The breakfast buffet appeared deserted this morning probably because many of our fellow passengers were tired out after two hectic days in New York. Today’s port of call is the much more sedate Newport, Rhode Island a playground of the rich and famous.
Newport is the second of our two tender stops and like the buffet there were no queues so Sylvia and I boarded an early boat to see the best of the town minus the crowds. We were here five years ago and at that time we spent most of our time in the town centre, today we made our way along the seafront.
The boats in the harbour ranged from the small sailing dinghies to large super yachts, you could tell there was plenty of money here. Dotted around the white wooded shops were signs of the upcoming Halloween season.
Including this giant pumpkin that was real and according to the shop owner weighed over 1000lbs.
It was a lovely sunny morning and the absence of the crowds from the ship made snapping photos very easy.
We walked to the far side of the town to a park adjoining the Public Library where some of the tree began to show the first signs of Autumn.
Throughout the town there were many examples of original colonial buildings such as ……
…and these.
Sitting on the side of Queen Anne Square is the oldest church in Newport, Trinity Episcopal Church.
Originally built in the late 1690’s as a Church of England church it became Episcopalian after the American War of Independence. Although some enlargements and modifications have taken place, including inserting steel rods in the structure to straighten it, the church has retained its original character with box pews.
Originally the rich families would buy their own pews and furnish them in their desired style with the poorer families and servants worshiping from the higher levels. Nowadays the boxes are open to all except for one at the front which is saved for special visitors. In the past George Washington, Desmond Tutu, Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the Royal Family have all sat here, today it was occupied by some very important people.
Small silver plaques adorn the pew naming each of its previous occupants, the one on the right is for Princess Margaret, the missing one on the left…….
…..Prince Andrew!!!
The walk continued past the courthouse…
…and more pretty properties.
All this walking had built up an appetite and so making our way back to the seafront we sat and enjoyed another lobster roll.
We elected to have a small portion but this was full of meaty delicious lobster together with a well seasoned sauce, it definitely beat the one we had in Canada.
Very enjoyable, well done Luke’s Lobster Hut!!
A throughly enjoyable day in a delightful city made even better by the sunshine and cloudless sky. Hopefully the good weather will continue tomorrow as we make our visit to Boston.