St Patrick’s Day in Charleston

Nana and Nandad went to Mass at St Patrick’s so although we did not hear any Irish music we did get the history of St Patrick from the bishop of Charleston. Once again the whole process took an hour and a half and we also got to celebrate one of the parishioners 101 birthday. A very welcoming and inviting celebration - I must say the southern like their gatherings. 

Our carraige ride ( Old South Carriage ) was a wonderful experience. Who would have thought that over 40 horses are in stables right downtown- and very nice ones. The horses work hard and if we are to believe the information provided by the company they uphold equine excellence. They use Belgian and Percheron draft horses, most come from Amish working farms. Our horse Noah was under the expert guidance of Carol and had festive hooves to celebrate the day. 

We had lunch at Henry’s on the Market which has been a Restaurant Bar & Music Hall for many decades. Although there was no live music when we were there it looks like a very cool place to hang out with an upstairs whiskey lounge and upper deck patio. Nandad had the corned beef and cabbage which he enjoyed. 

One of the many homes with beautiful gas light lanterns, wonderful side portico and ornate fencing. 

A tour of the beautifully restored 1808 Nathaniel Russell House Museum with a docent provided excellent cultural history, information on architectural features and the recent exposed archaeological work taking place in the Kitchen House. A beautiful formal garden provided the perfect spot for reflection with wonderful aroma wafting through the air. From March 14th to April 14th The Charleston Festival, which is the Historic Charleston Foundation’s main fundraiser , has several events including private homes and garden tours, workshops, lectures and concerts on the calander. We take a stroll down Church St and Broad St and feast our eyes with Charleston’s history from Colonial dwellings to Georgian gardens and historic churches ( Charleston don’t forget is after all the Holy City ). Some homes are in the process of restoration while others await attention. Nana can’t imagine the coast of restoring a home in these areas!

We take a drive to Sullivan Island to briefly visit Fort Moultrie and then head back to New Horizon. 

Monday 18th It’s time to bring NH into the slip where she will stay for at least a month. The throttle obliged without slipping and the rest of the day was spent cleaning, doing laundry, contacting and meeting the mechanic, arranging for the diver to clean the bottom, and also an electrician to check the solenoids and the trims. 

We have had a wonderful adventure and now ready for some family time. No more blog for now. A Happy Easter to all.