BOSTON

Thanks, once again, to “erica”, whoever she is, and her unsecured network I am bringing this edition on Boston.

This building contains every kind of eating place you could imagine as well as other things associated with markets and was our first introduction to Boston after negotiating the traffic system where we got lost despite google and a map.

Restaurants abound.

 

American history is very much to the fore here as this was the birthplace of “modern” America. This is a statue of Samuel Adams who signed the “Declaration of Independence” on July 4th 1774.

Street entertainment.

 

Tall buildings

 

Good weather

 

Massachusets Parliament building.

 

Remember the TV series “CHEERS”? This was the pub it was modelled on.

 

Sitting at the corner of the bar.

 

Flags, app 23,000 of them set out to commemorate those service people of Mass killed in all wars from WW1.

 

Close to the site of “The Boston Massacre” which triggered the revolution to break away from British rule.

 

We went for a ride in a “Duck Boat” like this. We all learned to shout “Quack, quack” in unison at the call of “Man the boats”. This we did at regular intervals sometimes as a response to “drive by” quacks from passersby!

 

Our driver who called himself “Tugboat”. Here we are on the water and a four year old is steering.

Boston skyline from duck boat.

Barry at another “Reproduction” Cheers bar.

 

Boston at twilight.

BRADLEY AIR MUSEUM

The Museum is close to Springfield, Massachusetts.

Aboard a P47, nicknamed “The Jug”. Flown out of Westover Airforce base in WW2. Just returned from first mission.

OK so it’s fantasy!

Barry doing the same thing.

Korean combat veteran, O’Niell, showing us around the restoration section.

Looks impossible to fly but Jimmy Dolittle did once and said “never again”! (Barry)

The museums pride and joy. A B29 bomber similar to the one which dropped the A bombs on Japan.

STOCKBRIDGE

 

This is the entrance to the Norman Rockwell Museum. Even if you think you haven’t you will have come across NR works as he painted over 4000 pictures in his life and provided the front cover for “The Saturday Evening Post” in America for many years. The museum is in Stockbridge about an hours drive west of Springfield.

Sample of Rockwell’s work.

 

This is the original Alice’s Restaurant, situated in Stockbridge, the song of which was sung by Arlo Guthrie in the 60’s. It has now been renamed Therisa’s.

 

The Red Lion built in 1776 situated in Stockbridge.

 

The Red Lion restaurant.

 

Cakes in Wal-Mart made for Memorial Day, May 31st, when thoughts turn to American servicemen and women.

NEW YORK – NEW YORK

We have been in NY for the past four days and did not have all the necessary to post pictures.

The Flat Iron building, just around the corner from our hotel.

 

Entrance to our hotel “The Gershwin” – very novel.

 

The man in the lift! He’s Three Dimensional.

The statue of liberty from the Staten Island ferry.

 

Making friends with the locals! I bought this guys CD.

 

Checking wallet outside Wall Street Stock Exchange.

 

Friends from Australia, Sue and Curtis Hill at the same place.

Empire State Building. 

 

A ride in Central Park.

 

Shopping, New York style!

There are even OP shops on 5th Avenue. Bliss!!!!

 

Ground Zero, the site where the twin towers were destroyed by terrorists, under reconstruction.

 

Memorial paraphernalia from police around the world.

Inside the church nearby.

SPRINGFIELD MASSACHUSETS

Rebecca's dad, Barrie and his wife, Sue. Barrie has Aussie Tee shirt on in honour of visit.

 

Rebecca's Grandma and Grandpa, Anita and Bob Mahan.

Rebecca's mum Linda on left with her sister Janice.

Cathy with Sue and Barrie, on arrival.

L to R Sue, Barry, Caden, Janice, Cathy and Anita.

L to R Linda, Fred (Janice's husband), Barry and Sue.

Grandpa John leading the Conga line to his house.

Guess who used to sleep in this cot?

Conga line down the street to John and Anita's house!