When we were looking for somewhere to start our trip to US, given we were flying to JFK it was always going to be in the New York area. We looked at places on Upper East side but in the end decided on Williamsburg in Brooklyn. I had been there years ago to visit my friend, and now organic farmer, Rupert Newton and liked it and we eventually found a three bedroom apartment on Bedford Avenue, right in the heart of it. It's a great place, Time Out accuses it of t...

Amazing museum, but a bit overwhelming. Had forgotten just how much stuff there was, and how eclectic. Unfortunately Roof Garden was closed, so bus down to Grand Central Station instead. Then Staten Island Ferry for some great views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, before back to Williamsburg and a well earned beer...

Made it to Heathrow, all running smoothly so far. The benefits of Upper Class have become apparent to me and might actually just spend the next three weeks here. Allison just bumped into Ian Brown in duty free, and has just arrived in the Club House. Might suggest a duet and get my bongos out!

It's the day before we fly to USA and all appears well set. Flights, trains, taxis all booked, and accommodation in Williamsburg, Washington, Chapel Hill, Boston and Cape Cod all sorted, and old friend Martin E Silfen ready to look after us for a few days in Virginia Beach. Hopefully we will post regularly to this blog whilst we are away - it's the longest holiday we have ever been on (26 days!), centred around dropping Keir at University of North Carolina for he...