The End

The holiday is finally over and life continues as normal, I return to work to discover that Facebook has been blocked but I managed to upload the remainder of my photo's.
Thanks to everyone for reading and commenting on my blog, I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks also to anyone who worked out how to comment without having a blogger account!

Credits:

Stacy - Location Supervisor & Holiday Director

Ma & Pa Croft - BBQ and Raccoon Co-ordinators

Michelle - Camera supplier & Taxi

Ma & Pa Saull - Luggage supplier & Car servicing

Komal - Sun care advice

Flavio - Chief Commenter

Frankie - Deputy Commenter

The Emerald City

Well I'm back now but I thought I'd do a quick update on my 2 days in The Emerald City (Seattle). We hit Seattle on Friday lunchtime and had an horrendous time finding somewhere to park but finally we did it. We wandered around the shops to complete the souvenir gift shopping, visited the fish market from a distance (as neither of us like fish), then boarded the monorail for a long journey (90 seconds) to the Space Needle (as pictured). I didn't go up the needle so pictures from the bottom is as good as it gets from me.

Did you know that Seattle is surrounded by water on 3 sides?

Saturday we drove to west Seattle and parked at the beach opposite the city, it was a lovely day and we walked for an hour along the coast before eating and heading back. This left just enough time to cram all my souvenirs into my steadily growing luggage and head for the airport.

Check in was a breeze (I love America) but the flight was delayed and I was landed yet again with a middle seat. Luckily I was between 2 nice guys this time but my entertainment system was faulty. They rebooted it twice but still when you tried to watch anything a menu screen appeared accross the right hand side of the screen. So I watched half of Blades of Glory and half of Walk the line - the LEFT half.

Everyone keeps asking if I'm glad to be back - yeah really I am, no honestly, why wouldn't I be?

The Kids

Today we went to Stacy's sisters house for lunch and I finally met Connor and Madelyn. I was spoilt with hugs and kisses from Madelyn which was very nice. Connor and I made some Lego stuff and then I spent some time swinging him around by his arms which were a foot longer by the time I left. Stacy decided to take this photo just as I was multi-tasking by giving Connor a donkey ride whilst pushing Madelyn along on her Kawasaki motorbike!

Stacy's mom was also there baking a poppy seed wedding cake and we got to eat the excess top bit that was sliced off, it was deliciously warm.

Tonight we went to Red Robin for dinner and they wouldn't accept my proof of age so I wasn't allowed a glass of wine - can you believe it. The waiters had badges saying 'We ID anyone under 39.5'. Very funny. One waiter said "You probably get this all the time but may I ask where you're from?" It turns out his Mom lives in Yorkshire, his Uncle in Scotland and his Aunt in Manchester - what do you say to that? I was too busy sulking about the wine to engage in conversation.

It's been a day of lasts - my last view of Portland City, last drive through Oregon, last dip in the pool and soak in the hot tub, and my last night at Stacy's apartment sleeping on the inflatable bed that's been my friend for 3 weeks.

I've packed my bags as my final night will be in a hotel in Seattle, I've had amazing weather here but strangely enough there is thunder and lightning outside this evening. I checked the weather forescast for the UK and it looks like the sun might come home with me (I live in hope).

The Beach

This morning we drove west to a coastal town called 'Seaside', it was already 92 degrees F when we arrived. We spent a few hours on the beach getting completely covered in sand then left and drove 10 miles south to Cannon Beach which was much more civilised.

We found a lovely place to have lunch, the menu promised that my chicken cashew sandwich would be topped with sprouts but it turned out they meant cress. I thought sprouts were an odd choice of sandwich filler.

We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing on Cannon Beach which was beautiful.

I'm starting to countdown my remaining days now, we're off to Seattle on Friday for the last 2 days of my trip before I fly home :o(

The Surprise

Yesterday we finally got out onto the water for a trip in the boat. We set off down the Willamette River to take in views of the city (Portland) and countryside. It was great fun speeding down the river catching the waves from other boats.

Surely one would think this to be the highlight of one's day but NO dear reader...that very evening I experienced not one but two amazing wildlife encounters!

We went to Beaverton for dinner, I was stood in the Croft's garden next to the bird feeder when a HUMMING BIRD approached and was hovering right in front of me. He came back about an hour later for another feed, he was so small but very beautiful. This was a truly exciting moment for me.

We ate in the garden and halfway through my kebab I heard a lot of rustling in the bit of woodland at the end of the garden. Who should have come to visit us but a RACCOON! Holy moly, this little fella stood up against the wire fence to look into the garden but then got scared and scurried off before I could snap him with the camera. We tried to coax him back by throwing baked potatoes out but he never returned. He lives in a nest in a tree by the garden, it belonged to some squirrels but he evicted them and took it over.

Here's a picture of a raccoon to get you in the spirit, this one is a cheeky one too, note the sticking out tongue:

The City

Welcome to the jungle baby! Yesterday we went to downtown Portland on MAX which is kind of a tram/train/bus thing. We started in the market which is a bit like Camden (full of smelly people) and walked quickly into town (quickly because I hate markets). We had lunch in an 'English' pub - crisps are called chips on the menu - tut tut. Then the hunt began for the Beaver store to pick up the obligatory Beaver merchandise (did you know that I used to be a Beaver leader? - this causes a friend of mine much hilarity).

During our search we saw a petrified bird, I kid you not this bird was stood in the road with it's beak half open not moving AT ALL. It was frozen, very strange, I was going to take a picture but it felt a bit morbid - could it be that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened again? (Yes, I'm on book 3 now).

10 blocks north, 2 blocks across, 8 blocks south, 2 phone calls to Stacy's mom and still no sign of the Beaver store. During this time Stacy's new flip flops were squeaking like baby toys, I was quite embarassed, we decided to go into a mall where the sound of squeaky feet was drowned out by everything else. During the week we had visited about 4 stores to find these particular flip flops in the correct size so we both felt a bit let down by them.

Eventually we found the Beaver store and I made my necessary purchase, relief. It was a long day, we had both forgotten how to use our legs after 4 days by the pool. Talking of legs, they are still a bit sore and not ready to see sunlight yet, I might have to miss out on tonight's hot tub session as the pain could be unbearable.

We got up at 6 a.m. to watch the Wimbledon final this morning, it was awesome. I was supporting Rafael and Stacy was rooting for Roger (whilst sneakily admiring Nadal's arms which are truly a sight to behold). What a shame Federer didn't get knocked off his perch, better luck next year Nadal.

Latest vocab slip up - I've started using the word 'trunk' instead of 'boot'.

The Comedians

Stacy has introduced me to something truly magnificent:

The flight of the conchords.

They are a comedy musical duo from New Zealand, they have just started a TV show here where in it they've moved to New York to make it big as a band. If you like the Boosh you will love them and if you don't like the Boosh even you will love them as well.

Here's a link to them doing standup- they do a song about some serious issues:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=u5tmnBeNv18

Stacy and I have watched the first 3 episodes countless times and we're even singing the songs (which is getting annoying for us both as we can't get them out of our heads). I really hope they move it to the UK soon. They've done a BBC radio series already so some of you may already know about them - I'm just spreading the love.

'Will somebody please remove these cutleries from my knees.'

Talking of knees I have totally scorched my legs so it now looks like I am balancing my body on 2 giant crab sticks. Luckily today is a shopping day so I can protect them from the sun. Next week there is a heat wave expected with temperatures up to 94!

The boat trip had to be delayed as the boat developed a fault and wouldn't go in reverse...it is fixed now so we're planning on going out on it on Sunday morning.

The Pictures

Here's a link to my photo's for those of you not on Facebook:

Album 1:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32002&l=18f29&id=857180121

Album 2:
www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=34553&l=72aa8&id=857180121

The Fourth

Yesterday was the 4th of July, a national holiday celebrating Americas independence from Britain in 1776. I expected my eyes and ears to be bombarded with flags, music, parades, marching bands and general cheerful behaviour. I witnessed none of the above and was told that this kind of thing would be taking place in smaller close knit communities.

It turns out Stacy wasn't 'for real' when she said we have to wear red, white and blue outfits for the party but I got dressed up for a photo anyway (not displayed here). Stacy complimented me by saying I looked like something out of the Wizard of Oz.

So off we drove - 2 hours north to Tacoma where Stacy used to live to celebrate the fourth with a group of friends. Again I was expecting much talk about how wonderful the American nation is and let's all stand to sing the anthem etc but alas this was the kind of gathering you'd find on a sunny British bank holiday BBQ (which was kinda nice).

The house backs on to American Lake, it was beautiful, here's a picture of me sitting on the dock with Mount Rainier in the background:

In the evening we lit a bonfire and set off some fireworks then sat back to watch everyone elses fireworks going off around the lake. I had to try the American delicacy of toasted marshmallows and chocolate sandwiched between some crackers, it was ok but I couldn't eat much due to the chocolate tasting like cheesy feet (Stacy repeated approximately 5 times in a very loud voice the fact that I was saying 'American chocolate tasted of cheesy feet' just to ensure maximum alienation). Nobody commented luckily.


I had feared yesterday that I was turning into an American, I said the words TRASH and DIAPER without even thinking!! I feel better today so hopefully it's passed.

I've been spending a lot of time wondering 'what if' England had the same weather, scenery, holidays & extra curricular activities - would we still be so uptight? No offence to Mom and Dad but...I just think back to our wet family holidays in Wales every time Stacy recounts another 'holiday of a lifetime' story which were the norm for her all year round.

Not that I'm envious of someone elses childhood of course, I wouldn't swap mine and Michelle's game of 'hunt the white rhino' (where the sheep were rhino's) for anything...oh and remember that time I fell into a bog up to my middle but we didn't have any hot water for a bath...

The Pool

It's been a very stressful few days, someone has to stay by the pool to make sure nobody steals the water so I volunteered for the job.....

My sister will be impressed with me, she knows how long it takes to get me into cold water.

After taking a swim today I treated myself to a soak in the hot tub - see below.

This is all I have to report - unless you're interested in all the amazing birds and butterflies I've seen.....nah thought not. I've never seen so many eagles, Bill Oddie would be proud of my twitching (Stacy has a bird phobia so I'm not allowed to talk about them).

Wednesday is Independence Day so we're off to a party by a lake, I have my red, white and blue outfit planned already. Thursday we plan to go for an outing on the Croft family boat!

It's tough but I'm hanging in there.