Island Update Ending October 26, 2003

Monday started out with great food.  Dong arrived around 0945 with a huge plate of Banh Xeo pronounced Bun Chow and what he refers to as Vietnamese Pizza.  This gave us breakfast and dinner with some left over.  This is really good.  The rest of the day was spent getting ready to leave.       

On Tuesday we were off to town on the 0815 boat.  We had pastry and coffee at the Peak's Cafe while waiting for the boat.  Our plan was to get Dad's haircut first but his barber was on vacation so here we were, early, with very few stores open.  By procrastinating and walking we did manage to pick up a few things we were after before heading to South Portland so Mom could get her haircut.  We succeeded in this and while that was going on Dad bought a great new paint brush and got his haircut.  Then it was off to a fish and chips lunch at the Public Market where we also bought some bread to bring home.  A few more errands and we caught the 1415 back to Peaks.  We didn't do much after that since we were both tired.       

Wednesday was spent taking care of loose ends and packing the car and yes it turned out to be a cold day.  It always is when we pack the car, but we got almost everything done.  We were up early on Thursday, catching the 0715, and again having pastry and coffee from the Peak's Cafe.  It was 35 when we left and it never really got any better all the way to Mike's.  It also snowed most of the way rather heavy at times.  The roads were clear, but there were varying amounts of snow on the trees, particularly the pine trees, and in the fields.  It was really a very pretty drive.  We checked out Mike's house and it is looking more and more like a real house.  There may be hope.  We have certainly seen change this past year.  We had a delicious lamb dinner with Mike, Linda and Jan and his parents.  It was a very delightful evening.  We stayed at the nearby B&B and Mike, Linda and Jan came over for breakfast.  We took a few pictures of Mike and Lucy and then headed for home.  We stopped to see Aunt Mary and Uncle Walter on our way by.  Their new apartment is a huge improvement over their last one, much more room.  They both seem to be doling well and were in good spirits.  Then we were off to Fairfax where everything inside and out was in good shape.  I must say the maintenance crew does a fantastic job while we are away.       

This brings an end to this year's reports.  It was a good summer and a very speedy one.  I don't know as we accomplished too much on the house, but we did get a few things done and of course have many more planned for the future.  It was too bad everyone couldn't have spent some time there, but we hope that those of you who did had a good time --  we certainly enjoyed having you.  That's it until around the end of May or early June 2004.

Love, Mom and Dad