Monday 22 March; the Women’s Rights National Park & Skateatelas

Mattie and Mike have given me a warm welcome into their beautiful house which was built with lots of Californian Redwood. Outside my window two small clumps of snowdrops provide the only green shoots in a rather bleak landscape. I’m told that Rochester competes with Seattle for the most cloudy days in the year. No surprise then: it’s raining

We drive east along the New York State thruway, our first stop is Senaca Falls and the Women’s Rights National Historical Park. Mattie and I are the only visitors today so we have the undivided attention of Dave with his endless knowledge and admiration of the women and men who initiated the women’s rights movement. Our tour of the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, where in 1848 the first women’s rights convention was held, is conducted from the window of the exhibition hall as the chapel is currently being restored. The original building has over time been used as a filling station and most recently a lauderomat. We stand beside clay statues of the activists, many of them were also abolitionists. Upstairs the exhibition tells the story of their 72 year battle for women’s suffrage and there’s lots about gender inequality in general. To my delight a large quilt hangs from one wall; simply patched in primary colours and perfectly hand quilted.

In a nearby street we visit the home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton one of the leaders of the women’s rights movement.  She held ‘conversationlists’ in her home to teach young women how to organise meetings, use rhetoric and gain the confidence to speak in public. The room walls are covered in wall paper that matches the originals; all discovered under six other layers during restoration.

Our final stop is in Skateatelas. A wonderful name for a town that sits on the northern tip of one of the smaller finger lakes. Lunch is very good clam chowder in a restaurant that overlooks the absolutely clear lake water. A wonderful day that the persistent rain does not dampen. 

London to Chicago …

An early start and Heathrow Terminal 3 was, as always, groaning with trolley pushing people. Babies and senior citizens travelling at ease in their carriages and lots of people making their way home for Passover.

It was good exercise getting to the gate –the travelators were all out of action and AA87 left from the far reaches of the terminal. I was deep into yesterday’s Guardian Review when they called my name to hand me an upgrade to first class. Oh the blessings of a full flight, no doubt because of the BA strike.

So I turned left inside the door of the plane to 1D, some excellent service, freshly cooked food and a seat that turned into a very comfy bed. No Ringo Starr or Tom Jones on my flight but I’ve started making my way thro’ this years films that I haven’t got around to seeing and had a welcome sleep. An unexpected treat at the start my trip.

US Immigration authorities now have my fingerprints and stamped me thro’ after an extended conversation about why I had two Iranian visa’s in my passport!

I’m writing this in a sunny and peaceful spot overlooking the runway at Chicago O’Hare. My flight to Rochester is in 3 hours and my aim is to stay awake until its bedtime at Mattie and Mike’s.

different to the last time ..

I've been reflecting on how different the solo journey I start tomorrow, which will eventually see me in New Zealand, will be to my first journey to NZ when I was 9. That was a family trip, six weeks by sea to a new country so Dad could manage the building of a cement works in what is now a National Park. We stayed in a London hotel before travelling to Southampton to board the SS Corinthic. Lots of firsts for all of us .. certainly we children had never spent the night in such a posh place.  There was quite a send off as the ship left -Grandma amongst the many others waving from the dockside and then excitement of sleeping in bunks in our own cabin. Our days were full of activities, deck quoits became Mum's forte and she looked stunning  in her new clothes. I can picture her now in a frothy yellow ball gown and silky cocktail dress ... all stored in a cabin trunk that opened up like a wardrobe!   King Neptune reigned as we  'crossed the line' with appropriate ceremony and we watched in amazement as the lock gates let us through the Panama Canal.
I can't believe that my flights via the US & Australia will leave such an impression but who knows ... its time to strap the suitcase and eat the last apple.

Climate diversity

Just checked the weather at my first 2 stops. Rochester is looking good at 17C but its -2 in Denver!! So is there space in my suitcase for some more cosy clothes or shall I just hope that the warm sun they had earlier this week greets me next weekend. Decisions, decisions. its a tough life ...

Testing the off line blog writer

Some last minute things to do tonight including checking that I remember how to write a blog entry offline. It seems a long time ago since I booked my round the world ticket and James showed me how to do this!!! My first flight leaves two hour earlier thanks to the BA strike but I am so grateful that I could change to American Airlines. No pictures to attach yet but there will be plenty very soon.  I’m going to be sending messages to alert friends and family to a new entry but it would be great if you became a friend to this blog. I don’t think there are many so far …

lots to do ...

Getting ready for my trip has generated a long  to do list... My car is now SORNed from 01 April and I've ordered foreign currency after a very long spell at the local PO counter!!

Its getting close ..

I'm working my way my thro' my to do list; credit card companies informed, currencies ordered, e-reader with some new books to read and a huge pile of 'I might take this with me' on the bedroom floor. Watch this space