291 steps

Pinch and a punch for the first of the month. Today we used the trolley-bus to get around again – which is reasonable because if you have free transport why not use it? Our first stop was a museum about an really old boat nicknamed old ironsides. Did you know the ship was built in 1797 and never lost a battle of war but nearly lost the battle of neglect. Luckily she was saved, thanks to a fundraising effort by people my age. Well old ironsides did and now she is the most respected ship in America. This reminder of the past got her nickname when one of the sailors happened to look over the side of the ship and see British cannonballs bouncing of her 1 foot thick wooden walls. "Hurrah! Her sides are made of iron!" And thus the nickname originated.

In fact the USS Constitution is the oldest currently serving navy ship anywhere in the world. She is still actually part of the US Navy and sails out on 4th July each year to take part in the commemorations. The ship was undergoing refurbishment so we didn't take the tour but the museum was cool. We got to dress up as sailors, scrub the decks, cook up a feed and lay in the hammocks. The olds enjoyed the boring history stuff!

For our next activity we walked up a big hill following a red brick line all the way up to the Bunker Hill monument that was actually named after the wrong hill because of an incorrect news report at the time. We had our lunch at the foot of the giant monument, then climbed all 291 spiral stairs to the top. And when we got there, right smack bang in the middle of the floor, was a big barred up hole that went straight DOWN to the bottom. Then dad gave us a penny and told us to see if we could get it out the window because, as we had observed, a few others had succeded in that particular task. I got mine stuck straight away which as a pain because I thought it would work but then Emma got hers stuck in the same place. We went down to the bottom where we passed a statue lit up with gold lights it was SPOOKY!!!

Then just as promised dad took us to the outdoor ice skating rink then he tied up our laces nice and tight, bid us goodbye and left with Mum to go check out a really old pub. [in fact the bar overlooks the cemetry where Samuel Adams is buried... making it the only place in the world where you can drink a Sam Adams while wathing Sam Adams... ed] By the time he got back I had learnt to skate backwards. A couple of skating tips from me to you: Always tie your laces tight and skating is all about your weight, not force.

After that all of us were worn out – but there was still 1 thing we wanted to check out – the big church we drove past earlier. When we got there and hopped of the last stop we found out you had to pay to go around it which didn't seem worth it... so we walked back to our RV – miles away!!! The only good thing we got out of walking back was the amazin view of Boston from on the bridge. Dad and I raced back to the camper I came in close 2nd after Dad who came 1st. Then goodnight!!!

Bt the way, we decorated our camper last night - here's the pic, along with one of Dad after Mum gave him a kiss!!

with love from... Amy

Now a PS from Emma...
Walking in the shop I found the teddy bear. It was a scruffy, cute dog but….. the dog wasn’t stuffed with stuffing !!!!.So I stuffed the teddy just as much as I wanted it to be. Deanna Amy and I had to jump up and down with a heart in our hands to make its heart beat and we turned around to make it spread the blood around the body and rub it in our hands to make it warm and put it in the teddy bear. We had to push a peddle to stuff the toy. Next we washed the toy with air and a comb. I choose the clothes & Amy got to pick some for her favourite lion. My bear's clothes have Boston red socks on a dress. We got 10 dollars off because of a voucher. It was awesome!!! So now you know about build-a-bear.

And hi to all my fans - I love you all!