Boston, 31 March 2012

There is a Date Line that runs marathons around our globe. Other than on New Year's Eve, we aren't acutely aware of this.

Today we started our journey from London to the Exuma Islands by flying from London to Boston. Upon arrival there we checked into a hotel for a very brief night (about four hours!) Elliott (10) made the following observation: "For everyone in London it is already April, but for us it is still March!" We stole a march (quite literally) on the Date Line - but only by the skin of our teeth.

The next leg of our journey was Boston - Miami. On the plane I sat next to man from El Salvador who was going to visit family back home. He told me proudly how his family scores on longevity: My father is too old, 92... and my grandfather is ONE OH SIX! (106!) However, unless his grandfather had his first baby at age 14, there is something not quite right about this particular 'date line"!

But then again, thanks again to the contortions of the Date Line, it was April Fool's Day by the time we arrived at destination and we are all allowed to fool ourselves (and others) for just one day...

By Imelda Almqvist