Fall colours

We are now in the height of a New England Fall and the trees really are spectacular. Newport is known for its outsize ‘summer-houses’ and the grounds of these mansions have enormous trees to match, big old maples, oaks and cedars, all now showing their glorious autumn colours. Even in the town, most streets are brightened by vivid splashes of red and orange.



We decided to try out the shrink-wrap and invited people from the dock round for a party in the ‘igloo’. We had a great turn-out, met lots of new people who are also wintering here, and the shrink-wrap was very successful in keeping out the cold and wind – or was that the warm rum punch?



The temperature has certainly been dropping but despite the cold, the weather seems generally drier than England - crispy cold days far out-number the soggy wet ones! We have had to tog ourselves out in our winter woollies but try to spend plenty of time outside - Newport has a good selection of parks for Katie.



We are still learning the slight cultural differences between the US and UK. We have finally got used to the fact that asking for chips will get you a packet of crisps (you have to ask for ‘fries’ if you want real chips). We can now ask for gas in a petrol station, talk about diapers instead of nappies, and know that pants means trousers, to name just a few. But we have been caught out several times trying to buy ice cream - there is a huge selection in the supermarket and you have to read the labels carefully. On various occasions, we have mistakenly bought frozen yoghurt, ‘light’ ice cream, or worse, ‘dairy-free’ ice cream - not to be recommended!

We have been taking Katie swimming most days in the hotel pool. As you can see she absolutely loves it, particularly if the two girls from the neighbouring boat go in as well. She is beginning to get coordination and can manoeuvre her little float to face in whichever direction she chooses. She’s already in charge of her first water craft…