“Daily” Blog, Entry #16 Seabourn Sojourn Northern Europe Cruise Baltic Sea 8/11/13–8/25/13 Day 14, Saturday 8/24, Southampton, England — I think these Seabourn folks know what they are doing. I remember cruises where everyone had to wait in one area until their numbers were called. On Seabourn you can hang out in any public area and eat, drink, and relax, then pick up your carry-on bags when called and leave the ship. Both Chris and I slept very well last night, so we were fresh and ready to go. We had made plans with Chris’ ex sister-in-law, Priscilla (aka Pip), to meet us at the port. I had never met her but always heard about her. In fact, we’ve been trying to get together every since Chris and I met, but it never worked out. She came with her boyfriend, Ken, in two cars — one for our luggage and one for us since their cars were small. I was so excited to meet them and more excited to see Chris & Pip reunite and happy. It has been more than 25 years for them. She had worked out the entire day for us starting with a driving tour through their New Forest National Park to see the wild ponies roaming freely and undisturbed. We stopped at Beaulieu Village and Montagu Arms Hotel for coffee and biscuits in their garden then went on to Buckler’s Hard Maritime Museum and strolled along the water’s edge. About this time we were getting hungry and were looking for a place called the Filly Inn. We never found it, but did find the Fleur de Lys the oldest pub in New Forest (c. 1096). We were greeted with their mascot, a huge black & white Great Dane. He had his own special couch where people in the pub area could sit with him and drink. This place was peaceful, friendly, and quaint and as all English pubs were supposed to be. That’s what Pip said. “This is a real English Pub.” After lunch we traveled on to Winchester, and visited the Hospital of St. Cross & Almshouse of Nobel Poverty to get our Wayfarer’s Dole. This place is one of the oldest charitable institutes in the UK and they have been giving out a steady stream of bread and ale for tired travellers since the early 12th century. After a quiet walk along their river we headed to Winchester Cathedral; yes, THE Winchester Cathedral. Wow! And they were having a service at the time, too. It was magnificent to walk around looking at the huge ceilings and stone tombs with the music and Gregorian chants echoing in the air. Alas, all good things must come to and end, and this was it. Pip had arranged for a car to take us to the airport at 6:30. So we loaded up, said our long goodbyes and went on our way. We were exhausted.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Aug 2013 21:35:50 +0000
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