Every cloud.......

Revelling in a sunny start we hit Newport's Waterfront district early and re-ran Newport's Ocean Drive........the views really are spectacular. When I say 're-ran', I mean of course 're-rode', thanks to the third member of the team....our 'Charger'!

Afterwards, we exited Newport, bound for the picturesque seaport 'Mystic', setting of TV and big screen epics such as 'Amistad' and 'Mystic Pizza'! It's a seriously nice place!!

Curiosity satisfied, we took a short trip to Essex, a truly perfect Connecticut village with a harbour so typical of New England, evoking memories of 'Jaws'!

The locals were really nice, as ever, and I experienced my first US haircut.....one wall of the barber's shop was lined with cut-throat razors, so it was great relief to learn that his name was 'Ron Palau', not 'Sweeney Todd'! Late afternoon we tuned the GPS to 'New Haven' and our next lodging. Traffic was heavy and docking required some nimble manoeuvring! Despite positive 'Traveller Reviews', the 'Best Western Executive' will never 'chart' for us....its situated at the hub of a busy highway system and is a bit too retro! However, its our base for one-night only! We trekked to the nearby 'Texas Roadhouse' for dinner only to discover that it was none other than a clone of the one we'd previously enjoyed so much in Florida. The atmosphere was warm and the service, like the cold 'draught' and Margaritas, excellent......and the steak? To die for!! (Our heartfelt thanks go to Dana, Alex, Felix and the rest of the team for lifting our spirits!) So what about a piece of music.....well only one springs to mind, even though its geographically 'inappropriate'.....