s e v e n i s a j o u r n e y

Saturday morning I awoke first (no surprise), and took the opportunity to read for a few hours until everyone else awoke. They Keri prepared for us a fabulous breakfast of savory crepes, followed by sweet crepes. Yummy! We then did a further tour of the house and yard in the daylight. What a fabulous place. And what terrible taste the former owners inflicted unpon the walls! Late that afternoon we drove back into town where we hooked up with Holly, then made our way down to a great Greek place on Mass Ave in Cambridge where we met Chris Almy, Karl and Len. After a long dinner of chatting and fun we drove up to Outback Steakhouse for desert (I wanted a Sydney Sinful Sundae), and while waiting for our table Tam took the opporunity to shop at the EB in the center, replacing the games that were stolen.

Overnight at Holly’s place, then on Sunday morning we slipped out while Holly slept to make our way over to Chez-Rookey for a fabulous brunch with all the dancing ladies. The day cooperated, giving fabulous weather for a garden party, and we all had a grand time. Late that afternoon Tam and I headed back to Holly’s place, where we organized a metting at Maura’s place. A big spontaneous party with Bill, Karl, Maura, Tina, Holly, Chris A and Len ensued. Unfortunately Chris L and Sarah could not make it. We went to Uno’s for dinner. Loved the company, hated the food. Maybe it is a change of palet over the last year, but all the Uno’s food was heavy, geasy, and nasty. It was also a bittersweet time, as we knew we were leaving Boston the next morning. Wish we had more time to spend with our friends!

Monday morning we drove over to Brandeis University, Tam’s former work-place, and spent some time with her former coworkers. A little hall-party formed, and we had fun going through the NZ photos. Then we drove down to New London and took the ferry to Orient Point on Long Island. A beautiful trip. Then we drove the length of the island to Judiths place, up an ever increasing gradient of population density and traffic (Judith’s place is only a few hundred meters from the border of Queens). Too many people! Judith does have a lovely, and quite large, apartment. She too has joined the Tivo meme/revolution. Something we missed by moving away when we did.

Tuesday morning we drove back south, pausing briefly in Granite Run Mall to say hi to Mike, and pick up a few more items at discount from Showcase. Then we finished the drive back to my parents place.

By Wednesday the exhaustion was really starting to catch up with me, but we must march onwards! Our flight to Phoenix was weather-delayed, but we still made the connnection to Tucson. We overnighted in a hotel near the ariport, then headed over to Grandmothers house. We had been planning to do a rum-run to Mexico with her (at her request), but when we arrived she was not feeling well. She has good days, and not-as-good days. She slept most of that day, so we went to the Pima Air and Space Museum. If you like military planes (American), this is the place for you. I gave Tam a guided tour, as I knew too much about too many of those planes. We went out with my Uncle Roy to Papagayos for some fabulous Mixcan food, then retired for the evening.

Thankfully on Friday Grandmother was feeling better, and we spent some fun time going through photo albums. Occasionally this would trigger memories, and we would learn about past people and events. It was all a great deal of fun. Also very educational! I now understand where my father got the “travel bug”.

The flight back was long. The 5-hour delay at Auckland airport between flights was insult-to-injury. But we made it back, basically intact. Now to get back to all the work that needs to be done! 10 hours of sleep last night helped, we will see how we are doing by dinnertime tonight. I brought back a mild cold which I hope to kick within the next day or two. Too much work to get done to be sick!