Thursday, 25 May 2017

It's Raining at Martha's Vineyard

We wake up to steady rain this morning and it really doesn't abate for most of the day. However, it doesn't dampen the spirits of the intrepid travellers as we catch the ferry across to Martha's Vineyard, or to the locals, just the Vineyard. And by the way, there wasn't a vineyard on the island as such. The reference is to the wild grapes that grow on the garden, and Martha was the daughter of one of the first settlers.


A type of architecture that is found on the island is referred to as Gingerbread Houses. These were the original Methodist houses built back in the 1700 / 1800's. Their upkeep is now carefully regulated so that the character of the area is kept, but you can choose any colour paint you like. These houses have no heating so are only occupied in the summer months.




We have a guided tour around the island looking at the 3 main communities. There are some pretty large houses on the island. These are used only in the summer and for only 2 to 3 months. It is a waste.


We enjoy the tour very much. On arrival back at the mainland, we head to an ice cream shop. It is not a day for ice cream, but this particular shop has lobster flavoured ice cream, and we need to try. It is vanilla with chunks of lobster. Not on my top 10 flavours.


Our last stop for the day is for a photo of the USS Massachusetts and a couple of smaller war vessels, in the maritime museum.


Then we are off to Rhode Island. What sights await us here??
at

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous26 May 2017 at 00:10

    Jenny, your commentary and pictures as usual are amazing. Very informative.
    Seems someone needs to do something about the weather though.
    Oh and by the way, I have put in an order for a blue house and a tub of the ice cream.
    Glad you are all enjoying yourselves. Look forward to more updates - Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  2. leslee26 May 2017 at 07:21

    love the cottages, such interesting ice cream, I don't think I would like it either!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown27 May 2017 at 06:02

    Speaking of Martha's Vineyard. It is interesting that the native American grapevine was the saviour of the European wine industry in the nineteenth century.
    In the 1880's the pest phylloxera infected the vineyards of France, decimating all the vineyards. It attacked the roots of the grapevines (Vitis vinifera) but it was discovered that the native American grapevine (Vitis rupestris) was protected and immune to phylloxera. They grafted the grapevines onto the American grape rootstock and saved the French wine industry!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown29 May 2017 at 15:07

    ....speechless.


    Lobster ice cream??!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jeanette29 May 2017 at 16:49

    I think i might even question lobster icecream..
    Great pictures Jenny and a good history lesson is being had along the way

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)