes for a second. Woke up again at 8.30am. So much for getting into Philadelphia by 9am. Decided as we were already late not to bother rushing. Had breakfast, put a washing on and then set out at around 10.30am. Due to our late start, we flipped our plans. Headed first to Battleship New Jersey.

Our second military ship of the holiday proved, in our minds anyway, a far superior visit than that to the Intrepid in New York. Had a drink, got our tickets and then got onboard. We were greeted by a man in a uniform. He told us we could go to the end of the ship and then when we were ready just follow the green line. So we did.

Ship

The green line descended below deck and then weaved its way around the ship. There were information signs all the way around informing you about the history of the ship and what life was like onboard. Info highlights were:

It took part in WW2, Korea, Vietnam and in the gulf. 

It is the most decorated US battleship ever. 

Admiral Halsey used it in WW2. 

It has been mothballed four times in its life.

Only one person died on it during its forty years of service.

It said try out a bunk for size

Look at that mouse!

Library

Dentist

Shells

Corridor

Luckily below decks had air conditioning, so in the main it was not too unbearable. We have previously been on ships over here that have been absolutely roasting, so this made a nice change. Eventually we made our way back to shore and the shop. Bought a magnet. The Black Dragon Cafe which was advertised was basically a food section in the shop. We still managed to find some stuff and sat to eat it in the cool. We deliberately sat as far from anything/anyone we could but still, amazingly, people just kept coming up and standing by us. One guy had a pair of shoes on which both had 'Fuck you' written on in big letters. Resisted the urge to ask him who they were aimed at or why he felt the need to have obscenities on his trainers. 

Headed back to the car to make some decisions about what to do next. Also took a picture of the beast to share with you all. Had to use a wide angled lens to fit it all in.

Unit

It was nearly 3pm so we did some quick research before paying $6 to cross a bridge as we made our way into the old city. Parked underground by the Independence Visitor Centre and then set off on a mission. Went straight to the Liberty Bell but there was a massive queue so just carried on walking. Ended up at the Museum of the American Revolution. It seemed to have a very anti Great Britain agenda to it. 

George Washington stopping a fight

Bloke

Boat

Horses

That's more like it

I have commented before about how American museums in general just have very good displays and information (although sometimes the info is very simply written). This was no exception, a very good museum. When we were done Ann wanted to go to the cafe. It was shut as the museum was closing in fifteen minutes. Nipped to the shop for a magnet and then headed outside. It had rained. Ann's glasses steamed up as we exchanged the air con cooled museum for the muggy streets. 

A quick march back towards the car and the queue outside the bell had gone. Hoped to sneak in as it was also about to close. Got in and through the angry security. Saw the bell. It was a bell.

Bell

No where did it really say why the bell was important. Googled it when we got home. It was cast as a commemoration bell and was installed in the Pennsylvanian State House. It has an inscription from the bible about liberty. It got a crack in it. It became a civil rights and suffrage symbol due to the inscription. Now it's a famous bell. Had to leave as it was closing. 

Walked back to the Independence Visitor Centre. Bought a bell magnet. As initially planned we validated the parking just under the two hour mark which meant we saved on paying for all day parking. Managed to negotiate getting the bus out of the underground carpark. 

Stopped at a Trader Joes on the way back as Ann said she wanted to get some bags from it. Apparently they are hot property right now in London. They didn't have any. So that was worth it.

Drove back to the house. Avoided running over the dog in the drive. Ann wanted to get some eggs from their hen house as we had been told we could. Walked down, open the hatch, moved hens and took eggs. Sorted out the wet washing.

Had tea and now I am typing this at the crazily early time of 10.30pm. Ann is not asleep.

States visited - 3

Bells seen - 1

Day Four

Had pre bought breakfast the night before so didn't need to get up and rush out early. Packed up, double checked the room and then headed to the lobby. Ann hailed an Uber using her phone and we were off. Short journey to East Elmshurst to collect the car. 

Was an unusual check in. I had checked in the night before online so it just said turn up with your credit card and driving license which we did. Then she wanted to know an address for us in the US. We said it changes all the time. She said she just needed one, so we gave her the address we would have this evening. She then said she needed a US phone number for us. We said we don't have one. She said she needed one. Eventually she didn't. Odd that we've hired ten cars previously in the USA and never been asked for these things before.

Eventually we got outside to the car and she said grey or blue? I went blue. This was mainly as the grey one was parked in a really awkward place. We did all the checks, signed the paperwork and then she said that will be $4000. I said no, that isn't the price. I am paying $2000 like it was when I checked in last night. That's the whole point of hiring from somewhere other than the airport, it is vastly cheaper. She checked. I was right. She apologised. When she scanned the car it gave a price based on that. Worked out from this that we must have a more expensive car than we booked. 

We chatted about where we are heading, where we've been previously. She asked if she could come with us.

Once she left to deal with others, we walked a thousand feet to get to the boot to put the cases in. Walked a thousand feet back to the drivers door and got in. Looked behind me to see the rear windscreen, it was so far away I couldn't see it. There were three rows of seats and then the boot between us. Switched the engine on and realised we were in a Jeep. It's a Wagoneer. Just googled it to see it is classed by Enterprise as Luxury SUV which is not what we booked. It is more expensive.

Spent the next ten minutes trying to work out the best route to where we were heading. It appear there weren't any, so we just picked one and left. Eventually met the traffic Apple maps had told us was about. Took absolute ages to move anywhere. Watched some very questionable driving whilst stuck in it. Eventually we managed to move and got across to New Jersey.

Made it to American Dream and tried to park. It was chaos. People waving wands and shouting instructions. We followed them all and just ended up leaving the complex so had to drive out and all the way back around again. This time just ignored everyone and parked in one of the millions of parking lots. Got out and went inside.

American Dream is the second largest shopping mall in the US. We walked around a lot. Were going to play Blacklight mini golf but it would have been $20 a pop and we thought better of it. Found some 5-a-side football going on.

Soccer

It was awful but like a car crash we couldn't take our eyes of it. Eventually we went to try and find a clear bag. We needed one for this afternoon as only bags which were clear would be allowed. Ended up in Primani and got something to make do.

Had lunch in Five Guys. I had a grilled cheese and fries, Ann had something.

By then it was time to head to the car and dump stuff and get ready for the main action. We went back into the mall to find the walkway across to where we were heading. Couldn't find it. Consulted lots of maps. Still couldn't find it. Eventually we did.

Then we saw this.

Next year's world cup final venue

Went through the 'turnstile' and Ann had her clear bag checked. Went up a lot of escalators to the top tier. Found ours seats. They weren't our seats. Moved to our actual seats.

High up

Watched some football. It was ok in the first half, rubbish in the second half. Whole atmosphere was odd. Mostly American fans in all manner of football shirts, we saw most of the premier league represented, even Liverpool! Why would a Liverpool fan come and watch Everton and Manchester United in back to back fixtures? Ann said it would be because they get to see real football. I said it wasn't real football, just preseason friendlies. Really not worth the prices of some of the seating, up to $1000 a seat, hence why we were up so high (the cheapest). No surprise there was a whole section of stadium not open.

Didn't hear a single swear word the entire time we were there. Unless it was me doing the swearing. Which was most of the second half.

At the end of the first game we went for a wander. Plan was to stay for the first part of Man United v West Ham but in the end we decided we couldn't be bothered. Left and headed for the car.

Beauty of leaving early was that as we had parked in the mall parking and not stayed to the end of the football, it thought we'd just been to the mall so only charged us $5 not the $40 it would have been at the end. Tried to leave but the road system is dreadful, so as you leave you meet all those arriving and then have to try and force yourself out amongst them. Christ knows what it will be like for the world cup next year.

Hit the road and drove towards our house for the next two nights. Had some fun and games with the toll roads. Although we hadn't rented a toll pass there was one in the car which we didn't know about. You have to pay a fee to rent/use it plus pay the fees you incur which we didn't want to do. Long story short, we had to drive to a toll booth and collect a ticket but the pass thing triggered so we didn't get one. Realised it was there so shut it off so we don't get charged for using it.  At the end of road when we went to pay the fee, bloke said if we didn't have a ticket it cost six times the fee. Argued that we didn't get a ticket because the bloody stupid thing we didn't know about triggered and the ticket machine wouldn't print a ticket. Eventually he let us through without paying anything.

Stopped at a Walmart to get supplies.

Eventually arrived at The Coach House in Pennsylvania. The owners are away but had told us they had a house sitter. He was in their house whilst we are in the small lodge next to it. He came out with their dog when we arrived and were unloading. He said the dog was friendly. Ann said to the dog 'You're not coming in here'. Think the man thought she was talking to him as he said he was just bringing the dog out to say hello. Needless to say he left.

Had something to eat and watched some TV.

It's now 1am. Ann is asleep. Christ knows what time we would have got here had we stayed to watch the second game!

States visited - 3

Day Three

Up earlyish again and out to the same place as yesterday for breakfast, the only difference being is we had it to go and brought it back to the room. Ann did try and make us leave without my croissant but luckily than man shouted at us as we were halfway out the door. 

Headed out around 8.15am to Queensboro Plaza station and caught the W train into Manhattan like yesterday. This time we only rode as far as Cortlandt Street, so it only took about 30mins. Got off and walked the short distance to 1 World Trade Centre. It was just about to open as we arrived and we had already got our tickets so we got to go in first. Made it into the elevator with just the two of us. There was a show on the wall of it as we travelled.

Got off at the top an then had to watch a short film. By this time there was one other man who had made it up. At the end of the film the screen moved up to reveal the windows and the view of Manhattan. We were then allowed to go to the observation deck. Man seemed to get lost on the way which meant we were the first people there and we were all alone.

We had the run on the place so went to most iconic view first so we could enjoy it all alone.

Facing due north

A guide came and talked to us which was uncalled for. She pointed out the Empire State building as if we were unaware of it. She waffled for a bit and then I confused her by asking a question. She didn't know the answer so was deliberately vague. All I wanted to know was when the new really tall buildings we could see were built as they weren't there when we were last in New York thirteen years ago. She basically said 'at some point' which I suppose is technically true. She said they are apartments that cost millions of dollars with one recently going for $130million.

Googled the buildings to get some actual information. Found out the Empire State building is now only the 8th tallest in New York.

We then moved around the rest of the views as a few more people started arriving.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

The three bridges

St Paul's Chapel

St Paul's Chapel is the oldest building in continuous use in Manhattan. It survived 9/11 without a scratch despite being less than quarter of mile away.

Went to the shop and got the obligatory magnet and then went to the cafe. Got doughnuts. There were no seats which was annoying as we both wanted to sit down. Instead had to stand at a table. Definitely the most iconic place I've eaten a doughnut. Said to Ann I could feel the building moving. She concurred.

After spending two hours admiring the views we decided to move on. It was starting to get a lot busier. Returned to the bottom in another lift with a video. When we got out at the bottom and were leaving, the people we travelled down with then got lost and nearly boarded the next elevator back up.

We then got lost ourselves as we tried to make our way back to the Oculus which is the central hub to the plaza. We turned the wrong direction and ended up in Brookfield Place which is a different mall. It was still very pleasant.

Trees

Realised our error and turned back. Made it to the subway and took the 1 train two stops north. Got out and saw this.

Who you gonna call?

By now it was very hot, so we got back on the subway and headed north to 42nd Street. Got out and starting walking to where we were going to have lunch. Realised after two sweaty blocks we were going in the wrong direction. Caught a bus to rectify our error which took us pretty much the whole way to The Westway Diner. We'd been here 13 years earlier so thought we'd pop in again for lunch. I had a grilled cheese and fries. Ann had something.

Next we caught the bus towards the river and walked the short distance in the searing heat to Intrepid Museum. Ann had the tickets on her phone. Woman asked Ann to provide ID as the purchaser of the tickets. Great except Ann's passport and driver's license were both in the safe in our hotel room. Told her we didn't have any. I said I have some, she said 'do you have the same surname?' I said no. She looked at my driving license anyway and then let us in.

Intrepid was an aircraft carrier which served in both WW2 and Vietnam. It was hit by two kamikaze planes whilst fighting Japan. A immersive video was shown at the exact location on the ship which was pretty impressive.

By now it was very hot, so we only briefly looked at the flight deck. Did see a space shuttle but not one that was ever used in space.

No Will Smith playing golf

Copters

Shuttle but not really

Plane

Copter 3

Ready Room

Storms broke out whilst we were onboard, but we stayed inside to avoid them. The experience was ok, but we both felt we'd been on better ships over here on past visits.

Eventually caught a bus back to the subway and then went back to the Oculus. Took some photos of it.

Arty

It is a very impressive structure. The glass spine down the middle retracts on September 11th at 8.46am and perfectly lines up with the sun at 10.28am. These times are when the first plane hit and when the second tower collapsed.

We then caught the train back home. One hilarious moment occurred when we became stuck at a station for a long period of time. Another train pulled in and almost all our train got up and ran to it thinking it would leave before us. It didn't, so we enjoyed a quiet ride home from that point. Nipped to Walgreens after getting back to Queensboro Plaza. The chocolate bars were locked away.

Headed back and ate the rest of yesterday's left over dinner components.

Now Ann is asleep. We already leave NYC tomorrow. That's gone quite quick!

States visited - 1

Times got lost - 2

Day Two

Spent most of the night waking up wondering if it was time to get up. Worked on the premise if Ann's 600 decibel alarm hadn't gone off then it wasn't. Eventually woken up by Ann getting up and having a shower at roughly 5.45am. 

Was up and ready by 6.50am to head out to Artpresso Cafe for breakfast. It was a short walk. Had orange juice and a croissant. Ann had something. Nipped back to pick up what we needed and then headed out for the day.

Walked the short distance to Queensboro Plaza metro station. Found the ticket machines. Stood and looked at them. Metro customer service employee then did all the work for us and we got our MetroCards.

Hopped on the W train heading to southern Manhattan. Kept checking to make sure it was the right train. It was. Rode it all the way to the end of the line which was Whitehall St-South Ferry. Took about 40mins all in. Got out the station at 8.30am and made the short walk to the Battery and the City Cruises terminal. We had pre booked tickets for the earliest time possible which was 9am. This was merely the time to arrive not necessarily when you would travel. Thought getting there early would mean not many people but already there were lots. Got beeped in and then had to go through airline style security, belt off etc. Got through quickly and joined the back of the queue. 

Remarkably got on the first boat despite all the people ahead of us. Even managed to get a spot out on the deck by the railings. Boat headed out onto the choppy Hudson River. Tried not to drop anything in the water. Short journey and then we and the entire boat disembarked onto Liberty Island. We had never been despite being in New York twice before. We knew how busy it gets hence the decision to go on the first boat of the day. As we got off we checked the times of departure. Had a plan that we would not stay long due to all the people. Went straight to the shop and got the first magnet of the tour. Poor selection if i'm honest. We then headed around to the south west side of the island and saw this.

Lady Liberty

An impressive sight. Had also made the decision when we booked not to pay more to go in the pedestal or up to the crown. We both agreed once stood here that it had been a good choice not to. If you are inside it, you can't see it! 

Stopped in some shade and put on some suncream as it was getting warmer. Headed into the museum. Had a quick gander but it wasn't a massive place. Learnt how the statue was constructed. Metal framework built by Eiffel with a copper covering designed by the artist Bartholdi.

Soon was out and heading back to the dock. Got on the boat ready for the next stop, Ellis Island. Got off and wait straight to the cafe. Sat and had a drink and a snack. Next went and picked up audio players and then did the tour. 

Ellis Island

Registry Room

Heard all about the immigration process which went on. Only 3rd class passengers arriving had to go to the island. 1st and 2nd class were just allowed into the country. Up to 5000 a day were processed with 12 million passing through the building in total. The process sounded brutal. People marked with chalk if there was any sign of weakness or illness and invasive medical checks, although anyone stuck there could eat off fine china. Completed the tour and then went down to the Immigration Record Search. Here you can look for anyone who arrived at the Port of New York between 1820 to 1957.

Found this.

Entry No. 4

This is the entry of my Great Great Aunt, Ellen Bird, arriving in New York on the 18th April 1912. She was onboard the Carpathia when it docked, having been rescued from lifeboat No.8 of the Titanic. She had been employed as a maid to Ida Strauss, whose husband Isidor was a co owner of Macy's. Ida refused to get in a lifeboat and put Ellen in instead along with her fur coat. It is likely Ellen didn't have to go to Ellis Island itself as she was a passenger in first class and only about 200 steerage passengers from Titanic had to go there.

Once we had completed the search, we went to the shop and got a magnet and then queued for the trip back to Manhattan. Got on the boat and then headed back.

Manhattan

Once we were off, we went and sat under a tree in Battery Park to discuss our next move. Decided to catch the 5 train from Bowling Green. Walked to the station and got on. Alighted at Grand Central and headed to the food court. Walked around until we found somewhere to get food which was a place called Veselka. I had a grilled cheese with fries, Ann had something. Had to eat standing up at a table.

Then we caught the 6 train northwards. Only wanted to go one station up but luckily the train we caught just drove through it. Had to get off at the next stop and then catch a train back down. This one did stop.

Made the shortish walk to the Museum of Modern Art.

We had about two hours until the museum closed. Ann said she'd heard it is best to start on the top floor and work down, so we did. Top floor was rubbish. Man shouted at Ann for getting too close to an artwork. I agreed. How dare she point at it?

We gradually made our way down the floors. I occasionally warned Ann not to get too close when she was within ten yards of anything. Came to the conclusion that I am not a fan of modern art. Give me Gainsborough, Turner and Constable any day.

We found about three things we actually liked.

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Whilst we looked at picture 2, Monet's Water Lilies, some woman was posing in front of it whilst her boyfriend took photos. When I say posing, I really mean posing. Doing all sorts of weird things. Felt sorry for him having to photograph a twat. Discussed with Ann why it is people don't just look at things anymore. You are in front of one of the best paintings of all time and yet instead of looking at it, you just wave your arse like that adds to its worth. I decided to stand in front of it and actually study it to stop anyone else being a dick.

Picture 5 was from near the end. An ultra modern piece which was just stuffed toys stuck together. Weird. The museum then announced it was shutting so we had to get out. Man told us to go one way. We and others go, just to get shouted at by woman for going that way. I said man told us to. She said man was wrong and then told man he was wrong. Went to shop and got magnet.

Next we had to decide on dinner. There was a bar downtown that was hosting an Everton evening with ex player legends going to be there. Thought about going but eventually we decided we were knackered, so we went to a shop and got groceries and then caught the W train home. Ate sat watching TV.

Ann is now asleep as ever. She has told me to let her know what time we need to be up in the morning. That is hard to do without waking her up.

States visited - 1