NY/NJ

So here we are at our Marriott timeshare in Galloway, New Jersey - finally. The journey over to JFK went smoothly - we even managed to bypass the extra security at Heathrow. All the talk was about how you had to have all your electronic devices charged beforehand and, if they couldn't start them up, you would be kicked off the flight - we were even asked if we had done it before they checked us in at Aberdeen airport, and we were also told at Heathrow that there were extra security checks at the gates on all USA flights. It transpired, however, that the checks were random and we were just waved through. We obviously didn't look clever enough.

Short flight from Heathrow - just 7 hours or so - barely enough to enjoy the comforts of Club Class - although I thought the food was terrific - especially the Sea Bass. A can of London Pride, plus a large Tanqueray G & T, followed by 2 huge glasses of a lovely Pinot Noir may have skewed my judgment a little, however. The same - minus the LP - was enough to send Jo unconscious for a couple of hours, whilst I watched the Wolf of Wall Street.

We got straight through Customs, although it took some time for our bags to arrive on the carousel, and then we had to suss out how to get from the terminal to the courtesy shuttle bus. The Air Train was the answer - it was a bit like a roller-coaster ride, but we got there in the end.

We checked in to the Marriott Courtyard at JFK, which, incidentally, is in the Jamaica area of NY, and managed a quick beer before hitting the sack.

Jo was up before me this morning but tried to stay quiet. I slept for about 9 hours, but was still up early, East Coast time. Nice light breakfast, then back on the shuttle bus to the airport to pick up our hire car. I now have to withdraw all my previous negative comments about car hire companies - including the rant on My Pet Hates blog. Not only was our car waiting for us - all nice and clean, with the keys in it - but we had no queue to wait in - all you had to do was read the electronic board and go to the bay against your name - wonderful. I guess it helps being a Hertz Gold member - even though I haven't used them for years, their association with Marriott must have increased our status with them.

Then, we had to face the traffic - without a map. It was fun - we got there in the end, despite a few mistakes. Across Staten Island and down the coast road, with the very last bit being the most difficult. We went round in circles before eventually stopping at the pretty "historic" little tourist trap of Smithville - simply to get a wi-fi signal to see where we were going. Here's Jo at the entrance:

So here we are now - we've shopped and are relaxing over some strong ales and a few nibbles. Alcohol shopping was a bit trickier than we thought - we had to go to a separate liquor store after we'd bought the groceries - even just for beer and wine.

Tomorrow it's Atlantic City - and the Boardwalk!