July 20: Cape Ann and Ipswich
Dear Friends and Relatives,
I would have updated last night, but we had a 3+-hour dinner at Ithaki’s, a Greek restaurant in Ipswich, with Marthe and Josh’s realtor, so I am writing you now instead, as we sit in an arbor off Marthe and Josh’s house, eating breakfast and reading the Wall Street Journal and New York Times newspaper (Josh and Marthe) while I work on my blog.
It has been hot as blazes here. Yesterday’s high was about 98 degrees, and air conditioning in these parts is rare. This morning, however, a breeze is coming through, making the difference. Whether that trend is going to last or not is anyone’s guess!
One of the first tasks of the day was to secure Marthe’s reservations at a hotel in the Tegernsee area of southern Germany, and to logistically search the railroad timetable for appropriate rail and bus connections from Munich to Rottach-Egern on the Tegernsee—all of this in preparation for a Feldenkrais seminar to be held there in December of 2019, which Marthe plans to attend. In addition, for free time activities, I constructed a mini-itinerary for Marthe for the area, listing and fleshing out about 10 different venues she might explore during her stay.
In the early afternoon, Josh took me to the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester, Massachusetts, about 45 minutes away from S. Hamilton. The museum has 13 galleries which host a rotating selection from the Museum’s permanent collection. There is also a varied schedule of lectures, readings, music, gallery and walking tours for anyone wanting an in-depth look into the art, history, and culture of Cape Ann. The museum also houses an extensive library and archives open to scholars, writers, students, genealogists and the general public for research. Material collected in the archives includes vessel logbooks (Cape Ann and Gloucester are right on the Atlantic); early deeds, maps, letters and documentary artifacts.
Founded in 1873 as the Cape Ann Scientific and Literary Association, the Cape Ann Museum’s collections represent the history of Cape Ann, its people, its industries and especially its art and culture. I was particularly interested in the Fitz Henry Lane galleries, as he is one of my favorite maritime painters and, unbeknownst to me, a resident of Gloucester.
A new sculpture of a dragon by a local artist was being dedicated while Josh and I were there, and due to the huge crowds we were allowed in free just for that day. We spent about an hour there, and one of the most unique objects I saw was a Fresnel lighthouse lens, rife with prisms which would reflect light as far as 20+ miles out at sea. I have never seen one that close before. Go to Facebook to check out my photos of beautiful or striking objects, paintings, and sculptures at the Museum, including the Fresnel light.
After visiting the museum, we ran some grocery errands for Marthe before returning in the exhausting heat. We had a little free time, which I used to get some reading done. Then we left for the Ithaki Greek restaurant in Ipswich, where we met their realtor Lisa-Marie for dinner. Our dinner turned into about a 3-hour affair, as we had a lot of meaty discussion and really enjoyed the camaraderie of the individuals and, in consequence, the group. Check Facebook for the progressive course of the dinner: we ordered nothing but small plates so that everyone could try all the dishes. We started with an excellent bread with olive tapenade; a cauliflower dish, lamb on skewers, calamari, zucchini blossoms, an eggplant dish, a beet dish, and a serving of fish. Cappuccino followed as dessert, and during the meal we had an excellent Sauvignon blanc.
Very fine dinner, and afterwards we drove around downtown Ipswich to see some of the historic houses there, many of which were built in the late 1700s, and some which even dated back to the 1600s. I am going to try to work in a historic house walking tour while I am here, if that is an option.
Meanwhile, it is a leisurely Sunday morning, and things are moving slowly thus far. Marthe has made two quiches for this evening, and I have been chopping cucumbers, carrots and onions. I am no cook, so those preparatory jobs and cleaning up after the meal appeal to me! Hello to all of you, and have a blessed Sunday. I am staying here till Tuesday, 7/23, and will then be heading back to Dallas for a 3-day hiatus before my last trip of the summer, to St. Petersburg and St. Augustine, Florida. Summer is rapidly becoming a memory, but there is still a little time left before its demise, and I will take it to its full advantage. Take care, Sylvia
I would have updated last night, but we had a 3+-hour dinner at Ithaki’s, a Greek restaurant in Ipswich, with Marthe and Josh’s realtor, so I am writing you now instead, as we sit in an arbor off Marthe and Josh’s house, eating breakfast and reading the Wall Street Journal and New York Times newspaper (Josh and Marthe) while I work on my blog.
It has been hot as blazes here. Yesterday’s high was about 98 degrees, and air conditioning in these parts is rare. This morning, however, a breeze is coming through, making the difference. Whether that trend is going to last or not is anyone’s guess!
One of the first tasks of the day was to secure Marthe’s reservations at a hotel in the Tegernsee area of southern Germany, and to logistically search the railroad timetable for appropriate rail and bus connections from Munich to Rottach-Egern on the Tegernsee—all of this in preparation for a Feldenkrais seminar to be held there in December of 2019, which Marthe plans to attend. In addition, for free time activities, I constructed a mini-itinerary for Marthe for the area, listing and fleshing out about 10 different venues she might explore during her stay.
In the early afternoon, Josh took me to the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester, Massachusetts, about 45 minutes away from S. Hamilton. The museum has 13 galleries which host a rotating selection from the Museum’s permanent collection. There is also a varied schedule of lectures, readings, music, gallery and walking tours for anyone wanting an in-depth look into the art, history, and culture of Cape Ann. The museum also houses an extensive library and archives open to scholars, writers, students, genealogists and the general public for research. Material collected in the archives includes vessel logbooks (Cape Ann and Gloucester are right on the Atlantic); early deeds, maps, letters and documentary artifacts.
Founded in 1873 as the Cape Ann Scientific and Literary Association, the Cape Ann Museum’s collections represent the history of Cape Ann, its people, its industries and especially its art and culture. I was particularly interested in the Fitz Henry Lane galleries, as he is one of my favorite maritime painters and, unbeknownst to me, a resident of Gloucester.
A new sculpture of a dragon by a local artist was being dedicated while Josh and I were there, and due to the huge crowds we were allowed in free just for that day. We spent about an hour there, and one of the most unique objects I saw was a Fresnel lighthouse lens, rife with prisms which would reflect light as far as 20+ miles out at sea. I have never seen one that close before. Go to Facebook to check out my photos of beautiful or striking objects, paintings, and sculptures at the Museum, including the Fresnel light.
After visiting the museum, we ran some grocery errands for Marthe before returning in the exhausting heat. We had a little free time, which I used to get some reading done. Then we left for the Ithaki Greek restaurant in Ipswich, where we met their realtor Lisa-Marie for dinner. Our dinner turned into about a 3-hour affair, as we had a lot of meaty discussion and really enjoyed the camaraderie of the individuals and, in consequence, the group. Check Facebook for the progressive course of the dinner: we ordered nothing but small plates so that everyone could try all the dishes. We started with an excellent bread with olive tapenade; a cauliflower dish, lamb on skewers, calamari, zucchini blossoms, an eggplant dish, a beet dish, and a serving of fish. Cappuccino followed as dessert, and during the meal we had an excellent Sauvignon blanc.
Very fine dinner, and afterwards we drove around downtown Ipswich to see some of the historic houses there, many of which were built in the late 1700s, and some which even dated back to the 1600s. I am going to try to work in a historic house walking tour while I am here, if that is an option.
Meanwhile, it is a leisurely Sunday morning, and things are moving slowly thus far. Marthe has made two quiches for this evening, and I have been chopping cucumbers, carrots and onions. I am no cook, so those preparatory jobs and cleaning up after the meal appeal to me! Hello to all of you, and have a blessed Sunday. I am staying here till Tuesday, 7/23, and will then be heading back to Dallas for a 3-day hiatus before my last trip of the summer, to St. Petersburg and St. Augustine, Florida. Summer is rapidly becoming a memory, but there is still a little time left before its demise, and I will take it to its full advantage. Take care, Sylvia
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