Saturday 12th September, 2009.

We report to reception and meet the Manager. Well, both Manager's actually. One is an American lady and the other is an English chap who's lived in Cape Cod for years and is married to an American. He spots David's Wolves polo shirt. He has a glint in his eye. He says he supports Spurs and will let me know the Premier League results tomorrow. David is not sure he wants to know. Anyway, the Managers are both very apologetic and confirm we will be moved to their best room tomorrow morning. We are grateful and thank them very much.

The thing about American weather is that it is pretty stable. It either stays sunny or it rains. One day of either at a time, usually. If you're lucky, like we were for the majority of the past two weeks, you get consistent sunshine. There's none of the 'four seasons in one day' that we get at home. Of course, it's a coastal region - not an island like the UK - so that helps. Having said that, Americans are still interested enough to have a whole TV station dedicated to the weather. It's called the Weather Channel, funnily enough. We have come to trust it. It tells us this morning that today will be another dull, drizzly day and then it clear up tomorrow and stay dry and warm until our last day here (Thurs). So now we can plan our stay in Cape Cod. Hyannis via Barnstable harbour, to check out
the whalewatch people there, today. Falmouth tomorrow to sus out the ferries to Martha's Vinyard and Nantucket Island, respectively, and then a drive to the very end of Cape Cod on Wednesday.

We have a healthy breakfast at Beth's Special Teas and then head for Barnstable Harbour. The boat leaves with the tide and we are told to 'phone on the morning we want to go to check the exact time. Whilst there we spot the car above. It's owner tells us it is a 1951 Hudson. All shiny red bench seats and a column change. It's a nice car and could be even better if he tidied it up a bit (not that we tell him that).

Next we head for Hyannis down Route 132. We reach its outskirts and change our minds. So many others are trying to get into it and find something to do. Bumper-to-bumper traffic in all directions. 'Sod this', says David. Vicky directs operations and we head east away from the town, as fast as our Prius' wheels will take us, and then head north to take the R6A east. We stop after a while and have a cup of tea at this place just outside Brewster. We needed it 'cos it's a long slow winding drive (as per) to Chatham. The quaint high street looks worth a thorough investigation but it is incredibly busy. All the on-street parking and car parks are full, We keep going and eventually reach the harbour. Lots of others have done the same but there's some parking places to spare at least. Even better, there's something to see! The fishing fleet has returned to harbour and they're unloading the catch. A scrum of tourists quickly forms (see photo left). We join them and get gawping. Lots of families have brought their youngsters here: all are keen to spot one of the five Great White Sharks which have been spotted here and tagged in recent days. They like to feed on the local seals, eveidently.

Lobsters and skatewings seem to be the main things being unloaded. We debate what might have happened to the skate bodies. Best not to think about that.

We aren't the only ones interested in the contents of the fishing boat. A clue to what happens to the skate bodies, perhaps? Luckily for the seals, if not the shark-spotters, the Great Whites have all gone back into open water.

We end our afternoon in Chatham with Vicky gazing out to sea towards Nantucket Island and Martha's Vinyard (one will have to be sacrificed as we are running out of days).

We drive home along R137 and then R6A through worsening weather. The rain comes down harder and harder. By the time we reach Barnstable the water is lying across the road in huge puddles whist mud and vegetation is being washed out from the banks. It's just like home. Tricky tho', and tiring. As the light fades rapidly we crawl into Sandwich in near darkness, and it is only just gone five o'clock.

What we need is a nice clean, warm, hotel room to go to after dinner. We can't wait for that room upgrade. Ho hum.