Right, now that I've alerted people to this baby blog, I feel I should give them more bang for their nonexistant buck! We'll start with the first part of my US trip.Let me firstly say that Montreal-Philadelphia, with a travel time of around 1hr 15mins, was an absolute dream compared to my last poorly planned visit to the US, taking as it did approximately 8 times longer to travel around the same distance. (Don't dwell on that one too long - makes me look bad).
Anyway, my lovely friend Kelly picked me up at the airport amidst a true heatwave. I think the few days spent here and visiting Philly have been the hottest I've encountered in North America since arriving on the continent at the start of last year. This was furnace-like, reminiscent of a heftier January day in Brissy. But, the skies were blue, and it wasn't too bad in the shade; as Kel and I found when strolling under some gigantic trees in an old park close to her new house.
Wilmington is a small city in a rural setting; the narrow back road out of town leading to Kel's parent's place takes one through an idyllic setting, winding and bending under ancient trees. The town is home to the Du Pont chemical and munitions company, an industrial giant responsible for producing all manner of materials from neoprene to nylon to teflon to lycra (to name a few!). The wealth vested in the Du Pont heirs is visible in beautiful homes, estates, parks and gardens in the town. My stay with Kel coincided with a fundraiser for the Brandywine River museum hosted by 'Frolic' Weymouth, an artist, conservator and Du Pont heir. Located on a gentle bend of the Brandywine, his historic stone home is famous for having sheltered George Washington during the Battle of the Brandywine in 1777.
Jump forward a couple of centuries to the fundraiser and the scene was one of festivity - dinner under a tent, some great beers on tap and lots of dancing to the excellent local band in a large barn hung with lanterns and lights. It was a fabulous night, with those so inclined continuing the party in and by a pool out in the country, under a velvety sky scented with fir trees.
Kel found an online pic of the house at Big Bend, as it was too dark by the time I figured out I should take a shot! You'll just have to imagine some leaves on the trees. I think the stroll down the path was my first encounter with fireflies to0; initially cause for puzzlement!
Otherwise we chatted and chatted and visited the cinema and the Art Museum in Philly amongst other things - all up a beautiful trip.
Next up: ...'and Jeremiah plows the fields...'
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