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!
By deliberate choice we were in Medina for all the winter holiday festivities from Candlelight Walk in the days before Thanksgiving through A Christmas Carol and A Celtic Christmas as well as an Alex Bevan Concert and a historic house tour all the way through Medina’s 31st Ice Festival but perhaps the highlight was the town hosting hundreds of folks whose homes and lives were devasted by Hurricane Helene at the A Promise of Christmas Event the middle of January. It’s an honor to be a part of this amazing community!
The warmth we anticipated when we headed to the Caribbean in mid-January didn’t really materialize but the fun we had with our dancing friends and the great crew of the Margaritaville at Sea Islander more than made up for the not so favorable weather.
Aboard Jewel of the Seas, a favorite ship of ours, we enjoyed a foray into the history and geology of Canada’s Atlantic coast while enjoying the joys of friendships, longtime and new. Now we’re looking forward to returning to the same ship for further adventures!
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