Vacation in Newport, RI (Part 6)

It’s my final day in Newport today. I’m sad to leave, as I’ve had a great time. The cycling and walking cleared my mind for the coming weeks, so with the busy weeks ahead (three XenApp training sessions and a distributor event in Denmark), I’m good to go.

Spending time with Kristen is always great. She is one of the most wonderful people I know. Unfortunately she had to work a lot, leaving only time at night to do things together. But I certainly enjoyed my time with her and will be back here very soon.

The final day consists of getting rid of all the alcohol I consumed last night (thanks Joe and Gordon for introducing me to that great drink), going out for a nice lunch and then later on to the airport. My flight is at 7.45pm and I’ll be arriving at London Heathrow tomorrow morning at 7.15am. It’s not too long, hopefully I get some sleep on the plane. As I’m tired already, that shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

 

Vacation in Newport, RI (Part 5)

My short vacation in Rhode Island is coming to an end. Two more days to enjoy the weather and the good company of Kristen. I really had a great time and wish I could stay longer. Not because Newport is such a great place to be (it is fun, but there is not really a lot to do), but because being around Kristen really makes me happy.

After we had dinner and some drinks last night, we made plans to go cycling this morning. So I woke up at 6.30am, got dressed and we were on our way at 7am. We took the Ocean Drive in the opposite direction I took last Monday. Although Kristen says she is a bit out of shape, nothing like that showed while we were riding our bikes. She is in a good shape and I’m horribly out of shape. I really need to start cycling when I return to the UK. But unfortunately within a week of returning I start another 3-week trip to the continent. So no cycling for me before the end of September or even early October.

We finished our lap of Ocean Drive and the Salve Regina campus in about an hour. We didn’t really push ourselves, but had a great time on the road. After that, we had a nice breakfast at Katrina’s. The blueberry scone I had was really good. With breakfast taken care of, we went into the Boardwalk, the local surf shop. Kristen fell in love with a real nice board and I would’ve bought it for her if she would let me. Of course, I can buy it and then store it at her place, but it’s kinda odd to buy a board when you have never surfed. Still, it’s a nice board and she deserves a great board to surf.

For the rest of the day not many activities are planned. We’re going to the beach later today, skipping lunch because we are still full. I might get my first surfing lessons this afternoon, which if I really enjoy it would give me an opportunity to buy a board and lend it to Kristen. With the current Pound Sterling – Dollar exchange rates, it’s not even that expensive. I’ll have to watch to not max out my credit card again this early in the month, as I’ve a lot of business travel coming up.

 

Vacation in Newport, RI (Part 4)

After getting burned pretty badly yesterday, today no beach for me. Or perhaps late in the afternoon. Kristen should be home early (she promises that every day), so we might go together. Considering the burn, I did have a pretty good rest. I was awake a 5am, but only because my phone rang. The lidocaine in the after sun lotion and the painkillers did a pretty good job.

As we had quite a big dinner last night, Italian so a lot of carbs, I went for a long walk. I walked up to Memorial and then entered the Cliff Walk. I walked all the way down to the other end, which took about 90 minutes. The Cliff Walk is really nice, beautiful mansions and the view of the ocean is magnificent. And the buildings of Salve Regina University make me wish I had focused on my studies more and had come here for at least a semester.

Walking back home I stopped at Katrina’s Bakery for a sandwich and something to drink. I’ve become a regular here for this week. Their products are fresh and very delicious, no wonder Kristen loves to come here.

 

Vacation in Newport, RI (Part 3)

Today will be an uneventful day. I’m going to Second Beach, as the weather looks very good today. Hopefully the rainstorms will stay away, at least until I get back home.

Another good thing is that Kristen had a very early start today and should be back at the end of the afternoon. Can’t wait…

 

Vacation in Newport, RI (Part 2)

Another nice day in Newport. The weather is still nice, although we’re expecting thunderstorms later today. After doing some work this morning, those EMEA SEs won’t leave me alone, I took the bike again and went out for a late breakfast. Quite relaxed, wrote some posts for the blog and prepared for a nice ride.

I rode all the way to Middletown, past Second Beach towards the Wildlife Refuge. This must have been about a 8 mile ride, it took me about 35 minutes to get there. I chained my bike to the gate and took a walk. The environment there is amazing, you’re close to the ocean and there is lots to see. I took some pictures which I will post later today. The walk took about 2 hours, a bit shorter than I had planned. But I’ll have to return someday anyway, as I need to shoot pictures with a DSLR. In fact, I’ll need an additional body and fit one with a macro lens and one with a wide-angle lens. That way I won’t waste time when I see something worth shooting.

After the walk I took my bike and went to Second Beach for something to drink and eat. The sun was nice at the beach, but I decided to get back on the bike and ride some more. I ended up in Middletown in a nice park, where they had a nice, old windmill. I shot some pictures and started reading in the book I brought along (the John Adams biography by David McCullough). After about 45 minutes (John Adams just started his term as President of the United States), the weather started to change. I heard a thunder, I got on my bicycle and started to head home. After about 500 meters the rain started and it didn’t stop until after I got back. I was soaked, but after a quick and hot shower I was feeling okay again. Only my book has some water damage, I’ll order a new copy after I get back to London. This time in hardcover I think, as it looks better on my shelf.

Well, I’m off to dinner with Kristen.

 

Vacation in Newport, RI

I’m in Newport, Rhode Island for a short vacation. I arrived last Friday, my friend Kristen picked me up from the airport. It’s great to be around her again, it’s too bad she lives here and I’m still living in Europe. The weekend was good fun, we went to the beach and I’ve had a great time. It’s a pity she has to work most of the week, so we can only spend time in the evenings.

This morning it was raining and more bad weather seems to come this way. But right now the sun is coming through and it’s getting quite warm. I’ve rented a bicycle and have been checking out the island. Ocean Drive is both spectacular and a good workout. It took me about an hour to complete the Ocean Drive, I guess it would be about 40 minutes if I had my own bike here. The views are great, the mansions way too big and the terrain is hilly enough to make me sweat. Now it’s time for lunch and perhaps some time at the beach. But that all depends on the weather.