Who won?

There is one lucky winner of the Phoebe Burger challenge as Phoebe only managed 6 burgers this vacation.

Do let me know who it was!

Anyway ..... until next year.

Phoebe Burger count update

Still at 6 - only 1 person has the correct answer so far!

Back up North

Well... further North at least. Whilst Virginia borders DC, both it and the capital is below the Mason-Dixon line and is therefore a Southern State. Indeed Robert E. Lee, the commanding officer of the Confederate army (and he of the Dodge Charger in Dukes of Hazzard fame) was born here (he was the son of the Governor of Virginia).

We made good time, leaving just before 9, stopping for lunch and got here (just outside Petersburg) at 4.15pm. Aside from a couple of miles through roadworks when we dropped to 45mph we tracked at around 70mph the whole way.

The hotel here is surprisingly good. Pool, fitness room, business centre, free wifi and home-baked cookies. We've got 2 rooms and costing us less than £100 for the night. Located next to the Mall here (we managed to avoid going into another Macy's) but also next to an Outback Steakhouse. As the last one we went to was good we went to the one here this evening. Food was OK again, but 4 out of the 6 meals were wrong and needed to be send back and fixed. To be fair the server was great, not her fault, the cook must have been sniffing too many spices.

Off to Colonial Williamsburg tomorrow which is just over an hour away. Then a 3 hour drive to the airport for flight home.

Pop Quiz: In which state was Hazzard County? No google searches allowed for this one!

Last day on HHI

Off home tomorrow so took it easy. Swimming this morning (got a little bit burned) and then headed off for a game of golf (crazy golf naturally).

The boys and I then went to play pool so that Sarah could sort out the cases for tomorrow. We then played basketball for a while - seriously sticky exercising outside in this heat.

This evening we went out for Chinese. Really nice meal at the same restaurant that we got a takeaway from the other night. Molly was embarrassed at the amount I ordered but it wasn't much and all plates were cleared.

Got an 8 hour haul back up to Virginia tomorrow. The following day we're going to Colonial Williamsburg (one of the oldest US colonies). The town is like a living museum with the staff all dressed up and behaving as if it was 17th century.

See ya soon.

Moon River

Well, the Savannah River at least. The chap who wrote the song was from Savannah. And what a lovely city it is too.

We took a trolley bus tour around the city. Good guide (lived in Savannah for nearly 40 years). The city itself was the only part of the south of any note that was spared following the civil war when Sherman looted and burned everything in his path. Originally started of in pre-revolutionary times as an English outpost. As a result of being spared by Sherman a lot of the city from late 18th century is still around. Later the city expanded in Victorian times and there is a lot of fabulous ironwork around (defo some work here Dad restoring and maintaining their architectural heritage!).

This afternoon we went shopping and Molly bought some knee-high converse boots!

Dinner this evening was at a Japanese restaurant called Hinoki. Largely disappointing - no real flavour to the food. Tomorrow we're going to a Chinese/Thai nearby.

Lazy Sunday

Chilled out today. Swam this morning. Around midday we went down to SeaPines - a private resort a few miles away. Located at the very "toe of the boot" it was the very first gated community here on the island. Some serious property about. More golf courses and loads of tennis.

More swimming this afternoon and this evening we went to eat out at an Outback Steakhouse. Very nice, best steak we've had since we've been here. I had the porterhouse, Sarah and Molly New York strip, Tom ribs, Jack chicken and Phoebe.... a burger!

Phoebe Burger count now stands at: 6

Now back home watching "Race to Witch Mountain" with the boys. Off to Savannah in Georgia in the morning.

Charleston, Charleston

Drove up to Charleston today (about 2 hours away). Originally was a walled city protecting the city-folk from Indians, Spanish and pirates, it later expanded into the lush farmlands that the plantation owners worked with slaves and was one of the richest cities in the US. 1 in 4 African-Americans can trace their heritage back through the Charleston slave market. But following succession from the union and the resultant war it never regained its standing. Might have something to do with the fact that despite agreeing to a ceasefire, Charleston never actually agreed a peace accord with the Union and in theory is still at war with the rest of the US.

We went on a horse (or rather mule) drawn carriage tour for about an hour and a half. Had a great tour guide (Reid from Tennessee). Saw lots of real-Southern houses. Some grand and well kept but most not. One recently received an offer of $24m! But even those that are run-down fetch a few million and need pretty much the same spent on them to repair (they are all protected and planning / building regs are a nightmare).

The surprising thing though is that like much of South Carolina there is nothing really there. God knows why anyone would want to live there. The surrounding areas are rural (really rural...... housing way below trailer-park standard). In the city just 2 blocks from one of the majestic restored residences we had to circle the block in the car to get back onto the right route and one block off of the main road was intense deprivation (walls missing from "houses" type deprivation). Can only imagine what New Orleans must be like following Katrina.

Talking of hurricanes the storms returned this evening pushed on us by Hurricane Bill. We're hoping for better weather tomorrow so that we can explore the island a little more.

I wanna boat

So today we went out on a boat to look for dolphins. It was only the six of us with the guy who owned the boat. Really good fun. Felt great to kick back and take in the sights.

There is some serious waterfront property around here. Most of it stands empty for most of the year with the $$$$boats jacked up out of the water so they stay clean. We saw one house that was recently up for sale at $12m but banks foreclosed and sold it of at $6m - ouch. There are a few shacks still there which are sold as "knock-downs" for over $2m. Clearly the owners now either don't have the money to rebuild or can't make up their mind as whether to have 7 or 8 bedrooms.

Amazing thing is that Hilton Head was nothing until the late sixties when the first gated community was created at the south-western end of the island. Since then the place has been developed and most of it you never see. It's hidden behind gates and trees for the rich and famous of the eastern seaboard to vacation at and a similar thing is now happening to Daufoskee the island next door. Hilton Head itself is about a quarter of the size of the IOW and is situated midway between DC and Miami (I would have thought it further south) and latitude is the same as Ohio. And whilst it's over 90 every day at the moment it does fall to freezing during the winter at night so it way more seasonal than Florida (weather and visitors).

Anyway, we all enjoyed the boat trip, we saw some dolphins and Jack and Tom both got to drive the boat. I could definitely get used to it and the girls thought they were a million dollars as they sat at the helm with the wind in their hair. Very cool.

This afternoon we popped to the shops as we had thunderstorms. We're getting a bit of weather pushed this way by Hurricane Bill. By all accounts the surf tomorrow is gonna be good!

This evening we went to a Seaford and Steak place called Nick's. Not bad. Broad menu. Molly had homemade meatballs, I had Grouper, Shrimp and Scallop combo. Sarah and Phoebe had their homemade burgers, Jack chicken and Tom Fajitas (his favourite).

Phoebe Burger count therefore stands at 5.

Phoebe Burger count

The poll has now closed.

It was indeed Phoebe who had the Hard Rock Burger.

The Phoebe burger count currently stands at 4.

Life's a beach

Relaxing day today (first one this hols). First up a pot of coffee on the veranda whilst researching restaurants for this evening. Then we booked up for our dolphin trip tomorrow. We have the entire boat to ourselves - should be cool.

Then we went to the private beach. Lovely, except for the jellyfish. Tom got stung...AGAIN. Wasps and now jellyfish - they're just loving him. Luckily lifeguard is equipped with vinegar-water. Molly and I also had a little tickle.

Sea really warm. Sand white, hot and totally clean. Really nice actually. Only downside is that water isn't clear as a result of the sand but we did have fun. Loads of space. Tom and I played frisbee for quite some time.... we even managed to catch it a few times!

Came back. Tom, Molly and Sarah all a little "tanned". Jack looks like he's wearing a t-shirt when he isn't. Skinny white body, nut-brown arms and face. Think we better let him have his shirt off for a while.

This evening we ate nearby in a LoneStar steakhouse. My 20oz ribeye was good. Sarah's Prime-rib was way to garlicky. Tom polished off half a rack of ribs in 5 mins flat. Jack had steak, Phoebe 9 chicken tenders (I mean come on..... who needs to eat 9 chicken strips?) and Molly had a Crusted Chicken Parmesan which looked really good. And the waiter was a real hoot. He had a great time teasing Molly!

550 miles in a straight line

The I95.... now that's a road. Nothing stands in it's way, mainly because there is nothing to avoid. It traverses the Great Dismal Swamp (yes really... check out google maps) going North to South through Virginia, North and South Carolina, each of which take about 3 hours to cross. Indeed it extends beyond here all the way down to Miami. No towns, no hills, nothing to see but trees. Hardly an inspiring drive as say the Mohavi desert or the Santa Monica highway. But it is straight, clear and does exactly what it says on the tin.

View My Saved Places in a larger map

We left around 6.15am, made a stop for brekkie, lunch and to pick up supplies and were here at 5.45pm. Kids were very well behaved. No bickering or moaning. We didn't even have music on for the first 3 hours, we just listened to Molly's iPod!

Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort seems nice. Very small (not even a bar at the pool), but apartment is spacious and folks are friendly. We're two minutes from the pool and the basketball court is right outside so think we'll be down to WalMart in the morning to get a new ball.

For now though I think it's time for a beer - especially as City just beat Barcelona in the Nou Camp. Question: Does that mean that we're now champions of Europe?!

Loads more walking

Went to the White House today which is around 45 mins walk from the hotel. Can only get to within about 5 miles of the place due to security naturally. Just as we arrived the ceremonial guard was changing over. They marched out of the gate and then stashed all their flags in the back of a big white truck.... very classy. Not something that Queenie would agree to I suspect.

We then went to Macy's for the girls but it was quite small and there was nothing that took their fancy. They're still waiting to go to the 2m sq ft Mecca in NYC.

Then we paid over $100 to get into the Spy Museum. I know we have been spoilt by getting in free to all of the others but even so this was really steep for less than 90 mins of dodgy old spy kit from the 50's.

Wandered back to hotel and had a swim. This evening we went to the 14th best rated eaterie out of >1600 in DC. Took 50 mins to walk there (it's at the top of Capitol Hill near the Library of Congress) so the appetite was well up. Turns out it was a dodgy burger joint. Very busy but just plain nasty. I'm not in anyone's good books with that choice. I blame TripAdvisor. By the time we returned it had dropped 10 places to 24. See for yourself.

Anyhow we're all packed up and ready to move down to Hilton Head tomorrow morning. Aiming for an early start, probably around 6am. Should take between 9 and 10 hours driving plus stops. The iPod's charged and tunes loaded. We'll defo be having a bit of Abba!

Shattered!

Busy day today. Started at Air and Space museum. Spent about 3 hours there although kids thought they could have done it in half the time if I didn't read stuff on the way round!

Then we went over the road to the Natural History Museum. It was OK. We all enjoyed the gems section including the Hope Diamond (45 carat blue diamond). It's blue hue is due to a few (he-he!) boron atoms in it's structure. Was originally well over 100 carats but was reduced in size twice. Still pretty impressive. Overall though the NHM was disappointing compared to ours.

This evening we went to eat at a place called Nooshi's (Noodle Sushi bar). Really good. Molly and Phoebe had Chicken Katayuki, Tom Thai Chicken Rice, Jack had Pad Thai, Sarah Nasi Goreng and I had Shaky Beef. General agreement that Jack's Pad Thai was the best, but he preferred the plain rice and Tom's dinner. All were good though.

We then walked down to the Lincoln Memorial. Unfortunately Tom got stung by a wasp just under his eye as we walked so we had to dash to a pharmacy en route. He's fine but it must have really hurt.

The Lincoln Memorial was nice. It is a great view. On the downside, all around the Reflections Pool is covered in geese muck. In fact none of the grassy area along The Mall to the Lincoln Memorial are well kept. It's all kinda grubby which is a shame as it let's down the surrounding buildings and monuments.

Then walked back to the Hotel which took about 45 mins. So 6 pairs of aching feet are now being rested.

A wild day out

Went to the National Zoo today. About 5 stops on the Metro from the hotel and then a 3 block walk. Free entry (indeed all of the 15 Smithsonian museums are).

Panda's were really cute and the tigers gorgeous.

Spent about 5 hours there. As with all zoos it was on a hill, the only "upside" was the 20 min walk back up the hill to go home.

Really good excuse to play with new camera. Will post pix when I have chance to upload them.

This evening we went to the Hard Rock cafe for dinner. Only one of us had a burger. Was it Phoebe? I'll tell you in a few days once you've all had chance to vote on the Phoebe Burger poll.

For the record the rest of us ate Fajitas, Steak and Chicken. All fair to middling.

Fact of the day: The very first Hard Rock cafe was opened in 1971 in.......London.

Then walked off the dinner by wandering along The Mall and up to the Washington memorial which looked quite impressive as the sun set.

Pretty whacked now. Hopefully we can have a fire-alarm-free nights sleep.

That was somewhat alarming

So 30 mins after we went to sleep a siren went off in our room.

Sarah thought I had the TV up way loud. I answered the phone and was ready to tell the front desk I didn't book an alarm call.

Anyhow turns out to be the fire alarm. The girls were awake. We had to wake Tom despite the fact that the klaxon was above his bed and Sarah carried Jack who was still zonked. We then trudged our way downstairs to the garden. Molly was a little concerned at being slightly under-dressed in her PJ's given that there was a wedding party in full swing in the bar.

Turns out to have been a false alarm and we were back in the room inside 15 mins. Jack walked back up to the room. This morning he can't remember any of it happening and thinks we're all winding him up.

Anyway, in the words of the immortal song "Daddy's taking us to the zoo today" (sic) I'd best go get ready.

We're here!

Pretty decent flight apart from some midget bloke in front of me who insisted on leaning his seat right back on me so he could sleep. Even a friendly word from me didn't help him understand that it didn't make him look big or clever, as his feet didn't touch the floor of the aircraft in the first place and he had to be pretty stupid to hack off a bloke my size. Anyhow after the stewards wouldn't mediate (to be fair there wasn't anything they could have done anyway), Sarah swapped rows with me. Now don't think for one moment that it was for my comfort, more to stop me getting arrested I'm sure.

After an age getting the bags because the conveyor broke down for 20 mins and one of our cases losing a wheel (possibly in said conveyors mechanism), we spend a delightful 90 mins getting the car (they had run out so we had to wait for a vehicle to be returned and cleaned).

But Suzie-Sat-Nav got us to the hotel with no problems. Hotel is very posh. At reception we were offered scented cold flannels to freshen up whilst we booked in. Tom, who has a phobia of anything resembling a wash, declined the offer. The rest of us assumed it was necessary to gain entrance as the only other guests around were in Eveningwear and we were clearly bringing down the neighbourhood!

Kids had a lovely surprise in their room. A big plate of cookies with their names iced around the plate. Dirt cheap to do, but really made us feel welcome and helped the stress of the day subside.

Dinner tonight was in hotel in their casual Cafe MoZu. Molly was kinda impressed and couldn't help wondering how nice the "posh" restaurant must be if this was only the cafe (she ain't gonna find out at $110 per person!) Food though was lovely. Sarah and the girls had Wagyu Beefburger with caramelised onions. Jack had a smaller version. Tom had mushroom risotto (big serving) and I went for a Bento box consisting of salad, sushi, carrot and coconut soup, braised beef, crab cake and roasted black cod. Looked great, tasted divine.

And to top the day off City won 2-0. Come on you blues!

Anyhow time to hit the sack.

Twas the night before hols....

.... and all through the place
Jack was adding yet another toy to his case.
Molly was reading, hardly a shock;
Tom was trying to set the alarm on his clock.
Phoebe was filing and painting her nails,
Sarah was playing with her pets and their tails
Pumpkin and Pixie, Parsley and Lav, Chilli and Basil, Lola and Max.
And Ricky? Well sitting with a large glass of wine,
Having finished his task of booking in online.
Everyone so anxious to get on their flight
So good night to all, and to all a good night.

It's back!!!!!

So, by popular demand I find myself blogging for your pleasure as we venture to DC and then down south.

Am a little more organised this year hence setting this up before we actually leave.

We fly out on Saturday 15th August to Washington and stay in the Capitol for 4 nights at the Mandarin Oriental - dead nobby - see for yourself here.

Plan is to do the sights, visit a bunch of museums and eat asian food (apparently very good here, the kids are looking forward to learning how to use chopsticks). If we're lucky the kids will have room service one evening and Sarah and I will venture downstairs to City Zen. Rates pretty well on TripAdvisor - check out the reviews.

Then we head down to Hilton Head, South Carolina, a 9 hour drive crossing Virginia and North Carolina.

On Hilton Head (an island just of the coast of SC near the Georgia border) we're staying at the Disney vacation club resort. Check out the hotel here.

Anyway, enough for now. Need to sort out the SatNav.