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Blue from West Oz - On Liberty in the US

Part 11 of Paul "Blue" Hartridge's travels throughout the US visiting boatsailors and other folks of equally questionable character.

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Leg 22 - Groton/New London, Connecticut - 4/5/2004 - Host: John Wynn

Blue:Hi Don, Arrived safe and sound in New London, John Wynn my host was waiting my arrival...only around 5 minutes late so that ain't bad.

After settling in, we went to the Mecca of the East Coast, 40 School St. Had a drink and then I attended the monthly meeting. 'Sound Off', I announced who I was, boat qualified and received a very warm response from the 110 members, fantastic! Met some WWII members who had been based in Brisbane during the War and some fellow BBS members, Walt 'Smiley' Magnavice, Carl Hochstetler along with John 'Gumba' Carcioppolo. Had a few drinks and TWO hot dogs (John Bay take note, that's 2, not 5 or 8, but 2!! He lied about me going back for 7 or 9 helpings!)

Today I went back to 40 School St ( where else would a 'respectable' Aussie DBF'er go? ) for a 'few more drinks' and was signed up as an Associate Member of the Groton Base USSVI inc! met up with PaulR who then took me for a drive to Mystic and 'someplace' in Rhode Island...I was intrigued to discover it actually isn't an Island after all...you Americans are crazy people! *_*

John Wynn has just gone off to a meeting and I am doing my dohbying..and surfing the net.

  
Blue in front of 40 School St. Blue and Paul Roggemann. And Blue with Gumba.


Carl Hochstetler, Blue, Walt "Smiley" Magnavice, and John Wynn.

 

Paul Roggemann: Don, several more for you (below). Blue signing up as Associate Member; In front of the famous Mystic Pizza shop and a view of the Mystic Seaport.

Had a good day with Blue. Took him on a short cruise around the Mystic area and a sojourn to Westerly, RI, just so he can say he was in the state of RI. Hope he enjoyed himself, and look forward to seeing him again soon. Regards, Paul Roggemann.

  

 

Blue 4/7: Just a quick update from New London for today. John and myself went to the USS NAUTILUS museum and met Bob Gawe, we met the historian there, Wendy, and she had got together some information they have in the library on Aussie boats, he he, I managed to find a pamphlet with a picture of me in there taken back in 1987 onboard HMAS OXLEY whilst embarking MK48's. Bob and myself went onboard the boat and I came out positively 'glowing'! lol

Went onboard the base for a drink at the CPO's Mess and then back to 40 School St....starting to feel at home there! It would be great to stay for the reunion at the end of the month, but I must move on...damn! ( Maybe I should apply for a visa after all? ) Photo taken with some of the 'locals' there at the club house and one lovely lady, Jen. Next stop, New York City! Blue *_*

  


 

Leg 23 - New York, New York - 4/8/2004 - Host: Steve Atkatz

Blue 4/8: G'day Don, Left John Wynn in New London this morning, headed for NYC and was, as usual, late. I then looked for the meeting place that AtoZ had nominated and qui9ckly found myself lost within Penn Station...thanks to some unreliable directions from the train station staff. 15 minjtes later, Steve finds me looking very lost and confused!

We dropped my bags off and went to the Empire State Building where we waited in line for around 2 hours, we went up to the Observation Deck up there at the 86th floor and wow, what a view! Of course, some one has put a weather curse on me and as soon as we arrived there it started to rain!

Then we went to the USS GROWLER but that had a line which was probably 30 minutes plus, so we skipped her and went onboard the USS INTREPID instead. It is good to see that I can use my RAN Retired Members ID and get good discounts at these tours etc.

Had a quick stop at Times Square, but will have to go back to catch a shiela to kiss, that should be a good photo...me either being slapped or arrested! lol Best wishes, Blue *_*

   
Times square. Looking south from the Empire State Bdg. observation deck. Blue and Steve trying to stay dry.

Blue on day two in New Yawk: Today Steve and myself went touring this great city. First stop was the Dakota building, the scene of one tragic moment in history, a day that for me is one of those "where were you when John Lennon was killed"? I was with my Army mates at Randwick Army Barracks in Sydney....moving along, we popped over the road to see Strawberry Fields, a nice tribute to the great man.

  

After Strawberry Fields at Central Park, Steve and I caught up with Bob Macmanus who is the Editorial Editor at the New York Post. He gave a us a tour of the two floors of reporters and their different sections. I noticed a few 'Kangaroo next 14 KMM's' signs. Steve noticed that a few of them were reading the New York Times, for some reason that made him happy. Bob then took us to meal, paid by 'Uncle Rupert', cheers mate!

We then made our way to the Circle Line, via Times Square again for another photo shoot. Wait of 1 hour, we then headed off to see the Statue of Liberty among other things. A fantastic sight indeed, another of those childhood images of America coming to life for me. Then we sailed up the East River and turned around at the U.N Building and then back to the pier at West 44th Street, passing the Finanical District and Greenwich Village on the way. Tonight we, Steve, Jeanne and myself, went to a Thai restaurant, which was my idea! Love that spicy food *_*

  
Times Square looking south. Blue w/Empire State Bdg behind. Blue at the Statue of Liberty.

 
Blue and Steve cruise the finanical district. Blue still looking for King Kong.

Blue on Day Three in the Big Apple: G'day Don. Today I visited Greenwich Village, watched some busker make a living at Washington Park, then proceded to KATZS for a pastrami roll and a drink of Dr Brown's Cel-Ray.... This is also the place that the infamous scene from 'When Harry Met Sally' was shot ( when Meg Ryan has an 'orgasm' at the table in the restaurant ).

We then went down to Seaport and then walked over to 'Ground Zero', words fail me but 2 1/2 years later one still cannot believe it actually happened. Have caught the infamous NYC Subway a few times now and it's reputation is not deserved....I have had no problems at all....blindly following AtoZ is a big help of course.  - Blue

  
KATZS. Pastrami and Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray. Ground zero.


WTC Station.

Blue Falls in Love** - 4/13: G'day Don, Hi mate, yesterday we went out looking for a few souvenirs for me, I needed to get at least one t-shirt for my 2 kids and of course one for myself ( John Lennon NYC ) and yet another fridge magnet for my collection.

Visited the Grand Central Train Station , real nice....

We then headed over to the American Museum of Natural History, waited only 30 mintes in line and then proceded to see the great exhibits they have. Without a lie, I believe this is a great museum and set out wonderfully.

Then a cause walk though Central Park before heading home.

Readied myself for a date with their daughter...headed off into the unkown ( NYC I am talking about here! ) and had a lovely night out with Lisa, a meal, a few drinks, lots of talking about 'life'

Looking forward to meeting up with her again on my return to NYC before flying out.

Raining today, sheesh.... tomorrow I head down to Steamboat's place and then we drive to Charleston for the HUNLEY event!

Blue *_*        ** (father in law Steve made me do it :-)

 
Blue and Lisa.  Blue at Grand Central Station.

 

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