Pete and Evelyns Trip

Cruise Pictures

2007-10-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

Alaska Train Pictures

2007-10-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

Fairbanks Pictures

2007-10-02T04:02:00.000-07:00

Vancouver Pictures

2007-10-02T01:41:00.000-07:00

FAIRBANKS to ANCHORAGE (train)

2007-09-22T17:51:00.000-07:00

We spent 2 nights here, went to see Santa at the North Pole see photo. the men did a trip to see the Great Alaskan Pipeline. We all had a great paddle boat ride stopping to see the sleigh dogs training and also stopping at an Indian reservation to go back in timeto see how they lived. Had 2 great meals... still waiting for tomorrow to come so can start diet. We have had to buy more suitcases... must be buying too many pressies, off again on the train to Denali. Has great seats 1st class carriage in the bubble dome on the top. Trip was 3 and half hours before we got off to our cabin accommodation.
Next day we did a great trip into Denali National Park...was a 13 and half hour day...saw bears grizzlies moose caribou eagles all in their natural habitat. The bus trip was hairy in places when trying to pass other busses on tight corners, with a big drop on our side of road... no wider than Galston Gorge. Our Lovely cabins were right on the edge of a river ...see pictures. 2 Days in Denali then on the train again to Anchorage...about 6 hours ride this time travelling through great scenery. Not much time to explore anchorage as we had to be on the train again ...this time to Whittier where we board ship.... Pete bought a jacket at Alaskan Railroad station good job we bought the extra suitcases.... this note is being written sitting in the railway station..hopped on train...ummm not going anywhere...we waited and waited...told the train had a hole in the brake compression chamber....then was unable to start as no power...we had only gone 100 yards....so had to return to the station and catch a bus.. this took about 2 hours the bus came quickly and the bust trip only took an hour and a quarter compaired to 2 and half by train so we caught up and boarded the Ship at Whittier.

VANCOUVER

2007-09-22T17:46:00.000-07:00

Off to Vancouver to meet the Aussy gang....we have to do it in 2 stages..first to Dallas 3 hr flight temperature thereabout 100F ...lucky we didnt have to spend any time outside. Next leg 4 hr flight...was about 7pm when we landed. Met up with the others and had a great dinner. Next day sightseeing... tour in an open bus, up the round tower and had great view see pictures. Next day back on the plane heading north to Alaska and Fairbanks via Anchorage.

NEW YORK

2007-09-21T17:33:00.000-07:00

The last 2 extra days we spent in New York before heading to Vancouver.
Thes were special and gave us the opportunity to live and experience the non stop culture of New York... We saw all the key buildings and sights ...see photos. We were again fortunate as many of the tour people also stayed on so whilst we did our own thing much was still done together.
NEW YORK NEW YORK..... by night in Times Square is something u dream about and is SIMPLY AWESOME. (Eat ya heart out Rita)
Was very busy time we wnt out for a meal with the tour group... the Empire State Building was just a block awy from our Hotel... what a sight to look up to!!
The tour ends::: now on the Vancouver and to meet up with the Aussies

WASHINGTON

2007-09-21T17:18:00.000-07:00

Now for the capital... Washington DC.
The first night all 41 on the tour on the bus went to dinner at a seafood restauraunt, on the water, the scollops and crabcakes high on the foods we have. (clothes tighter)... saw all the big buildings that the americans like to build.
The White house is smaller than expected but everything else is bigger, The war memorials..statues to the dead and the Arligton national Cemetery where JFK is buiried. Dying for their country is really glorified and we found creepy and everyoneseemed to be praised for someone dying for their country.
2 days in Washington was nearly 100 degrees F was a bit of a challenge, trying to see 1 or 2 things properly and lots things quickly. We did art museum, dinasaur show and national archives.... this building houses all the major documents written hundreds of hears ago...... Bill of Rights... Abolition od slavery..decalartion of Independence to name just afew.... Ice Ceams in the park between the White House and the Capitol Building ..just a few highlights.
The last night we all spent together so we had a dinner at the hotel and a few drinks ...a noisy and fun night... one one wanting to bring it to an end. But the thought of the early morning wake up eventually brought us to our senses... goodbye to Washington and on to NY via Philladelphia and the Liberty Bell and Rocky....

LANCASTER COUNTY

2007-09-21T17:04:00.000-07:00

This is a beautiful County...... and home of the Amish people. We saw and experienced their way of life by visiting an Amish village. They have a busy and fruitful life without using many of the modern day conveniences.
We had a dinner eatinf food that they would have and it was good, friend chicken glazed ham corn and potatoes with shoe fly pie and cream. The products they make are sold to the public, by a thrird party as they dont deal direct to the "outside" world but they do live in the normal community, they dont have any cars or bikes but they use tractors but they must have metal wheels.
Our hotel in Lancaster had a 4 poster bed about 3 feet high, rocking chair and a nice country setting.
Seeing the Amish families in their horse and buggies with little kids in the back was wonderful.
We had to leave after anan hour at a wonderful craft and food market in Intercourse. (clothes getting tighter)... food hal lots of free tastings.

Teh bus ride through the farmland and the town of Intercourse was one the best rural scenes imaginable... we passed many Amish people travelling in their horse and buggies.

NIAGARA

2007-09-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

This place is another highlight with the Maid of the Mist tour under the Falls..... the pictures posted dont give it the full justice.... simply special.

TORONTO

2007-09-21T16:57:00.000-07:00

We arrived late into Toronto.......our Hotel had the most horrendous elevators.......
Went to dinner at the CN Tower couldnt see much as the clouds were low .....see gurgling fish on the window in photos.
One of the key highlights here was the ball game....Toronto Blue Jays played the New York Yankees....whoo hooo the atmosphere was electric... had the necessary hot dogs....was an awesome last night in Toronto before heading to Niagara.

1000 ISLANDS

2007-09-21T16:54:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed a boat tour round 1000 Islands.....wow the beautiful island homes
Had a traffic jam which held us up for an hour and we were late into Toronto... was a double rig truck overturned.... we saw the new 10 lane highway into Toronto

OTTAWA

2007-09-21T16:44:00.000-07:00

Well its happened at last the rain has caught up with us, the heavens opened and boy did it come down at 9 oclock it was still looking like night time the clouds so low and dark real errie. This is the capital of Canada and where all the money is spent. We had the ususal local guide who was very good and made you want to go back and see everything... he talked and showed us.
Will have to get band aids out of the suitcase as when the sun came out with avengence thats exactly what we did ...walked and walked through the market place round parliament square, then what seemed miles down to the new museum of natural art.. This is another magic city, the builodings and streets all so clean, everyone eats out on the sidewalks, no one in a rush, just content to let the world go by. Tonight we are going out with some of the bus friends to watch a laser display at parliament house........ Absolutely brilliant.... they used the Parliament building as the backdrop, about the size of a soccer field. I think we have been the luckiest group around as the last 4 cities we have been in a celebration or Public Holiday so everything was on in a festive mood.

Montreal

2007-09-21T16:37:00.000-07:00

Left early for the journey to Montreal, home of the 1997 Olympics...we had a photoshoot at the big O stadium (see picture)... this is a funny looking structure as the end that slopes 65 degrees angle...stopped at Notra Dame church, beautiful....dont think the photos give it justice. Each city we travel we have loca guides, to suppy all the local history of the place. They get us to the front of the ques etc. Last night we walked the streets enjoying another special day of celebration not sure what it was but it was noisy, think it was scottish day.

The Tourists Prayer

2007-09-21T16:32:00.000-07:00

Heavenly Father look down on us your humble, obedient tourists, who are doomed to travel this earth taking photographs, mailing postcards, buying souvenirs, and walking around in drip-free underwear.
We beseech you Lord to see that our planes are not delayed, our luggage is not lost & overweight baggage goes unnoticed.
Give us this day your divine guidance in our selection of bed 'n' breakfast.
We pray that the toilets work and the telephone operators speak our tongue, that there are no emails from our children which would cause us to cancel the rest of our trip.
Lead us to good inexpensive restaurants where the wine is included in the price of the meal and local taxes are not added on later.
Give us the wisdom to tip correctly in currencies we do not understand. Make the natives appreciate us for the loving people we are, and not for what they can extract from our purses.
Grant us the strength to visit museums, the cathedrals, the palaces, and if we skip an important monument to take a nap after lunch, please have mercy on us as our flesh is weak.
Dear God please protect our wives from "bargains" they don't need, can't afford, and can't fit into their suitcases anyway. Lead them not into temptation, for they know not what they do.
Almighty Father, keep our husbands from looking at foreign women and comparing them to the vintage domestic model. Save them from making complete fools of themselves in nightclubs. Above all, do NOT forgive them their trepasses for they know exactly what they do. And worse, enjoy it.
When our journey is over. grant us the persistence to find someone who will watch our home movies and listen to our stories, so our lives as tourists will not have been in vain.
This we ask you in the name of Conrad Hilton,Thomas Cook American Express, Visa, & Mastercard.
AMEN

2007-08-16T17:28:00.000-07:00

Niagara Falls

The Pictures continue

2007-08-16T17:14:00.000-07:00

Ev with friend
Our own Moose
CN Tower at night
Ev with Mountie

Ottawa War Memorial
Museum Natural History Ottawa

Monteal Olympic stadiumNotre Dame Montreal

More Pictures

2007-08-16T17:03:00.001-07:00

Frontenac...Quebec

Walking the bridge from Museum of Natural History ...Ottawa
All we could see from the CN Tower in Toronto .....

Ottawa in Old Town
Inside Frontenac ...Ottawa

USA/ Canada

2007-08-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

Hi all we have arrived safely in Vancouver and met our friends..... have sore feet ...empty wallets and full bellies.....but having one awesome time....... the Tour of NE USA and East Canada was simply superb.................wolf whistlesssssssss
hope to load some pics tonight ...this machine is 3:00 for 15 minutes

Canada /USA

2007-08-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

We been flat out and are suffering from information overload.......After leaving Ottawa we went on to Toronto was 2 nights there then to Niagara Falls have heaps of pictures in both places that I will upload when I can get them off my camera to a disk. not all PC's here dont have disk drives that let you upload.

After leaving Niagara we travelled south into Lancaster County (Amish country) and then on to Washington....... we have just completed the big tour of all the monuments and national shrines....awesome we said hullo to George W B from you all

Tomorrow we go on the New York stopping at Philladelphia on the way..... hopefully some key pictures can be posted later or in New York

Quebec Pictures

2007-08-06T18:05:00.001-07:00

Mural in Quebec
Chateau de Frontenac

New Hampshire / Vermont Pictures

2007-08-06T17:59:00.001-07:00

American patriotism.. see Number plates with slogan

Max the Bull Moose
Out Lunch stop in new Hampshire

Boston

2007-08-06T17:38:00.001-07:00

Filming of the Pub Crawl presenter and our Guides

Paul Revere's church

Boston Pub
Getting history of the pub at the Pub Crawl

USS Contstitution
Paul Revere

BOSTONHistory history history , a pub crawl market places hot humid still.. went on board the USS Constitution, saw where Paul Revere lived, the Old North Church where the signal went out the soldiers were coming, Harvard Square...I know all this as Pete bought a T shirt as a reminder...all this listening and trying to take it all in has put brain in overdrive.. Pub Crawl was fun as we had a TV Crew for the night so folks on 22 august we will be on CNA chanell 4 TV in Boston...hope we are somewhere we can watch it and so on to ... !!!

New York pictures

2007-08-06T17:28:00.000-07:00

Memorial to those lost lives
Construction on ground zero site

Steel girder cross at ground zero
FFire station at ground zero most lost lives from this station

USA ..

2007-08-05T18:53:00.000-07:00

Hi USA... landing in the place of the free didnt thrill me as I thought it would.. the drive from airport to Midtown was hot 96F humidity 100% nearly the place is dirty everything looks old and flalling down, lots of graffiti etc as we got nearer to NY City things started to get more exciting...morning came and the tour began...starting with ground zero, hard to imagine the devastation we have come to believe, as its the hub of activity with workers, scaffolding, cranes and all manner of big building contraptions.
The Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty....we saw but want a better look when we come back at end of the tour......
We on our way to Boston..

BOSTON
History history history , a pub crawl market places hot humid still.. went on board the USS Constitution, saw where Paul Revere lived, the Old North Church where the signal went out the soldiers were coming, Harvard Square...I know all this as Pete bought a T shirt as a reminder...all this listening and trying to take it all in has put brain in overdrive.. Pub Crawl was fun as we had a TV Crew for the night so folks on 22 august we will be on CNA chanell 4 TV in Boston...ho[pe we are somewhere we can watch it and so on to ... !!!

QUEBEC
this place is really the most astonishing place we have been to, made even better as was festival weekend. NEVER NEVER NEVER have we seen so many people.. there was hundreds of people in period costumes walking around see pics when uploaded... the flowers and carnival atmosphere was wonderful.. there were just so many streets, alleyways closed off for all the activities. A tour around the famous Chateau Frontenac and a drink in the hotel lounge was special, sitting in one of the Presidential suites looking across the River Charles on a fine Saturday evening was wonderful. The dinner after includes escargos in a flan with raspberry and cream sauce

YORKSHIRE ,,,,, AND

2007-08-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

We have been west now onwards ans upwards and skinrting the floods to Yorkshire where we found our hosts anne and Dennis in the best of heath and pleased to see us. They were great and looked after us and toured us to the finer places in doncaster, like drinking john smiths (smooth) beer.
we had an outing each day, the Bakewell where the famous cakes and puddings were invented... passing Castleton on the way...Ev had been there when Ian and donna, Carl and Karen were much younger Marian and Lawson doing OK. Marian coming out a couple dayson our trips.Karen and Carl both having their own families now ..we didnt catch up with karens 2 boys but jack and Eille came for the weekend and were a real pleasure to be around...even got Pete to play Piggy in the middle and football (see pics)...funny site as we have pictures. Ann and Dennis took us to elsecar and Hemsley both full of antiques and old world items.
Had a nice Italian and Indian meals ..but still seemed weird to see Indian food with chips.
We left Ann and Dennis Marian and Lawson and headed south to London. looking foward to seeing Ann and Dennis in February when they come to Australia.
A quick trip down the M1 brings us to London... depositing our car back to the owners..
Next morning strarted to negotiate trip to terminal 4 LHR as no cars allowed in close proximityto terminals at airport so was bust to terminal 2...train to terminal 4 and losts of walking underground dragging our cases.. those terrorists have a lot to answer for!!!! but we got there no problems getting out of the airport, plane ontime..good flight except Pete on one side of the place and me on the other..that soon sorted out by an obliging young man from Caper Canaveral who changed seats, the only hitch going through customs realised gold bangel not on my arm. still trying to track it down.
We say goodbye to England and Hi to USA

USA Part 1

2007-08-03T17:41:00.000-07:00

Have made it to the USA done New York done Boston photos following when I can get to an internet cafe that takes my thunb drive with the super pics of these places
We now in Canada for 7 days and leaning how to say bonjour and pale vous francaise
Is there anyone out there thats reading all this foreign stuff!!!!! I am wearing my tour de france hat.....coff so am thought of as a native

Pictures of Yorkshire

2007-07-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

Eille, Pete and Jack (exercising)

Lawson and Marion
Petes Birthday .. with Jack and Eille

Dennis, Evelyn, Lawson, Anne, Marion
Lawson and Marion

Castleton ..Peversil Castle in background

Thomas Evelyn and Ann
The Yorkshire group

Pictures of Wales

2007-07-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

Stuart, Evelyn and Nicola
At Royal Wales Show.. Quite wet eh! Nicola and Sasha (Ev on far right)
Sasha's and Yota's home South Wales

Pictures of Wiltshire

2007-07-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

Westward

2007-07-27T00:19:00.000-07:00

Leaving East Sussex behind we made our way to Wiltshire and Lynda and Malcolms castle trying to miss the rain and storms... the worst on record. The weather closed airports, railway lines and motorways stranding tens of thousands of cars and their occupants (the Reads became a victim of this).
Spending a few days in Wiltshire we had time at a place called Longleat..a stately home which has been turned into a wildlife safari park. The grounds and home were magnificent. The lions and tigers seemed quite interested in our visit, but were overcome by the sunshine we brought with us.. they slept through most of our tour of the Park. Eating and drinking in the local pubs has become a habit, the meals slightly smaller than Lynda's serves, but still enjoyable. Pete trying the local brew wherever we go. We also visited a local village called Street, this place is host to dozens of warehouse type stores od famous english brands , and they are open to the public, interesting day for the visa card. When not raining and you were able to see the countryside, you are treated to some wonderful scenery.
From Wiltshire and Lynda and Malcolms we travelled to South Wales, unfortunately missing neice Hazel and her 2 children who were stranded overnight in their car due to lots of flooding
to find Nicola snd Stuart (many of you met these 2 when when they have been over visiting us) and their 2 friends Sasha and Yota (sorry not sure of the spelling)They took us into their charming home and made us so welcome, they took time off work to take us to North Wales to the Royal Wales Show (the same show the Reads got bogged in their car) we had a cunning driver who parked behing police barriers right at the main gate.. Never seeing so much mud in my life... we trudged for hours around the show but having a good time bumping into Shirley and Peter and party during the day. Stuart gave us a tour of his home town of Swansea ...the sun shone...and we did what you do at the seaside of having to eat ice cream (Joes of course)..
We had three packed days in South Wales while the rain just kept coming down everywhere else in the country we visited 'another' pub and eating another large meal. Stuart promising special breakfast of laverbread, baked beans and eggs ..but he never got up and cooked it... (we left dissapointed about this)
We thank Sasha and Yota for their great hospitality and letting us into their home... We have their address for anyone who wants to stay with them... photos of their home will be posted here soon

Family...July 14th 2007

2007-07-27T00:04:00.000-07:00

6 /8 of the George Girls...

plus husbands

some of the Grandchildren

Happy families.....

UK leg of our Journey 6-16 july

2007-07-17T02:09:00.000-07:00

We landed in UK on the 6 July from the cleanest country(Japan) to London....the BA plane was late...waited 20 minutes before they told us what carousel the luggage would be on, the we walked straight though customs, never seeing a customs officer of a policeman the whole time... if the is a severe alert what would normal be ??.....is it 'fair to compare'

We stayed overnight at Holiday Inn ...Heathrow before ....quite comfortable to rest 2 tired bodies... the following morning we collected our hire car...a wee A160 mercedes.....a zippy machine for the English country roads...even the windscreen wipers come on automatically when you get a spit of rain on screen....

We travelled south the Staplecross near Bodiam the stay with Lesley and Michael

We had a really great week.
We had a day with Shirley and Rob on Tuesday ....Pete being attacked by a seagul for going a bit close to their babies, bit like our magpies back home.

The family day on the 14th was wonderful but a bit sad, not having our kids and Sam to share it with, meeting our nephews and neices for the first time (photos of all these will be posted on this site soon). The day was so special with them all making such long journeys to be there.

We met up with Shirley and Peter (Read) and Margaret and Bruce and their friends they are staying with, we had Sunday lunch with them at the Castle Inn sitting in the sun (yes it did come out for the weekend) Evelyn was able to give them some background of Bodiam and had a visit to Bodiam Castle with them.
We caught up with Richy before he got on his plane to return to Aussie.

We thank Lel for her hospitality for the last week and also Zena for doing our ironing.

We thank you all for making the 14th such a great day... we went to church sunday morning having 5 of us sisters there at one time boosted the congregation by 25%....building still standing last we heard (picture of the Church posted below)

We are on our way to Whiltshire (south west of UK) next..........

UK Bodiam East Sussex

2007-07-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

UK Tour de France

2007-07-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

More of japan

2007-07-11T09:20:00.001-07:00

Leaving Sydney

2007-07-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

MT FUJI

2007-07-08T09:19:00.001-07:00

JAPAN 4TH - 6TH

2007-07-08T00:14:00.000-07:00

We went back in time one hour and foward in technology years.
First 2 major discussion, how warm do we want the toilet seat, or the bidet to wash, dry shower or jet stream your bum.
The people are so polite and gentle cant do enough for you. Nearly got the art of bowing, but the stomach getting bigger by the amout of fuel, but it prevents the low from the waist bow to just the shoulder one.
Food has been unbelievable and plentiful, the choice of about 50 different sweets, eat as much as you can followed by a magnificet meal of lobster, crab, scollops, shrimp and a multitude of other dishes.
The sightseeing was just like everything else the japanese do, at a fast pace. We fitted in one day, tour of Mt Fuji, ride on a lake, cablecar ride up a mountain and over a steaming crater, traditional japanese lunch, rode on the bullet train that goes at 289kms per hour that was all after a multicourse breakfast and before the dinner mentioned above. We have seen where Emporers live and heard their side of history we really needed to stay longer and another visit would be worthwhile and there is NO tipping.
Arrived safely in UK where I am posting this from ....... more to come later and we hope to post a pic or 2 soon

japan

2007-07-05T19:48:00.000-07:00

wow this is an awesome place to get around if you know Japanese....people people people
we have had a gr8 time here but full on will have to fill in moreas this is at Narita airport and we about to get on plane for London.....mt fuji is a must and we saw it on a clear day....and hell the bullet train does go fast 250kph swoooooooooosh and its gone
will catch up more when i dont ahve to put in 200 yen to log on

love to allllllllllllllllllllllll

Pete n Evelyn

OUR ITINERARY

2007-06-22T01:48:00.000-07:00

http://www.gdaygday.com/julytrip.htm

This shows our planned itinerary

Getting ready

2007-06-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

Its now 9th June 2007 and we are getting anxious to get on our way