Summer 2009 - Newport, R.I.


A girlfriend in college once shared with me her Aunt's favorite saying: "Girl on a mission, finds a man with a mansion." When we visited Newport, R.I. in July, this phrase kept playing in my head along with "over-the-top" as we walked through the ginormous rooms that the Vanderbilts, the Berwinds and the likes once spent their summers many, many years ago. It was really mind blowing to see the facilities and amenities these mansions had to offer for a 6-9 week escapade each year.

It's easy to suffer mansion overload, so we had to choose wisely which ones we thought were worth visiting. We ended up in these super abodes.


Breakers



The Elms



Marble House



Rosecliff

Rosecliff is probably my favorite house mansion. It's not too cluttered and decorated with gilded trimmings - less is indeed more.


Cliffwalk

After experiencing a misty and dreary day before, we were very fortunate to enjoy a beautiful, sunny Sunday. It was just perfect for a walk by the cliffs. Definitely not to be missed if one were to visit Newport.

What a glorious day :) Blue skies and all...

Even "Marley" here agrees :)


Bowen's Wharf

Hats anyone? It's truly a summer staple...

What about some singing? Happy Birthday America!!!

Or, some R & R on board a yacht

We also came to a seaside town to enjoy... what else - SEAFOOD, of course! We tried two places near Bowen's Wharf - The Black Pearl and Barking Crab, over the 2 days.


The Black Pearl

Black Pearl patrons enjoying good food and summer sunshine

Our lunch, yum!


Barking Crab
Love the sign

Complete with instructions for the first-timers (it's unkind to write dummies)

Our appetizer - Stuffies

New England Clambake


Burp!!! I'm full and time to sign-off...till our next adventure.

Trish's Family - Maidenhead, U.K.


During our trip to England for Janet & Darren's wedding, we stayed with Trish and her family in Lower Cookham, Maidenhead. If you read my earlier entry last year, Trish came to the States and lived in Florida in 2008. Well, the Radotics have since moved back to the U.K. for Milko's job. My last trip there was about 8 years ago sans the three Radotic boys - Max, Ollie & Hugo.

We had lots of fun catching up on old times. Trish & her family played the perfect host. We were well-fed, with warm breakfast greeting us each morning before making our way to London for our daily romp.

This post is especially for Trish and her family. Thank you so much for your kind hospitality!!!


The Radotics

Brunch by River Thames

Feeding the ducks - Ollie, Max & Hugo

The Boys

Max

Ollie


Hugo

Boulters Lock, Maidenhead

Boulters Lock

River Thames



This Mother Swan's eggs hatched a few days ago!


Rowers


Nice mansion by the river


Living the good life :)

Milko said that on a fortunate day, one might see the Queen bringing her Corgis for a walk along the River Thames near Maidenhead. Windsor Castle is just next door. Unfortunately, we didn't see Her Majesty. Better luck next time.

Note: I've disappeared from the blogging scene from a while and now it's time to get back on the bandwagon. I've fallen off a few times. This is the longest...

Janet & Darren's Wedding, Burton-on-Trent, U.K.

April showers bring May flowers. Spring time in the northern hemisphere is always lovely. Even lovelier when there's a wedding in the lush, green English countryside!

My sister-in-law, Janet married her handsome beau, Darren Luff on a beautiful spring afternoon on May 22, 2009. We flew across the Atlantic for this happy occasion.

The most important part - prepping the bride

The beautiful bride - she's ready to be married!

With Papa & Mama


Darren's Mom & Sister with Papa & Mama


Darren & his Dad (right) and friends


Janet, Amy (Maid of Honor) and the girls

Pre-Wedding Game and a Trickery :)

Game 1: The goal was to get an apple out of the bucket...


With your mouth

Game 2: Roll an egg from the waist down to the ankle (from the inside) without breaking it. The punishment? Push ups for the last person to get the egg out of his pants. Yup, he was the victim.

Game 3: Just for Darren. He had to pick Janet's hands among these ladies'.
He did exceedingly well :) Or, was it a lucky guess?

The Ceremony

Sealed, signed and delivered


Just married :)

Showers of confetti for the newly weds - hip, hip, hooray!

The kiss

The Reception

The wedding cake

The buffet spread

That's a pretty long knife or was it a sword?!


Father of the bride's speech

Groom's speech


Best man's speech

After Dinner Party

Weeee.....catch this ladies!


Shall we dance? Not just any but a Scottish barn dance

Some serious Ceilidh dancing going on in the ballroom before calling it the night

CONGRATULATIONS DR. & MRS. LUFF!

Washington D.C. - Part 3 (Final)

Mount Vernon

I have always wanted to go to Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. We missed it 6 years ago but not this time. Off we went to Mount Vernon on a rainy Saturday morning. Great! The rain came down hard and didn't stop till 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.


In spite of the rain, there were plenty of visitors. We began our tour at the Visitor's Center and watched a 15 minute film about Mount Vernon and George Washington. We learned that he inherited Mount Vernon from his brother in 1761, and the house was not the large mansion that we see today. Additions to the house came slowly with the large dining room being added last around the end of the Revolutionary War.

Another attraction in Mount Vernon is the final resting place of George Washington and his wife, Martha. A tomb was built for him underneath the Rotunda in the Capitol Building, but his will stipulated that he was to be buried at his beloved Mount Vernon. The empty tomb in the Capitol now houses a bier used to support the casket/coffin of those who lain in state in the Rotunda.

First glimpse of Mount Vernon as we walked towards the mansion

Piazza - Mount Vernon

View of the Potomac River from Mount Vernon's piazza

The final resting place of George Washington (right) and Martha Washington (left)

Lunch at Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant


The rain hasn't stopped and we were getting hungry. We took a chance and waited in-line for a table at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant. Everyone had the same idea. Fortunately, it was not a long wait.

Virginian classic - peanut soup

Roasted chicken with steamed vegetables and mash

I don't remember the name of this dish that Adrian ate...argh!

After lunch, the rain turned to light drizzle and on our way to Alexandria, it cleared up. Perfect! We stopped in this little quaint town and walked along King Street, upon recommendation from my co-worker.

Old Town, Alexandria

Plenty of restaurants and antique shops

This area reminded me of Philadelphia - cobbled stone sidewalks & shops

On that note, we came to an end of our wonderful weekend in Washington & Virginia. Time to go home!