Turkey Ending!

Our last day, we were all packed up and ready to go.. we had actually pre-packed yesterday coz Emma was a little worried we were over-weight already and the plan for the day was.. wait for it... more bloody shopping! We were heading out to West Elm.. I am not overly sure why, coz we definitely didn't have enough weight left for a couch! or something else along those lines! Hank however, did find a lovely little couch for her massive bedroom.. did she go back and buy it? Who knows! Probably not, better things show up all the time! Especially in the land of everything!

We headed out early for brunch at The Mug, which was probably not the smartest of moves looking back on it.. given that it was Mother's Day and every Tom, Dick, Harry and their Mom was also out! We only had about a 20min wait before we got seated. It was a funky place, good food, great prices, but very noisy... probably all those bloody moms!

Let's back up a little tho, before leaving the house.. Emma mentions to me in passing if I was sad that I hadn't seen turkeys again and that I had given up the one time they were around to just lounge in bed! I was all like naa, not at all! I am quite content, after all there was still time.. we were not leaving until tonight! We put it out of our minds, went about the morning and then piled in the car and drove away.. as we were driving we spot.. wait for it.. wait for it.... TURKEYS! Not any old turkeys, but turkeys doing the ooosexy dance! Feathers all up and pretty! It was awesome, we turned around in the car and drove back to get a closer look! It was all kinds of awesome, and I had finally got to see turkeys! Take that Emma!

We continued on to West Elm, looked around.. bought some stuff and then headed over to a burger joint to meet up with Tess for a chin-wag before having to head back to finalise the trip. It was all coming to a swift end! The last day always seems to fly by when you don't want it to.. or drag when you want things to hurry up!

Once back at the Goats, we enjoyed some time in the sun and pollen, bags packed and I put on my new Keen slipper shoes! Which I had purchased from REI, especially for the plane trip! I didn't want to have to aggravate my ankle again by having to take off and put on shoes. I was a little annoyed about the service when buying the shoes.. it went a little something like this.. I walked in, went straight for the shoes, found the most awesome Keen shoe slippers ever, asked for them in my size, tried to get talked into signing up as a member to get 10% back on all purchases for the year, even tho I had said I lived in Sweden and don't shop there often at all. It was pretty frustrating. Headed to go and pay for them, where at the counter I once again got the long winded spiel about how I should become a member.. I wanted to say fuck it and fuck your shoes and walk out, but I really wanted my awesome slipper shoes for the plane! I mean, look at how awesome they are?! [link] Cushiony comfy goodness! perfect to long plane rides and walking through airports.. and short walks outside too, actually you could wear them outside more.. but I think that would just ruin them.

The wait at the airport wasn't too bad, I was saddened to discover that our usual seats had been moved! It was the perfect spot to people watch AND it was right by the gate we always leave from so we wouldn't have to get up until it was time to walk on the plane. We were slightly amused that you could buy an iPad mini from a vending machine there.. we were tempted but then you'd have to be stupid to buy a new apple product now when they will probably released something in the summer that's newer/better.

 As we checked in, we asked the lady behind the counter about the express passes that we used to get and she told me to ask onboard with the crew, which I thought was strange but you know, they should know.. right? So once onboard, and already kinda pissy that in front of me I happen to have the rudest wanker around, people are trying to get into seats and he is already reclined! Seriously wtf?! I hate people who recline so bloody much. I wish airlines would just take the bloody option away and people who want to recline can pay more up in the business or first class. Perhaps airlines could start up a whole new section and offer seats that don't recline at the front, just a few rows, then people who don't recline and don't like to get reclined on wont have to have an already uncomfortable flight ruined. Anyways, so I get on, settled and then head off to ask one of the ladies about the express pass when we land and she was all like, there is no such thing, that lady just wanted to fob you off. It pissed me off, coz I have had the express passes on two trips, 4 flights and now this bitch is telling me there is no such thing? Fuck you British Airways, I want the lady we had on the first flight who actually had people skills. Anyways, she then fobbed me off and told me to ask any of the ground staff once we exit the plane.. which we did, he then fobbed us off and said that someone would be waiting for us once we turn the corner and if no one was there, just follow the purple signs. I already knew the second he opened his mouth that I was going to get nothing but bullshit. I had had enough of BA staff at this point, and the stupid hostess who once again didn't want to wake a guy up to move his seat. Why is it that a sleeping passenger gets preferential treatment? I understand that I fly cattle class, with the majority of the others.. I have a small amount of room like the others, but why should my already small space be made even smaller by the fact that the dickhead in front of me doesn't understand that by them moving back, I will end up with the back of a seat 7cm from their face. Does no one in this world have respect or even courtesy anymore? To make matters worse, my seat was broken and gradually reclined itself! So I had to keep reclining it up or I too would be one of those frakkin asses I hate. Gah! It was a pretty shitty flight and the staff was shitty too. Even Emma got some attitude when her veg meal came and they had to wake the person in front to move her seat so that you could actually eat.. should that not be common practice? It was the stupid ass who fobbed me off earlier and acted like we were putting HER out. Ummm, excuse me, you are paid to make sure our flight is comfortable and no fights break out coz passengers are rude and selfish. I think we might just try a different airline next time, the level of service of this flight experience was not to be desired at all. We got better service when I actually had a glass of wine spilt all over me.. maybe I should have just done that again? Altho, it doesn't get you anything but more ass-kissing.

This time around, our luggage made it through and we were off to catch a train and then having to lug the bags upstairs ourselves.. the joys of travel! We were definitely happy to be home. Nemo was happy we were home also, moreso for Emma than myself.. but that is just how he rolls. He was nicer to me than usual tho, so that's an improvement, right? Unpacked swiftly, went and did some groceries and then it was business as usual.. like we were never on holiday. Until our next holiday.. whenever, wherever that may be.

Umm, Boxed Bacon?!

Today was the day that us three ladies, yes, I said ladies coz only ladies or old people go antiquing! and that was what we had planned for the day.. yes folks, we actually planned this! It wasn't a whim decision! 

We slept in a little, by our standards that is.. not by normal people standards. Emma and I got up and had some breakfast and waited for Hank, who wasn't that far away at all! Impressed! We chin-wagged before setting off on our big antiquing adventure!

First stop! Damons Point. Which was about a 3min drive! We got out, looked around and snapped a few pics. The main reason to come and check this place out was the little bird houses! 

I mean look how awesome they are?! There are so many.. I could just imagine how fun it would be to come and bird watch at the this bird village! 

There were loads of swallows hanging about also, who doesn't love those?! They have a lovely shape to them.

We piled back in the car and set off again, this time for the long haul! We were off to check out antique shops along the Cape and hopefully find a little goat something something! Hank was looking for some funky drawers/cabinet, Emma was looking for lookings sake and I was on the hunt to find something goat related to leave with my very favourite Goats!

We had lovely scenery, the weather wasn't the greatest but we were three ladies on an adventure! We were gonna rock the antiques.. actually, it amused me at how as soon as you enter an antique store, your whole being instantly goes into a quiet, careful mode! Almost like you are in a library, we crept around, I say crept coz that is what it honestly felt like.. we were being ninjas in them stores!

Antiquing is hungry work so we stopped by a little eatery and grabbed a bite. It was called the Bee Hive Tavern, which we thought was kinda cool given there is the Beehive in Wellington, NZ and you know, I am from NZ! Leap? Naaaa! Inside they had loads of actual beehives, without the actual bees.. I presumed! We made it out alive so I am guessing I was right! Let's face it, when am I am wrong?!

A couple of funny moments from the adventure where when we did a drive by past a couple of kids having their own little yard.. I guess maybe a side of the road sale. It was very amusing to slowly drive past taking a gander but when we saw nothing of interest, we just drove off! Who wants to get out of the car if you don't have to right?! I mean they didn't even have a goat!

We were in one shop and Hank had found a pretty funky chair, she sat on it.. no problems, found it rather comfy and went.. here, you try it! So I did! and as soon as I sat down, something dug into me.. hard! It hurt and I shot up, thinking perhaps I had just sat back too far in it and it was the spring or something.. but no! upon inspection, we discover that it was a mighty long strong PIN! I had been stabbed in the back by a massive pin! Not cool. The chair was not purchased. It was evil. Clearly.

Another was when we saw the antiques sign and drove into the drive/parking area, and just as we did I read the sign a little betterer and saw that it was for linens and lace! Now I know I said we were ladies, but we were not linen and lace ladies! So.. you guessed it, we just drove on out again! Not stopping required! Nice save from the quiet girl in the back! Here's a few snaps from the day.. [link]

As we went from one place to another, I was starting to feel a little sad.. sad because, it seems no one loved goats! Or perhaps, everyone loved goats then and NOW and is just keeping them all to themselves! Heck, we even saw a huge pink flamingo! Which had no legs.. until you walked more into the store and then you found the legs.. which amused me greatly. Yes, I am easily amused. With the day being a bust, purchase wise, not fun wise.. coz us ladies had fun! We started the drive home, with a quick pitstop on the way by the supermarket, which took longer than it should have, but by this point Hank was well aware before entering that it would take a while.. wait until you have kids, Hank! Just you wait! It was on this visit that I saw something that completely blew my mind.. not in a good way! I give you...

Yes, that is indeed.. precooked and boxed bacon. 

That is all kinds of wrong. I just don't understand how there would even be a market for such a product. I know I like to try things, but I draw the line at precooked, boxed bacon. Burger in a can, yes! Cheese in a can, yes! Cooked boxed bacon, no. 

And now, a little off topic.. after reading the can post! I am wondering why we didn't see the trashy Swedish plate we gave the Goats, displayed anywhere in their humble abode! That shit better be rectified! Rec-Ti-fied! Coz that trashy Swedish plate is all kinds of epic! Along with it being a first wedding gifto! bahahahaha

Back on point and back home, dinner was to be had with Bill's sister, Tina. We had tacos and this is where Bill showed me something so epicly awesome I thought I had died and gone to heaven! You put a hard taco shell INSIDE a soft taco and then you nom that shizz up, un-awkwardly! Bonus is, you don't cut your mouth on the hard taco at all either, coz the soft taco cushions it. I will never eat tacos the same again, this will always be the way I have them. Forget the taco trays that I love, move over for the double taco! Cover all them bases! I think tacos need to be in the menu one of these weeks.

After dinner, Hank showed her housewife poweress and had made a very delicious bread pudding! It was wickedly sweet but so wickedly good! We coupled it with some ice creams. 

Then we ladies sat at the table all night and chin-wagged while the only man in the house took to the couch and joined in here and there. What a fantastic last night, I couldn't have asked for a better night!

Contagious Curse!

Once again we were tagging along with Hank, part of her routine is to call into the Starbucks drive-thru which I have previously mentioned. Yesterday morning we discovered that it is just enough that I am in the car for orders to be wrong.. but yesterday there wasn't much of a delay.. coz let's face, Hank orders a pretty swift coffee by coffee standards and even when they do screw it up there shouldn't be a big deal about correcting it. Yesterday we put it down to just a little back luck.. but on this lovely Friday morning, we truly did discover that I am just bad luck.

Hank rocks up to the window and orders her Venti Black Bold and then we wait our turn for the collection window.. as they go to give you your drink they of course confirm what you ordered, I can't remember what they said it was but it was not a Venti Black Bold so Hank said, No, and told them what she ordered again.. to which the young dude responds.. something about an iced tea latte, which is nothing like a strong black coffee! It was pretty darn hilarious, and frankly I have to wonder why they tried another drink after Hank had said her order.. after the tea, Hank was all like.. nope, still a Venti Black Bold! We were all chuckling hard in the car, she ended up getting her coffee free along with a voucher for a free coffee.. so it wasn't a complete loss for her even if it did take like 10 or so minutes to get a single coffee.

Also, I'd like to note that we opted to not order coffee ourselves so that there wouldn't be a hassle. Turns out, we could have ordered and nothing would have gone differently! LOL It was no bother tho, coz our plan was to go sit in a Starbucks in Boston and people watch for a bit before properly starting our day.

After the sardine part of the journey, we casually walked through Boston Common enjoying the quite stellar morning before heading over to Starbucks to park our tushies down and have a coffee with a side of wifi.. we sat there for a while before deciding that what this Friday morning needed was a movie. We did want to see Ironman 3 but we had semi locked in plans to maybe go to the movies in the evening, and that would be the best choice for that so we picked a movie based solely on who was in it. We settled in to watch Disconnect. Turned out to be not a bad movie at all.. reading the write up afterwards I know that it is not a movie I would have picked based on that so I am glad I went in totally blind, sometimes that's best... right? I am however slightly amused that we pick the day that has the nicest weather to decide to catch a flick.. but hey, it's all good.. we are just taking this shizz easy! I went to go and get a slushy for the movie and was really sad when the machine only had poo flavours! Orange and white cherry! blergh! 

It was lunch time! The lunch plan was to hit up a food truck! Grilled cheese! Noms! I partook in a 'Mighty Rib', which was fontina, braised short rib & caramelised onion.. all around deliciousness! While Emma had a 'Rookie Melt', which was cheddar & tomato.. which was also all around deliciousness! I have to say.. Roxy's Grilled Cheese is just noms! I wanted to try them all.. but you know.. the tummy can only hold so much. We also shared a homemade spiced strawberry lemonade.. which was actually really frakkin good.

After lunch we enjoyed some more park time and went and snapped a photo of the ducks.. coz I just loves me some ducks! How can you not?! Ducks are awesome!

It was time for more indoor activities and so we made our way over to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum to take in a little culture. The garden there was pretty epic, I would have loved to have one for myself. Overall, it was a large space full of stuff (oh yeah! I sound so cultured, right?!), but it also seemed that there were quite a few missing pieces.. it was an enjoyable afternoon, it's been a while since we took in a museum of some kind but the slowness of being in one is not the best for my ankle.. yep, still giving me shit! I sat down where I could and left Emma to do her thing, I didn't want her to feel like I was rushing her. Emma purchased a book from the store on the way out.. she's such a sucker! lol

Next stop before meeting up with Hank, we had a little time to kill so we decided cannoli was the way to go! We had already tried Mike's Pastry so this time we were going just a few doors down to Modern Pastry! When we arrived, the line was out the door.. only just! but it still took like 30mins for Emma to grab 2 cannolis! Which meant, we had to high-tail it to catch the sardine tin to make it to Hanks work in time.. we only just made it! Well, it wouldn't have mattered, Hank wouldn't have left us... errr, we think! We hope! We all met up outside the building of Billy & Hanky Goat, Em and I finally got to eat our now a little warm cannolis and decided on where to go for dinner.. it was decided that we would hit up a seafood joint out Nantasket way. After dinner we walked over to the beach and gazed out for a little bit before heading home.. I think it was another hockey night. I don't think I will ever get that sport. Another day bites the dust, only 2 more days to go before our holiday comes to an end.. sometimes I wish holidays could last forever.. but then again, I would miss Nemo far too much.. as much as the little shit pisses me off, I always miss him when we are away.. however, right at this very moment he just walked into the room, farted and walked out. Little shit! But, that's my Nemo.

Beer!

A holiday cannot be a holiday without beer! Especially morning beer! Right?!

First up, was the ride along with Hank.. then the sardine commute and we made our way out to MIT for a lookie-lu around the campus. It is a very cold sort of campus, I guess that is what nerds need tho, right? It was nice to walk around without all the students there.. I guess we looked like we fit in coz we even got asked for directions! Yeah, I look smart enough to go to MIT!

This is what graffiti looks like in nerdville..

Moving on and as you can see the weather isn't the nicest today, it seems we spent the nice days resting, getting tattooed and recovering!!  Dang nabbit! We drowned our sorrows with a couple of 'healthy' chocolate bars.. Unjunked!

We tried the Unjunked versions of Milky Way and Snickers and to be honest, they were pretty damn good and if I could buy them here in Sweden I would definitely opt to buy them over the 'real' deal.

We started making our way over to the Samual Adams brewery for our morning boozy tour! The first one was at 10, so we rocked up a little before, showed ID and then took a seat and waited.. turned out the first one wasn't until 10:15am so we waited a little longer. 

It was pretty cool, for a free tour.. or well by free I mean you give at least a $2 donation which actually gets donated rather than to cover costs of the tour. I thought that was pretty cool. We set off into a small room that had several types of malt, which we got to try.. I took too many to start with so put them in my pocket, which was quite handy coz I got to munch along as it happened and then after we left.. I was a little sad when they were all gone. They are quite tasty!

and also some hops.. which we did not try but Emma rubbed one in the palm of her hand to release the aroma.. I didn't do that, I just sniffed Emma's hand, coz you know.. why dirty two sets, right?

Then we moved on and checked out where they brew, this brewery is more development and they brew beer for a select few clients who have been with them from the start. 

Next stop was the tasting room, where we got to try 3 different types.. one of them being a beer that is not yet for sale! This is what our $2 donation got us, a little chat about the history of the brewery, how to taste it and 3 types of beer. 1. Boston Lager. 2. Summer Ale. 3. Extra Special Bitter and a souvenir glass.

There was also speak of the Samuel Adams specially designed beer glass.. which we purchased for one of Emma's friends, along with a special bottle of beer, that you can't buy in Sweden. It seems the right thing to do for a guy who brews and has given me a taste of his own.

Oh, and I would like to say.. yes Emma drank a little beer. Not a lot, but some. So I wasn't exactly drinking alone.. but I was finishing off her glasses! Noms!

Once it was all over, we left with a little happy haze over us and happily plodded along and walked around until we ended up shopping! Yes.. shopping! dang nabbit! I have been duped! Get a few beers in me and apparently not only am I anyones.. but I am also shopping! Mind you.. I did have to laugh at the fact that we stumbled across some made in NZ containers.. so you know.. we just had to snap some of that up! 

Made in New Zealand, Purchased in USA, found a home in Sweden. Hows that for a carbon footprint?!

We met up with Hank, it was pissing down by this stage and we headed home for some pizza! Delicious pizza! Pizza that isn't missing anything! A chilled evening in of shits and giggles.

Rest & Relax!

The plan for the day was all rest and relax, coz you know, after getting my tattoo the day before.. I thought I would need a day at home to recover a little, without the joy of people bumping into me etc and to keep it easily moisturised. A singlet day at home was perfect.. apart from the fact that I was bored out of my mind!

There's only so much of nothingness I can handle when on holiday mode. While it has been nice to be on holiday is a slower manner, with no real major plans to do much other than just be. I have found that after having a slow day on Monday and then again today is just too much down-time. 

Billy & Hanky Goat even got me a bag of cheeseballs.. coz one time at band.. err.. when I was visiting, I did what everyone should do at least once in their lives.. and that's... buy a TUB of cheeseballs! It was epic! All kinds of awesome.. I even had cheeseballs on my mac n cheese! Which you can re-live on this most awesome of posts.. [link] Don't Billy & Hanky Goat look so young compared to now.. I put that down to not being married yet! Marriage ages you like the camera puts on 10 pounds!

Yeah, just like the camera doesn't add pounds.. they don't look older, just happily married. Seeing that top Bill has on has just reminded me I watched far too much hockey while in his humble abode.. however, I don't think I actually watched an entire game. I also heard that the best one for me to watch would have been the one that I missed coz I was on a damn plane! Typical right? Hockey, aggressive sport that one.

Around lunchtime, we went for a little walk to the general store.. which really isn't the safest option considering they have a lack of footpaths in these parts. We made it unscathed! Altho, the slight inclines were more than expected while walking also.. I think it is just best to car them! Easiest option by far! 

We had a lookie-lu around the general store, bough some iced tea and kids ice blocks before heading back to the house. It wasn't nearly as fun in there as I thought a general store might be.. as we were leaving we heard a lady ask if their iced coffee was blueberry! I should have just turned around to try that shizz... but thought I might get back.. after-all we still had 4 days.. turns out, I never went back. Perhaps, next time!

We used the R&R day to pull out the Crumbs Bake Shop chocolate bar that we had purchased while there. It was.. to be honest.. not that great. I wouldn't buy it again, nor try another one of their flavours.. mainly coz the actually chocolate part of it was all kinds of meh. Usually you can't go wrong with caramel, especially when it is gooey.. but this chocolate just lacked. Simply lacked. The packaging was nice.

Tattoo Time!

We rocked up to Brilliance Tattoo a little early but Elize was ready to crack on! The forms came out, I signed my skin away and next thing I was being shaved and having my stencil placed! Placed perfectly first time and then we were off.. 

I have to say, the worst part of getting a tattoo for me is the fact that I can't always see what is going on! It is pure torture! I don't find that they hurt at all.. even after an epic 6 hour session I felt I could have gone on for longer.. if need be, however when you start to be able to see the finish line, your body is all like dude, hurry up! 

As always, I enjoy getting inked by Elize, as she is chatty even when she has to concentrate, and has the best instincts to pull the frak away when there is a HUGE bang! Which nearly made me jump out of my seat! You see, even tho it was a stunning beautiful day, there was still a slight breeze and while Elize is doing her thang on my arm.. a gust came and knocked something over and of course that made a rather large bang! Amusing to say the least. No whoopsie lines here!

Another fun thing about Elize is that she is knowledgeable in random facts.. like when you sing and a dog starts to howl, it is because they are trying to drown out your awful voice! That's right folks, all you people thinking your doggy just loves to sing with you.. they don't. They hate your voice. Deal with it and move on. Nemo.. he doesn't try to sing along, he makes no attempt.. he just walks out.

This is the photo Elize took at the shop [link to Facebook]

These photos were taken on the evening after giving it a good wash..

I am extremely happy with it, I am loving how my sleeve is turning out. It is definitely not a run of the mill kind of sleeve and that is partly why I love it so. I am very content right now, but I know eventually I will need to work out what I want and go back and fill in the rest of the arm.. but as of right now, very content. However, my other arm.. is feeling a little left out! I should really get on to some sci-fi ink one of these.. months.

I should also mention.. Emma has affectionately given the names Kiki and Coco to the Pukekos. I guess they are... umm.. fitting? 

For a refresher on the bottom of my arm.. [link to post]

What?! Turkeys!

It was pretty early and as I lay in bed still half asleep.. I heard a familiar sound! What sound you ask?! Well, none other than the sound of a turkey! That's right, looks like there will be turkeys on this trip.. is what I thought to myself before muttering the single word "turkeys" to which Emma responded with "huh? what?" in her dazed asleep-like state! When I said turkeys again for the second time, she shot up and took off outside but not before asking me if I was coming too.. I thought for like a whole second and said naaa, thinking that if they are here this early in the trip then I will have plenty of other morning to turkey hunt! So Emma left me and went outside to hunt down the crazy looking beasts! 

She snapped this photo, a single turkey, alone in a tree.. calling out for friends. No-one but Emma came. I blame this for the fact that the turkey never returned, nor did any turkey friends. Emma is just not turkey looking enough for a turkey to want to hang out.. sad but true.

After the turkey excitement, it was time to get ready.. we were getting a ride in with Hank. We got to see her morning routine on the road.. stopping off at Starbucks to get the simplest coffee order in the world.. Venti Black Bold. It all went off without a hitch and we got to witness the fact that America has drive-thru coffee.

Hank dropped us off at the station close to her work and we set off in work peak time for catching the very sardine like train into Boston. After a little fluffing with trying to buy our weekly tickets we were off to enjoy the good morning smell of people going to work..

Our first stop was a cupcake shop called 'Crumbs Bake Shop' so you know, as you could imagine.. I couldn't help but want to go there to taste their wares..

Peanut Butter Cup: this cupcake was very nice, sweet and salty goodness.
Key Lime: this cupcake was very sweet, sweet on sweet. We originally picked it coz we thought LIME! that will break the sweetness.. but it was a very sweet frosting. There was a small white lime filling too.. but again that was sweet. The cupcake was ruined in my opinion by all the sweetness. Also, in my opinion.. they could easily be half the size, which would make them more enjoyable to try and eat. If you have to eat a cupcake with a spoon, then you may as well have a piece of cake. We didn't have a spoon and they were incredibly difficult to eat without making a mess of yourself and the surrounding area. Glad I tried them tho.

After grabbing a Peanut Butter Cup Cupcake and also a Key Lime Cupcake, we headed to the park to enjoy them in the sunshine.. it was indeed yet another stunning day. The weather has been just simply wonderful for this trip, but then again it seems Emma and I do get good weather when we travel.. with the exception to the occasional hiccup, the Lisbon Rains (can you believe it has been nearly 2yrs since we were there?!) and the Snowy Stockholm day, however.. we never let weather get in our way of anything.. yes but anyways, we were at the park taking in the rays, getting stuck into our cupcakes when this little fella arrived...

SQUIRREL!

We didn't take many photos of him, but we were naughty and gave him cupcake leftovers and he was very amusing.. I am glad that we opted to enjoy the moment with him, rather than try to snap photos of him being all cute and stuff. It was a very happy start to the day indeed.. cute overload! Especially when he kept thinking that the string on my jacket was something to eat so would come under the bench to investigate! Or when he would stand there all squirrel like and wait for foodage. I wished I had more for him. Once Emma went and threw the cupcake container away.. he knew there was no more so he left us.. what a rude little shit! I reckon he and Nemo would be best friends! hahahaha

Moving on we headed towards Granary Burying Ground, where we encountered a rather excited lady, you see it had been her first time in the cemetery since she was 10 so she was re-discovering everything all over again. I could just imagine her excitedly going to work and telling her co-workers about it.. all excitedly of course. It is quite an awesome cemetery, and I simply love that in the middle of Boston they have it. It is all so old and the graves are worse for wear but they just have this charm. It is just lovely, you quietly walk around, reading what you can and just taking it in.

I especially loved the look of this big white tree..  I think Emma captured it wonderfully in this photo. [link]

We continued on and found our way to a cute steep little street, I was grateful there was a small sidewalk, coz it would have been an even slower walk up that type of cobble stone. We inched on, with a leisurely stroll through the park.. where we laid witness to more beauty, a swan boat and even a couple of superheroes in training!

We came across the Boston Marathon site, looked on at the messages of support, toys, flowers and even pairs of running shoes that were left. I couldn't quite believe they still had news trucks there casing the joint. Mind you it also feels like so long that the bombs went off, Boston Strong definitely sums it up. People just helped and moved on as quickly as they could, in a good way. Just another reason to love Boston.

Our casual morning was nearing an end, the next stop was Brilliance Tattoo.. but first, I needed to have some lunch so that I could last the session.. as of this point I did not know how long it would be! Tattoo Time!

On Yer Bike!

We awoke.. early as you might imagine, feeling even more clogged and heavy headed. However, we had nothing scheduled for the day but to hang around the area and go for a bike ride. We relaxed around the house for the morning before getting off our backsides and actually going for a ride.. the plan was to head down to a little cafe, have a coffee, check out the beach. 

 

We rode out and about.. checking out the area, down at the beach we were starting to feel wonderful.. that fresh breeze was doing wonders. We enjoyed a coffee and cake at the cafe before heading back to the house.. this is where Emma met a goose. Well actually, we met a couple of them on the way out, who had babies.. but on the way back.. on the other side of the road she met a goose that had a death wish and that wish involved bicycles! There was a car, it stayed still.. however, as Emma biked up it freaked out and ran out right in front of her! I got more of a fright from the screech of her brakes than the noise and flapping of the goose! I was laughing so hard that I was biking a little all over the place.. luckily no car came or I would have been a goose with a death wish! Oh, the hilarity!

We didn't really reflect on the hill to Billy & Hanky Goat's place until we had to bike UP it! Damn hills are killers.. why can't everywhere be flat for just when I am biking on it? why?! We made it home, and made some left over tacos for lunch and it was just as delicious the next day as it was the night before.. I could eat that yummy every damn day! or well.. not really, it was a little spicy and you know what happens when you eat too much spicy.... ....... ........o_O

We watch some tv and on the damn news they say how Boston currently has the worst amount of pollen in years. No wonder we are all clogged and finding it difficult to breathe! I end up getting so bad that I pass out on the couch and Emma thinks that the best thing to do is go and sit on the door step and watch the neighbours and allow that pollen direct access into her system! Don't mean to be all dramatic and stuff but it felt like I was going to die! to. die! Ok, not really.. or maybe a little bit.. but it was terrible! Hank, the lifesaver came home and gave Emma her last Claritin.. I suffered in silence.. actually who am I kidding, there was no way I could be silent with all the sniffing and nose blowing! 

We headed out with Hank to check out the lighthouse, which I got scratched up by a bastard cat.. that was all like love me, love me, love me.. no I hate you! bite! scratch! and then all love me again when we were leaving. Seriously cats are evil little shits. Cute but evil.

We took a few snaps out by the lighthouse..

We headed off to the little town, so we could go and stock up on some Claritin of our own and on our way there.. Emma scooted across the road to snap a picture of a bird! And she snapped a awesome shot of a birdy taking off, before bouncing happily like a kid in a candy store back over the road all proud and excited like! 

It is a pretty good shot! And it wasn't even taken with a fancy DSLR, you see, you don't need big DLSR's these days.. you just have to know how to take a decent photo. There are so many people walking around with big fancy cameras who just have them set to auto.. what is the point? Personally, I think auto shouldn't be a function on these big cameras and that would stop stupid people.. but then again, its the stupid people who make the money for the companies buying things that they don't require.

Anyways, home was near and we headed there for another chilled night. Resting up large for tomorrow was a big day.. it is the day I am booked in for the addition to my NZ themed sleeve.

Sunday Shopping!

This is our home for the next week.. 

Billy & Hanky Goat even have a John Deere ride-on to keep those grounds in order! For the size of their property, I think it is a must! Although, imagine the great punishment it would be for their kids to have to mow it with a hand mower! Something to think about!

One of the reasons we came over when we did was to check out their new digs, and I must say.. I am a fan of their new digs! The New England shingle style is pretty frakkin epic. Me likes! Their house is large and easy to get lost, but find your way again and there are deathly stairs.. which I honestly thought I was going to tumble down, but I think this is where having a bung ankle served me well coz I couldn't do anything but take the stairs ever so slowly and carefully. I survived the entire week without a single tumble!

It was our first Sunday morning, Emma and I were up early.. not as early as the New York mornings but still pretty early. We tried to be as quiet as possible so that we wouldn't wake the Goats. It was nice to just have a slow start to the day.. we were heading off to go a spot of shopping at the Wrentham. Not really my ideal kinda of day but I thought it would be a good plan to get the shopping part of the holiday over with early in the trip so I agreed.. Sunday shopping was in order!

First however, before leaving the house, chicken need to be marinated! Which is when something so damn hilarious happened! You see, the marinade called for jalapeños and Hank had some of course, but they were exact or something and they were large, we weren't sure of their heat and Emma being awesome was the guinea pig and so I cut off a tad and she ate it.. it had no flavour.. no heat.. no nothing! oh nos! not good! I decided I would soldier on and hope for the best, I diced it real real fine and felt a little tingle and thought hmmm.. so put a very tiny piece in my mouth and sure enough there was heat! Hurrah! But to get a second opinion I asked Emma to try it too.. she however, thinking about the previous no heat part just grabbed a good amount of the finely diced heat and whacked it in her gob! and then agreed, yes.. there definitely was heat! So much heat that little Emma bounced around and required a little milk to cool down that mouth! That my friends, is definitely the best way to start the day! Right?! With our chook marinating, guacamole and salsa made, it was time to skedaddle!

Soon enough we were there and it wasn't long before we had bags but in saying that, Emma didn't spend nearly as much as I thought she would.. or take as long in each store as I thought she would.. Hank, however.. she was the slow poke! At one store I swear they had no changing rooms at all so she must have offered to build them all from scratch.. coz it took that damn long! I can't actually say for sure, coz I was waiting outside, sitting on a bench.. people watching and just waiting. At one point I actually thought maybe I had missed them coming out or something.. coz seriously! it took that long! It was never confirmed if Hank did actually build changing rooms or not.. I am going with she did! Hank can do anything!

On our way home from shopping we called into the supermarket.. now that is a place I always get excited for! Supermarkets in any country are quite fun! Hank was kind enough to put up with us wanting to go down every aisle.. well really what choice did she have.. she wanted to be graced with our presence! I can't blame her.. we are pretty awesome! Plus, we had to get supplies.. supplies are always a must. 

It was pretty soon into the supermarket that I discovered this..

..it left me going WTF!? Are people seriously that bad? lazy? stupid? to buy packaged, de-stoned avocados. I mean, really? REALLY?! How hard is it? Ok, yes I know I have a lovely scar on my hand from when I took on an avocado and lost but still! I wouldn't. I couldn't. You shouldn't.

After a long day of shopping, we were in for a lovely evening relaxing with a home cooked meal of chicken tacos! Hank was showing off her mighty impressive kitchen and knife skills.. we also couldn't help but giggle that the recipe she had printed for guacamole, made no mention of a key ingredient.. avocado! And no, we did not use packaged avocados.. I conquered them with no injury to myself!

Dinner was delicious, we had a chilled evening in.. which is needed after spending all day walking slowly at a shopping centre! And it seems that the pollen in the area was really getting to us, we were feeling a little heavy headed.. so an easy night was a good idea all around.

Extreme Matching!

Today was our last day in New York, my body allowed me to sleep in a little.. I think it was still too early for most tho but I was thankful for the extra sleep. We got up, organised and checked out.. leaving our luggage with the hotel coz we still had time to kill before our afternoon train. It was a slow start and we casually made our way over to Bubby's for breakfast..

When I ordered the sour dough pancakes, the waiter stopped me to make sure I wanted the sour dough and not the sour cream pancakes, which is sweet, but it is not often I order something that I don't know what I am asking for.. but I guess lots of people get mistaken.. however, had he just let me finish the entire order, he would have realised that we were getting both, a plate of sour cream and sour dough. He did mention that they were known for their sour cream pancakes, which were lovely.. but how on earth do they expect a single person to finish a plate of those things? They were thick and fluffy and yes quite delicious but I only managed to get through the one of them. It was painful to leave yummy food but I was stuffed! In my opinion the sour dough pancakes were far superior, but I guess they are an acquired taste.. you have to enjoy that sour dough flavour.. and frankly, lots of people don't. I found the entire meal delicious and extremely satisfying.. was it worth the $70 price tag? Now that I am not so sure about.. but you only live once and so splurging should be done from time to time. It was a nice place, I would go back there again for the sour dough pancakes but then again, there are so many more places to try that I would probably try somewhere new the next time I get to adventure in NYC. Life is all about new experiences and when you go to places time and time again.. why bother going to the usual haunts? It's a bit like going to another country and hitting up stores that you have at 'home'.. 

Moving on from breakfast, overly full, we then went to hit up the Empire State building.. which happened to be fogged out the first time we were in NYC and wanting to catch a glimpse of the stellar views.. but this time, it was a clear and very beautiful day! The line was long to get in.. but nothing compared to the line at the airport! Yes, still 'annoyed' about that. We got to the 87th floor and it was packed! People pushing and just being outright rude really.. this is the thing that I don't like about being a tourist. The majority of tourists, or maybe it is just people in general are selfish and rude and only look out for themselves. The views were pretty stellar, once we could get to the edge to see them without the heads of others in the way. 

I wasn't overly excited about the atmosphere up there.. the people ruined it and made it a little sour.. I kinda just wanted to get down. Which brings me to another gripe! There was a HUGE line for the elevator down 3 floors, and no sign for a stairs exit! We walked the entire way around and there was no way to access the stairs, no one to tell you, no one looking out for people who could possibly be no wanting to wait ages and just take the stairs.. and so we went and took a place in the long line, which was even longer after doing a lap! And then as we are standing there.. the elevator person sees just how long the line is and starts yelling that if you don't want to wait then you can take the stairs and ushers people towards the stairs. Like WTF man?! I stood right in front of you talking about the stairs about 10mins before and only NOW you show a sign that you can speak! Of course many people rushed for the stairs and I hobbled.. yes that is right, rather than standing still for what would be about 20mins waiting for a 1min elevator ride, I took the stairs with a bung ankle.. because I am not lazy! It would be like standing and waiting for a tram for 20mins when you could be walking the 20mins and actually get to the destination at the same time or sooner. I am still shocked that people do that.

Anyways, moving away from the gripe and back onto the goodness! New York has been wonderful and I love it more, each time I go. However the first time I did not love it, I never wanted to go back in fact.. I am glad I changed my mind and gave it another chance. It was definitely nice to have a little more time here this time around, and being my third time there, it meant we could take it much easier and not try to see so much. Yes, these past 4 days are us taking it easier. It was just what I needed, altho I suspect a doctor wouldn't have said that about my ankle lol I was however a little sad about not being able to make it out to The Way Station, but it was a little out of the way and when we were in the area, it was closed.. a shame yes, but did I really need to drink the Doctor Who cocktail menu again? Probably not! I drowned my sorrows in Shake Shack milkshakes and frozen custards instead! Like their burgers.. damn deliciousness!

It was time to depart, back to the hotel we went to grab our luggage and also a few tacos for the ride.. I had strip steak and of course Emma had a vegetarian option.. which was nice but even she said my steak was nicer.. and that would be coz it was quite damn good! My Taco and Emma's Taco. Noms!

As we navigated the streets, one couldn't help but notice that young Emma had gone into extreme matching mode and took the colours of our suitcase as her colour code.. yellow and grey awesomeness! 

Amused, we were.. when we noticed!

The wait for the train begun, people watching ensued and soon enough the madness to get onto the train started, you see.. they only announce what platform the train is going from 10-15mins before the train is due to leave so you have a mass of people always just staring up at the big board and then when a new train clicks over.. the mad rush begins to get a seat. We survived our mad rush, got a seat and settled in for the 4+ hr train ride. Emma was a little cramped, luckily she is flexible in her stubbornness! and I'll admit, it was nice to have her draped across me! lol

I'd like to say the train ride felt swift, but it didn't.. the many stops and slow moving of the train made it feel like much longer.. we had wifi so it wasn't so bad and also a little drama from the people around us.. hearing others phone convos can be quite interesting.. days of our lives indeed! Anyways, we arrived safely and on time, the Goats were there to meet us and out to dinner we went before heading back to their humble abode.. and this is where I realise as I type this up that I didn't do another awesome house tour like I did before! I guess I will just have to go back!

Ladurée Macarons

The packaging..

Flavour: Strawberry Marshmallow

Flavour: Coffee

Flavour: Strawberry mint
This one surprised me a little.. flavour wise.. in a good way.

Flavour: Melon

Flavour: Lemon Lime Marshmallow
At least it wasn't like eating toilet cleaner..

Flavour: Caramel