Days Inn Poughkeepsie

... to the Christmas experience and especially the markets. We are very excited to spend Christmas Eve in Rothenberg. I am bringing small gifts for everyone but am stuck on what to get 3 boys ages 17, 15 and 11. Any ideas from anyone?

Hello:

We arrived home after a gratefully uneventful trip from Lake Como. We returned the rental car we used to drive from Newark back to Woodstock, shopped a bit, and returned home. It was a sensational trip, and we hope that those of you who read the blog enjoyed reading about our exploits. Lake Como is surely as close as we have ever come to paradise, and ...

Can anyone suggest an all inclusive resort off the east coast of the US for myself and family (wife and 2 sons 11 and 13), would like if possible to get there by a short cruise from NY or NJ. Would like to spend 1-2 days on ship and 4-5 days at resort, and maybe fly back to US. Can go anytime from March thru July2010. The family has never been to an island resort or on a cruise, thanx for any info

... We eventually found one at a fuel station, which Mel went to use while Neil filled up, but that didn’t work! The young lad at the fuel station asked the usual “How are you doing?” and completely hacked off at this point, we replied “****, don’t ask”, much to his amusement. We guess everyone usually replies “good, thanks”, robot-like, with no thought to how bad a day they were really having! When we explained our frustration at not being ...

... the temperature was dropping quite rapidly. While Mel prepared dinner, Neil got chatting to the guy who owned the big motorhome behind us. His name was John and he was the Master Wine Cellar Builder, which meant that he had lots of very nice wine on board. He gave Neil a couple of bottles for us and also invited us to go round after dinner to sample some more. And so a very nice evening followed, chatting with John in his huge motorhome (the first ...

... up with her in a week or so with another co-worker Greg who promised us a feast at his mums house in the Bronx. Thanks to my phone dieing it never happened... oh well next time. Anyway, a bus to grand central saw me to my train to Poughkeepsie where my friend Nancy was living for the summer. The train wound through the city and up north along the Hudson River. The river is expansive and actually quite beautiful. Soon the sky scrapers and apartment buildings gave way ...

... The one was a small bright red type, which was as sour as hell. Another, round in shape, yellow reddish in colour, this one is used for baking. The last, almost looked heart shape, deep read. This one was so fleshy and juicy sweet. Most of the cherries picked went into our tummies and the rest into a bag that we took home. After the cherry picking we went off to visit the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park. It was the first home in Hyde Park ...

... from old lampposts at the stone arch entrance to the campus. And another pair of them in front of the Main Building. Beds of beautifully groomed flowers. A library with elegant and immaculate sofas and chairs for students to lounge on. Nothing even remotely shabby or over-used. The carpets look fresh. Billowing tubs of lavender and other annuals stationed at each end of weathered wooden benches. Annika's room is another story ...

... but nobody wants me to , even if it's cheaper.... I went to use my company AMEX card to buy some groceries (to make my own healthy meals). Well, I slid the card then the cashier goes : It says to contact the issuer. I'm thinking What ? Anyhow, I finish up with her with my debit card then call AMEX outside. They tell me that I can spend as much as I want ...

... Jamaican. Then again, the scene I saw needed no translation. I been in this drama - or comedy - before. After the chewing out and resulting argument we finally headed off again. The cab was very silent except for the two squirrels - or whatever they were - who were working really hard spinning the engine to get us up the hills. When we finally got to the monastery the driver said in a low, dejected voice, "That'll be fifteen dollars, mon." I grabbed my gear and gave him ...