Snapshots of New England Part 3

After we left Plimoth Plantation I asked if we could stop in Plymouth so that I could take photos of the replica of the Mayflower in Plymouth Harbour. I went on board last time we were here and can remember being stunned at how small this ship was. Frankly I wouldn't care to do a short trip across the English Channel on it much less cross the Atlantic!! The people who made these crossings were incredibly brave.


This is Plimoth Rock which marks the spot where the Pilgrims landed all those years ago. It is now protected by a rather splendid Greek Revival type structure and is also behind railings. I prefer it without all the modern trappings though.


For those who like a little added splendour here is the canopy that covers the Rock.



In order to take the photo of the canopy I climbed quite a long flight of steps and was rewarded when I got to the top by this wonderful statue of Massasoit the leader of the Wampanoag people.



This plaque commemorates him and reminds people of the great debt the Pilgrims owed to him and his people. Clicking on this image and the others will make it clearer.



From Plymouth we drove to Newport,Rhode Island to see a couple of the mansions. We stayed overnight in Newport and next morning bought tickets to see five of them. C said after the second one that she'd had enough. This was one of the two we visited and is called The Breakers - I really loved this house and could definitely imagine myself living in it. No interior photos were allowed so you will have to take my word that it was both stunning and comfortable inside. Both Mr and Mrs Vanderbilt's bedrooms had a chaise longue with a bookrest across it and I could imagine lazing there in the heat of a summer afternoon with a good book or some needlework.


This is the best I could do with this photo of the wonderful loggia( an outdoor room enclosed on three sides and open at the front) as it was cordoned off and I couldn't get a decent angle. The mosaic walls and ceiling were really beautiful and sitting out here on a steamer chair or in a big rattan plantation chair sipping a cocktail must have been a real pleasure........



.....especially with this view of the sea in front of you. Again not a very good photo but it gives you an idea.


This is Rosecliffe which is prettier outside than The Breakers but nothing like as nice inside. The reason I really wanted to see this place is because Cole Porter spent several summers here and wrote some of his famous songs during his stays. I love Cole Porter's music and it was fun to think that I was walking in rooms and gardens where he'd once walked.


This is a close-up of the fountain in the front garden of Rosecliffe.


These colourful rowing boats were in Rye harbour.



We spent a day at Deerfield Fair and among the craft exhibits was this great hooked rug.............


..........and this one that was so intricate and seems to have won not only a richly deserved blue riband but also another award - best in category maybe?


One of the attractions at Deerfield was the high wire act called the Wallendas - I took this photo but didn't watch much as I really dislike watching high wire acts in case they fall. The Wallendas work without a safety net and have had one or two fatal accidents in the past.


I thought these vegetable animals were fun:)


One of my favoirite stores is LL Bean and here I am standing beside the famous boot outside the flagship store in Freeport, Maine.


A comment on the last post by Alchemillamolly asked me where I would go in New England if it was my first visit - the answer without any doubt is Maine, in particular Down East Maine and Acadia National Park. I love the coastline of this state, it is spectacularly beautiful.


Both the above photos were taken in the evening near York, Maine.


Nubble Lighthouse which stands on an island about 200 yards off Cape Neddick Point near York.


Almost dark and time to end my selection of snapshots of New England.