DAY 21: OFF TO THE HILL! Chilly but fine as we spent today down the Capitol Hill end of town. First port of call was the Capitol Building itself. It's a shame the dome is undergoing some repairs, but the view from inside underneath is still something to behold. The rotunda at its base and adjoining chambers are full of statues, marble, history and grandeur. We also paid a visit to the House of Representatives, where the President in a few days will deliver his...

DAY 20: MORE MUSEUMS! We got some snow overnight here in DC and there was just a little more bite in the air this morning. Thankfully we got all our walking out the way yesterday, cause today was museum day, i.e. we spent it indoors! We are so lucky with the location of our hotel (cnr of 7th and F sts for you google mappers), cause after a short 15min stroll we were back in the warmth of the National Air and Space Museum. The craft on display in this building ...

DAY 19: WALKING WASHINGTON We woke to clear blue skies today, so we slipped on the thermals and walking boots and hit the sights of DC. Thermals were a pre-requisite cause it was freezing! However when rugged up (and after your face went numb), it proved pleasant enough for a big walk around the city. We started off the trek by passing Ford's Theatre, the sight of Lincoln's assignation, just a couple of blocks from our hotel. A few blocks further on we found ...

DAY 18: WASHINGTON DC! Left Charleston on a morning flight and arrived in the nation's capital by lunchtime. We're staying at the Hotel Monaco, an historic post office building built in 1839 (opened by Abe himself apparently) and only converted to a hotel in the last decade. Very happy with our room and its facilities (though I'm not sure about the complimentary animal print bath robes!). The location is perfect, being within walking distance to a lot of the ci...