Plymouth

Tuesday, 15 October

Plimoth Plantation is a reconstruction of the first settlement at Plymouth, in the style of Sovereign Hill. It also includes a reconstructed Wampanoag family compound. When we arrived this morning we watched a short film, then stepped outside to walk to the Wampanoag homesite but were waylaid by a lovely gentleman in a golf buggy. He had noticed Anne’s leg brace and offered to drive us. After each section of the property we were to phone and he would come back and take us to the next spot. So that is what we did and it saved Anne a lot of hill climbing. Me too.

At each location there are volunteers in everyday clothes and paid staff in costume, who stay in character. We saw a summer and a winter dwelling of the Wompanoag people, a huge log they are burning slowly to hollow out a canoe, some cooking and someone digging for a yam-like root. And I saw my first chipmunks but they wouldn’t stop and pose for my camera.

Our next stop was the craft display and morning tea.

Then our chariot took us to the fort and village. Each house bore the name of one of the first families and the costumed people inside and around played the part of these families. Some were cooking or cleaning or working with wood. They knew their roles well and were able to answer most questions.

Later we drove into town to see the grist mill which is also a part of Plimoth Plantation. I did a terrible job of navigating as we came out the wrong exit, got caught in roadwork detours and had a lot of trouble with the map. Got there before Anne lost all patience and were able to see how the mill worked to grind corn. More pumpkins decorating the mill! There was a little pub right next door where we were glad to sit and relax over lunch. They actually had a gf menu for Anne.

You can’t visit Plymouth without a pilgrimage to the famous rock, which is housed under a sort of Grecian temple right at the water’s edge. Weird! I liked the statue of Massasoit, the Wompanoag chief, better.