Somehow, I think today's log will have more photo's. I can't be certain because I haven't downloaded the camera yet (nor do I intend to until later tonight - 'cos I'm going outside for a beer and a read now). 

We have been out for a drive and a trip on a steam train and a boat. Ya know . . .

And now I've just seen this. Read tomorrow's page for FULL details:

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 12 PM TUESDAY TO 8 PM EDT WEDNESDAY
Issue Time: 4:17PM EDT, Monday Jul 31, 2006
Valid Until: 12:30AM EDT, Tuesday Aug 1, 2006

Ooo-er.

 So it was a long trip for five people in a car, over an hour to the town of departure (Essex!). We'd misunderstood exactly what the trip entailed and were very disappointed when after half an hour the train ride came to an end - we were disgorged onto the jetty (at Deep River, close to Chester!) to catch the boat. We'd been especially lucky (for $5 each extra) to have armchairs in our train carriage and some distance between us and the two school buses full of screaming kids. However, on the deck of the good ship Becky Thatcher we had plastic chairs and a carpet of said children.

Still, for me, the boat trip was 'fine'. It lasted about a hour and a half and for most of it was fairly cool (when the boat turned, it became hot hot hot, with no breeeze). We saw several Osprey and one Bald Eagle - so that wasn't too bad.

On the return journey we stopped for food in a real American diner. I had a Pastrami 'Grinder' which is similar to a 'Sub' but is (usually) toasted. Also see 'Hoagies', 'Heroes' and Po Boys (simlar rules - different parts of the States).  See New Orleans page (Friday) for fuller description of Po Boy.

We also stopped to see the Frog Bridge at Wilimantic - see Photoboxor link alongside.