Well, I am amazed at how big Halloween is!! I knew it was celebrated here, but didn't realise the effort that is put into decorating. A lot of houses are already decorated with scarecrows, and big orange pumpkins, flags, and wreaths on front doors. On Tuesday we went to the supermarket, which is also deceorated for Halloween, and the displays or fruit and veg are like you would see at the Royal Easter Show. We also went to the Military Base, which is just like another suburb. It has it's own supermarket, and a store similar to Myer/DJ's, but it's only for Military Personnel and their families, as it is all tax free.!!Jenn also took me to Michael's which is a large craft store, which has the most amazing Xmas Decorations (I managed to find a couple of Santas for my collection) lots of scrapbooking supplies, and at this time of year an extensive range of Halloween Products. Jenn bought this Haunted House, for us to make with Charlotte, however after the first 20mins of Charlotte's help, we decided it was best to do it without her. Yesterday (after doing a search online) we visited 2 shops, one very much like spotlight, except the range is 5 times as big, and another specialised Patchwork Shop. I have at least another couple of Patchwork Shops on my list for next week.

Tomorrow we are driving to Washington DC, which is about 3 hours away, where we will stay for the weekend. Can't believe that I am going to see The White House!!!!

I arrived in Norfolk, Virginia approximately 45 mins ahead of schedule ( not quite sure why, maybe a tail wind, who knows??), so I was ready and waiting for Jenny when she arrived to collect me from the Airport. I was only expecting to see Jenny, but instead Charlottte was with her, and I was greeted with the biggest hugs and kisses, whilst being told "I Love you Nanna, I miss you Nanna", I was the most amazing feeling. Anyway after a few tears and some more hugs, we headed for Virginia Beach to see Ted and meet Victoria for the first time. She is the most adorable little baby, so of course there were lots more hugs.

Sunday lunch time we drove Ted to the Airport, where we had lunch before he headed to Sydney via New York and L.A. The rest of the day was spent just catching up with Jenn. Today we spent the day doing normal everyday things e.g washing, talking, playing with Charlotte, cuddling Victoria, more talking and more washing and folding. The area here seems lovely, the house is great and as you can see from the photos there are lots of trees, and as it is the beginning of fall, the trees have started to lose their leaves. Although this is a very bushlike setting, the water is only minutes away.

Well, here I am in New York, after approximately 26 hrs. Flight from Sydney to Los Angeles was long but uneventful. In a conversation on the flight, I said that I was visiting my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren in Virginia, and the guy sitting behind me, just happened to say, "That wouldn't be Ted and Jenny Seymour, would it?" as you can imagine I was amazed!!!As it turned out Chris, lives in the same units as Jenn & Ted did in Carlingford and has known Ted for quite a while.....what a small world.
Immigration and Customs in LA took about 2 1/2 hrs to get through, and I thought Sydney was bad!!luckily I hadabout 5 hrs before the flight to New York. It appears that all flights here are overbooked, one announcement yesterday asked for volunteers to take the next flight, and in return you get $200 worth of vouchers, and a guaranteed seat on the next flight !!!
It was about 1 am (local time) when I arrived at the hotel last night. I have a late checkout today, as my flight to Norfolk isn't until 4.20 this afternoon.

Getting really excited now.....only 2 sleeps before I leave!!! Bags are packed (lots of chocolate) hope they don't weigh too much (haha) Still can't believe I'm going, especially by myself!!

Well, Baby Bud has arrived - Victoria Maree Seymour. I know can't wait to get to Virginia Beach to see them all, and have lots of cuddles. It is only 10 days till I leave and am getting really excited. Jenn and I hope to spend at least 1 night in Washington, and we are spending 3 nights in New York. Jenn has already booked our tickets to see West Side Story on Broadway - I'm sure it will be amazing

Wow, I didn't think that I would be using our travel blog again so soon, but seeing that I am going to visit Jenn, Ted, Charlotte and Baby Bud in Virginia Beach, here I am. I already have my E Ticket, and have completed my Visa Waiver, which will hopefully allow me entry to the USA.

I am really excited to be going, but it is also a bit daunting, as I have only travelled within Australia by myself......hopefully the transfer in LA will be easy.

Our time in Singapore was very relaxed - we actually didn't do much at all. After a good nights sleep we caught the hotel shuttle bus into China Town, where we had some lunch and strolled around the shops for a while, went into a temple and then the humidity got to me, at which point we went straight back to the motel and spent the rest of the afternoon in and out of the swimming pool, whilst enjoying a couple of drinks. We caught a cab to dinner, asked to be taken to China Town, but the driver took us somewhere else, which was good - but I think we would have enjoyed China Town more, as we ended up there anyway just looking around. There was a great atmosphere as most of the shops were still open.

The next morning morning after a sleep in, John went to breakfast and I went for a swim, after which we went to Raffles and had a Singapore Sling. Raffles is an amazing hotel - would love to stay there, but think it might be out of our budget!! Once again the humidity got to me, so back to the hotel to collect our bags and off to the airport. And so our holiday of a life time comes to an end. We have had an absolutely amazing time.....and other than the fact that we need to see our family & friends, and we also need a rest and some more money!! we would have loved to stayed away a bit longer.....hopefully we will get the chance to do it again.