Howdy Folks! I'm Stateside and it's grrrrrreat! It's very ,very busy here in Boston but I love it that way. There's so much to see and do, I hope Mrs. O'Bear is up to it. She mentioned to me that this stopover would be busy and "hands on". Right every time! I am being hoodwinked into hard work again and again - I'm just too willing. I'll have to do a relaxation course to learn how to find a better work /play balance. I'll bring Theresa on the course with me too.

Boston is an amazing city. It is famous for everything from the Red Sox and Paul Revere to "Cheers" (for those older readers among you) and Clam "Chowdah" (the Bostonian way to say chowder). It's a really great place to visit if you're interested in history or if you want to go sightseeing in the modern metropolis. What I liked so much was how easy it was to get around - either on foot or on the user-friendly public transport system, called the T. The famous "Freedom Trail", a well preserved pedestrian path weaves its way in and out of historic neighbourhoods from Boston Common and Public Gardens to the gold-domed State House and Fenway Park , home of the Boston Red Sox. In fact we went to a Red Sox game and we had uber satisfactory seats right behind the home plate.

If it's culture you want there are world-class museums, theatres and music venues. For family visits Boston has a wonderful aquarium, children's museum and science museum.There's great shopping in Newbury Street and Theresa made sure I was given a brand new kit for my cross-Atlantic voyage. I got new specs too and some much needed all-weather gear.I had to undergo a major kit check before I left the port. The Green Dragon Crew, and Guo Chuan in particular really ,care about me. They certainly don't want a little furry bear like me arriving in Galway with a heavy cold! So, eventually , I had a knapsack full of extra woolly jumpers and new specs to protect my little bear eyes. Cool Dude comes to mind!


Boston was buzzing and I met some great people. The Good Food Ireland folks were so nice. It's lovely to get a taste of Ireland every now and then. Sometimes when I'm falling asleep I start to count Irish sausages and rashers sizzling on the pan. And then I start to recite (in my sleep , so I've been told by Mrs.O'B) the sausage rhyme that Ms. Wickliffe at Walterstown N.S. taught me many many years ago. You know the one ......"Five fat sausages frying on the pan, Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle ...One went BANG!!" Oh Roll on Galway and an overdose of the good old Irish breakfast. Mmmmmmmmmmmm


I met the Mancussi-Ungaro family from Marblehead too and they gave me a fabulous book to bring back home. It's a very popular children's book here and it's called "Make Way for Ducklings" by Robert McCloskey. I can't wait to read it with my classmates in school. I know they'll love it. They're such good readers in Walterstown. Another new friend is Christopher from San Diego. We really got along so well. He helped myself and Theresa to set up shop at the Green Dragon stand. It'll be sad to say goodbye to such nice friends but I'm sure we'll stay in touch. Christopher says he'll follow my progress across the Atlantic on www.greendragonracing.com So friends are only a click away.


Did you know I made it into the Irish Times recently? Oh yes I did! There I was with the Mayor of Galway - he's Pádraig too - and my dear friend and crew member Guo Chuan , having a heart-to-heart before leaving Boston Harbour. I assured him I have very good sea legs and am great on the helm. (I do hope I won't get tangled up in the spinnaker this time - a small bear could get lost among all those sails you know.)


So, dear friends, I'm ready for the crossing to Galway. I hope the weather will be on our side and that we'll make a good race of it. I have all my credentials in place and a new set of business cards for my fans when I meet them in Galway. Oh I'm getting so giddy about coming home.

Slán go foil and beidh mé ag faire amach dibh i nGaillimh.

Pádraig