13-7-12

Hello Folks!
Today we did Philadelphia. We set off from Jenkins Town Station for the 20 minute train ride into the centre of town.

Exiting the station we walked along Market Street toward the river. After a pit stop for  burger, we walked through the historic centre. Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, lovely Georgian buildings - very English.

We strolled down the length of Walnut Street reaching the Delaware River, we visited the war ship USS Olympia and the submarine USS Becuna and one of the very few floating  early 20th century four masted grain ships, Moshulu. The name means Dreadnought (Fear nothing) in the local Seneca language. It was made famous by Eric Newby as it was the ship he sailed to Australia in his novel The Last Grain Race. Now its a rather splendid restaurant and bar.

We strolled back through Chestnut Street - between 1st and 3rd street we came across some really nice looking restaurants and boutiques, doubtless this area will slowly spread to link up with the Liberty historic area.

We enjoyed the river front and the historic buildings which really put one in mind of a prosperous English market town. But the spread of the place, along the river and through the suburbs we travelled hinted at a much larger community than was immediately obvious. The low rise buildings and abundant greenery hid the extent of the buildings around the city centre.

We took the train back to our hosts and relaxed, penning this piece and watching Narnia. Later this evening a whole group of us is going out for dinner - which should be fun.