Stout and Shortbread, a siren's song

Reykjavic to Seattle to Portland Sleep came over us slowly. Was it the milk chocolate or  anticipation of our last day: travel home? I got the coffee started and made instant lattes and a pot of french press. We cut the croissant in half and put out the yogurts and strawberry jam, which was nicely tart.  A banana was sliced and we ate slowly. We need to be out at 11:00. Our flybus is at 12. And the plane is at 5:00. We say goodbye to our host Elsa Bjorg Magnussön, Hail a taxi and ask for a ride to the Hallenkirge. Its a tower of a Lutheran Church the state's religion; 80% belong. The pipes in the organ number 5700! The taxi waits as Dan and I light healing candles. The taxi driver is quite nice. He asks us about our careers and why I became a 'dentist'. The fly bus arrives early for the 50 minute bus ride to the airport over lava fields. We check in find a lunch spot and make our way to gate D22b. Then we are bussed to a plane waiting on the tarmac. W

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

Sea Day Last night the Captain announced a change of plans. The Le Havre chaps were on strike and we could not dock there. The Captain said we would put in at St. Peters port Guernsey after all! We slept through the night, feverish and racking  coughs. I awoke at 8:30 and showered. I feel better, Dan is worse. . . Achy. We made it to breakfast for a fruit plate and poached egg. Now back to bed;) waking at 12:40. At two we head to the Lido for plate and a look T the sea. Lots of wind turbines,could we be off Holland? Back to bed we go. A day of rest. We wake at seven to declare not hungry. I awake at eleven and take my melatonin. Its amazing to sleep for 30 hours. Blowing the nose, sipping water and taking advil to stop the headache and teeth from ringing. What a day! Thankful for the feather bed made fresh daily, a book to read and food at our fingertips!

Edinburgh I did not sleep well last night. I just couldn't drop down until about 6:00 but I rested. The nap or 4pm or'cuppie' may have been the culprit. I push through, shower and dress in yellow to please the lady who seats us and happens to LOVE yellow also. Tea today with lemon and honey, s bran muffin and an asparagus and chard scramble. The dark haired lady told us the staff considers us the Most in Love couple on the ship! They talk:) I redress for out trek to Edinburgh. Taking a number we seat ourselves in the dining room waiting our turn to tender to Queensferry. We are called efficiently to our tender. We look for toilets and catch a taxi to take us to Dalhousie Castle seat of the Ramsay clan. We intend to place Robert's ashes there surreptitiously!  As we arrive falcons are sitting on their perches and one soars. Despite my aches and pains this is a big deal! Finding the perfect place to leave Robert. As we circle the castle i notice a stand of Sc

Invergorden Scotland. Awaken at 6:45 with a sore throat of the left side only. Raoul is good to me. He brings tea, lemon and honey. I order oatmeal with almond milk and Dan gets the salmon scramble. We debark into town. Our goal is a stroll, a lunch and a tour of Glenmorangie. In a charity shop I try on a plaid woolen skirt and buy it for $10. Then a plaid plate for Mary in a Ramsay plaid. Dan leads us to the Seafarer's Center in a Presbyterian church where we are served tea and shortbread. We stroll back to Crazy Horse Cafe with a local where We enjoy lentil soup and a cheese scone which is huge! At the bus stop a lady says you need'n t go to Glenmorangie, there is a distillery in town, Whyte MacKay. We walk there a good two miles. My blister has a blister! The sign says, " no tours". We limp back to the ship and pour a wee dram of Johnnie Walker Red. We be resting our feet now. And reading. Dan's breath softens to a snore. I set the alarm for thre

Day at Sea. Whew! We can use a day of rest. Shabbat. Sleep in, rising at 8:15 to shower and dress for breakfast. Lightening the intake of calories today. A bran muffin, fruit plate that looks like a tulip, and decaf. Dan shares a slice of bacon with me. That should provide the protein 'anchor'. At sea days are  sheer whimsy. Nothing planned but every imaginable option available. Last night Dan bought the internet plan that allows us 10 minutes a day. I returned the Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane and Borrowed a book which I found searching for 'Scottish'. It is written my a nurse in the Hebrides Islands. After a lecture introducing Invergorden, Inverness and Edinburgh we stroll our 2.7 laps while cruising through the Hebrides! A few snaps;) Then i am hungry. Salad with a spot of Chardonnay hits the spot. Dan is disappointed with the pizza slice, soggy. We settle to read outside the art auction. Dan enjoys a bloody mary. I get chilled do we seek a c

Reminder wake up call 6:15 Snooze shower dress Orange segments Bran muffin Finnan Haddie smoked cod Meet tour meets at 8:45 Barry- Marilyn Fl Ron - Evelyn N Dakota Rotate seats in van frequently. I LOVE Scotland! Greenock Stirling Castle Ghost alert. We were enjoying a cup of coffee at the castle and my chair revolved!!!!!!!!! I am sure, no one was there. Gilfillan. Lunch tomato cheese panini pinot grigio Cherry scone Buy swan card Highlands Loch Lamond Scotch whiskey Nockie Glasgow Drop off my new SWAN card for framing. Happy hour and sail away at 6:15, then a late supper: Scallop ceviche Roasted mediterranean veg with goats cheese Frennette pasta with pesto A Zeni Valpolicella Grand Marnier souffle Best Meal ever(^^)! Then we dance to Nexus And move to the Wheelhouse lounge to dance to a vocalist. Yes, John and Cathy are along!

Glasgow tour notes John Duncan River Clyde Ship building Barton Rock on the Clyde 650,000 pop Union of Crowns 17 thc City of paisley pattern Tobacco- ships- financial   St Mungo Stirling and Edinb were strongholds River Forth sep N/S  Scotland 'Buckle on the belt' of Sco Sac of Berrick Stone of Destiny coronat Bannock Bern - stream Kings knot (pyramid) Church of Holy Rude /Cross Royal Beast of  Scotland Is the Unicorn ( piety) Magpie crow family Highland boundary fault 3 faults  Dune Castle river   5 m people 6 m sheep Callender-- Trossachs Roman had a fort here Three lochs glacial When it rains in Scotland it's not water it's whiskey The Lady of the Lake- scott Brig o turk -Bridge  o boar The Dukes pass it was. Toll road Rowan - mt ash & Heather Elves and Ferries book Rob Roy McGregor 1672 Cattle drover exporter Still from ouch and gave to the poor but in actuality see the real Rob Roy he wa

Sleep well. Up four minutes before the alarm to read. Shower, shampoo, dry and dress. Three times.  Breakfast in the dining room: pineapple sunrise with a yogurt drizzle, and a frittata. Meet the hot pink shuttles to Belfast out past the ramp. The noisy ride takes 15 min to town. We step through a barrage of Hop on hop off sales people to the TI desk and purchase train tickets to Derry. Micheal Palin says its the most beautiful train ride in the world! Along the Antrim Coast. Possibly the greenest with two rainbows, sheep and cows. On the sea side is theNorth Sea! Just outside the window. We visited with a college professor who was a apE major and loved talking sports, then a mother and daughter who was enrolled to. Begin nursing school in Derry soon. We taxi into town for $3. And walk  up the street past charity shops. Some benefit Hospice, others the Blind. We look and then settle in at Brickwork for a burger, fish and chips. Great meal with a local red beer. We met

Dublin Day two The alarm wakes us at 7:00. Today we spend with Wild Wicklow Tours and we need to be punctual! No shampoo for my long locks, just bangs- dress and get lost en route to breakfast;) Sleepy us Raoul Egg 'tortilla' with Bermuda onions and  potato, grapefruit segments, orange juice and a raisin bun with decaf Jameson Estate Powers Court Kilmacanogue   Avoca stop for WC and tea,coffee, and vanilla pear scone with cream and raspberry jam. Heavenly Wicklow County granite 40 shades of green by Johnny Cash When Scotch pine die- beech, sycamore and ash will b planted. Heather atop a Peat bog  Preservation by Bellamy See the source of River Liffey . Loch Brave (Long way ro Tipperary song) sung by our driver Joe. Beatles stayed at Guinness Estate. Movies made here include: Braveheart PS I love You Viking series of five shows Stopping in Laragh for lunch. I order the Guinness Beef Stew with Irish Soda Bread and Harp.

Dublin Sunshine greets us today. We shower, dress and head to breakfast for two. A blueberry pastry, fresh fruit dice, a scrambled with bacon and tea. I'm reading The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane you see. We strike out in the nine o'clock hour with a plan. It made for an arduous day in a city of 1,000,000 Dubliners. We hopped a Hop and Go and headed to St. Patrick's Cathedral. Jonathan Swift is buried there. The bus broke down and we waited. We caught one an hour later and hopped off to find fish n chips about 2 and couldn't get another. Frustrated we walked and walked to catch the ship's shuttle at Merriam Square and got back at 4:30. Our goal was 2. We had a chance to rest and eat and call a taxi at dic for the musical pub crawl. That was brilliant. Local ballads and comedy at Oliver St John Golganny, the Ha Penny Inn and Brannigans. The Irish musicians Luke and Anthony sand and played the Guitar, small accordion and banon drum. A dancer performed. Da

Well! After watching Irma roll through Florida on MSNBC, the gentle rocking of the Caribbean Princess lulled me to sleep. We love our inside cabin and the gentle lull of an ocean in motion (the English Channel).  Which brings me to Chanel Noir, today's scent. (I thought I might choose Aromatics Elixir!) But first breakfast in the dining room: A chocolate croissant with almond paste ( mmmm!) and decaf coffee followed by a fruit plate with a scoop of lemon zested ricotta and a soft boiled egg. It sounded 'lean'. It was fun to tap tap tap the brown shell but the inside was as slurpy as an raw oyster. I swallowed the eggy white above the opening and sat gazing at the murky yellow which remained. Ordering a slice of toast I spilled it out and acted bravely,concentrating on the act of eating as a European would. We are skipping St. Petersport Guernsey  today as it is a tender port and the seas are too animated. . .  Did I tell you I was feeling naughty today? Ins