Glad I did it, used my 2005 timeshare week to host the grandkids in Newport for New Year’s Eve weekend.
We stayed at the Wellington, which is on Newport Harbor. The accommodations were not as nice as my “home” timeshare, Newport Overlook, but there were a few big advantages: a heated indoor pool, a fireplace, and close proximity to all the action in Newport.
The kids got their initiation to the true pleasures of Newport with a visit to Newport Creamery and an introduction to their specialty frappes, Awful Awfuls (Awful Big, Awful Good). They enjoyed them so much that the next day, James asked if we could go back for more “Waffle Waffles”.
Bob and Emme noticed with delight that the resort is on Thames (prounounced “TAMES”) Street, my nickname for James. James was pleased to hear that the island across the Bay has a village called Jamestown (“I own a town!”) When I referred incorrectly to the Newport bridge as the Jamestown bridge, he exclaimed “I own a bridge!”
The kids enjoyed their visit to Marble House, and especially the houses on Ocean Drive. Bob was pleased to see that one estate, which he called a “Castle House”, was for sale, and he referred to it thereafter as HIS castle house. Emme and James picked out other high-priced properties as their favorites, and it was sweet that they all decided they wanted to live next door to each other.
We lit a Duraflame and had a festive New Year’s celebration, with snacks, hats and strawberry soda in plastic champagne glasses, about the closest I could come to Shirley Temples.
It had started snowing, but the City of Newport put on their annual fireworks anyway, and we had a great view from the resort.
I had to bring the kids back to the Cape the next morning, but we had a fantastic visit, and Bonnie and Peter (not to mention Max) seemed to enjoy their short break.
A happy start to the year.