Road Trip 2010 - Savannah. GA. (Pt 3)

Welcome to the final leg of our recent road trip to the USA and Savannah was a wonderful place to stay and explore before we began our trip home. No doubt many of you would be aware of the book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" which has been made into a movie of the same name and provides a good insight into the lives and stories of the Southern folk as well as showing many of the lovely homes that are part of this amazing city. The house in the photo below is the house about which the film was made. To learn more about this great city with such a rich history you may wish to have a look at http://savannahvisit.com/meetings/savannah-info


We were most fortunate to be welcomed to this spectacular city by Regina and Jim Hess, friends we have not seen since 1997. The photo below is taken in their lounge room and the wedding photo above the fire place is of their son Justin to Lizabeth, daughter of Maureen and Dennis Reilly our great friends in Texas. Regina and Jim were magnificent hosts who provided stories and suggested walking tours so that we could really appreciate the history and culture of this area. Both are fiercely proud of their their city and rightly so.


On our last evening in Savannah we had dinner at their home and we were introduced to a local meal called "low country boil" which is a combination of seafood, spicy sausage, corn and potato in a very spicy broth, traditionally served on newspaper. The meal was delicious and we had the best evening just talking and laughing. We will certainly be going back to this area before we finally leave North America.




The city is developed on an 8 square pattern and is very easy to walk around with many parks and majestic trees which have spanish moss hanging from them. Every effort has been made to retain the original buildings and it is a real walk back in time to explore these grand buildings.

Our walking tours which we did over a 2 day period took us to historical areas where the cotton gins had been established and we were given an insight into the slave trade.

The opportunity provided by the first walking tour allowed us to get a real sense and perspective of the old buildings on which the city thrived. Below is the Capital building which has a gold plated dome.

There are various ways to see the city and the horse drawn carriage was a most popular way for many. Unfortunately every time Murphy saw a horse she felt compelled to bark so we became very skillful in averting her eyes every time we saw a horse heading our way.

There are many gracious homes in Savannah just like the one below.

As we are all aware there have been and continues to be brave and proud American military men and women who have given their lives in the Middle East and sadly the Hess/Freeman families lost their son, son in law and husband of Theresa the daughter of Regina and Jim. Matthew was a pilot in the US Marine Corps who was killed by a sniper in Afghanistan last year.

Theresa is a USAF Flight Surgeon and they had only been married a very short time before Matthew was deployed to Afghanistan. The weekend we were in Savannah would have been their church wedding in the Cathedral so it was a sad time for Regina and Jim as they spoke about what should have been a happy time. We felt very privileged to be with them at this time and it gave us a sense of the great loss they still feel and we know they will always have a hole in their hearts for what should have been.

There are many memorials to those who have and continue to serve for their country and below is a lovely Memorial Park close to where Regina and Jim live which provides the opportunity to buy a brick and place the name of members of the US military be they currently serving, past serving or lost their lives in the service of their country. Jim and Regina have placed a brick in memory of Matthew which is next to that of Theresa and that of Jim who served in Desert Storm.

As Matthew was a local lad and his family still lives in this area, a road has been named after him. Matthew will never be forgotten and will always remain in the hearts of those who new and loved him.

Our trip to Savannah was an amazing adventure. We really enjoyed the opportunity to learn about this area. It was also very sobering to see the pain and sorrow that the tragic loss of Matthew has brought and while we may take some comfort in knowing that he now rests in peace the lost potential of this life is difficult to reconcile.

In a couple of weeks we will be travelling to the New England area of the USA, so until our next update stay safe, happy and well.

Love Bev, Ross and Murphy

Road Trip 2010- Amish country to Leesville (Pt 2)

Hi again, just back again from Halifax, NS, sadly without Toni whose flight was to cancelled due to the ash from the volcano in Iceland.
So back to out travels. After one and a half days in Gettysburg we travelled to Lancaster PA, which is 60 miles (100 km) east of Gettysburg (on the way to Philadelphia) and the centre of the Pennsylvania Amish people. It was a real walk back in time to see the Amish men working in their fields using exclusively horse drawn equipment. While in this location we enjoyed lunch at the Cafe below. We had a traditional Amish meal which which can best be described as a delicious chicken, vegetable pie. The waitress was a happy, joyful young woman aged 24 years with a 6 six year old son. Next semester she is going back to school and will be doing her nursing degree.


From Gettysburg we travelled to Richmond, VA which was the HQ for the Confederate Forces during the civil war. The area was also the cradle of European settlement in North America (dating back to 1607) and is also the area made famous by Captain John Smith and the many folklore stories regarding Smith and Pocahontas. You will see in the two photos below the James River which flows through the city and a detailed map of the river system and its significance to this areas during the civil war period.

Out over the river there is a walking bridge providing civil war timelines. Set at intervals along the bridge there are quotes from the citizens of Virginia who expressed their emotional thoughts during this tragic time in American history. The quote below reads 'better lay the whole city in ashes than give the enemy....one drop of aid and comfort' , the author was Kate Mason Rowland, Confederate Nurse. A chilling reminder of the venom and hatred that was evident during the civil war.

Richmond is a very pretty city as can been seen from the two pictures below showing the real contrast between the old and new architectural styles.

From Richmond we travelled to Myrtle Beach, SC where we spent 3 days looking around. Myrtle Beach in some areas is looking very tired and needs a new face lift. It reminded us of how the Gold Coast (about an hours drive south of Brisbane) was in its early days before big money moved into the area. The area is now attracting large resort type accommodation which in time will change the landscape of this area. Below is a typical summer Sunday in this area and the boats where settling in for a concert hosted by the local pub. The boaties reminded us of a summer day in OZ.

From Myrtle Beach we travelled to Leesville SC, where we stayed at a striking B&B called The Able House Inn. To enjoy a better look, see http://www.ablehouseinn.com/index.htm

Annabel and Jack Wright own and run this B&B and are the parents of Scott Wright who our military friends will know was an Officer in the US Army had a posting to Canberra in the early 2000s and has just returned from living in Australia for 3 years. Annabel and Jack were the most delightful hosts and made our stay so very pleasant.

Once again we wnjoyed meeting great people and eating good food. Across the road from the B&B was Angelo's Greek & Italian Cuisine Restaurant where we enjoyed over the 2 nights of our stay in this area great food and we met very friendly people. Elaine and Leah, our servers were happy folks and made us feel right at home as did the head chief and the owner's father. For a look at their menu have a look at the website http://angelosofsc.com/

Over the couple of days we stayed in this area we took a drive to Augusta and to Aiken which were about an hours drive from Leesville. Augusta is the city known as the site of the Masters Golf Tournament. The course cannot be seen from the outside and has very strict admission to the course.

Aiken on the other hand is a pretty little place with tree lined streets which allow for many outside eating places. We enjoyed a Cuban lunch whilst there and learnt that the town has a history as a spa town.

Until the next post please stay safe and well.

Love Bev, Ross and Murphy

Road Trip 2010- Portland to Gettysburg (Pt1)

Hello again and over the period 23 April to 12 May we enjoyed great holiday in the USA.

Our first overnight stay was at Portland, Maine, USA which is a 5 hour drive from where we live in Canada. While we did not venture far from our motel that night we did enjoy the lovely tulips which were everywhere to be seen in this area. The next day we were on our way to Scranton, Pennsylvania and on the way enjoyed many beautiful sights such as this rippling stream. Scranton has a number of lovely homes as you will see below and over the road from this dwelling we enjoyed a great meal with lovely people at Anna Maria's Restaurant. We were made to feel so welcome by Lee and Jackie and enjoyed spicy calamari, orange ruffy, veal marsala, salad, pasta & freshly baked bread.

From Scranton we travelled to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the sight of some of the bloodiest fighting during the American Civil war. We stayed at the Battlefield B&B which is situated on Southern Calvary Field, on the Southern end of the battlefield. This B&B is a fantastic place to stay and Florence and her staff were outstanding. Each morning of our stay commenced with a history lesson which gave us a greater understanding of the civil war period. We were entertained by a Musicologist who introduced us to the music of the civil war and history behind the tunes. Another day we heard from Mr Horace Greeley ( in period costume) editor of the New York Tribune before, during and after the civil war who gave a excellent monologue of his life and thoughts during the civil war and finally a history of the house which is now the B&B. To see more of what the B&B is like please have a look at http://www.gettysburgbattlefield.com/

Gettysburg is a very pretty place as well as an education centre, below is a photo of one of the great buildings located at the Gettysburg College. We found a nice French Cafe in town which served NZ Lamb and the waiter named Donnie, a final year student at the University in town who had been on exchange for one semester at Wagga Wagga, NSW. We left some of our Ozzie wine for him.


The battlefield tour of Gettysburg is an emotional journey which leaves one with an overwhelming sadness at the massive loss of life during the fierce 3 day battle that occurred here in July 1863. So many young men lost their lives here, some of whom did not even really appreciate what they were fighting for.

The area is very well preserved and so peaceful now that the guns are now silent. Thoughout the battlefield cannons remain in position, pointing in the same direction as they did in the battles. There are many monuments located around the battlefield and below is an example of the many that are now there to remember the fallen and to educate those who come to visit.

The photo below shows the attack line of the centre of Pickett's Charge where 12,000 men on a frontage of 1 mile advanced across the open ground with very few of them making it to the stone wall in the foreground before being repulsed with a resulting 50% casualties. Such a tragedy.


We have more to follow on the road trip which we will post in a week or so as on Monday we are off to Halifax, NS to meet Ross's sister Toni, who is flying in from London and will be staying with us until the end of May. We are so looking forward to seeing her.

So all the best and stay happy, safe and well.

Love Bev, Ross and Murphy

Easter & Beyond

This is actually the end of this blog but seeing as it is happening now I have just included the 2 photos below. As we were about to publish this update and head into town for a bit of shopping, it started to snow out of nowhere, today is forecast to be 11C and we were planning to work in the yard after coming home. If you click on the shots and enlarge them it is far more obvious - I will never again make a comment about Melbourne's changeable weather.

Hello again and we know that Easter has come and gone but we just wanted to let you all know that we were thinking of you over this period.

We started our Easter by attending the French Catholic Church in Fredericton which you can see below.

New Brunswick is the only Province in Canada which is legislated as a bilinguil Province and this church forms part of a large French School in Fredericton. We found the Church serene and very peaceful as we thought of our many much loved family and friends.

Later that day Debbie and George our lovely friends joined us for an Eater Friday supper which included sushi, crab cakes, lobster tails, salad and for dessert fresh fruit skewers with a passionfruit sauce. We had a lovely day as we hope you did also.

Easter Sunday provided a bright sunny day so we went to Ormocto a town about a 20 minute drive from where we live and sat and enjoyed a picnic lunch and the lovely weather and the pleasant surroundings. Murphy had a great day as she got to explore the surroundings and gave the accasional energentic bark as a another dog came unto her sight. She slept very well that night.

The picnic areas are all in good condition and are well used by the locals as soon as the sunny weather starts to appear.

Next Wednesday Ross sits for his final exam for this semester and on 23 April we are off to the USA for a holiday. We are travelling through New England to Gettysberg VA, then down to Myrtle Beach SC, then to Savanah GA, Memphis and Nashville TN, then make our way home on an as yet undetermined route but will try and catch up with Scott Wright in Wisconsin on the way.

Toni, Ross's sister will becoming for a visit about mid May and we are so looking forward to seeing her.

In preparation for our trip Murphy went to Rachael her groomer so she is ready for the trip. The photo below is taken on the back deck and Murphy has just returned home with her short back and sides.

We will have lots to show and tell after our US trip so until our next update stay happy, safe and well.

Love Bev, Ross and Murphy

Spring is here - almost

With time just flying by this semester (only 4 weeks to final exams) we have not had much of a chance to travel but recently took the time to drive west of here to Grand Bay and it really brought home how quickly spring (begins 20 March here) was approaching with ice and snow melting accompanied by beautiful weather. Apparently it has been one of the warmest winters on record for Canada.


It is also the time to open up the house and use areas we don't normally use in winter. The shot below is the fantastic sunroom at the back of the house and as you can see we are using it already as an eating and relaxing area.

You have seen this area below a number of times during the seasons and this shot was taken on Sunday the 21st. The idea was to show how little snow was left and that the time to plant the veggie garden is almost here.

Mother nature here hates being taken for granted and just to make the point she decided that more snow was required so the two shots below show what happened during the next 24 hours.

Since then it has rained continually but it is easing and a sunny day is forecast for Friday. It is obviously not only Melbourne that can have many changes of weather in a short period.

With the long summer break coming up we are off at the end of April to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a few days then to Savannah, Memphis, Nashville, Gettysburg and the Great Lakes, eventually making our way back to Fredericton via Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City. All up we think we will be away for nearly 4 weeks and cover around 5000 miles.

We also intend to have a week in New York during the break and will get there by driving to Boston and then taking the train to Manhattan.

Until our next update please stay safe and well.

Love Bev, Ross and Murphy

Ross's 60th

Neil and Monica White (deceased) would be delighted to know that their eldest son Ross Leslie White celebrated his 60th birthday on 13 February and is having the time of his life.

Below are photo's of Ross's first birthday dinner at the lovely home of Jacqueline and John Wilt. We had a great night and Jacqueline had gone to a lot of trouble decorating their home with banners such as 'Over the Hill' and presented Ross with a ribbon which he is wearing stating that he is now officially 'old'. I made the cake.

After a great Chinese dinner Jacqueline and John introduced us to Rummoli, a card game which Ross understood and I was hopeless however, we had a fun time with lots of laughter which is always good therapy.


Then it was onto the next party which Ross shared with George our great neighbour, who also celebrates his birthday this month. The party was a great opportunity to try some new recipes. Below is a photo of Ross and our friends.

This birthday cake was made by Kathy and it was delicious.

The Beaver Dam folks had a great time with lots of fun and laughter so a great big thank you to everyone who contributed to ensuring Ross had a great 60th.

Until next time stay happy, safe and well.

Love Bev, Ross and Murphy

Bar Harbor, Maine

We have been on our travels once again and recently took the opportunity to spend a few days in Bar Harbor, Maine, USA. Bar Harbor is about a 4 hour drive from Fredericton and even though it is still winter over here any chance we get to travel we just get up and go.

As you will see from the photos below there are some magnificant homes in Bar Harbor most of which are fortunate enough to have a sea view.

The photo below is of the Bar Harbor Waterfront building which has parkland surrounding it with great views of the waterways.

We took advantage of the sunny weather and travelled around the area and it was interesting to see up close the fishing huts and to see families our for the day. In the Green hut below Mum and daughter were sitting comfortably inside the hut while dad and son were about to have fun in their skidoos riding over the frozen lake.

We stayed for 3 nights in Bar Harbor and our accommodation was at a cottage called Far Niente which you can see in the photo below. This was a lovely cottage all fully contained and to see more of what this cottage had to offer please click onto http://www.far-niente.com/index.htm

Far Niente is owned by John Kurgan and his lovely wife Holly Duane who have lived in Bar Harbor for the last 7 years and were very friendly and made us so welcome. John and Hollly are musicians and on the Saturday evening we had dinner together at one of the many good resturants in this location. We had the most enjoyable evening and we are planning to return to this lovely area in September when all the trees will be wrapped in Fall colours.

Until next update stay happy, safe and well.

Love Bev, Ross and Murphy