And so to work - sort of...first a trip to NASA

I am actually here to work, but as the workshops are being sponsored by NASA, they treated us to a VIP tour of the Kennedy Space Centre. It was quite surreal. Our guide was one of the engineers who was part of the space shuttle team and he entertained us with lots of stories as well as technical information about the shuttle program. It is certainly an awe inspiring place - I would highly recommend a visit if you ever get the chance.

Roddy kept pinching himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He has always had an interest in the space program, and it was a childhood dream of his to visit NASA one day.

It was a fantastic introduction to our workshop and now I need to get to work for the next 3 days.  Meanwhile - while I'm hard at work.......Roddy and Bruce are off in Bruce's red convertible - hooning around Orlando - not sure what those two will get up to!

This huge cavernous building is the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building) where they assemble the rockets.

The Learned Doctor - imparting his knowledge.

This wall is in the VAB where everyone who worked on the shuttle have added their names

The actual control centre that was used for the moon landing.

Roddy and Leslie in the "Rocket-garden"

More Miami

Here are a few more pics of Miami.  We spent most of our time in the Art Deco part of Miami and at the beach. It was so lovely there. The weather has been fantastic - warm days and balmy nights. We took "Sally" for a spin through the city which was very impressive with lots of modern architecture.

Breakfast time

Rod and 'Mustang Sally'

Our hotel

Miami Vice

Hi there!

Thanks for stopping by. Well we have started our US adventure and have arrived safely in the US courtesy of Delta airlines. It took us 21 hours to get here but so far, it is worth it.  There was an air of celebration on the flight, as this was the last flight from Sydney for our pilot who was retiring after 36 years of service to Delta!  Apparently he was voted the No. 1 pilot out of 12,500! He seemed like a lovely man – he came out and saw us off – there was cake and speeches and lots of cheering – very special to see such dedication to one employer. 

We landed in Orlando Florida,  picked up our car “Sally” (you will know why she is named Sally once you see her pic)  – and headed off to Cocoa Beach – on the wrong side of the road! It was a bit daunting at first, but it soon came back to Roddy and we were off!

Cocoa Beach is lovely – we couldn’t find Major Nelson and Jeannie’s house (for those who can remember), but there is plenty here to see.

After a walk on the beach the next morning, we stocked up on a typical American breakfast of waffles, bagels and coffee with cream (carbs, carbs, and more carbs) then headed off for Miami.

Miami – its just like you would expect – a bit like Saturday night at Darling Harbour – but on steroids plus plus!- it is just like the movies!

Our hotel is lovely – very art deco like all the buildings here on South Beach Miami – the staff here have been great so far, although it might have something to do with Roddy’s tipping. You see American money is all the same colour, so a $5 note looks the same as a $20 note – Roddy has been very generous!

This morning we had an early breakfast and set off to Florida Keys – it was a long drive but really worth it. The Overseas Highway was something else!

Tomorrow we plan on a lazy morning lying on Miami Beach before I start work on Wednesday  – Hope you enjoy the pics - feel free to leave a comment!

Cocoa Beach - early morning

Cocoa Beach

Our Hotel at South Beach Miami

Glitz everywhere!

Huge Pizzas - must be at least 60cm across!

Our hotel at night

Street art on the side of a building in South Beach

South Beach Miami - early morning

The Overseas Highway - on the way to Key Largo and Key West

Flying Farewell!

Hi there,

Thanks for stopping by to visit my little part of the blogosphere!

Well today is a bit of a different post – a teaser if you like.  Over the next couple of weeks this little blog will change focus and turn into a bit of a travel blog. You see tomorrow we will be boarding a big silver bird and heading to the United States for a work/holiday! So excited! 

We will be visiting Cape Canaveral (the work bit), Miami (the play bit), the Florida Keys (the WOW bit) and the best bit of all New York City!!!!! (the everything rolled into one, plus WOW, WOW, WOW bit!)

I hope to share with you some of the fun we are planning to have, along with the food, shopping, people, art, and of course lots of photos!

It will be a bit like our Kimberley blog, but maybe a little more fast paced than cruising around the Australian outback!

So now I have made the commitment – I have to deliver – that’s if I am not having so much fun, that I just don’t have time to post – if that is the case it will be a big catch up in a couple of weeks!

I love to get your comments so please let me know what you think.

Talk soon!

Here's a farewell pic I took of Sydney at lunchtime today - I'll miss this - such a beautiful city!

Foto Fun-atic!

Hey there - thanks for stopping by!

This week I caught the photo bug! Literally, I decided to take a walk around our backyard with my camera at the ready to photograph many of the bugs and beauties in our backyard. I must say, it was a very pleasant way to spend an hour or so, a good diversion from all the things I should have been doing!

Still, the sun wasn't out for long so I made the most of it. I hope you enjoy the pics!

See you next time!

Phoney

I did something today that I thought I would never do.  It made me go through a series of different feelings. At first it quickened my pulse and made me frantic. Then I was feeling a little lost – disconnected you might say. Then once I resolved myself of the fact I was able to calm down and enjoy the sense of isolation and freedom it gave me.  

Yes – I left home without my mobile phone. What! Leave home without my phone! – you jest – you say – but alas it is true!

I stayed at Cam's place last night and just walked out without it – just like that! - and my phone and I will not be reunited until Rod brings it home to me tonight.

So that is a full day to get through without my constant companion (the phone I mean, not Rod). It has caused me to think how much a mobile phone has become an important part of our appendage these days. Everywhere I go, I always have my phone. Like its my lifeline to those I love and who love me.  No checking emails or facebook on the run today, no sending texts or taking photos on the fly.

Oh well, I still have my trusty mac to check my emails – so I’m not totally devoid of technology.

I will await my phone’s return in anticipation.

Thanks for stopping by xx

Ferry nice!

Hi - thanks for stopping by..

Well I'm slowly getting back into the workday routine, but last week I thought I would shake it up a bit by changing my normal 4 hour a day commute on the train, to take the Ferry to work.

Well, what a treat! I stayed with my son Cam and caught the ferry from his place into the city to work,  which cut off about 1 hour travel each way, but wow, what a fantastic way to travel to work!

Soooo  relaxing!  Cruising along Parramatta River early in the morning and late afternoon, when the sun was gleaming on the water, was just fantastic!

I was so excited, I'm sure all the other commuters that take the ferry on a regular basis must have thought I was mad. I sat with a smile from ear to ear - taking snaps with my iPhone - there was just so much to see! I find Sydney Harbour, and particularly the Harbour Bridge, so beautiful - I feel extremely fortunate that I can either cross the bridge by train or sail past it in a ferry on a daily basis. From whatever angle, I find it awe inspiring!

It was so good, I plan to do the same next week - poor Cam - he will have to put up with mum staying with him for a few days - I'll try not to cramp his style!

Here are some shots from the ferry...

Oh...I also managed to do some art journalling this week, so I have included a snap of my latest page. The theme is 'mindfulness' - its my word for 2013.......but more about that in a future post......

See you next time!

Kissing Point - a stop on the way