At Last

I've finally got all my photo's from my recent vacation to Boston & Chicago downloaded onto Flickr.

You can check them out from the link on my sidebar or use this link - Micks Photos
Be warned there is a lot but you can watch them as a slide show if you wish.

Tell me which one's if any you like ?

While I'm on the subject of my vacation I saw this lady Rock singer performing on the stage in the Beer garden on the Navy Pier in Chicago :-


They call her Jen Porter and I watched for a couple of hours, I reckoned she was good did a few cover versions of songs I like plus some of her own compositions.

At the end of her set she was giving out her cards so I e'mailed her telling her I enjoyed the show and attatching a couple of photos I took. She actually e'mailed back thanking me for sending the photo's.

You can check her out at http://www.jenporter.com/ or watch this Video (let me know what you think) :-

Changing subject the rain stopped this morning but so I was able to go for a long walk, I needed the exercise. However I've just had lunch and we've had a torrential downpour, the UK is a mess with flooding all over the place. Its ok where I live although fields are flooded but the town is unscathed.

This afternoon I'm now gonna watch the Golf while keeping my eye on the German Grand Prix, our boy Lewis Hamilton is struggling at the half way point after having a 175mph crash due a wheel problem in qualifying yesterday. He leads the World Championship and will do fantastic if he can finish in the top 8 and get some points today, he's already had a puncture and come off twice due to a waterlogged track and been on the wrong tires.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia leads the Open Golf and as a 3 shot lead over American Steve Stricker who started the day 3 shots ahead of the players equal 3rd which included leading Englishman Paul Broadhurst and South African Ernie Els. Els however has birded the first two and now is only 4 shots off the lead. Tiger Woods was 8 shots behind the leader at the last check and there ae a lot of good players in front of him so he sort of needs a miracle.

Finally I've posted this photo just to remind me I've an appointment at the dentist in the morning.

I'll be back later to check out other blogs.

Back Home

Well I'm now back home all my flights train journeys etc went to plan but it still took over 20 hours from hotel to home so I'm a little knackered to say the least. I've just checked a few e'mails and had a quick glance around a few blogs but I'll catch up later in the week.

I've enjoyed both Boston and Chicago and I'm sure there is every chance I'll return someday, we'll see.

One little story on the trip home I was lucky to get two seats near the emergency exit (more leg room) to myself on the Boston to Manchester flight and sat across from me were aa asian man and women also near the other emergency exit.

Now these two where a little full of themselves from the impression I got straight away don't know why just a gut feeling. Anyway I first noticed when the meals came around they got served first because they had ordered the vegetarian meal. Nothing wrong with that but they opened it, picked it over and decided they didn't like it.

I had chosen the Chicken and Rice which I thought quite tasty so they then asked for that, again opened it up had a nibble and sent it back (must have been vegetarian chicken). The other choice was Beef, Potato and vegetable which I had on the outward flight, again it was nice as far as aircraft meals go but again same procedure eventually sending back.

I thought a bit pathetic as the choice covered quite a range but its them that are going hungry not me. Anyway they where a bit bossy with the attendants all flight which came to a head when we where coming in to land, first the bloke wouldn't fasten his seatbelt and got ticked off by the attendant. He then wanted to store his carry on bag under his seat, now part of the rules in agreeing to an emergency exit seat is you can't store bags on the floor for obvious reasons. Eventually the Attendant virtually made him put his bag on the rack.

Anyway after we landed the two of them decided they wanted to be first off the plane and barged their way to the front again I just thought some people have no manners.

Anyway when I got to security they were a few places in front of me in the line and when they got to the front I just cracked up when they turned out to be not British Passport holders and were in the wrong line. They had to go to the back of the overseas visitors line which of course had filled with everyone else from our flight by this time. Justice some may say.


Finally is anyone else having problems with Blogger "I can't put a title to my last two posts ?"

Extra - I cured the title problem by clicking on the word "Title" instead of in the Box.

Last Day in Boston

This is my last day in Boston and I've enjoyed the City and have a few tales to tell. One its ben a story of coincidence starting on the plane coming over, I got sat with four ladies and got talking, it turned out they were doing a very similar trip to me Boston then a week in Chicago, the only difference they left Boston yesterday. I haven't run into then again since the airport but promised them a drink if we come across each other again, maybe next week they are coming to some of the clubs I plan to visit.

When I arrived at my hotel I couldn't belive the girl on reception was the spitting image of the receptionist I liked when I visited San Francisco last year, she had the same big smile I reckon they must have been twins seperated at birth.

Then the other night I was heading back to my hotel and got off the subway at the south end of Boston Common and a group of pretty young ladies were walking behind me. Now let me tell you outside this particular stop is where all the down and outs seem to be at night and it can be a bit intimidating to some people (but I must add they have been no bother). Anyway I heard one of the ladies I don't like walking out on the street its not like "York". It turned out they were from the York area like me.

Other stories I visited Salem on one of the really hot days and planned to get the 4pm ferry back to Boston. I was really sticky and hot after walking the streets so I decided to grab a quick pint at about 3pm on my way to the ferry dock. Now let me tell you I don't normally drink during the day but that beer tasted so good, it never touched the sides. Well one pint led to another and next thing I realised it was nearly 8pm and thats when the last ferry leaves. I was so close to missing it, almost spent the night sleeping under the stars in the home of witches.

Last night I called at one of the local pubs near my hotel and the lovely barmaid had a sense of humour I think, she set me up with this well dressed blonde lady which I thought was good of her. However it soon became apparent this women although attractive was totally wacko I just couldn't shake her off, believe me she was totally barmy couldn't get an ounce of sense out of her. I also noticed the barmaid grinning at me a lot, to be honest I think she was wetting herself with laughter. I'll have to call tonight and have words. Actually she is a nice lass and actually complimented me for been polite she reckoned she doesn't get many customers that are as polite as me I explained thats what we are like in Yorkshire.

I've seen a lot of Boston and enjoyed the City its been worth the visit but I'm now looking forward to moving on to Chicago tomorrow.

Hope you are all well.

On the Road again

One week today I'll be on my travels again and I'm really looking forward to my next trip. I'll be travelling to Manchester next Friday staying over at Bewleys Hotel my usual spot before catching the Morning flight to Boston.
Its my first visit to Boston but two of my blog friends Jenny and Rachel have told me how good it is and I'm really looking forward to my visit.
I don't know too much about the City nightlife so I'll have to do a bit of exploring on that front but apparently there is plenty of good bars so it should be fun.
I'll try to do a lot of walking for the exercise and its the best way to see a city anyway, I'll certainly walk the Freedom trail.
Another thing I intend to do is catch the Ferry to Provincetown at Cape Cod where you can hire a bike to explore that part of the world.

I'll be staying nine nights in Boston before flying on to Chicago for a further seven nights. Its during the Taste of Chicago festival and I've visited this in both 2005 & 2006 and really enjoy it. It is all about Music and Food so a lot of fun.
Some of the acts on at the Taste include John Mayer, Black Crows, Cheap Trick, and Los Lonely Boys. There is always a lot of excellent local talent also on show.
I'm checking whats on at some of the Blues & Jazz clubs (gotta visit these in Chicago) for evening entertainment and just about getting my hectic schedule together.

In Boston I'll be staying at the Milner Hotel which is in the Theatre District and fairly close to Boston Common and Freedom Trail. In Chicago I'm staying at the Seneca Hotel which is close to Hancock Tower and Michegan Avenue. Both Hotels provide a Breakfast so thats a bonus.

I'm sure I'll tell you all about my trip.