Since this was my ninth trip to the United States (to see family and catch up with friends), and especially as the last eight trips all left me with wonderful memories, there was no reason to think that this trip would be any different.

How wrong I was!

It started at LAX, where security would not allow my carry-on, which had just come off a 15 hour flight across the Pacific, to continue to Boston. A bit of a kerfuffle. Soon resolved, and I was on my way.

On arrival in Boston, one of my checked suitcases was missing. It would have to be the one with four months of my medication in it. Daughter met me, and was not at all perturbed - I was frantic. "Happens all the time," she said. It was a relief to see the suitcase on her doorstep the next morning.

Daughter, unlike her brother, who also lives in Boston, likes to get to know the place where she lives, and take visitors on tours to what she thinks is the most interesting/important. So for the first time I went to Boston Common, the adjoining gardens, the beautiful avenue which leads up to them, and all the other places in Boston which I had not seen.

We spent a whole day walking along the Charles river, with all its features and attractions. When I say 'walking', I have to emphasise that she was walking and I was on my small scooter.

Another day we went to the John F Kennedy library and museum. This was particularly interesting for me, as I recall all those events so clearly. Was like going back more than half a century.

On Patriots Day she took me to Concord, and all the happenings there, and between there and Lexington, where she lives.

Other days we went further afield. There was a place, not all that far away, where there was a yarn mill and store. Not that I need more knitting yarn, but I still bought up big, just because it was different to what I have at home. We also went to Salem one weekend, and saw all the witches trail and museum. Did some tours, and really had a great time. During lunch one of my lenses fell out of my spectacles into my lunch. I had not noticed that the frame had broken. Exactly what I needed (not!) - a new pair of frames. Fortunately grandaughter's spectacle maker was able to fit me with a new frame, the very next day.

After two weeks with my daughter and her family, I went to visit my son, and his family. His older daughter was about to have a birthday, and it was just on Easter, so we all celebrated together.

About four weeks after my arrival I made a trip to North Carolina, and organised for the van to go to the mechanic, and get attended to. The insurance had not yet come through, so we had it taken the short distance from the storage to the mechanic by towtruck.

Thirty nine days after my arrival, I finally had confirmation that the van was insured and road worthy. It was the 29th April when I flew back to Greensboro to pick up my van. Picked it up on Monday morning 30th, and spent most of that day getting organised to hit the road. By now, my feet were itching to get onto the open road and see a bit more of the lower 48.

Lifey