Up early for the flight from Boston to Washington DC. Arrived at 1130, Lyft ride into Town and arrived at the Washington Hilton at 1pm. Unpacked and originally planned a quick walk around the Neighbourhood to get the lay of the land. That didn’t happen!! Arlington Military Cemetery got the vote. Very sad to see in one place the graves of 400,000 American Servicemen & Women. The Kennedy Family are also buried here along with the US Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Whilst at the Tomb we witnessed a wreath laying by 4 guys from East Iowa. A WWII Veteran, A Korean War Veteran and Two Brothers who had served in Vietnam. Said a prayer for a friend of Bob’s whose son is a US Marine deployed this week to the Middle East, god bless him and return him safe to his family.

Wednesday 4th October. Full day doing the sites today. Up at 7.30am for quick call with Mum & Dad then picked up by the “Hop On Hop Off” shuttle to take us downtown. Picked up the Hop On Hop Off trolley bus and first stop was the White House, then back on the bus past Union Station to Capitol Hill. Normal set of selfie and photo’s at Capital Hill then decided to walk down to Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. Stopped on Route at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, WAFU’s recharge, continued on and walked around the monument and some great photo’s then stopped at the WWII memorial. After that onto the Lincoln Memorial, a distance of two miles from capital hill incase you have seen tv or film shots which seem to suggest they are close. Bob did his “is that you Jennie?” Impressions all the way down Reflection Lake as Forrest Gump is his hero☺️ Back on the trolley bus to the start and a stop for lunch, Burrito & Quesadillas. Then back on the bus to do the complete run without getting off. Well worth doing all the sites again with the guides input on the history. Fact of the day? At the WWII monument the guide stated that over 50 Million people had died in WWII. That is the population of Modern Day Spain!! Dinner in the hotel at McClellan’s sports bar.

Thursdsy 5th. Up and off to the Hilton Club, free breakfast proving you were prepared to listen to a 90 min Vacation Club pitch. After that taxi to the Washington Smithsonian Zoo. Walked around the Zoo for 2 hours, good things, Panda, Cloud Lepoard and some of the reptiles. Down side, Aminals looked unhappy, Zoo looked tired, only one place to get food so overall not a brilliant visit. Then a quick bite to lunch at Duke’s Counter opposite the Zoo. Can recommend it, good sandwiches and good selection of wine and beer. At lunch time they have a happy hour with some drinks at $5. Back to the hotel where Lesley discovered that this hotel is where Ronald Regan was shot by John Hinckley in March 1981. We seem to attract them. Out for dinner this evening with Ash, Hanan and Rastan. Ash is an old friend of Bobs. Very good evening catching up with each other’s lives, nice meal at the Fig & Olive. Stopped for a couple of beers at the tap room and then back to the hotel. When we got back Bob realised he had left his spare insulin pens in the hotel in Boston!! So quick call to a doctors help line, Doctorstoyou, and we can pick a new pen up at CVS in the morning.

Friday 6th. Up early to get packed and then down to CVS in Dupont Circle to pick up Bob’s Insulin. Lyft ride to Alexandria to do some last minute shopping. Breakfast in Alexandria but no shopping as shops do not open until 11. So caught Lyft to Pentagon Mall for some shopping, new shirt and hoodie for bob and new cardie and jacket for Lesley. Caught the Metro back to Dupont Circle and got some lunch at Subway. Then back to the hotel and finish packing before leaving at 3 for the Airport. Dropped off at 4.30pm and luggage dropped, checked in to Alicante via Gatwick and in the Club Class Lounge. A few drinks and dinner in the lounge and then boarded at 1015pm for the flight to LHR