Cape Cod, Boston and Plymouth

1st August - 5th August 2008

We left The Berkshires and traveled east to Cape Cod for a quick look round. We went to Yarmouth and Falmouth which made us feel at home. The coastal scenery is nice but its very busy in August. We went to Woodshole where the ferry leaves for Martha's vineyard.

Next day we went into Boston parked the car and spent the day looking round. We walked round the wharfs and the historical area including the site of Griffins wharf, where the famous Boston tea party occurred. In 1773 three British ships were boarded by about ninety Boston citizens who threw the cargoes of tea into the sea, as a protest against the tax on it. Tax has never been popular. Another place of interest was the Granary graveyard, the oldest in Boston with graves dating back to the sixteen hundreds. I didn't realise Boston was that old but it was founded in 1630. There are a number of famous historical figures buried there including Samuel Adams, who signed the declaration of independence, as well as being a very good Boston ale.

Being so close we had to go to Salem, famous or rather infamous for witchcraft. In 1692 witch hysteria gripped Salem and the surrounding towns and villages, resulting in 19 people being hanged including a Salem minister who was accused of being the devil by a bunch of teenage girls. The only building left which has connections with the witch episode is the witches house which was the residence of the trial judge. There are many museums and exhibits depicting the events.

We went to Plymouth, where the Pilgrim Fathers landed in 1620. Plymouth is a very pretty town with a lovely harbour and a park complete with a stream and ducks. It has loads of history including a full scale replica of The Mayflower and a reconstructed English village and native Indian village from the 17th century, complete with people in costume. I was told by a local lady that it is quite expensive and requires plenty of time to explore but well worth a visit.

Thats all for now, we have been traveling for a year now and are returning to England for two months. The boat is in Trinidad being stored out of the water in a marina for the hurricane season. We will be returning at the beginning of October to get the boat ready for the next leg of the journey. We will be joined in Trinidad by Jim and Nancy and hope to set off for Panama and the Pacific in December.