Shelter Island – Day 1

Yesterday we were in Scarborough that was enjoying, if that is the correct word, some appalling end of summer weather. Today we have been relaxing on Shelter Island at the northern tip of Long Island, in 80 degree sunshine.

We had briefly come across Shelter Island during a road trip in the Eastern US last year. Then at the back end of September we had enjoyed sitting on a deserted beach, munching a sandwich and watching the world go by. It so took our fancy that we have rented a house for two weeks, it was a calculated gamble as it was direct with the owner rather than through an agency as we use when we travel to France.

It turned out to be as idyllic as we had hoped. There is a lovely shaded porch overlooking and creek on which we have sat for most of the day. The house is well equipped and very comfortable so that we can fulfil our ambition of relaxing and reading. I have included a photo of Marion doing just that.

 The island itself has a huge number of vacation houses and weekend homes. It is only 80 miles from New York so I guess it is popular with people escaping the heat of the city at this time of the year. It is less trendy that the Hamptons and has a more down to earth feel. The only way on or off is by ferry making it seem beautifully isolated.

We do like the relaxed pace of life here, yet one that has the convenience of being able to purchase a good coffee easily.

As this weekend is Labor Day weekend everything is fairly busy, however we expect things to quieten down on Tuesday when the schools return. Then we may get out and do some exploring. Meanwhile it seems about as far from Scarborough as you can be.