We’re here….finally!

Today has been such a mix of emotions, good and bad. I’ve had another gruelling day starting at 8.30am without a break till 4.20pm. It’s been tough but has also been really insightful and fun. I’ve learned that my team are fantastic as well as good at their jobs.

I’ve learned that brilliant is not an expression of delight in the USA, it’s an expression of clever.

After work, I met Mark and he drove me to NYC. Wow, I’ve never seen so many cars in all my life. The New Jersey Turnpike was horribly congested because the bridge onto Statten Island was closed following an accident. We travelled past the junction, onto the tunnel which had huge delays so on again to the Washington Bridge. Because we’d done such a big detour, the journey (50 miles) had taken 3 hours. I was virtually beside myself with worry – Jill, Jeanne and Lara were waiting at our hotel and we couldn’t get in touch with them to let them know we’d been delayed because my mobile (cell) phone doesn’t work here. We arrived here an hour after David’s plane touched down at JFK.

When we arrived in Manhatten, the hotel hadn’t got a room for us despite our reservation and despite paying in advance. I was very cross.

Eventually we arrived and Lara and I dashed off to pick up David who’d been waiting at JFK for ages by the time it’d taken an hour to get out of the city to get him. It was soooooo good to see him.

We went out to find a Pizza but because I’d lost David’s mini tripod, I’d not been able to get a photo so this one was taken on arrival back in our room after a meal and a drink with Mark, Lara, Jeanne and Jill…..panic, panic – I need a photo.

This is as good as it gets, sorry – will do better tomorrow.

anyway, we didn't get back to NYC till 10pm but still raised a glass to all our USA friends - even though a bit late....we'll be posting photos of the gang tomorrow!