Block Island

There was some weather coming through on Sunday night (last night) and so we decided to stay around Block Island for the weekend and into the beginning of the week if necessary.  We have no reason to rush back to Newport as we are waiting on the final parts for the auto-pilot so no point in making it hard for ourselves.

After the weekly clean up on the boat on Saturday we went onto the island to explore.    Block Island is a really interesting place.  It is not that big, around 12km long and 7 km wide, has one main settlement called Old Harbour and is mainly countryside with summer houses studded everywhere.  There are rolling hills of green across most of the islands with cliffs at one end and beaches elsewhere.

Saturday was a reconoitre for the Sunday excursion.  We walked over to the settlement and had lunch at a local hotel overlooking the Atlantic.  The hotel is amazing – its about 150 years old and a real throwback to a Victorian era.  Heather is staying there and told us the rooms are tiny, you have to share a bathroom and there is no aircon and for that you have to pay $180 per night.  The décor inside is all pressed tin and wallpaper.  Its what you would call a character hotel.  

The Surf Hotel

In fact the whole town which is really just two streets, has a Victorian seaside resort type of feel to it.  One good thing about here and the other island we have visited is that there are no big franchises established.

On Sunday we got an early (ish) start and hired bicycles to tour around the island.  Unknown to us the first leg we had chosen was towards the second highest point on the island.  Scott was on a tandem with Calley, and Nic and Sam were on their own.  (All bikes appeared to have been made out of some mysterious metal which is three times the weight of steel).  By the time we reached the high point at the lighthouse we were all wondering if mopeds would not have been the wiser choice.  Two months of inactivity as far as cardio goes was really starting to tell.   

And she wasn't even pedalling

Anyway at the lighthouse we were told it was all downhill fom there and thereafter it became very enjoyable.  We rode around relishing the views of the countryside and stopped off at a beach to cool down.  A bit more riding, lunch and an ice cream and we were ready to hand the bikes back.  Day was finished off with a swim off the boat and then we battened down the hatches for the cold front coming through.

Tour de Block Island

Not Quite the Canondale

Must comment on the Americans we have met so far.  People could not be any friendlier or helpful if they tried.  Just reinforces our opinion that generally the locals are very hospitable folk.   Also must mention Aldo.  Here on the island there is a bakery called Aldo’s (also does bicycles, icecreams, etc) which appears to be a bit of a local institution.  In the morning he jumps in a boat and motors around the anchorage shouting “Andiamo, Andiamo”  to let you know he’s there.  If you want some bread, cheese, pastries etc you hail him over and buy it from him at, I suspect, a significant cost plus.  But its worth the extra expense for the experience.

The bakery

Aldo pulling alongside

Monday Morning – Cold front passed through with some wind and rain only.  Not as bad as it could have been however a potentially more devastating disturbance is on the near horizon – today will be the first homeschooling lesson.  The blog may be off the air for a few days while we tidy up after the first session.

Block Island Sunset

Dingy Parking Jam