Tuesday 10th September - New Jersey

As Lionel drove us out of the city, there was a marvellous view of the Manhattan Skyline. I wasn’t expecting it and by the time I’d switched the camera on and pointed it in the right direction, it was gone - my one and only chance!
“Bugger!” I announced. Lionel, noting my disappointment, said that he knew just the place and he took us to Weehauken, NJ. As he pulled up, those of us in the car with souls let out a collective gasp of astonishment at the sight before us.
This must be one of the most amazing views in the world...
“Bugger!” I announced. Lionel, noting my disappointment, said that he knew just the place and he took us to Weehauken, NJ. As he pulled up, those of us in the car with souls let out a collective gasp of astonishment at the sight before us.
This must be one of the most amazing views in the world...
Weehauken NJ

And to think, that the houses on this road, just across the river, look out on this view as standard!
Wow!
Wow!
Hoboken NJ

A view of a different type is found in Hoboken, NJ, just a few miles from Weehauken.
Talk about two sides of the same coin?
Hoboken is the polar opposite of Weehauken, where we had just come from. It reminded me of Asbury Park with its state of disrepair and sense of futility.
Whereas Asbury Park did once have its good times, did Hoboken?
Talk about two sides of the same coin?
Hoboken is the polar opposite of Weehauken, where we had just come from. It reminded me of Asbury Park with its state of disrepair and sense of futility.
Whereas Asbury Park did once have its good times, did Hoboken?
Newark Liberty

All good things must come to an end and sadly this American jaunt was just about to do that.
We got to the airport and settled our bill with our mad Indian driver and tour guide, Lionel. He had done us proud and I for one was grateful to him. Yeah, we paid him, but it was cheap, even with the tip. You can’t come to the USA and not do things like see New York. Cheers Lionel!
I know Usher and Chig could quite easily have spent the entire six days locked in a bar, but I can’t do that. I want to experience new things and learn all that I can. I want to be able to remember it and relive it. Hopefully, these pages will do just that.
As we took the moving walkway to our departure gate, Gash pointed out a rancid old hag coming in the opposite direction. I thought he was making a joke about how ugly and ancient she was. It turns out it was Debbie Harry. Time has not been kind to the woman who looked so good in a bin bag back in 1977.
Usher and Chig, once again, retreated to a bar and I looked out at the tarmac of the airport. In a couple of hours, we would be flying home. I know I was ready to get back to my family and I think the others were too, in spite of their bravado, we had all missed our loved ones. I bought chocolate for my wife and kids with my remaining dollars. I don’t know about the others but I would have been just as happy to stay in America and fly my family and CD collection out there as soon as return to the UK, but that wasn’t going to happen.
The flight home was delayed by an hour. They said it was because of a dodgy warning light needed replacing. I personally think it was to punish us all because Usher broke his seat. I slept most of the flight and awoke just in time for what was reputed to be breakfast. Ah, come on, I had to have at least one dig at airline food! So, after eight hours of being cosmically irradiated, we touched down at Birmingham airport. The pictures say more than I ever could about the friendships that were forged during this tour...
Click here for the last bit
We got to the airport and settled our bill with our mad Indian driver and tour guide, Lionel. He had done us proud and I for one was grateful to him. Yeah, we paid him, but it was cheap, even with the tip. You can’t come to the USA and not do things like see New York. Cheers Lionel!
I know Usher and Chig could quite easily have spent the entire six days locked in a bar, but I can’t do that. I want to experience new things and learn all that I can. I want to be able to remember it and relive it. Hopefully, these pages will do just that.
As we took the moving walkway to our departure gate, Gash pointed out a rancid old hag coming in the opposite direction. I thought he was making a joke about how ugly and ancient she was. It turns out it was Debbie Harry. Time has not been kind to the woman who looked so good in a bin bag back in 1977.
Usher and Chig, once again, retreated to a bar and I looked out at the tarmac of the airport. In a couple of hours, we would be flying home. I know I was ready to get back to my family and I think the others were too, in spite of their bravado, we had all missed our loved ones. I bought chocolate for my wife and kids with my remaining dollars. I don’t know about the others but I would have been just as happy to stay in America and fly my family and CD collection out there as soon as return to the UK, but that wasn’t going to happen.
The flight home was delayed by an hour. They said it was because of a dodgy warning light needed replacing. I personally think it was to punish us all because Usher broke his seat. I slept most of the flight and awoke just in time for what was reputed to be breakfast. Ah, come on, I had to have at least one dig at airline food! So, after eight hours of being cosmically irradiated, we touched down at Birmingham airport. The pictures say more than I ever could about the friendships that were forged during this tour...
Click here for the last bit