Of travelling

I love day-trips. There are no slogging over internet for competitive prices on flight-hotel-car combo, nada of shopping-lists, packing is almost nil and thankfully no delayed flights!

Hey, I love the rush of vegas (who’s going to travel 8-hour flight I can as well go to Europe instead of travelling coast-to-coast) or prospect of miami beach (where you need to fight over square inches of sand to plop on) in precious few summer days.

So of lately, , we have been setting out on weekends for isolated beaches located in nearby local towns. The secluded destinations we make a trip to provide break from television, laptop tranquility we ‘need’ during the weekends.

But of course, there sheltered places are so easy to miss or maybe it’s just me.
As usual I was the navigator glued to the GPS instead of watching out for road signs (stupid GPS is addictive), so I totally missed the sign which actually read ‘Castle Rock’.
Actually come to think about it, I was ogling at the ‘Castle’ –like bungalow build next to this beach and thought it was the name of a house!

Thankfully K has more sign-viewing sense than moi and stopped the car.

As we got down, I debated that there is is no way there’s a beach down that alley and decided not to tug my heavy bag nor the camera. Lo and behold, the pathway actually led to the rocky beach!
After some rock-climbing we reached the top and it was a wonderful sight.

Sigh, no camera :(

I desperately wanted a poto for FB, so climbed down (that’s always a pain-in-the-butt),made it to the car in one-piece and climbled back up.
Lesson of the day: There’s a Kodak moment when you least expect one!

After an hour of sitting idle and clicking pictures we moved on to the next spot in the town. This was a small park stretched for a view of ocean and Marblehead Harbor on either sides.

Choosing ocean view over harbor we settled on the cute isolated beach under the canopy talking about the past, future and munching on Nature Valley bars. It might have been an hour or just few minutes but it sure did quench the summer-day-out thirst.




View from top of the castle rock


It's an adventure getting to the beach navigating through the sharp rocks.

The weekend concert

The free summer concerts are very popular in NorthEast where Mr. Sun decides to shower us with sunshine for quarter of a year.
This weekend our town hosted an Irish band. The concerts are usually held in a park but our glorious town has a stage (with waterfall background) in centre of the downtown!
This make-shift stage provides budding and old-time musicians to showcase their talents.
The weather was amazing this Friday evening (imagine it was pouring in the morning) as we walked a mile to partake in the event.
There were around more than 75people, mostly elderly crowd probably driven down from the Senior Centre. But the enthusiasm was amazing.

While K and me at the most clapped to the folk songs, they tap performed Irish-dance, duet for slower melody and sung along with actions for this Unicorn song!

BTW, did you know why Unicorns are no longer seen?Here’s the Irish folk song describing their folly:

A long time ago, when the Earth was green
There was more kinds of animals than you've ever seen
They'd run around free while the Earth was being born
And the loveliest of all was the unicorn

The Lord seen some sinning and it gave Him pain
And He says, "Stand back, I'm going to make it rain"
He says, "Hey Noah, I'll tell you what to do
Build me a floating zoo,
and take some of those...

Green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
Don't you forget My unicorns

Old Noah was there to answer the call
He finished up making the ark just as the rain started to fall
He marched the animals two by two
And he called out as they came through
Hey Lord,

I've got green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but Lord, I'm so forlorn
I just can't find no unicorns"

And Noah looked out through the driving rain
Them unicorns were hiding, playing silly games
Kicking and splashing while the rain was falling
Oh, them silly unicorns

There was green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Noah cried, "Close the door because the rain is falling
And we just can't wait for no unicorns"

The ark started moving, it drifted with the tide
The unicorns looked up from the rocks and they cried
And the waters came down and sort of floated them away
That's why you never see unicorns to this very day

Goose Egg :(

Since I was whining that we haven’t done anything ‘new’ for a long time, I was excited when Mr. G suggested 'Ice Skating' last week.
After a nice late brunch of Dosas, all the three of us—KC, Mr. G and me headed out to the skating rink in the next town.

The parking lot was full but thankfully it was not the case inside. It’s pretty inexpensive sport for a weekend afternoon--$3 for admission (for 2hours) and $3 to rent the skates!
Note: While renting ask for Figure skates if you are beginner—it will help you balance compared to heavy looking skates are used for Hokey(mainly for speed).
Once we stood up with skates secured on our feet, I was amazed how easy it was to walk on the floor with them compared to rooller skates back home!

The moment we stepped into the rink, it was totally a different story. All the 2 years of learning roller skates (yes; I did take lessons when I was around 9!) seemed like waste of time!
The ice was slippery as hell and balancing on the skates was out of question. Well, with help of the rink’s plastic rails I completed a full round (or square in this case) before the buzzer went off for a break.
During the break, the machine was brought which scrapped a layer of ice. This helps to skate on the smooth surface (imagine playing carom after the board is dusted with white powder!).
But a hellish experience if you are beginner!

During round two, KC was still learning to walk on skates with help of rails (ideally, you should do that on your first day!) but I was over-confident (or trying to be adventurous). Remembering the basics I tied to skate---fell down twice. But it didn’t matter since I had three layers of cloths (thanks to this helpful hint from Mr.G).
But the third fall was almost fatal. As I was moving swinging my arms (you have to use the same motion of opposite arms and legs like swimming) and moving forward; I suddenly lost my balance and fell backwards! There was a blackout for a millisecond; next thing I realize I’m not able to stand up.
Finally after a minute (which seemed like ages!) mustered up all the energy and got up; by then my body totally decided against taking a fourth round around the rink.

Slowly walked up to the entrance and sat on the stands for rest of 20 minutes. Cheering is a good sport too!

Its Monday morning—my head still has a bump (the 'goose egg'), I’ve sprained my neck and it hurts when I move my arms. I spent most of the Sunday sleeping!

P.S: Next time I’m invited to ski; I think I’ll be in the audience!

Library

The town library is celebrating 100 years! Check out the century old pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/westboroughlibrary/

Unfortunately, these pictures do not contain my favorite spot where I'd love to sit and enjoy a book....the grand chair by the Fireplace!

Halloween Shopping!

Finally decided to do some last minute shopping for Halloween today. Not to the mall, but just the Marshalls across the street.

After 30minutes of shopping decided to get this cute little costume for me and witch hat for my niece.....double witches for trick or treat on the 31st!

Last year I took my friend's kids trick-or-treating while they prepared the house for the late night Halloween party. Believe me its like dream come true for the kids (they were around 3) when loads and loads of chocolates land in their arms (actually cute bags!).

Hope the temperate wont drop a lot by Wednesday (crossing fingers)!

BTW, for info on Halloween: (Source Wikipeida)
Halloween, or Hallowe'en, is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31. Traditional activities include trick-or-treating, Halloween festivals, bonfires, costume parties, visiting "haunted houses" and viewing horror films. Halloween originated from the Pagan festival Samhain, celebrated among the Celts of Ireland and Great Britain. Irish and Scottish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America in the nineteenth century. Other western countries embraced the holiday in the late twentieth century. Halloween is now celebrated in several parts of the western world, most commonly in Ireland, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom.
The term Halloween (and its alternative rendering Hallowe'en) is shortened from All-hallow-even, as it is the eve of "All Hallows' Day",[1] also which is now known as All Saints' Day.about witches and Irish tales of the Sídhe).

Crane Beach

The trip to Crane Beach (located near Ipswitch,MA) provided a great weekend getaway this summer (finally!). One itchy thing is parking fee--whooping $22 and parking lot was bad!

But the parking fee compensates for the beautiful beach. Low tide on this long beach with few seaweeds sticking to your feet.
If you want a perect stop---just walk a little further away from the crowd of people sunbathing around the life gaurd's post (some handsome lifegaurds!!!). Poo and me were in the beach for about 2-3hours after home made lunch and then rested awhile on the beach.

Ninny wanted to swim but was frigthen of the waves i think; but she loved coming just where waves ended with help of KC.

But one nasty wave just drenched her and after that she didnt dare come near but sat on chair and drank soad in style ;-)

Check out some photos: