Let's See What's New Day 1

Let's See What's New Day 1

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So with heavy heart we stroked good bye to the cat and headed off to that place we all frequent.

14 days, comprising of 9 days of Villa, an Animal Kingdom savannah view night, a Hard Rock Night to get early access to Harry Potter, and 3 days in the Hilton so we can hop over the street to the DTD bus station.

Normally when you get near the M25, which I swear is owned by NCP, it's a nightmare.

Today, not so bad!

The sign has been pressed so many times in the lift, it's been worn out.

People clearly don't see the buttons four times it's size to the left of it.

Premium Economy upgrade for £67 each and 12k air miles!

Reeeeesult. I thought such things were tales told by drunken Virgin Atlnatic flyers of yesterday.

But seriously, this is the first time we've scored it in over 7 years.

Bulkhead seats too, for the cherry on the cake. Makes up for this morning business issues I really didn't need to be woken up for.

Toilets near.

Both good, bad and sometimes amusing.

Just enough leg room for me :-)

It should be noted both Mel and I are posting on these trip reports

Don't want anyone to think I have hairy legs.

Disney 2014. Day -3. Pre Trip.

Disney 2014. Day -3. Pre Trip.

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Normally we plan our trips like a military operation but this time very little has been set in stone, and if it has it's because we had too.

The main reason for heading back this year at this time is to see the Christmas stuff, such as the Osborne lights and Mickeys party, whilst still catching the Halloween events and the food and wine festival.

Based in a villa in Orlando we are also doing a night in Sarasota as Mel wants to visit The Salty Dog restaurant; one of the Man Vs Food places Mel likes to frequent.

A night at the hard rock hotel for the Iniversal Horror nights and that's it for hotels this year.

See you all stateside!

Florida 2014

For this US trip we decided we'd do some new stuff, and so we timed it to do old stuff too. Heh.

By dipping into late October, and early November we can still do the Universal Halloween and Epcot Food and Wine Festival as well as the Christmas Party and Osbourne Lights which start on the 7th.

Given our liking for Man Vs Food restaurants we are also taking a trip over to Sarasota for a night, and visiting the Salty Dog restaurant.

So one villa, complete with the customary private pool and jacuzzi, one night in the Hard Rock to get front of line passes for Harry Potter, premium economy flights on the way back for double the baggage allowance for Mels shopping, and we're set.

An Erie Trip - Day 9 - Rolling Back To Chicago

An interesting tour through Indiana today. Barns are popular here.

The Chicago skyline is certainly interesting.

An Erie Trip - Day 8 - The Art House

When we read the AirBNB description of The ArtHouse near Toledo in Ohio we were not expecting as much art as we got.

The conservatory had a piano for me to play, and there were eagles nests across the river for us to watch.





Practically every wall had art on it, blown glass bowls on the tables, and they sure stocked the fridge for us including 3 bottles of wine, a dozen water bottles and all sorts of breakfast nom noms. We left all the utensils we bought for our beach BBQ here for them as a Thank-You.


They even invited us out in the evening to a local bar, but we declined with thanks as we had built a nest next to the fire to snuggle in and watch TV.

I would stay in this place for an entire holiday, one of the nicests places I've ever visited in my life.

We had driven in through Erie and had a wander on the shore. Here I am walking on a frozen lake yet again.

I guess at least I've got my top on this time.

An Erie Trip - Day 7 - Onto Cleveland

We left Niagara and headed down i90 for over 200 miles into Cleveland, stopping off at the actual town of Erie on the way.

At 7p a text I'll wait for wifi, thanks.

It was nice to tick off a few more states as we went.

The very over staffed visitor Centre was amusing.

Staff outnumbered visitors three to one.

Forgot I'm on holiday, not working.

Lake Erie is still frozen on the USA side. I had to run over someone's garden for this shot as we searched 20 minutes for a public shoreline before I said "screw it, I'll apologise with my nice UK accent if anyone comes out."

Another AirBNB apartment, chock full of vintage curiosities.

The house is two bedrooms, with a big lounge, study, dining area, kitchen and bathroom.

Nice comfy bed, and all very clean and fresh.

New York likes to charge you for driving down the roads.

So time to relax with a stack of 33s :-)

An Erie Trip - Day 6 - Ice Ice Baby

A bit of a wet day, both from the spray of the falls and some rain.

Kind of odd seeing Niagara like this but it's beauty still astounds.

As it is so quiet here we could easily pull up on the side of the road for pictures.

Mel went up the giant tower, I stayed on the nice solid ground.

Definitely hoody weather.