Travelling

We are going off the island!

Where are we going? Well, you will have to see but we have missed seeing the grandchildren since we last got off the rock in the very early part of March 2020 so that must be a bit of a clue. What have I been doing in the last 15 months? Apart from capturing sunsets at the wonderfully photogenic Port Erin (see above), I have been through all my old photographs that had been taken using film as…

This year’s production was Peter Pan which was fitting being as it was the 90th anniversary of Peter Pan author JM Barrie gifting the rights to the Peter Pan books to the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital (GOSH) in London.

I am of course biased as the Director is my daughter, Mel who has being directing or at least at the forefront of producing the shows for probably 12 years and never tires of it.

The cast includes many children who audition as early as July for the start of rehearsals beginning in September and for the show that is the 1st week of December. (I have not included any pictures of the children but I can assure you they were wonderful)

Mel as a crocodile

Tickets always sell out fast and this year was no exception. There were some memorable performances from the cast, the usual deliberate (and perhaps not so deliberate) mistakes and of course we hope that it gives the youngsters confidence in the coming years whether they be on the stage as actors, dancers, singers, stage management or even just in their adult life.

I was not involved on stage but as father of the director still had a lot to do including taking tickets at the door – not as easy as it sounds believe me.

As it was a special Panto we took advantage of the Isle of Man’s recently issued Commemorative 50p coins and each cast member was presented with an uncirculated coin in an especially designed presentation pack.

2020’s Panto is the 30th Anniversary one so we are hoping for some extra special entertainment.

Monday 7 October

We haven’t really had a holiday since our cruise for a number of reasons and as we had originally meant to call in on Cyprus on our cruise earlier this year (the port was dropped from the itinerary a month or so before we set sail) we thought we should give it a try as we had never been there.

After our weekend in London with the family and a stay overnight at the Holiday Inn at Gatwick where we could leave our car we utilised the services of Special Assistance as we both are suffering from walking issues at the moment.

Whilst the Special Assistance service is good at Gatwick’s South terminal as well as at the airline (BA in this case) there appears to be little joined up service between the two so you have to ask twice.

#gallery-0-21 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-21 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-0-21 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-21 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Hotel Louis Ivi Mare

Inside the Hotel Louis Ivi Mare

This is the first time we have flown BA with the newish catering arrangements and although we noticed the M & S food was not particularly pricey on the plane, it certainly was cheaper land side.

Our flight to Paphos left from Gate 38 so we were grateful for the Special Assistance team and their mobility carts as Gate 38 is just under a mile from the main seating area of South Terminal.

Our four hour flight was on time and the only issue I had was with coffee – a coffee bag you put into a cup of hot water – which ended up being a bit of a “bitty” drink. The assistance at Paphos was made stress free with their assistance although the car rental was slow.

I was not sure about how I would get to the hotel as my Sat Nav didn’t cover Cyprus and it was dark when we arrived but armed with directions to the hotel on my phone and a good sense of direction, we only had one hiccup as one road was closed which caused a slight diversion.

We are staying this week in the Louis Ivi Mare Hotel which is modern and only opened in May this year. First impressions were favourable although it was in the dark.

Avios Georgia Church

Latsi Beach

Tuesday 8 October

We drive out today after a very filling breakfast to Avios Georgia’s church for a drinks stop – iced coffee – then on to Latsi Beach for lunch and ice cream.

Just because it is there, we take the long drag up to Kathikas from the coast road and are rewarded with some lovely views, some very quiet areas and lots of banana trees.

We are on half board and the buffet tonight has a Greek theme and there was nothing wrong with that especially as a glass of wine is included along with a bottle of still water.

It was quite amusing to hear a waitress struggle with a fellow guest and his Vegan dietary requirements.

This is not a hotel just for the British, many languages are spoken and all age groups (except school aged children as it was during school time) represented.

Louis Ivi Mare Pool

The pool is almost a boomerang shape and does have a life guard although he doubles up as a towel provider setting out the towels in nice neat rolls for the many loungers (there seem to be ample) around the pool.

Being new, the privacy between the pool and the beach walkway is non existent at the moment but the planting has been done and within a few years a nice hedge will separate the walkway from the hotel grounds.

An uncrowded pool

Wednesday 9 October

Today we head out towards Larnaca stopping for a photo at Aphrodite’s rock, find the hotel that our friends Pete and Lorraine stay at and have a lovely coffee at the nearby old village of Pissouri.

Pissouri Village

Back along the Motorway towards Paphos to find the old town but there are so many roadworks and limited parking we only manage a 30 minute stay and a brief look around some of the shops.

The buffet section at the hotel for dinner is excellent again tonight which is why it is always the most crowded, our advice: get there by 6:45 pm to get a good front row seat to watch (tonight anyway) a fabulous sunset.

Sunset from our dining room table

On staff recommendation watch a jazz band in an upstairs lounge – they were good.

Thursday 10 October

A lazy day with only a longer visit to Paphos for a coffee and a brief walk to Agia Kyriaka Chrysopolitissa church (our friends’ son was married there a few years ago).

Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa, Paphos

The church is one of the earliest Christian Churches, dating back to the visit of St. Paul in AD 49. One of the pillars outside the church is Paul’s Pillar where he was scourged.

The present Church contains beautiful icons, it is used by several denominations including Catholic and Anglicans.

The heat is taking it’s toll on us although I do manage a swim again and a dry off in the sun.

Dinner in the buffet section tonight followed by a walk to St Thomas’ Church at the end of the walkway.

This is a recently built church but with old features so that it looks as though it was built many years ago.

The ceiling in particular is spectacular but so difficult to photograph as I didn’t have my wide angle lens.

Outside and the ceiling inside the church

Friday 11 October

Not so sunny today to start with but better later as we venture into the mountains with a drive up to Troodos with a stop in the pretty but popular (with tourists) village of Omodos for lunch and a brief look around the Timios Stravos Monastery intermingling with a French speaking tour.

Omodos village

Timios Stavros Monastery

On the way down from Omodos and the Troodos Mountains, we miss the turning back to Paphos as many of the non motorway roads have little pre turn signage, and our detour takes in some new sights and villages not seen before we get back on the road to the Motorway.

Toodros Mountains

Saturday 12 October

Our last day in Cyprus with just some pottering around but with temperatures now up to a lunchtime 35C, it was too hot to do very much other than a cool walk around the market with some discount on some beauty products ( €75 down to €25 ).

Assistance at Airport again excellent, flight again full and on time and whilst assistance at Gatwick was good, we were abandoned by the assistance support at Baggage reclaim. We had to make our own way to the hotel bus which thankfully came along quite quickly.

A bit of a shock to the system (35C in Cyprus to 11C when we arrived in the UK).

Sunday 13 October

A drive up to Nick & Ute in Cambridge for a lovely lunch and catch up and a drive to the Crowne Plaza at Stratford upon Avon in much improved weather. Hasn’t their son, Paul grown!

We booked on the assumption we would get there late and so included access to the Club Lounge which came with some drinks and snacks, useful for tonight and breakfasts.

A paper bottle of shampoo

It is nice to see that the hotel chain has ditched the individual plastic bottles of toiletries for a cardboard based one although single use water bottles are still used – it is a step in the right direction though.

Monday 14 October

A tradition for this day is to meet up with Phillip & Sylvia but they were not able to meet up until lunchtime which left us time for a short walk before it started to rain quite heavily for the rest of the day.

Dinner in The Lamb Restaurant conveniently situated a few roads away from the hotel in Sheep Street.

Tuesday 15 October

Ferry home to have a week in order to prepare for a week in Jersey with the family looking after our grandson, Harry after our visit to our 19th Country of 2019.

Shall we go to London for a weekend, Sarah said to no one in particular on the family What’s App group, Harry wants to go.

Well we arranged it (and to co-incide with a visit to Cyprus just after for us) for early October with a ferry by us and Mel, a flight from Sarah, Ali and Harry and a train journey or two by Flic, Gary and Cody! A military operation if ever there was one.

We had stayed on Friday night at the Holiday Inn at Gatwick leaving the car and luggage for Cyprus whilst we went up to London.

At the Space exhibit

First stop on Saturday 5 October was the Science Museum meeting up first with Mel, Sarah, Ali & Harry who had an eventful journey from their hotel and the rest later in the morning.

The Science Museum, a place I haven’t been to for about 25 years, was crowded but the higher you went up the building the crowds thinned out.

Cody enjoying an interactive display

It is, however, showing it’s age and some of the exhibits weren’t as interactive as they were supposed to be.

Splendid architecture near the Science Museum

Nevertheless, it was a good experience although perhaps Harry would want to go again when he is older and can appreciate some of the exhibits more.

Lunch eaten which is always going to be a challenge with allergies, likes, dislikes and non meat eaters amongst us we progressed to our hotel in Victoria (Premier Inn, Victoria) whilst the younger generations sampled Hamleys and a few other Oxford Street area stores via buses and tubes at the request of Harry.

Grandma and Grandson

We met up again for dinner at Giraffe near Victoria Station with us staying overnight nearby, Flic, Gary and Cody returning home and the rest staying near Wimbledon as the accommodation was cheaper there!

Sunday 6 October

With only just over a half day available (flights back for Mel, Sarah, Ali and Harry) we made the most of it by spending time on the South Bank.

First of all, the London Eye which had been pre-booked (it’s cheaper that way) although Gary stayed at the bottom guarding the pushchair.

London Eye photo

We followed this after lunch by a ride on the Thames by the scheduled water bus before some went on to Tower Bridge before those for Gatwick met up at London Bridge for our journey South.

Cuddles with Grandma / Nana

It is amazing what you can pack into a few hours in London and perhaps we can try again when we have more time available although I must say London is becoming somewhat exhausting for us oldies.

Now, for us, it is a swap of suitcases which we had left in our car at the Gatwick hotel before our trip to Cyprus tomorrow.

  #gallery-0-5 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-5 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-0-5 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-5 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge

The Shard near London Bridge

After our Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling guests had departed in early September, we needed a break. After all, there is a limit to how many days in a row at our age we can get up early to make breakfast for four guests when virtually the rest of the year we are not used to such an early rise!

So, we decided to have a short UK break to an area we had not been to before and that did not involve much walking.

Little Moreton Hall

As what we had planned was not until the next day, it allowed us to take advantage of the National Trust properties in the North West of England and we settled on Little Moreton Hall just outside Congleton, Cheshire.

The Hall was built by the Moreton family in the 1500s and took over a hundred years to complete, improve and extend the property but you can see from the photos that it has a few structural issues but hopefully in the hands of the National Trust, these will not result in a collapse.

The inner courtyard

Behind the entrance gate (over the moat by way of a drawbridge) is a small courtyard off which are the downstairs rooms. Lots to see here including the pantry, a wonderful stone fireplace and some ancient wallpaper.

One part of the upstairs hall (The Long Gallery) was used in a recent art exhibition by letting used “Wimbledon” tennis balls roll down the uneven floor surface resulting in them all rolling to one side of the structure.

The resultant film is on a loop in the hall and you can have a go yourself – very interactive.

The camera was straight for this, it is the building that is crooked

As with many National trust buildings, volunteers help with interpretation, giving history lessons and practical commentary and this was no exception.

There were even dressing up clothes for children to use when they came a school parties.

The gardens outside are not extensive but are worth a stroll around and at the time of our visit, the archway probably could have done with a haircut. But there is water around which allows wildlife to thrive.

Archway to the gardens

It was now down to Shrewsbury for our overnight and at the recommendation of the hotel, a great evening meal at the Peackock Inn which is a short drive away.

I had booked our tickets on line before we left home and tried to pick them up at the station that evening to save time but there was only one person at the ticket desk and I had to buy Discount Railcards so couldn’t use the machine.

After a 25 minute wait whilst one person was being served, I gave up.

13 September 2019

Having arrived earlier at Shrewsbury Station than planned, I managed to get the Railcards and tickets without any delays and waited for our train to Swansea via Llanelli.

You couldn’t miss this house.

I had read that the train was now only a single coach so hopefully there would be enough seats as reservations were not possible on this service. If it is only a one coach is it a train or a coach ride?

The train arrives and many people get off including some with bikes. Fortunately there are enough seats, the carriage being probably three quarters to 7/8ths full. But are they all going the whole way which is 32 stations to Llanelli and another couple onwards to Swansea?

As we leave Shrewsbury, more or less on time, we vere off to the right and then see the MidWales line to Aberystwyth disapear to the right and we make our way South Westwards and quickly into Wales after Knighton, the 7th station on the line.

Welsh countryside

Whilst initially the views aren’t great as many trees obscure the views, some trees not being cut back far enough to avoid hitting the train, these soon disappear to reveal rolling hills, sheep, golf courses and in general, wonderful countryside.

Many of the stations on the line are request stops where the train has to slow down in case anyone wants to get on.

Some of these are very well used as locals go about their day-to-day business visiting friends or shopping in nearby larger villages. It is indeed a lifeline for many remote communities.

These passengers have already told the guard who has advised the driver that a stop is required.

Stops allow a few photographs to be taken from the train but trying to capture decent photographs from a train moving at about 40 – 50 mph is somewhat difficult.  the picture above of the yellow house is a case in point.

As most of the journey is single track, there has to be some passing places here and there to allow northbound trains to pass.

Llandrindod Wells Signal Box

One of these passing places is at Llandrindod Wells where we are told, the train has to wait for 20 minutes to allow the northbound train to pass.  Just time for a coffee the guard tells us but what he didn’t tell us is the awful taste of the coffee bought from the nearby shop – not to be recommended.

Not sure if the signal box is now used, as many lines are signalled using modern technology but certainly the exterior of the signal box needs some TLC.

We are off again past even more spectacular countryside and ever increasingly difficult station names such as Llangammarch, Llanwrtyd and Cynghordy.

I hope the locals know how to pronounce this

One station name is easy to pronounce and probably only exists now to allow walkers, cyclists and ramblers access to the magnificent countryside – Sugar Loaf.

It is named after the nearby hill and has a claim to fame as it was at one time the least used station in Wales.

In 2017, only 228 passengers used the station but by the following year this had risen to 1824 following some publicity on, amongst other media outlets, YouTube.

Unexpectedly, the train stops just before the junction with main line at Bynea and after a few minutes we are told of a points failure which is preventing us going forward.

Engineers are on their way we are told. I must say, during the 40 minute wait we were kept updated regularly but by the time we got to Llanelli the information had ceased.

Bridge over the River Towy

Eventually, we establish that the train was being terminated there instead of going on (well backwards actually) to Swansea & we had to cross the bridge to the other side and catch a train to Swansea where we arrive 70 minutes late and thus have little time to get refreshments and relax as our onward journey is due to leave in 20 minutes time and even then was subject to a very late platform change.

Our onward journey was on a separate ticket and back to Shrewsbury via Hereford and we were somewhat glad we had reserved seats as the train was crowded to standing room only as far as Newport although thinned out after Cwmbran with commuters from Cardiff returning home.

Cody does love the fish

Back to our hotel and we go back to the Peacock Inn for another evening meal, just as good as last night’s. It arrived speedily as well which is what we wanted as we were both somewhat tired after the day’s travel.

Off to see friends John & Deirdre tomorrow then to see Flic and Cody for a few hours. We met them at Henry Street Garden Centre just outside Reading where Cody loves to watch the fish.

For some reason (probably to do with the two tickets being photgraphed on one photo) Transport for Wales would only refund one of the tickets for the late arrival of our train but that is better than nothing.

Harry surfing in St Ouen’s Bay

Thursday 25 July

Afternoon ferry to Liverpool and stop off at Cheshire Oaks before our stay overnight at HIE in Shrewsbury.

Friday 26 July

A few hours with Flic & Cody with a meal out by the Kennet & Avon canal at Pewsey Wharf at the Waterfront Bar and Grill before we head off for our overnight stay at Portsmouth North in the Holiday Inn Express ready for our ferry…

Lake Maggiore and Switzerland (Pt 2)

Lake Como

Friday 12 July

A coach ride to the lakeside city of Como and after being dropped off near the railway station spend some time in the cathedral admiring the fabulous artefacts before heading for the department store, Coin.

Inside Como Cathedral

We are told the shop has a cafe with fantastic views but after going up 4 floors find it’s closed for refurbishment!

Instead, have a coffee in a…

Monday 8 July

This is our first “package” holiday in a long time and we are off to Lake Maggiore in Northern Italy, staying at the Astoria Hotel in Stresa and are travelling with our friend, Elizabeth.

Flying from Birmingham tomorrow we need to get there the day before so catch the late fast ferry with an overnight in Solihull.

Tuesday 9 July

Flybe flight on time (ish) to Milan passes without hitch as does the coach trip to hotel. Adjacent hotel also being used by Riviera Travel but we are in the Astoria.

Hotel Astoria, Maggiore

Both hotels are fronting onto the lake but with a road between the hotels and the lake which was somewhat surprisingly quite quiet.

Our Bedroom is old fashioned in decor but clean with a large Southern facing balcony overlooking the outdoor swimming pool.

The towels provided though are not what you would expect from a 4* hotel, more like thick but large tea towels. They are effective though.

Dinner at 7 each evening but we are disappointed with the quality. First course and deserts were good but main course’s veg were almost certainly tinned. Could do better.

Wednesday 10 July

Isola Bella

Good night despite bed being very hard, and a good spread for breakfast before we set off on an organised tour.

Bad news about my camera, the lens filter / cover has shattered and cannot be removed from the lens so until it is fixed, I-phone pictures all the way.

A private boat ride for the 40 or so of us in the Astoria for the short trip to the private island of Isola Bella for a 45 minute tour of the Borromeo Palace followed by some time in the perfectly manicured gardens and terraces.

Display at entrance of Borromeo Palace

The house had a famous occupant for two days in August 1797, Napoleon Bonaprte and by all accounts, his stay provided a lot of disruption at the time.

Harpsichord dated 1692 in Borromeo Palace

The house has a number of floors of artefacts, pictures, with painted ceilings in many rooms on all the floors we are allowed in, not all as the top floor is for the private use of the owning family.

Inside the Borromeo Palace

The gardens at Borromeo Palace

The gardens surround a couple of sides of the house and in style is reminiscent of Portmeirion in N Wales.

One of the features of the gardens are the white peacocks and we are told that at least one of them (I counted at least 5) likes his photo being taken with his feathers on display and true to form, one did strut his stuff.

Gardens at Borromeo Palace

Inside the Long Room with wonderful tapestries on the right

After a refreshment stop where I manage to mend my camera to make it at least useable, we transfer by boat to the island of Isola Superiore o Dei Pescatori where we have lunch in one of the many restaurants before Elizabeth and I walk around the island with various stops for photographs in the narrow streets that contained many small shops.

White Peacock strutting it’s stuff

Isola dei Pescatori from Isola Bella

As the island is only 375 meters long and at 100 meters at it’s widest, the walk doesn’t take long and we are in time to catch a ferry back to Stresa and our hotel where as we all have BBC TV, it is tennis watching time although I do go out for a walk into town.

Fishing nets drying on Isola dei Pescatori

Dinner tonight marginally better but with tinned potatoes which were universally given the thumbs down.

Sally & Elizabeth by Lake Maggiore

Thursday 11 July

A lot cloudier today and we are off to Switzerland today with a boat trip up Lake Maggiore slowing down for various points of interest such as an abandoned fortress castle which is being renovated.

Castle under renovation

Many small settlements along, predominantly to start with, the western side of the lake, and we get off at Cannobio, close to the Swiss border for a stroll around this fascinating little town and a coffee in one of the little cafes where the staff seemed to be a bit rude to foreigners.

Cannobio

Our next part of the journey involves a coach ride to Locarno in Switzerland as the boat is not allowed into Swiss waters.

No one was interested in us at the border so passports stay firmly in our bags.

It is only a half hour coach ride from Cannobio to Lugano where we are dropped by the Railway Station and have 2 hours to find lunch and explore.

Street fare (and fair) in Locarno Switzerland

A music and street festival is being set up but nothing interesting to buy and after lunch we walk along the lake wall or just sit and watch the world go by before returning to the station for our next part of the journey – the Centovalli train to Domodossola back in Italy.

Underground station at Locarno

Swiss village from the Centovalli train

The journey starts under the main railway station at Lugano and I get the impression it is a relatively new terminus, the old one perhaps not meeting up with the main station in the past.

The journey takes just over 2 hours with the train limping up some way before dropping down to the city of Domodossla.

We have a reserved coach with panoramic windows and we are told, views on both sides.

Crossing a gorge on the Centovalli line

We seat ourselves on the right as the train departs but this is clearly the wrong side for initial views as after the train exits the tunnel from the station, the valley is on our left for a good part of the journey.

Lots of little foot crossings and road crossings all of which have lights flashing as we pass.

The route must be a lifeline for many small villages with their tall church bell towers especially if the trains run in the winter snows.

After we cross back into Italy at Camedo the type of housing changes, the railway track is not so well kept but the views are now on our side.

Small villages scatter the line side but as we reach Domodossola the hillside becomes much steeper as we drop down through zig zag after zig zag to reach the level plains surrounding Domodossola.

Railway Station at Domodossola

Our terminus is again under the main station and as we exit the train to street level we have just enough time for an ice cream and a view of the impressive station building before we are back on our coach for the return journey to the hotel.

We get back just in time to watch the end of the England v Australia World Cup 50 over match which England very convincingly won.

Slightly better dinner tonight and have time to talk with Sarah and Harry. Tomorrow we stay in Italy – see Pt 2.

#gallery-0-5 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-5 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-0-5 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-5 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Stressa

Lakeside village in Italy

Ok, so it is not to do with drink but as The Eagles wrote a song about Tequila Sunrise, we are off to see The Eagles and it is a Sunday so it sort of fits in (poetic licence and all that)!

It is not the first time we have seen them perform, so the title seemed appropriate; we have seen them perform in Manchester (UK) and Orlando (Florida, USA) although this is the first after the loss of Glenn…

1st Radlett Scouts are 100

Typical Flag break at a Summer Camp in 1966

I was a Scout, Venture Scout and Leader between 1962 and 1980 in a dormitory town (it used to be called a village) just north of London, Radlett, and whilst I have not kept in touch with the current 1st Radlett Scout group very much I was invited to their 100th anniversary bash in late June.

The call had gone out for pictures, videos, cine film, scrap…

The Programme for the Final

What is this, you may ask if you are not a football fan or think football is an American game.

Let me tell you this, football is the original game invented in the UK and the F A Cup final is the most prestigious event of the season and (nearly) always the last game of that season.

Whether it was premonition or just good luck but we had planned a visit to Flic & Gary around that time being the first we both were available after our lengthy cruise earlier in the year.

Anyone want to buy a house?

As it happens they were still living in Early as their long and protracted house move had not been finalised so more nights in our favourite hotel in the area, Crowne Plaza, Reading.

We also visited our house in Clearwell which we have decided to put on the market for sale so had appointments with Estate Agents.

The night before the F A Cup final, we managed a night’s entertainment at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre listening to Lipstick on Your Collar, a 50s/60s show group ( http://www.lipstickonyourcollar.co.uk/ ) who performed at Flic & Gary’s wedding.

They are well worth seeing if you can – fabulous entertainment.

Lipstick on Your Collar

I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the F A Cup final although had little hope of seeing my team, Watford, win against probably the best team in the Country at the moment, Manchester City, but off I went, catching the train from nearby High Wycombe to Wembley Stadium on the Chiltern Line.

The bar at Wembley Stadium

Polite banter on the train and no trouble with a short walk to the stadium itself which I hadn’t been to since it was rebuilt a few years back.

A coffee was my liquid of choice pre match whilst I viewed the other supporters milling around both in the bar / café area and the concourse outside.

Fans arriving

Taking seats, the atmosphere was building in the colourful stadium with Watford’s Red and Yellow contrasting with Manchester City’s light blue and white and soon we were into the traditional song – Abide with me – and the match itself.

Pre match entertainment

I don’t think I should dwell on the football itself, as a 0-6 drubbing was not really the score I wanted but the atmosphere was just something else with flag waving by, predominantly the Watford, fans in the latter stages of the match somewhat distracted from the football.

You can’t start too young

Oh well, better luck next year and at least we got to the final.

The UK visit also took in Cody’s birthday joint with a friend of the same age at the Reading Rugby Club where he appears to be starting with girlfriends early!

Now we have to get back home before the ferries get clogged up with bikes for the Annual Motorcycling that is the World famous TT.

Colourful flag waving

Sunday 14 April

It is Sarah’s 40th today but we can’t get through to her on the emails or internet. It is foggy all day so we can’t see a thing outside and even any phone reception is poor.

One of the few ships seen on our way to Southampton.

Our immigration into the UK is dealt with on board which in many respects speeds up the process and must be a nice job for the immigration staff who have had to fly out to Cadiz to travel back on the cruise for 3 days.  However, there are long queues to go through immigration.

A talk with Captain (Luke Vojvodina from Dubrovnik) from entertainment manager, Emma and evening entertainment from Jon Culshaw whose show was the first time he had been on a P &O ship.

Sal told not to go out and to totally rest tonight so no dressing up in dress suits for our last but one night.

Monday 15 April

Not foggy today but rougher and wetter with a very few vessels seen on our passage to Southampton.

Passenger’s Choir performing on Arcadia

Another two doctor’s visits but do get out to Breakfast, lunch with Brenda & Mick and I managed to get to see the Arcadia vocalists who performed on the main stage.

Pack all our things as we are off tomorrow, so suitcases outside by 6pm tonight, just hand luggage for the last night.

I shan’t be sorry to say goodbye to our cabin attendant, he was a little miserable and not particularly friendly.

Tuesday 16 April

The Medical staff have been brilliant and even managed to find us a wheelchair to get off the ship. Flic meets us and we head off to Gatwick for our flight home after lunch at a garden centre – Wyevale, Chichester.

It is so nice to see them and of course Cody is delighted to see us.  Off to Gatwick, somewhat early for our flight but Flic and Cody stay with us for some time, Cody enjoying the ride on the Gatwick shuttle.

Bye-bye cabin

Our plane is on time, or would have been had a bird not struck it on the way in causing many £thousand’s of damage but a new plane was found by Easyjet very quickly.

The cruise wasn’t the best of experiences bearing in mind our various ailments but I think we made the most of the destinations / ports of call some of which it would be nice to return to (Australia, Singapore, Oman) but others equally as fascinating but not necessarily worth a return visit (Mumbai, Dubai).

I don’t think we will be doing another long cruise again though, just shorter ones in the future.

What’s next? Well, you will just have to wait and see.

The Cruise has finished

Early morning Cadiz

Whilst we arrive early we have another doctor’s visit but after that, Sal comes with me so that she can say she has set foot on Spanish soil.

Internet not bad at the port but we are not able to speak with Sarah as she is doing lifesaving assessments, Flic is in an interview with a client and Mel who is in transit between home and Jersey. So we assume all is as well as can be expected then.

Flowers in the Iglesia de San Agustin

Narrow Cadiz streets

We do manage to download all outstanding emails and whilst Sal returns to the ship for a rest, I set out again to explore Cadiz.

Unfortunately, I only manage a couple of hours walk with a stop for a coffee and a visit to a supermarket for some essentials as we have an early departure from Cadiz.

The city has many narrow streets with low rise buildings, 3 floors max, with the thin old fashioned shops extending back some way mixed in with modern fashionable clothes shops – at least that is where some of the younger female members of the crew seemed to be heading.

From a distance many of the paths look wet but up close you can see that it is just the stone that has been the subject of many feet tramping on them that has made them shiny.

The square was fascinating as was the church which had many preparations for Easter week in full flow including masses of red flowers.

#gallery-0-10 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-10 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-0-10 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-10 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Ornate silverwork on the Organ

Inside the church

Manage to take a few pictures and videos to show Sal back at the ship to give her a flavour of the place – we must come back in healthier times but let us hope that the queues to get back onto the ship are not as long post Brexit – if that ever happens!

Now for the sail across the Bay of Biscay to our final destination, Southampton, UK.

Sailing out of Cadiz

Sally, sampling P & O’s steamed pudding

Tuesday 9 April

A very quiet day, starting with Breakfast in our room. The temperature is a cool 17C with a strong wind so no sunbathers out today.

Duo Sencias

Tonight we were entertained by Duo Esencias, a Spanish flamingo dancer and a violinist.

Both were very good although one guy said his sister in law could do better – so rude. We thought they were…

River Jordan at Yardenit

Monday 8 April

Our itinerary had originally allowed for a stop in Limassol, Cyprus but even before the ship had set sail earlier in the year, this was replaced by a 2nd day in Israel and it was a very worthwhile extra.

Another early start, not quite as early as yesterday though, and we are off North East in great weather towards the Sea of Galilee which, we are told, is 212 metres below Sea Level.

Israeli Navy at work

Not, however, before we see some activity from the Israeli Navy.

Again, as with many tourist destinations in Egypt it is all about remembering the name from your religious education in School and putting a physical destination to the names.

We are now both suffering with the effects of my cold but this is a little walking tour so we will benefit from lack of exertion.

The drive out of Haifa is in a more built up part of the suburbs of Haifa which itself is a fascinating place which appears to be well served by public transport and has a very steep garden to explore – if only we had time.

One of the frequent trains that stopped at Haifa port

Our guide (not as good as yesterday’s guide, sadly, gives us a potted history of the Sea of Galilee area which is just under the Golan Heights which was the subject of an Israeli annexation from Syria in the 1967 conflict but is now a peaceful border, perhaps because Syria has other things on it’s mind!

Church of the Beatitudes

Our tour is to see some of the religious sights around the Sea of Galilee and our first stop is at the Church of the Beatitudes a Catholic Church near near Tabgha and Capernaum and near the location of the Sermon on the Mount.

Inside, there are mosaic symbols on the pavement representing Justice, Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance, Faith, Hope, and Charity.

Mosaic and walls of old church

The church also houses a stone where apparently, Jesus broke bread.

Next stop was the St Peter’s Church Capernaum, a Modern building built on the site of an earlier church but suspended above the old ruins.

Church of St Peter at Capernaum

Sadly we were not able to enter the church as a service was taking place but we were able to get to see underneath the Church and visit the Statue of St Peter nearby.

Nearby were the Greek Orthodox Church and Old Synagogue which we were able to walk around but by now it was getting very hot so not a long time was able to be spent as the old Synagogue are ruins and open air.

Walking around these old remains does put things into perspective when you realise how old they are and how long they have been there.

Slimy eel like creatures at the Sea of Galilee

We did get to the water’s edge with it’s strange fish in the Sea.

Golan Heights remnants of the 1967 war.

We are now off around the East shores of the Sea of Galilee past the Golan Heights which still retains some elements of the conflict and one of the remaining kibbutz (Maagan).

Having crossed the River Jordan at the top of the Sea of Galilee, we are now taken to Yardenit, a Jewish centre on the river just after it leaves the Sea of Galilee at the Southern end where baptisms still take place and where, it is said, that Jesus was Baptized.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I will say that I thought the centre was a bit commercialised with nothing really to suggest there were at any time old buildings albeit that there were some parables set in wonderfully presented tiles in so many different languages and of course there is the ability to get your feet wet in the River Jordan.

Beautifully inscribed tiles

Whilst on our journey back to the ship, we pass a number of both Israeli and Arab settlements, the Arab ones being distinctive not only because of the minarets pointing high into the sky but also because predominantly, they have flat rooves, the Jewish ones having A-frame rooves.

By the time we get back to the ship, we are just in time for the it to move berth for a few hours to let another cruise ship in before we set sail on our 4 days crossing of the Mediterranean Sea without stopping before we get to our final port of call on this cruise, Cadiz.

As with our visit to Jerusalem, this was a wonderful experience, again bringing to life the stories written in the Bible all those years ago.

Inside the Church of the Beatitudes

Sunday 7 April

We are in Israel, our ninth “new” country of this cruise and an early start for a 10+ hour trip from Haifa by coach to Jerusalem.

Whilst there is limited walking on this tour it does mean there are a few of the less able walkers on the coaches of which there are at least 4.

Unfortunately, some of the less able are accompanied by some people with less brain cells.

Latrun Trappist monastery

The 2 and a half hour drive to Jerusalem is firstly over very green undulating ground some of which is used for banana trees, grape vines, olives and oranges to name but a few.

The Menorah

We pass into the hilly terrain around Jerusalem with a comfort stop near a Military museum and Monastery for Silent Monks, the Latrun Trappist monastery, before passing the Israel Museum and stopping outside the Israel Parliament, (Knesset )

There we have explained to us the seven branch Menorah which is situated outside of the Knesset and was made by the German sculptor, Benno Elkan who died in 1960.

The Menorah portrays 29 formative events and concepts from the Old Testament and the History of the Jewish people and arrived in Israel in 1956.

Garden & chapel at Gethsemane

We then move on to the Garden of Gethsemane next to the Sanctuary of Gethsemane, a wonderfully preserved place of worship and opposite the Golden Gate of the old walled city.

Golden gate from Gethsemane

As you would expect, despite the crowds, the area is peaceful.

Unfortunately, we have limited time in the gardens but there is time to see the ridiculously old trees before we are taken into the adjacent Sanctuary which contain wonderful paintings on the walls and ceilings.

Jerusalem hillside tombs

All around the Sanctuary and Gardens and even over the road to the Walled city of Old Jerusalem and it’s Golden Gate there are tombs of famous (and not so famous) people mentioned in the Bible

Inside the Sanctuary of Gethsemane

Inside the Sanctuary of Gethsemane

It is here that somewhat amazingly that we can hark back to our religious education at schools and all the places mentioned in the Bible only to now find ourselves in the midst of these place names for real.

Now off to another great lunch, cooked Kosher of course, at the Leonardo Hotel in Saint George Street.  It was a buffet with wine, and very welcome.

Tourists at the Western Wall

Our final stop on the tour is at the Western (wailing) wall inside the walled city.

As you can imagine, the place was crowded and of course, men and women are separated when visiting the wall.

Even the security at the entrance to the square was gender separated which did manage to confuse one elderly tourist although I think she might have had a pacemaker as she was channelled through a separate security area to her husband.

There are more women than men but the men’s area is bigger and with less chairs to sit on. I must admit I did feel a little uncomfortable taking photos of those at prayer although no one appeared to mind but there were other photographic opportunities though.

Clock at the Western Wall

We had been given a slip of paper to write a little prayer/message and put it in the cracks in the wall which tradition says are taken up to heaven.

Men have to wear a head covering but these are supplied by a charity free of charge or for a donation. Not having any Shekels with me, I hoped a $ would suffice.

Apart from the Western Wall I am not sure what else there is to do inside the walls as we did not have time for anything other than the wall and an uphill walk to the bus.

Our tour guide today has been excellent, a young woman who whilst being very proud of her country and its traditions is very modern in her outlook.

Jerusalem Old town

I must say, a refreshing change from many of the tour guides we have experienced as her ability to part knowledge to us and her enthusiasm was wonderful.

Drive back to Haifa is again 2 and a half hours although had there been no traffic hold ups, it might have been under 2 hours. I did notice though that the trams sped past fairly full with not just Israelis but also Arabs who at least on the places we visited, live side by side in peace.

A very enlightening and worthwhile tour albeit that it is probably a place that I would not necessarily return to.

#gallery-0-15 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-15 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-15 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-15 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Western Wall

An entrance to the Knesset

Gethsemane Sanctuary

Pirates and the Suez Canal

Monday 1 April

No April fool jokes from the Captain, unlike another cruise we were on, and after our port talk on Haifa we relax for the rest of the day following the 24 or so birds that fly with us for virtually the whole day – they must be exhausted.

Another dressing up day – 3 more to go after today – and entertainment by Wayne Denton with his tribute to John Denver. I am sure we have seen him…