Welcome to our travels and adventures


Welcome to our travels and adventures

Off to London….

When we woke after a great day in Paris, we were back in Southampton, where we departed from. Another peace of bad news, Barb was ill! She must have caught what ever the lady who was behind us on the bus was trying hard to share. Anyway, we made our way off the boat and through customs without any problems, found a cab to take us to the Southampton train station. We chose a BnB in Brentford (just outside London) and our hosts sent us detailed directions on how to get there using public transit. Now is a good time to have some sympathy for Barb, first a struggle with her bags to disembark, then a cab ride and then a train to the heart of London and she Waterloo-stationcould not enjoy any of the sights or the ride! Arriving at London’s Waterloo station, we hustle to transfer to the train to Brentford. A little stressful to say the least, dragging our bags and not sure of where we are going in London’s busiest station. The train was comfortable even though London was entering an unusual warm period.

Arriving at the Brentford station on Thursday and disembarking into a totally unknown area, we get our bearings and follow our instructions to the BnB. What appeared to be 17050980 May 26 Another pub a block from BnBshort distance on paper turned out to be a 20 minute walk with our bags and Barb not feeling well enough for this type of adventure but we got to our accommodations without getting lost! We make our way up 3 flights of steps to our lodging 17050976 May 26 Our BnB from bridge over canaland Barb crashes on the bed for the rest of the day. Welcome to London Babe….. These following pictures try to show you the area we stayed in. The main streets were busy but a great spot with the canals, pubs and shopping, oh, and the pubs.

17050973 May 26 Magpie pub17050977 May 26 View up canal from bridge

17050982 May 26 It's a neighborhood pub with the locals17050989 May 26 Canal boats moored along the canal out back of BnB


Friday and Barb is not much better and this heat wave is not helping her. The bedroom wind17050975 May 26 Barb on the terrace of the BnBows are small and do not allow a lot of air movement. Our hosts provide a fan but it only blows around the hot air. Later in the afternoon, our hosts leave for the weekend so we have the whole 3 floors to ourselves so we move Barb down to the main floor where we have access to the patio and the patio door lets lots of air through. This helps her feel better already.

Saturday and Barb is able to sit up and feel somewhat better. She is determined not to let this bug get her down and miss out on seeing London so Kew Gardens (Royal Botanical Gardens) are just a few stops away on the train so off we go.

The walk back to the same train station we arrived at on Thursday doesn’t seem quite so far – they must have moved yesterday! We make the walk from the Kew Bridge 17050993 May 27 Elizabeth Gate of Kew GardenStation, over the Thames River to the Elizabeth Gates of Kew Gardens. It was a bit of a hike but Barb made it but tiring quickly. Instead to walking around Kew Gardens, we took 17051014 May 27 Looking up the trunk of a Giant Sequoia tree at Kewthe tram. It worked out perfectly for us. We got off to tour Kew Palace and gardens. We sat in a garden off from the Palace and watched geese and ducks drift around and enjoyed the nature we were in. It was time though and we had to get back to the BnB to give Barb an opportunity to rest up a little before we hit one of the pubs for dinner.

17051016 May 27 London home of the Duke of Northumberland viewed across the Thames from Kew Garden17051020 May 27 Front of Kew Palace17051036 May 27 A garden of Allium in front of the Palm House17051028 May 27 Pond & fountain of side garden of Kew Palace17051043 May 27 The bar from our table


Tomorrow is going to be a big day, our bus tour of London.

Paris, France…..

A Day at Sea before Paris

What a time we had at St Andrews, the Home of Golf! After our excitement settled down, we decided we want to spend a month in Scotland and with any luck, play the ‘Old Course’ as well as enjoy more of the beautiful country side and Scottish culture.

17050825 May 23 Wind mills standing in North Sea above ScotlandWe have a day at sea while the ship makes it’s way to Le Havre France where we will board a bus for a 2 hour ride and tour Paris before we board a river boat for a lunch on the River Seine! On our way through17050828 May 23 Drawing of Floating wind farm in North Sea Scotland the North Sea, we view many wind turbines ‘floating’ in the sea. They are connected together and provide renewable energy for most of Scotland. It was rather an amazing site and something you would not expect out in the North Sea.

17050829 May 23 Barb & I on Thermal longes, getting nice a warmWe planned to use the gift that Terri and Mark arranged for us in the spa on ship. We spent some time on the warming beds – kinda neat, a heated lounge type structure that we laid on for 40 minutes before we went into the sauna. The heat was very soothing but comfort – not! Once we were ‘spa-ed’ out, we had lunch and wandered – not so aimlessly around the decks of the boat. People watching is always entertaining and I’m sure if others are watching us, they would agree….

Our afternoon was more of the same, walking, watching, snacking, an17050832 May 23 Scotish golf banner hung in Piazzad waiting until we arrive in France. Our evening pleasure was the on-board show in the theatre. They are generally good and fun and this night was no exception. We wake moored in Le Havre France. After breakfast, our departure is organized by bus so we wait in one of the restaurants for our number to be called to disembark for our bus tour of Paris.

17050834 May 23 View of a packed theatre for the last show of our voyage

17050837 May 24 Arriving at French customs





We are greeted by a pair of mimes as we approach the customs area. Once on the bus, 17050839 May 24 Housing near the port of le Havrewe start the 2 hour drive to Paris. We pass through cute areas until we turn onto the A-13 to Paris. It’s not unlike any freeway in North America. Our trip permits us a quick view of the Eiffel Tower from afar, awesome.

17050843 May 24 Eiffel Tower in back ground coming into Paris



The tour takes us past so many historic landmarks, historic statues, beautiful architecture and busy streets. We see many points of interest, too many to list here but hopefully our pictures demonstrate the beauty of Paris.

17050849 May 24 Other side of the Arc de Triomphe 17050862 May 24 Fountain of Maritime Navigations at de la Concorde

17050863 May 24 Luxor Obelisk at Place de la Concorde17050864 May 24 View down the Avenue de la Grande Armee to the Arc de Triomphe

17050871 May 24 Side street on our tour to Effiel Tower17050899 May 24 Long distance of glass pyramid17050900 May 24 View of Louvre over gardens17050927 May 24 Barb & the Eiffel Tower

17050932 May 24 Another tour boat of Seine River behind usAfter we saw the sights and heard the sounds, we took a lunch cruise 17050931 May 24 Lunch on our tour boat of Seine Riveron the River Seine. It was an excellent end to a fantastic day.



17050935 May 24 Look back at the Pont Alexandre III bridge

17050938 May 24 Lots of bars & restaurants on Seine River






17050948 May 24 Barb & Terry on the River Seine in Paris

Before we head back, the tour guide gave us 60 minutes to prowl around Champs Elysees to shop, take photos or just kick back. We went into a souvenMacaroonsir shop and almost couldn’t move for too many other tourists in a small space! Everyone (?) said we just had to buy some French macaroons… We soon found a bakery that specialized in these delicacy's and after recovering my breath from the price, we went back to the bus pick up to continue on our way.



17050964 May 24 Barb in front of Arc de Triomphe

17050950 May 24 View down the river from the busNow on our ride back to the ship, I don’t think anyone took into account that this was a holiday weekend in France and the A-13 was jammed with cars 17050966 May 24 Verticle gardens in Parisleaving Paris so the 2 hour bus ride is now a 3 ½ hour ride. We had a couple behind us talking loudly on their cell and the whole bus could here her conversation. One gentleman in front answered one of her questions – that was too funny. Unfortunately, the lady was hacking up a lung at the time so we’re hoping not to catch what she was trying to share!

We were so late arriving back to the ship that this is one of those reasons you take the activity from the boat so they don’t leave you behind. 17050970 May 24 Back at sea catching a sunset 2We get back to our stateroom in time to watch the sunset. Another wonderful day and tomorrow is the end of the cruise – just a buffet of attractions, with samples to try for any future plans.




I know this has been almost a painful experience with my slack updating of our blog but we still have 3 days in London so do come back if you dare….