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I love watching the TV when we're over here. From a practical point of view it has been essential to keep a close eye on weather forecasts now we're in the meteorologically unstable North East. They really go to town on their local forecasts here - much more detailed in specific local forecasting than we are and really very helpful when you are only in a location for a matter of days. The trouble is that I start off with good intentions of just watching news and weather only to get sucked in to the programmes which follow. Jeopardy is on every night at 7. If you haven't seen it this is, by American standards, a serious affair with earnest looking contestants, some quite hard questions at times, and very little glitz and glamour. Following that though is my new guilty pleasure - Wheel of Fortune. This is the polar opposite of Jeopardy. It is proper in your face TV. The contestants have to positively bellow random consonants as they guess a key phrase or whatever the given answer is. This is not a difficult quiz but the fact that the contestants mostly seem to find it so is what makes
it so compelling. I have no idea how I will fill this hole in my life on our return home.
The amount of time allocated to advertising is a well known fact of life when watching the TV over here. However, in the past two years I have noticed a definite shift in the content of those adverts. Along with no win no fee lawyers there are now frequent ads for various prescription medications. These range from anticoagulants, antidepressants, diabetes management and skin conditions. The one for Viagra is particularly cringe worthy. Each one spends longer listing possible side effects than the possible benefits. Strange but oddly fascinating!
Our rail journey from Penn Station to Boston was our longest by far, taking over 3 1/2 hours. Whilst the dedicated lounge was very pleasant indeed the station itself was madly busy and our final connection to our train disorganised and less relaxing than the previous two journeys.Once on the train all was well. We were greeted by our two stewards for the journey. These ladies immediately reminded me of our flight from Vegas to Nashville. They were larger than life 50 something African American ladies who were relentless in
serving us throughout our journey, no interaction going without a touch of humour and a raucous laugh. Having offered a sizeable tumbler of red or white wine when we boarded they then came around shortly after to top everyone up. Offers of cocktails followed before the food service. They were clearly disappointed when we declined either a cocktail or yet another bucket of wine - it was only 12.30 P.M after all! After lunch I asked if we could have a coffee. As she promised to brew some fresh I quickly amended my request to decaf. On being asked if she had decaf the steward looked at Bill and exclaimed " Who she think I am? Of course I have decaf - what she expect? You can have decaf Sugar, but she can just have whatever I find!" Needless to say fresh decaf arrived shortly after with more banter on the side.
Later in the journey we got chatting to our neighbours who were on their way home to New Hampshire. The first we've ever spoken to in this country who had heard of Cornwall they were big fans of Poldark, Doc Martin and the books of Rosalind Pilcher. As conversation developed the wife started talking about their shock at Donald Trump being elected. Her husband, who had helpfully been acting as a tour guide up to that point by pointing out local landmarks and beauty spots, shot her a look. She promptly told him to "relax - we're in Connecticut now honey, people are sensible here!" She continued to wax lyrical on the subject for several miles, ending with an exasperated "where are all the assassins when you need them?" Whilst we had been waiting in the Amtrak lounge they had been playing footage of Trump speaking at a graduation ceremony. No one seemed to be paying much attention until one lady swept past loudly stating "I can't stay here and listen to that man!" much to the obvious amusement of most if not all present.
We arrived in Boston, our 6th and final city, late Saturday afternoon. After a brief walk down to the waterfront we headed out into Chinatown for our dinner. This is a thriving area of Boston, close to our hotel, and packed with dining opportunities. Having had over 2 weeks of mostly American cuisine we plan to mostly eat here on our last few days. Last night we had Japanese hot pot. For a modest price you get a steaming pot of the stock of your choice placed onto a hot plate in the middle of your table, a bowl of rice or noodles, a plate of thinly sliced raw meat of your choice and a large bowl of raw veg. You then cook your own meat and veg at your own table. We chose a mildly spicy stock which turned out to be really quite hot. The whole dish was delicious and made for a fun night out.m
Our first full day was wet but thankfully just drizzle and not the heavy downpours we had expected. This morning started the same and has steadily improved as the day has gone on. This city has managed to look good even in the grey - quite some feat! We have a full day here before flying home tomorrow night so I am going to save my Boston observations for my final blog following a couple more excursions planned for tomorrow. Before a final trip into Chinatown tonight I hand you over, for the penultimate time on this trip at least, to our sponsor.
So, home tomorrow, but a warm day forecast so we are doing a last tour of Boston's historic sites. Boston is very like Philadelphia a mix of old and new squeezed in together. All the important sites are beautifully preserved and made into interesting and engaging attractions. The contrast between Las Vegas and here is stark with both the weather and the atmosphere being miles apart. This trip has been a bit mad and stunning at the same time. According to Mandy's Fitbit we have walked 160 K or 100 miles! We have seen 6 major cities and will have travelled 11500 miles in the end.Having spent months planning most of this I am allowing myself a small amount of a self satisfied pride but not too much!Here' s to the next time, maybe!!
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Andrew Smith
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Homeward Bound
Oh no! Going home, just when I was really enjoying the trip. Let’s hope that Chinatown gives you a splendid send-off. Safe journey back to Blighty / Ongi joan Blightyra.