Forgive the “take” on the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral. 

There was a small degree of reluctance on my part, leaving behind what had, at long last, become a very pleasant summer.  Of course, it’s not going to last, but I imagine where I am going, I shall be glad of some coolness.

Some two years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting my great nephew and his charming American girlfriend during a brief visit to Washington D.C.  I can think of at least three places named Washington, 1) the capital of the U.S.A., 2) Washington State in the Pacific North West, and of course 3) Washington, Tyne, and Wear.  Earlier this year (or late last year), they announced their engagement and, soon after, the date for their wedding. I just had to be there.  That was before I pondered about what I needed to wear and other little anxieties.  Of course, this gave legitimate opportunity for long natters with my long-suffering travel agent!  She has put together some amazing itineraries since my retirement and has never landed me in a dodgy hotel.  And, as for securing me stateroom 8192 for the first five weeks of Cunard’s Queen Anne in public service, that felt like the grand finale of a monumental symphony of global wandering. That’s what it was meant to be.  The encore is a return to Washington for the wedding, which I hoped and prayed would be just before the next sailing of QM2 back to the U.K.  I don’t suppose 19 days is too bad between the wedding and the next sailing.  Yep, I am going to take a direct overnight train to Chicago, have four nights there (almost 5 days), head back east to a couple of lesser known cities in New York State, stay at Niagara Falls for four days, New York for 2 nights and then return to the U.K. on Queen Mary 2 in one of those fabulous single cabins on Deck 2 between the Queens Room and the Casino.  Some encore!

Thursday 1st August 2024

I am now at Washington D.C. at the same hotel I thoroughly enjoyed staying at in 2022.  I’m most happy to be back.  It is being refurbished in 2025, and perhaps it may become too expensive to contemplate staying there again.  It is on Capitol Hill, and just a short walk either to the domed Capitol or Union Station in the opposite direction. Nevertheless, let’s hear it for the Hyatt Regency, Washington D.C. 

My day started early (by my standards) at an excellent guest room at my sister’s house.  I have been most comfortable there before, and when able, my sister and brother-in-law make me most welcome.  However, it was so humid last night that it was necessary to keep all windows open to circulate some cooler night air.  London doesn’t shut down. Police sirens blared throughout the night, and I was awakened by a blood curdling scream rather like a dog being trodden on.  That’s probably exactly what it was.  I just couldn’t get back to sleep until very much later.  I was dreading the long flight to Washington! 

I felt that life was too short for lugging suitcases a quarter of a mile to Hammersmith tube ststion and getting snarled up with commuters.  I was warned that going by car would take far longer.  Uber, in fact, provided an excellent service, and I was queuing at check-in within 25 minutes. (The journey by Tube from Hammersmith is 35 minutes).   I requested a seat with an escape route to the bathroom!  I was recommended two lounges in which to await boarding. “Lounges?” I queried. “You’re in Business Class,” I was informed in quite a deadpan but professional manner.  I tried to be equally deadpan, not believing this incredible stroke of luck.  I could catch up on some lost sleep. And I did!  The seat morphed into a flat bed. It took a while to weigh up the different gadgets and facilities.  To begin with. I enjoyed views through the window.  But once at 35 000 feet, there’s not much to see.  Lunch and afternoon tea were served near the start and end of the flight. In between, the cabin lights were turned off to simulate darkness. It worked, and I slept.

I shall stay up as late as I can tonight. But now, at 9 o’clock, my body is convinced it’s 2 am. 

Many thanks for reading,

David, 0851 2/8/24 fully rejuvenated after a magnificent sleep at Washington’s Hyatt Regency Hotel, Capitol Hill.