... why is it so ruddy hot?! And where the hell do we find English newspapers in this town?!!

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2001

Answers

Disgusting, isn't it? Apparently this is the first heatwave in the region in 2 years. Aren't we lucky. :-P

For English papers, try Borders or Barnes and Noble. Though they're usually about a week old. I know one of them(B & N?) has a branch on M St in Georgetown, about 3-4 blocks past the Four Seasons Hotel. There's also a Borders somewhere downtown. Can't remember the exact location, but it's near ESPN Zone/Hard Rock/Planet Hollywood in the shopping district east of the White House.

Other than the horrendous heat and humidity(supposed to get worse still tomorrow), are you enjoying yourselves?

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2001

Yeh, we're having a great time! This morning we've been to the Supreme Court and Fords Theatre. We went in the theatre almost by accident because the queue for the FBI building was so horrendous - over 2 hours. This is a really lovely city - could spend much longer here if we had the chance (and the money!).

We've managed to track down some day old English papers in a little shop next to Hechts (where we've also spent a fortune in the sale!)

Sorry to the rest of you for using the board for this personal trivia - no other way of communicating at the mo.

-- Anonymous, August 07, 2001

Jacko it is a nice place to visit, amazing anything ever gets done. How long are you in the states for? Going any place else? It's alright screacher is back in England now so you're safe.

-- Anonymous, August 07, 2001

You've already seen more than I have, Jacko. :-)

One of these days I'll go down there and do the touristy thing again. If you can bear the heat and have the time, Arlington Cemetary is really nice. There's a tram that goes around the major sites(Tomb of the Unknown, Robert E. Lee's house, JFK memorial) so you don't actually have to walk it all. Don't think the tram is air conditioned however. ;-)

-- Anonymous, August 07, 2001

We did Arlington on Monday Ciara - and we walked - none of this poncey tram stuff! It is a really impressive place - we went at about 9 in the morning before it got too hot and before it got too crowded.

We got back to England this morning at about 5.30am. I'm at the stage of not quite knowing what day it is at the moment. It was a superb holiday and bearing in mind the flights cost us nowt, extremely good value for money!!

Things that impressed me about Washington in particular were

- The people. I had this pre-conceived notion that all Americans were big, brash and full of their own importance (stereotyping, sorry) but the Washingtonians I came into contact with were unfailingly courteous and helpful. As an example, on Sunday afternoon we were going to do the barge trip along the Chesapeke and Ohio canal which ran just at the back of our hotel. It was called off because of the heat (bad for the mules) so we got our money back but the National Park Rangers, all in 19th century costume, spent 45 minutes with us on the boat telling us all about life on the canals and everything - there was no need for them to do that - they just did - fascinating stuff.

- The metro. Clean, reliable and people get let off the train before anyone pushes on (unless they are visitors from New York!!!!)

- The cost. All those museums and all FREE!

- The Hecht's Sale!

We would definitely go again - but NOT in August!!!!

Thanks, Ciara, for all your help and the info you provided. BBS strikes again!

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

Welcome back to English summer, Jacko - don't know about the Potteries, but we've just put the central heating on, again!

Seems like Southern California provides the only real ideal compromise of weather types - although I'm not familiar with Oz.

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

Cheers Clarky! I know what you mean about the central heating - when we got off the plane in Manchester it was 46 degrees cooler than when we'd got on it in Washington!

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

Makes me cold just thinking about English weather, 46 degress cooler, stone me, time for a coat and hot toddie.

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

Yeh, it hasn't improved syme - mind you the summer weather in La Belle France earlier this week wasn't exactly tropical either.

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

The heat index in chicago yesterday topped out at 110F

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

You're welcome to it syme - I'll just suffer with 60 degF showery summer days, thank you. I can always put a sweater on!

This is my first post using my new laptop - I'm feeling rather proud that I figured out how to establish an ISP connection without resorting to the hotline.

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

Posh Tosh, eh Clarky?

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

PS - enjoy playing with your laptop (but not in public).

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

Screacha wot the hell are you on? divvent say somik like "my pc at home"

I'll treasure this moment forever clarky

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

It's a Heaton thing - just divvin tell anyone else!

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

aahha a second post, I am touched. Clarky I think I love you.

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

On second thoughts, anyone reading only part of this thread may think it a bit odd, so I am sorry clarky I don't love you we shared some special posts and being a heaton lad you're very hard to resist, but I just can't continue this....i must go.

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

Syme, if I were you (thank God I'm not - on second thoughts, she's a lovely lass!!) I'd quit while I was only yards behind. Having spent three days this week with Clarky, I have to agree that he's a canny lad, but expressing one's lurv just 'cos he's come out with his laptop is taking things a tad too far IMO. As for being hard to resist, well, whatever turns you on bonny lad..........

PS. In answer to your question, I'm flying an old crate. Spitfire as it happens. Roger, Wilco and out.

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

syme ol son - you really must get out more, and try using cold compresses for the prickly heat!

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

Screacher I thank you for your words of wisdom(?) Bearing in mind that you are still getting used to the view, of what I shudder to think, need i go on................?

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

Divvent make me come out with a slew of airline jokes clarky, I know how much you're looking forward to the flight to maderia.

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

Syme - I showed you that view. A pair of stunners, believe me!!

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

.... have the antibiotics not brought down the swellings yet Screach?

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

unfeasably large testicles???

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

Wrong in both cases chaps (but Syme was closer - in a related sort of way).

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

*ahem* Back to the trip... ;-))

Glad you enjoyed yourself, Jacko. Fall or spring are lovely times to visit should you decide to come back again. Weather tends to be more moderate. In late March/early April you also get the bonus of seeing the cherry trees in bloom all over the city.

I must say I'm green with jealousy at the English weather. Baltimore has had a heat index of 100-110 for the last 4 days. It's so bad now that even air-conditioning is only keeping buildings tolerable(rather than the usual freezing). It's finally gotten cloudy, so hopefully this heatwave is about to break!

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

I too enjoyed Washington in July August (92) I came for the Law Enforcement Olympics. Playing Football, Athletics and Volleyball.

As hot then as it was for you jacko, although we could not convince anyone to call off the games and go and have a few refreshing lemonades....

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2001