Old and New England with Green Gables.

[craven morehead]

Monday and the short drive to LHR T5 to drop back our car.As it was mrsdrron's birthday it was only fitting we had Aadvantage awards on BA F LHR-BOS.This also meant we got to dine in the CCR.The menu.
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I had the salmon and mrsdrron the crayfish salad.
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Mrsdrron and her birthday meal.
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For dessert mrsdrron had the coconut pannacotta and I had the Black Forest timbale.Both were very good.
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Mrsdrron had a Chilean SB whilst I had a very nice 2006 French burgundy.

A very Happy Birthday to @mrs.dr.ron certainly a nice way to celebrate.

 

[drron]

The one unusual thing that followed checkin was the premium security line.Much better than when we used it a few years ago.They have an Xray machine and a body scanner.Because of my knee I prefer the scanner as I don't have to take off my shoes and belt.So I asked if I could go through the scanner-no you must line up and go through the xray first.Then because I get the red light have to take off my belt and shoes to go through the scanner.I did make a comment that not even the paranoid TSA make me do that.

Our plane was at the B gates so a long transfer via the rail link.We arrived at the gate just after they had commenced preboarding.It was obvious that there would be a few miracles today with many wheeled on but able to walk off the plane.
Then another strange thing happened.They called for those with SSSS on their BPs to come forward and they were processed and sent downstairs presumably to play 20 questions.But as the F line was processed we came down the escalator to see the last of the SSSS group heading down the airbridge.To make matters worse the passage to the forward door for the F cabin was roped off with a Do Not Enter sign.
Now the FAs knew this was happening but there are still vestiges of the old Union system so that only an airport worker can allow access and it is verboten for cabin staff to do it themselves

BA 203, LHR-BOS. ETD 1655. Push back-1712. TO-1726. B777. Seats 3A,4A.
ETA-1946. Landed 1912. At gate-1947.

The seat.
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The menu.
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[drron]

The wine list.
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I managed to have 2 glasses of the Laurent Perrier before take off and a glass of the English sparkling when in the air.It was nice but the L-P was better.

 

[Denali]

A very happy (belated) birthday to Mrs Dr Ron.

 

[drron]

So on this flight we had window seats and the shades were open.As I pointed out in the thread on window shades this doesn't effect other passengers.the crew can cause the windows to become opaque but this wasn't done on this flight.The FA we had was very good.
So .on taxi out I got a few shots.
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A long queue behind the CX plane.
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And on take off.
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[drron]

So to the food.
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The canapes and the salmon tartare.Excellent.Then the asparagus soup.Doesn't look much but was excellent being served over an egg.Then the Haljbut with a Caesar salad.
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Then the milk chocolate and amaretto tart.I just love a good tart..
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I started out with the French red,then the American pinot noir and finally the carminere.Each was better than it's preceeding selection.
With the dessert I had the Geissen sticky and loved it.

Watched 2 movies-The Aftermath-post war Hamburg.just OK.Then Vice.What a pathetic load of tripe.

 

[drron]

I really couldn't sleep-probably as too full.Decined the afternoon tea.
Approaching BOS.
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[drron]

After landing at BOS it took us 35 minutes to reach the gate.So instead of being ~30 minutes early we were on time.So more time for pics.
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[drron]

Didn't take too long through Immigration-basically held up for a few minutes before my fingerprints were recognised.Friendly agent and through to baggage carousel as the F luggage was appearing.Collected our bags before any others appeared.
Seeing it was now well past midnight in London we headed off on a reasonably long walk to the Hilton at Logan.A line at check in,basic room but we crashed soon after getting into the room.
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The next morning the view from the room was softened by sunrise.
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[drron]

We were awake fairly early and I got the 0745 hotel shuttle to the rental car building.Needed to get some paperwork done for Canada so went to the desk rather than using my Preferred option of going straight to the car.Just as well as they hadn't given me a car with the GPS as I had paid for.Back to the Hilton to pick up mrsdrron and our bags.soon heading south first for Wrentham Premium outlets.I scored a couple of shirts but mrsdrron came up empty handed.
Stopped at a Walmart nearby to stock up on some almond M&Ms,water and fruit before heading on to the Clinton Crossing outlets.Same outcome there.Originally we were going to 4 outlets but she decided we would miss the 2 Tanger outlets and head straight for the hotel and get some washing done.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at Branford,CT.Welcomed and points in my account by the time we got to the room.They had a board up in the lobby with the first name and initial of the members staying.There were 5 spires and 8 plats this night in small town CT.So the room.
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And the view.
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[drron]

After the washing was done we headed to a lobster place that gets good write ups as a laid back eating experience.Well it is certainly laid back.
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So we shared a serving of mussels,each had a lobster and some corn.It was nice but really is rustic and in future would head for a lobster pound.The locals obviously love it.They bring table clothes,glasses and other food and wine to go with the lobsters etc.
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Everything is done over an open fire.The lobsters are boiled and then some time over the fire.
An experience and worth doing it once.

The Place Restaurant

theplaceguilford.com

 

[craven morehead]

After the washing was done we headed to a lobster place that gets good write ups as a laid back eating experience.Well it is certainly laid back.
View attachment 183509.View attachment 183510.

View attachment 183511.

So we shared a serving of mussels,each had a lobster and some corn.It was nice but really is rustic and in future would head for a lobster pound.The locals obviously love it.They bring table clothes,glasses and other food and wine to go with the lobsters etc.
View attachment 183512.View attachment 183513.

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Everything is done over an open fire.The lobsters are boiled and then some time over the fire.
An experience and worth doing it once.

The Place Restaurant

theplaceguilford.com

Rustic but awesome by the look of it

 

[drron]

Our night ended with Connecticut's poor attempt at sunset.
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We had a good night's sleep.Breakfast is included but not the greatest.
So today was first a run north west to Lee,MA.They have a premium outlets there.Driving the state highways including on this occasion Route,8 and ^# in CT then Route 7 through northern Mass. and Vermont.Really lovely drives with great scenery and delightful little towns.Just a couple of views.
A church in Litchfield,CT
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A CT vineyard.
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A house from 1776.
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Another village.
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[drron]

We were heading to Manchester,VT which is an outlet town.Really recommended as often the outlets are the outlets of last resort.For example in Armani were racks at 90% off and we could find things in our size though not our taste.But these genuine Armani items cost less than the knock offs you get in Vietnam.
At last mrsdrron found an item she liked and bought in Brooks Bros.

Next door to there was the Depot Street Burgers and it was getting close to 1400.
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Now mrsdrron is not a burger person but she was delighted to find on the menu was a BLT-the L though was lobster and it was as good a lobster roll that we have had.There was a lot of lobster in there.
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Now I like my spice so a fire burger was the way to go.It indeed did have fire.
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Plus we had a small serving of truffle oil and parmesan fries.
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Very nice but we couldn't finish.
So a definite recommendation.

About | Burgers

www.depotstreetburgers.com

To end the flowers outside the Armani outlet.
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[drron]

Tonight our office is The Hampton Inn and Suites Manchester.First room without a bath.A newish hotel.Good position in town.Just after arriving a pretty decent storm.Though about 60-80Km south east of here there are tornado warnings.
So the room.
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And the view.
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So although now over 2 weeks into out trip I am reporting live.tomorrow will be Canada.

 

[offshore171]

Great aerial shots coming in to boston.

Not sure we need shots of a yawning toilet at the hilton though!

 

[OZDUCK]

Really enjoying the TR - I am still trying to catch up. One dining recommendation for PEI is the Blue Mussel cafe at North Rustico. I wouldn't be surprised if it it is already on your list. I had some fabulous - caught that morning - halibut there. Casual but delicious dining.

 

[drron]

Thursday and time to drive to Canada.Stil very overcast in the morning and some rain.We decided on the slow route taking route 30N from Manchester,Great scenery though in places the road is in need of some attention.
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Another vineyard.
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A different crop.
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A cannabis plantation.Ads for the stuff common in CT and VT.
A random church.
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[drron]

The road passes several lakes many with summer camps.At Middlebury route 30 meets Hway 7.It is a College town with many impressive buildings.One is a church at the highway intersection.
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We made a stop in Burlington VT so mrsdrron could shop at Kohls and CVS pharmac_.Also visited Walmart for some more almond M&Ms plus some fruit for lunch.We were going to be indulging in the next 48 hours.
We then continued north most of the way on route 105 which ran alongside a river.You cross the border just north of Richford.Going north you don't stop at the US border.We were the only car at the time at the Canadian post.The lovely lady just asked where we lived in Australia,how long we were staying in Canada and where we were going and handed back the passports.Immediately asked for them back saying I guess I should stamp them.The easiest border crossing we have ever had.

Came across this place just north of the border.
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[drron]

Our digs for the night was the Manoir Hovey on the sshores of Lake Massawippi.Another Virtuoso booking.Not cheap at ~ $C1200 for 2 nightsbut that includes 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners.From Virtuoso an upgrade to a lake view room and a complimentary 3 course lunch with a glass of wine each.First the room which is pretty to look at but small and not very functional.Like a couple of the Canadian Fairmonts we have stayed at it has a ridiculously small bathroom.
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Yes the basin is in the room itself.
But the view from the windows is peaceful.
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