Scott finds Heaven on Earth

The marina is on a peninsula and the town center is across the way, serviced by small ferries that run on the ½ hour (1 pound each way).

The ferry lands in an old area of downtown called the Barbicon, which turns out to be where a certain ship (the Mayflower) left for America.

The departure point is marked with an arch and some nice stainless steel work, every American that visits here will have had a photo taken of them standing there with an awed expression on their face.

Unfortunately, it turns out that the commemorative spot was underwater during that period in history (later backfilled)...my guess is they are still a bit pissed off that we stole an entire country from them and this is a nasty inside joke that they are playing on unsuspecting patriotic Americans!

Glad I learned that bit before I put a picture of myself standing there on this blog...I hate being taken for a fool by foreigners in their own country!

Since this was a major naval base during WWII (as it is in the present), the Germans bombed much of it flat, I'm not sure if the Barbicon has been reconstructed, just missed or had no military significance.

But I digress...

As we went looking about the town (read seeking a pub) we stumbled on the Plymouth Gin factory!!!!!!!

They had a bar upstairs and Bill and Armando watched in awe as I took the stairs 3 steps at a time at a dead run!

I reached the top, not even out of breath and came into a beautiful old church like (to me anyway) arch roofed room with original beams and the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on (besides Diane) standing behind the bar ready to make me a perfect dry martini...in clear sight of the gin vats!

I knew right then the tide had turned and things were starting to go my way.

I inquired about lodging there and they are checking that out with management.