Rhode Island (family time) :)

3rd September 2010
Caught Amtrak Train to Providence Rhode Island.
Note: Only took 35 mins and was a great trip for $10.00!

Arrived at Providence Station 5 mins early and left Tracy with the I Heart NZ bag while I dashed for a quick comfort stop. Of course Greg arrived with the Ford Truck (An All American Guy). And Tracy thought he looked like he was looking for someone ;)
So good to see him at last!
Hurricane warnings still in force for the night, but now down graded to unlikely.
He drove us first to Susan (Shawn's Mum) and Anthony's to pick up Hannah, who had been staying with them for the week.
Their house was further out and unfortunately it was raining, so no pictures people. Let's just say 17th Century farmhouse set in 50 acres of trees, with stone walls and a fab swimming pool!
Hannah was all bubbly (10yrs) and busy packing an endless variety of stuff to go home (such a girly, girl :). Nick arrived (Mum he is now very tall and 21!).
Susan fed us on the spur of the moment. Such a charming and lovely lady and Anthony is a real gentleman.

Nice drive back to Middletown to pick up Quinn (3 1/2) from daycare who Greg warned us was very excited at the prospect of seeing us. (No pressure!)
Pulled into a quaint little New England house to see Master Quinn waving delightedly from the front porch all red hair and freckles (yes, it was love at first sight!)
He was a delight and kept us entertained with questions.

Went home to Middletown with a full car and waited for Shawn.
Houses in neighbourhood all new, but New England style with ajoining lawns (nice.)[Picture coming]
Had a great evening of wine and pizza(read hear wine, wine and more wine for days on end!) They do drink a rather nice Chianti.
Also met Denise from across the road, one of many of their great friends and just chatted - nice to get some family down time.


4th September 2010
Woke about 2:00 am to an alarm.
Greg sorted, but it wasn't until Quinn reported on a problem with the upstairs loo overflowing that we realised that water was pouring through the games room ceiling downstairs and had been doing so for some time. of course Tracy and I had Kaniptions thinking we had done something, but we hadn't and it seems that who you know and insurance is a good thing in America ;) Although poor Shawn and Greg had to share their ensuite for the rest of our stay!

To get away from the disaster site (see it wasn't just Christchurch) Greg took us for a drive along the harbour front of Newport and pointed out the New York Yatch Club and some of the mansions. Also went for a quick walk down on the beach.
Tracy, Hannah and I did a tour of the best mansion the Vanderbuilt's Breakers - fantastic and I had seen it before. Hannah wore her new NZ cap and charmed a few locals who thought she was a kiwi girl. The usual discussions about how you say Tomato and Tomateo! This lead to large Bostonian helping us to pronounce car properly ie carh :)

We all walked back to the Newport road along the cliff walk (not done before). It was great.
Greg met us at the road (thank goodness the cell phones work) and we were then reading for a few more wines and Polo (of course darling!).

Polo in Newport includes the usual deck chairs, blankets, endless nibbles and wine!!! (Of course).
More friends, children and Susan and Anthony (An Anthony's friends last vintage (lethal!)).
Arrived slightly late, so had to be contented with cheering from the back and a bit of dibbet treading before the next round. USA versus England (top players and all!)
Match was going well from the U.S. perspective they being in front :)

5th September 2010
We ventured out for lunch at the ABC club with Susan and Anthony - then headed home for bbq with homemade pasta (with Anthony's sausage and mushroom gravy), spare ribs and beer and wine (Anthony's homemade). (God love Italians!)

6th September 2010
Headed to Marthas Vineyard. Now on my top ten list of must places to see. All I am saying is FANTASTIC. And if you are eating go to Nancy's - best view of the Harbour and crab cakes to die for!

7th
Cape Cod - Greg drove us all the way up to Ptown Province Town with Shawn and Hannah, just so we could experience alternative Cape Cod (yes it is ;) ). Did the traditional endless sand dunes, cottages and New England towns on the way back.