British Isles Cruise, Guernsey, and Phil the bus driver

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Sunday June 29th ~ Guernsey, on board the Ruby Princess

St Peter Port, Guernsey with Ruby Princess in the harbor

St Peter Port, Guernsey with Ruby Princess in the harbor

I’ll fill you in a little on the past two days and how we got from Canterbury to now being on board another cruise ship.

On Friday it was time to figure out our transportation to get us from Canterbury to Southampton. We walked over to the West end Train station to get our tickets. The least expensive route (by quite a bit) was to avoid going into London. Our journey would require taking three different trains, but the price of £19.9 per person was a great bargain.

We wrapped up our stay in Canterbury with a spur of the moment picnic. Just beyond the train station was a farmer’s market and the urge to see what they offered encouraged us to take a look inside. We found a lovely selection of fruit, cheese and local wine to choose from. We ended up with a “proper” Stilton Blue cheese, ripe cherries, apricots, blueberries, peaches, a small toast cracker that had raisins and cranberries baked in it and a bottle of red wine.

Our cocktail party picnic

Our cocktail party picnic

Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Guernsey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Dover Castle, Secret Underground Tunnels and the Tiny Shuffling Man

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Thursday June 26th ~ Dover, England

Originally we thought we would take the train or a bus to see Leed’s Castle today, but we got a late start and decided to go to the closer Dover Castle instead.  Our weather has held out and we have had lovely sunshine with temperatures in the mid 60’s to mid 70’s all week but there is a threat of some rain late in the day.

I’ve written about how nice the busses are here, but thought you might be curious to see what they look like inside:

Bus to Dover

Bus to Dover

This one is only one deck, but many we have taken are double-deckers which provide an even nicer view.  There is no narration on these busses though as this is just transportation and not considered a “sightseeing” trip.

The countryside is green and we pass by a variety of homes and shops, but most of the area is open pasture or fields of crops.  One field looked like rye, another like potatoes.

Green fields as we zip by on the bus

Green fields as we zip by on the bus

Continue reading →

Posted in England, Europe | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Whitstable ~ Raw oysters on the half shell and Cats

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Wednesday June 25th ~ Canterbury and Whitstable, England

Our morning breakfast was more of the juicy, sweet flat peaches.  The juice rolling off your chin type.  The OMG this is the best peach I have ever eaten type.  We can walk out our hotel door and 1/2 block down the car-free walking street get a handful off of a fresh fruit cart.

Flat peaches

Flat peaches

We put our adventure shoes on and hopped on a local bus for a day trip to the nearby coastal town of Whitstable.  Sitting up top on a double-decker bus is a great way to see some of the neighboring countryside, buildings, sheep in the pasture, gentle rolling hills and small towns. Continue reading →

Posted in England, Europe | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

England ~ Canterbury welcomes us with lush gardens and fresh fruit

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Tuesday June 24th ~ Canterbury, Kent

Westgate Gardens along the Stour River, Canterbury

Westgate Gardens along the Stour River, Canterbury

After arriving in Dover, England on the 22nd we took a taxi to a local Bed and Breakfast that we booked online a few minutes before leaving the ship.  It was still morning and we could not check in until after 4:00 so after dropping off our luggage, we hopped on a bus and 30 minutes later were in Canterbury.

Located in the district of Kent on the river Stour, it is the second most visited city in England.  It may be best known for the Canterbury Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, and the martyrdom of Thomas Beckett.

FUN FACT:  The term, Canter (a smooth gait, especially for a horse, paced between a trot and a gallop) originated from Canterbury.  Here is a link with a bit more info. Continue reading →

Posted in England, Europe | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Norway ~ Stavanger, Lysefjord Cruise, Pulpit Rock, St. Svithun’s Cathedral

Posted on June 21, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Friday June 20th – Stavanger, Norway

Stavanger

Stavanger

Stavanger is our last port of call before we return to England. We are well south of the Arctic circle and dock on a peninsula on the southwestern coast of Norway. Once again we are visiting a settlement that dates back centuries. There are signs of human settlement as far back as 10,000 years. Stavanger itself was officially founded in 1125 and has a population of 118,000.

The language is Norwegian and due to the gulf stream, the temperature here is fairly stable ranging from 32 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Outright warm by comparison of other cities farther north. This might be considered the banana belt of Scandinavia if it was actually warm enough to grow bananas.

Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Norway | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Norway ~ North Cape, Honningsvag, Father’s Day

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Sunday June 15th ~ It’s Father’s Day back home ~ Honningsvag and the North Cape

DSC00227

Monument at the point, North Cape

Honningsvag

Honningsvag

After another full day at sea, we docked this morning in the town of Honningsvag, the Northern most city in Norway and (almost) the Northern most point in Europe. The famous North Cape Cliffs and visitors center is our tour destination.

On our way toward the North Cape

On our way toward the North Cape

Leaving the ship at 10:00 am, our first stop is at a small Sami family run roadside shop filled with touristy souvenirs.  The Sami people are the Northernmost people of Europe. An indigenous culture, that the English have called Lapps or Laplanders.  We were informed a few days ago that the Sami people consider the term “Lapps” as a vile or slanderous word now, much as the African-American community hates the “N” word.
Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Norway | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spitsbergen Island ~ Magdalenafjord and Ny Alesund, On top of the world (almost)

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Friday the 13th ~ Spitsbergen Island

Magdalenafjord

Magdalenafjord

Magdalenafjord scenic cruising in the morning

What a morning that started our day. Up bright and early so we could be on deck by 7:00 am. It was COLD for these Southern California bodies. With a forecast ranging from a low of -9C/15F to a high of -3C/26F we bundled up before heading up to the “sun” deck.

Bundled up against the cold

Bundled up against the cold

The sun broke through the clouds and graced us with breathtaking views. The mountains seemed to rise right out of the deep, dark water. Snow went from mountain peak to waters edge. We passed by the occasional floating ice formation.
Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Norway | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Norway ~ At sea, the Midnight Sun

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Thursday June 12th – At Sea – A day of reflection

At midnight - full sun

At midnight – full sun

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” ~ Mary Oliver “The Summer Day”

I’m about three-fourths of the way through reading “Wild” when I came across this quote. Somehow it made me smile and reflect upon the question, perhaps a little more than normal. We are living life fully and a bit on the wild side these days, with unplanned adventures.

We are at sea in the middle of nowhere. North of the Arctic Circle and headed for an island I know nothing about other than it is cold, windswept and the jumping off point for arctic expeditions and a polar research station.
Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Norway, Reflection | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Tromso Norway ~ The Gateway to the Arctic

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Wednesday June 11th ~ Tromso, Norway

DSC00003

Tromso Norway

Commonly called “The Gateway to the Arctic” because of all the polar expeditions that have departed from here, Tromso sits at 70 degrees north latitude, well inside the arctic circle.

Once again the weather Gods are shining on us and after a brisk morning, we were graced with a stellar day. Knowing we were headed even further north, and being completely unprepared for arctic weather we decided to make use of some free time this morning.

Tim picked up a warm pair of gloves and a stretch knit cap as well as new inserts for his boots. I already had gloves, but added a warm fuzzy hat and a pair of boots to my wardrobe. Not sure how or where I’m going to pack them, but I have 10 more days before I have to worry about that.
Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Norway | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Norway ~ Hellesylt, Geiranger, the Arctic Circle and the Midnight Sun

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Tuesday June 10th ~ At sea, crossed over the Arctic Circle

View of Geiranger Fjord from Mt. Dalsnibba

View of Geiranger Fjord from Mt. Dalsnibba

This morning the water was like a bathtub, calm, smooth and not a wave in sight. It is now mid afternoon. About an hour ago we officially crossed latitude 66 degrees 33’; officially entering the Arctic Circle. This marks the southern-most edge of the Polar Day – The Land of the Midnight Sun.

Middle of the night, just before reaching the Arctic Circle

Middle of the night, just before reaching the Arctic Circle

For the next week, until June 18th we will be in daylight. The sun will not set.

Yesterday our ship anchored briefly in Hellesylt, just long enough for around 150 passengers to tender ashore. Tim and I were in that group as we embarked on a full day excursion to witness the majesty of the Norwegian Fiords.

And majestic they are! But I should let you decide for yourself after you take a look-see at our pictures below…
Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Norway | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments