New England adventuring

The experience of New England in the Fall has been a long held ambition . And now we are living it! 

I could do a day by day synopsis. Instead I will focus on impressions and wet your appetite for a similar adventure . Here is Christopher Columbus, harbour side in Boston., Massachusetts. Who knew he was so petite or that the sky could be so blue mid Sptember? 

Boston is a great city experience with which to start a trip whose inspiration is nature, its colours, textures and impact. 

I could highlight any number of Boston gems . I will focus on a few . Firstly Boston Public Garden - 

A beautifully kept and planted green space imbued with the history of Boston .

George Washington memorial in Boston Public Garden 

Boston is also a seaside city . From here we saw the first of the rich wildlife to be experienced in New England. The whale watch was truly wonderful and we were graced with a beautiful sunny day and a wonderful array of hump back whales when we got into the ocean.

Boston also houses some fine art in its Museum . Indeed it is strange to come all this way to see for the first time this JMW Turner,  entitled Slave Ship,  from 1840, providing a painterly challenge to one of the scourges of his time. The power of a picture to challenge is a timeless truth.

It was a delight to see some John Singer Seargents , again .

And I so enjoyed Winslow Homer when I saw his exhibition in London and here he was at home. 

Winslow Homer Driftwood 

Nature , art and eating are the themes of the trip so far. Wonderful baking at Tattebakery.com is to be recommended, in Boston's fine Charles Street.

Or the delights of a traditional breakfast at the Paramount or lunch at Figs next door also on Charles Street are not to be missed. 

But it's also true to say that venturing out of the city on our road trip around New England - Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire - there is also a sad profusion of Dunkin Donuts and KFC and similar whose wares  we chose not to experience . 

However the lobsters and crabs of Massachusetts and Maine are not to be missed and we didn't! 

This was a splendid evening in the Barking Crab, Boston, both lobster and crab were eaten with gusto .

Boston at night is a colourful delight, with public art thrown in.

Nature , art , history are some of the joys of our trip . And the visit to Salem was a good example of the  appreciation that Americans have for their history and the surviving buildings and artefacts which mark it, however gruesome .

Really Americans are relatively new incomers . We were struck by their pride and preservation of historical sites and buildings. This was the case in Salem with its vicious treatment of so-called witches , and also in Kennebunkport  where early 18th & 19th century houses have been preserved . The personal tour we were given around this gem , gifted to the Kennebunkport Historical society, was detailed, knowledgeable and quite unlike anything I've ever experienced . Neil, a retired teacher , brought real passion to his task.

But the beautiful weather also allowed us an unseasonal dip in the Atlantic and a few wonderful sunset scenes and sandy beach walking ( a rare treat for Hove dwellers!) .

Kennebunkport' Colony Bay 

Further north, the themes of nature and art were again in evidence at Bar Harbour where we had the joy of seeing seals and bald eagles on a glorious day - there were seals under the rocks and eagles overhead, venturing from pine trees for prey. Again our tour guide was a local retired teacher of rare knowledge, enthusiasm and dry wit. 

There are seals , well camouflaged ,grant you! 

A bald eagle in flight 

A fine bald eagle atop a pine 

And whilst we have motored in our Chevrolet, playing lots of our  music including Johnny Cash , Kate&Anna McGarrigle , the Killers ,Laura Marling, Van Morrison and 10000 Maniacs , we have noticed a number of things :

-The telegraph poles and electricity wires are above ground, crisscrossing town and country roads alike.

- There is so much space

A view from Mount Washington

-Antique outlets , car lots and garages predominate along the road side- but where do people buy fresh food? 

- Already, Halloween is in evidence and the Fall is being celebrated with arrangements of pumpkins and chrysanthemums - along the roadside and on many porches....and it's mid September! 

A typical arrangement outside the Wentworth, Jackson , New Hampshire 

- Car drivers are mainly responsible and compliant , which is good news as we drive our hired red Chevrolet the length and breadth of New England. "We drove the Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry" we sing every day! 

Our trusty Chevrolet 

- The American flag is proudly flying everywhere - outside most houses and in every "Main Street" 

- The coffee is mostly stewed and awful and tea made properly is non- existent ! 

Our Best Buy of the trip so far is an electric kettle for $14.79 which combined with a little cow jug have meant we can have authentic tea ( we always travel with tea bags!)

- The quality of customer service is great . Perhaps in part this relates to appreciating the importance of tourism to the economy ? ( see below) 

Back to nature and history .......Today's adventure on the Washington Cog Railway took us up to the top of the Presidential Mountain range ,some 6286 feet , on a diesel cog train, which first ran this route in 1869. 

A steam train coming back down the railway 

The diesel train setting off - drivel by two diesel fuelled and propelled cog wheels 

The ride is steep and a feat of nineteenth century engineering , providing spectacular views and fast reducing temperatures as we reached the mountain top , for which we were just about prepared! 

Penny and I at the train stop in the mountain top . 

Breathtakingly clear views from Mount Washington 

Again our guides were knowledgeable, enthusiastic and proud , very aware that tourism is key to the local economy , and determined to have satisfied customers; which they achieved . 

Finally , we stopped in North Conway and found more history outside the longstanding Zeb's General store - an old Ford pick up truck from 1929 

The leaves are starting to turn, and hopefully there will be more to report on them next week , as our New England adventure advances into Vermont .

A is for achievement ....... Amy , Nick and Nev

  My birthday last weekend was celebrated with reunions . Firstly , Linda who I first worked with in 1975, came to stay , and then she sent the most lovely birthday flowers in my famously favourite red. 

Thank you Portland Flowers 

Then on Saturday,  Jane and Amy visited. 

Amy and Jane 

Jane and I qualified as Social workers together in 1979 after a 2 year MA at Kent University. We shared many happy days in Canterbury and she often put me up , since my base was East London. Since then,  our contact has been regular (Christmas ) but we have spent little time together in the past three decades . So Saturday was special.  

I hadn't seen her eldest daughter Amy since she was a child . Almost the same age as my eldest, she is well and truly an adult and with a number of achievements to her name. She is testimony to the importance of recognising and supporting ability, aspiration and achievement . Amy was keen to tell me of her achievements and for me to record them here.

Amy proudly shared these three achievements: 

- she has been to the House of Lords where she gave evidence to the Joint Committee for Human Rights ,on behalf of "Speaking Up " and "C4Participation" advocating for a voice for people with disabilities . ( She worked for what is now "Voicability" for 9 years before being made redundant) 

- she gained her European Computer Driving Licence(ECDL)

- she lived independently for 3 years and is working towards doing so again

On top of this, she works one day a week and volunteers on another three days; she obviously gives a great deal to the isolated older people she works with . She has a good social circle. She has visited her father in the States and in Italy. She leads a  full life . And she recognises her mum's considerable  achievement in bringing up three daughters singlehandedly and sustaining a career of public service through social work. What an inspiring birthday eve! 

Amy 

Sunday , the 13th was the actual birthday and it was great to enjoy a family gathering - all three offspring and their partners and my sister and hers.... And more flowers! 

Whilst I see them all quite frequently , we seldom come together and it was great good fun. Ok so it involved a good deal of cooking and washing up; there was also much ribbing and laughter and to Merry's delight, dog walking. 

And the weather held up! 

Hove seafront at dusk on 13th September 

All in all it was a hugely enjoyable birthday - thanks to all who remembered ! 

Pen (that's me ) and Penny 

And the week has been one of meetings and preparations for our big New England adventure , whilst enjoying the big seas and giving the sometimes biblical rain downpours a wide berth. 

Monday's raging waves 

Wednesday - an usual sight - a fishing  boat off Hove's beach - happy seagulls 

This week I also caught up with missed episodes of "The Nick" ( ITV) which focussed on the work of the Brighton&Hove division of Sussex Police , led by Nev Kemp. 

The stars of "The Nick" - Brighton&Hove's own from Sussex Police 

A pacey , realistic series, it showed the head and heart of our often brave Police colleagues as they work to keep the city safe . As well as serious crimes , we glimpsed the challenges of the "Naked Bike Ride" and the sometimes quirky demands of policing a tourist - spot . Where else would the strongest constable in the force be asked to lift a Campervan off a parking meter ! For me the key testimony came from officers tweeting what a "Ledge" their Chief Superintendent, Nev, is . His leadership creates the conditions for the commitment, care and good humour we saw on our screens. I am proud to call him a friend. 

Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp 

We can all achieve, more than we dare hope, if we have the right support, challenge and feedback .

That's the message I take from from Amy and Nev .... Indeed from all if us. 

Facing it , not faking it

STOPPRESS : It's Friday and just as @Caitlinmoran promised  #helpiscoming . This is thanks to a new song by Crowded House and accompanying film produced by Caitlin and @petepaphides , introduced by Bendedict Cumberbatch supported by Save the Children. Please support . Additionally , @Theagilmore has also produced a new downloadable single track "Soon" on sale via Bandcamp.

It's fantastic that these talented artists are taking action to raise awareness and money. Let's support them . 

And so to the week....,

I had never heard of Litlington ,East Sussex, before we happened upon it last Saturday en route to Gayles Farm(NT) on the top of Seven Sisters. (Of which more later).

White anenomies at Litlington Tea Garden

And just beyond Litlington we enjoyed spying the White Horse ; I'm ashamed to say this was my first sighting. 

The purpose behind our excursion into the endlessly beautiful Sussex countryside was to join other National Trust (NT) supporters celebrating the acquisition of Gayles Farm with its stunning cliff top location and memories of the war when it had been the location for an airfield. And the day did not disappoint . 

Much dressing up in 40s costumes

A stunning view of Beachy head 

An untroubled fly past by a Spitfire

An army tent and more dressing up 

The coastal path 

Preserving this beautiful piece of coastline for enjoyment of walkers,nature and history lovers has got to be a great thing . Being a member of the NT is a real win win - you give a bit and get so much in return.

One of the joys of Sussex are the beautiful green treeleaf tunnels that I drive through to cross the county to visit my father . And this week in bright sunshine they were at their best as I gathered him up for a few days pampering with us by the sea. It's a wonder what a few good meals, dog walks and sound sleeps do for his spirit and demeanour. 

He also kindly cared for Merry the dog whilst I made a London visit on Monday. 

First stop was Cavendish Square , and I had time to walk there from Victoria. This was good exercise . It also allowed me to enjoy one of my favourite pieces of public art in London. 

Sculpture by Elizabeth Frink in Dover Street

After my meetings , I was heading for Blackfriars and the Mondrian . So I took the chance to walk along the Embankment and enjoy another favourite piece of public art. 

London Pride by Frank Dobson 

I was on my way to  @Damian_Barr 's Literary Salon.  No, I had not been to one before , and I was in slight trepidation and awe.  However, with such a fantastic location, good company and a world class line up of guests, all was set fair.

View of Blackfriars bridge from the Mondrian "Rumpus Room" 

Me on the balcony 

I was accompanied by my daughter's boyfriend and we had a fabulous evening of good food, nourishing readings and stimulating conversations. 

Damian Barr celebrates the 7th birthday of his literary salon

An eclectic gathering ion the Rumpus room - is that  Phillippa Perry and Natalie Haynes we espy? 

John Lahr reads from "Joy Rides" - profiles of people he admires

Caitlin Moran previews her next book "Moranifesto "

Caitlin Moran, John Lahr, JoJo Moyes and Damian Barr - the whole line-up

Back in Sussex , the Downs beckoned on Tuesday,  and so I took my father up to Devils Dyke . It was perfect weather for the clearest panoramic views of the sea and the countryside and a brisk rejuvenating walk. Interestingly dad had not been before and was mightily impressed.

The sea from the top of the Downs 

Merry looking out over the countryside 

We all enjoyed a bracing walk with fantastic timeless views . Merry was only sad not to be able to whizz off after rabbits , following their scents in an escapade down the escarpment. 

And later in the week I have returned to this walk with my very longstanding friend Linda , who came to visit , catch up and reminisce after many years of only sporadic, though warm, Chrismas card contact, whilst we prioritised work and family. 

Shades of Ravilious ? A bit too bright , I think! 

It's barely believable that it's 40 years since Linda and I first met , worked together and shared a council flat in Bethnal Green . At Linda's side I learned so much about how to practice my chosen profession, social work . She was a real role model and mentor and though just retired from full time work, she is still doing some sessions as a Reviewing Officer. She provides a great example of public service . What a lovely time we had nattering away and covering so many diverse topics. We moved  from literature to the fortunes of our children ; from travel to remembrances of colleagues and clients we had worked with ; through art, books,blogs, photography, gardening , radio 4 ,local government, world politics and so much more. 

From Martello Street,Hackney by Piers Ottey 

And on Thursday night we shared the moving , inspiring , challenging experience that was watching the sold out "Fake It 'Til You Make It" , a performance by Bryony Kimmings and Tim Grayburn at the Dome Studio in Brighton. Recently performed at Edinburgh Fringe to much acclaim and an award, the "show" addresses men and clinical depression. It's an intimate exploration of a real life love story between this couple and their approach to facing Tim's depression. I defy anyone not to be moved to tears by this brilliantly produced and poignant piece . If  It's  purpose was to entertain, educate and open up a taboo subject it most certainly achieved this . It will be on at the Soho Theatre soon- and is well worth seeing. 

@bryonykimmings and @TimGrayburn #FakeIt