Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether summer clothe the general earth
With greeness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree, while the nigh thatch
Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles,
Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.



Wednesday, October 17, 2007

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.

21 comments:

rel said...

Rowan,
What a glorious trip you had! You certainly made the most of your days here. I have a friend at work who frequently visits his brother in Newport and he is forever telling me about the splendor and magnificent homes there. Dispite all his nudging, I'm embarrased to say that I've not visited there. It is too bad that you didn't get to see more of the mansions, since you did have the tickets.
rel

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Looks like a lovely place to visit. I've just ordered a book for my sister for Xmas called 'An Island Garden' by Celia Thaxter. Have you come across her work? I didn't know anything about her before, but I'm looking forward to the book arriving!

Anonymous said...

Oh, those mansions, wouldn't mind living ther too ; )
Those craft projects look so beautiful, that must have been quite some work.
I love the statue of the indian, it's very beautiful.
That lighthouse looks like the lighthouse in the movie The Butcher's Wife with Demi Moore, that's a beautiful lighthouse.
Have agreat day and thank you so much for sharing !!!

Anonymous said...

Such lovely photos. Thanks for sharing your travels with us - and I'm with you on loving Cole Porter too :)

Sheila said...

The replica Mayflower is incredibly small isn't it. People and animals in that confined space is not an experience I would care to undertake.
Too bad you didn't see all the mansions. I have seen a documentary on them, and they are magnificent.
Some times she travels best who travels alone..LOL
:o)

Rowan said...

Lynda, I've had Celia Thaxter's book for many years. Appledore is just a short boat trip from Portsmouth NH though I've never been out there up to now.
Sheila - many a true word spoken in jest:)

Anonymous said...

Your photos are beautiful, Rowan! You've taken me to places that I've never seen ~ thanks for sharing your visit with us. ~ hugs, Lynda ♥

Glas said...

Rowan, I've been a quiet reader of your blog for a while now - reading from near Seattle, Washington. I was born in Maine, grew up in Connecticut, and have been to many of the places you show in your photos. Thank you so much for this trip down Memory Lane! It sounds as though you had a wonderful trip!

Beth

Clang Clang said...

Hello

Your New England trip looks amazing! I just spotted your comment on 'cupcakes at home' and had to say hello because I am Rowan too.

From Rowan to Rowan

Toodle pip!

LW said...

What wonderful pictures of your trip. I live in New England, it's been many years since I have been to some of these places and never have been to the plantation.

Thanks it's been fun......

Louise

Peaceful/Paisible said...

thank you so much for sharing these ohotos dear, feel like I was travelling in your pocket...

Marilyn in NM said...

I'm so very glad you've shared your photos with us. I've never been to the East Coast and would love to visit one day. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely trip with us.

meggie said...

Another lovely post.
I too hate high wire acts, & would never wish to see one.
Those beautiful peaceful pics of the evening are so calm & peaceful looking.

PAT said...

I enjoyed this so much Rowan. Beautiful photography and wonderful words.

Apparently, I am a Mayflower decendant. I was contacted by a long lost "cousin" earlier this year, who is digging for information and comfirmation. To think of the possiblitly is amazing. Apparently this ancestor was quite a "character" as an adult!! He was a child(an indentured servant) alone, aboard the Mayflower.

Pat

Ragged Roses said...

Rowan it all looks so beautiful, even better than I'd imagined too. I love the look of Breakers (that's a loggia and a half, by the way!). I think I would have been a bit miffed at only seeing two mansions.
KImx

Julie said...

Rowan,

It will be time for sending holiday cards before we know it. I was wondering if I could get your address (and birthday too). Plus your real name if Rowan isn't it.

If you are willing would you email me at scottishlassnd@yahoo.com.

Thanks.

Julie

Linda G. said...

Rowan, chapter three of your New England trip is as wonderful as the first two. My thirteen year old Granddaughter and I started with the first chapter and have just read all three posts, enlarging the photos and having a great time:) You bring history alive for those of us who have been fortunate enough to find you.. Thank you so much for sharing with us!

Rosie said...

Once again, great photos - I've really enjoyed looking at them all. I particularly like the one of the little boats and the coastal ones.
Agree with you about the high wire acts. In fact I'm not keen on anything circus like - trapeze, gymnastics etc and I can't bear clowns - I find them quite sinister - I don't know why:)

Kim said...

Wow, beautiful pictures, again, Rowan. Thank you for sharing them and for re-kindling my love for New England and all it's beautiful style and images.

Amongst The Oaks said...

Rowan,
I love your travel adventures. Thanks for sharing them. I went back and read about your trip to Avebury and felt like I was there again. I soooooo loved it! We also stayed at Andrew's and happily whiled away two hours talking and enjoying breakfast there. Regards, Laura from Amongst The Oaks

OhSoVintage said...

More amazing photos, thankyou for sharing them with us.