50th Honeymoon Trip Day 2

Saturday May 13

The next morning we had coffee and cookies in the lounge of the hotel and waited for Sid. He offered to come back and pick us up at noon. He arrived and got us to the correct terminal, dropped off our bags and delivered us to the front doors. It cost 30 pounds with tip. So far in transportation in England it has cost us 113 pounds which is close to $226 CAD.

After going through security we were on the ship and headed to our stateroom. We are in room B735 on deck 11. It is a long walk to the main area of the ship but what a great view we have. We are on the starboard side and if it is clear we hope to occasionally see land. It is sunny out today but the wind is chilly. We sat out on the balcony and watched the activities of loading food, people and lots of machinery moving around. We talked with the people who are living next door and waved to some on lower decks. Then we left port, heading to Guernsey, our first stop on one of the channel islands.

After we were out of the harbor we took a walk around the ship. Later we went down to have dinner and then off to the theater. We are not allowed to take pictures though many ignored the request. The show was to be David Copperfield and we thought it was the magician. We were very excited to see him and some magic. Well it was not the real guy but a singer/comedian. He was not all that great and we were disappointed. We got back to the room, watched a movie and then off to sleep.

Sunday, May 14

We woke on Mother’s Day as the ship was anchoring at St. Peter Port, Guernsey. What a cute looking place. They don’t have a deep harbor port so we had to be tendered in. The people who were taking the ship’s tours got to go first and then those of us that were doing our own thing on shore next. At the dock, people dressed up in old vintage clothing for picture taking. We aren’t doing pictures as we never did anything with our last cruise pictures. At the bus terminal we found they had a bus tour for 7.5 pounds each that would take you around the island in 2 ½ hours. We bought tickets and climbed aboard.

The trip was awesome we stopped for pictures at Pembroke Bay, white sand beaches and clear water. Our next stop was at Vazon Bay this area is a large expanse of sand that is a magnet for the Island’s extreme sports. Next we stopped at Portelet Bay which is close to the foot of the south coast cliffs and is a working harbor as well as a safe sheltered beach. From this location we could see Hou Island.

Then we headed to the Little Chapel. I had read about this place and was excited to go and see it. When our bus stopped people thought we were public transit and tried to board us. Our bus driver had to turn people away at the next two stops we are visiting. Anyway back to the Little Chapel. It was the third one that was built and the builder demolished the first two. Possibly this is the smallest chapel that is decorated with broken pieces of china and seashells and pebbles. The hallway exiting is so narrow I felt like I needed to duck down to get out. It was well worth the visit.

We boarded the bus and went to St. Martin Down the the lowest southern point and ended up at Jerbourg Hotel. In the back is a cliff and from here we could see our ship and the island of Sark, Jersey was just a shadow far off into the water. Soon we were back into the town of St. Peter Port. On Sundays they have a Sunday By The Seashore Market. We walked around the market and watched children playing with bubbles from a bubble machine. They sure were enjoying a fun time until their parents took them away. The wind was raw on the west side of the island but on the east side it was very lovely indeed. We headed back to the ship and noticed that the boats where sitting on the gravelly bottom and no water.

Well the tide is out and the boats are in dry dock until the tide returns. It was like Alma, Nova Scotia and just as pretty.

We got the tender back to the ship. I was exhausted so can you believe I went to bed. I slept most of the late afternoon away but didn’t feel anymore rested once I woke. We went down for a light dinner of pizza and got to sit by a window overlooking the island. At 7pm we went to the Captain’s Welcome Champagne Waterfall Party. They never did fill up all the glass so it wasn’t much of a waterfall. Many people went up to pour the champagne with the Maître D'hôtel and had their pictures taken. At 8:30pm we headed to the theatre to watch the Production Show Bravo. It was awesome with the people singing and dancing. Back to the room exhausted. We walked over 8,000 steps today.

Stay tuned for more of our trip around the UK….

A Fantastic Surprise When We Arrived Home

Our trip back from the Plantation was uneventful except we picked up a nail, causing a slow tire leak. Nothing serious but you know it is a pain. We did not take on any side trips except to stop off at Ellicottville to have a short visit with Terri & Mark. Somewhere around Ellicottville, someone is missing a nail.

As we walked into our house we were greeted with 50th Anniversary decorations – sometimes it doesn’t pay to leave a key with your daughter…. but it was fun and we appreciated her kindness.

This was one of the few years that we have been ‘home’ to celebrate our anniversary so we made plans. The most acceptable plan was a romantic dinner for two at the Watermark Restaurant at the Hilton in Niagara falls. After all, it was Niagara Falls where we started our adventure 50 years ago! We asked for a window seat, explaining our celebration and the staff went out of their way to ensure we had a wonderful view and the service was excellent – not to mention the company was outstanding too. The evening was perfect, great food and the weather cooperated to provide the best view of the falls.

We have a second honeymoon planned and come back again soon to read about the wonderful time we had…. hope all is well where you are.

Happy Anniversary

Marti & I set up an ECO boat tour of Weeks Bay & the Magnolia River for 16+ folks. The day started out a bit misty and overcast but as we started down the river, the mist and clouds cleared and we were under beautiful blue skies. The ‘captain’ shared stories and highlights of the river as we sailed toward Magnolia Springs.

We saw some raptors and water fowl along the way. Except for the water mail delivery, the river was very quiet.

After the cruise, some of us went up to Cousin Vinny’s for some excellent pizza. They had us set up in an area in the back – good choice for our rowdy crowd – and we all sat together which is an ingredient for more fun and good times.

We were excited it was April because Terri & Mark were coming down again for a 4 day weekend. They got held up at the Toronto due to a bomb threat but did manage to get to Chicago but the gate was closed when they arrived to board the flight to Mobile and had to lay over for 24 hours. So their 4 day weekend was cut down to 3! We made some changes to their itinerary and made the best of their visit.

We planned a large happy hour while they were here to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary with our friends here at the Plantation. No one knew (except Terri & Mark after they landed) so it was a reverse surprise party with decorations etc. We had 50ish friends and neighbors all having a good time with us.

Barb always tries to surprise Terri & Mark with a little something to take home. This time, she made them placemats for them when they have pot lucks at the ski hill. Later, we drove down to Fort Morgan to take the ferry across to Dauphin Island and the visit the Dauphin Island Estuarium.

But surprise, the ferries are not on a regular schedule and the wait was too long so we came up with plan B – hike the nature trail at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. After that hike, we needed a cold beverage so back to Gulf Shores and to The Hangout right there on the beach. We managed to get a table on the porch overlooking the beach. Good food and cold beer, can’t get much better! This place must rock during spring break and the summer. Marti & Larry had a dinner party to end off Terri & Mark’s visit. Another great visit in the memory banks.

Betty & Jerry were heading north early this year and we didn’t have a chance to take them to another one of our favorite eateries – Sunset Point Grill – so we crammed it in before they left. Imagine, sitting out on their deck, overlooking the marina, watching the sun set over Mobile Bay. Too nice.

The rest of April was filled with more eating, celebrating the sun rising in the east or any other excuse we can think of. Happy hours and last minute chores like staining our deck. We even got the boat wet one last time and then packed it up and left it in the shed.

We left a little early this year so we wouldn’t be on the road celebrating our 50th anniversary! Hope all is well where you are…..