Having left Newport at first light, we had time to explore the town of
Stonington,
before heading to Mystic Seaport. As well as Stonington’s
charm as a picture-perfect example of a New England
town, I rather liked the fact that following a failed attack by the British in
1814, the town used its bonus prize of a large collection of cannon balls to
decorate fence posts, mantelpieces and public parks.
As you head up
the river to Mystic Seaport the narrow channel is packed with moored boats on
either side, with clapboard houses and white spired churches adding to the
changing scene. The Seaport itself is a living replica of a 19th
century waterfront community with lots of maritime exhibits and attractive
buildings. I was concerned when John started eyeing up a large band saw in the
timber yard saying “Just imagine what we could do with this!”
– Fortunately he got distracted when an old steam boat blew its whistle
and set off with its passengers enjoying some ragtime.
Just a few
miles from this old-fashioned town is Foxwoods – a gaming palace that
rivals those of Las Vegas or Atlantic City, being the highest grossing
casino just six years after it opened. The Mashantucket Pequot Indian
tribe have benefitted from a change in legislation exempting reservation land
from local laws against gambling. Besides the casino there are
restaurants, hotel and a museum.
We have been on board Discovery
Magic for six months now and we have covered over 7,000 miles in
that time. It’s a great home, a fantastic way to travel and we lack
for very little (I have thought of having a candle-lit bath in the tub on deck,
but you often get canoeists and fishing boats coming by, so it’s not
quite the same as in a house.)
Whilst we are
romping along at 9.5 knots the first buildings of New York are appearing on the horizon
– some 25 miles away. Little buds to begin with, gradually the shoots are
getting longer and yet more are appearing. Big Apple here we come!
We plan to
leave the boat for a few days to explore the city and then head up to see the
autumn foliage of Vermont.
Not bad, eh!