Today has been a catch-up day on various things - but I also have scrapping to share
This was made for a challenge on Pickleberrypop and documents how I learnt - eventually - not to pull the heads off flowers but just smell them gently.

And this was made for a challenge on For the love of pretty paper making a page with a transport theme - Amish buggies.

I have felt rotten on and off for almost 4 weeks - including on holiday - so a doctor's visit today confirmed I have an infection and I am on some very strong antibiotics which don't sound a lot of fun. Hopefully, they will sort the problem out.
Today I am thankful for
- GPs. Our surgery is very good. I could not get an appointment until 8 days time when I rang this morning but they hold appointments back for the afternoon and so I rang at 1 pm and was seen by a lovely kind lady GP at 3.30. That's awfully good service.
- catch up time
- my lovely husband who is getting better at looking after me when I am poorly!
Now - on to travel and I hope you are enjoying my husband's accounts. I think he writes so well. Mine are dead boring and just factual - he writes prose like a pro. I love his writing.
Saturday 20th October
The One Where A Dream Came True PART 1
Today was always going to be a good one... but we were not aware of how good it would be. It was epic.
We had planned on leaving at 6 but in the end, we figured we would have to stop for breakfast and so we might as well wait until 7 and have the free breakfast in the hotel. I mean, holidays are expensive and money saved on breakfast could easily be spent on cocktails later! I had had a long-standing dream to drink a Manhattan in Manhattan.
So breakfast done, without noisy children today, we loaded the car ... how easy was that. We had missed a trick on arrival. Our room had a patio which leads out on the car park. Open the patio doors and the boot was right there. Easy peasy! We were keen to be on our way to our next adventure and what we hoped would be a trip highlight.
By 7.30 we were on the road and start heading south again. The colours were lovey, but it was overcast quite a bit of the time. We took a brief detour for a Starbucks and believe me it was a detour. We could SEE the Starbucks and we explored every possible area of the parking lot. Not to be thwarted, we were persistent and eventually found the right lot. We were served by one of the weirdest baristas ... pierced everywhere, white hair, we think male, but might not have been, and the quietest voice ever. However, drinks in cup holders, we resumed our trip south.
Our maps had taken a route which avoided Manhattan, but we put our trust In Flossie, the SatNav, and she took us right through Manhattan. I think our eyes were on stalks. We had visited New York several times, but had never driven there and that had been a pretty conscious decision, New Yorkers drive on their horns and they take no prisoners. As we meandered down the equivalent of the embankment in London, following the Hudson, we commented on how civilised it all was. So much quieter than the embankment in London, no tail to tail traffic. We were to find out that was because all the cars in Manhattan were just down the road right where we were heading! The Sat Nav has different ideas for our day. Flossie planned to take us off at 42nd street and through the Lincoln tunnel. It was all pretty intense with lots of horn blowing, lots of jostling for position and I tried hard to keep my eyes open to be Nigel’s wing man, though every breath in my body told me NOT to look. And my instincts also told me to breathe in so we would take up less space on the road. I swear I leaned into the middle of the car several times.

And then, well then there was the tunnel! I am terrified of tunnels ... I have quite bad claustrophobia, and even I knew the Hudson was wide and so the tunnel was going to be long. I confess the eyes did close once in the tunnel and serious counting was done to calm me down. We managed the ordeal of driving through the middle of New York intact and were in our fourth state of the day, having whizzed through Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York and reaching the relative sanity of New Jersey.
We had planned to go to the hotel and then take the train to Hoboken to go to Carlo’s bakery. We have been avid Cake Boss fans for years and it was a must see. But I was bothered. It all sounded a bit difficult and I wasn’t convinced Hoboken would be an area I would feel completely comfortable in and so I said, as we were coming in near Hoboken, ‘let’s see if we can just drive there.’ I just didn’t fancy trying an early check-in, finding the train, walking from the station etc. We had a fab drive in, passing endless traditional New York brownstones all decorated for Halloween, and some quite elaborately.




And then we saw the bakery. Mmmmm... we couldn’t even snap a picture. We decided to drive round a couple of blocks and then we spotted a space on a street. Nigel levered himself in, it was just one dollar to park and we walked to the bakery. We were so thrilled to have parked just a few blocks away. However, that was nothing compared to the thrill when we walked in. It was just like the TV of course, but wow. You could see the bakery behind and there were Joey and Mauro, just right there. I mean I assumed they were there for the cameras and not really there working all the time or at least if they were working they would be at the factory at Lacuanda. But no... they were there and Mauro came out to have a picture taken and said, of course, he was there ...where else would he be. That was where he worked. We stood in a very short line and we saw Grace who then came over, chatted and had her picture taken. She was so tiny and cute and so friendly. They really were just as you hoped they would be. We were both more than a little starstruck. We bought our goodies ... cake and of course cannoli and lobster tails and also a glass, a mug and a bag. It was utterly thrilling and so much a better experience than we had ever imagined. We were on such a high and we hadn’t even imbibed the sugar yet.














We took more photos and then meandered back to the car, lapping up New York ... well, New Jersey ... life.
On to the hotel. I had spent ages picking this hotel and agonised as it was way more expensive than our usual stays. The trouble is as soon as you look at New York you look at big bucks. Hotels are expensive and rooms are small ... and don’t even get me started on parking costs. Consequently, I had found a hotel across the Hudson in New Jersey .... but with benefits. Being the other side of the Hudson meant you looked across the water towards Manhattan and the hotel was right on the Hudson. It looked like a cruise ship, docked, and I just knew we had to stay there. I envisaged myself drinking a cocktail ...a Manhattan on course, looking over the Manhattan skyline. You could have rooms with a view of Manhattan or the Statue of Liberty, but they came at a heck of a premium so I opted for a standard room without the view. We could see the view from the bar and the terrace.
The other big draw of the hotel was that it was right next to the Path station where you caught the train to New York. Just perfect as our ONLY reason for going anywhere near New York was that we wanted to visit the 9/11 museum. We had done everything else we wanted to do in NY on previous trips. So we had booked the Hyatt Regency. We don’t do posh hotels... we do cheap, but not too cheap. Our preference is for Best Western ... they have never lets us down .. or Marriott etc. If we do stay higher end it has always been Hyatt’s. Hyatt’s at Newport Beach, Seattle, St Louis etc.
We pulled in and opted not to valet park. I hate valet parking when we have loads of luggage and I feel hassled. However, we were helped with our luggage to check in. There were 4 weddings going on as it was a Saturday and so we were told our room was not ready, but for a mere 20 dollars we could upgrade to a room that was ready, that would be well away from the function rooms, so quiet AND was a view room. We bit their hands off and checked In to a gorgeous room with views of Manhattan, the Freedom Tower and the Statue of Liberty (ok so you needed a zoom to see the lady, but she was visible). It was perfect. Oh and we were very very bad. We kept the luggage trolley as the room was so big. It was easier than trying to get one early in the morning. Naughty naughty naughty. When you stay at a nice hotel you do get what you pay for... proper thick fluffy quilts and proper loo roll and even a sleeping bag for your phone which was too cute for words. The room was lush and we relaxed and ate a lunch of cannoli and lobster tails and then headed, literally, next door to the Path Station.

I love the sleep kit they provided


Taken from our window (albeit on zoom)


view from our room




So easy. Oh, wait ... don’t peak too early.
The first attempt to buy a ticket was thwarted as you had to give a zip code ... for goodness sake, what do Americans have against tourists. We are bringing money in, or at least we would be if they would let us spend on our cards. It is always a dose getting petrol. Last year there was no way to buy a sunpass toll pass and don’t even get me started on Joann.
Anyway, the second machine took cash so we were good.
The path station was quite a bit deeper than I was really comfortable with. Remember, I am a girl who doesn’t do the London Underground without a safety net and hyper ventilation.
Of course, as I was already edgy, we hit a disabled train. It was full and sat there for a good ten minutes whilst they tried to do something with it. We were not sure what. Eventually, they reopened the doors and we slid ourselves in, pressed closely together like human sardines in a very claustrophobic can. The short trip was OK and it was cooler on the train even with the crush of people as there was air con on board, but the real issue came when we arrived at the stop for the world trade centre. Our train was a good twenty minutes late arriving and so the platform was heaving with people waiting for it. And they immediately took the train out of service and so the people waiting had nowhere to go and we all had to force ourselves off and through the crush. My anxiety was reaching a peak, but then we had to walk along the platform right next to the tracks. Now bear in mind I hate being underground, I hate being In crowds and I never ever walk next to the edge. I am a ‘press yourself against the wall’ sort of traveller. Poor Nigel cajoled and encouraged and I am sure he wished I was a horse as at least he could have used blinkers and hooves couldn’t have gripped his hand that tightly. Eventually, stressed out, we were through and into the utterly beautiful new terminal. It was beautiful from the inside, but the outside was truly stunning, like a dove of peace mid flight What a work of art.








I will continue this tomorrow as it focuses on the real reason we went to New York at all.
Now enjoy Nigel's - he doesn't need photos - I think his writing is beautiful.
Saturday 20th October
Another early start this morning and a relatively peaceful breakfast as the boisterous family appear to be lying in.
With the van loaded it’s time to head for our much anticipated next destination of New York. The chance to revisit the site of the twin towers for the first time since 9/11 and also to visit Hoboken, close to where we will stay, in order to visit Carlo’s Bakery that we have admired so many times in the hit TV program ‘Cake Boss’
I pause outside the hotel for a moment to appreciate being in Concord once more and stop to take a picture of the sign showing the direction to Concord Center almost to validate our visit.
It’s a long drive South and we rely on ‘Flossie’ our Sat Nav to guide us over the next 227 miles.
I have to admit that not using the map leaves me somewhat devoid of bearings as we simply obey the commands to turn left or turn right and to join this state road or that.
At times i could barely predict the direction we were travelling next but am content to place our trust in technology.
We will score another four states over our journey as we leave Massachusetts into Connecticut before entering New York and New Jersey. There are a couple of large towns along the way which always provide points of interest and we anticipate the arrival of each new state by seeking out the state sign ‘welcome’ boards.
A short stop for Starbucks at Hartford off the main road and we congratulate ourselves on being accomplished road trip exponents with no fear of leaving the highway to find these places even though, in this case, there is a road closure and a detour posted. It’s tricky even to negotiate a way into the parking lot but we are not fazed and manage it just fine. We feel proud that we could be mistaken for ‘locals’ (even if the licence plate says Illinois!)
The remainder of the journey goes fast and we are soon realising that we are in the outlying areas of New York City. The sign announcing that we are entering the Bronx confirms we are close and Karen begins to feel the anxiety that the prospect of driving in the city will herald.
My grip on the steering wheel tightens and the traffic starts to build. The buildings are getting taller now and we can even see the familiar sight or the New York Skyline emerging ahead.
We had intended to avoid driving into the city itself but Flossie has other ideas. We dutifully follow our guide as she takes us deeper into the metropolis.
At this point, Karen reveals that she has been worrying about our plans to take the train to Hoboken on arrival. She imagines all sorts of danger and horrors on such transport so gives in to telling me that it might be better to drive there and just ‘see it’ (Carlo’s Bakery) from the safety of the van!
I agree, of course, but am concerned about navigating there as I scoped it out on google earth and I know it is deeply congested and not very accessible. We would surely struggle to get close to the bakery.
Meanwhile, our guidance has brought us deep into the city now. We have passed under the George Washington Bridge, the Hudson is on our right the Empire State Building stands proud out of our left window and we can see traffic and more traffic through the windscreen.
Our next direction tells us to turn left at 42nd street!
It’s a fight to get across several lanes of queuing traffic but with determination and some anxious high pitched noises from Karen we achieve it and I believe I have earned my New York driving licence!
Having made it to the correct turn guidance now calls for a right turn towards the Lincoln Tunnel and I have to start a new fight to claim my space on the other side of the carriageway.
Unfortunately, Flossie doesn’t know that the approach is under heavy construction and that there are police (with whistles) directing traffic. And let’s not forget these guys have guns!
I am relieved to make it into the correct lane to enter the tunnel and for a few minutes at least we just need to point the van in a straight line!
My anxiety for Karen’s anxiety starts to build as we descend to the mouth of the tunnel. She hates being underground with a passion and I wonder how she will cope as the traffic now appears to be stationary INSIDE the tunnel!... I need not have worried as, just as we reach it, the traffic flows forward and we begin to cruise our way through.
I reassure Karen we are almost through it when the roadway begins to ascend again and shortly after we can see daylight.
At the other end comes the problem of selecting the correct lane. Flossie tells us that we have another half mile to go but the road signs differ so I make the sudden choice to follow those instead. It requires quick thinking and a dash to the exit, but luckily the way is clear and I use my right foot, hard, to get across and out of the chaos.
Now we are in the Jersey City grid of streets and high rise. Actually, it is less hectic and affords a bit more time to manoeuvre. A few criss-cross moves to negotiate the rail terminal and we are within striking distance of Washington Street, our goal.
Low and behold at the next turn we see the bakery, just as it is in the TV show. We are gladdened by the sight and stupidly think we should try to park!
As it happens, not so difficult. We tour the block and follow our noses keeping track of where the building was, our intention is, at least, to drive by again to photograph it but, to our surprise, a car is leaving a kerb-side parking bay just a few steps away from the main road so we give way to it and grab the space it leaves. It’s a metered space that takes quarters so we are safe to stay for up to an hour!
The anxiety and the journey prompts a bathroom break so we confidently stroll into the Mac Donald’s opposite to make ourselves comfortable and start to feel like ‘locals’ again.
Walking calmly down Washington Street is an unexpected pleasure and we again congratulate ourselves on being accomplished travellers.
It’s only a very short walk to the bakery and we are inside in a flash. To our great surprise as soon as we enter we spy stars of the show Mauro and Joey as well as a couple of the cousins, and serving, we spot Grace who looks tiny yet just as recognisably loud!
Both of us are a bit star struck, we never expected to actually encounter these people, I had thought they would more likely be at the larger production unit and not in the small shop.
We pause and take pictures and politely ask if there is a chance of a photo call with Mauro.
They are all obliging and kind and after a moment Mauro himself is happy to pose and chat for a moment. He is gracious and friendly just as he appears in the program. Next comes Grace who is keen to be in the action and volunteers herself for a pose too.
Still, star struck we fumble around to make up an order of pastries with barely enough time to take in the array of exotic looking treats. We settle on a cannoli, a lobster tail and carrot cake to fulfil our need and, by the time we reach the register, we have added a glass, a mug and a souvenir bag as well.
Our total is a meagre $40 and we willingly hand over the cash as others too purchase souvenirs and are even having them signed.
In what seemed like a whirlwind we are back on the sidewalk and elatedly pose for pictures outside the shopfront as we take in the moment. We both agree that it will be a standout moment of our trip.
Next up is the drive to the hotel. It’s another well-anticipated aspect of our journey and is set to provide a magnificent view of New York being on the river front directly opposite lower Manhattan.
Again our guide is flawless in getting us there and we are soon checking in with the help of a very courteous but not at all ‘pushy’ attendant.
He is happy to let us push our luggage trolley to the room which is a good thing as Karen then has the brainwave that we should hang on to it in the room to avoid looking for one or having to haggle for it early in the morning.
The room is large enough that it isn’t in the way and we are impressed with our river view from which we can see Manhattan and even the Statue of Liberty!
The afternoon is only just upon us so we take time to relax, enjoy the view and to devour the sweet treats we bought earlier. The van is safely parked in the multi-storey park just a short walk away and we feel calm and accomplished.
The purpose of this New York leg is to visit the 9/11 museum and memorial. We have chosen a location that gives maximum convenience to do so and so it proves as we take the 200 meters or so walk to the ‘path’ train station that will transport us one-stop, under the Hudson River, to World Trade Centre.
We even negotiate the ticket purchase machine without calling for help and we descend the long escalator down.
A yelp from Karen alerts me to how busy it is... at first I thought it was sarcasm as the platform looks fairly empty but, closer inspection reveals the train standing in the station is rammed full of standing passengers, some pressed against the doors!
We wait expecting it to depart but nothing moves. More people arrive on the platform which begins to crowd. There is clearly a problem with the train as it is still not moving and now some people have opened the doors further along and they are getting on too.
It relieves the crowding on the platform but the train is now packed.
An engineer appears to be trying to resolve the problem which looks to be caused by a door not fully closing. After a little more time ALL the doors slide open and again people board. To my surprise, Karen is ahead of me urging us to join them!
We squeeze on holding tight to each other and all our possessions and as the doors slide shut we silently wonder if we will now be compressed like this for some indefinite period but, to our relief, the train moves and we are finally underway.
It moves exactly like a London Underground train, the crossing takes a little longer than I expected for the one-stop journey but we are then plunged back into the light of the World Trade Center station only to realise that the long delay back down the line has caused the platform here to be overrun with passengers.
Holding tightly to each other we follow the throng of alighting passengers, as best as possible, and pick our way gingerly to the exit trying to keep away from the edge.
I am acutely aware that this was the site of awful horrors on that fateful day seventeen years ago as the station would have been deeply buried in the rubble and remains. I ponder for a moment with thoughts of those that worked there who would have perished.
Once we ascend to street level the Path Station here is a sight to behold.
We had seen a preview of it thanks to Michael Portillo’s great railway journeys and we had been looking forward to seeing it ourselves. It didn’t disappoint.
Beautifully light and gleaming white it represented a great dove of peace with wings extended protecting all below.
The sunlight light penetrates the ceiling through what amounts to a skeleton, the spine of which runs the length of the concourse, gleaming and is bustling with people.
I also note that the retail opportunities look to be ‘high-end’ akin to a shopping mall and is in fact managed by Westfield, the very same as in London’s West End.