We were fascinated watching dock workers secure our ship
We were fascinated watching dock workers secure our ship
We were fascinated watching dock workers secure our ship
Too many people or not enough shuttles
Too many people or not enough shuttles
Too many people or not enough shuttles
Folks still waiting after we boarded a double decker bus as we departed for town
Folks still waiting after we boarded a double decker bus as we departed for town
Folks still waiting after we boarded a double decker bus as we departed for town
By the time we arrived, shops were closing
By the time we arrived, shops were closing
By the time we arrived, shops were closing
But we enjoyed the harbor views
But we enjoyed the harbor views
But we enjoyed the harbor views
And learned that even royals have enjoyed this holiday resort
And learned that even royals have enjoyed this holiday resort
And learned that even royals have enjoyed this holiday resort
And learned that Weymouth was an embarkation point for Allies on D-Day
And learned that Weymouth was an embarkation point for Allies on D-Day
And learned that Weymouth was an embarkation point for Allies on D-Day
A view from the bridge in downtown
A view from the bridge in downtown
A view from the bridge in downtown
And the marina
And the marina
And the marina
Just across from the T-Shop
Just across from the T-Shop
Just across from the T-Shop
Cream Tea at a The T-Shop outdoor table
Cream Tea at a The T-Shop outdoor table
Cream Tea at a The T-Shop outdoor table
That’s the Norwegian Pearl in the distance as viewed from the bus.
That’s the Norwegian Pearl in the distance as viewed from the bus.
That’s the Norwegian Pearl in the distance as viewed from the bus.
Locals honored us with a concert and cannon salute upon departureExiting through the east ship channel
Exiting through the east ship channel
Exiting through the east ship channel
Late this morning after a sit down breakfast and some time in our stateroom, we went out on deck to watch as we came into Portland Port in Dorset in the south of England. We stood at the stern as the local pilot backed us into the dock. Then from the starboard side we watched as dock workers got us secured. Meanwhile we’re noticing that there is no accommodation for walking off the ship and into town. And there were only three double decker buses queued up to shuttle about three thousand passengers into town for those of us that didn’t book an official shore excursion. Once we were cleared by local authorities and the gangways were opened, we watched folks lining up to board the shuttle buses and we decided we’d rather wait on board ship for a while to se headed to O’Sheehans’s, the restaurant on Deck 8 to enjoy a leisurely lunch. Eventually we disembarked and waited in the queue for about half an hour. During that time we learned that there had supposed to have been eight shuttles available but only five were in service. We were among the first on board the second one to arrive during our wait and we were privileged to be able to choose two front seats on the upper level for the trip into Weymouth, England. By the time we arrived in town many of the shops were closing but we did score an outdoor table and ordered a Cream Tea from The T-Shop. That was a delightful experience. Overall the brief ship’s stop wasn’t long enough for a satisfactory visit. That’s a downside of travel by cruise ship. Nonetheless it was long enough for us to realize that this could be a delightful spot for a multi-day holiday with many historic sites, walks along the Jurassic Coast, castles and forts to explore, the Castletown D-Day Center, and much more. At the end of our visit we enjoyed the fanfare as we sailed away, a concert from the local community band and a cannon salute!
Ever since its debut on Broadway the two of us have wanted to see “Wicked the Musical”. Today we realized that dream. In the Apollo Victoria Theater in London’s West End we were witness to the incredible prequel to The Wizard of Oz, the story of the Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
London’s National Portrait Gallery’s temporary exhibition, “Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII’s Queens” presents an amazing collection of portraits, jewelry, personal effects, books, costumes, and more to illustrate not only the lives of the six women who married the second Tudor king, but the effort across five centuries to keep their memory alive.
The purpose of our trek to Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham in the southwest of London was to see a recently recovered bronze bust of the Emperor Caligula but we discovered so much more in the recently restored 18th Century “little Gothic castle” built by Horace Walpole.
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