You say Bu-fort, we say Bo-fort

Sunday and time to checkout of Charleston and drive southward to Savannah. It was sunny and humid, but the forecast predicated a good chance of a shower later in the day. The traffic was pretty light along Highway 17 and halfway to our destination we saw a sign for Beaufort, but this one was in South Carolina and having decided to take a break there, we soon learned that to its residents, it is referred to as Bu-fort, unlike its North Carolina namesake who prefer the English pronunciation! Nevertheless, the town grew on us as we walked through its historic district and along the waterfront. Calling in the Visitor Centre we saw that we could take a carriage ride, which we did. The carriage tour was leisurely and well narrated.

We were surprised to learn how many big Hollywood films had been filmed there ..... including many scenes from Forest Gump! Apparently, the towns classic houses are frequently rented to major stars for astronomic sums!

Robert Smalls was one of  Beaufort's famous residents. Born into slavery, he managed to steal a Confederate boat in the Civil War and deliver he and his family, and the boat, into the arms of  the Union Army. He was subsequently appointed Captain of the boat and after the War he was rewarded with a sum of money that enabled him to return to Beaufort and buy the house in which he had worked as a slave.

Thereafter, he served in the House of Representatives and the Senate! Tour over and the rain came down just as we returned to the car. It didn't last long and we were soon crossing the massive span-bridge into Savannah, where we took a sharp right and located our riverside hotel, in the heart of the Historic District. Once settled in, we visited the Churchill, a local 'English' pub where excellent fish'n chips was to be had! And as for a musical memory of our drive ..... Chris Barber's 'Petit Fleur'