Four N Twenty Pies

What a busy and fabulous week we've had with friends and family visiting. Our dear friend from home passed through DC on Sun/Mon with her tour. We had a late night drink Sun night after dinner and then I spent the afternoon with her Monday doing a quick zip around the museums. She came for dinner Monday night and delivered a load of goodies (chocolates, tim tams, weetbix and other treats from home) and did her washing - after 5 weeks on tours, she had a massive load to do. She headed off to tour Canada and I will meet her on Friday in New York for a week of exploring the big apple.

On Monday Deb's niece and fiance arrived from the UK - I affectionately called them the 'kids' despite them being quite grown up. They had been in Ohio the week before on this really cool car tour. It is an annual stage race hosted by Hotrod Magazine and it's called Hotrod Drag Week. Each day they followed the cars to a different town, watched them do a timed drag and then got their instructions for the drive to the next town. I'm thinking of joining them next year if they go. Sounded awesome.

Deb had a few days off and they all enjoyed themselves sightseeing. The dogs loved their company and they both spoiled the dogs also. We enjoyed some dinners out and simply enjoyed having them stay with us. It was nice to have family in the house and it was great to show them as much as we could around DC. On the last night we had swapped cars with a friend who needed our car. They have a little Saab convertible so we drove home from the city with the top down in the warm evening air.

They also had brought a load of gifts and goodies including some very cute bandanas for the dogs. They also added to our booty of chocolate so we have about 20 Cadbury blocks of chocolate in the fridge. They also bought some UK chocolate over and we demolished a huge block of 'Galaxy' during the week. We have some serious calories to burn this week. Deb's niece is a very successful and talented tattoo artist - I have said that I would only ever get a tattoo if she did. We had a chat about a batman tattoo so who knows, maybe I'll have a stunning tattoo in years to come. 

Another highlight this week was the arrival of the Four N Twenty pies. There is a distributor in Philadelphia and he contacted the Emb a few weeks ago about selling the pies to us poor pie-deprived Aussies. Everyone was super excited and I ordered some. I think we will be able to order these on a regular basis. Anyway, we plan to have pie and veg with gravy for dinner one night this week. I can't wait !!

The election here looms closer and this week sees the first of three debates. There is nothing Clinton or Trump can say or do as supporters are firm on their views. I guess it's the undecided who are key but they probably won't vote. We're having an election party at home that night and inviting some friends to watch the circus on the night. 

The Aust Prime Minister was in town this week. The kids met us after work and we were walking to a restaurant. Turnbull was giving a presentation near the Emb and was leaving as we walked past. I really wanted to yell out 'Ditch the plebiscite mate and show some real leadership'. But, decided against it.

My last day of work is Thursday as I start three weeks of leave. I'm off to New York to meet Ms V and then return home together to start our two week road trip. We're all excited about the weeks ahead. 

The kids left Saturday morning on the train to continue their holiday and we enjoyed a restful weekend given the past few weeks of concerts and visitors have kept us busy. The US have official commenced Fall (autumn) and the weekend temperature was a remarkable change to previous heat and humidity. The leaves are falling everywhere and I'm quite excited about a cold Christmas.