Buoy, oh buoy! Now, this is a city I feel at home in. Apart from the fact that it is on the Atlantic coast, the Irish influence is very much in evidence throughout the city. The perfect place for an Irish seagull!

Boston is a very walkable city, and we set off on the Freedom Trail which takes you through all the major historical sights of the city. Walking suits me fine, and sure, birds are famous for walking around here anyway. The best-selling children’s book, ‘Make Way for the Ducklings’ by Robert McCloskey is based on the true story of a duck who apparently used to walk across Boston Public Gardens each day to bring her ducklings to the pond, and there is even a sculpture in the park of her with her babies, all in a row. If walking was good enough for her, it’s good enough for me!

One of our first stops was at the 17^th Granary Burial Ground where the victims of the Boston Massacre, several patriots and statesmen, as well as signatories of the Declaration of Independence such as John Hancock and Samuel Adams, are buried. Another grave marks the last resting place of a woman known as ‘Mother Goose’, thought by some to be the woman behind the well-loved children’s nursery rhymes. Whether she was or not, I was amused to see that a famous ‘bird’ is buried alongside so many VIPs.

    

Along the way, we came across the Democrat donkey and the Republican elephant. Not a pair I would like to get sandwiched between! I hastily left, leaving those two to battle it out between them…

Our walk took us to a number of other landmarks including the Old Corner Book Store, the Old South Meeting-House, and the Old State House, the oldest public building still standing in the United States. That sure is a lot of ‘Olds’. No wonder Her Ladyship feels at home here too! It is wonderful to see so many historical buildings so well preserved. I particularly liked Faneuil Hall. It is famous, of course, as the ‘cradle of liberty’ due to its long history as a political focal point, but it has a distinct modern buzz about it, with its market halls, shops, pubs, restaurants and promenade. For an ancient place, it is certainly full of life!

My favourite stop along the way was.. you’ve guessed it… Boston Harbour. I particularly enjoyed watching the marine traffic – yachts, ships, ferries, cargo ships – while at the same time observing planes flying in low on their approach to Boston Logan International Airport. I will never forget our own landing in Boston. It was absolutely stunning to fly in so low over the harbour. We were so close to the water, in fact, I think Her Ladyship was wondering whether we’d ever hit dry land at all!

Ducks sure get VIP treatment in this town. At the harbour, there is even a duck house laid on for them. It’s a duck’s life! When surveying this peaceful scene it’s hard to imagine the tea dumping going on here back in 1773. Though apparently, nowadays, the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum stages re-enactments of this historical event, with tourists being given replica chests of tea to throw overboard. Now that’s what I call… well, going a bit overboard.

I reluctantly dragged myself away from the harbour and continued the walk with Her Ladyship and Co., this time heading into Little Italy. Now you could really go overboard here – on the food! The shops and restaurants look and smell so inviting. Aw, so much food, so little time…

For once I managed to cut Herself down to size – in the Rose Kennedy Greenway.

I can’t get over how friendly everyone is here. Twice we were asked by police officers with beaming smiles, ‘Howya doin’ today?’, ‘Where ya from?’ And they weren’t just making small talk either. They were genuinely interested in us. Ya gotta love these guys!

Now, here’s proof that I’m not a bird brain: I’ve been to Harvard!

This certainly is a place to study in style. Her Ladyship and her old college pal couldn’t help comparing the grandeur of Harvard University campus with the concrete bunker-style buildings of their alma mater back in Ireland. Though I bet their tuition fees were a wee bit less than the fees at Harvard!

Then again, that’s just an educated guess.