Happy Birthday Annabelle!

On Saturday we celebrated the first birthday of Annabelle, baby girl to our friend Rachel and Ritchie.

As it turns out Rachel and David went to school together in Texas many years ago and reconnected at the union last year, and have become fast friends ever since.

With the added arrival of Rachel's family from Texas there was a whole lot of football talkin and grilling- y'all !

We had a great time celebrating, despite the birthday girl looking slightly overwhelmed with it all!

Curtis Publishing Company

During our walk around the city we stumbled upon the Curtis Publishing Company!















Founded in 1891 in Philadelphia it was one of the largest and most influential publishers in the USA during the early 20th century.




















This is no relation to David's family, who are only 2nd generation American, but its nice to know the name has some clout!

More Sites

After our refreshing ales we headed out to more of Philadelphia's famous sites!

City Hall




















Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary Solider















2nd Bank in America

George's Brew

With all the excitement we made our way to the City Tavern, an 18th century tavern that was named "the most genteel tavern in America" by John Adams, the 2nd President.

As part of the themed fun with the waiters dressed in pre-revolution garb, they also have a Beer Sampler with original brew recipe of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.






























As you can see, in the heat we made light work of this!

Elfreth's Alley

Elfreth's Alley is the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in the USA - and as cute as a button!

Independence Hall & Liberty Bell

Sunday we visited Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell located in the Old Town.

It is the birthplace of the nation and the location where the the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and adopted.

It was great to take in all the history of my new adopted country!

This is where George Washington first sat as the President.
















The Liberty Bell is one of the most prominent symbols of the American Revolution.

It has been described as an icon of liberty and justice, after its most famous ringing occurred after the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Rocky Steps & Museum Of Art

Saturday we made our way around Philadelphia taking in all the sights.

As the parents took in a tour of the Old Town, we made our way over to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, that hold the second largest collection in the US. The first being the MET in NYC - oi oi oi!

It is also the location of the"Rocky Steps" where Sylvester Stallone famously runs up in the movie Rocky. There is a statue at the base, where you can go, strike a pose and look like a bit of an idiot.





















Afterwards you can run up the stairs, hands in the air, stopping only for a photo opportunity!




















All this in 96F/33C degree heat, by the time I reached the top I was ready to throw myself in the fountain!

















The view from the top was a panoramic of Philadelphia and we enjoyed the afternoon in air conditioning comfort plodding thought the museum.





















By the time we got back to the hotel exhausted there was only one thing to do ...........