Catch up again! Running so hard to catch up with myself really doesn't work!

I am obviously back from the states, since July 9th.. Mr Racoon above on neighbors fence, he had been scratching on the roof!! 

And below photographs are from Floral Park, I love this area, not too far from my aunt's, it's got a small town feeling, like everyone would know each others faces.. and feels like a good community..

Have you ever seen such awesome french toast! Wonderful!

Now, flight back was okay, but hardly any sleep, man to my right was more in my seat than he should have been and his constant moving around drove me crazy! 

I got collected okay at the airport, had got through security and baggage reclaim fairly quickly.. although not as quick as JFK on my way in.. that was impressive, one scan of the eyes and through! That was it! Well, for a returning resident of course! 

I had a few days in Bushey before heading back up north!

But first.. before we do, younger sons family day at work was great fun.. I'd never been before! 

And here I am, holding a small tarantula and a large cockroach!

May not look like a small tarantula to you, but I was holding a much larger one before this one, the latter had had its venom removed, but not the larger first one!

We had been inside and a company who do talks, shows, with animals from all over world, gave a half hour talk.. I can't remember all the animals now, snakes, meerkat, a cute flying animal, looked like a chipmunk! Lizards, a stoat weasel type of animal.. and finally a large tarantula with venom! No one raised their arm but me, I just thought, why not! I'm afraid of spiders, I don't like them though either! And he didn't stay on my hands for long, it was a hot day.. 

My granddaughter who had been on the front row with her auntie raised her arm for absolutely everything else, and was standing up front holding them all!

Except the tarantula!

Okay! So, coach back home from Golders Green, nice easy ride.. all good! Driver also had another job which is more to do with health and digestion.. So we got talking about that, and I think the chronic gastritis I was diagnosed with, was probably more a case of antibiotics over dose than problems caused by food..

Because over the last year I have begun eating fruit again, salads and other raw foods.. for two years I had avoided them, as much as possible, as I had been told not to eat anything uncooked, and no high fat foods etc etc.. As these things would make my stomach worse.. So maybe, just maybe, I've cleared that up myself?

Also, I had to prep for yet another colonoscopy, to check on the colorectal surgery I had last November... 

Heads-up here! Warning! I was told I wouldn't have the medication that would keep me awake, not really with it.. because they were only going half way around, as far as my scar tissue only.. It hurt, it really, really, really hurt! There was gas and air, but it did nothing and hurt to much for me to focus on even trying to use it!! 

The evening before, and in the morning of the procedure, as I drinking the pre colonoscopy drink, makes me feel sick thinking of it now.. I declared to the universe I would not ever be doing this again, never, noway, no how, not ever again! 

Well, apparently I am, because I am now classed as high risk for its return.  I do not get the two yearly poop test kit, but in three years a full colonoscopy, again, and that damn drink.. and yes, next time the anesthetic!

I have to forget the three years, and not think about it. Ha! 

Mm what else! Oh that rash I got in May, my last day.. when the doctor ordered me in immediately and told me I had raised red blood cells soy body was fighting something.. who knows what! 

Well, I have had it again, Saturday morning, there it was! I was not going to urgency, so Monday onto the NHS app, they told me to go to the pharmacy (*_&*) I knew it was a waste of time, but of course went, for him to say of course, nothing he could do for a symmetrical rash! Especially when the doctor told me to let him know immediately if it came back! 

Still waiting for the doctor to contact me, rash now gone, as of today!

M.

Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid.

Franklin P. Jones - 1774-1848 - Engineer - Publisher

Okay, okay! Supermarket shelves! But couldn't resist the look of the Bubba burgers and huge spices!

I mean for a photograph, not to buy! 

Stopped twice for trains on our way out to dinner the other night..

I love the sound of the trains here... 

Above I took on the bridge taking us to Fire Island and the TWA flight 800 memorial..

Couple of random photographers taken out in the Hamptons...

I don't normally post food on my Blog, maps yes, but not here...

But! This! Was absolutely amazing! At the Bayside Clam & Grill, East Islip Marina Park! This was Pina Colada coconut shrimp! 

Just looking at it, I want it again right now! And will have to make it! And the fries! WoW, they were amazing, very different.. just the best!

On the road as we neared the marina we past deer, on both sides of the road, and turkeys!! Lols, yes! turkeys!

And now, my last evening of my last day here with my aunt ... We have eaten a lot today, she just said after we finished off bowls of peach ice-cream, that she'd eat no more today! And I can't keep staying if she eats so much and puts weight on! 

I'm checked on for my flight, and this time tomorrow will be in the air..

Already missing her.. 

M.

The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.

Alan Watts - 1915-1973 - Writer

TWA Hotel at JFK, New York

This blog is purely photographs taken at this amazing iconic TWA Hotel..

From the outside..

To the what appears to be old walkway to board the planes ...

The rooftop heated pool overlooking the runway..

An overnight stopover, a day pass.. and here one can lounge and enjoy...

There are rooms 'set' in the 1960's..

Below on four legs the blue plexiglass item.. zoom in.. it's Barbie!

Cant move stuff around, probably more against stealing which is understandable, so everything is stuck down..

It truly is an amazing building, and I am so lucky my cousin decided to stop and let us spend some time.. 

Below the whole building from the designers point of view..

From shoeshine to the old telephones..

The teal room is maybe a bit too much!

And all the TWA uniforms.. wonderful! 

I left wanting to put on a pair of 4" stilettos and pencil skirt with maybe a cashmere twin-set! 

M.

 

 

Journeys so far.. friends picked me up from JFK and took me to my aunt's, arrived about midnight Thursday/Friday.

Was a long flight, long day, I dropped off at Malaga Airport way too early, my fault? Partially, I couldn't check in on line due to issues with BA documents that were needed, they did clear at 8am on Thursday, but I left early anyways..

Desk didn't open until 13:30 so long wait..

I randomly, being me, started to talk to a couple who were near me, I also remembered their names and yesterday googled them, as you do!? As I do?? And they are both authors, both writers about wine! He especially has written a huge amount of books! I can't obviously name them here.. would be wrong.. but wow eh! 

So flight, it arrived into Malaga late so we left an hour late, when we landed in Heathrow my next flight was already, supposedly boarding, so had to get through security fast which wasn't easy.. so many signs saying don't run, the connection area must always be full of people arriving late and needing to board again quickly! 

Anyways! Boarded okay, then we sat on the tarmac for an hour! Problems with baggage, then food to transport? Fish apparently!! 

We made up for time though in the air and landed on my half an hour later than scheduled.

There was no food on the BA flight to London, so ate a lot on the next one, I had had no time to eat in Heathrow.. 

I weirdly had a bottle of water in my bag at Malaga, me??!!! For god's sake how many times have I moaned about idiots who carry water through!! Security guy was like wait . You have water? I was 'I'm so sorry!! I tavel so much!!' security was empty and luckily no one saw but him.. 

Then when I sat down at seat 29G to fly onwards from Heathrow.. a man saying everyone sit on your original seats.. I was surprised when he said I also had to move !! I had sat there instead of 39G!! And I knew it was 39G.. it was gate 39 and seat 39!! It was like I'd lost my mind!! So funny, so in a half empty plane I joined row 39.. four people in all, back row.. and although intended to move away, I stayed.. I'd already talked to the couple on my left.. So we were alright! And bathroom behind! Never used the bathroom so much as on that flight!! Just because I could!

Tried to sleep a little, but it's not easy for me.. after landing was easy through passport control and baggage claim.. out and picked up.. so easy.. 

Got to aunt's around midnight and next day cousin arrived from West Palm Beach.. 

Another cousin picked up the three of us, and drove us to another cousin's house for a special Saint Paddies day dinner of corned beef and cabbage.. from there, another driver and car to another cousins house for the night!

The next day we drove, another car.. to my aunt's party at a fire station.. fantastic..

When the cousin who was staying with us walked in.. he said pointing to this below..

Here's the Menu!! 

Was a fantastic party.. absolutely wonderful.. nearly a hundred of us.. some couldn't make it.. tonnes of food.. talking laughing just wonderful..

I think about most of the women thought there was one bathroom.. when you walked in there was a urinal on the left and two stalls.. but after walking in there I walked out and tried a door further down the hall and there was the ladies bathroom! 

After the party, another cousin another car to cousins then a turnaround and another car another cousin, back to aunt's house.. 

My cousin and I felt like we were part of a witness protection program! 

They kept us moving and changing drivers and cars!

Then Sunday we went into the city to meet up for lunch with a friend my cousin has known since they were about 8!

We got an Uber to train station, we thought we were alone in the train, then a guy asked us if we were going to Grand Central.. 

When we pulled into the Grand Central.. we stood.. no one on our train! No one anywhere near! 

The guy did show up again .. but where from?? 

It was totally weird.. especially with our continued transportation and driver and house changes!!

Even when we walked along the deserted corridors.. 

The station has obviously undergone a massive update, since I was last there, nine years May, it is amazing.. a stunning masterpiece of architecture..

I love this station!

Artwork, mural's.. all of it..

Everywhere was just so empty when we arrived, walking along corridor after corridor, coming up from the deepest platform.. heading for Lexington Avenue.. twists and turns.. was so funny!

Came out and no one about! That top photograph was what we saw.. 

It was also freezing! And I mean actually freezing! So my cousin flagged a cab that was right there.. for us! And we went to his friends appartment.. in a beautiful old building with a concierge.. of course we had to share the elevator with a gentleman called Max and his two corgis both in knitted coats! 

After coffee we headed back out into the cold and had brunch in a beautiful hotel restaurant, outside but undercover just like home..  although these in New York only appeared during covid, they're what we've been used to always in Spain outside the bars.. 

Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts

Oliver Wendell Holmes snr

Going to close here.. 

Above was in the TWA hotel at JFK today.. 

But need to rest my thumbs now!

M.

New York New York!

All self explanatory really.. the streets of New York.. and The Vessel!

TTFN
Marian