First full day in Boston and where else to start but to go to Starbucks. Amy got herself a Boston travel mug which she was very proud of and the boys chose to have frappachinos. This would have been a good idea if it wasn’t minus 2 outside meaning the moment we left we had to stop to fully insulate both of them with the hats, gloves and ski socks I’d luckily packed.
We decided that the best way to get around would be to walk. Not what Harrison wanted to hear as he was expecting to be driven everywhere or chauffeured in an Uber. The plan was to first head up to Michaels in Cambridge and then work our way back.
The first part of the journey was up Massachusetts Avenue and across the Charles River. We spotted a fire truck with fireman testing their cutting tools. It was a little brisk and the wind chill was high but it didn’t put off masses of runners which made us guess this was part of the marathon route.
As we crossed the river we ended up in the MIT campus. Of course, when there was a toilet available in Starbucks Harrison chose not to use it as that would have been too easy. Instead the biting cold air as we crossed the river educated him that tactical use of a toilet is the way to go. After much complaining we took a chance and just headed into the nearest university building. A toilet stop later gave us a look round some spectacular university buildings.
Next part of the journey was into the underground and up the the retail park. Harrison has still not lost his love of trains and I could see the smile on Amy’s face starting to build as the proximity to a massive craft shop decreased.
We arrived a little early so with nothing else to do it would have been rude to not hit the Dunkin Doughnuts. Half a dozen were demolished before it was time to go to Michaels. I was right to be worried about the shopping trolley Amy picked up as with her and Callan skipping around it soon filled. We had to buy an extra bag to lug the stash back to the hotel…
After riding the train back to MIT we went into their museum. Harrison had been desperate to see the robots and AI exhibition and it didn’t disappoint. They also found a programming lecture and both quickly settled into the the lesson.
On the way back we stopped at the the Apple store. This had been the result of two years of saving for Callan to get a new iPad. He was totally thrilled and is playing on it now as I type this blog. I’m really proud of him for picking what he wanted and saving for so long.
By now we were very hungry and it had to be an American diner. The store assistant at the Apple store recommended one called The Pour House and we tucked into the best American cuisine of chicken burgers and hot pastrami sandwiches. It ticked the satisfying box if not the ‘good for the diet’ box..
We then had a go on the pin ball machine which by coincidence was Star Wars themed. The boys loved it but the jet lag was definitely kicking in even though it was 5pm.
On the way back Harrison was desperate to get a Nike hoodie. We stopped at the store and he chose his favourite using the money we’d given him which was burning a hole in his pocket. When we got to the front of the queue I embarrassingly realised I’d not got my bank card which after racking my brains I think I left in the machine in WHSmith at Gatwick Airport. Doh…. Cancelled the card, left the hoodie behind and returned with Amy to get it shortly after.
Harrison is thrilled with his top. I think it’s the first time I’ve ever seen him fold a piece of clothing. But the positive thing was it was now free wine hour in the hotel. The boys settled into their devices and Amy and I went to sample the Chardonnay.
Once again I’m writing this at a stupidly early hour of the morning but then I think I flaked out before 7pm last night. Everyone else has slept to about 5am.
Today the plan is to head back towards the Boston Coast line and pick up the tourist attractions along the way.
Still another half hour until Breakfast and I’ve been up four hours….
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