Our cruise ship, The Jewel of the Seas, as seen from the tender boats departing from Plymouth, England.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Our Ship
Our cruise ship, The Jewel of the Seas, as seen from the tender boats departing from Plymouth, England.
Dartmoor Pics 3
These wild ponies are also native to the area. Their full height is about 4 ft tall. This one has a foal.
Dartmoor Pics 2
A black-faced ram. This type of sheep is native to Dartmoor and roams wild over the moors and across properties.
Dartmoor Pics 1
A view from the tour bus of foggy Dartmoor, the inspiration for Doyle's "Hounds of the Baskervilles".
Port Racine, France pic
The smallest port in France named for the playwright who once lived in the area.
Grevile, France Pics Part 1
In Grevile, the birthplace of painter J. F. Millet posing with his statue.
Friday, September 15, 2006
System Up!
After some "safe-mode" troubleshooting, I got my laptop working again.
I'd just spoke to guest services and returned the Internet cable for my room when the system came back.
When I begged for the cable back I told them Mom fixed the computer while I'd been talking to them.
If Mom could have fixed it she would have. She was more distressed than I about our blog being disrupted as this would have necessitated writing many postcards.
Anyway, we have some pics to post.
I'd just spoke to guest services and returned the Internet cable for my room when the system came back.
When I begged for the cable back I told them Mom fixed the computer while I'd been talking to them.
If Mom could have fixed it she would have. She was more distressed than I about our blog being disrupted as this would have necessitated writing many postcards.
Anyway, we have some pics to post.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Dale and Mom Status Update
Mom went back to the ship this afternoon. I stayed on to find a Mac system software disc and check out St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Of course, we both want to do everything on the ship, but there is not nearly enough time.
Mom's not used to such busy days. I'm not used to eating so much cheese.
Cork is our next stop with the longest shore excursion of our cruise, the Waterford Crystal tour, a whopping nine hours.
I think we'll probably skip the late show in the theatre tonight and rest up.
Our first day at sea will be a relief. We're both getting spa treatments in the am and eating on our own at the Italian restuarant on board in the pm.
If I find an Internet Cafe in Saint John that will probably be my next login
Of course, we both want to do everything on the ship, but there is not nearly enough time.
Mom's not used to such busy days. I'm not used to eating so much cheese.
Cork is our next stop with the longest shore excursion of our cruise, the Waterford Crystal tour, a whopping nine hours.
I think we'll probably skip the late show in the theatre tonight and rest up.
Our first day at sea will be a relief. We're both getting spa treatments in the am and eating on our own at the Italian restuarant on board in the pm.
If I find an Internet Cafe in Saint John that will probably be my next login
Dublin Castle
We saw Dublin Castle today. The rooms were all very spectacular, featuring rococo plaster ceilings, antique chairs, browned lacquer portraits, and gilded pillars.
We saw a room where heads of state slept. Someone asked our guide to name some notable visitors. "Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan slept here - not together, of course. And Bill and Hillary Clinton slept here - together surprisingly."
Mom and I both enjoyed the Castles collection of Louis the fourteenth chairs upholstered with tapestry illustrating Aesop's fables.
On the way out, we were hustled aside as the Irish President was approaching. She got out of her car and we glimpsed her at close range for a second before she glided into the fortress.
On the way back to the coach, several Amercians expressed surprise at the low level of security.
A Finish man said, "If you could not approach her as an ordinary person, she could never get elected in Europe."
The man behind him on the coach said, "That's the problem in America - they're ordinary people until they get elected."
We saw a room where heads of state slept. Someone asked our guide to name some notable visitors. "Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan slept here - not together, of course. And Bill and Hillary Clinton slept here - together surprisingly."
Mom and I both enjoyed the Castles collection of Louis the fourteenth chairs upholstered with tapestry illustrating Aesop's fables.
On the way out, we were hustled aside as the Irish President was approaching. She got out of her car and we glimpsed her at close range for a second before she glided into the fortress.
On the way back to the coach, several Amercians expressed surprise at the low level of security.
A Finish man said, "If you could not approach her as an ordinary person, she could never get elected in Europe."
The man behind him on the coach said, "That's the problem in America - they're ordinary people until they get elected."
Plymouth and Dartmoor
We arrived in Plymouth on Wednesday where we took tender boats to shore.
Our tour took us through the Devon countryside to Dartmoor. Yellow gorse, pink heather and ferns colored the sides of the road.
The farms in the hilly Devon region divide along hedges, which, as accidental wildlife refuges, are federally protected and cannot be altered. The grass is brilliantly green. Mom said it really looked like the green in a crayon box.
Once we got to Dartmoor, black faced sheep and wild Dartmoor ponies could be seen grazing everywhere. The ponies and sheep are "owned" by local interests, and are tagged once a year, but they are left to graze and roam and never culled.
We passed Princeton, where Arthur Conan Doyle was inspired to write "The Hounds of the Baskervilles" among the moss covered heaps of extruded rock.
Finally, the Dartmoor Inn served us a cream tea.
As the tea was layed out, but our table was reluctant to dig in, I assumed the role of "mother" and poured tea for the group. The Dartmoor Inn bakes their exceptionally light scones in a outdoor woodstove at the entrance to the property.
Just before we left, some ponies and sheep began grazing on the West end of the property. You can get close enough to touch them, but they kick. Don't ask how I found that out.
Our tour took us through the Devon countryside to Dartmoor. Yellow gorse, pink heather and ferns colored the sides of the road.
The farms in the hilly Devon region divide along hedges, which, as accidental wildlife refuges, are federally protected and cannot be altered. The grass is brilliantly green. Mom said it really looked like the green in a crayon box.
Once we got to Dartmoor, black faced sheep and wild Dartmoor ponies could be seen grazing everywhere. The ponies and sheep are "owned" by local interests, and are tagged once a year, but they are left to graze and roam and never culled.
We passed Princeton, where Arthur Conan Doyle was inspired to write "The Hounds of the Baskervilles" among the moss covered heaps of extruded rock.
Finally, the Dartmoor Inn served us a cream tea.
As the tea was layed out, but our table was reluctant to dig in, I assumed the role of "mother" and poured tea for the group. The Dartmoor Inn bakes their exceptionally light scones in a outdoor woodstove at the entrance to the property.
Just before we left, some ponies and sheep began grazing on the West end of the property. You can get close enough to touch them, but they kick. Don't ask how I found that out.
Let's Eat!
We have a dinner table for six on the ship. Cathy and Nick are a Canadian couple. Dick and his wife (Betsy, whose name Mom couldn't remember for some reason) are from outside Washington D.C. All are about Mom's age or a little younger. We get along well.
The serving staff is very attentive. Cathy who is slight never eats too much but they load her up with food anyway.
Mom ate fish every night except last night, our first formal evening, when filet mignon was served. The satifying vegetarian meals included a vertically stacked Eggplant Parmesian and a large Pumpkin Curry pastry served with asparagus.
For breakfast and lunch there are a variety of place to eat on the ship, including the dining room, although almost no one uses the dining room before the dinner seatings.
The serving staff is very attentive. Cathy who is slight never eats too much but they load her up with food anyway.
Mom ate fish every night except last night, our first formal evening, when filet mignon was served. The satifying vegetarian meals included a vertically stacked Eggplant Parmesian and a large Pumpkin Curry pastry served with asparagus.
For breakfast and lunch there are a variety of place to eat on the ship, including the dining room, although almost no one uses the dining room before the dinner seatings.
Cherbourg Mon Cheri
Another day of unbelievably beautiful weather greeted us in Cherbourg where we went on our first shore excursion Tuesday.
We toured of the West Coast of Normandy. Our first stop, the small village where painter J.F. Millet was born. Next, Port Racine, the smallest port in France named for the playwright who lived nearby.
We had a photo op at a lighthouse and climbed a Norman heath from which one could see several islands belonging to Britian.
Mom spoke for a long while with our tour guide who lives in the middle of Normandy with her boyfriend. She said their ritual was to come to the restaurant on the heath, and have a crepe with the wind rushing by. It was clear she was passionate about the area.
We toured of the West Coast of Normandy. Our first stop, the small village where painter J.F. Millet was born. Next, Port Racine, the smallest port in France named for the playwright who lived nearby.
We had a photo op at a lighthouse and climbed a Norman heath from which one could see several islands belonging to Britian.
Mom spoke for a long while with our tour guide who lives in the middle of Normandy with her boyfriend. She said their ritual was to come to the restaurant on the heath, and have a crepe with the wind rushing by. It was clear she was passionate about the area.
Meltdown
We've not updated recently as my computer melted down somewhere between Britian and Ireland.
I'll post a few anecdotes to keep you all in the loop, but pics are probably not forthcoming.
You can find an Apple system software disc laying on the street in San Francisco, but nowhere in Dublin, apparently....
I'll post a few anecdotes to keep you all in the loop, but pics are probably not forthcoming.
You can find an Apple system software disc laying on the street in San Francisco, but nowhere in Dublin, apparently....
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Embarcation Day
After a three-hour transfer through the English countryside Monday, we arrived at the port of Harwich and boarded the boat.
Our cabin is layed out differently than we expected. More favorably in many ways.
It's as big as some suites on other ships, but not nearly as long. The balcony is roomy enough for two to comfortably sit with a table between them. I've spread out on the desk. The bathroom was perhaps the best surprise, roomy and clean with blue tiles and circular shower stall featuring sliding doors.
We took in the "Welcome Aboard" show which featured a juggler/commedian I'd seen on my very first cruise.
Our cabin is layed out differently than we expected. More favorably in many ways.
It's as big as some suites on other ships, but not nearly as long. The balcony is roomy enough for two to comfortably sit with a table between them. I've spread out on the desk. The bathroom was perhaps the best surprise, roomy and clean with blue tiles and circular shower stall featuring sliding doors.
We took in the "Welcome Aboard" show which featured a juggler/commedian I'd seen on my very first cruise.
Asia De Cuba Dinner
My friends Stefan and Troy joined us for dinner Sunday night at the hotel restaurant.
Troy is from Australia and Stefan is from Sweden although they both live in London now, so we discussed immigration and our native dinner traditions.
Mom's favorite was the lobster mashed potatoes. I enjoyed the Mu Shu tortilla pancakes with mint and goat milk sauce.
At the end of the night, my camera batteries failed. I took a picture of my three dining companions with my cell phone to be posted when we return to the US.
Troy is from Australia and Stefan is from Sweden although they both live in London now, so we discussed immigration and our native dinner traditions.
Mom's favorite was the lobster mashed potatoes. I enjoyed the Mu Shu tortilla pancakes with mint and goat milk sauce.
At the end of the night, my camera batteries failed. I took a picture of my three dining companions with my cell phone to be posted when we return to the US.
Monday, September 11, 2006
"Rock N Roll"
Sunday afternoon we attended a matinee of the new Tom Stoppard play across the street from our hotel at the Duke of York's Theatre.
Sinead Cusack stood out. She portrayed both a mother and her daughter over the course of the play's twenty two year timetable.
The production used music cues to mark passages in the character's lives and in the social life of Prague before and immediately after the Velvet Revolution
Sinead Cusack stood out. She portrayed both a mother and her daughter over the course of the play's twenty two year timetable.
The production used music cues to mark passages in the character's lives and in the social life of Prague before and immediately after the Velvet Revolution
Pub Lunch
We had lunch Sunday at one of Britian's oldest pubs, the Lamb and Flag, parts of which have been around since the 17th century.
I asked for a Ploughman's Lunch which featured a generous wedge of Stilton Cheese. Mom said she'd served as much Stilton to her friends at a bridge party. I took it as a dare. I consumed about 3/4ths before "giving in".
I asked for a Ploughman's Lunch which featured a generous wedge of Stilton Cheese. Mom said she'd served as much Stilton to her friends at a bridge party. I took it as a dare. I consumed about 3/4ths before "giving in".
Getting Lost
A planned journey through Regents Park went arwy when I led us down the wrong side of the Grand Canal.
I first knew we were lost when we found a place that was open Sunday before noon. They also sold me four double A batteries for 2 pounds - about half the going rate downtown.
When we finally gave up, a pair of men on a bench with thick accents were powerless to direct us. We’d walked all the way to a much more native and less scenic part of London called Shepard’s Bush.
Trafalgar Pic
Mom took great pictures on this trip. Dad used to jinx her photographic efforts saying she always cut off the subject’s head.
The pigeons are not as numerous in Trafalgar square as they once were, but they still leave quite an impact. When I stood up I discovered my hand was in some of it here.
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