Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,Feliz Navidad

This time last year i had just arrived on PEI a journey into the unknown, i don't think many including myself would of thought 12 months down the line i would still be here,not sure what to put this down to maybe my sheer stubborness or just stupity has kept me going.I remember feeling very alone probably not the best time to leave your home, family, friends etc just before Christmas, the very time you should be celebrating it with these people.I vowed never again i would be alone at this time,so this week we fly back to Good Ole Blighty.So let me take this opportunity to wish everyone A Truly Happy Christmas and a Extremely Good New Year.

On the road Heading back home

So our little jaunt into New York was over,our reload taking us into Ontario was out of American Airlines at JFK Airport for Sunday morning,so bright and breezy we set off back across the George Washington Bridge over the Whitestone Bridge into JFK then to be hit with Hummm that load is still in the air and not arriving till later on that day,well infact it was 6am Monday when we eventually got loaded but still couldn't go anywhere until customs had sealed the Trailer as it was a bonded load.10 am and all sealed and ready to hit the New York traffic, eventually back over the GW and across onto the i80 heading west.We eventually got back into Canada that evening but now we had hit some really crappy weather so deciding enough was enough we parked in Grimsby for the evening leaving us about 3 hrs drive in the morning heading down to Kingsville near the Windsor/Detriot border.I say 3 hours the trip took a lot longer due to the bad snow they had down in the London area.Delivery eventually complete of we headed for Guelph and a trailer alreay loaded for us for Moncton New Brunswick,all going smoothly until i tried to get the airbags to rise in the suspension, due to the cold weather all the valves had frozen,1 1/2 hrs later and with some help from Brian a driver from Cam Scott we managed to resolve the problem (alot of Alcohol and hot water did the trick)so off we headed into the cold Ontario night and a good nights sleep.The weather over this side of Canada has been pretty good to say the least and it continued up until Montreal where we hit another dusting this was to be spuradic until Fredricton New Brunswick which is only 90 miles from my final destination, then we got a lovely welcome absolutely no snow at all, this continued all the way back to PEI.This is to be our last trip now our holidays start from here.

A Macc Lad In New York (Part 2)

Up nice and early and our assult on Manhattan continued,we were loving it, the sheer chaoticness, the steam rising through the road gids,the rumble of the metro from beneath the pavements, the NYPD mucking in with road traffic duties,all the NYC yellow cabs this was how i imagined everything would be.Central Park was going to be our first destination and a little ice skating some thing ive always wanted to do and as im a budding skater what fun we had.After an hour or so my legs were saying enough was enough so off we set down Fifth Avenue taking in all the shops, one could only discribe this as shoppers paradise every designer shop known to man (and Woman) was in view,we were heading for 34th street some 25 blocks away where the world famous Empire State building resides,at the moment since 9/11 this is still the highest building in New York standing at 1250ft, built in the depression of the 1931 it took only 14 months to build,so we thought what better way to see New York than from the observation deck on the 86th floor.A truly wonderful way to look at Manhattan and beyond, again myself and The Fresh Prince a little cautious due to our slight fear off heights, the things we do to get a good photo.With still so much to do and back at ground level we took a little bus ride to what would of been where the world trade centres stood the twin towers, now a mass off construction of what will be when finished a 125 floor sky scraper plus others.When the towers fell on 9/11 all buildings in the vicinity had there windows blown out, i say all except one St Pauls church, just around the corner this was the only building that didn't not one window cracked,and became a resting place and soup kitchen for all the rescue workers etc.Its hard to imagine what happened on that day i rememeber exactly where i was when i heard it on the radio, i dont think anyone would of thought the imense tragedy what was unfolding before their very eyes,to see this place bought it all back and made it very much real,a time for reflection and a little prayer to all those never to return home.After this very emotional visit we headed back on to the streets with still so much to do and see across the road i wanted to see the court house (part of What happened in Vegas was filmed there)i know im sad, a few photos then back on the bus heading back towards Times Square,we wanted to stop off back on 34th street again and visit The Worlds Largest Department store I Love this place "MACYS" its absolutely massive, shoppers mecca 18 floors and a true New York Landmark.The rest of our time was spent looking around and taking in the magnificent architecture where old meets new, Armani next to an 18th century church on fifth ave,not knowing where to look next we just gazed and gazed like two kids in a sweet shop, this magnificent city had really got to us.

A Macc Lad In New York (Part 1)

The Best was definately saved till last,New York, over the last few months we have had the pleasure of visiting some magnificent places but to me nothing comes close.Our first step into Manhattan was on 42nd street the bus terminal, then from there we got to see the best City in the World,we had discussed what we wanted to see and do so we did have a little plan. The Statue of Liberty one of the most iconic figures ever was my first choice, so a little bus journey down to Battery Park then a 20 min ferry bought us to the Great lady herself,a little time of reflection here from me, overwhelmed, mesmerised i really couldnt believe it was me standing there .Unfortunately there were no crown tickets available so we had to do with just the walk around (maybe next time),a quick look around the island taking in the Liberty Bike made by Orange County Choppers, and the carol singers around the flag pole making this part of our trip extremely special. Back on the ferry to our next destination Ellis Island this is where all immigrants in the late 1880s and early 1900s first stepped foot onto US soil before being let onto the mainland,due to our limited time we had to make short our time here and get back to the mainland.Back on the bus we headed towards Central Park, The Fresh Prince wanted to see The Plaza Hotel where part of Home Alone was filmed, and there was Father Christmas sat at the back of a Coca Cola truck, yep we had our photo taken with him(not sure how pleased he was when i sat on his knee though Lol).As evening had appeared rather quickly we just strolled around taking in all the lights on Fith Avenue, then into Time Square for a little bite to eat.Fully recharged off we set again in search of a spectaular Christmas Tree, The Rockafellar Centre the 70ft high tree in front of the ice rink certainly lives up to all expectation, many just stand and gazed at such beauty.Time had caught up with us so off we headed for a good nights sleep ready for another exciting day.

The Grand Finallie !!!!!!!!!

Well the Time is allmost upon us how quick has it gone,a lot more ups than downs this time and definately a few new destinations,i suppose having someone with me this time has definateley being a major plus (how im going to miss the company when i come back in Jan)its given me the incentive to explore more.After our California trip, Vegas and all that i wasn't sure how to top it but i think our last trip should just about manage to supersede it.Im not sure how its going to pan out but i will try my best to get as many photos of probably one of the best cities in the WORLD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have manged to wangle a load down to Newark, then from here im taking a couple of days off and yes were off to,The Big Apple,Manhattan,The Big B/K, NEW YORK NEW YORK.Im so excited, we pass through all the time over the George Washington and down the New Jersey Turnpike so we have only seen it from a distance but never graced the place.We have got a little plan together and hopefully we can maximise our time there,so let me leave you with the song ITS UP TO YOU NEW YORK NEW YORKKKKKKK.