FromSea2ShiningSea

Good morning as we approach Cozumel

Thank you! We made it to SD but because of all the backlog of flights, there is no open gates. We are waiting for one to open to move the plane to the gate. Also, we got an email from Royal that due to fog, Radiance could not dock so everything was delayed for an hour. They asked us to arrive at the terminal one hour later than our check in time. When approaching landing, we saw out of the window our ship at the dock. The terminal is very close to the airport.

@dani negreanu So sorry for what you are going through again. My heart and prayer go out to you. I’m thankful you have a distraction here to keep your mind off all that is happening there. I hope DH is doing okay. Hugs! @Luckynana Thank you, Maryann. We are still waiting at the gate. Our flight has been delayed twice due to fog in San Diego. Departure time is now 9:42 AM.

Dynjandi in Isafjordur, Iceland Dynjandi means literally thundering noise which describes perfectly the waterfalls Look at the dark cloud that is a little above the left of the church. What do you see? The shape of a church. Church in the Sky. That is spooky to me. Orange lighthouse for @Ocean Boy

Akureyri, Iceland- Cod was most commonly dried. In 1877, the townspeople learned the technique of salting fish which gave a boost to the fishing industry. Laufas Manor Farm- Laufas Church dates back to 1060. The church was rebuilt in 1865. Sod houses- for insulation. They are connected inside to one another for the purpose of sharing heat. In the winter, they bring their cows in as the cows would help keep them warm. Laufas Kirkja (backwards on the gate) means Laufas Church Icelandic horses- They have short legs and they look like ponies but they are not ponies. They are horses. Icelandic horses are bred in Iceland and they can be exported but once they leave, they cannot return. No other breeds are allowed in Iceland. We got to see these up close. From Akureyri Botanical Gardens Trolls- They are part of Iceland’s folklore and myths.

We fly down to San Diego tomorrow morning. Going to meet DS1 & DS2 & their spouses for lunch in Old Town before boarding. Hope to see your at Sailaway. Remember, I’ll have red shades on. 😎 We were sorry to see you switch cruises. We were looking forward to meeting you. But I’m glad you got to enjoy the Greenland cruise except for the rough seas and you getting sick at the end. At least it was at the end and not the beginning of the cruise. I hope you and DW are all better now.

Dover, England- the last of the British Isles ports. Lighthouse in the harbor. White cliffs and Dover Castle in the background. Breakwater lighthouse White cliffs of Dover Dover Castle Walmer Castle Canterbury Cathedral Not my picture. I took it from a picture on a wall in the cathedral. We went to the town of Sandwich. We didn’t go to Ham. So we ended with a plain sandwich.

Cork, Ireland English Market Charles Fort, Kinsale Butter Chicken- My #1 favorite

Waterford (Dunmore E), Ireland. Are you tired of castles? Me, too. So is this guy in the white top. He’s on the “ABC- Another Bloody Castle” tour. The Kilkenny Castle Couple lighthouses for OB @Ocean Boy

I’m sorry to hear about your health issues, Greg @Sea Dog and @DaniDanielle (your Charlie’s). I hope you all get better soon. @maggieq We were on the 12-Night British Isles cruise that started on 8/16/2023.

8/23 Holyhead, Wales Caenarrfon Castle was constructed and commissioned in 1283 not only as a military stronghold but also as a seat of government and royal palace. Gylderau- a picturesque mountain range in Northern Wales Snowdonia National Park Heather Right in the center of Snowdonia National Park is the “capital”, Betws-Y-Coed (prayer-house in the woods), a fairy-tale town with many shops, cafes, pubs and locals. There is also a railroad station behind the shops. St. Michael’s Old Church Conwy Castle UK’s longest place name- one of the longest town names in the world

8/22 Liverpool sunrise This was a pub where Ringo’s mom used to work at. Ringo and his mom moved to the house that’s right across from this house. Paul & John (I think) used to sit at this churchyard gravesite. That’s where they got the inspiration to write the song Eleanor Rigby- from the tombstone. Strawberry Field was a Salvation Army home for children. John Lennon lived nearby and would play here when he was a child. On the left side of the photo, tucked way inside and under the trees is the red gate to Strawberry Field.

The Peace Wall in Belfast, Ireland Gate of the Peace Wall H & W Shipyard where the Titanic was built This was in the morning before sunrise. Parts for wind turbines @Luckynana Sunrise

Another old castle on our way to the next stop Next stop- Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland We hiked up the mountain and then down the mountain to get to….. This And this…Basalt Columns results of ancient volcanic fissure activity Last look before we head out to Belfast, Ireland

A monument marker from the 1700s along an old military road in the Argyll Forest Park, part of Scotland’s Trossachs National Park. “Rest and Be Thankful” was what the soldiers who built the road inscribed on it. There was a gathering of light golden retrievers at this park. These were the first ones to arrive. Others were coming as we were leaving. It would’ve been fun to see all of them there.

Scotland’s Highland Cows- they are huge Sheep outnumber people in both Scotland and Ireland A beautiful village named Luss in Scotland Haggis- the National dish of Scotland

I finally finished editing my pictures and as promised, I’d like to share some with you except that it’s really hard to choose which to show you because there are so many. Scotland and Ireland are so rich in history and culture. I really enjoyed hearing all the stories, legends, myths and fairytales that the tour guides told. We started out in Inverness/Lockness, Scotland. There are a lot of castles and cathedrals in Scotland. This is the Cawdor Castle. Here is something very interesting. Look at the cloud that is a little to the left above the cathedral. What do you see? I see a castle in the sky. After all, this is Castle Road Inverness Cathedral Kilchurn Castle Inveraray Castle

Which thread please? I can’t find this topic when I search the board. I thought about you and your son & family when we crossed the bridge to Marine County. It is really pretty there. Which town are they in?

Patti, it was at the Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa. This was what we had to cross to get there.

The setting for the wedding reception last night at a winery It rained on and off all day and even during their 6:00PM wedding and ended up with this sunset

That’s so neat, @h20skibum. The wedding cake looks great. She’s got real talent. Yesterday, we went to a wedding also. This was their wedding cake. Pretty similar to your granddaughter’s. One day, she will make one just like this. We will be on this cruise also. Hope to meet you at Sail Away. I will have red sunglasses on so hopefully I should be easy to spot.

Fall Equinox. Happy first day of Fall! 🌕 🌻. It’s the fourth and final supermoon of 2023. This was from yesterday morning. From this morning Costco finds…Flavors of Fall- Caramel Apple Mini Cakes

Apple Blossom is only available at lunch in the MDR. And maybe only offered one time on a cruise. You’d have to look out for it on each sea day’s lunch menu. We had ours on the Arctic Crossing Day. I had the Fish & Chips of Icelandic Cod. This one is for @grapau27 And of course, the Apple Blossom. This one is for @Tree_skier and everyone else who loves this.

Greg @Sea Dog, you’re not crazy to be starting to put up Christmas decorations. Costco already has their Christmas merchandise in stock. Here is something I brought back for you from my cruises to help you decorate your Christmas trees. But first I saw this perfect Christmas tree at the Beauly Priory in Historic Scotland and I immediately thought of you. Some Christmas ornaments from Scotland… Some from Ireland… And these from Akureyri, Iceland Happy decorating! Pace yourself. Don’t stress yourself out by overdoing it.

Patti @Coralc I am so sorrry for the sad news of Bobby’s passing. May you find peace and comfort in knowing that he knew in his little heart that he was so loved by you. Hugs to you. Bob @bobmacliberty I really enjoy the beautiful photos from the newlyweds. Never thought about Switzerland but what a great place to visit and explore. I’ve been wondering though, there’s never anyone around them, so who takes the pictures of the two of them together for them? @aussielozzie18 As usual, I love the pictures that you share. I love the cute koalas and the lighthouse. I love lighthouses, too. I look for them and have my eyes out for them when on a cruise. I make sure I get pictures of them so I can share it with @Ocean Boy cuz I know he loves them, too. @Momof3gurlz I’m excited for you on your upcoming trip. Have a fantastic time. Taking just a carryon and backpack each will make it so much easier to move around. You can do it! John, @Ozark_Kid How was the strawberry cake? It looked so good. Kenzie has a kind and generous heart. She is very special.