Day 08

After a long but not great kip, I woke up this morning with a sore back thanks to the Ho Jo beds. I hobbled around for a few minutes and then set off on the road for another run. I ended up staying out for 54 minutes, not so much because I wanted to run for that long but more because I wanted to see Newport. I ran into town and across to Goat Island to check out the view and get a glimpse of the Newport Bridge. Then I ran a bit further south before turning back towards the hotel. Paulo decided to go for a swim and a whirlpool instead of the run.

We checked out and drove the 1/4 mile to IHOP for breakfast. For the third day in a row I was stunned by how much food you are given in restaurants in this country. It really shows how much my lifestyle has changed in the last ten years since I moved to Dublin. I ordered the 'sampler' but changed the three pancake option for toast and still could not finish it. After 2.5 cups of blick coffee I was a bit wired and ready to take on the day.

We drove back into town and over to Goat Island to check out the views and the boats docked there. Then, we parked up and strolled around the main strip, Bowens Wharf and Bannister's Wharf taking in the sights and sounds of Newport. It really is a nice part of the world and wouldn't be a bad place to spend the long, lazy days of summer chilling out.

Newport Bridge

Bowens Wharf

Next we drove across town to check out the cliff walk. We parked right next to the most famous part - the Forty Steps. The steps mark the spot where workers and servants from the mansions along the cliffs would meet and socialise. They are quite steep and lead to a balcony that provides great views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Forty Steps



View from The Forty Steps

The Cliff Walk

We spent the rest of the afternoon doing laundry and then driving the 200 or so miles from Newport to Morristown NJ to spend the night with friends of Paulos. We hit some traffic but were welcomed with a fantastic meal and spent the night chatting and drinking.