We ended up anchored in the fabled yachting centre of Newport, Rhode Island, watching the beautifully maintained 12 metre yachts (dating back to the early days of the America’s Cup) taking people out for a cruise and the etchells leaving to compete in the world championships (99 racing apparently).  David described the town as “like Cowes on steroids” and it is certainly large, bustling and full of fantastic boats, fabulous yacht clubs, shops, restaurants and pubs.  It also has some delightful old streets once you explore beyond the busy seafront.  Yesterday we did the famous cliff walk which takes you past some of the enormous “gilded era” mansions of the pre-depression super rich, several of them looking like French chateaux.

Important menu decisions:

An old 12m America’s cup winner:

Old Newport:

Newport’s “gilded era”; Vanderbilt’s mansion we think:

Perfectly preserved (and the streets!):