Bartons Go Global

Just to let you know, all those that have not been around with cards and welcome home gifts, we arrived back home in Ulverston at 1pm on Friday. A few hours latter than planned but who cares. We has very little sleep on the plane but still all mangaed to stay up all day till Friay evening before crashing out.

So we are home safe and well and still feel llke we are on our travels to some extent, not sure how we all feel about being home, ask us agin in a few weeks but the kids are really happy to back aat Grandmas being spoilt rotten etc etc.

More news to follow of what we have been upto soon.

Jonathan

New York New York

The arrival into JFk airport was a little delayed and its not till just before midnight that we arrive at the taxi line, there are various people hustling to take you into town but we stay with the longer line of the taxi booth. Its not long before we are shown to our cab and for a fixed price we are ushered into town. The taxi driver is very quiet and not what I expected from a New York driver, I try to make a couple of conversation starters but to no avail as the rear seat passengers get to watch mobile TV and can track out progress on Sat Nav. We enter Manhattan from a bridge and are soon in the streets towered over by skyscrapers. We are in the direction of our location when our driver asks again our destination and as I reply he looks up and we are there, more luck than judgement I guess.

The hotel is the most expensive accommodation we have stayed in for the whole trip and as we enter the room we are not disappointed, its just not what we have gotten used to, its very late be now and we have not really eaten anything but we cant face the thought of dashing out to eat so we are rescued by the large supermarket that is open until 1am across the road from the hotel. Its true this city does not appear to sleep.

So with a very basic map we set of to explore this amazing city. The hotel is not far from central park so we head in that direction to cross it then head over to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The heat is already starting to tire us and it is still early. The park is everything that I imagined and yet was not what I thought. It is big and covers a huge area and appears well kept and well used. We wander with only a little knowledge where we are going dodging the cyclists, skaters and of course the joggers. When we head out the other side onto 5th Avenue we walk up towards the art gallery with a slight smug feeling having navigated one area of the city. We walk up to the main entrance to find it covered in scaffolding then find the temporary entrance at the side only to note that it is not open on a Monday! SO much for feeling smug and in tune with the city.

So we head off down the east side and head to the next item on our list, the Empire State Building which first involves a ride on the infamous subway. We alight somewhere near Grand Central (I said the map was only basic) and wander with heads looking up looking for the iconic building above the skyline. When at last it comes into view we are excited about the thought of taking a look inside and of course admiring the view. As we draw near we can already see the queues stretching around the corner, so two of us join it then the other two set off to find what it is everyone or at least half of New York is waiting for. As it turns out it is indeed the line for the observation deck and it turns out to be a marathon wait of nearly two hours to et inside the lift and take a ride upwards. We even choose the stair option for the last six floors to avoid waiting for the next lift. The observation deck is crowded but with some useful elbow digging tips I picked up from AL we get some places right up at the railings. The 360 degree views are wonderful and we stay for some time wandering around trying to locate other landmarks and soaking in what is Manhattan and the wider area of New York, it turns out to be a good thing to do early on as we easily get our bearings and can now understand the map far easier. So we head off back down and into the throng that is everywhere and catch up with various sights even buying some tourist items that anywhere else would be just tat but foam models of the Empire State seem rather impressive works of art, oh and of course the fridge magnets were too tempting.

More to follow

Please visit back soon

Thanks

Our last week in Canada was spent aboard Aurora Sky as we sailed in and around the Gulf Islands circumnavigating Saltspring Island between Vancouver Island and the mainland. The weather stayed warm and sunny as enjoyed our time on the boat with the stunning views and relaxed pace of catching the wind and heading to a new anchorage each night. Rowan soon mastered the helm and was often in charge with chart in one hand and the wheel in the other, under the watchful eye of skipper Neil. Ellie was often busy in the saloon at the chart table or helping with drinks and food in the galley. As for AL and myself we tried to relax up top and drink the endless cups of tea and coffee, which was not too hard for us.

Our route took us to Portland island where we stayed our first night and I had a surprise in the middle of the night. Climbing from my aft bunk to pop to the loo in the darkness I feel for the door and open it. Stepping up over the door lip I get the shock of my life when I step into water! this wakes me up somewhat and I dive back into the cabin to locate my head torch after fumbling around I manage to switch it on and examine the bathroom in the light. To my horror the aft washroom is under water, On closer inspection the toilet bowl itself is full and it turns out that this is where the water is coming from lapping over the rim to the floor. I decide to act quickly rather than wake everyone up first. I done my life jacket and sit in the inflatable tender.... No I don't I I start looking for a bailer to start clearing up. Its still very dark and we have only been on board a few hours so I cant really locate anything easily so I grab the nearest thing to hand which is the loo brush holder and start bailing out. The toilet is fitted with a small hand pump to either pump sea water into flush or to remove water from the bowl to the waste tank. I use this method to empty the bowl then used the brush holder to remove some of the sea water. I repeat several times but it's very slow. The water level is going down, good news, but I keep going still not sure if I should wake anyone else.

As I continue to bail I hear Neil getting up from the front cabin, he comes to take a look at what on earth I'm doing in the middle of the night with ahead torch on and crouching down in the door way to the loo. On stepping out of his cabin he is also met with the feeling of water under his feet and to my further horror water has in fact leaked out from the bathroom to the main cabin floor and run down by the galley. We use some towels to mop up the worst a little more effective than the brush holder (I didn't like to use them as they were not mine) By this time the ladies are awake but not moving from their bunks just listening to us. We finish off and check that the source of the water is safe (it turns out the toilet has some how managed to continue to fill up after flushing with the small pump) Then we head back to bed in the cabin. The thing AL remembers is Neil saying that "this can be the thing that sinks boats" In the morning all is well and it looks like I may have saved the day and the boat!

We set sail laughing a lot about the nights adventures and continue north to Telegraph Harbour on Thetis Island. We arrive early afternoon and find a spot at the jetty and make the most of the harbour by eating ice creams at the cafe then playing around the harbour in the kayaks and boats before taking a swim in the warmish waters. The next morning Rowan and I are given the task of getting more bread and set off in the small dingy to locate some. We are told there is a little shop on the other side of the marina but to no avail when we arrive the shop is closed and does not open till 12.30. We head back to report the bad news and are mocked by all for our poor hunting and gathering skills. We are then told to try the cafe where we got ice creams so we walk the short distance up the jetty and procure 2 uncut loaves. Easy when you know how.

We get underway and sail around the northerly tip of Saltspring Island before heading down to Montague Harbour with Rowan mainly at the helm. There is a good breeze and we make good headway tacking up the channel. We enter the harbour and anchor up for another evening. The girls and Rowan head off to Sunset Beach to look for shells and Neil and I are left to head to the jetty to watch the world go buy and drink more coffee. We fly back across the harbour to pick up the girls and call in to the Bakery "Ferry" to order our morning goods for the following day. As we draw alongside we note that it is closed so we will try our luck in the morning. The highlight of the day is a trip to the Hummingbird Inn for a meal which involved a shuttle with the tender to get everyone ashore then a wait for the "Hummingbird Express" An old school bus that picks folks up from the hrabour to the pub a couple of miles up the hill. As we are waiting a large barge has pulled up and is offloading a large truck on to the island that is interesting to watch as it unloads its own roadway by crane before the truck can drive off.

The bus arrives to much blowing of its horn and we grab a seat at the back as the driver tells jokes between music items from the stereo. I think he was hoping for extra tips from us all. The garden of the inn is buzzing with young folk and we find a table and are glad to note that most of the smaller rabble are waiting for the return bus back to the harbour. We enjoy good food and some good beer and pass the evening chatting away. We don't risk the last bus and make a dash to catch the next bus (with more jokes!) to arrive at the harbour at the perfect time as the sun is just going down over the water, perfect pictures for a perfect evening.

Rowan and I are yet again in the tender craft before 8 am and heading over to the old ferry which serves the cruising set to hot breads and cinnamon rolls during the summer months. The bloke is there at the little pontoon to help us tie up then announces that we are the mornings first customers. Ye,. we board and are met with a brief history of the ferry
from about 1933 when it plied the waters between Vancouver Island and the mainland, we are even shown a photo with an old Cadilac. The smell is delightful as we enter the main downstairs room which once was the main car deck. I am explained this by the bloke as I hit my head on the over height bell as I enter. The women is still busy in the kitchen come bakery and shows her baked goods for the day. We select a vast array of rolls, scones and loaves before heading back to Aurora Sky to show the rest of the crew our successful haul. Breakfast is soon rustled up with the cinnamon rolls pride of place.

The afternoon is spent in Ganges after a brisk sail over from Montague, we anchor up again and have a spot of lunch before heading into the small town to browse Saltspring Island's largest town and of course to try out the ice creams and coffees, again. We then return all to soon to Canoe Cove and the end of our sailing trip with Neil and Peggy, we have all enjoyed it especially the children and look forward to our next adventure and its been a wonderful end to the incredible year.

Hi guys

Lots of you have ben looking at the following link for pics

www.hislaptop.co.uk/bartons

Well there a few extra sample pics from us at the following link

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28592225@N07/

not trying to put Gaz out of a job just trying to help.

The rest no doubt will be on display in the national gallery at some stage.

J

It was a real effort dragging ourselves away form the Beswicks house on Vancouver Island to hit the mainland for a few days but we managed to leave before 9am and drive the 120km or so up to Nanaimo to catch the ferry to Horseshoe Bay north of Vancouver. We drive slowly and only rush the last 15km as the ferry time approached. We got there with only minutes to spare only to find the ferry already full so we have to wait around for the next one in a hour or so. The earlier ferry loads and the waiting lines are just about empty so we throw a frisbee around till the queues begin to build up again and we notice a Starbucks on the other side of the carpark.

The Ferry only takes minutes to load all the cars and then is slipping its moorings for a very gentle cruise over the passage to the mainland (why was whale watching not as calm as this?) We are soon back in the car and heading off onto the highway bound for the mountains. Now if you didn't know Vancouver and the Whistler mountains are to hold the 2010 Winter Olympics and there are major improvements to the highway between Vancouver and Whistler, they are carving new routes from the hillside to speed up the drive. We just happened to choose the day they were laying 2km of fresh black tarmac and got stuck in a jam for about 30 mins waiting for our turn. Oh well getting the traffic control people to wave and smile passed some of the time for us.

We had booked a condo over the Internet after scouring loads of different pages and somehow choose one over the multitude of others. So we were unsure how it was going to work out as we drove around the village looking for it from the instructions emailed to us after handing over my credit card details. We were given a number and door code after trying it several times we at lst gained entry...

Well you have guessed, the place we had booked was absolutely wonderful. It was quite a swanky pad with loads of gear to feed and entertain us for a few days. It turns out that its a privately owned by a couple from south Vancouver that rent it out a few weeks of the year when they are not using it themselves. it was perfect, we even received a call from the owner on the 2nd night to check everything was OK and we were happy with our booking.

So we have spent two days up in the mountains walking (well catching chair lifts and walking down!) Enjoying ourselves then heading back to our pad for a well deserved meal. We were told about the local bear population and even heard of a couple of sightings from others but nothing for us. On the second day we were taking an open chair lift up Blackcomb Mt when Al just said "I want to see a bear just here"...when lo and behold a black bear club was there under our feet from the chair lift. We tried to take a few pictures quickly as proof. We just could not believe it.

At the top of Blackcomb we watched the hordes of summer camp skiers do there stuff on the glacier for a while before watching one of them get carried of the mountain on a stretcher! We head down the mountain and back into the valley sunshine to warm ourselves up a little. R tries some rock climbing on a wall then its back to base camp to pop the kettle on.

So tomorrow we are due to head back south to Vancouver itself for a day before heading back to The Beswicks for our last week.

See you in two weeks.

Jonathan

Our timing is perfect yet again. The weather on Vancouver Island has just turned hot after a few weeks of poor weather and we land in time for a bank holiday.

We arrived by boat from Seattle to the wonderful harbour of Victoria (how romantic!??) on a bright sunny afternoon to find a whole flotilla of Tali ships in the harbour as well. We are met by long time family friends Neil and Peggy (well they were !!) and after dumping our bags in their car we head off for a walk to see the ships and get a feel for the place. After a hearty meal of fish and chips on the harbour side we make our presence felt by moving into their home. Bags opened and contents spilt out, the joys of world travel.

So after a few weeks of motel flitting up the west coast we slip off the flip flop and relax on the deck and admire the stunning views. Our first day is spent popping into Victoria and doing a few jobs then take the scienic drive up the eastern side of the Saanich peninsular.

On Tuesday its National Canada Day and we spend the morning messing about on the water in kayaks and the kids in a dingy. AL and I try out the open sea and manage a trip around one of the islands out from the harbour running into the local large ferry after turning the corner and finding the main shipping lane! As we look around we notice that lots of the little island look similar and are unsure if we can navigate our way back to the kids if we venture out any further. So after a moments diliberation we head off into the sunset, no we turn back to the harbour!

We rejoin the gang then head off to Sidney for a picnic on the front. Then after taking a stroll we pop into a small mineral shop where the kids can pan for gold and pick polished stones from various tubs. It takes time and patients to extract R and E with a small bag each of stones, E's is bulging and looking like it may burst any second, more stones to carry back home with us to add to our weight limit.

The highlight of the day is heading down to Victoria at 10pm to catch the fireworks in the harbour (well not exactly in the harbour but you know what I mean) The whole town is buzzing and we are following Neil and Peggy in their car, they try to shake us off several times weaving left and right trying to avoid the traffic but we keep on their tail. We even pass several police cars flying up and down and even through a police roadblock. When we find a spot to park we join the crowds heading down to the harbour and try for a good vantage point. It appears some people have been here all day reserving their places but we push through and are soon in the middle on the front lawn of the Empress Hotel. Lots of people are drapped in flags and or national clothing. The fireworks were wonderful and lasting a good 15 minutes before the national anthem at the end ,where I noted many people joining in with heart felt gusto. I remark to Neil that in England if we did this we would be called the National Front.

So our first week in Canada is soon upon us and we have taken just one trip out to see some of the island, a trip out to Port Renfrew then over the old logging roads to Lake Cowichan where we stop and cool our feet in the cold lake. Our first full weekend finds home alone as all he Beswicks have headed off to the main land for a family reunion and doing nothing much but relaxing and hanging around. We have even thought about work in September and come up with a few plans so if any one out there hears of anything suitable let us know.

Next weeks plans are a trip to Whistler on the mainland for a few days walking in the mountains, I have told E that she can catch the ski lifts up and walk down but she still is not over keen. So we let you know how we get on latter

Just a few minutes from the airport we found ourselves installed in the Travelodge but the fast rapid train line that the website promised into downtown has yet to be built, why oh why do they do that?? So after dumping bags in the room we head out to the road to catch a bus into town. The bus turned out to be good and almost on time but why do buses attract all sorts of strange and interesting characters? The bus ride took about 30mins into the heart of the city and even went underground downtown to loose your bearings all together.

So we spent a happy afternoon wandering around the city, waterfront and the markets. The boardwalk they leaflets promise you on the waterfront turned out to be rather disappointing as they fail to tell you that there are also 2 flyovers that pass within earshot, on further research we were informed that there are plans to rip those out and reroute them away from what is a stunning harbour.

The highlight of the day was Pike Place market where there are fresh produce stalls selling their wares. The most entertaining was a particular fishmongers where they draw the crowds in with a theatrical display of tossing and throwing fish at each other. They could all do really well in a Gilbert and Sullivan opera but I'm not sure about the fish selling. Most people like us were just watching and taking photographs instead of buying fresh salmon, crabs and oysters.

Almost another religious experience was undertaken by a visit to the original "Starbucks" just over the road from the market where the empire was kicked off with a small coffee shop in 1972. We were all a bit confused when the date above the shop displayed 1923 in antique gold leaf. We thought it was the locals displaying their rich sense of all be it modern history but it turns out to be the street number!!

The following day R and I try out the delights of the air museum near the huge Boeing factory and spent a few happy hours wandering around the planes and displays. We were honored to be welcomed aboard Airforce One (all be it by a spotty college student working the summer holiday) and viewed the interior. Then across the tarmac was Concord where we got to walk through the front cabin then admired the outside.

After that it was time to head back into town where the girls had headed into the library and art gallery. They were both really impressed with the library both the building and the activities within. We headed out to the Space Needle on the monorail but the sun was really hot and we could not find the energy to join the long line to reach the top so we found some shade to rest a while before heading back to our room. On the Sunday we had booked the ferry to take us the 90 miles to Vancouver Island and we were very impressed when the taxi we ordered turned out to be a limousine (not a stretch one!) to whisk us to the ferry pier.

They say Seattle is known for its rain but we very hot sunny days the whole time we were there and we never saw any sheep!!

Just a short inland flight from Portland Oregon, is the beautiful location of Boise Idaho. Boise became a new destination for us after meeting the Hill family from there while we were all in New Zealand. Even though they hardly knew, us Ben & Libby made the brave decision to invite us to stay with them. An offer we didn't refuse!!! It was pure joy to be met at the airport by a friendly face and transported though the blistering temperature to their beautiful home. They even allowed us to meet some of there friends for a Sunday teatime gathering which was rather brave of them don't you think?

We had an action packed week with them and their youngest daughter Mahalie. Mountain biking then gentle kayaking on the Boise river to cool down. A guided tour of down town, thanks to Mahalie our nine year old tour guide.

White water rafting was a hoot, with six of us in a raft on grade 2 & 3 rapids. Thankfully we didn't loose anyone overboard, but we got very wet. The children were brave enough to 'ride the bull' which involves perching on the front of the raft while passing through the rapids holding on with both hands.

After rafting we drove further on to the Sawtooth Mountains where we camped by Redfish lake. Despite the heat and the enormous mosquitoes we were able to admire the awesome snow covered mountains beyond the lake. Our hosts expected it to be chilly as we were high up in the hills (6000ft), but it proved to be warmer than any camping trip in the Lake District.

The next morning the sun was up and we spent some time around the lake admiring the view and the kids even tried fishing although all they caught was the trees behind them as they tried to cast out even further. The surprise was that even Ellie took to it and was having a ball. Latter on,on our way back to Boise we stopped off at several hot springs that bubble into the rivers, but due to the rivers running high we didn't manage to bathe in any but the kids spent some more time fishing.

Before we knew it it was time to head back to the airport and catch a flight to Seattle to really begin the last of our journey to Canada. It was wonderful staying yet again at a family home and somehow it got our heads around heading home for real. Thanks to Ben, Libby and Mahalie (oh and Heidi the dog) for a very special week.

Hi Yet again

We have driven up the coast from SF northwards stopping in motels along the way. We have found some really wonderful spots along the coast, some out of the way and some a little strange. We stopped of at Monterey for 2 days and explored an old Spanish mission San Carlos visiting a ancient building in America, a rare opportunity, something we share with the late pope! The weather has been excellent on the whole apart from fog in San Francisco and a day in the forests its been hot and sunny and even a bit muggy as we travel inland at times.

The coast has kept us entertained with stops in search of seashells for the girls and Rowan has taken to trying to sculpture with driftwood, the bigger the log the better! Our best bit of the coast was the Redwoods from just above SF to the southern regions of Oregon . We have taken a few walks and even driven the car through a tree twice to lots of camera shots and giggles of laughter. R even earned $2 by taking a photo for a older couple who were on a trip to celebrate their 40th wedding. Its the only money anyone of us has earned the whole trip.

Excitement was in order when we crossed the state border and stopped for the necessary photos with some strange looks from other passing motorists. Life suddenly seamed to get slower and more relaxed and in some places possibly a bit backward. We are happy to report no bear sightings and no elk, which we were promised when we visited the elk meadow for a walk. The trees were awesome really huge and wide. We kept just pulling over and looking never getting fed up, well AL and I never, not sure about the kids.

So yesterday we ended up in Portland after heading inland from the coast. We managed to head towards the airport and found a place near the MAX local transport system. So we can walk across the road and head into downtown, no trouble. We even headed over the river to catch another state, Washington but no Fridge magnet fro the colection I'm sorry to report.

So a quick trip around the Saturday markets was in order and then a look around some of the downtown. The weather is hotter inland and we never had the stomach to wander too far so did not get to see everything.

So we fly to Seattle next Friday then its 3 weeks in Canada around Vancouver Island with Neil and Peggy then its almost touchdown in Manchester at the end of the July. Get the kettle on to warm the teapot.

Watch this space.

J

just a quick update on the USA so far.

We are in San Francisco and enjoying the city for a while. We have cycled over the Golden gate Bridge (twice) in thick fog and freezing winds and are now making our way around on the Cable cars. We have done the main sights in LA etc. lots of beaches, shopping malls and of course the Holyland AKA Disney.

The drive up Highway 1 was really interesting with lots of nice quite places along teh way. the girls are busy looking for further shells but are disappointed so far even though we stop at just about every beach. makes for slow going on the road!

San fran is turning out to be a blast, a really relaxed and wonderful place. We have not seen everything but arwe dragging the kids around a few places to day before we leave for the northern coast tomorrow. mind you its colder than we thought, sunny days but cold winds.

We have just a week to reach Portland, now about 500miles away so will be travelling up Highway 1 to the Redwoods etc. We have decided to stay along the coast as time is slipping away. At Portland we heading inland to Idaho for a few days.

We are all enjoying ourselves and looking forward to some home comforts very soon.

Love to you all

Bartons