Review Emerald Princess British Isles May 9-26, 2022, plus one week in London!

[ROWSE]

26 minutes ago, Zechmanm said:

Enjoying your reporting.  My husband and I will be doing this same trip September 18.  Thanks for your detailed posts.

Thank you for following along!  September should be wonderful!  

[coo359a2]

3 hours ago, ROWSE said:

Whoops!  Good to know.  

With friends, we spent 2 weeks on a narrow boat going on several English canals.  Had the best time ever but didn't get a chance at going across an aqueduct like you saw

[ROWSE]

May 16, 2022,  Orkney Islands (Kirkwall) , Scotland continued. 

 

It was time to meet our tour with Alex.  This was our speedboat for the 

adventure today.  It could hold 12 and there were 10 of us going.  

 

 

We geared up and had a safety drill.  Alex was very helpful getting the lifejacket on me

as I was all tied up in the thing.  He is in the process of buying pants as there was not enough

for everyone but mine were a little water resistant anyway.  We needed it!  

 

 

 

Remember how I said it was a hit or miss whether we went due to high winds.  Well, it maybe should 

have been a miss as we were just covered in water from all the wind out there and high waves.  Still, 

it was a hoot!  We did not see any wildlife to speak of and some of the tour had to be

curtailed due to the weather.  It was to be a two hour tour and those in the front seats 

had had enough after 1 hour so we came back in to the dock.  Wet and cold, but we knew Alex

was taking us over to an island to explore so we stayed on.  There were 6 brave soles that stayed on.

 

We were so glad we had gloves and those Covid masks again saved our faces from freezing!

We bounced across the bay to Balfour.  Oh happy day, we got to see the Coos Highland Cows. 

 

 

 

Balfour Castle in the distance 

 

Due to so much wind the trees grow oddly. 

 

 

 Freezing but still having fun!  

 

 

 

 

The young man in the black jacket is Alex.  We were able to stop at a place called the Smithy's Cafe and get something warm to help the chill.  

 

This area on low tide has many seals, but sadly we did not see any.  

 

Time to get back on the boat for that freezing/water pelting ride back to the dock! 

 

We made it back and as we were taking off all the rain gear I heard my name and it was @leck57

a lovely couple from Australia from our Roll Call.  They were ready to get on and thanked me 

for showing them the info.  Hoping their trip out was a little less wet than ours!  This was 

a memorable tour for sure and Alex did a great job despite the weather.  

 

We came back to ship, got out of our wet things, and had some lunch and drinks, and a little nap and watched a movie!  Then it was time for dinner.

 

My fruit appetizer 

 

DH appetizer 

 

Whoops ate a little before the picture of our salad.  

 

My seafood noodle dish. 

 

DH Tofu noodle dish. 

 

Even though we had been wet and freezing today, it just needed to be an ice cream night!

 

 

Back to our big soft bed and more movies.  Another big day tomorrow in Invergordon!  

 

Tried to edit this photo out as it is on twice, but apparently it is here to remind me again of our adventure today!  

Edited June 6, 2022 by ROWSE

[leck57]

15 minutes ago, ROWSE said:

May 16, 2022,  Orkney Islands (Kirkwall) , Scotland continued. 

 

It was time to meet our tour with Alex.  This was our speedboat for the 

adventure today.  It could hold 12 and there were 10 of us going.  

 

 

We geared up and had a safety drill.  Alex was very helpful getting the lifejacket on me

as I was all tied up in the thing.  He is in the process of buying pants as there was not enough

for everyone but mine were a little water resistant anyway.  We needed it!  

 

 

 

Remember how I said it was a hit or miss whether we went due to high winds.  Well, it maybe should 

have been a miss as we were just covered in water from all the wind out there and high waves.  Still, 

it was a hoot!  We did not see any wildlife to speak of and some of the tour had to be

curtailed due to the weather.  It was to be a two hour tour and those in the front seats 

had had enough after 1 hour so we came back in to the dock.  Wet and cold, but we knew Alex

was taking us over to an island to explore so we stayed on.  There were 6 brave soles that stayed on.

 

We were so glad we had gloves and those Covid masks again saved our faces from freezing!

We bounced across the bay to Balfour.  Oh happy day, we got to see the Coos Highland Cows. 

 

 

 

Balfour Castle in the distance 

 

Due to so much wind the trees grow oddly. 

 

 

 Freezing but still having fun!  

 

 

 

 

The young man in the black jacket is Alex.  We were able to stop at a place called the Smithy's Cafe and get something warm to help the chill.  

 

This area on low tide has many seals, but sadly we did not see any.  

 

Time to get back on the boat for that freezing/water pelting ride back to the dock! 

 

We made it back and as we were taking off all the rain gear I heard my name and it was @leck57

a lovely couple from Australia from our Roll Call.  They were ready to get on and thanked me 

for showing them the info.  Hoping their trip out was a little less wet than ours!  This was 

a memorable tour for sure and Alex did a great job despite the weather.  

 

We came back to ship, got out of our wet things, and had some lunch and drinks, and a little nap and watched a movie!  Then it was time for dinner.

 

My fruit appetizer 

 

DH appetizer 

 

Whoops ate a little before the picture of our salad.  

 

My seafood noodle dish. 

 

DH Tofu noodle dish. 

 

Even though we had been wet and freezing today, it just needed to be an ice cream night!

 

 

Back to our big soft bed and more movies.  Another big day tomorrow in Invergordon!  

 

Tried to edit this photo out as it is on twice, but apparently it is here to remind me again of our adventure today!  

 

We had a great time on this little jaunt, although we froze. How Alex does this a couple of times a day is beyond me. As you say, our trip was after yours and apparently we had slightly better conditions. A couple had canceled so our trip was not going ahead....until another couple from the ship wandered past and decided to sign up on the spot.

We loved the cows and saw some seals at a distance. Hope I'm allowed to add photos to your thread?

[ROWSE]

8 minutes ago, leck57 said:

 

We had a great time on this little jaunt, although we froze. How Alex does this a couple of times a day is beyond me. As you say, our trip was after yours and apparently we had slightly better conditions. A couple had canceled so our trip was not going ahead....until another couple from the ship wandered past and decided to sign up on the spot.

We loved the cows and saw some seals at a distance. Hope I'm allowed to add photos to your thread?

 

 

Glad you had better conditions.  Happy to have you add pictures!  Love those cows too!!!  

[BuckeyeMark]

My itinerary DOES include Glasgow so I was wondering if you could just back up and go there after all?  LOL  

Seriously, your reports are really really good.  Appreciate them so much!

[Lucky TGO]

13 hours ago, ROWSE said:

So glad you are along for the virtual ride!  Isn't it funny how you meet certain people on cruises and they are life long friends!!!  

Kitty, Only when they are as nice as you and Jim.

Tony

[ambelina]

On 6/3/2022 at 5:08 PM, ROWSE said:

Thank you for reading along on our journey!

There is no shuttle from Princess.  I assume they think people can enjoy the port which looked very nice.  There are buses and the train in to Dublin and I think Princess has a shore excursion to take you.  That is quite expensive compared to on your own.  

Thank you and guess we will look into the train. Still enjoying your wonderful review.

[ambelina]

On 6/4/2022 at 9:09 AM, Kenosha Cruiser said:

 

Donna & Jim, have a wonderful cruise to the British Isles with your grandson next month, we will be on the same cruise August 25th. ROWSE is doing a wonderful review of their cruise, loving all the information and pictures. 

 

We booked our Caribbean cruise for next Feb. 25th on the Sky Princess (14 days), come join us if you can. 

 

Cheers - Ken & Darlene

 

Thank you, Ken and Darlene. Hope you have a great time on your British Isles cruise also. We are really enjoying this review and it is helping us get excited. We would love to cruise with you again and will look into the Sky cruise.

 

[insidecabin]

we were on Royal when they did the first dock in Dublin very tight and had been practiced on the simulator for weeks.

I think the move to Dun Laoghaire gives ships a slightly beeter chance even with the tender.

 

Once ashore the train(Dart) is  relatively easy and cheap(€5 return).

https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/station/dun-laoghaire-mallin

 

The Princess  on your own is short for  the time in port(7am-7pm and $80 on our booking)

45min each way Dart is around 20mins and regular.

https://www.princess.com/ports-excursions/dublin-dun-laoghaire-ireland-excursions/dublin-on-your-own

 

tour gets back at 2:45pm could easily take the dart as late as 5pm or even 5:30 if they are running tenders past 6pm

 

 

we have been to Dublin a few times  will probably hang out in Dun L. they have one of the few spoons in RO   The Forty Foot, real Ale €2.70 a pint

 

Download the Wetherspoons app on round Britain cruises if you like a beer most ports have them.

[Kenosha Cruiser]

3 hours ago, ambelina said:

Thank you, Ken and Darlene. Hope you have a great time on your British Isles cruise also. We are really enjoying this review and it is helping us get excited. We would love to cruise with you again and will look into the Sky cruise.

 

 

Donna & Jim, sounds good, hopefully you can swing the Sky Princess cruise on Feb. 25th. It would be fun seeing you guys again. Enjoy your cruise to the British Isles. ROWSE (Kitty & Jim) sure are supplying us with great information on their review! 

 

Cheers - Ken & Darlene

 

Edited June 6, 2022 by Kenosha Cruiser

[ROWSE]

May 17, 2022, Invergordon (Inverness) Port 

Today we booked a tour with Thistle Excursions and they have many wonderful choices for excursions.  We chose Whisky Galore, Black Rock Gorge, and Fairytale Castle. 

I LOVED THIS TOUR COMPANY!!!  

Maxine, the owner, was always quick to respond and we were even treated to her personally coming to join us on one part of the tour.  I felt like we were friends from the fact that we had them booked in May, 2020 and we just kept moving forward till we were finally able to take their tour!  

 

Today we woke up to thick fog out the window!  

 

 

We went up to the buffet and grabbed some breakfast bringing it back to room.  

 

We headed off for a meet time of 8:45 with tour starting at 9:00.  We were directed to the area for independent tours.  The fog lingered into the morning!

 

 

There were many representatives from Thistle Tours meeting their small groups.  We only had one other couple with us on ours.  Chris and Christine from New Mexico and they were a great couple to tour with!  Our tour guide, David, soon met us and we were off in a very comfortable van.  David narrated and drove and he was easy to hear and understand!   

We stop for an amazing over look.  A bus stopped with a tour and we were just so happy to be in a small group today!  

 

 

 

It was about an hour drive to Dunrobin Castle and this has to be one of our favorite things we saw all cruise long!  It was just breathtaking and everything just beautiful inside as well!!  

The back of Dunrobin and entrance area.  

 

Our entry fee was included.

 

 

And now, some of what we saw inside...

Up the stairs we go.  We met David later outside so got to experience this in our own time.  

 

Love all the different chandeliers!  

 

A little history of Dunrobin Castle. 

 

Can you imagine eating in such elegance!!!  

 

The intricacies on the ceiling!!!  WOW!!!  

 

@PescadoAmarilloisn't this just calling you to sit down and play!!!  

 

 

A peek to the gardens from a window!!!  Unbelievable!!!  

 

Oh for a library like this!!!  Well, maybe minus the animal skins! 

 

I think they may have been playing poker.  😂

 

To have a tea party here, be still my heart!!!  

 

 

The children's playroom was adorable!

 

Some of the attire of old!  OH that sewing machine!!!  

 

Some of the uniforms and weaponry.  

 

Now it was time to ascend to the gardens and this is the view from there!  

 

I am loving Scotland!!!  

 

We are then treated to a falconry show!  This man was the falcon master!  

 

The birds were beautiful! 

 

This bird was excited to be chosen next!!

 

He showed me how he warmed up!

 

This was one of my DH random million dollar pictures!  

Edited June 6, 2022 by ROWSE

[ROWSE]

May 17, 2022, Invergordon (Inverness) Port continued...

 

After Dunrobin Castle we traveled on and our next stop was Glenmorangie (pronounced glen-mor-ruhn-jee)Distillery.  Our tour here was also included in our tour price.  We had tasted Whiskey at Bushmill's, but we did not have a tour of how it is made so this was very fun to see that now.  

 

We saw more beautiful scenery along the way.

 

 

 

Glenmorangie Distillery 

 

 

 

 

This was our little tour guide.  She was adorable!  

 

There was a confusion of whether or not we could take pictures and upon asking her she said they were just concerned the temperatures and humidity would damage our cameras.  We knew we would be fine.  

 

There were several of these huge tanks! 

 

 

 

Their barrels are ex bourbon casks and can be used twice, and are built from wood coming from the Ozark Mountains in Missouri.  Another tidbit is that the earliest record of production of alcohol at Morangie Farm is dated 1703.  In 1730 a brewery was built on the site.   They obtain their water from the Tarlogie Springs.  

 

We got to have a sample of two of their whiskey's.  They had way more of a smokey taste than Bushmill's and we did not care for them as much.  We had to add a lot of water to dilute it a bit.  

 

The two we tasted. 

 

Our next stop was to see the Mermaid of the North in Balintore.   The high tides submerge her tail!!!  

 

Next we stopped beside a field that seemed unassuming, but held this treasure!  

 

The year 700 to 800 AD can you believe it!!!  

 

Driving on our next stop was called Black Rock Gorge!  

 

This is where Thistle owner, Maxine joined us!   It was so amazing to get to meet her and have her walk us through this amazing site!  

 

A walk through this lovely woods and Maxine explained how this area was a filming location for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for 10 days.  I need to go rewatch the movie to see if I can recognize where they were.  

 

The pictures can't even begin to show how incredible this was.  

 

It is about 120 feet down!!  

 

It felt so 

 

Our wonderful tour guide, David 

 

It was so calming here and I loved it!  Just didn't want to leave!  

 

 

We bid farewell to Maxine and headed back toward the ship.  One more photo stop for this incredible view!  We loved this tour so much!!!   Thank you to David and Maxine from Thistle Tours!!  

 

Back on board and soon it was dinner time.  Tonight was Italian night in the dining room.  Eggplant Parmesan for my appetizer tonight.  

 

 

Salad for both!

 

I had the soup. 

 

Vegetable Lasagna for both of us.  

 

DH had the scallops 

 

Interesting dessert tonight which was just okay.  

 

We did attend the comedian tonight,  Tom Binns.  He was very funny.  

This was just a fantastic day that will always be a highlight of our trip!  

 

[JimmyVWine]

1 hour ago, ROWSE said:

A walk through this lovely woods and Maxine explained how this area was a filming location for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for 10 days.  I need to go rewatch the movie to see if I can recognize where they were.  

From what I recall, the Gorge is featured in a scene where Harry is riding a broomstick, being chased by a dragon.  You can see the falls in the background.  So obviously that was added in during post-production since the broomstick riding would have been filmed indoors using a green screen.  So they would have had a film crew in the area capturing the background scenery, but I don't know if the actors were actually on location.  Could be that other scenes in the movie were filmed there that included the actors.  After you re-watch it, let us know what you see!

[ROWSE]

May 18, 2022, Edinburgh (South Queensferry) Scotland 

 

We decided we would have a "do it yourself" day today and just see where our feet would take us as we had in Dublin.  Today was a tender into port AGAIN!!!  We had a lot of those this cruise.  

 

Our first view of Edinburgh

 

 

On the tender right away again.

 

 

This man was out welcoming us to Edinburgh!

 

 

As well as these wonderful bagpipers! Loved it!  

 

 

We chose the Lothian X99 bus to get in and back from Edinburgh today.  It was 10 pounds each.  This was so convenient as it was right at the port.  They sell you the ticket right at the bus.  We were pretty early so there was only about 3 sets of us on the whole bus going in.  YEAH!  Top deck on the double decker bus, and front row!  It was written that it takes 45 minutes to get to the city but it was faster than that.  They probably leave squeak room for heavy traffic.  From picture time stamps, it was about 20-25 minutes.  

 

 

 

Getting closer now...

 

 

Way up on the rock is Edinburgh Castle.  

 

Worried we would not be able to find where to catch the bus we took a couple pictures of the area to remember.  I think we could find our way back to this....

 

 

This is what the outside of the bus looked like.

 

 

 

We asked the driver how to get to the Royal Mile and he told us to walk to the main street down the hill in front of us and turn left walking till we pass the Waverly Mall and take a right on the North Bridge.  There was a lot of constructions going on, on the bridge.  

 

The Royal Mile is on a street called High Street.  We first went left to head toward Holyrood Palace.  

 

 

 

 

 

We got to the area that was Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament Buildings.  What a lovely area!  

 

 

 

 

A gate of Holyrood Palace 

 

 

This is a small view of Holyrood Palace which is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.  It was not open today as there were visiting monarchy of some kind.  That was disappointing.  

 

 

Looking up between the Parliament and the Palace is Arthur's Seat.  If we were there for more than a day, we would have loved to hike this area.  

 

 

A street back from High street has Carlton Hill which has an immense burial ground.  

 

 

 

Next we continue up the Royal mile.  

[JimmyVWine]

So excited to see how you spent your day in Edinburgh. We were there from the 9th-12th and again from the 14th-16th on a land-based trip visiting my daughter who now lives there. We spent the middle days in Glasgow and Oban.  We did take the hike up to the summit of Arthur’s Seat on the 15th. Very worthwhile but fairly rigorous. 

[ROWSE]

13 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

So excited to see how you spent your day in Edinburgh. We were there from the 9th-12th and again from the 14th-16th on a land-based trip visiting my daughter who now lives there. We spent the middle days in Glasgow and Oban.  We did take the hike up to the summit of Arthur’s Seat on the 15th. Very worthwhile but fairly rigorous. 

Thank you for still reading along on my LONG review.  It is fun for me to relive everything as I go, it all came at us so fast day after day that it helps to sort it all out and remember slowly!  Edinburgh would definitely be a place to be for more than the one day we got to do!  So much to do!!  

[BuckeyeMark]

20 minutes ago, ROWSE said:

Thank you for still reading along on my LONG review.  It is fun for me to relive everything as I go, it all came at us so fast day after day that it helps to sort it all out and remember slowly!  Edinburgh would definitely be a place to be for more than the one day we got to do!  So much to do!!  

We're reading along but we need MORE FASTER!  What's next?!  (checks Cruise Critic for the umpteenth time today to see if updated)

[GloriaF]

Loving it!  

[ROWSE]

May 18, 2022, Edinburgh (South Queensferry) Scotland continued...

 

As we continue on the Royal mile, we see some interesting old building.  

 

 

We checked it out and it was called the People's Museum.  It was free to enter.  It is a museum housed in the old Conangate Tolbooth built in 1591!!!   

 

It told the story of ordinary working class people.  

 

 

 

It had a very nice exhibit of the Printing world for Edinburgh

 

 

 

I loved seeing a few antiques that I have passed down from our family as well.  

 

Loved this quilt on the wall.  

 

The young lady at the entrance told us about another free museum across the street so we went on over.  It was the Museum of Edinburgh.   She also urged us to go to the Writer's museum closer to the Castle, but we ran out of time!

 

 

 

So much to see in here but we just did a quick walk through.  I especially loved all the glass on display.  

 

 

 

Back out on High street and we headed toward the Castle.  

 

 

After a lot of walking we really started to hit big crowds.  

This was the St. Giles Cathedral. 

 

If you look to right of this picture you can see the workings of getting ready for 

the Edinburgh Tattoo that is in August.  This whole area at the castle was in construction for that.

 

 

We get to the entrance area of Edinburgh Castle.  We decided to skip going in as this would have been a crowded, many hour adventure at the castle. 

 

 

A view from the entrance wall over the city. 

 

 

We wandered farther and found the Grayfriar's Cemetery.  There was quite a story

about Grayfriars Bobby at the museum so we wanted to see that memorial.  

 

 

 

 

We finally locate where it was...

 

There was another statue out in the street of this sweet dog who was a Skye Terrier who became known in 19th-century Edinburgh for spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner until he died on 14 January 1872. 

 

With very tired feet and empty stomachs we go back up to the Royal Mile and find a place to

eat that isn't too crowded.  

A beer was called for for DH

 

 

 

 

We split our meal and had  an amazing hummus sandwich and fish and chips.  Sadly 

we ate them before remembering to take a picture.  

Earlier we had tried to get in to the tour at Mary King's Close but had to get tickets for much

later in the day as the tours were full.  We had a 2:00 time.  We went back to the waiting 

area.

 

 

This tour does not allow photos but it is an underground tour that takes you in a labyrinth of well 

preserved 17th century alleys and houses that show how people lived and the story of some of their lives.

It was a little hard to understand the very thick Scottish accent of our young guide, but it was

interesting and spooky all at the same time.  

 

I took one picture of the cute art on the bathroom door. 

 

It was time to start finding our way back to the bus and it was a long walk.  Our ride back had 

more people this time and we were on the lower level of the double decker bus.  Really easy 

way to get in and out of the city.

 

This is the tender area, and that train bridge above was just beautiful!

 

 

It had been a wonderful visit to Edinburgh but this is definitely a "more than a day" visit to this amazing place. 

 

For dinner tonight we tried a couple of the  "always available" items.  I will put a * on those.

 

Shrimp cocktail for me. *

 

DH had the scallops. 

 

We both had some gnocchi. 

 

I had the veggie Shepherd's pie. 

 

DH had the Salmon.  *

 

I had the Love Boat Dream! *

 

DH had this.  All were wonderful of course!

 

We were exhausted from a big day and just enjoyed room time.  We turned our clocks 

one hour ahead tonight for our visit to LeHavre, France tomorrow!!

 

[JimmyVWine]

15 minutes ago, ROWSE said:

This tour does not allow photos but it is an underground tour that takes you in a labyrinth of well 

preserved 17th century alleys and houses that show how people lived and the story of some of their lives.

It was a little hard to understand the very thick Scottish accent of our young guide, but it was

interesting and spooky all at the same time.

We did this tour on 5/10.  Thankfully, our guide was a lovely young woman from Athens so her English was easier to understand than a native of Scotland! 😁  We chatted with her after the tour and it turns out that she graduated from the same Masters program as my daughter at Uni Edinburgh.  But they never crossed paths because so much of their studying was virtual!  We did bite the bullet and bought the photo that they took of our family at the end of the tour in the dark alley.  That is the only photo we have of our time there.

[karatemom2]

Just loving your recap. Thank you so much!!

[ROWSE]

May 19, 2022, Sea Day followed by  May 20, 2022, LeHavre (Paris/Normandy) Port

 

In my last post I completely forgot about the upcoming sea day before LeHavre.  Loved those sea days for just relaxing so how could I forget.  😲

(Sea Day)

We again hit the dining room for breakfast and just really had a lay around the room day with a little 

food from the buffet we brought down to the room.  It was a lovely day outside.

 

 

I tried this expresso milk shake thing with Bailly's in it.  It was quite tasty! 

 

 

There was my hubby's favorite of Sushi on the buffet today.

 

 

We went to play some trivia and later got ready for our second formal night.

 

 

I actually took a picture of this menu.  

 

 

 

We just love all the amazing breads on Princess!

 

Cheers to our last formal night! 

 

We both had the the exact same things tonight.  Escargot 

 

 Tomato Bisque 

 

Wedge Salad 

 

and Lemon-Scented Ravioli, Truffle Oil

 

Chocolate Journey dessert for me 

 

A  Soufflé  for DH

 

A few dessert tidbits for the table.

 

We ended our night with the Production show Rock Opera and of what we had seen, it was the

best show of the cruise!   

For those that were flying home to the US after the cruise they were to meet for their FREE Covid test as early at 6:00 a.m. on LeHavre day then they were to sit in room for half hour and if not notified they were free to head out.  I am so glad we had one more week in London and did not have to do this.  

 

(LeHavre, France)

We woke up very early and DH went to get items for a breakfast in bed.

 

 

View out our window as we sail in.

 

 

 

 

Today we had booked a (Not Princess) Shore excursion through Overlords and was their 9B tour.

Our sites were to be D-Day Battlefields, the American Cemetery, Cherbourg and Honfleur.  

We were to meet at 8:00 and saw an Overlord van but it was not ours.  It was awhile till our van did 

appear and it was just a white van for us today.  There were 16 of us on the tour.  One lady had her husband test positive for Covid on that morning test today, so she was solo as she was negative.   This is the tour where one couple made us wait, and did so consistently through the tour stops.  

 

It was a long two hour drive out to Omaha Beach.  We went through a toll booth.  We did stop for a bathroom break along the way too.

 

 

This was a very personal visit for us today as my DH's father, who has now passed, was

one of the soldiers that lived through that D-Day.  Our local paper did an article about his service and on the article for this day he said his unit bobbed off Omaha Beach for most of D-day, June, 6, 1944, waiting to fight their way ashore.  They were delayed until evening because so many troops were backed up on the beach-a lucky circumstance for his unit, because by then the beach was relatively peaceful.  "I'll never forget the bosun's mate on the (landing craft)," said Rowse, now a retired constructions foreman.   "I recall him saying, 'Hurry up and get off my boat, you dog-faces.  This is my seventh landing'  He meant the seventh that day.

My DH dad also witnessed the liberation of Paris and was injured in the Battle of the Bulge, and was at the liberation of the concentration camp outside of Weimar, Germany called Buchenwald.

 

I am rather grateful he survived all of this or we would not have had this life of 44 years together!

We were high school sweethearts and met at 16.   

 

We arrive at the beach.  It was pouring rain by this point, but rather fitting for such a somber moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The window of our van as we leave. 

                             

 

Standing on that beach and thinking of all the lives lost, I wonder how such beauty today could hold

such pain and anguish on that day in 1944.  

 

 

Edited June 7, 2022 by ROWSE

[ROWSE]

May 20, 2022, LeHavre, France continued...

 

Sorry, it was too late to correct, our first town stop was not Cherbourg, which was not even on this tour, it was Bayeux.  I had been looking at the Overlords page and saw that name.

 

After seeing Omaha Beach, we headed to the American Cemetery.  What a beautiful tribute to our fallen soldiers.  The rain continued for awhile.  

 

 

 

 

A view of cross after cross with an occasional Jewish star among them.  It is overwhelming to say the least to look out over that mass of crosses!  So many young lives cut short!!!  So sad!!!  

 

Our next stop was in Bayeux and guide suggested we have some lunch in one of the many restaurants! 

 

First site of Cathedral of Our Lady of Bayeux. This was a Roman Catholic church. 

 

This town is charming with those lovely small quaint little streets. 

 

Just picture perfect!  

 

We find a place to eat.

 

Just so cute!

 

 

DH had a latte and I had a wonderful iced tea. 

 

DH had fish and chips and I had a veggie burger.  Never had one quite like it.  What is normally the bun of bread around it was hash brown potato.  It was different, but good! 

 

Next it was off to see the inside of that glorious church.  

 

 

A tree in the church courtyard. 

 

The river that runs through Bayeux is the Aure  River.  

 

Time for some driving and about an hour and a half later we come to Honfleur.  I loved it here!!

Just so charming!  A double decker carousel.  

 

The little inner port area.  We walked around this. 

 

Little cobble stone streets!  My notes say it felt like being in Beauty and the Beast!!!  

 

We got some Gelato and sat admiring the beauty.

 

We came across a lovely garden. 

 

Near our bus stop was a bridge leading to a ferris wheel.  So cute!

 

We came back to bus on time.  Normally I am just a go with the flow, but the couple I wrote about always being late, comes back to the bus late then says to driver we just HAVE to send our post card we 

have from here.  WHAT???  Driver lets them go.  REALLY???  They are gone for a good 20 minutes and we wait and wait.  Finally they come back and they could not find a mailbox!!!!!  

I would have loved to have had all that time to do more exploring of this town rather than sit on the bus!!!   

Moving on...

 

Back on board, and  we quick get ready for dinner.  

Asparagus

 

Shrimp

 

Salad

 

Fish 

 

My DH chose way better with this!  I may have traded him after the picture!!! 

 

We split desserts tonight. 

 

 

After dinner we went to the theater to see piano player, Jamie Fox.  He was great!  

We had a fairly early tour meet time and decided to be part of the "walk off" crowd so no

setting out our luggage tonight.  

It had been a wonderful cruise with so much to come for us or I would have been having "last night blues" for sure.   Next up a tour with International Friends.

 

Edited June 7, 2022 by ROWSE

[Martha1974]

Thank you so much for the information about your tour around Normandy - I was there in 2004 with my (ex-)partner. His grandfather was killed in Normanday after D-day and we were the first family members to visit his grave in Bayeaux in 60 years (neither his wife or 2 sons had been able to visit). You’re right that the sight of the rows and rows of perfectly tended graves are so moving and being there is an amazing experience.