26 July 2017 Inverness

We had another early start today with our train to Kyle of Lochalsh leaving at 8.57 arriving at 11.30.  Very wet when we arrived Sam said I think it is too wet we should just catch the train at 12.07 back so that is what we did.  Kyle of Lochalsh is where the bridge goes over to Skye.  Today it was not the destination but the journey.  We arrived back in Inverness at 2.30 so we went to The Royal Highland Hotel and had a high afternoon tea.  I have put in a snap I took about what this Hotel did during World War I.  We wandered home did not need dinner after our afternoon tea.  We did a lovely walk around where we are staying.  We have not planned anything for tomorrow just take it as it comes I think as we leave here on Friday.  There are lots of B&Bs where we are.  We have met lots of other travellers at breakfast, French Germans all doing lots of journeys.  Each day there is someone new.  Sabine and Sam xx

The Royal Highland Hotel

Our B&B

25 July 2017 Inverness

We rose early this morning had our breakfast and set off to catch our 10.42 train to Dunrobin Castle.  Lovely journey as they all are.  The castle is most northerly of Scotland’s great houses.  It is the largest house in the highlands , with 189 rooms and is one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses, dating in part from the early 1300s.  It is the historic home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland.  The railway station was built by the Earl of Sutherland as his private station.  Today it is one of many request stop stations.  When the conductor checked our Scottish Rail passes at the beginning of the journey we let him know we were alighting at Dunrobin.  If we had not done this the train would not have stopped.  We had two hours at the Castle before our return journey and we had to wave our train down.  It is well worth a visit all of the main rooms looking like they would have in the 1800s.  No photography inside.  The gardens were laid out in 1850 by the architect Sir Charles Barry, who was responsible for the Victorian extension to the Castle and who designed the Houses of Parliament.  The arrangement of the Gardens, inspired by those at Versailles, have changed little in the 150 or so years since planted.  There is also a Museum housing many objects of interest.  We did not have time to see the Museum.  We made our way to the train arriving back after 5.00 we had booked ourselves into a lovely restaurant The Mustard Seed for 5.30 beautiful meal and we wandered back to our B&B exhausted.  Lovely day indeed.   Sabine and Sam xx

The station, not the castle!

This is the castle!

23rd and 24th July - Mallaig to Inverness

We had an early start this morning leaving Mallaig 10.57 arriving in Glasgow at 3.30 then train to Perth at 3.45 arriving in Perth at 4.46 then train to Inverness at 5.07 arriving just after 7.00.  This was an epic journey but extremely beautiful. The landscape is diverse.  The trains all very busy again the rail system really is stretched beyond with all the travellers and their luggage etc do not know how they remedy this but perhaps an extra carriage on most lines would go a long way to relieving some of the pressure.

We arrived in Inverness just after 7.00 tired and hungry by then.  There is a lovely hotel at the station called The Royal Highland Hotel so we went in with our luggage etc and other travellers with their luggage as well.  We were not staying there and it was very busy we had some dinner and I have to say their staff are to be congratulated they were all delightful.  We felt a million times better after a meal we then caught a cab to our B&B where we had stayed in 2011.  It was lovely to be back here we even have the same room our hostess and host are a lovely couple very kind, we are here until Friday.

Today we found ourselves a laundromat did all our chores etc .  It was a beautiful day sunny warm just general sightseeing today but a lovely day indeed.  We are booked on the 10.15 train tomorrow to go to Dunrobin Castle it is a request stop so we will have two hours there and then catch the train back.

Inverness is a very lovely place with a population of around 46 thousand.

All the best Sabine and Sam xx

The viaduct which carries Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter movies

River Ness

Mallaig 21 and 22 July 2017

Friday morning and we set off from our hotel in Oban to catch the 8.57 train to Crianlarich.  After arrival at the station the scene became quite worrying, many many backpackers many many baby boomers suitcases rolling along.  How many people are catching this train?  Our two carriage train arrives, kept closed until prepared for its next journey, where all this luggage is going to go the least of our worries, we get on all seats with their reserved signs poking up gracious me thankfully Sam finds two seats at the back of the carriage with no apparent reserved signage we went for them our cases in the designated wheelchair spot thank heavens no wheelchairs.  We have reserved all our rail journeys in Europe but we had not here.  We get to Crianlarich hop across the platform for our train to Mallaig same situation all reserved thankfully we find two unreserved seats masses of people then the same thing again at Fort William lots alight Sam said do you want to move I said no better the devil you know than the one you don't luckily more humans get on all the seat vacated all reserved again.  We breathe a sigh of relief as we did not have to move.  I do have to say the scenery the entire journey was breathtaking and from Fort William to Mallaig very stunning, lots of young men from every country on earth by the sounds of them doing this journey because we cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct (the Hogworts train in Harry Potter crossed this viaduct) we will get a pic tomorrow as we go back that way.

We arrived here in Mallaig walked to our B & B a very beautiful view over the Harbour.  There is not one vacancy in the town as there never is in these towns any more.  This is a vastly different journey than our one in 2011 one could have been flexible then not now.

We walked everywhere extremely pretty.  It is a very busy harbour fishing which is how this village began in 1846 it has varied and changed over the years.  Lord Lovat owned all the land around here and he built the first wharf to assist the local fisherman after the potato famine. The railways came in 1901 and of course this changed how the fish went to market etc. The fishing changed during the two World Wars some for better some not.

This is a very busy port and fishing vessels and many ferries use this harbour crossing back and forth from Skye, Rum, Eigg and a couple of other islands.  All sorts of other smaller vessels taking many many pleasure seekers young and old on all sorts of different journeys.

We are about to head out and something to eat and then get prepared for tomorrow we have an epic day tomorrow our first train 10.10 back to Glasgow then one to Perth and then one to Inverness where we will arrive at 7.30 (we have reserved our seats for all of these journeys).

All the best Sabine and Sam   xx

Oban 20 July 2017

We awoke to anor beautiful day sunny warm lovely day for our journey from Oban to Mull and on to the Isle of Iona.  We had a coffee in town before we headed over to the ferry which was taking us to Mull.  There would have been at least 400 of us for the ferry which takes 50 mins to go across to Mull.  This is an extremely picturesque journey.  I met a darling Springer Spaniel by the name of Ollie he came along for the entire journey to Iona.  Dogs are permitted on the ferries buses etc.  Once we arrived in Craignure on Mull we boarded a bus for Fionnphort thru mountains and lochs very beautiful storybook country really.  This journey took us one and half hours then we boarded anor ferry only ten or so minutes this time which took us to Iona.

Iona a very important Isle St Columba arrived there in 563 with 12 monks.  For many centuries Iona has been a sacred place for pilgrims drawn by faith and by the beauty of the island.  Still they come today, from all walks of life and from throughout the world.  A Monastery was built there.   The Vikings attacked in 795 with subsequent attacks taking place in 802, 806 and 825. During the 806 attack 68 monks were massacred and this lead to many of the Columban Monks relocating to the Columban Abbey of Kells in Ireland.  Eventually the Vikings settled and converted to Christianity.

 The Benedictines arrived and established a new Monastery and started work on building a new Abbey on the site of Columnbas original Church.  A Nunnery was also established and it was of the Augustian Order.

The Reformation occurred and all fell into ruin.

The Duke of Argyll was the owner of the Isle of Iona and began some restoration work in 1899 he then transferred the ruined remains of the Abbey and Nunnery to the Iona Cathedral Trust.  In 1938 the inspiration of Rev George MacLeod visionary and prophetic witness for peace set about to restore the Abbey and surrounding buildings and the local Christian Community continues to use the site to this day.  It is used by all denominations which was the Duke of Argyll's intention.

While we were there today I stayed for the 2.00 prayer service which today was led by a lovely gentleman who had been a minister and he prayed for the women of the world for all the facets of their lives, that they receive the remuneration they deserve for the work they do that they should have peace.  He said women have always been forgotton and dismissed he said there is a list of every Monk and male who served at the Abbey but only the names of two nuns from the Nunnery.  He was indeed through provoking.

We set off for our ferry coach ferry journeys at 3.00 and arrived back in Oban at 6.00.  Had some dinner in town and back at our hotel now doing my blog and preparing for our big day tomorrow. This has been a very lovely day I always knew of Iona have attended many Iona Passion Plays when I was a young girl in Brisbane.

All the best Sabine and Sam  xx

 
  

Oban Wednesday 19 July 2017

 We have anor busy day today so did not worry about brekky just had a coffee in The Mile back to our hotel waited for a cab to the station but walked in the end.  Our train to Glasgow was 9.15 arriving at 10.10 then our train to Oban at 10.37 arriving at 1.45 our hotel just a short walk from the station. The scenery on our journey today was beautiful and Lochs huge.  We saw Loch Awe did not mean anything to us but just while I am sitting here watching “Underground Britain” again they are telling us about this power station which was built in a mountain, the water coming from Loch Awe.  It was dug out by hand and opened in the 50s by the Queen still being used today when London needs power urgently.  It takes one phone call for them to put it into action and this takes less than five minutes to put into action, fascinating really, at night the water is pumped back up into the Loch for reuse.  This is the system our Malcolm Turnbull is proposing for the Snowy.  We set off booked ourselves a trip to Mull and Iona for tomorrow. We had dinner now back at our hotel reorganised ourselves for the next few days repacked etc. long day tomorrow then on Thursday we head to Mallaig. Good night Sabine and Sabine  xx

Tuesday 18 July 2017

We have a very early start today, brekky then off to St Pancras/Kings Cross Station for our train to Heathrow for our 11.20 flight to Edinburgh.  We sat with a coffee once we had negotiated the train then check in, the working case being 19.9kg phew our carry on under 10kg then security.  Our flight to Edinburgh arrived at 1.10 then the tram to the city, this would have been magic but the city was sooo busy I think there were a couple of million people about so much busier than when were here six years ago and it was the exact same time of year.  Finally to our hotel at 4.00pm, we settled in went out into The Royal Mile just around the corner from us had dinner in a gorgeous place called Gordon’s Trattoria.  We have another busy travelling day tomorrow.  Sabine and Sam   xx  PS It was boiling as well, about 28 degrees.  

London July 17, 2017

It is Monday today had brekky at our hotel and just decided to go where our heart leads us.  We knew we were going to see the Silver Vault so we just began walking from our hotel, with our map in hand we just made our way through the streets past beautiful buildings and gorgeous parks we get to Chancery Lane and head along finding what we were looking for.  

Wikipedia says the London Silver Vaults is a large subterranean market that opened as The Chancery Lane Safe Deposit on 7 May 1885. Originally renting out strong rooms to hold household silver, jewellery and documents, it transitioned to housing silver dealers in secure premises a few years later.

My sister Anne had seen the story of these vaults on  "Underground Britian" a televised program and said Sabine you should see this while you are there.  Ones imaginings could not come up to what we saw today no words really.  

We then continued on our way walking along the Strand and got back to St Martin in the Fields just near Trafalgar Square.  We really just continued on our way taking in as much as we could you could come back any number of times and only scratch the surface.  We then walked down to the Thames and walked along the embankment and made our way to our meeting place with Lia and Sharene we were meeting at Ye Old Cheshire Cheese a pub in Fleet Street rebuilt in 1667 after the Great Fire.  Sam and I had arrived early exhaustion really I was sitting by the old fire place and this chap from North Carolina who was having a drink there with his daughter said you are sitting in the exact spot where Charles Dickins always sat this was one of his fave pubs.  I would not have known this amazing. I went out into Fleet Street to find the girls and there they were just crossing the street lots of hugs and laughter, we had a very good night and they walked back to their hotel and us to ours.  

This was a lovely day an early start tomorrow we fly to Edinburgh in the morning.  All the best Sabine and Sam  xx

London July 16,2017

Hello to all

We docked back in Southampton this morning.  Our time for disembarkation was 10.00.  Very efficiently we were off the ship by 10.10 collected our luggage caught a cab to Southampton Station and a train to London at 10.55.  Arrived in London at 12.45 then on to a train on the Northern Line to where we are staying in Euston arriving here at 1.30.  We had a coffee outside the station then walked to our hotel bit of a relax caught up with our emails etc went and had some dinner and then did a walk for an hour or so just orienting ourselves for tomorrow.  We will make the most of tomorrow we will head to The Silver Vault then go back to St Martin in the Fields which I loved.  Tomorrow evening we are meeting up with Lia my sister Anne's friend who happens to be getting here tomorrow that will be fun lots of laughter I am sure.  I think we should sleep tonight.  It has been a busy day. All the best Sabine and Sam xxx

Skagen Denmark 14 July 2017

We docked here this morning.  It produces the most catch of any fishing village in Denmark.  It only has a population of 9,000, but it welcomes over two million visitors a year.  We were able to walk into town from the port, most ports are secure and we have to be shuttled or tour bussed out, but not today.  We were the only ship in port today.  Skagen is the most northerly town in Denmark at the tip of the Jutland Peninsula, just where the North Sea meets the Baltic Sea.  At the tip you can stand in the sea with one foot in the Baltic and the other in the North Sea.  It was founded in medieval times as a settlement and grew into the important fishing town it is today.  In the 1870’s the area became famous for attracting artists intent on capturing the beauty of the seascapes and landscapes bathed in the peninsula’s spectacular natural light. We wandered through the town, very pretty, all the buildings are painted yellow and have a red roof.  Once we all got back on board that was the last of our ports of call and now we are heading back to Southampton.

This whole cruise has far exceeded our expectations, all the cities we have visited have been beautiful and all different.  The weather has been spectacular and the sea has been as flat as a millpond the whole way, not the image one would expect of the Baltic.  This part of the world is not on the usual tourist destination list but it should be. All of the cities are worth longer stays in. The passengers on this ship are mostly British but very few of them have visited these cities even though they are literally on their doorstep.  We have met some lovely people on the ship, there are a few Australians and New Zealanders on board.

Once we get back to England we have a couple of days in London before we fly to Edinburgh and start our train journeys, so the next blog will be from somewhere in sunny(?) Scotland. 

Copenhagen Denmark 13 July 2017

Copenhagen first came into being as a small Viking fishing settlement.  In 1160 the then Village was handed by Valdemar  the Great to Bishop Absalon of Roskilde who built a fort as defence against marauders.  It grew over the next 200 years in size and importance.  King Christian IV was the most popular king the “Builder King” (1588-1648).  His wars against Germany and Sweden were unsuccessful but he redeemed himself with his passion for town planning and architecture. 

The 18^th century was a disastrous time for Copenhagen in which a third of its population died from plague and large numbers of buildings were destroyed by fires. 

We caught the shuttle again today pretty much we just walked so as to see as much as possible.  We did spend time at the town hall which was quite beautiful we were able to wander without any restriction and just wonder at the beauty of it.  On our way out I said to the security guard on duty if I do not see anything else while I am here this will suffice because it was outstanding.  He was a delight and he said if it was built today it would cost in the region of 4 billion krones would not be a bit surprised.  I am sure it would not be able to be built today.  We continued on our way seeing as much as we could.  Stunning city. We did not sail until 10.30pm and we would have liked to go back later in the day but we were spent.  Sabine and Sam   xx

Stockholm Sweden July 11 2017

Stockholm is a gracious city built on 14 islands.  It was founded in 1252.   The Swedes claim to be able to look back over 5,000 years wherein their forefathers have held uninterrupted tenancy of their present country.  No other important European nation but the Danes can make this boast, for other nations have all in their time been invaded and colonised by aliens.

From the moment we alighted from our ship shuttle (we chose to catch the shuttle today rather than do a tour, very glad we did) we were just overawed by the beauty of the architecture just the whole city really.  We made our way across the bridge which is in front of Parliament building and across from this is the Royal Palace these buildings are on the island which is the old town.  We then just wandered being amazed at every turn every different laneway we took gave us something beautiful.  We went into the Palace courtyard were able to see the Chapel and where the Royal Apartments are situated, the present King and Queen still use this Palace for Royal occasions. There is a square within the Palace something to behold. 

We sat for a little moment in anor square where we had a delicious something that resembled an escargot but different probably the most delicious thing I have ever tasted.  On our way back to the shuttle we went to the Museum of Medieval Stockholm. This Museum was only built by chance.  Over 30 years ago there was a carpark going to be constructed in front of the Parliament Building, the powers that be decided to do an archaeological investigation and discovered remnants of the city from the Middle Ages including parts of the city walls. The Parliamentarians missed out on the carpark but many visitors since have enjoyed the Museum. 

Our sail away quite spectacular in that it takes about 5 hours to get thru the archipelago which is comprised of many thousands of islands.  Holiday homes are constructed on so many of these islands very picturesque.  We followed four other cruise ships thru we sat up in Crow’s Nest Bar and watched the world as we sailed by.

Stockholm is certainly worth a return visit maybe a week would be perfect for some of its nearer neighbours.  There are a great number of fabulous things to see in the city and out of the city.  One only sees a very small part of a place on these journeys but I think you know when you wish to come back to a place. 

Sabine and Sam  xx

Helsinki Finland 10 July 2017

Helsinki, Finland’s capital since 1812, stately Helsinki is “the daughter of the Baltic”. Still preserving something of the mood of a 19^th century seaport, it is a city of intriguing contrasts, from handsome and imposing Neo-Classical buildings and many museums to lively shopping esplanades with elegant old homes and churches gracing the countryside. 

All of these cities have had very difficult times wars takeovers they deserve to be the cities they are today.  They say the many wars have sorely tried Helsinki and yet fire has in the past caused greater havoc than the ravages of war.

We decided to do the Hop on Hop Off bus.  A very beautiful city indeed.  We did the entire journey they started at the Cathedral in the square and just walked basically.  We had some lunch in a gorgeous place along the Esplanade which is just beautiful we were both very impressed the architecture in these places makes them what they are of course.  Sabine and Sam

St Petersburg Russia July 8 and 9 2017

We arrived this morning to yet anor beautiful day. We have indeed been fortunate. We are staying here 2 days so have booked two tours, today we have a tour booked for 1.00pm to the Faberge museum.   

The requirements for immigration for this port are different to most other ports.  Each person has to have a face to face with passport and tour ticket attached.  You can of course obtain a Visa for here but really for two days you would not.  The places we visit require one to be on a tour in any event.  I have to say the pass thru immigration was extremely efficient bearing in mind these are huge ports the day we docked there were five ships in this would be roughly 15,000 passengers they do an amazing job really the whole process is organised to the minute.  You have your face to face the tour bus and your guide is waiting for you.  Our guide today was Catherine a very appropriate name for this city.  She was a delight.  We were only a small group 14 I think so small bus easy for the driver to get us in and out of places everything is timed to the minute.  We had left quickly so Catherine took us on a very lovely tour of the city showing us as many sights as possible before our time to enter the museum.

I am sure everyone knows Faberge.  He became the Jeweller to the Royal Family Tsar

Nicholas I.   He began making the Easter Eggs for his wife Empress Alexandra.  After

he passed away Tsar Nicholas II who married a German Princess in 1897 continued having the eggs made for her and his mother.  After he and his family were murdered by the Russians in 1917 and the Grand Palace plundered all of these beautiful pieces went different ways.  Only 42 of the 50 eggs made for the imperial family have survived. There are 9 eggs in the Museum.  Some of the others are in the Museum in Moscow and some in private hands.  The 9 eggs mentioned here eventually came to the ownership of a chap named Forbes but have been purchased by a Russian oil billionaire and he has had the Shuvalovsky Palace renovated and they are now on display there along with much of Faberge’s other work.  There are no words really to describe any of this to be quite honest.  Faberge passed away in 1920 of a broken heart and penniless.  Even his company name was sold illegally.  Very said end for him as well.  I am very surprised there was such a small group of us but having said that it was efficient one could see these perfect pieces so close not something one could ever imagine.  I have to say the Russian oil billionaire who has made this possible for mere mortals to see what a gift for us all. 

St Petersburg was founded by Peter the Great in 1703, twenty thousand workmen built this town with their bear hands.  It has had many name changes St Petersburg, Petrograd, Leningrad the name changes mirror the historical twists and turns undergone by the city.  During World War II the citizens endured appalling hardship during the 900 day siege of Leningrad by the German army.  During this time one and half million people perished mostly from starvation. The name St Petersburg was restored by popular referendum in 1991.

On our second day after face to face again with Immigration very efficient I must say again we were met by our gorgeous guide Daria there were 44 of us this time she was assisted by Natasha to keep us on best behaviour for our visit to The Hermitage Museum which was the Winter Palace of the Imperial Family.  Again to be seen to believed there are over 3 million art treasures here.  Many many tour groups but efficient timed entry etc.  All I can say is thank goodness for Natasha who kept us in line to help Daria else we may not have ever been seen again.

Daria is an Arts student and very clever and knowledgeable as are all the guides on these tours.

All the above to be stored in ones mind. 

Lots of not proper sentences here but proper sentences are the last thing on ones mind after having seen what we have seen the last two days.  There were many other tours seeing many more amazing things. 

Sam said I know St Petersburg being modelled on Venice is called the Venice of the north but he thinks Venice should be called the St Petersburg of the South.  He thinks that St Petersburg is the most beautiful city he has ever seen.

I will post these today and continue on with the next places and post later.  I cannot do justice of any of it really suffice to say all beyond ones imagination.  Sabine and Sam xx

Tallinn Estonia July 7 2017

We docked in Tallinn this morning.  We had a ship tour of the old town organised.

My info sheet says “Tallinn is unquestionably one of Europe’s most magical capitals, competing even with Prague in the richness of its architectural heritage. “

Estoina has had an extremely difficult history fought over for hundreds of years and in recent times it was occupied by German troops during the First World War it then became a free agent in 1918 for the first time in hundreds of years.  Independence came to an end in 1940 when the Soviet Army occupied the country and became part of the Soviet Union.  Their desire for independence was demonstrated in peaceful mass meetings and finally their dream was realised on October 20, 1991.  In May 1993 the Council of Europe voted Estonia a full member. 

Our guide for our tour was excellent as they always are, very informative, friendly we always feel our experience of a place depends greatly on one’s guide.  We stayed in town after our tour and caught a shuttle back to the ship.  A place one could easily take more time to enjoy, again we felt safe.  We walked thru the flower sellers market gracious me I have not ever seen such roses the flowers were indeed beautiful.  Again a very lovely day weather wise as well.   Sabine and Sam    

Travemunde Germany July 5 2017

For each of the ports we visit there is a port talk by our destination lecturer Sam who is excellent in his presentation and his information.  We are also provided with a brochure for each port giving us background information going back centuries right up to what we need to know today for our visit.  Practical information mixed with all the beautiful things we should not miss so whatever I give is courtesy of Sam and the info sheet provided to us.

We docked this morning in Travemunde our first port.  It is known as the ‘Gateway to the Baltic’.  It lies in the province of Schleswig-Holstein on the estuary of the River Trave.  It was founded in the year 1187, it was bought by the good burghers of Lubeck in the 14^th century, and being in rather a strategic position, it was plundered several times, most of the wooden buildings were destroyed by fire , and it was occupied by Russians in the 18^th century and French in the 19^th.  As early as 1802 the town found its true niche in life when its popularity began to grow as a seaside resort.  The Scandinavian Quay is the largest ferry terminal in Europe visited by Swedes and Finns, Poles and Danes who enjoy all this port has to offer.

Lubeck’s most beautiful daughter is how Travemunde is known.

Today Sam and I took a ship tour to Lubeck.  It is about ten miles south west of Travemunde and founded in the 12^th century.  It quickly rose to a powerful position as head of the Hanseatic League, the cartel which controlled trade around the Baltic in the Middle Ages.  When the League collapsed Lubeck’s transport of salt kept the city going and the wealth is evident in the rich churches and public buildings.  It was very badly bombed in the Second World War.  It was quickly reconstructed and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  We visited St Mary’s Church, the third largest in Germany with the highest brick vault in the world.  This Church dates back to the 13^th century but was almost completely rebuilt after it was severely damaged in the war.  Even today the original bells lie crashed on the floors as they came down in the air raid.  A very beautiful church indeed. All of these churches do hold the stories to all these amazing places. 

We felt very safe and completely at home walking around this very lovely place.  Our coach collected us at our designated point for our journey back to our ship. Again we had another beautiful day.

The usual sail away then dinner and a choice of entertainment.  Sabine and Sam 

Embarkation Sunday July 2 2017

We woke to a very lovely day in Southampton this morning.  We did not expect to sleep as well after our very long journey, perhaps it is the timing of our arrival and our many different transportations to arrive at Southampton.  We had breakfast early then did a walk again through one of the beautiful parks and down through the town.  Perhaps a few days here would have been a good plan before we set off it would have enabled us to learn a little of the history of this very interesting place and also caught us up a little.  We were due at the port at 1.00pm caught a cab from our hotel I have to say the process of embarkation certainly makes Sydney embarkation lacking.  It was extremely efficient we left our hotel at 12.00noon and we were on board by 1.00pm. 

Cruisers from Australia all don their cruise cards on a lanyard and do not take them off until disembarkation, perhaps half a dozen are wearing a lanyard on this journey, we are all different I guess.  Our room location is good and we were orientated pretty quickly.  I have to say it is a different experience cruising with our usual Aussie friends. 

We study our newspaper “Horizon” each evening keeping us up to date with the next days events.  There is of course plenty to keep one occupied.  We have two very competent gym instructors and there are two classes each morning at 7.00 and 7.30 and then one at 5.00 each afternoon.  There is always deck 7 which on this ship is an uninterrupted walk. 

Our entertainment has been extremely good two people in particular a young man by the name of Will Martin we had the pleasure of his concerts on two occasions.  There is also a young man by the name of Bartosz Barasinski he has done three classical concerts for us and anor one this evening he is billed as a rare talent and that he is, he also has a great humor and is an absolute delight.  How very fortunate we have been to have the honour of his concerts. 

We have enjoyed lots of sunshine up on the top deck in our bathers something we were not expecting in the Baltic. 

All we non EU passport holders of course have our passports taken from us on embarkation.  There are not that many of us.  There are some ports where one needs to take their passport with them so I just collect mine when I need to, Sam of course does not have to worry being an EU passport holder. 

We have two days at sea now and our first port is Travemunde in Germany. 

 We will only post these when we have access to the internet which we will not have every day while on board. I have dated this July 2 but it is over a number of days.

I believe it is very chilly in Melbourne.  All the best Sabine and Sam

Journeying to Southampton

Well here we are safely in Southampton.  Left home yesterday about 3.00pm.  Left the red car with Ash.  We left from Southern Cross via the Skybus Candice and Ash came and waved goodbye which was lovely.  Very smooth book in etc.  left Melbourne at 10.00pm on 30.06.17 plane change in Doha a gorgeous new airport it was being built the last time we went through in 2011 very serene and peaceful. Our flight to London on time etc landed at 1.00pm their time efficient process collection of luggage etc out by 2.00pm straight onto the train f rom Heathrow Terminal 4for Green Park very busy for a Saturday then a change to the Jubilee Line which took us to Waterloo then our train to Southampton arrived here at 5.22 so all in all very good indeed.  It took exactly 36 hours so we are a little tired tonight.  All went well though, so the main thing really.  I did meet a very lovely young couple sitting next to me on the Doha to London leg mid 20s I guess, from Canberra they were going to Spain as the young girl is Spanish and then to Croatia as the young man is Croatian.  I told them they would fall in love with Dubrovnic and Madrid as neither of them has been in the country of their origin before.  We also met a team of Greek bicycle riders whilst swapping trains, Gordy did have all these trains planned to the minute he is indeed a great travel agent went like clockwork.  Tomorrow is the beginning of the Baltic cruise few days of relaxation at sea before we get right into it,  Keep you posted all the best Sabine xx and Sam  xx