Brrrr!!

It is really cold here - and windy! Not at all conducive to outdoor sightseeing. Today we learned that the Mystic Seaport Museum is closed on Mondays in the winter, so we browsed in the gift shop, bought a few things, and went back to Seamen's Inne for lunch. Today we chose to eat in the tavern since we sat in the dining room yesterday. The menu here is unexpectedly unique, especially for a tourist location. Yesterday I had their excellent lobster bisque followed by Warm Coastal Salad: "House cured pancetta sautéed in Beaver Brook Farm cow’s milk feta cheese vinaigrette, served on wilted cabbage with a grilled focaccia crostini" with grilled shrimp added. Rick also had the bisque and their Warmed Corned Beef Reuben. There was a harpist playing in the lobby, and except for the noisy bunch of ladies also eating there (is this what my friends and I sound like when we're out to eat together?), it was perfect. Today I started with a hot buttered rum - just the thing on a freezing cold day - and then had Grilled Beef Tenderloin Tips (with Gorgonzola fondue, grilled focaccia, baby greens and portobello fries) from their appetizer menu. Another winning selection. Rick had today's lunch special, a roast beef panini, which he also enjoyed. The adept waiter talked us into sharing their "award winning" Chocolate Bread Pudding for dessert.

After lunch we went to the Mystic Aquarium and practically had the place to ourselves, so we took our time and enjoyed watching the Beluga whales, all the varietes of fish and other sea life in the many tanks, the Titanic exhibit, and finally, the seal show.

Now back at the Steamboat Inn, we're again enjoying our cookies and sherry before the fireplace, where we've decided to stay put for the night. It's just too warm, cosy and utterly relaxing here for us to brave the cold again tonight.

Added a few more photos to Flickr.