More bloody paperwork. Sorting Mum’s estate is taking an age.

Thursday was time to pack up and start my trip to DC but in a slow and relaxed fashion. I met with Anne after she finished work. It was great to see her and catch up, the first time I’ve seen her since she broke her knee. Having some time off work seems to be suiting both of us!

Following drinks I headed for dinner with my brother and his family. I had a lovely greeting at the door from Annie, something I wasn’t expecting, I thought the kids would be in bed. Tom was waiting up too. Chris, Rachel and me then had a superb Thai meal prepared by Rachel and a glass or 4 of wine. A fab night.

Friday I got to see the kids before I then took them to school. They love it which is great to see. Tom just couldn’t get there fast enough.

Then it was time for my first Heathrow Terminal 5 experience and it didn’t disappoint. Within 5 minutes of arriving I was trapped in a lift wondering if I would make my flight. I posted it on FaceBook for the amusement of so called friends, they were all very supportive - NOT! I was soon out though and enjoying the smoothest checkin ever and all paperless.

Now I’m here in DC with some great friends. I’ve known Brooke and Court for over 20 years after having worked with them on an American summer school in the UK. We’ve always stayed in touch and have met up but this was the longest time since I last saw them, 6 years for Court. Nothing’s changed though. Helena was with us for a long weekend after having been in Detroit with work for a week so she got to see DC and have fun too, just brilliant.

So at the end of week 4 I’m just half way through my time here. We’ve done a load though. On Saturday we got to walk most of the main monuments and see the White House. There is some really neat stuff as the Americans would say. It’s a great city for walking.

On Sunday after Court arrived from Chicago we visited the Georgetown area and introduced Court to caching. The houses here are stunning. We walked up to the Cathedral where we enjoyed a fantastic view over the city on a beautifully sunny day. We returned to town, walking down Mass Avenue past off of the embassies and the Vice Presidents mansion. It’s a stunning area of the city.

Monday was special. Brooke had pulled a few strings and we were lucky enough to have a private tour of congress including being taken into the House, something any normal tour would never involve. We sat a row back from where Barack Obama would stand and speak. It didn’t stop there as we also got to go in the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court. The day was topped of nicely with a visit to the Air and Space museum. Time for Helena to fly home.

I then treated Court, Brooke and Sal to some of Nic’s world famous cooking, a prawn, lemon, chilli and garlic risotto. It didn’t disappoint. Needless to say we had a glass or three of wine.

And while all this was going on I even got to go and order tiles so that we can re-tile all three bathrooms at home. Next week I have the joys of collecting them when I am home, all 2.5 tonnes of them.

So week 4 is done, another brilliant week and another week of walking. 19 miles in the last 3 days.

Bring on week 5.