Our night in Newburyport was very comfortable. They know how to do hospitality here. The place was Essex St Inn and was lovely.

We headed off for a drive to nearby Plum Island. Not as grand as yesterday’s Castle Island – it’s more a beach place. Houses – both big and small – are built right onto the sand.

With the faded timber fences it feels quite dreamy. The houses go along the coast for a km or two but there were no places to even stop for a coffee. Maybe in summer there are pop-up food trucks? Nothing this time of year.

We drove back to town past the airport with a few light private planes sitting waiting. Presumably for their wealthy owners to take them for a spin.

Once again I googled at the houses and churches.

And the pretty Main Street. All shops and businesses have Help Wanted signs out. Getting ready for the summer I think.

We headed off for Concord an important town in the history of the US. The Battle of North Bridge involving the 700 local militia and the 400 hundred strong British. The ‘Minute Men’ – as the locals were called as they were ready to serve at a minutes notice – fired the “shot that was heard around the world”. They pushed the British back to Boston where they retreated.

There is a fine sculpture in the park of a Minute Man. Hand on gun. Hand on plough. Showing he was a farmer ready to fight for freedom – at a minutes notice. We saw where some of the action took place. It’s a beautiful spot now.

But for the absolute highlight for me of this area was visiting Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard house! Yes, Jo, from Little Women.

I’ve always loved that story and had recently watched yet another version – the one with Emma Stone.

Well here is the house!

And the Chapel her father built.

We did a tour of the house. It’s in original condition inside. So no photos. But we saw where Louisa – Jo wrote the novel Little Women! We saw where May (Amy in the book) did her art. There are original drawings on the walls, paintings and sculptures. Books, games artefacts. I was fascinated. There were pictures of the girls and Marmee and Papee on the walls.

And the weather has warmed. Such a beautiful experience. Our guide was like someone out of the tv show. She was just so sweet!

She also told us the real facts of the family. Some things in the book were true. Others changed. Louisa, unlike Jo in the book, never married.

Check out the website

http://www.louisamayalcott.org

We stopped for lunch in gorgeous little Concord before heading to Boston.

Unfortunately for us the traffic was peak hour ! And it took us awhile to get into North End where we are staying in Boston. Near the water.

We explored a little after finding our 6th floor apartment. It’s great. And has city views.

It’s an Italian area with lots of little restaurants and the best pastry shops.

Queues out the door. Even at night!

The spring flowers are trying hard to appear.

We are off on the Freedom Walking Trail tomorrow. Our apartment is next to Paul Revere’s house which is on the walk!

So more news tomorrow.

I hope your enjoying travelling along with me. Where do you wish you could visit?