Washington DC

We have just got back from Washington DC.  What a lovely organised city, clean, wide wide roads, and organised - another Stepford place. Our hotel was very near the George Washington Hospital and there was a lot of activity as in fire engines, ambulances and the "Gauteng National Anthem" ie de daa de daa de daa. Everytime the service went by, I looked up - something exciting must be happening - agg, just another granny being taken to hospital or such like.

We museum ed ourselves for the next decade, we went to Holocaust Museum - very interesting, Spy Museum - a lot of fun, Air and Space - huge, and organised, American History, Arlington Cemetery, Vietnam Wall, Korean War, Lincoln Memorial.

Highlights - Leon teaching Victoria to march after watching the guard at the tomb of unnamed soldier, she now can change direction, click her heels, stop on command and do quick march, and and and, with the correct arm and leg working - no camel walk from her.

The American History Museum - saw Van Halen's guitar, costumes from Wizard of Oz and many of the first lady's gowns.

Next highlight - feeding the fish at the hotel - huge koi, do so want some but think the hadedas might take them out.

Loved Georgetown - just like England but a little more faux or novae

Just a few more days left and then the big trek home - I feel a lot more relaxed about the flying home than coming here and really, what will be, will be!!!!

It has been a wonderful experience, and have loved being with the family and seeing how their day to day rhythm works

Lots of love

Lesley

One day sunshine - the park on the beach



Girls playing on the beach - the water is from the Sound (google that one then!!)





The next day snow - taken from Heather's den/office/junkroom



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Waiting for our room to be cleaned!!





A view of the hotel we stayed in - was nice






Our Hotel in Washington DC - not too shabby hey!



The start of the cherry trees in Washington - it must be a delight to see them all in full bloom



The bottle store we went to to get our nightly stash or wine to go with our supper




Victoria pulling in and eating the pizzas but must say they are not as nice as Heather's 



Heather and Victoria totally exhausted after a long long day of museuming!




At the grave of unamed solder - we loved the sunglasses - Leon taught Victoria to march - she is nearly perfect - Arlington Cemetary





By chance we landed at this restaurant in Georgetown and look at the label!!!!!






Our taxi driver and check the car - he is an Ethopian and he used to work in Jeppe St in Johannesburg!!



The koi - what a delight - the kids could feed them twice a day and they loved it - me too!!!





White House - eish what a disappointment - really quite small and needs a coat of paint!




Leon doing the tourist thing.




To be honest - not too sure what the momument is - must be a Washington Memorial - was closed




Outside our hotel - look at the lovely clear streets - nothing like New York




Ol Abe- was nice to meet him in Washington




The name of our station - and this is just for you Ebbie!!!!!!!!!!!!!




The bison - and they had a sample of the coat of the bison - really hairy




Leon having fun with the gals!!!!




Another museum and we must all be happy - at once




A view from Arlington - a lot of graves




Check out this police bike and side car and he had a skirt/rug to keep his knees warm - we tried to drive up next to him but I was too slow with my camera.




This is as close as we could get!!



Washi



Sunshine in Feb



Having pomegranite juice in Stu Leonards - love it.




The milk bottling set up in Stu Leonoards - the best shop I have ever been to




Another exhibit at Stu Leonards - playing blue grass music teaching us about eating good food - such a happy place




Seeing this makes me want to be a vegetarian immediately - awful !




Another view of this amazing shop - think they should offer me a job as their marketing person!!! Bet you all out there now want to shop at Stu Leonards




Victoria in her element with a silly hat.




Kara in her hat on special!!



A beach we took the girls to play at - and this is the middle of winter




Beach scene again - crazy weather





Bobba/gogga fixing Heather's crocheting before I leave for home.




In the local park - must be wonderful in full summer!!!



New from the BIG US of A

HI there

I have not written on my blog for ages. No reason at all. I have been working quite a lot which is wonderful. So where do I start. Firstly I miss all the special people in my life so much. I miss having my dad here with us plying and racing all over the US of A. Our hearts are close to you all. GP we had frozen yoghurt today and you were missed.

 My home is here from South Africa and what a journey. I still feel sorry for Leon's dad making the long haul. My mom had a bad time with the snow in London. Hey Ho she is here now and we are all having fun.

My mom bought false eyelashes for the kids to wear as a present. Kara was in her element, fluttering the lashes. Victoria was bouncing off the walls somewhere.

 We have been driving around and my mom is amazed everything is wooden. This house about 2.5 million is all wooden. Beautiful but huge amounts of maintenance

Yes the trolley holder for the Starbucks. Still amazed at how most Americans walk around with a coffee. There is a starbucks in the local grocery store.

I have even seen an American sipping coffee in church. Another time in church I saw a lady using her iPad. Hey Ho you just have to laugh. I suppose you have to do what you have to do. I did have a laugh. Gotta keep the sense of humor going.

Victoria's class have a mystery reader once a week. My turn, so the kids had to have a South African story. Its quite scary reading in front of a the small people. Very cute though



Leon was desperate to get back on the slopes. I am such a girl and find the whole ski thing quite scary. Total lack of control and pizza down the bloody hill, with loads of prayers. If there was cross country skiing I would do that. Nice to be out and about in the crisp cold air. I got Les, my mom on the ski slopes. What a good sport and my mom did wonderfully. We booked her in a lesson which was a great thing and Les was zooming down the bunny slopes. A great day out.

We had our international night at a Hibachi restaurant, which was very noisy but a good laugh.

 Mandy what do you think of my dining room table? I can tell you a few years ago I would never have dreamed of letting the kids cookie cut on my Wetherlys table. How things change. Well we had a Valentines cookie making afternoon. Karina and Tracy joined us.

Like I have said before every town has its Croc or Billy's. We have our Black Duck. Greg the music was amazing. They had a blues band playing. We were all tapping the toes and shaking the finger. Martin and Melissa we will have to take you there. Close your eyes though.

Got Les whipping around the driveway on my scooter. My mom wants to drive the car on the wrong side of the road. A bit nervous.

 Special times with Caroline and Harold

 Kara was not doing any sport and I was right young lady I will choose. Kicking and screaming we trotted off to gymnastic. 6 weeks later with loads of positive determination Kara is now doing back flips.  Feel so proud of her and she feel so fantastic.


Sherwood Island, which is a state park in Westport

Three monkeys playing in the trees

New York again



Coffee on the run.



The new twin tower.


Devils Den

Presidents Day walk

Victoria doing her break dance moves

Think about you all loads. Sorry for not keeping in touch individually.

All my love

Heather