USA - London but not as you know it

I am now in the city of New London, which is on the Thames River and has a clock that makes the Westminster chimes, which is a bit ironic really since Big Ben is currently silent for maintenance work. Welcome to Connecticut!

Ferries leave from here to Long Island and other islands off the coast (more tomorrow when I go to Block Island) but today I have been one stop up the line to Mystic. I actually went on the bus this morning and got the train back this evening because Mystic is one of those strange places (and there are a few in the UK to) that is big tourist centre but has a lousy rail service.

What you come to see is Mystic Seaport, a big open air living history museum with old buildings that have been saved and moved from various locations nearby - in the UK think St Fagans or Beamish. This one is themed around the sea so has a cooperage, sail loft, chandlers and a whaling boat as well as the usual school, shops, church, doctors etc all set in the 1870's. They even have a rope walk but it's around a third of the size of the one at Chatham dockyard - makes a change to be able to tell an American the UK has a bigger one!

The Rope Walk

If you have ever watched the film Amistad about the true story of a group of slaves that high-jacked their slave ship, a large chunk of that was filmed at Mystic Seaport and the real life action actually took place in New London which was where the boat was impounded and the first trial was held.

Beyond the museum the town is one of those hopelessly picturesque maritime places that is now home to the boaty set, second homers of New York and shops selling expensive "New England style" clothing and homewares. Great place for a relaxing wander and an ice cream all the same.