On embarkation we enjoyed a nice dinner with Mitch, Bert, Barb and Alex in Prime 7.First day was a sea day. Mitch, Bert, and Barbara and I played rummikub Barbara was the biggest winner. Love to see Barbara and Alice play together.

Next stop Newcastle and Tyne. We had a five hour tour booked but due to the likelihood of rain and possibly strong winds we cancelled. We took the ships shuttle to the town of Tyne. Unfortunately most stores are closed on Tuesday. We spent about 90 minutes walking the town. All the row houses were everywhere. We never saw a free standing home. Cute town lots of places to eat some pictures follow. Also an old fort facing the ocean however it was not open when we were there.
S

Newhaven, Edinburgh

We took the shuttle into town. We enjoyed walking in town with the famous castle looming over the busy streets. Stopped in shops but did not purchase anything. We decided to stay in town for lunch and have "fish and chips". We wanted to find a classic pub or a nice restaurant for our fish and chips but most of those types of establishments were not open for lunch. The few places we found did not have the atomosphere we wanted. Finally we gave us and called an uber to take us back to the ship.

So we booked an uber and it was there is literally two minutes. It showed up so fast we did not think this was our uber driver. He was just at the bottom of the street when he got the call. It was a great drive, we went up into one way streets, back alleys and tons of trees and green areas., lovely homes just a prefect drive. It cost about $8 best part of the day. The shuttle bus was on a main road with not much to look at and it took about 20 minutes. Our drive was about 10 minutes and wonderful.

On arrival at the dock the tender was just pulling in BUT we found a great fish restaurant. They sold fresh fish and had an extensive fish menu. We stayed with our desire for fish and chips. He asked do you want the regular or large size piece of fish. We went with the large. It was fantastic and BIG. Super white and flaky haddock and really delicious. The chips were really good crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. Mushy peas Ken liked but I did not. Outstanding meal. We finished and a tender had arrived. We were the only two on the tender and had a private tender ride.

Tender on this stop was interesting. There was a local tender that held so many people, probably 150 to 200 people and it looked small until we got on board. We were on late and were bascially in the hull of the ship. Then there was the standard Regent tender as well.


Some pictures below.

Invergorden, Scotland

Shuttle again, we have done the tours that have interested us on past trips and now seem to enjoy the shuttle and just walking around the towns. Today was sunshine and mid 50's with no wind. A perfect day.

So we took the shuttle into town. Loved this little town so many beautiful murals on the buildings. Each shop was all about Scotland, and the most prevelant image was the Scottish cow, and that was our pin for this cruise. we gave a pin to one of the store keepers and he loved it and gave us a magnet in return. Such nice people. There were a lot of tourist items and lots of clothing. I actually ended up buying a top that I will wear tonight. A little big I hope it shrinks a bit as I prefer that to growing into it! Ken indulged in a cinnamon roll that he could just not pass up.

All the people serving were very friendly and let us stroll the stores without trying to sell you anything. It was just a delight walking main street. It was interesting that they had parking spots in the middle of the street. Do not think we have ever seen this before.

There was also a lovely little park and some nice flowers.



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It all sounds so lovely! Is this the Fish and Chips place? It's very famous: Lucky you found it!

Yes Kim, that is the restaurant we went to and loved the fish.

Today we are in Kirkwall we have been here many times and it is terrible weather. Rainy, windy just not pleasant. Buses are using lights I guess visibility is an issue. We decided to stay on the warm ship.

Tomorrow is Stornaway and this is where my father’s family lived in the 1800’s. My sister June found the tombstone of a McIver who was a doctor and also our great great grandfather. She also found the house where he lived. It is now a small hotel. I have all the details and was hoping for a nice day to see Stornaway and follow in her footsteps. When I was 18 I went on a 9 month business trip with my parents and we came to Stornaway to trace my father's ancestry and learn about the McIver clan. This trip was the catalyst for my desire to travel.

Unfortunately the weather is not looking good for walking in an old cemetery. Hopefully it is better than it is today.

Stornaway today. Fortunately there was no wind and the sun was shining. Predicted rain in the afternoon but we leave at 2.00 pm

we were sucessful in our endeavor to find the tombstone of my great, great grandfather who was a doctor in Stornaway. Took a bit of walking in the cemetery but we finally found it. It was the largest tombstone in the cementery and it looked like it has been cared for as it was still white stone and legible to read his epitaph.



HE WAS A GREAT HUSBAND, A TENDER PARENT AND EVER THE FRIEND OF THE POOR, WITH A CAPACIOUS. MIND, AND AN ENERGETIC WILL, HE MANFULLY STRUGGLED AGAINST THE DIFFICULTIES OF HIS POSITION AND WHEN HE LEFT THE BUSY SCENE IN WHICH HE WAS ONE OF THE FOREMOST, FEW THERE HAVE BEEN MORE TRULY SAD AND UNIVERSALLY LAMENTED.

We then found the house where he lived now a guest house. It was quite large I imagine he has his office and surgery in that building.


This was a delightful little town with some very nice shops. I was taken with "hairy teddy bears" they were just adorable and expensive at $125 pounds! . Very old and interesting buildings and a nice foreshore. Plus of course, the huge Scottish Castle. There was a lot of pink bushes amongst the bright green fields and trees on the drive into the town.

That is so special Ngaire! It sounds like he was an exceptional man.
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Helen

Today we are in Dublin. Instead of docking as we have done in the past we tendered. We are on a tour of the highlights of London and then a river boat cruise. Our first stop was a photo stop at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

This looks like a dark sky but it is sunny and overcast in certain spots.


Nice gardens in front of the cathedral.


We did a tour of the Phoenix Park, one of the largest enclosed parks around 1700 acres. The American Ambassador residence is in this park along with lots of deer. Sports fields, polo field and the Dublin Zoo. Unfortunately it was hard to take pictures from the bus of the park.

Then a river boat cruise with a great guide who was quite funny. Told the story of the river and explained many of the buildings. Few pictures below.

The old and the new

The Customs House

This angled building was interesting.

The bridge shaped like a harp

Enjoying following along. Thank you for posting Ngaire.

Ngaire, Mariner will be in Torshavn 23-24 June. I think we overlap with Splendor. Interested in getting together with Arlene and me?

Pat and me too...

Sorry we leave the Splendor on the 21st and head for a river cruise. Riverside Luxury cruises purchased all the Crystal river boats and I want to see how they are with food, tours etc. I know the boats are great.

Next stop was Belfast. We went to a bird sanctuary. It was a lovely place with hides to watch the birds. Unfortubately it was not the time of year that birds visit this area. But we still enjoyed it.







Around the area where you walk there are some statutes showing the history of the area. This was one we liked.

The swannery in Portland England. Such a great place to visit.

We came here many years ago and it has certainly changed since that time. More individual pens for the parents and the signets. Huge areas for the swans to roam right on a lake. Plus many walking
Paths.

Along with hundreds of swans there were a lot of Canadian and one black swan.

They do a feeding at 4.00 pm and the kids go in first to feed the swans and then the adults can join in the fun.

Very nicely organized. However I think I preferred it less organized and more natural.

Pictures will follow.

Happy to see you and Ken cruising again!! Will also be interested in hearing about the river cruise.

NOW ON THE RIVERSIDE RAVEL ON THE RHÔNE RIVER.
No problems with our flights to France. We were met in Montipellier and transferred to the Riverside Ravel river boat. We were pleased to find out the staff were nearly all from the time when Crystal was operating these boats. The service was excellent just as it was when the boats belonged to Crystal. I have some pictures of the food and suites that I will post. Definitely the best river boat on the river it holds 110 people. I can definitely recommend this river boat.






These are very comfortable cabins, really nice bathroom with double sinks. These boats also have an elevator which is very helpful for those who do not want to climb stairs. There are some stairs to the top deck of the boat.

We are on the Rhone River which we have not done before. Tours have been excellent.

The first tour was the largest aqueduct still standing from Roman times. It has been updated and includes an incredible museum with so much information how this aqueduct was created. The aqueduct is situated over the river and a wonderful tourist area with just a few shops dedicated to souvenirs of the area and a small restaurant. It was not crowded we got there early and it was a beautiful day with bright sunshine and no wind. Great guide.





One of our tours was a visit to a replica of a cave found close by that had mulitple cave drawings dating back about 36,000 years. The cave was recreated to be as exact as possible to the cave discovered about 30 years ago. The cave drawings they say are amazingly exact and it was a truly incredible experience. There are other pavillions that also house information on this time period. Wolly mammoths at the size they anticipated to be so long ago, along with other mammals that were recreated. Movies and childrens play areas all based on the world as it was so many years ago. Quite a spectacular place. Our guide was an anthropologist and spend 10 years in the outback of Australia studing the aborigines. He was incredibly smart and knew a great deal about human history which really enhanced the visit to this attraction. I cannot show pictures of the cave drawings as pictures were not allowed.

The truffle experience was also fantastic. A family affair. The current owner is a descendant of his great grandfather who started the truffle farm so many years ago. He is one of the largest distributors in the world of truffles. He has two dogs, mother and daughter that sniff out the truffles. They start the puppies with eating the truffles so they know the smell but reward them with biscuits when they find the truffles. It was amazing how they found the truffles. Really friendly labradors who are truly a part of the family. After finding the truffles we went inside the house that was a very basic but large house and we tasted truffles. First time we have tasted a truffle they were very good. They were served on toasted bread along with the local wines.


The younger dog was carrying the bag for the truffles


The dog found this truffle


Outside the home at the truffle farm

After the truffle farm we went to a castle with the story of the family that lived there. It reminded me of St. Paul de Vence. Now very touristy but nice to visit. A nice field of lavender in the front of the castle. Fortunately we were here at the right time to see the Lavender Fields.

Thank you for the update. Very interested in the river cruise line.

Last night the meal was outstanding. The pictures will tell the story. We get so focused on the food we forget to take pictures.

Ken started with a caviar dish. A quail egg, caviar, a sour cream and a soft custard. He loved it.



Then he had a beef tenderlion but forgot to take a picture. He said it just melted in the mouth. There were potaotes, and small veges
Dessert was simply stunning as shown here



I had a sweet potato dish as an appetizer - yummy
Then scallops perfectly cooked, with a mushroom topping, and peas all in a lovely sauce. I ate some of the scallops and kind of messed up the dish before took the picture.

I wanted a simple ice cream. They made it pretty with fresh strawberry and an edible strawberry bow.



The food at dinner has been amazing.

I finished up with a simple scoop of strawberry ice cream. It came out all dressed up with an edible strawberry bow and fresh strawberries.

Lunch time. Ken had a burger with a huge patty. I had tomato soup and cheese sandwich. Below a picture of desserts.

Final tour was fantastic. We went to what we were told was a light show about Egypt. Did not expect much but were completely overwhelmed. This cannot really be explained but is is a huge area in a hillside. Very tall inside and a huge ground area. The light show is photos of the carvings and drawings that we have seen on our four trips to Egypt. The floor, the walls, the ceiling all light up with these dazzling imgages from Egypt. Music is also perfect for this light show. Will get some pictures from Ken and get them on this post. Arrived home late last night.






This picture shows the walls, floor and ceiling lighting up.





You can see how tall the walls are if you look at the tiny people at the base of the wall.

Overall we felt the service, quality food, great tours, spacious cabins with best shower ever, double sinks, walk-in closet with drawers and shelves (small but all you need) the large counter for computers etc make these ships the best boats on the river.

We were on the Rhône that we have not done before. Loved the tours (best ever) but boats on the Rhône were not parked for an easy stroll into town. We were double parked on some stops but always on the bank side. No walking through another boat. On the Danube you can just walk into town from most boats.

Not sure when but planning on squeeze a group into my schedule at some point in the future.

Just FYI for those who are interested on a Riverside River Boat cruise I am working on a group for 2025. Once I have selected the cruise and negotiated with Riverside I will let you know the details.

Really look forward to that possibly happening.