Adios Maine

And so we say goodbye to chilly Maine and head south. There is a noticeable nip in the air and time to head for warmer climes.

We have had a great time here in Belfast, a great town and the shipyard were excellent too.

Martha's Vineyard is full of beautiful houses, originally belonging to the captains of the fishing fleet.

It is now the end of the season, but still plenty of tourists around, it must be manic in high summer.

'Jaws' beach of the town of Edgartown, where the beach scene was filmed. No chance I would get in the water here!

I have always been a fan of Hereshoff yachts and decided to take a bus ride to Bristol, just north of Newport to visit the Hereshoff museum there.

It was great to see all the pictures of the fine yachts that the shipyard had built there.

There were models as well as boats that we could step aboard, beautifully restored. Others that needed more than just a coat of paint!

The Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport.

An excellent display of tennis memorabilia, great to see the photos, cups, clothes of the s

tars that made tennis what it is today.

Glad we don't have to wear anything like this these days, how did they even move in it?

A visit to Newport is not complete without a trip to one of the fabulous mansions on Bellevue Avenue.

We took a look around 'The Breakers', summer home of the Vanderbilts.

It is massive, full of hideous gold adornments and furnishings, but you cannot fail to be impressed by the wealth that these people had to spend. We thought one of the most amazing facts, was that the place was built in two years. They could teach modern builders a thing or two.

And finally, there is nothing like sitting down at the end of the day with a Gin and Tonic, with a beautiful sunset to look at!

England and Malta

Sorry blog-readers, this trip away from the boat is all about catching up with friends and relations and so the photos are of people that are important to me, but maybe not so much to you.

Celebrating Daryl's birthday with his son Ben and wife Karin.

Daughter Janine could not be there, but surprised us with a lovely bottle of champagne to start the evening, well done girl!

Delicious!

In England I love to catch up with Val, a best friend from way back when.

There is always a fair bit of wine involved and a lot of chat. The men usually get tired and slide off, but we sit a talk for hours, trying to cram months of news into an evening or two.

Leaving Daryl in England, I headed off to Malta to spend a week with my family. I like to go on my own, so then I can sit and chat for hours, with only short breaks for a swim, or a bit of sun.

The island is still hot and dry in September, but later this month a little rain is expected, which should help to settle the dust and water the parched trees and plants on the island.

Jane, my sister, won a week's holiday to Lake Garda. So her and her daughter Ashley are off to Italy with the compliments of her favourite supermarket.

Glad to here that someone wins these things, and it it worth filling out those annoying pieces of paper, while juggling bags of shopping and handbags.

17.30 is tea time.

Mum and I sit and chat over a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Each evening anyone who was around would meet for a drink and a chat outside Mum's place. It used to be the stables, and so I christened it 'The Stable Bar'.

Always a good laugh, and always rather loud, with several conversations going on simultaneously.

I thought the Greeks were a loud lot, but I think the Maltese outdo them!