My Boston Sofa Bed – The Foley’s

A spectacular reunion with Miss Brittney Foley, after not seeing my Seppo Roomie from 104 (Whoop Campus East, Post Grad!) for almost 8 years….. I jumped on the train from NYC up to Boston, Massachusetts.

Reunited!

Reunited!

With a local in charge, we had a lunchtime tour of some Boston sights, I enjoyed my first New England Clam Chowder in bread bowl complete with oyster crackers…. and a Snapple. I devoured it all, whilst we sat in the square outside Quincy Market and got a lecture on giving to homeless people by a Bostonian…. I took the candid Cheers! photo, tried some Boston Chipyard Cookies (YUM… to DIE FOR), then explored Faneuil Hall.

Lunch, Faneuil Hall, Cheers! Mate and Quincy Market

Lunch, Faneuil Hall, Cheers! Mate and Quincy Market

More sightseeing planned for day 2, we trained it into Boston after stopping by Brittney’s work to try my tastebuds with a Marylou’s iced coffee. This place is sensational. Any flavour you could imagine…. I had to get Britz to start me off, I think it was a chocolate hazelnut delish concoction, from memory, and it was awesome. Set me on the upward coffee high for a day packed with sightseeing!
We got tickets for the hop-on hop-off bus, at student price (bargain! thank goodness I was wearing my SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE t-shirt ;-P more on that later) and off we went on a tour of the lovely Boston. With time short, we made only a few stops, had to get off at Fenway Park of course!

Photo-bombed by the bus driver; Marylou's pink explosion; Home of the Red Sox.

Photo-bombed by the bus driver; Marylou’s pink explosion; Home of the Red Sox.

We wandered through the community gardens, awesome space for people to try their green thumb (again, I am so inspired to grow some veggies and flowers when I get back to AUS), then I “ohhhh”ed and “ahhhh”ed at the awesome architecture and had a moment at the Boston Marathon finish line.

I just loved the mix between beautiful old architecture and new shiny modern skyscrapers….

IMG_1363

Lunchtime! Brittney’s Uncle Rich very kindly shouted us an AMAZING lunch at a restaurant with a beautiful view. Sam’s certainly put on a show, located at the South Seaport with a lovely view of the harbour and phenomenal food, it was a lovely afternoon spent with great company!

Fine food, views and wonderful company!

Fine food, views and wonderful company!

We then had time to line up at Modern Bakery for delicious bakery treats… There are two “institutions” in Northport, Boston when it comes to baked goods. Mike’s Bakery versus Modern Bakery. Both have lines out the door with people waiting in the hot sun for their awesome cakes, truffles and MACAROONS! Now those who know me well, realise I cannot go past an average bakery… so when I find a good one…. chaos hits! Macaroons for the Foley Fam, carrot cake, eclairs. We went all out.

Potato Skins; the Foley Castle (featuring Guinness the dog); Foley Brewing Co delicious Raspberry Blonde; Baked goods....

Potato Skins; the Foley Castle (featuring Guinness the dog); Foley Brewing Co delicious Raspberry Blonde; Baked goods….

These baked goods went down well with our Foley Feast, delicious home cooked dinner with all the family, accompanied by a GREAT home brew courtesy of Mr Craig Foley of Foley Brewing Company, and Kim’s AMAZING dessert that was cream, Oreo and all things delicious. I also had the pleasure of experiencing a potato skin from UNO, thanks to the lovely Nicole! A deep dish pizza with mashed potato, cheese and bacon…. tick tick tick. We ate and drank the night away with a fire bucket, awesome tunes and an exciting firecracker display (they will know what I’m talking about ;-P)

Boston turning on the sunset!

Boston turning on the sunset!

I am also now FINALLY the proud owner of a Springfield College t-shirt. When we lived together in 2006, Britz would wear her college shirt and I would get drunk and tell her to get me one so I could be “Lisa Simpson from Springfield!”… so bless her soul, she did…. but never actually sent it to me! I had to visit her to receive it so  almost 8 years later….

Mix up, UOW and Springfield College!

Mix up, UOW and Springfield College!

Britz, thank you for being a spectacular hostess and showing me the sighted. Thanks to the rest of the Foley Family for making me feel welcome and attempting torn at least humouring me with my vegemite and avocado on toast!

Stay healthy and happy Britz! You have such a lovely family and wonderful friends, thanks for sharing them with me!

Lise xx

PS Go to Boston, the “cawfee” is great, driving a “car” is safe and there are plenty of fine “bar’s”… 😛 wish the Boston accent was better on paper! (Sorry, couldn’t help myself!)

The Rossbotham’s Lounge

A nice 4 hour train ride (scored a Business Class seat, sooooooo much leg room!) is the perfect opportunity to get on top of my blog. I’m going a little out of order here, but I firstly want to share with you…..

My wonderful week (and a sneaky extra day) with my NY family…. the Rossbotham’s!

Rossbotham Family L to R:, Lisa, Chewy, Jackie, Lois and Joe

Rossbotham Family L to R:, Lisa, Chewy, Jackie, Lois and Joe. Absent: Bob

After a HECTIC week in NYC sightseeing (and overdoing it!) I was ready for a relaxed time in Huntington Bay. I was slightly hung over after Jackie and I hit the town in NYC the night before. She can hold her own, I am becoming weak. I would like to take this opportunity to point out how cheap and ridiculously LARGE the alcohol is here. Cheap-wise, we purchased a small Smirnoff bottle (you know, the ones with 11 standard drinks that we smuggle into festivals?) for only…. $8!! Yup I could not believe it. Large-wise, everyone buys these MASSIVE 1.5L bottles of wine which I can hardly lift to pour from!

Back to the lounge topic….

The Rossbotham’s welcomed me with open arms, and I really appreciate the generosity and wonderful hospitality that was shown to me. Saturday was…. Party Time! How lucky that I was in town for Jackie and Bob’s Engagement Party! Met some awesome people, ate delicious food (my favourite was the Ribs and Cheese platter… of course) and drank in a beautiful setting. Bob, it was so lovely to meet you!

Jackie and Bob's Engagement Party

Jackie and Bob’s Engagement Party

Sunday was recovery Sailing day. My first trip on a Sail boat and I damn hope it is not my last! We ate, drank beers and swam. Then went to Huntington Bay Yacht Club for dinner and to watch the US vs Portugal Football match. Joe, you are a legend for shouting us a delicious dinner, THANK YOU!

Sailing on Gusto!

Sailing on Gusto!

The wonderful tour guide Jackie, showed me the Huntington sights, introduced me to Garlic Knots and by FAR my favourite NY Slice pizza. We drank beers at Sapsuckers and with all the tight mini skirts out to find a rich husband at Prime (no luck for me! Wearing too much clothing!).

Huntington NY Slice and Garlic Knots... best in NY State!

Huntington NY Slice and Garlic Knots… best in NY State!

Did someone say beer? Enjoying a brew at Sapsuckers

Did someone say beer? Enjoying a brew at Sapsuckers

Had an awesome tour by the man in charge at Lois’ work place, Camusett State Historic Park Preserve, which has an amazing big old mansion and beautiful gardens on a 1750 acre block.

Drove through the Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory where Watson and Crick discovered DNA (cool, hey!) and went to the beach for a day at Robert Moses State Park.

Beach Time!

Beach Time!

So to end this lounge session with a nice cup of Chai, I would like to say thanks again to Joe, Lois, Bob (and Chewy the Cat, sorry I kicked you out of your room girl!) and especially Jackie!! All the best for a wonderful year planning what will be a beautiful and fun-filled wedding!

Much love,

Lise

xx