OK, here I'm going back in time to recap our Baltic cruise.
All started out on such a pleasant note when our dear friends Jean and Mike
drove up from Devon to meet us for a 24 hour catch up on life.
We had a great supper at the 800 year old Duke of Wellington pub in
Southampton, passing through the historic Westgate arch to where excellent
fish and chips were waiting!
The following morning, prior to embarking Queen Victoria, Jean and Mike took us for a ride through the New Forest area to the historic village of Beaulieu. Last time I was there was around 1960 for the annual Beaulieu Jazz Festival! The village is beautiful and it was an unexpected pleasure to enjoy the English countryside on a perfect Spring day.
After a snack lunch in the sunshine, we were driven to the port. The last time I was in Southampton was in 1964 when I sailed home from New York for Christmas on the original Cunard Queen Mary - she is now permanently docked in Long Beach, California, and is a floating hotel.
Next time……sailing to the Baltic on a beautiful ship.
Many thanks for the get well messages - getting there slowly but surely.
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