A DAY IN DOVER:
Yes, we slept well last night and still up early a good bit before the sunrise. I enjoyed some coffee and short bread biscuits to the ha-ha-ha-ha and the yelping keow of the Herring gulls at the sunrise.
The sunrise was unremarkable as there is a bank of clouds over the continent. The weather forecast is calling for a sunny day with temps in the 70’s. I will say the Celsius scale simply eludes me, yet even as much as I have ben exposed to it during our travels.
Lynn has found an instant coffee she likes and we will be returning to Poundland.
We went to Xpresso Cafe Illys for breakfast. Lynn and eggs and I had a Bacon Butty along with very nice coffee. We just might return.
Just as we were making our way to the trail leading up the White Cliffs we received a message from a friend. She suggested we meet her in Folkestone and we walkabout the harbor area as it should be cool.
Off to catch the 102 Bus to Folkestone, no wait as our timing was spot on. (Not always the case for us)
Folkestone always seems tiny and quaint, but it is not. This is probably due to the downtown area having winding streets with many tiny shops. This just lends its self to this feeling. There are a lot of art gallery/shops along the streets. Also a good bit of RAF history to be found in the area. A visit to Folkestone can be a rather enjoyable experience.
We walked about the Harbor Arm and enjoyed the sun and cool breeze. It is always great to see friends and catch up.
We then took the bus back to Dover and the day had warmed up. Had an uneventful lunch and went back to our room to cool off. We then took a stroll along the waterfront where many folks were enjoying the warm day at the waters shore. Our walkabout ended back at Blakes of Dover. Here we saw more friends and enjoyed great conversations and a pint or two. Many a good laugh was had.
Upstairs at Blakes
At Blakes we had the fish and chips. Their fish and chips are my standard for great fish and chips.
Then back to the room and dealt with email account issues.
Off to sleep till at about midnight when the fire alarm sounded. It sounded long enough for us to get up and dressed before it was canceled.
July 27, 2024
HEY GET UP YOU HAVE A BOAT TO KETCH!!!!
We are up an having coffee awaiting the arrival of our ship the MS Maud. The port schedule shows the Maud will be in port from 0900-1800.
As today is forecast to be cooler, we will walk to the cruise terminal, just about a mile away. Good exercise in preparation for cruise ship feasting.
Huzzah, Huzzah we spy the MS Maud arriving!!
We went back to the Xpresso Illy for breakfast. The cafe was much more busy and we took our time and enjoyed a large breakfast. I had Beans and toast, bacon, and hash brown potatoes, all was excellent. Lynn had eggs and bacon and toast and a very good foo foo coffee.
We are ready to get this adventure started and as it is cool we will be walking to the cruise terminal. As I walked the cruise terminal, the history of Operation Dynamo comes to mind. Briefly Operation Dynamo was where the Little Ships sailed to Dunkirk to evacuate the troops back to Britain over the Channel.
Along the walkway is a Dunkirk Memorial which fired the thoughts. Next comes the Cruise Terminal car park. This building during the war was the rail terminal. It is from here the evacuated troops were transported away from the coast. This is very hallowed ground to me. Our walk to the terminal took us about 40 min, 6000 ish steps, 4 flights of stairs, my PO2 has been 100% and my max pulse was 105. Yes, I did start to sweat a bit. We have arrived very early and are sitting in the terminal awaiting to check in and board.
I think Dover is overlooked as most folks simply pass through. Here there is such great history to be explored. The Romans landed here and their sights can be explored. Then WWII history is amazing, one must experience the Secret Tunnels which were dug into the cliffs. Here many a military operation was directed. Many of the pilots who had to ditch their aircraft in the Channel during the Battle of Britain owed their lives to the hospital in the cliffs.
Arriving at the cruise terminal early we were allowed to sit in the waiting room. Eventually our checked bags were collected and we were directed to security and another waiting room.
In an hour or so we were checked in and boarded the ship.
It was very nice to be back on Maud and in Stateroom 736. We have stayed in this room before and it is larger than the standard superior rooms. As you can see in the photos we have a nice seating area.
With Hurtigruten Expedition sailings one gets a parka as part of your cruise fare. As we already have said parka, we received a 30 Euro credit and a donation was made to an environment fund in our names. We took some time to reacquaint ourselves to the ship. One of the bartenders remember me. I was a little surprised, but not really.
Back in the room, Lynn tackled the unpacking before the mandatory safety drill. Now we know how to don our life jackets and exposure suits.
Next up was sail away with comp cocktails. Not sure if I would have chose a Dark and Stormy for the occasion but they were good. Then one of the naturalists gave a brief talk on how the white cliffs were formed.
Next was a nice history lecture about the Dover area from the Romans to WWI. Next we went to Fredeim restaurant for dinner. This is a casual dining option where the portions are perfect. Lynn had tortillas and I had dumplings. Here you can get burgers, fish, hotdogs (yes they have a lamb one I will have to try. The menu rotates every three days so we will be keep an eye out for the change.
Back to our room to catch up on the blog and journals. We will watch an intro to our cruise in the room.
Tomorrow is a day at sea and I am sure there will be some interesting lectures to attend.
No comments:
Post a Comment