Thursday, May 7, 2009
From the White Cliffs to London
Saturday May 2
Dover England The majestic white cliffs of Dover and the Dover Castle looms over the bay. Today again we are treated to a drive thru the country side on the way to London. Fields of hops, cows, sheep, and grain. Very lush looking. We see their high speed train and where the tunnel starts in going under the English Channel. Once we get into London the sites are like from England’s Who’s Who. First stop is the Tower of London and associated castles. Unfortunately famous for the public executions and executions of some of Henry’s wives. Then we saw the Tower bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, Winchester (oops Westminster) Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, changing of its guard, Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, Number 10 Downing street, the Thames River, Bank of England, Lloyds of London, Jack the Rippers stomping grounds, Bob Hopes home, Charlie Chaplin’s digs, Harry Potter’s movie sets, and even the building that was home to the tea company where all the tea came from for the Boston Tea Party and many other sites. It’s like going to Washington DC where the national everything is. The variety and number of double decker buses is amazing. We were on our own for lunch and stumbled into a little café in some old storage caverns under the city streets. Had some great pasta in this romantic little hide away. On our way out we wind thru an old walled factory neighborhood where many thousands worked and lived in factory owned housing but now its posh digs for the rich and famous.
Sunday May 3rd
LeHavre France: Decided to take a day off since we were just here and played some ping pong and did some reading. Sue did some laundry and logging.
Dover England The majestic white cliffs of Dover and the Dover Castle looms over the bay. Today again we are treated to a drive thru the country side on the way to London. Fields of hops, cows, sheep, and grain. Very lush looking. We see their high speed train and where the tunnel starts in going under the English Channel. Once we get into London the sites are like from England’s Who’s Who. First stop is the Tower of London and associated castles. Unfortunately famous for the public executions and executions of some of Henry’s wives. Then we saw the Tower bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, Winchester (oops Westminster) Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, changing of its guard, Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, Number 10 Downing street, the Thames River, Bank of England, Lloyds of London, Jack the Rippers stomping grounds, Bob Hopes home, Charlie Chaplin’s digs, Harry Potter’s movie sets, and even the building that was home to the tea company where all the tea came from for the Boston Tea Party and many other sites. It’s like going to Washington DC where the national everything is. The variety and number of double decker buses is amazing. We were on our own for lunch and stumbled into a little café in some old storage caverns under the city streets. Had some great pasta in this romantic little hide away. On our way out we wind thru an old walled factory neighborhood where many thousands worked and lived in factory owned housing but now its posh digs for the rich and famous.
Sunday May 3rd
LeHavre France: Decided to take a day off since we were just here and played some ping pong and did some reading. Sue did some laundry and logging.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Calvados area of France, near LaHavre
Thursday April 30
Day at sea-Had a little last choir member get together-Some cherry Swiss cake and coffee. Everyone wanted to express what a big part of the trip the choir was. Kind of a dress up night for captain’s farewell and formal night for dinner.
Friday May 1
LeHavre France: Today the adventure takes us thru the rolling Norman countryside to Chateau du Breuil which is a Calvados (apple brandy) distillery. Takes 15 years of blending and aging. We had a sample of the 41% Calvados and 6% apple cider. I sure got talkative after that. Our next taste bud experience was sampling some soft French cheese, hard bread and apple pie with rich Norman cream. I think I could go on the road with this stuff. I think I’m starting to get a French accent and have a desire to paint. The whole setting is quite picturesque with a creek, huge old trees and gardens. Then on to Honfleur, a 15th century fishing village that seems to have missed the destruction of WWII. Here is a walled harbor about the size of two football fields surrounded on three sides by shops and winding little streets radiating from there. The town’s folks were celebrating May Day so it was a bee hive of activity, music, and color. Many people eating large bowls of mussels in the shell. Really looked good--GAG!.This is home to the explorer Champlain. I felt so romantic I bought Sue some street vendor fresh made praline covered peanuts. What a guy. Back to the ship for our trip across the English Channel to Dover.
Day at sea-Had a little last choir member get together-Some cherry Swiss cake and coffee. Everyone wanted to express what a big part of the trip the choir was. Kind of a dress up night for captain’s farewell and formal night for dinner.
Friday May 1
LeHavre France: Today the adventure takes us thru the rolling Norman countryside to Chateau du Breuil which is a Calvados (apple brandy) distillery. Takes 15 years of blending and aging. We had a sample of the 41% Calvados and 6% apple cider. I sure got talkative after that. Our next taste bud experience was sampling some soft French cheese, hard bread and apple pie with rich Norman cream. I think I could go on the road with this stuff. I think I’m starting to get a French accent and have a desire to paint. The whole setting is quite picturesque with a creek, huge old trees and gardens. Then on to Honfleur, a 15th century fishing village that seems to have missed the destruction of WWII. Here is a walled harbor about the size of two football fields surrounded on three sides by shops and winding little streets radiating from there. The town’s folks were celebrating May Day so it was a bee hive of activity, music, and color. Many people eating large bowls of mussels in the shell. Really looked good--GAG!.This is home to the explorer Champlain. I felt so romantic I bought Sue some street vendor fresh made praline covered peanuts. What a guy. Back to the ship for our trip across the English Channel to Dover.
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