Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Early Evening Beer Blogging
Starting off with an Allegash White Ale (Belgian Style Wheat Beer) at Loam Maguire's Irish Pub in Falmouth 
It's Friday - It Must Be Cape Cod
I'm sitting in the garden of the Inn at Siders B&B, it's cooled down a bit from 80 degrees but still lovely.
We left Boston this morning and stopped at a park which overlooked the Harbor Islands to stretch our legs. We then drove down Highway 3A and stopped for lunch at Plymouth, the site of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620. It was a bit of an accident as we turned off the highway due to a big traffic jam but well worth the stop.
One thing I hadn't taken into account is that there are only two roads onto Cape Cod over bridges and it is the start of the busiest weekend of the holiday season.
However, once over the bridge it was plain sailing and we're now at a delightful B&B in Falmouth.
We left Boston this morning and stopped at a park which overlooked the Harbor Islands to stretch our legs. We then drove down Highway 3A and stopped for lunch at Plymouth, the site of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620. It was a bit of an accident as we turned off the highway due to a big traffic jam but well worth the stop.
One thing I hadn't taken into account is that there are only two roads onto Cape Cod over bridges and it is the start of the busiest weekend of the holiday season.
However, once over the bridge it was plain sailing and we're now at a delightful B&B in Falmouth.
Day 2 in Boston
After a full day on Wednesday, we ended up with another full-on day on Thursday.
In the morning we set off to see the bit of the Freedom Trail that we ha missed in Charlestown which sits over the river from Boston.
We started at the Bunker Memorial commemorating one of the most important battles of the War of Independence. It's an obelisk with a spiral staircase up the middle. Coming down seemed harder than going up!
Then down to the dock to visit the USS Constitution, the oldest warship in the world still afloat apparently. We had a great guide who took us around the gun deck - he obviously loved his job. Then a quick trip on the ferry back to Boston where we booked an outing out to the Boston Harbor Islands, a state park.
It was great value on a perfect summer day.
In the morning we set off to see the bit of the Freedom Trail that we ha missed in Charlestown which sits over the river from Boston.
We started at the Bunker Memorial commemorating one of the most important battles of the War of Independence. It's an obelisk with a spiral staircase up the middle. Coming down seemed harder than going up!
Then down to the dock to visit the USS Constitution, the oldest warship in the world still afloat apparently. We had a great guide who took us around the gun deck - he obviously loved his job. Then a quick trip on the ferry back to Boston where we booked an outing out to the Boston Harbor Islands, a state park.
It was great value on a perfect summer day.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Beer Blogging -Boston
We're in the Bell In Hand, Boston's oldest tavern. It's 80 degrees, we've been on the go all day.
Here's a 24oz Harpoon IPA which won't be lasting long! Harpoon is a Boston Brewery.
Here's a 24oz Harpoon IPA which won't be lasting long! Harpoon is a Boston Brewery.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Beer Blogging
The Ale drinking continues!
After a long walk back from Fenway Park we needed a beer. This was a delicious Belgian style Stout which we brought from from Allegash in Portland which went down very well.
After a long walk back from Fenway Park we needed a beer. This was a delicious Belgian style Stout which we brought from from Allegash in Portland which went down very well.
Fenway Park
One of the oldest baseball grounds in the country, home of the Green Monster and incidentally, used in my favourite film, Field of Dreams.
Not a particularly exciting game as the Blue Jays pitcher had no idea where the strike zone was and got flogged for six runs in the first inning. But great to be here.
Not a particularly exciting game as the Blue Jays pitcher had no idea where the strike zone was and got flogged for six runs in the first inning. But great to be here.
Walking in Boston
We've walked miles today. First, along the 'Freedom Trail' through Boston linking the key sites leading to independence.
Then a walk to Fenway Park to tick an item of my bucket list (I don't have a list but I've always wanted to visit there) followed by a walk back to the hotel.
My feet are killing me!
Pictures from the Freedom Trail
Then a walk to Fenway Park to tick an item of my bucket list (I don't have a list but I've always wanted to visit there) followed by a walk back to the hotel.
My feet are killing me!
Pictures from the Freedom Trail
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
On to Boston
We were planning to stop in Portsmouth New Hampshire on the way to Boston but just before we got there hit a tremendous thunderstorm. You could hardly see where you were going so we pressed on. Before the rain let up we were in Massachusetts and soon at our hotel in Boston.
After dinner at an Afghan restaurant, a walk along the Charles River.
After dinner at an Afghan restaurant, a walk along the Charles River.
What Do You Do in Portland If It's Raining
Brewery tour!
It was raining when we arrived in Portland so we decided to visit the Allagash Brewery who make Belgian style ales.
We just made the last tour of the day.
It was raining when we arrived in Portland so we decided to visit the Allagash Brewery who make Belgian style ales.
We just made the last tour of the day.
To Portland
First thing, we drove to the top of Mount Battie which overlooks Camden. Americans certainly like to build roads up mountains, this was the fourth that we had driven up. The views from the top were great.
On the way to Portland, we stopped at a small town called Wiscasset. There was a small shack by the road called Red's Eats which had an enormous queue. It's certainly pretty popular and I see it has its own Wikipedia page.
On the way to Portland, we stopped at a small town called Wiscasset. There was a small shack by the road called Red's Eats which had an enormous queue. It's certainly pretty popular and I see it has its own Wikipedia page.
Monday, June 25, 2012
On to Camden ctd
Shortly after leaving Mount Desert Island the sun was out. It was only a short drive to Camden so we decided to stop on the way.
As we drove through the town of Bucksport, we saw a fort over the river which looked worth a visit. We went around a corner and then over a huge new cable span bridge over the Penobscot River. We turned off at the sign for Fort Knox and ended up paying to visit an observatory at the top on the bridge as well as Fort Knox.
Both were spectacular and the view from the top of the bridge was stunning. They had had to build it when the bridge next door was declared unsafe.
As we drove through the town of Bucksport, we saw a fort over the river which looked worth a visit. We went around a corner and then over a huge new cable span bridge over the Penobscot River. We turned off at the sign for Fort Knox and ended up paying to visit an observatory at the top on the bridge as well as Fort Knox.
Both were spectacular and the view from the top of the bridge was stunning. They had had to build it when the bridge next door was declared unsafe.
On to Camden
It rained most of the night but had stopped by the morning. The cloud had lifted from the day before but wasn't due to clear completely until later in the day.
We decided to do the drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain anyway. The top was still wreathed in cloud but a few hundred metres down the road we got under the clouds to see the view. The rain had also generated a few waterfalls beside the road.
We decided to do the drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain anyway. The top was still wreathed in cloud but a few hundred metres down the road we got under the clouds to see the view. The rain had also generated a few waterfalls beside the road.
Oh Deer!
Seen by the road in Acadia National Park (we'd also seen a couple on Campobello Island but couldn't get to the camera in time).
The next car along saw the deer and decided to park right alongside it. The deer, of course, immediately disappeared.
The next car along saw the deer and decided to park right alongside it. The deer, of course, immediately disappeared.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Acadia National Park
It rained overnight. Next morning it was dull and overcast so we had a walk round town in the morning. There was an art show on in the park so we bought some small prints for home.
Then, a drive round the Acadia National Park. It is really well laid our, with carriage roads taking you through the park. We did the loop road and then headed off to see the rest of the island.
At Bass Harbor, on the southern tip, Carole. Had an interesting chat with a park volunteer about the area. Despite the low cloud, the scenery was still spectacular.
It was a shame that we didn't see it on its full glory but we had a good day none the less. I'm not sure that I liked Bar Harbor much. It was very commercial - I've preferred the smaller towns we've stopped in.
Then, a drive round the Acadia National Park. It is really well laid our, with carriage roads taking you through the park. We did the loop road and then headed off to see the rest of the island.
At Bass Harbor, on the southern tip, Carole. Had an interesting chat with a park volunteer about the area. Despite the low cloud, the scenery was still spectacular.
It was a shame that we didn't see it on its full glory but we had a good day none the less. I'm not sure that I liked Bar Harbor much. It was very commercial - I've preferred the smaller towns we've stopped in.
Campobello Island to Bar Harbor
After a very filling breakfast at Peacock House, we made the very short drive to Campobello Island, over the bridge. The island, though connected to Lubec, is back in Canada in New Brunswick so we had to pass through Canadian customs again. The island is home to Franklin Delano Roosevelt's summer home which is administered jointly by the USA and Canada and was well worth a visit. We then drove to the lighthouse at the top of the island before setting off for Bar Harbor.
On the way back, we had to pass back through US Customs (for the third time this trip) and this time they didn't think Carole looked enough like her passport photo but after checking her driver's license and giving the vehicle a good looking over they let is back in.
The drive down to Bar Harbor didn't take too long and we had a elk around the harbour before dinner.
On the way back, we had to pass back through US Customs (for the third time this trip) and this time they didn't think Carole looked enough like her passport photo but after checking her driver's license and giving the vehicle a good looking over they let is back in.
The drive down to Bar Harbor didn't take too long and we had a elk around the harbour before dinner.
Beer Of The Trip (so far)
Ol' Fog Burner aged in whiskey barrels. 11.5%, smooth and chocolate flavoured with a hint of whiskey. Delicious!
Lubec, Maine
We had a long drive back to Maine, mostly along freeways so fairly uneventful. We plugged the address of the B&B in Lubec into the SatNav and all was fine until we were near the border. Then it kept advising us to perform a legal u-turn. It was trying to send us on a route including a ferry which we weren't sure was running yet. We switched it off.
Lubec is a beautiful and peaceful town and the B&B was great. Tripadvisor is working out well with its advice.
We had a quick trip down to West
Irish Pub in town.
Lubec is a beautiful and peaceful town and the B&B was great. Tripadvisor is working out well with its advice.
We had a quick trip down to West
Irish Pub in town.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Last Day in Halifax
We decided, as we had a long drive ahead of us the next day, to explore downtown Halifax. Al and Jacqueline picked us up and we started by booking an afternoon sailboat cruise of the harbour. We had a choice of two ships, one called the 'Mar' and the other the 'Silva'. Obviously, we chose the 'Mar'!
We had time for a stroll around the historic harbour front and grab a bite to eat before the cruise. I tried a beer from the only local brewer that I had yet to sample, Alexander Keith's. I ordered a Pale Ale and what I got looked like a lager. Not only that, it tasted like Budweiser. So one to avoid.
The harbour cruse was great - really relaxing - and the weather was very warm. On the return to shore we had a quick tilt round the Maritime Museum which was well worth a visit, especially to get some more information on the Halifax Explosion of 1917.
That evening we took Bill and Fiona out for dinner to say 'Thank You' for putting us up and we ended up at a restaurant where the waiter must have been trained by Manuel from Fawlty Towers. He spilt my drink when he was serving it, a couple of minutes later he dropped something else and a few minutes later there was another clatter and some cutlery hit the floor. Despite this, the food was pretty good.
After dinner Bill and Fiona suggested a walk round the local park - it was closed! Obviously the caretaker wanted an early night.
We had time for a stroll around the historic harbour front and grab a bite to eat before the cruise. I tried a beer from the only local brewer that I had yet to sample, Alexander Keith's. I ordered a Pale Ale and what I got looked like a lager. Not only that, it tasted like Budweiser. So one to avoid.
The harbour cruse was great - really relaxing - and the weather was very warm. On the return to shore we had a quick tilt round the Maritime Museum which was well worth a visit, especially to get some more information on the Halifax Explosion of 1917.
That evening we took Bill and Fiona out for dinner to say 'Thank You' for putting us up and we ended up at a restaurant where the waiter must have been trained by Manuel from Fawlty Towers. He spilt my drink when he was serving it, a couple of minutes later he dropped something else and a few minutes later there was another clatter and some cutlery hit the floor. Despite this, the food was pretty good.
After dinner Bill and Fiona suggested a walk round the local park - it was closed! Obviously the caretaker wanted an early night.
Beer Blogging
Halifax is very well served with quality beer. The two small breweries, Garrison and Propeller make some excellent beers.
We had a drink in a pub called the Maxwell Plum which had 60 different beers on tap. They also served pitchers of beer and an amazing device called the Brewmaster which held the equivalent of 7 beers for $21. It had a tube packed with ice down the middle and a tap to pour the beer. I stuck to a standard glass.
We had a drink in a pub called the Maxwell Plum which had 60 different beers on tap. They also served pitchers of beer and an amazing device called the Brewmaster which held the equivalent of 7 beers for $21. It had a tube packed with ice down the middle and a tap to pour the beer. I stuck to a standard glass.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Day 10 - Coastal Drive
We picked Al and Jacqueline up and headed down to the South Coast for a drive. It was pretty overcast when we arrived at Peggy's Cove, probably the most photographed village on the coast. It was also very busy with 4 tourist coaches in the car park. However, despite the crowds it is very beautiful.
As we drove further along the coast, the sun came out. We spent the afternoon in Chester which we found out has the most expensive real estate in Nova Scotia. That would explain why a small house on the waterfront, when we looked it up, was listed for close to a million dollars.
Back to Halifax for dinner at Salty's on the waterfront. I decided to have lobster for the first time in living memory and needed instruction from the waitress. The bib came in handy too.
As we drove further along the coast, the sun came out. We spent the afternoon in Chester which we found out has the most expensive real estate in Nova Scotia. That would explain why a small house on the waterfront, when we looked it up, was listed for close to a million dollars.
Back to Halifax for dinner at Salty's on the waterfront. I decided to have lobster for the first time in living memory and needed instruction from the waitress. The bib came in handy too.
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