Boston again!!

So I had an impromptu trip to Boston last week.

Thanks to Nibbles, Sandy Pandy and Stevadore for letting me crash with them for the week.  Nibbles in particular deserves special mention for having prepared an enormous amount of food for me to scoff down during my visit, Steve for drinking the beer I insisted on purchasing, and Sandy Pandy for the chat.

I had a few hot dates as well (don't worry - Rob knows about them). Fahd and I went for Vietnamese on Friday night, Madhu and I went to break his fast at a Harvard institution - I had the pulled pork, Madhu had a steak, then met both of them for a Halal feast on Sunday night.

It was great to be back in Boston, especially as SDI provided me THE most beautiful space to work from, with a view of the Boston harbour.  Thanks to Julie from Scottish Enterprise and Lucy and SDI Boston for sorting it out for me.

We are all now waiting anxiously for our next externship placements.  Roll on Friday!

Kure Beach

We took a little road trip to Kure beach last weekend.

Stayed in a great place right by the sea - sitting on the 'porch' you could actually see the sea.  Lovely and relaxing.

As with any small seaside town there were some endearing quirky places - a Pub called fat pelican where refrigerated lorry was the beer fridge, a small um... shed called bud and joes where MacD hustled the locals in pool (I drank sprite sitting on a very comfy chair).

First bar of the weekend

Yummy restaurant

Starter and main - REALLY GOOD

Pelican - lorry used as a fridge

My new friend at the Pelican

Kure beach - taken on the 2.5 mile walk to get the car the morning after the pelican

Breakfast after retrieving the car

Monument at Cape Fear

Now an afternoon walk on the beach

Afternoon snack

Cocktails!

You know you have ordered too much breakfast when 2 plates are required to hold said breakfast

It rained on our last day at the beach so we went to see the Carolina battleship - so rainy you can't see me in this pic

On board surgery

Missiles

Bunk room (very uncomfy and smelled awful)

Claire taking control

Me trying to cause havoc

Escaping the battleship!

1 weekend + Harry Potter + Mickey Mouse = awesome

The Saltire Sirens (minus MacD who went to play golf somewhere fancy) hit Orlando for the weekend.  We missed the space launch which is a shame as Jojo would have liked to have hitched a ride on that rocket.  Still, we managed to make her forget that she didn't conquer her dream to be first Scottish woman in space.

Jojo had booked hotel, hire car and led the charge to our hotel.

Arrival - this was the silly face picture

Arrival - the sirens - Jojo, Sandrine (Sandy Pandy), Amina (Nibbles)

Our sweet ride and the Sirens arriving at Universal Islands of Adventure

Jojo on the way into Islands of Adventure

The Harry Potter ride was a 2.5hr wait to get on but soooooo worth it.  

Sandrine looking oh so stylish!

The conductor spoke with an english accent - we asked where he was from - he said: Hogsmeade of course!!

Butterbeer mug repurposed for Margaritas

Butterbeer mug repurposed for coffee to help us on the way to DISNEY WORLD

The sign lies - the shops are open until Midnight

The brilliant guy on the ticket desk, he gave us first timer badges and everything

We didn't chase down mickey but donald was a great substitute

Dub Step Mickey - he was rockin' out on the decks

 

First proper meal of the whole weekend - Sunday lunch!!

Best ride of the weekend: Harry Potter

Best food of the weekend: Fairy Floss

Best girly weekend in ages - the Sirens rock