Today dawned wet, dull and fairly chilly, not a great day with thunder storms forecast. Anyway we decided that we would go to Plimoth Plantation to see life as it was in 1627, seven years after the arrival of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower. The drive there was fairly uneventful except fir the usual Rogers pulling out in front of you etc. Drivers the world over are a pain in the rear parcel shelf!! We also needed fuel which would be the third time we'd filled up during the course of the holiday at $50 a time not bad, much cheaper than UK and so far we have driven about 1300 miles. When I say we I actually mean me Anne hasn't done any driving although she has done all the navigation which in itself has been something of a challenge, she has done exceptionally well and should be congratulated on her efforts!!

We duly arrived at the location, found easily and without any grief. Having parked we made our way to the main building to purchase tickets and to watch an informative orientation film. Once this was over we were free to explore. The first location was the native Indian village where 'real' native Indians explained there way of life Tonys and the impact that the Pilgrims made to them, including wiping out whole villages with diseases that they brought. Having said that there wad no fighting between the original settlers and the Indians for the first 50 years, quite an achievement.

We then moved on to the Pilgrim settlement which was surprisingly large with a fort/meeting house/church as the centre attraction. The houses varied in size but were obviously based on European designs from the 1600's. One of the noticeable things was that all the single men lodged with families they didn't have their own houses. You only got a house when you were in your mid 20's and had a wife. It was also made apparent when talking to the settlers ( people acting the part but very good and they remained in character at all times), that the peace with the local tribes was tenuous at best but at least it lasted.
We then moved on to the craft area where modern day craftsmen using methodology from the 1600's made relevant artefacts, furniture, pottery, clothing and native hunting weapons. We had a good conversation with the native Indian man making a bow and arrow. He informed us that the bow wax a hunting implement and not made for warfare. In fact they were not a warrior people and all their 'weapons' as depicted in films etc were in fact only hunting implements or tools. I asked about their use of horses and was amazed to be told that horses did not exist in America prior to being brought into the continent by European settlers. It was an educational visit which Anne and I thoroughly enjoyed.

After a very nice lunch we went into Plymouth proper to see the replica of the Mayflower. Again there were people dressed and acting appropriately who were able to provide a vivid picture of life on board ad they sailed to the new land. Apparently cruising in the 1600's was not quite what it Is today!! By now it was staring to raj heavily and we decided to make our way home. Not a pleasant task given the adverse weather conditions but we made it without mishap and to celebrate we adjourned to the bar for a well deserved beer and gin and tonic for Anne.

After time to rest and then get changed it was dinner once more in the Tavern as the main dinning room was being used for some sort of swanky dinner suited do! We had a lovely meal complete with a bottle of Pinot Grigio at $52. After which we adjourned once more to the bar and enjoyed a couple of Southern Comforts and ice while Anne had two amaretto and ice. By the time we left the bar Anne was well how can I delicately put it, pissed and I assisted her to the room where she dutifully fell into bed and as I'm writing this she is snoring away merrily!!

It has been a good day despite the weather and tomorrow we move on to Martha's Vineyard.

Once more people sleep a good sleep and awake tomorrow refreshed and ready for new challenges and adventures. As Wolfe used to say "power to the people".