Emotional ends

So its over. Harker and Dor on tour (2009) has finished. We returned the car to Rochester yesterday, before saying goodbye at the bus station. He's gone to Connecticut. Im currently in Buffalo with Mackensie. Staying here until very late Tuesday before I go see my sweetheart in Albany.

After looking round DC, we set off through New Jersey, and on Wednesday re-entered New York state again. Passed through Albany so had a few hours with Morgan, which was great, but made me miss her a bit more. Thank you for your sympathy...

Wednesday night we ended up back at our summer camp. Jeremie had to pick up a bag and our boss let us stay the night so we could look around the old place again. Was fun to be back in the infirmary for another night!

And then Thursday, we drove to Rochester, cleaned the car and said fairwell. Im genuinely emotional about leaving Jeremie. Ive seen him every day for the past 2 and a half months, and now the 3d crew has ended. Gone...but never forgotten.

Labor Day weekend

We chose Universal in the end on Saturday. Went on a few rides, paid a ridiculous entry fee and then retired at night. I actually wasnt too scared on most of their coasters though which was a real blessing. Starting to conquer some fears.

Sunday we drove to atlanta. Beautiful city, really benefited from having the olympics.

Yesterday we drove to here, which is Washington DC. Been looking round the capital, which has some small buildings. very european.

2 days left of harker and dor on tour. il keep you posted on plans after.

Florida

Ok so we sorted the car out and we're now into the last week of Harker and Dor on tour. We entered Florida late Wednesday night and stopped in a cheapish inn. The feel of a bed rather than a car seat to sleep on was most welcome.

Yesterday, we took a trip to Panama City Beach. Its a pretty massive beach which is popular at Spring Break time, so it wasnt really busy yesterday but was still plenty of fun to walk around and chill out by. Had my first tequila in months and it went down very well indeed.

Today, we've arrived in the swelteringly hot city of Orlando. Palm trees, white shiny buildings...feels like we're finally on holiday. We might go to disneyland tomorrow. Might. Its not cheap, but it is Disney, and we arent often around in Florida to go...

Finally, on a more personal note, happy two months to my sweetheart. Miss you and love you loads. And congratualtions to all the newly married couples whose weddings I missed this summer.

In a Cajun

Ok heres the deal. We're currently in New Orleans, and we may have 24 hours to return our car to Rochester, NY. Which would be difficult....il keep you posted on whether this is the last travelling message or whether we can get the money to the right people to extend us.....

Yesterday, we were in Memphis. Sat in an Irish pub and listened to the blues, then tried some southern fried catfish. That was nice, unlike Memphis, which seems in serious need of some regeneration. Looked a bit past its best to be honest.

Speaking of devastation, this morning we took the incredible journey to New Orleans. Saw some amazing fields of levelled and stripped trees, and nature still looks like it took a huge battering from the hurricane a few years ago. Cleanup seems to be focussed on the city, which is nice. Just visited the French quarter, which made Jeremie happy.

Tennessee

Im back! and in Pittsburgh

Hello all

Firstly, Im not back in England. But I am back on the blog. Camp was long and fun. Too much to mention everything here. Invite me round for some nice English breakfast tea when I return and il tell you all about the amazing times I had and the cool people I met and the horrible kids I had to look after.

But now, we're on the road! We, for the record, is me and Jeremie, my co-counselor in Cabin 3D, an awesome guy and a Frenchman. We have rented a car and are driving it across the eastern and middle eastern united states. exciting. yesterday we left buffalo, where I had visited my little sister at her college, and we arrived in Pittsburgh. Slept in the car overnight, which was better than it could have been. Probably need a shower soon though....

Today, we've been viewing the steel city. It reminds me a lot of my own steel city in England. A lot of new buildings. A lot of regeneration happening. At the heart is a load of proud supporters of the teams and tonight we're going to watch a preseason football game between the Steelers and Buffalo, the local team for many of my fellow camp workers. But Morgan (girlfriend-Il explain when I get back) says I have to support Pitt so guess I have to do that.

Thats all for now. Il be better at this. I promise.

Lots of love.

Andy

Im Here!

Finally in NY! Sitting at the hostel, really tired, really hungry and sick of travelling. After a train, a tube and long haul flight I think that can be excused. But Im now at the hostel safe and well, and its been a fun day. At one point I was eating dinner with a glass of red at 35000ft while watching family guy. For the record, Virgin Atlantic is quality. Listened to the whole Kings of Leon albumn and watched Frost/Nixon which was good. All in all, pretty cool. As was meeting the random bird I was sat next to. Being put next to someone for 8 hours is an interesting experience, but a rather fulfilling one.

As we touched down we heard the news about Michael Jackson. Perhaps its best to say on that that we all want to thank him for the music, if not the memories.

We got a van ride to the hostel. New York by night is simply staggering. Some views of Manhattan as we were driving towards it were simply breathtaking. The skyline just looks incredible when its all lit up and me and the other passengers could but gaze at the amazing sight before us. Simply incredible.

Go to camp tomorrow, but first, Im off for food.

Goodbye

Hello and Goodbye UK!

Im soon off to meet some mates for a quick pint. Last one I can have for two months until camp is finished-the longest il have done that for since I started drinking in earnest 6 or so years ago. fact.

tomorrow is going to be a long and slow day. im incredibly impatient, so to have to wake up early to spend the day waiting for things and sitting on things can be boring, but it will still be nice to get over there and meet other travellers and enjoy some of the big place, even though it still doesnt feel like its really happening.

So there we are! See you in a few months. Hold my post. We'll sort everything when I get back are my two generic instructions, but practically to those who have it, dont use my phone number. Ive leaving the SIM in the UK. and dont expect instant replies to emails! be patient with me!

Lots and lots of love and God's blessings to all.

See you on the other side of the pond.

xxxx

Back in Derby

So back in Derby now.

Packed the majority of my stuff to my new place-il finish that on tuesday-and am now sitting at home trying to relax and sort out the last of my bills to be paid and other admin stuff. Also to find out what ive missed so I can get it.

Apart from that, not much happening. Pretty pointless post aint it?.....

Emotional Fairwells

I hate this time of year.

Its not just the massive rainstorm I found myself caught in ten minutes ago. After all, my pyjamas and a cup of hot chocolate seem to be righting that wrong. But its the whole moving on thing.

Today, I continued the countdown. 7 days to go! But at the same time, I also said goodbye today to some very close friends at morning prayers and tonight to my former housemate, who unlike my prayer buddies, wont be waiting for me in sheffield when I return. A sad thought, but just a sign of how these days everyones moving on, doing their own things, getting married and carrying on forwards in life. You know what, as I pack my clothes now, I think I know how excited and nervous they all feel.

Packing up (Round One)

Hi

This is a short blog that Im going to try (and I mean try) to keep updating everyone back in the UK on my progress in America after shamelessly stealing the idea off Helen, who totally did this first and so I can claim no originality in anything about this. (To make up for this, Il promote hers here. Check it out at www.helengoestocapecod.blogspot.com)

So today Im starting round one of packing, which basically involves cleaning everything in my house, and starting to move things piece by piece to my new place which I got the keys for today. Moving in early is a real blessing given the whole going abroad thing and Im grateful very much to our landlord for letting me do so. Aside from that, today marks 8 days to go, til Im over there and have more interesting things to talk about.

Bless

Andy

p.s. For those with faith, the prayer requests are: health, money, and that I remember everything. :-)