Good news people, a very quick update as I was only here for one full day :)

After spending 15rs on the train I arrived at Union Station in Portland and treated myself to a taxi to the Hostel. Time for a quick shower and then to sus out the food situation, I then joined the group in the hostel that were doing a BBQ which was very cool, nice bunch of people! We all just sat around the courtyard with a few drinks whilst exchanging traveling stories and discussing which nationality won the prize for most inconsiderate backpacker….answers on a postcard please……. The hostel that I am staying at in Portland is really nice, a nice homely feel and good common areas so its really easy to meet people which is great and not forgetting the free breakfast of course :) I m still trying to get rid of this damn cold so you will be impressed to hear I turned down the invitation to join the rest of the hostel bods on their trip to the nearby bar, I went to bed. After breakfast and a lovely catch up with Mum and Dad I set off to explore Portland. I soon discovered that I should be staying here a lot longer than 2 nights, especially when I have to leave for Seattle early the next day….. Portland is just lovely, a nice relaxed atmosphere, not as fast paced as the other cities, it just felt a lot more relaxed and really safe. I started off by heading the Historic Waterfront District, and for a little stroll along the water, the weather here is also lovely so it made for a very pleasant walk. From here I made my way to Downtown and found myself having a little coffee stop, after my Frappucino, and little sit down I continued to wander around. A lovely selection of shops, the mainstream chains but also lots of independent boutiques with some very cool stuff, I only looked from the window, I didn't trust myself to go in. I also walked past a number of brew houses but didn't go in, if I'd had more time a trip the brewery would have been a definite. Having been out all morning I headed back to the hostel for a bit to get my journal up to date. In the afternoon I made my way over to Washington Park accompanied by my iPod. having wandered up and down the same road twice I finally worked out which way to go and after about half an hr found myself at the entrance. The Park was lovely, loads of massive trees and incredibly lush green grass and sculpted hedges. I found my way to the Rose Garden having walked through a path that snaked its way through all sorts of plants and trees with the warmth of the sun piercing through the branches of the trees. A lovely little walk. The Rose Garden was beautiful, it immediately reminded me of Nana and Grandpa, I could have imagined them wandering through the gardens enjoying the views, so that is exactly what I did and it was really lovely. There were a number of different sections to the Rose Gardens all housing a large number of different types and colours, it was lovely, very peaceful and relaxing there. It was a bit of a trek to get there, but I am really pleased that I went. Hopefully the pictures will do it some justice. So that was the extent of my whistle stop trip of Portland, it was then back to the hostel to pack and catch up on these - nearly there. The morning arrives, my alarm went off, I got up, the taxi turned up, the taxi driver was very helpful, I made it to the station in plenty of time, so all going well so far. Then I'm loaded up with both rucksacks and skates, miss the curb and hit the deck, luckily for me the front rucksack cushioned me from doing a complete face plant of the pavement, but I am now stuck, lying on the flooring swearing, unable to move, looking like a tortoise upside on its shell, wedged between my two rucksacks! Thank god it was early, there were not many people around, except for my lovely taxi driver who ran to my rescue and unclipped me from my rucksacks so I could actually get up. First thing I thought was …… the mac, please dont tell me I've broken that!!! It was fine, panic over, then I thought I should probably have a look at what I ve done to myself, yep, two more holes in both knees. Nice! So another character building day for me today, hopefully no more being ill and I will now start to look where I am putting my feet a bit more! Next stop Seattle…….