Thursday 31st August. Further investigation has shown our hotel is built like Fort Knox with high walls and railings all around. The neighbouring hotel has a high fence with barbed wire on top! Hmmm. So we're not going to venture too far, just far enough to exercise Caesar, and spend the rest of the time relaxing in our room.

We need to repack a bit as we're only taking a small amount of gear with us for the weekend and will leave most here at the hotel locked away.

Wednesday 30th August. We were up early, finishing our packing and getting ready to leave Niagara Falls. We both felt we would have enjoyed staying much longer, and certainly can recommend the Radisson Hotel. Our lift to the airport came a little earlier than we thought, so it was lucky we were ready. We got the drive to stop at the duty free at Fort Erie, just on the Canadian side of the Peace Bridge so that we could claim some of the tax back that we had paid on our hotel bill and the items we had purchased. One thing that is just as memorable as Niagara Falls is the Canadian tax system!

Neither of us got used to the fact that goods in the shops are labelled with one price but you actually pay quite a bit more once the taxes (both regional and national) are added on. One good thing about prices at home is that the price you see you pay!

When we went to check in for our flight we were asked if we would like to board the earlier one as we were in time for it, so we did and arrived at JFK two hours before we were due. The flight today was uneventful and so much smoother than the flight up to Buffalo last Friday.

We had to hang around quite some time for our lift to the Doubletree Hotel and got quite a frosty reception from the bus driver because of Caesar. Same thing at reception when we arrived!! The there was quite a performance to get the tye of room we actually booked and paid for on 3rd July, over two hours after landing we finally got to the room type we had booked!

We're both tired this evening and intend just spending tomorrow resting and getting ready for our weekend at Goldstock.

Tuesday 29th August. Again, we thought we would be taking the helicopter ride today and after checking with the airport by phone set off by taxi. Unfortunately, by the time we got to the airport the weather had turned in and the flight was off. Most disappointing as now we had not only lost the chance of the ride but also $50 in taxi fares! We got dropped off on the way back at Great Wolf Lodge where we did some more shopping and had a super buffet lunch. There was a geocache just off the car park, which of course we had to find! We then walked to the Spanish Aero Car over the Whirlpool Rapids, which was a fantastic view. It is also the site of amn earthcache, which is a special type of geocache, you just have to be there, learn about the geological features and then submit a photo to claim credit for the find.

From there we took a taxi back to our hotel, and spent the evening on the 25th floor of the Konica Minolta Tower, which was just opposite our hotel, enjoying the views of the Falls.

Monday 28th August. Today we were supposed to be taking our helicopter trip over the Falls, but the weather wasn't good enough, sigh. Instead we set off down Niagara Parkway and went in search of a geocache, which happily, we succeeded in finding after correctly solving some clues along the way. The clues were based around the story of an old scow (boat) which had become stranded on the river in 1918; it's still there rusting away. The scow became stranded after breaking away from it's tug and the two men on board had to be rescued the next day by breeches bouy.

We got a bit wet on the way back as the wind was blowing the mist from the Falls towards Canada today. The rain macs I bought last minute at home have been useful! We called in at the Paradise Gardens on the way back, beautifully laid out and lovely photo oppportunities.

Later on we did some shopping in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police licenced store and had dinner in The Keg, a restaurant overlooking the Falls. We treated ourselves to cocktails, Karen had a Pina Colada and Wendy had a Manhattan. Caesar concentrated on people watching, looking down on the people walking past on the path 9 floors below.

Sunday 27th August. Today we did some of the more touristy things that Niagara Falls has to offer. We visited the new casino resort and managed to leave without spending a single dollar, then we went on the Niagara Skywheel. Similar to the London Eye but smaller, and also yu have the sensation of moving much faster. Wendy found it a bit scary at first but it did afford us fantastic views of the Falls.



Even Caesar sat up and enjoyed the views, but we think he was people watching rather than looking at the scenery.











We had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe where they served us giant burgers and all fell in love with Caesar! Followed by a bit more shopping! We found a duty free store and thought the prices were very favourable and chose several things ... before we were approached by a member of staff and told we could only purchase them if we were leaving for USA immediately! Dash!

We strolled along enjoying the views of the Falls and taking advantage of the fact that we coiuld see them in the dry and the wind was blowing the mist towards America today.

Returning to Table Rock, we investigated the Journey Behind the Falls, and after making enquiries decided to go for it! We went down in a lift to tunnels blown out of the rock, then travelled 200m or so behind the falls to view them through a couple of portals cut into the rock. We were literally looking at the falls from behind! Amazing! karen & Wendy took turns in holding Caesar while the other went forward to the barriers to take photos. With the tremendous power of the water and the rock tunnels the noise was very loud. We then went to an observation platform right at the edge fo the falls and got drenched, no wonder they gave us yellow plastic ponchos to wear!

You can share the experience with this movie blip!

Saturday 26th, our first full day in Niagara Falls. We had a lazy start to the day with breakfast in bed and then took Caesar for a good walk and game of ball. Then we were off exploring! We saw both the American and Canadian falls, both spectacular, but I think I prefer the Canadian Horseshoe Falls the most. We walked along the Niagara parkway to where the Maid of the Mist boats moor to the north and then headed south via Table Rock along the Parkway to the Cirque du Niagara big top. We had tickets for the 5pm performance. We also managed to get a couple of geocaches along the way.

Karen along Niagara Parkway

Wendy & Caesar in front of the American Falls

The show was good, but we both felt the Cirque du Soliel show (Allegria) we saw in London in February was far better, and had more of a wow factor.

Also there was some confusion about where Caesar was to be during the show, three times we phoned and they okayed him being in the show auditorium and even gave us a box because of this. Then shortly after we arrived we were approached and asked to take him outside as there were horses in the show, and "even if they smell him, they may become uncontrollable and bolt into the audience". Now, understandable as this is, it would have been far better for us to have been told this in advance, especially as we asked 3 times. So, Caesar was taken to the box office to be looked after.

10minutes later, we were approached again and told he would be moved to a trailer on his own as they were worried in case he chewed the wires of a computer or something in their box office!!! Sheesh! Would he have gotten to 7 years of age if he was a cable chewer? Would I have bothered bringing him half way round the world if he was a cable chewer? By tis time, I (Wendy) was in tears. Just as well Karen remained calm and negotiated a better deal for Caesar, he did stay in a trailer but had his own member of staff looking after him.

The box had other seats in it and wasn't really big enough for a wheelchair comfortably. After the show, we had our money refunded by way of an apology, but frankly, all three of us could have done without the stress on an evening that we had been looking forward to for a couple of months.

Even the free shuttle to the show was inaccessible, so we walked there and got a taxi back!

We're in Canada! Niagara Falls to be exact, arrived safely yesterday after a somewhat eventful journey, but we're all well and having fun.

Our flight from JFK to Bufalo was perhaps more eventful that we might have hoped. Things got off to not such a good start when our shuttle was late picking us up, then security at the airport separated Wendy & Caesar for longer than would be desired, and certainly longer than acceptable ... ten they picked Wendy up for having an attitude for complaining about it! Hmmm. Heathrow security knocked spots off JFK security this time.

We boarded the plane, they changed their mind about where Wendys' wheelchair was to travel, they gave away the previously blocked seat, and we took comfort in the fact tat it was only an hour long flight anyways.

An hour later ... we were still on the runway at JFK having only taxied a short way. We watched with trepidation the news showing a tornado warning for downtown Manhattan and saw video footage of the almost unrecognisable top of the Empire State Building due to torrential rain. The staff then got out the drinks and prepared us for an even longer wait. Thankfully, the tornasdo warning was lifted and something like an hour and a half after we were due to leave we finally took off.

It was a bumpy flight, but we landed safely in Buffalo and then transferred to our hotel by shuttle again. The hotel is lovely and very comfortable, just above Table Rock.

To round the day off, we went and watched the Friday evening fireworks over the Horseshoe Falls ... magical.

Wendy & Caesar at the top of the Empire State Building.



Karen & Caesar at the top of the Empire State Building.


Caesar in Central Park

Phew what a day! We started off by going to the Empire State Building, the staff were great and whisked us through, avoiding all the queues and in no time we were at the top. Fantastic views. Next we walked up 5th Avenue, doing plenty of shopping along the way at the Yankees Store, the Disney Store, Niketown and one or two others. We ended up in Central Park for a picnic and for Caesar to have some downtime. We just made it to the shop and bought some t shirts when the heavens opened, we got drenched! Undeterred, we made our way through the thunderstorm to Strawberry Fields. After that we caught a cab back to our hotel and dried out! This evening we went for a walk with Caesar, bought some supper and managed a Geocache on the way back. We're all packed and heading for Niagara early tomorrow.

Day two in New York City. Still a bit jet lagged we made our way down to Ground Zero, where coincidentally, they were unveiling a new display on the fences of the site. It was very busy and we enjoyed the tranquility of St Pauls Church afterwards. Lunch was a superb picnic in Battery Park looking across the water to The Statue of Liberty. Boy was it hot! Later, we walked up through the Financial District and over into East Village to catch a couple of geocaches along the way.

What is itwith parks here in New York? All the grass is fenced off, nowehere to sit and enjoy! The dog parks seem like a good idea, but this time of year are rather smelly and really aren;t wheelchair accessible either! What's an assistance dog to do? Cross legs I guess!

We spent our evening at The Cadillac Winter Garden Theatre enjoying the Broadway production of Mama Mia! Fantastic! Toe tapping, hand clapping, enjoyable all the way! We made our way back to our hotel via Times Square and just about collapsed into bed around midnight (5am UK time).

New York! New York! Karen, Caesar and I all arrived safely in New York yesterday after an uneventful flight from London. We were really blessed in that we were upgraded to Club World (business class) and had a really comfortable flight. Everyone was really kind to us and we enjoyed a little luxury ;o)

Our Super Shuttle van was awaiting us and in no time we transferred to our hotel on Broadway. Time to dump our bags, make for the nearest pet shop and buy Caesars' food, and then we headed to te Hudson River to catch a Circle Line Cruise. We took a three hour cruise right round Manhattan Island, it was warm and sunny and the guide on the boat even remembered me from my last trip in January! After the boat trip we walked into town to Times Square and then headed back to our hotel via Madison Square Park (for Caesar).

We were exhausted but delighted we arrived safely and made good use of our first day in Manhattan.