North Carolina

27^th – 29^th Mar – Travel into North Carolina

Back onto I-95 and another 300 miles north.  What a change in the weather; from +28C in SC, to rain in NC and an overnight frost of -5C!

We spent the weekend on the outskirts of Wilson cleaning the interior of the RV from head to foot.
Louise and Clarence joined us on 28^th for lunch at a local BBQ restaurant.

30^th Mar – Travel to Oxford

Finally we took our last trip in the RV to Oxford just 70 miles north.  For a few days the RV was parked on a property just down the road from Louise as there had been so much rain that the garden was too boggy to take the weight.

31^st Mar – 20^th Apr – Oxford

Emma

Lola

We spent the next 3 weeks with Louise, her boy-friend Clarence, and 5 dogs, 3 cats, 3 guinea-fowl and 1 duck.  Since our last visit in November Louise sadly had her eldest dog put-down and has lost the chicken and other ducks.  After a few days the last duck disappeared – possibly flown off to find a friend – after all it is Spring…….

Paul spent some time doing chores such as digging out the drainage ditch and burning deadwood.  We had another frost and then the temperature began to rise creating some beautiful sunny days and the temperatures we have become used to in Florida.  This also brought out the tree pollen in vast quantities.  Everything inside and outside the house became covered in a layer of fine yellow powder.

3^rd Apr – Good Friday

A buyer for our car arrived, cash in hand and was very pleased with the vehicle.  Unfortunately the deal with the friend that was interested in the RV did not come off.  So it continues to be advertised on the Internet.

In the evening we went into the city of Raleigh.  The place was heaving with people wandering around in summer outfits.  In an Irish pub Clarence was introduced to Scotch Eggs. We also spotted Jesus sat behind us drinking a bottle of red wine (or maybe it was water); then onto the Duelling Pianos bar.

Good Friday and Easter Monday did not seem to be treated as national holidays in the same way as in the UK.  As it was Easter weekend a quantity of Cadburys Cream Eggs were consumed. 

Photo with "Muddy"

10^th Apr – Mudcats Baseball Game

In the evening we went to watch a Baseball Match.  We had a meal in the restaurant over-looking the pitch.  We met “Muddy” the team mascot and were treated to fireworks after the match.

11^th Apr – Charity Walk

Louise & Tazer

Clarence & Lola

We joined Louise with 3 of her dogs for a Charity Dog Walk around the GAP (local sports fields and park). All three dogs had a bath before the walk. Unfortunately Lola, the boxer, was not on her best behaviour and had to be taken home before the walk started.

12^th Apr – Fishing

Fishing was again on the activities list and we all headed up to Kerr Lake for the day.  There were several yachts sailing on the lake and around the edge of the water was the yellow scum of washed up pollen that is everywhere. Louise caught 2 good sized catfish and with Paul’s smaller catch we had fish for supper again (and breakfast). The lightweight with us came back empty handed.

18^th Apr – Final Preparations

We began our final preparations for leaving Oxford.  First, Paul collects the hire car ready for travel on Monday.  Next is packing the 5 suitcases and 3 backpacks. Then the RV is moved to where it is to remain whilst awaiting a buyer.  Unfortunately the back wheels got stuck up to the axles in the mud (the clay soil is still soggy in places).  However our Good Sam Roadside Assistance covers that sort of problem and a tow truck soon winches it back out.

In the evening we join Louise’s’ friends Holly and Johnathan, who are celebrating their wedding anniversary with a Bonfire evening.

19^th Apr – Bowling

We spent our last day 10-pin bowling with Louise and Clarence.  We were also joined by their friend Trudi and her 2 girls. 

20^th Apr – Travel to Pennsylvania

We said our farewells and head off up the I-95 into Virginia.  We pass through Richmond and onto Fredericksburg, but rather than drive through Washington DC we head north-west into West Virginia, and onto the I-81to Mechanicsburg, near Harrisburg in Pennsylvania.  After 7 hours driving we were glad to be in our hotel room that evening when a terrific thunderstorm arrived with torrential rain; it knocked out the TV signal (well what else is there to do in a hotel room?).