The End

13 July

And so it comes to this.  The end.  It’s been a little over 9 months but this evening we fly home. 

We pack our suitcases (we’re dumping off a lot of stuff, so it’s a fairly easy job) and head into Manhattan for a bit of sightseeing.  First stop is Ground Zero.  There’s still not much to see here.  It’s just a big construction sight, scheduled to finish in 2013 I think. 

From here we cut across to walk up the banks of the Hudson River.  After an hour or so we’re hungry and find a posh diner for lunch.  I didn’t know there was such a thing, but the food is good so we’re happy.

Next we ascend to the High Line Park.  This used to be freight railway line running above the streets of Manhattan.  It had been disused for a long time and was due to be torn down when some bright sparks came up with a better idea.  It’s been turned into park, providing a lovely green space in a city that desperately needs them. 

It’s a lovely place to relax and provides some great views of the skyline.

Back on ground level we cut across Manhattan to meet the East River and then follow the river round to the Manhattan Bridge.  We somehow manage to bypass any cool areas and seem to spend hours walking through gritty, inner city neighbourhoods.  Hot and tired – we really have walked the city flat today – we hop the subway back to our hotel to pick up our car.

We’re at the airport now, both with mixed feelings.  I’m looking forward to seeing family and friends (and not living out of a suitcase), but given half a chance I’d turn around and do it all again backwards. 

We’ve visited 7 countries, travelled over 30 thousand miles by road, taken 15 flights (with one more to go), survived one nasty car crash and had the time of our lives. 

Thanks for keeping up with us and we’ll see you all soon.

Things I have loved:

Sunshine, mangoes, meeting dolphins at Monkey Mia, snorkelling at Ningaloo, space, the Wild in South Africa, swimming in waterfalls at Litchfield, starry skies, beer and movies outside the tent on our inflatable chairs, lots of sunrises and sunsets, crazy animals (especially hippos), Broome, hiking at Storms River Mouth, toasted sandwiches on the Barbie, proper braais in South Africa (what the Australians call a bbq is just a big hotplate – it’s convenient, but just not the same), Windhoek lager, thunderstorms, Kasuga, seeing family again after too long, sparkling shiraz and churros in Barossa valley, koalas on the great ocean road, surfing, sailing the Whitsundays, rainforest and coral sea, Port Douglas, swimming with dolphins in Akaroa, cramponing over glaciers, cheeky seals at Abel Tasman, Mac’s brewbars, outdoor tables with built-in fires, dragging myself up Mt Taranaki, Monteiths Summer Ale, kayaking around Maraehako Bay, St Clair’s Pioneer Block Sauvignon Blanc, picking fresh Walnuts,  Little India, Vanuatu – everything about it, being ‘hunted’ by baby reef sharks, sunsets on Waikiki beach, sweet potato fries, American pickles, sea turtles, papayas, mangoes, bananas, avos…growing in the garden, bat rays, baseball, Tucson in the fading light, canyonlands, the Rocky Mountains, Victoria, £10 Levi jeans, cycling in the rain, proper Mexican food and so much more.

The End

Janet & Nick