22nd September 2019 Stonehenge on the way to Heathrow

Destination Stonehenge. While it is raining constantly we follow the audio recording around the area of the stones. 5000 BC how were these stones, 30 tons of weight each managed to be brought from Wales to his location- nobody knows. Why was it built? Once again people surmise, assume but don’t really know.

22nd September 2019 New Forest National Park

Picturesque area with many trees, mainly English oak and beech trees. A national forest, where donkeys, horses and cattle are free to roam. People get special permission to release these animals into the forest.

21st September 2019 Le Havre, France 🇫🇷

Lovely day in Le Havre, watched the second half of the Springboks versus All Blacks in a cafe, Michael cut his hair and we visited Norte Dame of Le Havre and several other Cathedrals. Walked around for a long while to find the funicular- only to find it closed. Lit two candles in two separate Cathedrals to remember Rita, Vovo, Aunty June, Tia Vitoria and all that have gone before us.

20th September 2019 Sea Day

A well deserved sea day with gym and then Zumba, sad as it’s the last class. I really have to get my act together and start some classes. I have so much fun doing Zumba and it’s clearly beneficial with a 77 year old lady and gentleman behind me also having a really good time and in excellent shape.

Go Zumba! Thanks Mark for all the lessons.

Start of the rugby 🏉 World Cup with Japan 🇯🇵 playing Russia 🇷🇺

18 September 2019 Invergordon for Inverness

We walked into the city of Invergordon and caught a train to Inverness, we walked along the river to Loch Ness, soft rain and beautiful scenery, found the Pringle factory and restaurant and bought unique presents. Caught the train back and then walked along Invergordon, history of the area is all around in the buildings, churches and people in kilts and cultural dress. We got back on the ship and there was a show with a bag piper and Scottish dancers - very enjoyable day.

19th September 2019, Edinburgh Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Another tender port and a better tender ride than the previous, where there was s fire alarm and what felt like a huge swell, smashing the tender against the side of the ship with a very indecisive crew - anyway, this ride was much better into a lovely port of Queensferry for Edinburgh, caught the bus to Edinburgh and we walked the royal mile from Calton Hill to Edinburgh Castle where we met Dave, Carol and Kerry. They treated us to an awesome lunch at the Hub a restaurant right in the Castle. Very enjoyable, we caught up on all the news and had a lovely time. Caught the bus back to Queensferry and walked along their main road after which we got back on the tender and back to ship.

17th September 2019 Day at sea

First day at sea passing the isle of Skye and the Hebrides on the way to invergordon for Inverness - ready for a rest with lots of on board entertainment. Made a love knot using two strands of rope, lots of shows and the unwanted but necessary laundry - 3000 people on a boat on approx 5 floors and each floor has 2 washers and 2 dryers, 40mins for each cycle - definitely interesting in time and queues. A formal evening and a really good movie with Dianne Keaton teaching ladies in an old age home to become cheerleaders. Well worth watching.

16th September 2019 Greenock, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Early off the ship and walked to Lemon street to see Rody and Bridy, lovely to see them both and reminiscing about old times in Yeoville. Carried on up the hil to do a 12 km Greenock cut trail. Halfway we got a burger and made friends with a well traveled cruiser. He maintains as does Michelle that TUI is the best cruise line. We will investigate as their smaller boats get into smaller harbours. Countryside similar to our walk across England. Crisp, fresh weather with some rain and some sun.

15th September 2019 Belfast, Northern Ireland

Awesome dead centre walking tour of the troubles in Belfast, Northern Ireland, great guide explaining the incidents at the various places around Belfast, then met up with Michael, Hudge and his brother at the Crown bar. Very festive time with pints of Guinness - very enjoyable beer.

14 September 2019 Liverpool, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

The Beatles experience wow, amazing walking through only 7 years of history that brought about huge amount of music innovation. They were artists, yet incredibly hard working producing more that 3 songs in a day. We met Michelle and Brian outside and walked to the Cavern, the renewed club where the Beatles had played, what an experience- so much fun with awesome company. Walked to lunch and after catching up with pictures from Aunty Kaths trips to South Africa, we returned back to the ship. Every day has been a day to remember.

Dublin, Ireland 🇮🇪 13 September 2019

A walking tour through Dublin, learning about the history and difficulties of the Irish. A peaceful people by nature forced to fight due to famine and strife for autonomy. Trinity University, famous for many scholars and authors was open only to Protestant males, recently both catholics and females have graduated from this prestigious establishment. We walked to the start of the tour along the river and realized that the recession has passed with much building and improvements.

Cork, Ireland 🇮🇪 12 September 2019

Walked around a gorgeous town influenced by the loss of the Titanic. We followed the Titanic experience and understood the absolute devastation of the famine in Ireland, the reason for the great exodus of the Irish to the New World. The people of Cork that were the last to board the Titanic are remembered in stories that are passed on by the guides, keeping them alive, ensuring they are not forgotten. In the afternoon we walked up Blarney Castle and kissed the Blarney Stone, ensuring our eloquence for times to come.

 

11 September 2019 Guernsey 🇬🇬

A welcome party of  ladies that look after visitors to Guernsey, they remembered Michaels question about the jersey that he wished to buy and quizzed him about it on the return to the boat, so pleased that he had purchased this heirloom. Hand knitted by ‘tricadores’ it has a lifetime warranty. We went to see the castle on the beach. A fortress well restored and managed in the current day but left to the had of invaders at several period in history by the current ruling nation due to the difficulty in getting people to the area.

09 September 2019 Cruise 🚢 around the UK

Port Elizabeth airport departure to Johannesburg 18:35 and then Johannesburg to London at 22.30 very well planned. Arriving in London in the morning for the transfer to Southampton and the boarding of the Crown Princess at 12:00. Very happy and grateful to be cruising again. All the dresses are packed and ready for served dinners and formal evenings. Going back to an age of gentlemen and ladies, beautiful staircases and surrounding shop floors. Cannot wait!