Wales

We did not visit with the Prince.  We did see the castle where his official investiture took place.  Seeing castles in Wales and Scotland is almost like seeing a ranch house in Latham.  There are many of them in various states of decay.  Cities grew around the fortresses that belonged to powerful men.  Some of those structures survive.  They are usually in high places and near rivers to provide optimal military advantage over possible invaders. 

Our tour included a visit in one of the United Kingdom’s largest national parks.  Spectacular views and sheep are the most prominent features.  Farmers are permitted to graze their sheep, horses and cattle within the park.  The little ewe on the ledge above is quite content to watch me take pictures. 

The final stop on our tour included a firsthand look at one of the longest words in Welsh. It is the name of a train station.  We learned a children’s song to help us pronounce it.  Truthfully, the children’s song sounded quite a bit more like something sung in a pub in Klingon.

Late addition to my blog entry because it is a real first for us on a cruise.  As the ship was readied for departure a young woman serenaded the ship from a stage provided by the port staff.  I know her first name is Lucy.  While she continued to sing all of the port staff, including all of the dock workers came out and waved goodbye to our ship.  In all of our port departures there isn't anything to rival this one for warmth.  The video will contain some of these very touching moments.

A Quick Stop in Guernsey

It’s a little island in the English Channel, closer to France than to Britain.  It was occupied by the Germans during the war.  In fact, our first stop was to the museum that chronicles that part of the island’s history.  A considerable amount of that episode is preserved.  There are plenty of pictures to help tell the story.  Unique in the collection is a picture of a British Bobbie, no longer carrying a weapon, but still in uniform, directing traffic under the watchful eye of a German soldier.

Like many occupations the first thing the Nazi’s did was cut off all information.  Radios were confiscated and the local newspaper was shut down.  The free flow of information was not stopped.  Citizens crafted their own crystal radio sets and passed the information along to the former newspaper reporters.  The result was an underground newspaper.  Unfortunately, one of their neighbors, probably hoping to secure more food for his family, reported the activity to the Germans.  The reporters were imprisoned and died in captivity.

Guernsey’s climate is great for growing.  Bathed by the Gulfstream the temperature rarely gets too hot or too cold.  Cows like the grass and produce a very rich blend of cream.  Much like Victoria, in British Columbia, the residents grow plenty of colorful flowers.  A possession of the British Monarchy, it accepts three different currencies and they make great ice cream.

A 7 hour stay, which is fairly short.  I guess we need to “get on the road” early to get to our next destination on time, but it gave us a chance to socialize with all our Cruise Critic friends.

Arriving in Gurnsey

The Crown Princess dropped anchor in St. Peter Port, Gurnsey.  If the name of the island sounds like the name of a cow, it is not a coincidence.  This is where that breed originates.  The island group is closer to France than to the United Kingdom and technically is a possession of the Royal Family.  Our weather is gorgeous.  Sunny.  65.  Seas are calm.  That doesn't happen too often at this particular port so we are fortunate.  It is a short stay here.  I'll post some pictures after we've gone shore.

The Crown Princess

We left port about 30 minutes ago.  Spent most of the day in transit.  All is well.  Saw my first castle on the shore.  You'll get to see more tomorrow.  Tonight we are going to take care of chores.

Last Day in London

We really enjoyed our visit to London.  Despite bringing only one pair of shorts, because it’s NEVER HOT here during the summer, we muddled through.  I now know to “mind the gap”, which is a caution about the space between the subway car and the platform.  I know a cold beverage is something slightly below room temperature and “what is this substance called ice that you Yanks always ask about?”  Some men seem to wear women’s pants.  Visitors who ask about air conditioning are told that a facility is air cooled, which simply means they open windows.  If we were willing to pay our taxes in 1776 the same things might be true back in New York today.  People are extremely friendly and polite and are completely comfortable giving you directions to the nearest underground station.  They may even offer to walk you part or most of the way if they are not speaking on their mobile.

For Harry Potter Fans, I've also got a picture of Charing Cross.

We started our day at St. Paul’s Cathedral where I learned I am a non-conformist.  I’ve always thought so, but in British terms it means I am not a member of the Anglican Church.  It’s another one of those places where inside pictures are not permitted unless you are making a Harry Potter movie.  Then you can use the unique stairwell in the west end of the church for a scene. 

It appears in Prisoner of Azkaban

 At the British Museum we learned that priceless artifacts in the Parthenon collection which might rightfully belong to the Greeks is a “matter for discussion.”  It doesn’t look to me as if the pieces of marble are going anywhere.  Neither are any of the Egyptian mummies.

This evening we capped our stay by visiting with two former Saint Rose students who are studying here.  It was good to see Gina and Marie.  Then we had dinner with long time family friend, Jean Edelstein, who I don't think we've seen in nearly ten years.  The night ended by taking in a show, Jersey Boys.  We sat down and the overture started because Jan is that good at scheduling this.

Our memorable stay in London became even richer because of 69 The Grove, where we are staying.  At breakfast this morning it was the United Nations, with people from Vancouver, Switzerland, Italy, Niskayuna, Japan, Australia and France.  Somehow we all managed to communicate.  Our hosts are gracious and accommodating.  Our room, #3, is pretty good sized.  There are flower boxes outside our window, which are obviously well cared for and Jan is not responsible.  Our UN breakfasts are yummy and it's a short walk to the Tube.  Compare their costs to that of a typical London Hotel.

We will be sorry to say goodbye to it in the morning but we are looking forward to more adventures.

I Peed at the Palace

I bet you want details or at least an explanation.

We took a private tour of Buckingham Palace this evening.  We toured all of the State Rooms, including the ballroom with Kate’s dress.  We saw the Faberge collection.  We were in the throne room.  From July 23^rd until October 3^rd the general public can tour the Palace if tickets are purchased.  Jan opted for the smaller, private tour.  With so many people going through the Palace, especially during this hot stretch, you’d think the Palace staff would work out restrooms.  When you are on a private tour that is arranged.  One of the staff who walks around with the group will escort you to one of the Palace bathrooms.  They wait outside and return you to the group.  I made sure to put the seat back down just in case Her Majesty needed to use the loo.

Before we went to the Palace we checked out the Crown Jewels at the Towers of London.  I’ve never seen such a large diamond in all my life.  The sovereign’s scepter contains a 530 carat diamond.  It is part of a larger diamond discovery, measured at over 3,400 carats.  That’s’ bling.  During the history of the towers several individuals were beheaded on the grounds.  We were far more fortunate.  We received an informative tour and history lesson from one of the Beefeaters.

We returned to the Towers at night to witness the Ceremony of the Keys, where the doors are locked with the same kind of pomp and ceremony as the Royal Changing of the Guards.  In between all of that we visited the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square and walked through St. James park.

A Busy, Busy, Day

Up early at our B & B, located on Vauxhall.  We met people from Vancouver, Japan and Italy this morning.  We traded languages and jars of marmalade for our toast.  Out the door to Parliament.  You get to see exteriors from me.  As our tour guide, Henry, told us:  “We live in interesting times.”  I’m certain he did not say that first, but he is correct.  They want to give tours but for security reasons they do not want lots of pictures of the inside floating around.  If you want to see the inside of the Parliament Building click this: House of Commons.

After Parliament it was onto Westminster Abbey.  Again.  No pictures inside, but you wall got up early to watch Kate and Wills get married, right?  If not click this: Inside Westminster.

We also checked out the Churchill War Rooms where I did take some pictures, the V & A museum (Victoria and Albert) but I’ll save those and then to the BBC Proms for a terrific classical music concert to finish the night.

It’s pretty warm here, especially for London.  It’s not New York warm, but they aren’t big on air conditioning, ice cold beverages and guys shy away from shorts.  Not really sure what that is about, but they are awfully polite so we’ll give them a pass on all of it and just keep the windows open at night.