I started the trip in a beautiful sunny Aberdeen, sun setting and a near cloudless sky. Up and away, I have never seen such a beautiful sky from a flight. It was stunning. The flight was early for once so got to Amsterdam earlier than expected . Found the Yotel easily and checked in. The room was tiny I mean minuscule! But all that was needed for a restful night. And it was surprisingly good.
Up at 6 quite refreshed and out to the gate after a coffee and donut. The flight to Detroit was ok as economy squished seats go and I arrived listening to Razorlight singing America on the iPad shuffle - a bit spooky! Plenty time to get through all the immigration palaver and get to the gate. Detroit has a very pleasant airport.
The flight to Asheville was on time and arrived early. Once I picked up my case, looked about and within 5 minutes there was Les!
She drove me to the Biltmore village to walk around the historic area. I bought a pair of socks! After a further explore in the car, we stopped to watch a gorgeous sunset behind the Blue Ridge mountains. We got to her lovely home around 6.30 and after a short time getting my bearings we went out for pizza . I was doing pretty well considering I had been up for well over 18 hours. But after pizza and beer I was ready for bed.
The next day was Monday. We had a leisurely start to the day and some breakfast before setting off for the Biltmore Estate. An amazing house and wonderful visit lasted all day! We lunched at around 3.30 and then visited the winery. Missing the best of the sunset we drove up to the Inn and walked in to look around. We drove back through the downtown area and arrived home about 7.
An evening of slides followed. Great reminiscing and some red wine and left over pizza. Bed around 11 was followed by a reasonable night's sleep.
In the morning I learned the terrible news of wee Clouseau's death. What a shock and all the more awful being so far away from him so we couldn't say goodbye.
We went out around noon to the downtown area for some therapy of the retail variety! After buying shoes and socks, we wandered up the road to a place that seated outside so we could enjoy a lovely lunch in the sun. We also visited a church and lit a candle for wee Clouseau. Then we did some food shopping for the party in a speciality store which was full of great organic foodstuffs. We got home at 4.20ish to get ready for the gathering that evening.
About 10 or so friends attended and we ate lovely nibbles, drank wine and chatted. It was very convivial. The last guest left around 8 and Les and I watched the US equivalent of strictly! We got to bed around 10.30.
The next morning was the last one in Asheville and we got going reasonably early. Les made grits which I didn't much like and I got some last photos of the garden.
