Monday 7 April 2008

Mr and Mrs Gumby in Washington
We flew in on Friday night through thunderstorms, high winds and rain - the first time I'd ever flown with lightning flashing all around the plane, which was all a bit hairy.
After two days of walking, walking, walking, we're absolutley buggered (it's Sunday night now), and on top of that, Dave has a bout of gout and my poor old arthritic hips are creaky and cranky in the cold and damp. And I think I'm jetlagged - so I've been waking up for two or three hours after midnight since we got here - so much fun!
But are we complaining? No! And are we loving every minute? Yep!
We have seen gracious boulevards, malls, museums, monuments and marble columns galore, and gasped at the cherry blossom everywhere, a stunning contrast to the bare branches of the winter trees. What a city!
We spent all day in the Smithsonian American Art Museum today, which also houses the National Portrtait Gallery. I've seen paintings and photographs of all the presidents, civil war leaders and heroes, Native American chiefs, lots of poets and writers, and inventors like Morse and Edison. As a treat, in a quiet little room, there was a touching display of love letters between famous couples and photographs of them. I saw my first Oscar - well, four of them to be honest, all won by Katharine Hepburn.
I've had the most wonderful couple of days.
Tomorrow, we're off by train to Penn Station in New York, a trip of just under three hours, then on another train up the Hudson to stay with our friends, David and Cathy, in Garrison, NY. I'm so looking forward to it - I love train rides and there just aren't enough of them in Australia.
:: My Dad is doing well and has been shifted to a smaller hospital, Osborne Park, where he can get specialist rehabilitation therapy. He misses our daily visits, and Mum in particular, so he says he'll work really hard to get back on his feet and home again.

5 comments:

Laura Jane said...

Great to hear you're having a fabbo time, even if the dogs are barking! (for other readers, that's Aussie slang for feet hurting)

I am back and have done one shift so far, another tomorrow, then off for a few days to recover my bearings! Have a wonderful anniversary trip, and Love to Dave too x x x x

Anonymous said...

You know that pair of green eyes you keep seeing round various corners? Well, they belong to me! Have a wonderful time.

Unknown said...

Hi Lesley.
Your post gave me goosebumps. Why? Not only did we miss each other by minutes. not only were we both in Perth because of our fathers, but also because dads last weeks were in... Osborne Park Hospital. (In fact, that's where I was on Monday, donating clothes....) I am so thrilled your dad is doing well, and you sound so much happier.
x

Jennifer said...

Delighted to hear that you're having such a good (albeit tiring!) time, and that your dad is doing well.

Fairlie - www.feetonforeignlands.com said...

New York! I'm jealous. I won't hope you're having a fabulous time - because I KNOW you will be.

Glad to hear your Dad is doing well.