Pam,You write great seamail describing all your ports so we can feel like we are there with you. Thank you for sharing your cruise & your impressions.

Hi Pam,

I enjoyed reading your latest report. Always a fantastic experience to meet the locals.

Sorry your wonderful cruise is reaching an end. In reading your reports, it sounds as if cruising BI was great.

Did you purchase those earrings? I hope so.

Safe travels home to you and Mark. You've been missed. However, see you soon in Denial/Reality Checkque.

I haven't bought the earrings; still haven't quite decided; I'll probably wait until too late if I haven't already. Each earring was two gold chains, about an inch long, with a pearl at the end. Pearls are not huge, but nice. I really don't know one thing about pearls; the only ones I have are actually fake. When I looked at real ones, they seemed to be awfully high maintenance.

We are completely socked in by fog, now. Due to sail in about 10 minutes; I felt for the tender "drivers" over the last hour or so.

9:00 pm update. We just got back from dinner, and before that the Captain's Farewell party. Captain Dag made an ever-so-brief appearance, because we are still sailing through thick, thick fog. Which presents a possible problem. We are supposed to dock/anchor in Greenwich tomorrow about noon. Which means that we need to, as Capt. Dag said "make a turn into the river" sometime in the fairly near future. Which he said we can't do, in fog like this. So, he told us to stay tuned, and when he figures out where we are going, he'll let us know.

Oh, and I decided to pass on the earrings. I have bought gorgeous earrings on the last several cruises, so I really don't need more.

Great to hear from you Pam, and hope you can keep us posted about where you end up!

Pam,

Please let us know how it goes with Voyager's docking. If anyone is up to the "fog challenge," it's Capt. Dag!

Good luck with the foggy night. No earring purchase, you know what that means, Pam? You'll have to take another cruise to see if the earrings are still there!

Well, the fog lifted at the absolute final moment, and we are sailing in the mouth of the River Thames. There are lots of boats out there, it looks exciting! We have to pack soon because we have an excursion to Tower of London this evening. Tomorrow, we have a car picking us up and doing an "overview" of London, then taking us to the hotel. I had them booked for a trip outside London for the next day, but I just cancelled that one. I think they are more a car and driver service, and I found a company that does small groups but goes more into detail with their tours. And for a fraction of the price, but after everything else I've spent money on, that wasn't the main consideration.

I'm gonna go watch the sights from the balcony now; I'll check in later.

Enjoy! It must be spectacular to sail up the Thames to London.

Have a wonderful time exploring London.

Cheers, Anne

Oh, wow! We sailed part way up the Thames forward, then did one of those famous 180's and came the rest of the way backwards. I know we have had pilots onboard, but I saw Captain Dag on the bridge, working the controls. How fascinating!

Pam, thanks for the sea mail--this sounds like a wonderful cruise. You've made me want to sign up for one just like it. Glad you've enjoyed yourself! Now you need to schedule a trip to Tahiti on the PG so you can get your black pearls there!

We are off the Voyager, checked into our hotel. Peggy, Tahiti has never really appealed to us; we did Fiji in 1989 and feel it can't be duplicated.

I am in sensory overload; had a whirlwind several-hour driving "overview" of London before we came to the hotel. The driver, who said this was a first-time experience for him, was as deaf as a post and therefore couldn't hear our questions. We were in a Mercedes van, and an enormous distance from him. He breezed by Buckingham Palace with just an offhand remark about something that happened to his mother "right over there". I had to assume it was the palace.

Oh well, we'll be out and about soon. We did manage to tour St. Paul's and that was an incredible experience.

Last night's trip to see the Crown Jewels was overwhelming, too. I somehow always thought "Tower of London" meant just that; a tower. I didn't realize that it was a city unto itself. I want to go back, because we covered a minute fraction of it (and didn't have time to experience any ghosts).

Last night, as we returned from the Tower excursion, we rode up to 9th deck with a couple; she asked if I posted on LCT, she had recognized me from my avatar. She said she has read our posts for a long time, but didn't want to intrude since Ngaire isn't her TA. I assured her that wasn't a requirement, so I'm hoping she joins us here soon.

Pam,enjoy your time in London, a wonderful city steeped in history. How long will you be staying in London & do you have any other post cruise travel plans?

Your deaf non communicative driver could have been worse; he could have talked non stop.

Your seamails are always a pleasure to read.

Pam, forgot too add, last March we were in London & received communion at St. Paul's. That was so special to me.

Pam, don't forget Harrods! and Fortnam & Mason.

Oh, our deaf driver did talk nonstop; we had asked for a few-hour driving 'overview' because we couldn't check in as early as we got off the ship. The problem was that he talked about a lot of stuff that I didn't care about and I couldn't steer him to the topics I did care about. But that's okay. We have three more days here and Mark says we can come back next year for a few days. That trip wouldn't have to be as closely scheduled as a return trip to Scotland, because he wants to see Tatoo there.

Suzie, I just spent about an hour and a half wandering the Food Halls in Harrods; I've never seen so much chocolate in my life (you can tell I'm a chocoholic) It's just down the street from where we are staying and I'm going back again to actually spend money. We ate at the "fish 'n chips" counter there. After eating fish 'n chips in Hyde Park for lunch. I may be close to being fished out.

We are here until Sunday, have a tour to ancient places planned for Friday. Tomorrow, I think we will do the hop-on, hop-off bus so that we can do some things we had said we wanted to do. Saturday will be shop and get stuff ready to ship home. The hotel concierge said they have a lot of boxes and wrapping stuff, so they will Fed Ex what I want shipped.

Oh, and one little trip back to Voyager. Granted, we didn't eat in Compass Rose every night. But, on the nights we did, which included both formal nights...on the little tiered tray after dinner, I never. saw. one. single. truffle. I forgot to mention that on the comment card, I think. There were cookies, and little fruit things. No truffles. That's sad.

Sounds like you're both having a wonderful time in fabulous London!

Now, when you saw all that chocolate in the Food Court, did they have chocolate filled prunes???

Wishing you more great days in London!

Peggy, Naigre is leading a group of us on this cruise next year. It's called PUBS.

Arlene, yes, I have read about PUBS (if you check the thread, I answered a question in it). But the next time we hop across, it's going to be to specific location(s). The cruise was great, but I need a longer time in London and a longer time in Scotland.

Today we toured Westminster Abbey. I got the news by email last night that a dear, dear friend had passed away on Sept 4th. He had Guillian Barre seven or so years ago, and just never really recovered. He had come so close to death, so many times, and always rallied. Anyway, he wasn't Catholic and his wife is; we had already toured St. Paul's so I lit a candle at Westminster for him (really for her). I found out too late to do anything, and for the life of me I can't remember her phone number to call her. I know that she knew I had this trip, but I failed to call her right before we left.

Last night was just a terrible night. London is an obscenely expensive city, and I am paying even more than an obscene amount for this hotel room. The website touts the "luxury pillow-top mattress". Yeah, right. How about the luxury hunk of worn-out concrete? When I asked at the front desk, they said the pillowtop was being implemented in the next year. They could supply a bed board. No, I already have a board for a bed, thank you. But I think that during the day, they put the duvet under the sheet, because I had asked (VERY politely) that we have a top sheet and mattress instead of the duvet. Anyway, it seems to be slightly better padded.

So, today was the whirlwind double-decker touring bus thing. After touring Westminster and riding the London Eye, we got off at the Tower of London because I just had to buy a picture book of it. After I did that shopping, we hailed a cab to come back to the hotel; at the rate the bus was getting around, we would have been back here in about 4 or so hours and we were beginning to get tired.

Tomorrow is a long day out into the country, seeing ancient things.

Pam:

So sorry to hear about your friends passing. Glad your bedding is improving, if slightly. Enjoy the country.

Pam,

I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Lighting a candle for him in Westminster was a lovely gesture.

I hope you are able to hold good thoughts and loving memories of him and his family while continuing to enjoy your final days in London.

Just catching up on your sea-mail, Pam - so sorry to hear about your friend's death - it is always difficult to hear about bad things when you are away and can't do anything to help.

What hotel are you at in London?

Can't wait for the Dag DVD!!

Pam,
I'm catching up here too and enjoyed the rest of your Voyager sea mail.

I'm so sorry that you lost your friend. Even though you aren't there, your thoughts and prayers are and I'm sure his family senses them.

I hope your day in the English countryside is enjoyable.

Today was the "Stones and Bones" tour; how's that for a tour name? We toured Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge and another huge group of standing stones at Avebury. There was a group of 12; the driver could have had more personality, but like Mark said "the stones speak for themselves". I had originally set it up with the car service we used from the ship, but had decided to go with this other company in time to cancel the car service. I was glad, after we got the deaf driver.

I have started buying illustrated books about each of these places, because even though I am taking tons of pics, I can't take them like the pros can. And today I found a "pop up" book of Stonehenge. Most of these books are to help Sonja as she teaches history to the kidlets, and that one is a treasure.

I *think* that as we came back into London, I may have caught a glimpse of Windsor; is it visible from the Motorway? That's on the 'next time' list.

Leslie, we are at Sheraton Park Tower. I kept reading about nighttime street noises at some of the other hotels, so I chose this one. It's a perfectly wonderful hotel, I'm just so used to American ways. Room service is almost frightfully efficient.

Thank you for the condolences; Paul and Jean were a huge part of our lives for many years. They moved out of state, so lately our closeness has been by telephone. I did find his obituary online and was able to sign the virtual guest book with information that we were out of the country. Jean doesn't "do" internet, but I know that her kids and grandkids do, and we know them all. She'll get the word. Oh, and I bought a rosary for her at Salisbury today.

Tomorrow we decide what we can pack, and what gets taken to Kinko's/FedEx. Still dithering over my laptop. Pack it or ship it? Advice? I can't carry it on, too much other stuff to carry on. And I have a lttle more shopping to do.

Thanks for the update, Pam! I say back-up your important files on-line and ship the laptop (securly packed, of course). Don't forget about the new carry-on restrictions!

Thanks, Robert; that's what I thought. And the carry-on restrictions are the reason I have this problem; my laptop case is the perfect size for carryon, but we have other stuff that will take up the whole case, like medications, etc. But I knew when I brought it that I was going to have to decide what to do with it. I'll back it up to the space I have available at .mac and ship.

I can't believe the cruise and post stay is over....seems like you just left. Have to agree with Mark about "The Stones" I remember when I first gazed at Stonehenge I said...."Is that all there is....is that all there is??" Salisbury I liked and sorry you didn't see Windsor. Well, next time.
Safe trip home

.mac - love that - girl after my own heart...

Pam, I'm just finding your updates after getting home today. I've never "done" London or Ireland from a ship, and agree with you that they are maybe best done with a revisit on a land tour if you like what you see. I have been many times to London, and the theater and the antique shopping areas are so wonderful, I just like it better by land. Same with Ireland. . . too much inland. Have never been to Scotland, and want to someday, but we've now canceled PUBS in favor of FJORDS. I don't think anyone should limit themselves to cruising when certain areas are better visited by land. Africa is the supreme example! Always something to keep in mind for the future!

Too bad you are not enjoying your hotel in London. Where are you staying? I have to say, those new beds and duvet covers on the Mariner are to die for! My sister and Clyde commiserated that they kept the ship afloat for us every night, but Robin and I slept like babies on MUSH!

Okay, it's early morning here and I need to get dressed to go downstairs for my coffee! But I need to correct a couple of misconceptions.

Olivia, we ARE enjoying the hotel; just hated the bed that first night and think they have overrated themselves. Check up a couple of posts; I told Leslie, we are staying at Park Tower.

Suzie, Mark meant that Stonehenge made up for the uncomfortable van ride. He was as awed by them as I was. He didn't expect to get into the historical sites as much as me, but he was right along there with me. We didn't book a private tour for a time when they were closed, so couldn't get close enough to feel any "vibes" from them. That will be a next time thing, too.

Now, onward to coffee!

Pam, my parents took my sister & me for a "grand tour" of Europe one summer when we were in college. At that time in the early 70s Stonehenge was not roped off & I have pictures of people lounging around the stones & picnicing. Times change!

Pam, catching up on your seamail. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear friend.

It sounds like your trip has been wonderful and you've been able to do quite a bit of shopping along the way. Continue to enjoy the tail end of your trip and safe travels home. I've missed you!

Well, we have made our last foray through Harrod's, stopped on the way back down Brompton Road and bought a gorgeous cashmere shawl that I saw the other day.

We have managed to get everything into the suitcases (pray that the gray one isn't overweight as badly as I think it is), and I'm bringing my laptop on with me. We are going to pack some other paraphenalia that I thought we'd be bringing on.

I just went to the business center and printed our boarding passes (long story as to why I can't print them from the room, and I have yet to figure out the solution).

We have to start on our trek to the airport before the crack of dawn. If we manage to get checked in and to the lounge, I'll try to check in from there.

Have a safe trip back home Pam - I have really enjoyed reading your posts.

Safe travels home, Pam.

Pam, this trip as been good for you & cashmere shawls. You will get a lot of use out of them in Memphis. Enjoy their luxury.

I too am just catching up Pam. So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend and I agree with Denise, lighting a candle in Westminster was a wonderful thing.

We too were awed by the stones at Stonehenge last year, it was someting we've always wanted to see and we thought it was amazing.

Safe travel's home Pam!

We are home! Oh, what an incredible trip!

It took forever to get the luggage last night, so it's all dumped in the den and I'll unpack one case at a time. That works much better in my mind than Mark's method of dumping everything and sorting through the mountain.

U.K. security made Mark force my computer case all the way down into the wooden form, even though it was obviously the right size. I don't know if he pushed it in slightly crooked or what, but it took him and two other people to get it out. I almost brought home a plywood sizer thingy.

We got to Gatwick way early, and our cab driver found us a porter, so things went better for us than I've seen reported elsewhere. And we once again didn't have to change terminals at Newark, so that was good, too.

I'll have pictures up sometime in the foreseeable future.

Welcome home! can't wait to see photo's.