Old and New England with Scotland.The cripples on tour.

[drron]

A little further on there were sheltered bays with lobster boats and pounds-

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We then turned back south again but this was a slow trip with a lot of folks heading home after the holiday.We stopped off in Kittery for another of the Weathervane restaurants.The beauty of this one is that you also earn AA miles.Once again we started sharing a bowl of mussels then both of us had a lobster roll-

.

So with a bottle of wine tax and tip-$85.
by the time we finished the traffic was getting less.On return to the hotel the parking lot was virtually empty as was the hotel.Our keys would not work so a trip back to check in.Annoying.A much quieter night.Later I went to download my photos-no camera.Rang the restaurant and they had it so a quick trip back.Crossed the State line but really only 5 minutes away.

We used valet parking this time as the whole of the parking lot at the hotel was for valet parking and if you wanted to self park it was acroos the road in an unpaved lot.Not really appropriate for mrsdrron.Must say the fellows doing the valet parking were excellent and a pleasure to deal with.

Next-a 4 state day and more shopping!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

That's us with our 2.5lb lobsters-$36.95 each.Together with a bottle of wine,tax and tip-$135.So our meal-
Jeez they are big mothers drron - I am so envious - I am actually allergic to crustaceans so cannot eat lobster - but when I watch the gastronomic coughs that people experience when they eat shellfish I really feel like I am missing out.

 

[drron]

Well if you thought 2.5lb lobsters are large just look at what we could have ordered last night at the lobster pound we went to-

So a 5kg lobster for $130.A couple of years ago mrsdrron and I shared a 1KG Tasmanian cray at Stanley.Served with salad,fries and bread and cost $100.

But first back to the day's beginning.For brekkie we mainly had fruit-blueberries that cost $5 for 650 gms and cherries at $4 a pound.Got a couple of scones from the lounge to supplement them.Then we were ready to hit the road.Not a great distance but took us from New Hampshire,through Massachusetts and Rhode Island before finishing in Connecticut.First it was down Hway 1 to fill uhe HGIp as gas cheaper in NH but also to avoid the toll on I95.My Scots ancestry coming through.A short section of I95 before going down I495S.
This was to get us to Wrentham where naturally there was another Factory outlet mall.MA is now also tax free for clothes.Our purchases though are getting less as the suitcases get heavier.That didn't stop us though when we got to Groton,CT to go to Kohls and Walmart.We stayed in the HGI there-our 3rd stay here and once again no difference in room as gold compared to diamond.


After doing the washing we set of for the lobster pound.The owners also have a Clam shack just down the road-

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Now this place really is in the rough.A menu outside,order at the window and when ready your number is called.It is also BYOB but just up the road is this place-

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A bottle of Oyster Cove for $14.88.So now the place itself-

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The gulls looked well fed-

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And the meal itself.A bowl of mussels and 2 OMG hot lobster rolls with a half pound of lobster meat-

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[OATEK]

Drron, does the law of diminishing satisfaction ever apply to lobster? Your should be well placed to advise.

 

[drron]

Drron, does the law of diminishing satisfaction ever apply to lobster? Your should be well placed to advise.

Definitely not.I am considering going on a 3 or 4 day fast next time and then try and take on that 11lb big daddy!

 

[drron]

After leaving Abbott's we took a little drive around Noanck.Some magnificent trees,flowers and quirky houses-

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Then back to the HGI.
Now Erkpod you have a lot to answer for.Here I am just 1 day behind rather than a week which is my usual.But can I keep up the pace?

 

[RooFlyer]

I've been meaning for ages to investigate the Maine etc lobster fishery. How can they yank out such huge quantities, year after year? Must be incredibly well managed, or vast in extent. And of course the product is not only available on the east Coast - all over nth America and international. I've been to several 'Maine Lobster Buffets' in HKG, without even looking for them.

Haven't been to the east coast USA for about 20 years ; I have to make do with visits to Red Lobster restaurants over west; no 11lb-ers there.

In the meantime, have another couple for me, drron.

 

[drron]

I think there is probably a vast fishery.At the pound on badger Island when we ordered our lobsters they went down to the end of the jetty,pulled up a pot and got the 2 out-cant get fresher than that.
So now to Wednesday-that is today east coast USA time.Started off with a full brekkie at the HGI and headed down I95S.Stopped off at the Clinton crossing outlets-but no purchases.going through Milford saw a gas station advertising unleaded at 20 cents a gallon lower than we had seen.Had to go off at the next exit and there was a large Westfield Mall with a huge Macys.So dropped mrsdrron off whilst I went back to fill up.Again though no purchases.

At the next exit we diverted to the Merritt's Parkway(hway 15).Exit 39 from I95.It is cars only,tree lined and much easier driving than I95.As well it's continuation eventually becomes I678 which leads straight to JFK.Found the Sheraton easily.Right next door to the HGI.No problems checking in.But when returning car to Avis found the gas station on Federal Circle had been closed.So had to back track to Hess station on North Conduit.$3.85 a gallon.


The Sheraton appears OK but view is of the HGI.An exec lounge and it has complimentary alcohol which isn't common in the USA.An OK food selection.We did have dinner at their restaurant.Mrsdrron had the appetiser chicken wings and I had a burger with sweet potato fries-both huge and neither of us finished.So to the pics-

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So all that is left of our USA part of the trip is to fly out tomorrow.I am up to real time.
But just a suggestion for those looking at travelling in the US.It is much better to get out of the cities.There is so much to see and do a little of which appears in this TR.Dont get concerned.In general US drivers are much more considerent than Australians.As long as you remember to put your passenger in the gutter you will have no problems on which side of the road to drive on.
And again you really don't need things such as GPS.The road numbering system really helps and all I did was look at Google maps the night before and write down the road numbers.Not a problem.So be brave and have fun.

Next-off to the UK.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Before we leave the USA - here is my 2 cents worth. I haven't done much shopping this trip, so FWIW the outlets have been disappointing. Coldwater Creek is closing down in August and is going the way of several other womens clothing retailers. Choice is getting harder when you are over 50 ( OK over 60 ! ) and don't want to dress like you are 18 and size 2. I shopped in Ulta ( just like Sephora but not as messy !) this trip and bought a new hair curler. It is EXACTLY the same as the one I have at home - a INSTYLER brush that I paid $ 99 for at Target in Maroochydore ( not the one with the rotating barrel - just the ionic brush ) and in the USA it is $ 49 ! EXACTLY the same product ! BUT HALF THE PRICE. Same with most make up. I will now shop at Ulta rather than Sephora as it is cleaner and brighter- basically same prices. No shoes this trip :shock: - I didn't even look = I didn't want to get shoe envy - drron couldn't cope with that !! The lobsters were fantastic, and thank goodness for Lipitor :mrgreen: I am so sorry for Cruiser Elite that you cant eat seafood - but I am eating your share ! Weather has been crazy 28C one day 12C the next ! The moon boot has definitely S L OW E D me down, but it does have some benefits, express service at the security line and lots of people asking "how did ya do it ?"

 

[drron]

Thursday and our day of departure for the UK.Initially we were booked on the day time flight from JFK-LHR.But they went and cancelled that so we are now flying JFK-MIA-LHR arriving 12 hours later.
So a wake up call at 0530 and on to the 0630 hotel shuttle.Initially we wondered how our luggage would fit on as there was a fellow with his partner,MIL and infant with at least 8 large bags and some smaller ones.Fortunately they had a large van in the parking lot.

No queue at checkin though our bags weighed 51 and 52lb.About 16 kg heavier than when they arrived in the USA.No lines also at the TSA precheck but after putting your bags through you joined the priority line.The body scanner was roped off but we asked to go through that and the TSA agents agreed.The fellow apologised to me that he would have to do an explosives check.They were friendly.
Soon in the Flagship lounge.Now as F pax on with an international flight that day our BPs would have gained us access but in the spirit of AFF mrsdrron flashed her WP card.It is an open spacious lounge.A decent selection of foods for brekkie but quality did not appear great.There was aTV or film crew out filming arriving and departing planes-

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The food-

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Decent seats and power outlets-

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And good plane spotting opportunities-

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Next-off to MIA

 

[drron]

The Wheelchair for mrsdrron to the gate was late so we arrived at the gate when they were calling Group 4.The gate agent then ignored us so her chirpy little pusher took things into her own hands and checked us off herself then told the supervisor what she had done-she deserved her tip.When we boarded there was only 1 more F pax to board yet there were empty bins and even the last pax got his 2 bags in and the 3 brought up from the back got in as well instead of being gate checked.

AA1085. JFK-MIA. ETD-0900. Push back-0903. Take off-0926.
ETA-1215. Landed-1149. At gate-1156.
We were originally in 2A,C on a 738 but there was a change of equipment and we got an International configuration 757.So shell type seats though not fully reclining.And when you reclined the part in contact with your posterior rose some distance meaning mrsdrron's boot could not fit the space it reclined into.As well we were now allocated 1B,E.Across the aisle but staggered rows so not next to each other.Fortunately the 2 fellows in 1A,F were travelling together so we ended up in 1A,B.
Breakfast was a choice of oatmeal or an egg dish similar to a quiche.FEBO worked but even though the last to order we still had a choice.The oatmeal wasn't steel cut so we both had the egg dish.So so.

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And the obligatory foot shot-

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The crew were efficient and I got a little shut eye.On approach into MIA a little turbulence.Captain announced we would be at the gate~0845 but soon after we made a turn and started gaining altitude so did a circle of MIA.Got good views over the beaches and then down towards Key West.The Everglades looked fairly dry.

We came in at D6 and our LHR flight was at D30 so our wheelchair lady took us via the Airtrain to the gate 30 AC.Nicer than the D15 one.

Next-things start to go a little pear shaped.

 

[RooFlyer]

That breakfast offering in the Flagship lounge looks like boarding school stuff! No Qflounge a la carte there

 

[drron]

On the way to the AC I saw these signs-

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Little did I realise how significant these two sentiments would become.We took our place in the AC with a view of gate D30.A 777 was there.Everything was fine in the world.The Aangel on the AC desk said we could go over to the E terminal lounge when it opened at 1300.Decided that was too much hassle so stayed put.She gave us 4 coupons straight up.It was now 1230 so time to go to the bar.Mrsdrron wanted a sav blanc but they had run out.She had a pinot grigio and I a bud light.When I went back for seconds I ran them out of bud light.Originally the barman had no idea what I was ordering.I told him it must be my accent but he apologised saying English was not his first language.I replied that very few people in America had English as a first language.A fellow at the bar nearly choked on his beer.

About 1600 I went to check the departure board.It had our flight delayed from 1820 to 2220.Checking further it had the EZE flight now going from D30 at 2030.Methinks our plane has been hijacked.Went to the desk and was told our plane was scheduled to be a 773 but had gone tech and they were flying in another.However the EZE flight is a 773.About 1830 a further check of the board revealed the EZE flight was now going from D28 and the plane at D30 was AA38 going to......LHR.But we are on AA56.The plane at D30 has not changed for the 6 hours we have been in the lounge.Looks like having 2 planes on time and 1 very late makes their on time performance look better than all a little late.P*sses of a few pax though.

The agent comes over and gives us food vouchers-for $12 each.Whee let's have a party.However we don't feel hungry and should eventually get fed if my head doesn't drop on to the plate.So we decide we will just have a shower later.There are 6 showers here.But just a little whinge-gentlemen when you go to a cubicle sit down.If you just want to do a number 1 there is a place for that.Believe me nobody cares if you have a hangup about size.And to those older fellows who go into a cubicle so as to be able to hang onto something you will be more stable sitting and you wont spray things everywhere.Believe me you do not produce air freshener.

So have emailed Avis UK.Stonehenge is going to wait for a further time and the nice restaurant we found near there will miss us.
Just over 3 hours to wait.............hopefully.

.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I have never spent 12 hours in a lounge before !!! I wish I didn't pack my knitting in my checked luggage - I could have finished my shawl by now

 

[TomVexille]

I have never spent 12 hours in a lounge before !!! I wish I didn't pack my knitting in my checked luggage - I could have finished my shawl by now

Ouch.

Except for that, the trip looks fantastic. Hope you two are having a great time.

 

[drron]

Well a slight upside to our pain.checked emails for the first time since our flight and both of us had an email from AA customer relations apologising for the delays with each of us getting 5000 miles into our accounts.

 

[drron]

There became a group of AA 58 victims.A couple of pommies and a Belgian woman on her way home.Adversity brings people together.We end up sharing a margharita pizza and have our showers.The final advertised departure time was 0015.Told crew issues and they had had problems finding a first officer.Several changes of gate.At 2030 we were down as flying out of D28 and AA 38 out of D29.When time come for 38 to board it is now the plane at D28 and we are now out of D30 with no plane there.2135 and finally a plane arrives at D30.
1135 and mrsdrron's wheelchair is ready we get to the gate just as they announce preboarding of wheelchair pax.Mrsdrron is the only one in a wheelchair but 8-9 pax are in front of her.Another woman pushes past.We are in 1D,G.Originally we were in 2D,G but that was on a 772 and it is now a 773.The 772 has 16 F seats,the 773 only 8.

AA56. MIA-LHR. ETD-1820. push back-0036. take off-0042.
ETA-0820. landed-1347. At gate-1356.
It is similar to the 772 seat but spruced up,seems a little wider and longer,larger screen for the IFE and new smart phone type controls.So some pics.A little hazy but I really was tired!

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The lavatory has been given a makeover-

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Next-the flight.

 

[drron]

First the menu-

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Mrsdrron had the Amusee bouche and salmon and caklled it a night.I got to the main course before my head nearly hit the plate and called an end to meal time.

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The amuse bouche was forgettable,the salmon excellent and the pasta very nice.However I think the F servings on AA have been enhanced.Certainly less flare than previous F flights.Mrsdrron had the Sav Blanc and I the French red.Both very good drops.

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I even declined the sundae.
Then there was brekkie-

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I had the American brekkie.Tasted better than it looked.Mrsdrron had the fruit.
Next-some more thoughts on AA's new F.

 

[drron]

A quick flick through the IFE menu showed a greater selection of movies than on the 772 from NRT.However sleep was my greatest priority and I was able to get about 5 hours of on and of sleep.I awoke about 2 hours out of LHR and brekkie was served about half an hour later.As is usual the Bose headsets were collected an hour out from LHR.Didn't worry me this time but it really is a funny thing to do for your F pax.
I am really ambivalent about this new F set up.For me the negatives outweigh the positives.The seat is better and I guess I would get used to the IFE and appreciate the extra choice.The seat controls are a big improvement.
The cabin is small which should be good but the sense of privacy is less than the larger F cabin on the 772.On the 772 the F cabin is totally separate and just behind it is the exit.On the 773 there is a mini J cabin behind the F cabin separated by just the curtains.Also to exit you have to go through this cabin so F pax are not off first.Even though the FAs try to patrol the main J cabin when deplaning there are many who don't think it is fair seeing other J pax get off first so they were pushing their way past.One woman literally tried to shove me out of the way when I was trying to protect mrsdrron as she got off.

The other problem with this new smaller F cabin is that the 772s are to be refurbed and lose F.Therefore there will be a lot fewer F seats so MilesAAver awards will be very difficult to get and 2 on the same flight impossible.So F awards will be at least 50% dearer for us even if we snag a sAAver award as the anytime award will be at least double the miles meaning at least a 50% increase in the miles needed for us.
So it is just as well I made the switch early to Aadvantage instead of QFF.We have had a total of 18 F awards,2 opups to F,and 4 upgrades to F with Evips so each oif us has had 12 F flights.We also have 2 more coming up on BA at the end of June.

This award was a bit of a disaster.Originally booked a direct daytime flight JFK-LHR so we could overnight at the airport and start fresh on the Friday.However that flight was cancelled and we were rebooked via MIA which became a little nightmare with the 6 hour delay.The redeeming features were that our cash outlay was just $US2.50 and without asking we each got 5000 AA miles to apologise for the delay.

Cant finish without mentioning the staff.The Purser was a young fellow,a little reserved but very professional.The older FA who was serving on my side of the cabin was the opposite-he was outgoing and very friendly without being intrusive.Personally I find the service on AA much more consistent on AA than QF.

Next-arriving at LHR.

 

[drron]

So there was no wheelchairs waiting at the door as you would get in the US.Mrsdrron had to walk halfway up the airbridge where a wheelchair was waiting for her.The other 3 wheelchair pax at least one of whom was in J had to walk to the end of the airbridge where a buggy was waiting to take all 4 to the Special Assistance Point.Here she is getting her ride-

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At the SAP you wait until a wheelchair was available.All were told that you could walk to the special assistance point or wait for a whhelchair which may be several minutes.The other 3 walked-only one slowly.A wheelchair was soon there and we were taken to the Special assistance Immigration line.We still ended up getting through before some of the other F pax in the priority queue and of course all the AA pax in the general queue.
The fellow in front of us had an Indian passport.His was just stamped and through he went.We though were subjected to 20 questions including what hotels we would be staying at.Mrsdrron answered Hiltons or SPG properties and fortunately that was enough.Finally allowed through.

Mrsdrron's pusher was a very friendly and efficient fellow.Even took us out to the Avis shuttle stop and waited and loaded our bags-he deserved his tip.The Avis Preferred doesn't work as well in the UK-no board with your name and car space to go to.You have to check at the preferred office and the queue was longer than the ordinary queue but as all our details are on record it moved quickly and soon I was at our car.We had been upgraded to a larger car but it is a diesel Vauxhall and so far has gone over 200 miles on a quarter of a tank.However the damage sheet said there was 1 scratch on the rear bumper.Oh yeah!

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Fellow saw me taking photos so easy to get an upgraded damage report.So 90 minutes after stepping out of the plane door we were in our car on the way to Swindon.The original plan was a southern sweep via Stonehenge to Swindon but that was out the window.Was the slowest car on the M4 at 60mph.I am surprised that less than 2000 motorists die each year on UK roads.

The Hilton was just of the M4 but very quiet.Our room-

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And our wonderful view.

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Swindon next.