When we were in England last summer, we stayed with Mick Paine, Jan, and their two daughters, Heidi and Zoey. Heidi is the young lady in the very middle of the picture next to Joe.
Mick was our good friend when we lived in Jamaica – we both taught at the same school. And despite his communist, atheist, way of thinking he was our best man when were were married in Mandeville, JA. All the way back on June 23rd, 1979.
Of course our friends are always welcome to come stay with us and Heidi decided to take us up on our standing offer, from December 29th to January 6th. Heidi just started a five year University course at Leeds, which will lead to a medical degree. She also brought along her friend Charlie, who is a fully qualified chef (Heidi got Tim’s room, Charlie the back room couch…).
We enjoyed having them, and they did all the usual tourist things – New Years Eve in Times Square, Circle Line, tall buildings, Knick game, etc, etc.. Not wanting them to think that NY was only Manhattan, Sunday I took them for a little spin acrossthe Bear Mountain Bridge, and then up north of Cold Spring, to the base of Breakneck Ridge, and Sugarloaf Mountain.
The first two pictures are on the Croton Dam
I told them to stand on the railroad tracks north of Cold Spring. and if a train came bearing down I’d snap a quick picture to send to Heidi’s family with an amusing note that I was taking good care of them. Here’s a picture I took, but then when we did hear a train whistle my batteries suddenly were dead, and I didn’t have time to change them before the train was past. Pity.
And here are three more the night before they left –
And here’s me with my new “Leeds University” sweatshirt. I am looking forward to a “York University” one also, since that’s where Zoey goes. Will reciprocate suitably –
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