Stout and Shortbread, a siren's song

Reykjavic, Iceland We wake up twelve hours rested! Oh my dreams were wonderful! A boy on a trumpet bicycles past blowing a trumpet 2.5 times. Perhaps a Trumpeter Swan? Dan later tells me me Gerrit played trumpet. Chills, Scavenging for breakfast. Muesli. . . Cornflakes and powdered coffee. We eat, shower and go downstairs to the gallery to meet Elsa Bjog Mugnusdötter our host. Then walkies. The tourist info looking for our Flybus pick up location. Then in and out of a few shops. I have sticker shock! I buy a t shirt and one for pastor Chris. Then a Christmas tree angel. Lunch at Frederiksens Dan has a beautiful hot dog and fries. I choose the hearty meat soup, scary! It is lovely carrots, rutabaga and potato with leek and lamb. Its traditional Icelandic fare;) oh, and an Arctic Pale Ale. https://einstokbeer.com/our-ales/icelandic-arctic-pale-ale/ I read to Dan about Iceland's history. Being one with Denmark. Then being invaded by Britain, then occupied by the Canadia

Bath- Heathrow- Reykjavik, Iceland The alarms rings at half past six. We snooze on, i reach up for the small light switch and burrow under the rose patterned quilt one last time. Bath has been so healing! I prepare hot water to top off last night's decaf and make Dan a full strength Nescafe. Showered, dressed, no longer sweaty, we zip our suitcases and lock up. On the wet slick street we pause while Dan goes into 3 Abbey Green for our packed breakfasts. And we tool our way through alleyways in tepid morning night to the Bus Terminal. "May I have a word?" I interrupt two employees to ask which gate to Heathrow. "1 and 2". We board, sign on for wifi and begin the two hour trip on expressways. Breakfast includes a yogurt, croissant apple granola bar and orange juice from Marks and Spencer. We arrive only ten minutes late and head to a lift that will carry us to the proper terminal two. It's spacious, modern and meticulous. The employees are helpf

Bath day three Sweating and coughing seems to be how we are healing and waking up refreshed:) The Full English breakfast is in order. Poached egg, baked beans, grilled tomato half and mushrooms. Today we order delicious!white toast ( sourdough ?) the blackberry apple jam is awesome and we buy some to bring home with us. What next? Shopping! We trace the route we will take in the morning to be sure we are clear as it may be dark. Then a stroll past L'Occitane for a 'TREAT'!!! Exfoliant cleanser and face moisture applied my a sweet English man with huge brown eyes and a sweet kind touch. We decide on Sally Lunn for our tea experience choosing first a salmon bun and then lemon curd and then a strawberry with clotted cream and yes tea! We walk to the Avon, over Pultenay Street  bridge and downstairs to where a boat is tied up above the falls. Its an hours trip to Bath Hampton. I admire this seagull having his morning spritz! We wandered up and around until we

Bath day two "Fock! Fock, I say!" A man bellows into the quiet courtyard,kicking inanimate objects where the elegant maple has resided silently for centuries. In the wee hours we are awake and think of various problems he may be cursing. Dan sleeps through but this 'philosopher' needs another melatonin in a few hours. We awake at 8 to dress for breakfast. First the compote: blueberry with yoghurt and granola? Then a poached egg on granary bread with marmalade. Never mind the vegetarian sausage. We meet the free Walking Tour group and spend three hours about the city. It was most informative! Now resting before lunch... Lunch is a roasted pepper soup. Dan is craving Orange soda. Fanta;) and a tuna and cucumber baguette. Then we sit on a park bench for a few hours listening to local musicians and the fashion parade. We were relaxed all a cuddle. We changed for dinner at the Real Italian again. Complimentary olives. We enjoyed a Roasted vegetable sal

Southampton to Bath Well here we are en route to Bath on the Great British Railway. We set our alarms for 7, were eating by 8 ( mushroom omelettes, bran muffin and juice), leaving the ship at 9, taxi and boarding the train on platform 4 at 10:00. The train is crowded!! Off in Bath, we struggle with our orange and blue wheelie suitcases upon the cobblestones, going in circle and asking for directions to our small hotel. We check in with Allen, refresh, and meet Sue our hostess for keys and the inside scoop. Breakfast is from 8-9:30. We head to lunch across from the Roman Baths. Dan had a pulled pork and I choose the roasted tomato soup. We each have 1/2 pt. The Bath Ale Gem, draught is a whole other sensation. I am immersed in fashion here. My eyes are full taking in the beauty and sheer ingenue. This must be a shopping mecca! Then we tour the Baths which are incredible. I call Dad, so great to hear his voice! Then we slide out at the sun sinks for a pizza pie. It i

Guernsey We awake, still achy and groggy but measuredly are able to shower, shampoo and get to breakfast. Advil eases my headache so I can wash, untangle and dry my hair. Breakfast is simple our tummies have shrunk in the past few days. Muesli with almond milk of which half remained uneaten and decaf coffee. We decided not to go ashore and then reversed our selves, garnering a ticket then after an hour deciding it would be too much. Dan was sweating and he didn't need the chill. I am weak and wobbly but somewhat improved. We went to lunch. My choices odd: creamed cauliflower, turnips and a slice of sweet potato with a green salad. Dan chose roast chicken. We returned to our cabin to pack. And tired so now napping. At five we dress for cocktails. Our suitcases must be out by dinner so we will wear tomorrows clothes. A glass of merlot, a visit with Mary Joy. And dinner calls. I have no appetite. I nibble at Watermelon, too salty. And then the Chicken pot ie