So last night we stayed with Bob and Marcel at the Morning Glory Bed and Breakfast in Salem. What can I say but fab fab fab!

It’s such a shame we were only staying one night but this b&b is a must do in New England (Mum, you gotta stay here!). Not only was the decor and attention to detail fantastic but our hosts were welcoming and charming with so much personalised touches that so many places lack. From the moment we arrived our first names were remembered, time was spent sharing details about Salem and attention was on providing a true service (which felt very genuine) we met another couple at breakfast (practicing pagans no less, complete with capes!). Bob shared his icebreaker trick for those quiet breakfasts by telling us how he gets peole talking about their pets and clearly loves to see his guests relax, chill out and enjoy their stay. Everything just felt right staying here.

On then to a review of Salem itself, ok, it’s gone witch mad, has a quirky feel but is charming in itself. There is limited real historical parts left, but a wander around reveals wonderful old buildings and some funky Wicca shops that you just wouldn’t see anywhere else.

Overall, fun location to visit, I’d have stayed longer just for the accomodation.

So onwards north towards Portland on the US-1 (in torrential rain and thunderstorms). It’s a long trek through normal American townships interspersed with large retail outlets and walmarts. We just had to try the states biggest success- Dunkin Donuts, so stopped for a bite on the way. Hmmm, sugar rush anyone?? Not a habit we will be repeating again soon.

So this Blog is after the Morning Glory, only Mrs Fogg types faster than I do.

Another exciting day on the Foggy Road Trip of New England. We left Salem, see Mrs Foggs details about the wonderful Morning Glory B&B.

So off we set in our Jeep Wrangler super cool monster, with a lovelly “Engine Oil Service required” warning flashing at us. Being good little citizens we called Alamo to ask what they wanted to do about their car “well it will be fine for about 300 miles so don’t worry about it” claimed the assistant, “well we are actually driving 1200” said Mrs Fogg, “ah well you had better change it then” added the assistant, “and how do you suggest we do that 90 miles from Boston, since we are not turning around” pointed out the Mrs. So off we head to Portland International Airport, a minor detour from our journey to be met by happy Brad McTeeth behind the counter (he was actually a really nice guy but couldn’t work the computer, which is a worry since he somehow managed to add $1200 for a change of car, I don’t think so).

So off we set in a sparkling white Chevvy Traverse, 4.2litre SUV about the length of an 18 wheeler, with the turning circle of an oil tanker, but oh so comfy and capable of housing a family of Bangladesh refugees for a year hidden in the thousand of recesses. One slight problem, no remote keyfob, so back to the 1970’s for us having to try and lock all the doors from the inside before we leave the car (good luck to the person who needs to lock the boot from inside, set off at sunrise over the seats all the way to the back and you might make it by sunset).

But we made it to Portland by the Bay, after travelling through York and Scarborough. Now let’s not be unfair, but after just a few hours in Portland it is strangely reminiscent of Scarborough in England, just a little less lively. The place is deserted, maybe it’s the time of year, but a few gift shops, a few restaurants, lots of seagulls, all that is missing is kiss me quick hats, the Crown hotel and a few more OAPs.

Tomorrow I am assured by my uber geek tour guide Mrs Fogg, that the place will be much nicer (Bridgeton).

One saving grace, we managed another Surf and Turf, whoo rahh!

So here we are for a spell in Salem (didn’t see that pun coming did you).

We arrived at the Morning Glory B&B to a very warm welcome and an absolutely fantastic property. Arriving mid afternoon gave us chance to amble the Red tourist trail around Salem. It’s ok if you like witchy stuff and very tacky gift shops selling all Wicca accessories, oh, and a Harry Potter wand and broomstick if you want one.

Cool place, not much here but very friendly and some cool old properties mixed in with modern buildings.

All checked out of the Encore and off to collect the beast a 3.7litre Jeep Wrangler, ooo I feel so tough and hunky now.

The trip out of Boston was reasonable, one missed turn but our Garmin sorted us out.

A little hungry we stopped at an all you can eat Chinese buffet at $8 a head, oh yum.

Next stop Salem and the Morning Glory B&B, anyone need a broomstick bringing back because theirs is damaged?

It’s been a fun few days in Boston but now it’s time to go pick the hire car up and start the road trip. Would we revisit Boston? A definite yes, pleasant city, easy to navigate, safe walking and nice green tree lined avenues. We thought we’d summarise what we found hot, and what wasn’t:

Loved:
Segway tour – expensive but THE best fun and great way to cover the city in 2 hours. Tour guide history was limited but really gives a feel for the city
Lobster at the Barking Crab – great atmosphere and decent prices
Cheers Bar on Beacon Hill – great atmosphere and chilled beer

The ok:
Skywalks view at Prudential Tower – good way to get 360 of the city but a rip off at $12 each to look out of windows on the 50th floor
Shopping areas – Faneuil Hall rates as the prettiest, but typical touristy shops, the rest are the usual high street chains
Baseball at Fenway Park – fabulous to visit Fenway, but the actual game was dull ( Mr Fogg loved it) and it seems that Americans go to games to chat non stop rather than watch the game, disappointing atmosphere which was unexpected.

The bad:
It’s an expensive city, food and drink costs are high. Expect to pay a minimum of $6 for a bottle of beer.
Science Museum – boring and out dated.

Accomodation: Encore B&B

Overall a good location to stay, but I disagree with the raving reviews on Tripadvisor. The rooms are very nice, clean and comfortable, but you choose B&Bs for the personal touches.

The owners are missing some tricks here. Only one owner does the B&B stuff, doesn’t chat much and you don’t get any warm feelings about the place. We met the other owner, David when the aircon broke (ok bad timing) not even a hello, just a rude, grumpy, chubby man in my view, who flounced around and left his mate to sort a water flood out.

At $220 a night it’s a lot to pay for a room. Stingy allocation of complimentary shower gel stuff, limited breakfast ( we chose granola, yoghurt and fruit) which is placed on the plate for you (they do offer a good choice of cakes and other stuff if you want it). Overall, it’s more of a small hotel feel with no personality. It seems that money has been lavished on things like B&O music systems, when all was needed was some personal charisma. Next time I would just choose one of the bland hotel chains for the same price.

Next stop Salem. Bye bye Boston.

Ah breakfast, the first meal of the day. As can be seen here Mrs Fogg demonstrates a staple start to the day courtesy of the Cheesecake Factory (shameless plug and not endorsed either), with a raspberry velvet monster and a glass of Champagne. If you think about the positive food groups here “grapes in the champagne”, “raspberry in the cheesecake” and of course vitamin C from the whipped cream, you go girl!

Then all set it was a mamouth hike around the city, to the actual outside screenshot o the Cheers bar, an Apple store to play with an iPad (me want one) and up to the Boston Science Museum. And this is where the fun ended. I’m sure the museum was good many years ago, but some of the exhibits have seen better days I’m afraid, we got bored and left $40 poorer, ouch.

Back then via some wonderful scenery and of course bars to watch the world go by, before heading out later tonight for a nice slaughtered and seared portion of bovine happiness (steak to you).

Tomorrow it’s time to check out from the Encore B&B (not bad but the little things do let it down a bit, especially with it’s price tag per night), pick up ye oldie jalopy and head up to Salem.

Yup we have seen our first ever American Baseball game, the Boston RedSox at Fenway Park, how cool is that!

Have to say the Japanese baseball had more crowd enthusiasm all the way through, either that or we were drunk at the time.

Most of the Americans seemed to chat to each other rather than watch the game until home runs or instructed to get up and stretch by the announcer. Although every seemed very interested at the 8th innings when they suddenly played of all things Neil Diamond and Sweet Caroline, which pleased Mrs Foggy no end (since everyone sang, about 30,000 people and believe me one person singing Neil Diamond is bad enough).

A very good end to an excellent day.

A really early start this am, up at 7, fed, washed and watered by 8, then off downtown for our 2 hour Segway Tour of ye oldie Boston in 77 degree scorching sunshine.

On arrival you have a photo taken for you Segway drivers license (yeh it’s a gimmick but what the heck), then it’s time for a 10 minute scarey video of a stick man being maimed, scarred, decapitated and killed on his 2 wheeler (put off yet?). If you survive this, it’s then a 10 minute getting to know your Segway (while wearing a dayglo bib and crash hat) and then you are let lose on the mean streets of Boston following your guide in single file.

What is amazing is that after literally 10 minutes on the segway, it’s like second nature to you, lean forward to go forward, back to slow down and push the lever left and right to turn (and these puppies have a 0 degree turning circle!).

So we went everywhere, USS Constitution, Freedom Trail, Bunker Hill, China Town and so much more. The guide was helpful and friendly (especially since there was just Mrs Foggy and me), not the most knowledgeable, but we enjoyed the sights and playing on the Segway (which is so, so, so cool).

After 2 hours you are quite tired continually stood and you are after all the suspension for these bad boys. Our guide exclaimed he failed his Masters at Uni so had to become a guide.

An absolutely fantastic experience and we got some shots to prove it (which we will post when we get back).

After that it was off for lunch at “Barking Crab”, whose slogan is “Everyone should have crabs” (see what they did there), for a 2lb lobster and 1lb of snow crabs. Oh Yum Yum, that did not last long and the only thing left on the table was the napkins.

An absolutely brilliant day, just about to be topped off in 3 hours by a trip to watch the Boston RedSox play at Fenway Park.

Today was our first full day in Boston. The b&b is very comfortable, but a little warm due to their broken air con.

Its perfectly placed for the MTR and an easy walk to the main areas. We had no real plans for the day so ambled around and ended up at Faneuil Hall and Quincey Market. a tourists dream of quaint shops selling the usual touristy stuff. Quincey Market is great, a concentration of loads of food stands plus a central sitting area. It just had to be done, Lobster and corn with clam chowder. Nicely satisfied it was off next door for a pint at Cheers Bar (yes the one from the old TV show), sadly not the actual bar but a replica, a good location to sit and people watch. Over then to Long Wharfe and a sit besides the harbour before eventually catching the MTR back to the b&b.

With tired feet and Mr Fogg just having settled down for a brief siesta all hell broke lose, fire alarms going off all over the building and the owner (Rheinhold) running around arms flapping and shouting for his partner (David) who sounded so iritable and def unwilling to help. It turns out the pair returned from a trip at the weekend to find the air con broken-well rather it had frozen up, so they opted to stick the unit on heat to melt it. Hmm, melting water in pipes tends to build up, and hey presto it flooded the fire alarms causing the sensors to freak. So what did we do? stuck a bucket under the drip and went rapidly out to leave them to their bickering. Of course, returning 20 mins later we got the full diatribe of what went wrong and how naughty tourists play with the temp settings to cause the freeze in the first place. Yawn

OK, so far nice place but not great hosts and very disorganised, but at least we now have air con!

Now to decide where to eat tonight.