Get Away: Part One

I'm not sure how to do this. When I saw how many pictures I had on my phone...over 100 for the holiday in Cape May..I knew that this time the blog would have to be broken into little parts. It has simply been exhuasting looking through them and I like them! can't put someone else through that. I haven't even mentioned the camera...there was over 100 on there too. So this truly is part 1 and I have tried to make it highlights.

It is simply amazing to me that we went to the beach (shore/seaside town/holiday/vacation) and did nothing and I have so many flippin photos. I suppose that really is just what I did, bumbag on (sorry fanny pack on ) camera on phone primed and away you go!

By way of introduction I would say we were well ready for this break. Damian really wanted to just switch off and relax and Isaac just ..well be Isaac and Louie was driving us all insane. With the luxery of no school and dance to occupy him and the fact that he has developed into a teen, sass, chat back and general teenagery we were ready to kill. I would say that is the perfect recipe for a disaterous time. My brain by the way had completely and untterly checked out and I was just chantting 'sea' in my head.

So we packed the mini countryman....with coffin box on top (sorry I mean luggage box!) and away we went.

Final preparation and yes he did have to stand on a step ladder, he isn't that tall....but all the bags fitted, which is brilliant!!!

This is just the best shot, here we have (motorcycle 70's Cop) Isaac and his trusty side kick Louie..at the start of the journey.........I will point out that at this juncture we are just sat outside in our car, so not actually gone anywhere. Louie is instantly on holiday!

Now to those who don't know, this sight is the Commodore Barry Bridge, AKA Gateway to New Jersey, AKA Holiday!!!!! The bridge is just before the city of Philadelphia and one day when I am brave I will drive over it myself :)

Now whilst we were travelling along in New Jersey this sign caught all our eyes...would you want to live or for that matter, drive on this road?

Apart from the scary road, there is lots and lots of farm land in New Jersey

But we are not that far from the sea and to prove it I saw this boat. I love this picture! Those birdhouses are excellent.

Well what'da know...it's my lane!!!!

There are lots of lakes and bodies of water along the way and I managed to get this snap of one. Just so tranquil.

Now this is it boys and girls...exit 0 is Cape May!!!!!!!!!!

You go over the bridge and here you are holiday land...I know not that impressive to the untrained eye. For me it is enough to produce a tear to the eye, so happy we have arrived. Now in case you are wondering it took us 2 hours...but hang on we were previous Island dwellers, so it feels like a long journey to us and we are like the weary traveler when we arrive! God help us if we ever are mad enough to drive route 66, it would take us years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Weary travelers at the apartment this is the 4th time we have stayed in this apartment and we think the 7th time we have been to Cape May. So it does now feel like home from home.

So whilst we were unpacking Mr F, my darling husband noticed was taking his shoes out of his suitcase(I never pack for him, so this is definitely on him)..that they were one of each part of different shoes! Well actually I noticed and pointed it out, all with pointing fingers and laughing loudly at his expense. He didn't realize at first but then he got it...poor lad.

Just down the road from the apartment is a small park with a bandstand and they do put on little shows of brass band situations..but we don't go now..too many mosquitoes. But I saw this tree, they have lots of Plane Trees there and the ivy looked to me like it was a tree itself.

This is a new shop in Cape May. Both in just opened and the type of store that it is. (Ignore the man ,we have no idea who he is and I was too busy being stealth photo lady to see him. Just wanted to get the shot and move on!). Any way the idea behind the shop is to sell the most cool made in america designed uber fab stuff. The bicycle is wood and totally awesome. I loved this shop and it reminded me very much of the Hayes Valley in San Francisco that we visited earlier in the year and a shop I have seen in Brooklyn New York. So Cape May is definitely making strives to be cool. I welcome it and truly hope that they can remain here and grow! It made it feel less sleepy beach town and a bit more connected.

But there is no escaping it. Cape May is a sleepy place in one sense. Everyone is there to holiday and beach sit. That is the over riding feeling and mostly relaxed. These houses are typical of most of the old parts of Cape May. Porches galore. Just so pretty.

I took this the first walk I did on the 21st of June my Dad turned 88 and we all both sides of the Atlantic celebrated fathers day. Sometimes it is hard to be away from family and this day was no exception. But walking with such lovely scenery and facing the ocean with thoughts of home was wonderful. Somehow I always feel closer to home in Cape May.

Damian and his card from Isaac for father's day and the caption is...at least I have my paddle. He had a lovely first day in Cape May and we spoiled him all day.

The Apartment

this is the boys bedroom. It is in the attic of the apartment and the apartment is an upstairs flatlet over a shop. I think the ceilings are wonderful. Yes that's Isaac relaxing on the bed.

This is the living room/eating area/TV area

galley kitchen

Oh and a Louie who Damian is just realizing is way too small for this carry on!!!

Taking our first walk I saw these flowers along the beach protected area and they really were glowing in the over cast day

It's quite a dismal day...

This is really a good picture to give you the feel...they are just getting ready and no one is here yet although maybe it just means they know something that we don't ie a storm is coming.

So no surprise later when this happened!!!! Look at those clouds

And here comes the rain. There was a power cut and we were lucky it came back before bedtime but this picture is late afternoon not midnight ...you wouldn't know it from that sky.

But all tired boys got rest and another day came to a close and we were safe and dry

Birthdays, Recitals,Rain...it ,must be summer!

I 'm not sure how wonderful the photos are this time. I promise no pink! But it has been a whirlwind since last writing. It seems like buses, events happen all at once or not at all. June is a time here for gear down to summer and the end of the school year. So there is lots of anticipation and fractiousness going on and it also coincides with Isaac's birthday (bone of contention, as this is also not a holiday as he used to luxuriate in the IOM with, as it fell most years always in TT week...although not this year, as the dates have changed, so probably would have had school.....if anyone knows the answer to this, don't tell him! it will help me retain some parental authority and reasoning of why he had to go to school on his birthday!!!!) and then last but by no means least, it is the dance recital....we have had dress rehearsal and performance is to follow on Sunday this year.

But I thought that maybe I should get some of these photos out there...........

This is the dress rehearsal on Thursday night...so what can a boy do but be on a computer waiting to go on.

Well Louie is telling Elizabeth something very important...he says he was having technical issues..but I love the expression on her face...she is listening so intently...I normally tell him to stop talking!...she is a good friend!

At dress rehearsal it's fun to get the shot of them mid dance and I love this one..probably not the best technically but there is just so much to like and the "moment" is caught

He is Peter Pan! Just wonderful

Again just getting that moment, where he is lost mid movement is wonderful!

But this is my favorite by far....I love it! swirling movement and Louie in focus!

Peter Pan leaving for Never Never Land....that face is SO sad......

And onto the next one....a montage of Step in Time...this is a big number and he is a sort of Bert!!!

Tapping like a pro

And big finish!!!!! roll on performance day..............................................................

Friday 5th June 

Birthday, Awards for Middle School and First Friday (working at the Exchange!!!!)

Good Morning Isaac...you are 17! and this is what that looked like at 6:45am

Bus stop pals on the Birthday....as you can see weather inclement..could be the IOM!

Awards for Louie later that day, in hosting a student for a day at the school and wining a prize in both Music and Technology

Well it was Isaac's birthday and I thought that bunting was entirely fitting....so I strung it along the railings and made a grand entryway for when he came home from school.

We have the most wonderful friends and one of those is a French Baker (yes I love him for the croissants and this time he knocked it out of the park and made this fantastic French Croissant for Isaac....so often we would be celebrating Isaac's birthday in France, that we never had a cake for him...and so the tradition came about of a croissant...a particular one, Swiss Twist....with a candle stuck in it...always a birthday candle ...not a regular one!

So the picture above is Isaac and Derek waiting for festivities and the cake arrives...he was not expecting this and the look on his face is priceless! Click on this one, it worth seeing the surprise!)

So this time it is multiple candles and I did something in error...

That's right, they are the ones that keep lighting!!!!

Look at Derek's face!!! he loved it. Now there is someone who appreciates a practical joke...funny thing was this time it was unintentional! I didn't mean to use those relighting ones....I was even thinking that as I placed them!

He kept going and by this time I'm worried about the smoke alarm...we put them out in a glass of water.

But this is cake demolishing and I helped...you have to do what you can...

Love this one of Isaac and Derek. They had both been on a sailing trip and they were liking seeing which knots they knew how to tie. (This was a great pic from the woman's exchange that I bought for Isaac and he was pleased to receive this along with a healthy stash of gifts :)

I like the fact that even a small gift, in this instance a matchbox car, produces that smile...now that is lovely ah..............

Later that evening me and Louie dashed to the Exchnage and worked for First Friday

And this is Doug Gelling!!!!! I met him next door at the Gallery Opening last night on First Friday.His expression is just perfect...we were both so excited when I took this photo

..of course Louie couldn't speak fortunately for him I can speak for all! 

Doug has come into the Exchange often on First Friday with his family but we have never talked at length. Well he overheard my conversation (and the term now I believe is "long jump" (or something like that) and did so into the conversation I was having with a lovely man from Philly, as he had caught that I was from the Isle of Man and BOOM.....he has been looking into his own Manx heritage and with a name like that! I'm not surprised...couldn't be more Manx if he tried, it's wonderful and of course when he told me he had a Manx tattoo...well we just had to see it. 

I met the family, and dragged them into the Exchange for exchange of info (they did buy something so I did get a sale :) )and of course in true ambassadorial spirit, we will entertain the family here at Victoria House soon and tell him all about the Land of Our Birth!!!! Actually I'm sure he will know more about it than me by then. I did give him some homework and things to look up. I think he has already started on it.

This is just such a small world and to be reminded of home on such a special day truly was lovely, amazing and most poignant. Life can be wonderful.......Love from us here to all of you near and far. I hope you enjoy this blog and Doug's face is the best thing....pure look of joy! You just can't beat it...although one last funny. Doug is tall and I mean tall and he asked in all seriousness, "are Manx men tall" well with a heavy heart and worried he would have his bubble burst I did tell the truth..."no" I answered " they are normally short and sometimes stocky" to qualify I did say it was a Celtic thing...luckily this hasn't put him off too much..........and even luckier still, Damian wasn't around for that bit of my conversation. Phewee.....I survived to tell the tale.