Tuesday 11 October 2016
A busy day as we set off initially on a coach and then walking to see the City. The first walk is around some of the more prosperous parts of the City to show us how the wealthy and influential citizens live – very nicely too I rather think. This area is adjacent to Boston Common which between 1634 and 1830 was the home cows (only 70 after 1646 due to overgrazing) which provided milk for the city; effectively the development from the dock areas had reached this by 1634. Bearing in mind the first settlers came in 1630 development was rapid as more came. Boston is one of the longest established settlements in USA and therefore has many other firsts to its name – and of course Harvard University.
We then move onto a location near the quays and wander into the older part of town, North Boston, and indeed past the birthplace of Rose Kennedy. She may have ended her days as a Countess of the Holy See but she certainly came from much humbler origins. This area in general has seen much redevelopment and reconstruction but the churches and some other older properties remain.
On this part of the walk we also see the Paul Revere statue and the church from where he commenced his famous ride. The ride itself is best known through the Longfellow poem.
Photos from the morning excursions are here.
We have time (just) to pick up some snacks at Quincy Market and then we head to catch a boat to take us whale watching. The good weather continues but the outward ride is on some pretty choppy water and sadly Jackie is finding it all a little uncomfortable to say the least. When we reach our first stopping point the whales seem a little reluctant to come and see us, but they appear eventually and I get some photos (some better than others to be sure!).
The whale photos are here.
The return trip is considerably smoother and by the time we disembark Jackie is feeling back to normal.
This evening we head across the road to Flemings, a steak restaurant chain, where we have the most expensive meal of this holiday – and I would say it is worth it. Trainee waitress but she does not get much wrong, she is watched very closely by another member of staff. Pretty good steaks to end our holiday and the best restaurants were right on our doorstep here.