By keef and annie hellinger, Sep 1 2017 03:28PM What a traveller, what a supporter of Motorhoming in General, you can learn a lot from them Follow them on Facebook, visit their website (if you can find it - seem to have gone Nov2020?) We love them here at motorhome-travels.co.uk & motorhome-travels.net

By keef and annie hellinger, Oct 9 2017 03:21PM Motorhome trip No30 : October 6th- 8th 2017 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->Houghton Mill National Trust Site, Cambridgeshire ->NOTTS 187 miles 252 years and 30+ camping years under our belts collectively ;) A very nice site in a gorgeous location next to a old working mill on the banks of the river great ouse in Cambridgeshire with our dear pals Pete & Joy, who arrived in their lovely new Baileys autograph motorhome. A lovely grassed site with very modern heated facilities. We would highly recommend this site but remember to take your ramps, many of the pitches require them. You can get food in the local NT café at the front of the site if you don’t want to venture further into either the village of Houghton or Hemingford Abbot (about a mile away over the river) We of course did both! We travelled via M1, A14, A151 to Houghton. Took about 1 hour 30. Lovely sunny Friday afternoon with sun so we checked in , filled up with water and set up on pitch 10 and put up our sign and water hose on pitch 53 next to us to reserve it for P&J. Weird pitch numbering system that we didn’t try and explore. After waving furiously at the wrong people (blush) who arrived in a Bessacar we net up with P&J. Its been a while. We had tea and some of Annie’s lovely homemade cake. We them walked to the 3 Horseshoes (own barrel room) for some pre dinner drinks then a simple evening meal of lasagne, salad and garlic bread. Lovely evening chatting and catching up. Saturday after a nice scrambled egg and smoked salmon brekkie we walked into Hemingford Abbot cross country and through the lovely village with many thatched cottages and 3 (yes 3) rectories. Had a lovely lunch and drinks in the Axe and Compass – a very nice old style pub. We then walked back past the cows and visited the Mill shop where we bought some Potto Brown flour. He is the local Quaker hero and miller born in Houghton. To find out more click here. Luckily back before the rain so we played who wants to be a millionaire, guess the wine and chatted followed by some nice cheese and bikkies . We said our goodbyes on Sunday morning and hope to meet up again soon. Lovely weekend, nice site and area, we will be back. As we were both not so well we cancelled our additional 2 days in Rutland and returned home early. Lunch at the Axe & Compass, Hemingford Abbot #motorhome #motorhometravels #travelsin2017 #campsites #vanswelove

By keef and annie hellinger, Nov 5 2017 04:08PM Motorhome trip No31 : November 1st-3rd 2017 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->Greetham , Rutland ->NOTTS 107 miles Used the truck nav which took us via a slightly longer route via A52 and A1 to come into Rutland from the Stamford end to avoid the Belvoir valley hill, we came back however through Rutland water which is about 10 miles shorter in distance. A very nice Camping and Caravan site at Greetham with reductions for Caravan Club members but no reduction for ACSI members as only ACSI approved not registered. Your Caravan club card is kept during your stay as the deposit for the site security card which you need for all barriers and gates during your stay. Rutland Caravan & Camping has a good family feel. The site has a mixture of both hard standing and grass pitches and there are 2 areas one for adults only and one for families. There are two toilet blocks, the one on the adults only area is much more modern with great under floor heating and wet room showers. There are dog walks at both ends of the site, an indoor swimming pool , hot tub and limited games room plus a kids play park in the middle of the family area. It is a very large site with about 130 pitches and tenting areas in the middle of the family area. Fees apply for the pool and hot tub; see their website for more details HERE. We were on pitch 21 in the adult only area. In 2019 we were nearby on pitch 25. All pitches have all 3 services i.e electrics, drinking water and drain for your grey waste assuming you have the right length of pipe work. Right next to our pitch was the walkway thru the woods to the perimeter gate which led 2 ways into the village either via church lane or the community centre. Its only about 15 mins leisurely stroll into the village and the autumn colours were beautiful. St Mary’s church is a delight and it is such a lovely village with supposedly 3 pubs, we only found one, the Plough, which has great real ales, friendly staff and a gut busting dinner for a reasonable price which we had a lunch time on our second day. The chef even gave me a few tips on veggie cooking We had a bit of a mosey around after lunch before returning for an afternoon of luxury reading, such a treat! On leaving we went via the south side of Rutland water and visited the village of Manton with its wonderful priory and St Mary’s church. We had not been there before and down a public bridleway there were great view of Rutland water. We liked Greetham a lot and will hopefully return again, it’s a great starting point for discovering Rutland. We returned again see Blog 139 it is one of the 3 associated blogs suggested for this Blog, thanks for looking PS I collected the old comments for prosperity 😉 #timeline

By keef and annie hellinger, Nov 8 2017 12:56PM UPDATE 2nd May 2022 Completely replaced by Blog 179 Beside the normal indexing page which is in Blog number sequence (and Tags at the end of Blogs) it is now possible to look at the A-Z of blogs which has them in alphabetical order so you can look up what you want and go directly to it. Of course you can always use the site search to look for things of interest as well. There will also be Index pages to see stuff by Category i.e. Potentially Travel, Hints & Tips, Recommended, Vehicle, Xmas and Social Media, as time goes by this list may increase, who knows. UPDATE Nov2020 - before Flash vanishes have set some of these categories up under BLOGTYPE, they are travel, hints and tips, campsites, recommended and a smattering under other of some of the largest categories. There is also a TAG cloud map which with instructions can be launched within Word Cloud software to enable you to click on the tag link and see ALL of the blogs under that tag / category There will also be a way to go to each of our Motorhome trips in the Wendy house in Order , by Nov 2017 we have made 31 trips in her and travelled about 22,000 miles Hopefully it will make it easier for you to find what you want UPDATE 12/11/21 with migration from Moonfruit to WIX the A-Z Index pictured here is kept as its a very good search facility but many of the other "additional" search facilities introduced to circumvent in essence 3 formats i.e. Blogs 1-67, Blogs 68-145 and blogs 146 onwards have been superceded by WIX's great blog searching and overall Blog TAGs, hope that makes sense, basically its just so much easier and consistent. OLD Pre WIX NEW post WIX

By keef and annie hellinger, Nov 9 2017 07:26AM UPDATE 2nd May 2022 Completely replaced by Blog 179 The search screen allows you to search for almost anything on the website. Just type it into the search bar on our internal web site page. Note that the 1st set of things that appear will be Googles paid ads but if you skip past them you will see all the references within the website to your request, obviously if any. Then just click on those and it will take you to what you are looking for. You can of course always use the A-Z Index page to search for your Blog request alphabetically, its up to you but we are trying to provide the search tools that make finding what you want easier. Thanks for looking, kind regards motorhome-travels blog. UPDATE 12/11/21 with migration to WIX there are much stronger search facilities, either WIX's own search or the generic Google one, just use the SEARCH page or the link button here in the trailer. You can also now use global TAGs via our INDEX page, thanks for looking OLD searching under Moonfruit NEW searching under WIX

By keef and annie hellinger, Nov 9 2017 05:07PM Re-imagined and redesigned, the all-new 2017 Zephyr showcases Tiffin craftsmanship at its finest. From sumptuous interiors to gleaming exteriors, this spacious coach is 45 feet of pure luxury in motion, with every square inch designed to impress: Top-of-the-line materials throughout. Upscale amenities to rival a five-star hotel. Masterful engineering that commands the road, easily towing up to 15,000 lbs. For those who seek the ultimate RV experience, it doesn’t get better than this. THE MOST IMPRESSIVE CLASS A MOTORHOME IN THE INDUSTRY A real RV , only (what only) 12 a day made. From the Tiffin website you can take a look around and download the brochure. It is pretty sumptuous... Note 2020 model now shown

By keef and annie hellinger, Dec 1 2017 04:29PM Not the Motorhome trip No 8 : November 23rd – 28th 2017 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->Kent (Chestfield, Whitstable, Folkestone, Canterbury & Faversham) via Ewell West ->NOTTS 510 miles A very nice 10 day break firstly 4 days at Mums then Kent with our lovely rellies Brian & Gina who made us feel fabulously welcome. More larfing than you could shake a stick at! We had nice walk along Whitstable front followed by a nice tea in a beach front hotel then it was Folkestone and the arm, which is all undergoing an expensive make over and will be fab when it is finished. Then a trip into the centre of Canterbury for the Xmas market after a walk along the Roman walls alongside the fab Dane John Gardens (is there a Viking influence here I wonder as well as Roman?) then followed by a look around the museum / art gallery and a high tea, it was lovely! Then it was off to medieval Faversham and a lovely Xmas market followed by an Italian meal at the end of Courts lane. This was our second visit, we previously visited in March 2016 and you can see that slideshow HERE or via the FAMILY page by year, thanks for looking #yummy March 2016 visit #family

By keef and annie hellinger, Mar 14 2018 08:26AM Not the Motorhome Trip No.9 5th Feb - 12 Mar 2018 continued A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog As the 1st part of this blog which is almost like a whole website is too long I have split it in 2, it is 77 minutes worth of reading which when this continuation is added to it will probably make the write up of the cruise more like a book one would read on it in a sun lounger 😉 Schedule continued. 27 February Day 23 Port Everglades Dining:Freedom Arrive early morning Depart early evening Snapshot of Miami Excursion 09:45 To see Miami's slideshows, click HERE 28 February Day 24 Port Canaveral Dining:Freedom Arrive early morning Depart afternoon Free shuttle bus to Cocoa beach To see Cocao beach slideshows, click HERE 01 March Day 25 Charleston Dining:Freedom Arrive morning Charming Charleston Panoramic Excursion 09:30 Overnight In Port 02 March Day 26 Charleston Dining:Freedom Depart early afternoon To see Cocao beach slideshows, click HERE 03 March Day 27 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 04 March Day 28 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 05 March Day 29 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 06 March Day 30 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 07 March Day 31 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 08 March Day 32 Sea Day (see below) Praia DA Vitoria Dining:Freedom Arrive morning Depart afternoon South Island Sights and Angra Excursion 09:45 Sadly NOT Possible due to Storm Riley so day at Sea 09 March Day 33 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 10 March Day 34 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 11 March Day 35 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 12 March Day 36 Southampton Disembark Miami Florida USA via Port Everglades DAY23 - 27th Feb 2018 Landed Port Everglades, Florida, USA for Miami trip Travel blog fun: It was our 40th Wedding Anniversary treat, what you might call our Ruby cruise! We have been to Florida before in August 1997 but never Miami. We did visit Fort Lauderdale but considered Miami at the time to be just too hectic. To see more visit the FAMILY Page or click HERE . So we did the Snapshot of Miami tour which passed by Fort Lauderdale having left from Port Everglades using the "fast" lane into downtown Miami. We firstly went to Ocean drive with its Art Deco architecture and went inside our first ever Walgreens Pharmacy. After a quick walk on Miami beach we visited Star Island , Coconut Grove, Coral Gables , Little Havana and ended up having lunch at the waterside alongside the Miami HRC, guess what Keef bought? Our trip was supposed to last 5.5 hours but only lasted about 4.5 hours with 1.5 hours in the shopping area, bit of a swizz and we didn't even see Millionaires Row - Esterfan, Beckhams etc etc.... probably Ed Sheeran by now *smile* This is the synopsis of our tour. "Your scenic drive will head south across the Biscayne Bay and onto Miami Beach, home of the Art Deco District and fashionable Miami Beach. Passing by the famous Versace Mansion, you’ll continue on to Millionaire’s Row, renowned for its opulent homes and high-end boutiques, as well as some of the world’s most highly rated beaches. You’ll then cross over the impressive MacArthur Causeway and pass nearby Star Island, home to many famous celebrities. Returning to the mainland, your drive continues through downtown Miami towards Little Havana, with its vibrant Cuban culture. The contrast is striking as you continue on to the charming Coconut Grove, one of the most beautiful residential areas of the city. Finally, you’ll pass by Coral Gables, an area rich in diverse architectural styles and lavish landscaping. Catch a glimpse of the impressive yachts and mansions, and view the towering skyscrapers of Miami's financial district as you drive along Brickell Avenue. To round off your tour a short stop will be made at Bayside Marketplace. Here, you can enjoy some free time for shopping or perhaps purchase a refreshment before the return drive to Port Everglades." Miami was interesting, could have done with a more committed guide however! Your Guide to Port Everglades Lying in the south eastern part of Florida, Port Everglades is just a short journey from downtown Fort Lauderdale and its maze of waterways, bars, restaurants and trendy boutiques. The port is also your gateway to Everglades National Park and its unique eco-system and array of wildlife. The city of Fort Lauderdale is situated in Broward County on southern Florida’s Atlantic coast, an area known as the Cold Coast. The city did not even exist one hundred years ago but today it is one of the most popular resorts in the state. Now known as the ‘Venice of the USA’ because of the great number of waterways, Fort Lauderdale has much more to offer than just miles of sandy beaches. Passengers will land at nearby Port Everglades, the second busiest cruise ship port in the world after Miami. Seminole Indians moved into the area - under protest - around the New River and what is now Fort Lauderdale in the early 19th century. A few settlers were also living here when the Second Seminole War broke out in 1835 as a result of the massacre of a large army detail. A year later an Indian war party murdered a woman and her three children near the New River. As a direct result of these massacres, Major William Lauderdale, with a force of Tennessee Volunteers and army regulars, was sent to build a stockade on the river in March 1838. The fort (and the eventual town) was named after the major. In 1891, there were sufficient settlers to justify the opening of a post office and two years later Frank Stranahan arrived to run the New River ferry. Stranahan is regarded as the first permanent white settler in Fort Lauderdale and his house is now open to the public. A further boost to the region came in 1895 when the Florida East Coast Railway reached the small settlement. Workers began to drain the Everglades from 1905 onwards, and in 1911 Fort Lauderdale was incorporated, even though the town had only 175 residents. A building boom after World War I led to the influx of many newcomers along the Gold Coast. However, the bad publicity created by a severe hurricane in 1926, with the loss of 15 lives in Fort Lauderdale and many more in the neighboring cities, meant that the Depression arrived early in southern Florida. By the 1950s, Fort Lauderdale was a yachting centre and the beach was a magnet for college students enjoying a short spring holiday before their examinations. The 1960 film Where the Boys Are, starring Connie Francis and George Hamilton, described the pleasures of a break at Fort Lauderdale and led to student numbers increasing dramatically to well over 300,000. Eventually the local authorities could no longer tolerate the mass invasion, with its associated high spirits, drunkenness, drugs and petty crime, and introduced measures - successfully - to encourage the students to go elsewhere. Fort Lauderdale today is a dynamic and developing city. Vast amounts of money have been spent to improve the beachfront and make the downtown area more attractive. Tourists still flock to the city, especially in the winter season when temperatures and humidity are more bearable. The beach remains the major attraction for many, but the Everglades are nearby and the city itself has many places of interest and is one of the most important shopping centres in the state. EXPLORING Fort Lauderdale may be mainly a very young city but there is much to see on the coast and beach, along the many waterways and canals, and in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Please be aware that the state of Florida has a 6% sales tax, which is added to the cost of many purchases and restaurant bills. The Hugh Taylor Birch State Park The coast and beach area has a number of places worth visiting. The Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, with direct access to the beach. Nature lovers can follow two short trails to see perhaps raccoons, squirrels, egrets and herons, to name but a few. For more active exercise, canoes can be rented for a paddle along the freshwater lagoon. Bonnet House Further south is the outstanding Bonnet House, a 1920-built property in a 35-acre setting, which originally had direct access to the beach but is now surrounded by modern Fort Lauderdale. The sub-tropical gardens have lush vegetation, swans on the ponds, an orchid house and even resident monkeys. The house contains paintings by the former owners Frederick and Evelyn Bartlett. You will not be disappointed by a visit and opening hours for house tours are 9.00am-4.00pm Tuesday to Sunday; the last house tour takes place at 3.30pm. Closed Mondays. The gift shop - artwork, reproduction paintings, collectibles, antiques, jewellery and so on - is open during tour hours. International Swimming Hall of Fame Also in the same area is the International Swimming Hall of Fame, a museum containing memorabilia from 100 nations and information on over 600 world- famous stars. See, for example, the gold medals won in the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games by the swimmer Johnny Weissmuller, who later played the role of Tarzan in films in the 1930s and 1940s. Who can forget those immortal words, “Me Tarzan, you Jane”? Also on display is the starting block used by Mark Spitz in winning five of his seven Olympic gold medals in 1972. This museum is just south of Las Olas Boulevard on A1 A, the coastal road. Opening hours are 9.00am-5.00pm Monday to Friday, and Saturday and Sunday 9.00am-2.00pm. Stranahan House On SE 6th Avenue at Las Olas Boulevard this house dates from 1901 when it was used as a trading post for the early settlers and the Seminole Indians. Five years later it became the Stranahan family’s personal residence and remained so until 1971. Frank Stranahan ran the ferry across New River and unfortunately drowned in the same river. The house now looks as it would have done in about 1913 and guided tours are given at 1,00pm, 2.00pm and 3.00pm daily. The house can only be visited via a guided tours. The tours are approximately 45 minutes to an hour long. Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale has an outstanding Museum of Art at the corner of E Las Olas Boulevard and Andrews Avenue in the heart of the city. The museum concentrates mainly on modem art and has a large collection of works by the American impressionist William Glackens (1870-1938). Another section is devoted to the avant-garde CoBrA movement - the name is derived from the members’ home cities of Copenhagen, Brussels and Amsterdam. This movement lasted just three years in the late 1940s, and their semi-abstract paintings are characterised by brilliant colours, violent brushwork and distorted human figures. The museum is open from 11.00am- 6.00pm Tuesday to Saturday, with extended hours on Thursdays until 8.00pm. Sundays open from Noon- 5.00pm. Closed on Mondays. Riverwalk If in this part of the city, do have a look at the Riverwalk, an area of waterfront parks, restaurants, bars, shops, cinemas and Las Olas Riverfront. River cruises start here and several Water Bus stops are along the river, including Stop 14 Carrie B and Stop 18 in front of Cafe Metro for Las Olas Riverfront. Another reminder of the city’s past is the Old Fort Lauderdale Village and Museum on the site of the original settlement at 219 SW 2nd Avenue in the downtown area. Three historic buildings date from the early 20th century; New River Inn (1905), which now houses a museum of history and a gift shop, Philemon Bryan House (1905) and King-Cromartie House (1907), now a museum of pioneer lifestyles. There is also a replica of Broward County’s first schoolhouse of 1899. This historic district can be reached from Las Olas Riverfront by walking across the railway line near Cascades Restaurant. Opening hours are 10.00am-5.00pm Tuesday to Saturday and Noon-5.00pm on Sunday. Museum of Discovery and Science Directly west from the historic district Is the Museum of Discovery and Science on SW 2nd Street. Permanent exhibitions include Living in the Everglades and Florida Ecoscapes, as well as several hands-on activities to unravel the mysteries of space and much more. The five-storey IMAX 3D Theatre gives a virtual- reality experience when viewing films. The store has clothes, games, jewellery, posters, toys, science kits and gifts. Opening hours are 10.00am-5.00pm Monday to Saturday and Noon-6.00pm Sunday. Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum This museum on SW 1 st Avenue (Packard Avenue) south of the river is a ‘must visit’ for enthusiasts of American vintage cars, as 22 pre-war Packard automobiles are on display. There are roadsters with compartments for golf clubs - the Packard was the Rolls-Royce of the 1940s - a doctor’s coupe and even a 1930 fire engine. Memorabilia includes everything from road signs to parking meters and prewar chauffeur badges. Guided tours are held from 10.00am-3.00pm Monday to Friday. BEYOND THE EVERGLADES Time Out in Miami Florida’s second largest city (population 365,000), after Jacksonville, is situated on Biscayne Bay at the mouth of the Miami River and just a short distance from the Everglades. Sometimes called the ‘capital of Latin America’, as two-thirds of the population are of Hispanic origin, Miami is widely regarded as one of the country’s most exhilarating cities. The city became famous in the 1980s television series Miami Vice but is now more renowned for its beaches, world-class shopping, restaurants and legendary nightlife than as the former crime capital of the United States. Miami can be reached from Fort Lauderdale by Tri-Rail, an hourly commuter service on weekdays and less frequently at weekends. The journey lasts a mere 42 minutes to the Metrorail Transfer. Metrorail, an elevated rail system serves downtown Miami and extends west to Hialeah and south to Kendall. The Metromover, an elevated monorail, also serves downtown Miami. Metrobus has an extensive network of routes and full details of these, Metrorail and Metromover can be found at the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Suite 2700, 701 Brickell Avenue (Tel. 539 3000). There are also visitor centres at 1920 Meridian Avenue on Miami Beach, Aventura Mail and Bayside Marketplace. The city’s leading attractions are widely scattered, although few visitors are likely to be disappointed by spending time on Miami Beach and in particular in the South Beach area. The visitor centre at the northern end of South Beach is a useful first stop, and, if interested, do ask about hiring bicycles. Across from this centre is the moving Holocaust Memorial. Nearby is the Bass Museum, with a permanent collection of European art, as well as temporary exhibitions. Perhaps the most unexpected ‘must-see’ is the Art Deco Historic District, with over 800 restored buildings in a similar architectural style and painted in pastel colours. Watersports and sunbathing are popular pastimes on South Beach and a gentle stroll along the famous Ocean Drive is almost compulsory, as this is the ultimate see-and-be-seen place. Away from Miami Beach, here are a few details of just three very contrasting attractions, each of which is well worth a visit. Miami Seaguarium, an important marine park on Virginia Key, is deservedly one of the most acclaimed in the world. Shows featuring dolphins, killer whales and sea lions have thrilled visitors for 50 years. It would be easily possible to spend many enjoyable hours here. Coconut Grove is the location for one of the city’s most visited gardens and house: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The 70-room villa, completed in 1916 in neoclassical style, is filled with rich treasures, including paintings, sculptures and antique furniture. Not much more than a stone’s throw from Villa Vizcaya is the Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium. The admission price includes entrance to all museum galleries (plenty of hands-on activities), regular planetarium shows and the wildlife centre at the rear, where injured and recuperating birds feature. GETTING AROUND Taxis Taxis are available on the quayside and the journey from Port Everglades to downtown Fort Lauderdale should take about 15 minutes. They can often be found outside hotels, but it is not the norm to hail one in the street. Telephone 505-2800 or 565-5400 for a Yellow Cab. Buses Broward County Transit (BCT) runs services throughout the county. Timetables and details of routes are available from the bus terminal and government center in downtown Fort Lauderdale, and also from many stores. The No. 11 route from the bus terminal along Las Olas Boulevard to the beach is likely to be of particular interest to visitors. City Cruiser, a free community bus service, operates a service from Las Olas Riverfront to Beach Place. Water Bus A scheduled service operates between Oakland Park Boulevard and SE 17th Street along the Intracoastal Waterway, and westwards along New River into downtown Fort Lauderdale as far as River House. Tickets can be purchased on board and stops of particular interest to visitors are: 7 Bahia Mar (International Swimming Hall of Fame), 14 Carrie B (Stranahan House), 18 Café Metro (Las Olas Riverfront) and 20 River House (Museum of Discovery and Science). This is a most enjoyable way to see the city. FAST FACTS • Florida, admitted to the Union as the 27th state in 1845, is slightly larger than Nepal and Bangladesh. • Florida’s state capital is Tallahassee and Port Everglades is 23 miles north of Miami and only 60 miles northwest of the Bahamas. • An unofficial wind gust of 92 mph was recorded at Port Everglades when Hurricane Katrina passed over on 25 August 2005. • As many as 15 cruise ships have departed from Port Everglades on a single day. • Fort Lauderdale had a population of 151,939 in 2000 (US Census), of whom 15% were aged 65 years and over. • Chris Evert, winner of the Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles Championship in 1974,1976 and 1981, was born in December 1954 at Fort Lauderdale. • The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show claims to be the world’s largest. SHOPPING Florida is famed for the opportunity to shop, shop and shop, and Fort Lauderdale is no exception. Visitors are spoilt for choice. Shops are generally open 9.00am-5.00pm Monday to Saturday and Noon-5.00pm Sunday, although department stores and malls keep longer hours. Beach Place, just north of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and between the beach and the Intracoastal Waterway, has the usual mixture of shops and eating places. Galleria Mall, to the south, has over 120 shops, including Saks Fifth Avenue. In downtown Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Boulevard and the Riverfront are certainly worth a visit. Swap Shop, on W Sunrise Boulevard, is anything but a normal flea market and food court complex, as free one- hour circus shows are held daily. Florida’s second-biggest tourist attraction after Disney World is Sawgrass Mills Mall on the western outskirts of Greater Fort Lauderdale. Some 25 million visits are made annually to the more than 300 retailers, cinemas and the many eateries, which include the Hard Rock Café and the excellent Wolfgang Puck Café. The mall also has an indoor role-playing theme park (Wanadoo City) to amuse children. Best Buys T-shirts, Beachwear,Clothing, Cosmetics,Local history books, Sports equipment ACTIVITIES Beaches Greater Fort Lauderdale is renowned for its 23 miles of golden sand beaches and Fort Lauderdale Beach, part of Florida’s first designated Blue Wave Beach, stretches for 3+ miles. Entrance is free and this beach can be reached by a 15-minute taxi ride from the cruise ship terminal at Port Everglades. Most facilities - showers, toilets, shops, restaurants and bars - are in the southern part from Las Olas Boulevard to Holiday Drive. Beach chairs and umbrellas can be hired. The northern section is quieter, although kayaks and catamarans can be hired. Lifeguards are normally on duty but do ensure this is so if intending to swim or snorkel. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving This is a very popular area for scuba diving as there are literally dozens of coral encrusted shipwrecks and artificial reefs. For details of reputable dive shops, please ask at the Visitors Bureau. Golf Rolling Hills Golf, 3501 West Rolling Hills Circle, Davie, Greater Fort Lauderdale (Tel. 475-3010). Clubs can be hired at this 18-hole, par 72 course (6,905 yds from the back tees and 5,630 yds from the front tees); cart hire is included in the green fee. Advance booking is required. EATING OUT Miami is rightly famed for its cosmopolitan dining and some of America’s best restaurants are in the city. Ethnic cuisines are almost too many to mention, although several emphasize the culinary delights of the Caribbean (especially Cuba), and Latin America. South Beach has a wide choice of restaurants to suit most tastes and all pockets. Miami is also the city where ‘shop ‘til you drop’ could become a reality. There is everything from large shopping malls, such as the Ventura Mall on Biscayne Boulevard, to the exclusive designer shops of Bal Harbour on Miami Beach. Fort Lauderdale has innumerable cafes, restaurants, coffee shops and fast-food outlets. Intimate waterside bistros, gourmet restaurants, steakhouses, expensive seafood restaurants, and a choice of ethnic restaurants are just some of the options. It is possible to eat quite cheaply or the skies the limit if dining at a top class restaurant. Many ethnic cuisines, such as Cuban and Mexican, are often good value for money, whereas European restaurants (Italian and French) are usually more expensive than, for example, a typical Chinese restaurant. However, some of the most expensive restaurants may have a fixed-price menu. This is also junk food paradise. A walk along Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale Beach, the Riverwalk and around the downtown area will soon reveal all kinds of eateries. The malls have food courts, with a choice of cafes and often good- class restaurants. American food is still well represented in the diners by steaks, fried chicken and burgers, although many now also offer a wider menu than previously. Helpings can be mountainous. The city has plenty of excellent seafood and fish restaurants - shellfish, Florida lobster and oysters are particularly sought- after by the locals. American beers and Mexican brands, such as Corona, can be found throughout Florida. Most restaurants will have a selection of wines from Florida, California, Chile and the Argentine. Sitting in the sun watching the world go by with a cocktail is always a popular pastime. Soft drinks, including the ubiquitous Coca-Cola, are everywhere. GENERAL INFORMATION Post Office The nearest post office is on SE 17th Street. Other post offices are at Alridge, 400 NW 7th Avenue and Colee, 1404 E Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Post offices are normally open 9.00am-4.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am- Noon Saturday. Money Matters Most banks are open 9.00am-4.00pm Monday to Friday, although times may vary slightly from bank to bank; some will open on Saturday morning. Banks are located on SE 17th Street and in downtown Fort Lauderdale, including the Washington Mutual at 200 E Las Olas Boulevard and the Wachovia Bank on E Broward Boulevard. ATMs can be found in banks, convenience stores and shopping malls. Denominations The unit of currency is the US dollar ($), divided into 100 cents. Notes: $1,5,10, 20, 50 and 100. Coins: 1c (penny), 5c (nickel), 10c (dime) and 25c (quarter). Notes can be confusing, as all are mostly green in colour and the same size. Major credit cards are widely accepted in Florida. Travellers cheques in US dollars are often easier to change at banks than foreign currency. Emergency Contacts All-purpose emergency telephone number: 911 Cocao Beach via Port Canaveral, Florida, USA DAY 24 - 28th Feb 2018, Landed Port Canaveral, Florida, USA for Cocoa Beach It was our 40th Wedding Anniversary treat, what you might call our Ruby cruise! We have been to Cocoa Beach & the Kennedy space centre with the boys in August 1997 so we decided to take the ships free shuttle bus to Cocoa Beach to have a paddle and a bit of a look around. The weather was good To see more of our previous trip click HERE or look at the FAMILY page. We walked on the beach and the board walk and had a nice relaxing view of the sea and beach from the boardwalk seats. Met a few nice people off the ship and a few Americans. We had a long look around the famous Ron Jon's surf shop and saw the Fawlty Towers Motel before catching the shuttle back to the ship. Sadly as a port there is not much on offer at Port Canaveral. Revisited Cocoa beach and Ron Jon's Surf Shop that we had last been to in 1997 Your guide to Port Canaveral Located along North America’s ‘Space Coast’, Port Canaveral is surrounded by long golden beaches and areas with names such as ‘Satellite Beach’ and ‘Apollo Beach’. Many visitors flock here to see the spectacle of a shuttle launch and also to visit the famed Kennedy Space Centre. Situated midway on the east coast of Florida, 60 miles south of Daytona, Port Canaveral is sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Banana River on a spit of land comprising Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. Cape Canaveral, in what is now Brevard County, was quite a small community, the earliest record being in 1856 when 30 to 40 families formed the community of “Canaveral” near the present city. In 1890 the area north of the city was known as “Artesia” but all the area was incorporated as “Cape Canaveral” on 4 June 1962, at a meeting of 200 freeholders. Cape Canaveral is, of course, now known world wide for its Space Centre, just north of Port Canaveral. ACTIVITIES Beaches Jetty Park Beach (one mile) offering restrooms, showers, picnic pavilions, a fishing pier with rod rentals and a snack bar serving food, soft drinks and draft beer. Cocoa Beach Pier (four miles), and Cocoa Beach (six miles), have refreshment stalls, showers and changing facilities. There are 57 miles of public beach stretching south of Port Canaveral to Sebastain Inlet. Golf An 27 hole municipal golf course is situated in Cocoa Beach Country Club, ten miles away at the end of IV linuteman Causeway, where is it is possible to hire clubs and carts Tel. 321 868 3351. The Savannah’s Country Club is thirteen miles away Tel. 321-455-1375 where clubs are also available for hire. There are 929 other golf courses in Florida. Other Sports Jet-ski and powerboat rentals are available at Cocoa Beach. Fishing is available on the inshore rivers, Banana and Indian Rivers, with Charter Guides who provide everything needed to fish for trout, redfish, snook and tarpon. Also deep-sea fishing is available out of the Port. GETTING AROUND Taxis are widely available everywhere. Some shuttle services operate between the port and the airport. EXPLORING Kennedy Space Centre Occupying some 140,000 acres of land on North Merritt Island this ‘spaceport’ saw the launch in July 1969 of the vehicle Apollo/Saturn V which achieved Man’s dreams landing on the moon, a considerable achievement when one realises that the first rocket was fired on the range on July 24 1950. The displays in the Visitors’ Centre change frequently, and among the many interesting exhibits in the Hall of History are: the Apollo space ship used in the US/USSR rendezvous in space, a Mercury and Gemini space craft, a Lunar Rover, the Skylab multiple docking adaptor and a small piece of moon rock. The value of the rock is considered to be higher than that of any mineral or precious metal found on earth owing to its scarcity value. Attractions at the centre include the Complex 39 Observatory Gantry where visitors can get a bird’s eye view of the shuttle launch pads; the International Space Station Centre, a triumph of technology where visitors can experience how to sleep, exercise and function as an astronaut; A new 3-D IMAX movie theatre; a ‘Heroes and Legends’ attraction encompassing the US Astronaut Hall of Fame; and an extensive tribute to the now retired shuttle programme, including the legendary Atlantis, now proudly on display. The Visitors’ Centre opens at 8.00am every day. The Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex offers a variety of ticket options, available for purchase online and at the visitor complex when you arrive. Advance purchase for add-on enhancements, including special interest tours, is recommended. Purchasing tickets online and printing them out before arrival allows visitors to enter the visitor complex directly, www. kennedyspacecenter.com/info/tickets Brevard Zoo, Melbourne This zoo features native Florida animals, Latin American species and Australian species. It also features a “Paws-On Interactive Zone” where children (and adults) can race against an alligator, climb through a giant honeycomb, arm wrestle a gorilla, and venture inside a blue whale. Tel. 321 254 9453. Cocoa Beach Situated south of Port Canaveral and Cape Canaveral, Coca Beach became self governing in 1925, a month after it was sold for $1,300,000 by Gus Edwards to a New York syndicate. The population was then 250. Today the population is about 12,000 and now boasts a 218 acre recreation complex which includes ten floodlit tennis courts, handball courts, an Olympic swimming pool and an 27 hole Golf Course. Many of the houses are situated on the winding streams and creeks that lead into the Banana River, and many residents are able to fish direct from their front lawns. The Banana and Indian Rivers are noted for their salt water trout, and the waterways in this area boast native wildlife ranging from wading birds to dolphins. Merritt Island Lying between the quaintly named Banana River and Indian River, Merritt Island is approximately 40 miles long, and at the northern end seven miles wide, tapering to a point in the south. In 1828 a Colonel Thomas Dummitt came to the area known as North Merritt Island, to be followed eleven years later by a General Merritt, who received the Island under a grant from Spain. Permanent settlements were made after the Armed Occupation Act of 1842, many descendants of the original settlers are still residing in the area. By 1843 hostilities with the Indians had lessened, but due to a resurgence six years later, the Merritt Island settlers were evacuated to the St Augustine - Jacksonville area. The primary economy of the island was based on cattle, pineapples, sugar cane and, at a later date, citrus fruits. The settlers traded with Indians who visited the island by boat and with other settlements up and down the river, such as City Point, Sharpes and Williams Point, only accessible by riverboats. Before the establishment of Cocoa, the nearest market centre was Titusville, then known as Sand Point, and from here products from the island were sent by rail to northern cities or by ship to Savannah and Charleston. The island is now a National Wildlife Refuge. Rockledge South of Cocoa, on the mainland, Rockledge is the oldest winter resort on the east coast of Florida. First established in 1837, the area was named after the ledge of coquna rock outcropping along the Indian River. The first post office was established in a log cabin in 1876 and owing to the rapidly expanding tourist business two hotels were built, the Indian River Hotel with rooms for 400 guests, and the Plaza Hotel accommodating 300 guests. In 1886 Rockledge had three stores, two hotels, two sawmills and one church. Cocoa To the west of Merritt Island, on the mainland on the other bank of the Indian River lies the town of Cocoa. The first settlers arrived in the area around 1860, and according to records the first commercial building, a general store, was erected around 1881 by BC Willard. Portions of this building originally faced the Indian River. The settlement was originally called Indian River City but this was considered unacceptable by the US Postal Authorities who claimed that it was too long for use on a postmark. The decision by the US Postal Authority was first heard in the Willard Store and naturally caused much discussion in an endeavour to find a new name. Eventually, it is said the name “Cocoa” was selected from a box of Baker’s Cocoa that had only recently been delivered to the store. In downtown Cocoa is a restoration of the old village with cobblestone streets, antique street lamps and many interesting shops. Cocoa is approximately half an hours drive from Port Canaveral. x Walt Disney World Some twenty miles south west of Orlando and approximately 60 miles west of Port Canaveral, this 27,400 acre development area is visited by millions of people a year and is regarded as the world’s single most popular tourist attraction. Many visitors come to see the heart of Walt Disney World the Magic Kingdom, but there are many other attractions like the Epcot Centre and the Disney - MCM Studios Theme Park. Many visitors come to see the heart of Walt Disney World - The Magic Kingdom, dominated by Cinderella’s story-book castle, but there are three more theme parks within Disney World: Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as two water parks; Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Main Street, USA An authentic replica of a “Main Street”, railway station and turn of the century buildings, gabled and turreted, lining both sides of Main Street and surrounding the Town Square. Adventureland Exotic tropical flora and fauna fill the cool glades and sun baked trails of Adventureland. Here you may see the Swiss Family Robinson tree-house, waterfalls and trailing vines on a Jungle Cruise, or you may take a voyage with the Pirates of the Caribbean to their secret treasure trove. Frontierland Here you will see scenes from America’s frontier history. Big Thunder Mountain is an unmissable roller­coaster. Liberty Square Liberty Square depicts the colonial atmosphere in the New England Style. The Haunted Mansion has fearfully realistic ghosts and goblins, calculated to give nightmares to the fainthearted. Grown-ups will be fascinated by the auto-animatronics in the Hall of Presidents, bringing the past to life. Fantasyland This is the most fantastic fantasy in all the Magic Kingdom, from a trip in a gigantic spinning teacup at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party to the Fairytale Garden, or a ride on Cinderella’s Golden Carousel. Also to be seen are such memorable Disney characters as Peter Pan, Dumbo the flying elephant and of course, Mickey Mouse and his girlfriend Minnie. Tomorrowland This is dominated by the Space Mountain, with displays of space age technology inside and a fantastic coaster ride simulating race through space, not for those of a nervous or delicate disposition. However, this land is a glance at things to come, with a chance to see what it would be like to take place in a mission to Mars or pilot a Star Jet into space. The Epcot Centre The Epcot Centre - conceived by Walt Disney as the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow - has two main attractions. Future World and World Showcase. Future World Here you come face to face with the wonders of tomorrow. You can discover the Wonders of Life, and be miniaturized by Disney’s high tech theatre technology or propelled through the human body during Body Wars, a high space race against bacterial invasion. World Showcase Eleven nations around World Showcase Lagoon offer you cultural cavalcades of food, music merchandise and interesting people. The myths and legends of the Vikings come to life at Maelstrom in the Norway Section. You’ll get an incredible view of the French countryside. Discover the magic of the casbah in Morocco, enter the Temple of Heaven in China and see the Forbidden City and the Great Wall then await to be surprised with lots more to see in the many other highlighted countries. The centerpiece of The American Adventure is an inspirational multimedia, multi-dimensional tribute to the American dream. Disney - MGM Studio Theme Park As an alternative main attraction at Walt Disney World Vacation Resort, the Disney - MGM Studios Theme Park will take you back to the world of Hollywood in the 1940’s and bring you right up to date with the latest film and TV productions. Meet the talent scouts, budding starlets and gossip columnists, cop and cabbies of Hollywood Tinsel Town in its heyday. Travel down Hollywood Boulevard to the famous Chinese Theatre where the great stars of the past are immortalised with footprints and handprints in cement. EATING OUT The best shopping centre is the Merritt Square Shopping Mall, approximately 20 minutes drive from Port Canaveral and located on Merritt Island. There are over on hundred shops catering, 13 restaurants in a food court and a movie theatre in an area of about 600,000 square feet. Opening times are 10.00am- 9.00pm Monday to Saturday, Noon-6.00pm Sunday. GENERAL INFORMATION Post Office The nearest is Cape Canaveral Post Office, 8700 Astronaut Blvd about half a mile south of the port entrance, Tel .7833163. Hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm and Saturday 9.00am to 12.00pm. Money Matters The unit of currency is the US dollar ($), divided into 100 cents. Notes: $1,5,10,20, 50 and 100. Coins: 1c (penny), 5c (nickel), 10c (dime) and 25c (quarter). Calling the UK Most pay phones can be used for international calls using coins, credit cards or phonecards (available from post offices and kiosks). To telephone the UK, dial 011 then 44, followed by the area code (omitting the first 0) and the subscriber’s number. Emergency Contacts All-purpose emergency telephone number: 911 With the Boys in 1997 Charleston, South Carolina, USA DAY 25 & 26 - 1st - 2nd March 2018 , Landed Charleston, South Carolina, USA It was our 40th Wedding Anniversary treat, what you might call our Ruby cruise! We absolutely loved Charleston, mostly for its lovely architecture and Spanish moss and abundance of churches. We took the supposedly Charleston panoramic tour organised by the ship first, although since out guide was a 'Nam Vet, Bigot, Sexist, racist and denialist this didn't prove to be a great "Panoramic" view, we saw mostly weapons and Army training grounds. In the end Annie & I stopped listening to him. We did the horse drawn carriage trip after that which was whole lot better on the sight seeing front and Jacob and his driver took us through some lovely areas. After that we did lunch and called Alan & Lorraine into Henrys as they past after their horse trip. Nice local ale and fish & chips . We went through the market and the next day we visited the Old Slave Mart (Market) museum, which was Ryan's Mart. Over 9m slaves passed through Charleston. It was the capital of trade in the southern states. Sad reading but I guess part of the towns legacy. The Exchange in East Bay Street was also a slave mart. These words are from the Heritage plaque outside " SLAVE AUCTIONS - Charleston was one of the largest slave trading cities in the U.S. In the 1800s, the area around the Old Exchange Building was one at the most common sites of downtown slave auctions. Along with real estate and other personal property, thousands of enslaved people were sold here as early as the 1770s. Most auctions occurred just north of the Exchange, though some also took place inside. Merchants also sold slaves at nearby stores on Broad, Chalmers, State, and East Bay street. Enslaved Africans were usually sold at wharves along the city harbor. Some Africans were sold at the Exchange , but most people sold here were born in the US, making this a key site in the domestic slave trade. In 1856 the city banned auctions of slaves and other goods from the Exchange. Indoor sales grew elsewhere, and Ryan’s mart, a complex of buildings between Queens and Chalmers Streets became the main downtown auction site." At the end of our day and a half we saw bottleneck dolphins in the harbour and met Clive & Lauren , our cetacean experts for the 1st time. Fort Sumter is an island fortification located in Charleston Harbor that we saw from various vantage points. Originally constructed in 1829 as a coastal garrison, Fort Sumter is most famous for being the site of the first shots of the Civil War (1861-65). Apart from our denialist, bigoted, sexist, racist guide Charleston was an absolute gem, we loved it Your Guide to Charleston To many, the city of Charleston conjures up images of the Civil War and Scarlet O’Hara, but this city is also rich in history dating back to 1670 when the first settlers landed. Along with its intriguing past, Charleston has much to offer visitors, with beautiful tree-lined streets, immaculately preserved plantations and gardens and an abundance of shops and restaurants. The historic city of Charleston is situated on the Atlantic coast in southeastern South Carolina. The city (population approximately 124,000) is on a peninsula between the estuaries of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, and has a fine, almost landlocked harbour. It is unquestionably one of the most attractive and fascinating cities in the southern United States. In April 1670 the first English settlers landed on the west bank of the Ashley River and founded Charles Town, named in honour of Charles II. Ten years later the small settlement moved to its present site and, despite the attempts of the unfriendly Spanish, Charles Town soon became an important commercial and shipping centre. This prosperity was partly based on the rice and cotton plantations but the port had the less meritous ‘distinction’ of being a centre of the slave trade. The rise in the city’s fortunes somehow survived a disastrous 1699. Charles Town was hit by outbreaks of yellow fever and smallpox, then a major fire destroyed a large area, and finally an earthquake and a hurricane wreaked more havoc. However, not even the threatening presence of the infamous pirate Blackbeard in 1718 could stem the city’s growing reputation as a centre of culture and the good life. The British captured Charles Town in 1780 - three years later its name was shortened to Charleston - and held it for the next four years. These were difficult times and in 1790 the city ceased to be the state capital, an honour now held by Columbia. On 12 April 1861 a Confederate force fired on the Union-held Fort Sumter at the entrance to Charleston Harbor. This event started the Civil War, during which South Carolina suffered very heavily. Charleston endured a blockade by Union land and sea forces from July 1863 to February 865, during which the city was shelled almost every day. Finally, on 18 February 1865, General Sherman’s army entered what was left of the once proud Charleston. The abolition of slavery then had a devastating effect on the plantation system and on the port of Charleston. The city is now a very different place from that which would have greeted a visitor in early 1865. Universities have been established, the container port is one of the largest in the United States, and tourists are attracted in great numbers by the stunning architecture, the superb shopping, dining and recreational opportunities, and the city’s renewed reputation as a place of culture. A visit here is most unlikely to be a disappointment. EXPLORING The Charleston Visitor Center at 375 Meeting Street has leaflets on places of interest, tickets for many of the main attractions, a useful map and schedule of the Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) and many publications, including a Visitor Guide Map, the Charleston Walking Tour, and the Civil War. The best way to really appreciate Charleston’s Historic District, if possible, is on foot. This lovely area at the foot of the Peninsula is full of beautifully preserved and majestic houses, many churches and museums, and there are outstanding views across the harbour. And all of this is in a comparatively small area. Further afield, although still within no more than 15 miles of downtown Charleston, many former plantations can be visited. Here is a selection of some of the city’s outstanding places to visit. It is, of course, not a comprehensive list, and personal choice will decide which particular attractions are of the greatest interest. Unless otherwise stated, all attractions in summer are open from 9.00/10.00am - 4.00/5.00pm Monday to Saturday and on Sunday afternoon. These times, however, may change and should be taken as general guidelines only. Please be aware that a sales tax of 7.5% will be added to the cost of any purchases. Around the Visitor Center The Charleston Museum Across the road from the Visitor Center in Meeting Street is America’s first museum, founded in 1773. There is much to see and enjoy in the collections of cultural and natural history, of particular note are the 18th century Charleston silver. Aiken-Rhett House In the same part of the city is this palatial residence in Elizabeth Street. The house, now preserved as it was in about 1850, was built by a wealthy merchant in 1818 and then turned into an even more splendid place by William Aiken Jr 15 years later. The Aikens brought many of the chandeliers, classical sculptures and paintings from Europe. The original outbuildings include the slaves’ quarters. Joseph Manigault Museum Just a short distance from the Visitor Center and in the same street is a graceful Adam-style house built in 1803. This distinguished house is renowned for its cunning central staircase, the Gate Temple in the garden and especially for its collection of American, French and English furniture. South Carolina Aquarium Charleston’s most visited attraction overlooks the harbour and children, especially, will enjoy a visit here. River otters, sharks, alligators, jellyfish can all be seen as well insects and snakes. Historic Southern Charleston The Battery and White Point Gardens Here is a pleasant place for a relaxing stroll. Apart from the views over the harbour, many impressive houses are nearby, including Calhoun Mansion and Edmonston-Alston House. Calhoun Mansion The largest single residence in the city was built in the late 19th century by a wealthy merchant and banker. The highlights are the ornate ceilings, splendid chandeliers, detailed woodwork and the ballroom, which rises 45 feet to a glass skylight. Not surprisingly, the house has featured in several films. Guided tours of this Victorian mansion in Meeting Street last for about 45 minutes. Edmonston-Alston House Facing the harbour at the tip of the peninsula is this lovely stylish early 19th century dwelling. It contains a veritable treasure trove of family furniture, documents, silver, china, porcelain, books and paintings. The house was built by a Scottish cotton trader and then sold to Charles Alston, a Charleston rice planter, in 1838, who redecorated it in Creek Revival style. Nathaniel Russell House Here is yet another splendid dwelling on Meeting Street and was the townhouse of a wealthy merchant in the early 19th century. Considered to be one of America’s most important neo-classical buildings, the outstanding feature is a freestanding spiral staircase leading from the hall to the third floor. The house has antiques, works of art, and ornamental garden. Heyward-Washington House Dating from 1772, this brick-built double house in Church Street was the home of the lawyer and patriot Thomas Heyward, one of the many signatories of the Declaration of Independence. George Washington actually did sleep here, as he was so taken by the house on a visit in 1791 that he rented it for his stay. The house has a remarkable collection of furniture by Charleston craftsmen, most notably a valuable Holmes bookcase. The exquisite garden is full of plants that were available locally in the late 18th century. St Michael’s Episcopal Church Near Heyward-Washington House is the oldest church (1751) in the city. George Washington worshipped here in 1791. The impressive steeple rises to 186 feet above street level. St Philip’s Episcopal Church Charleston has a number of lovely churches and St Philip’s is certainly one of them. The present church dates from 1838 and was known as the lighthouse church as a light was put in the steeple to guide ships into port. Dubose Heyward, the author of Porgy and Bess, is buried in the churchyard. Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon Historically one of the most important buildings in Charleston, the British-built (1771) Exchange and Customs House later served as a prison for American patriots in the Revolutionary War. The Powder Magazine Now restored to its mid-19th century appearance, the former munition store was built in 1703 and is the oldest public building in Charleston. It subsequently served as a printing house, general store and even as a livery stable. Gibbes Museum of Art This museum in Meeting Street has one of the finest collections of American art in the South, with particularly notable views of Charleston, portraits of leading South Carolinians. The gift shop has excellent art prints, posters, cards, jewellery and books. The museum is closed on Mondays. Citadel Museum The Citadel is one of the last two military state colleges in the United States. The museum in Moultrie Street details the history of the college from 1842 to the present day. The Citadel achieved wide publicity - and some notoriety - when it finally admitted a female cadet in 1995, albeit under protest and a court order. This particular cadet only lasted a week, but other female cadets have passed out with considerable success at the previously all-male establishment. ACTIVITIES Beaches The nearest (and the best) beach is at Kiawah Island, some 21 miles from Charleston. Kiawah is widely regarded as one of the top 10 beaches in the United States. A small fee is charged to enter the white- sand beach, which has showers and refreshments. Local Walks Some of the most interesting walks are in the grounds of the plantations along Ashley River Road. The Battery and White Point Gardens at the tip of Charleston Peninsula are also a pleasant spot for a leisurely stroll. The gardens are a peaceful place now but 18th century pirates were hanged at this spot. SHOPPING Charleston is a very popular shopping destination for South Carolinians, and deservedly so. The main shopping streets are Market, Meeting and King Streets. The city has long been renowned for its antiques and the ‘Antiques District’ is between Beaufain and Queen Streets. Also worth a visit is the King Street Antique Mall, where 75 dealers offer a wide selection of fine antiques and collectibles. Art galleries can be found throughout the city and more especially along Queen and Broad Streets. Charleston Place (and the Riviera across the street) is located on the ground floor of the Charleston Place Hotel in Market Street between King and Meeting Streets. Here are 30 good quality shops, including boutiques and jewellers, and the Palmetto Café. Best Buys: T-shirts and other clothing, Antiques, Handmade jewellery, Sweetgrass baskets, Lowcountry cookbook BEYOND CHARLESTON Fort Sumter The first shots of the Civil war were fired at Fort Sumter on 12 April 1861 by Confederate forces. After a 34- hour bombardment the Union forces surrendered and the Confederacy held this fort on a man-made island at the entrance to Charleston Harbor for the next four years. A call at the Fort Sumter Interpretive Center on Concord Street is a useful introduction before setting off to the actual fort. The fort can be reached by boat trips from Charleston (Aquarium Wharf) and Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum Three miles north of Charleston, at Mount Pleasant on the other side of the harbour, is a chance to visit the USS Yorktown (aircraft carrier), USS Laffey (destroyer) and USS Clamagore (submarine), all of which saw service in World War II. Other attractions include vintage military aircraft, a United States coastguard cutter, a reconstruction of a Vietnam Advance Tactical Support Base, the Congressional Medal of Honor Museum, and many other exhibits and displays. On 16 February the H.L. Hunley, a Confederate submarine, achieved fame in Charleston Harbor as the first submarine to sink a warship. Unfortunately, the exploding torpedo also sank the Hunley. Raised from the seabed in August 2000, the Hunley is now on display at 1250 Supply ST Warren Lasch Conservation Center, North Charleston, SC 29405. Charles Town Landing Here over 300 years ago, colonists established the first permanent European settlement in the Carolinas. Today, the park -10 miles west of Charleston - has a re-creation of a small village, a replica of a 17th century trading ship, tram tours and plenty of opportunities for walking. Four Magnificent Plantations Drayton Hall The large brick-built house was completed in 1742 and, unlike many other houses in the region, survived both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. It is a fine example of early Georgian architecture and is one of the oldest plantation houses in America open to the public. The unfurnished house can be visited on a guided tour, and self guided walks will introduce visitors to the marsh and garden. The museum shop has a wide choice of gifts. Drayton Hall is the first of three great plantations on Ashley River Road and is nine miles northwest of Charleston on Highway 61. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Next to Drayton Hall is a world-famous 300-year-old plantation, with the country’s oldest garden. There is much to see and enjoy here: nature train and boat tours, petting zoo, wildlife observation tower, maze, restored slave cabins, herb garden, art gallery, gift shop, rental bikes and canoes and the Audubon Swamp Garden. The main attractions, however, are undoubtedly the colourful gardens, with their splendid collection of azaleas and camellias, and the guided tour of the house. Middleton Place A few miles up Ashley River Road is a carefully preserved 18th century rice plantation, with colourful gardens, terraced lawns and ornamental lakes. Against a wider background of forests and the Ashley River, it is quite understandable that scenes from The Patriot (2000), starring Mel Gibson as a South Carolina planter, were shot here. The restored south wing - much of the original mansion was destroyed in the Civil War - can be visited on a guided tour. Visitors are free to wander at leisure around the formal 18th century gardens and can watch demonstrations by weavers, carpenters and blacksmiths in the stableyard. Other attractions include kayaking on the Ashley River, guided tours on horseback, and exploring on a rented bicycle. The museum shop sells plantation-made craft items and lunch is served in the Middleton Place Restaurant. This plantation has something for everyone and can be visited on an excursion organised by P&O Cruises. Boone Hall Plantation Nine miles north of Charleston on Long Point Road is a plantation that still produces commercial crops and has served as the backdrop for several major films. The famous avenue of majestic oak trees leading up to the house was planted in 1743. The house, with classic columns, was only built in 1935, and the nine original slave cabins form the only slave street still intact in the south eastern United States. The splendid grounds were the inspiration for Scarlett O’Hara’s beloved Tara in Gone with the Wind. An original cotton gin now serves as a gift shop and snack bar. GENERAL INFORMATION Post Office The city’s main office is at 83 Broad Street, at the corner of Meeting and Broad Streets. Opening times are 8.00am - 5.00pm. Money Matters Several banks can be found in Meeting Street (BB&T at No. 151 and the Bank of America at No. 200) and on Broad Street (First Federal Bank at No. 34). ATMs are scattered around the city. Denominations The unit of currency is the US dollar ($), divided into 100 cents. Notes: $1, 5,10, 20, 50 and 100. Coins: c (penny), 5c (nickel), 10c (dime) and 25c (quarter). Major credit cards are accepted in most shops and restaurants. Calling the UK and Locally International calls can be made from most pay phones, using coins, credit cards or phonecards (available from post offices and kiosks). To telephone the UK, dial 011 then 44, followed by the area code (omitting the first 0) and the subscriber’s number. South Carolina time is 5 hours behind that of the UK. Emergency Contacts All-purpose emergency telephone number: 911 Tourist-Information----- *---- — The Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting Street (Tel. 853-8000), is open daily from 8.30pm to 5.30pm. GETTING AROUND Taxis Metered taxis are available at the pier. Drivers expect a 15% tip. Local Buses Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) operates several routes around downtown Charleston. The trolleys are free. DASH buses carry a small charge. DASH - or a taxi - is the easiest way to get around the Historic District. The visitor centers have details of current fares, services and a route map. EATING OUT Charleston has a great choice of eating places, from fast-food pizzerias to some of the best restaurants in South Carolina. Many different cuisines - Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Greek, Vietnamese and, of course, the specialties of the local Lowcountry cuisine - are represented in the downtown area. Unquestionably, Charleston deserves its reputation as one of the great restaurant cities in the South. Seafood is one of the state’s specialties, in particular such delights as roasted oysters, she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, and grilled grouper. Rice and seafood, often accompanied by tasty sauces, are the staples of Lowcountry food, a cuisine which reflects British, Caribbean, African and European influences. Great use is made of fresh, locally grown vegetables. Two popular dishes are gumbo (a spicy chicken or seafood soup thickened with okra or rice) and jambalaya (a spicy dish of rice with shrimps, chicken and vegetables). The huge portions in many of the steak houses will satisfy the hungriest visitor. Local Dishes and Drinks She-crab soup Grilled chicken with Carolina rice and vegetables Oyster sausages Caesar salad with spicy fried oysters Fried green tomatoes Pecan pie Peach praline cobbler (fruit pie) Two quite different but popular drinks are the local Palmetto beer and tea from the Charleston tea plantation. Bars and restaurants usually have a good selection of wines and fruit juices. The minimum age for buying and drinking alcohol in South Carolina is 21. Inevitably, Coca-Cola is found everywhere. Storm Riley, Atlantic Crossing, 10 days at sea, rough and sometimes scary DAYS 26-36 March 2nd - 12th 2018 Across the Atlantic under the eye of Storm Riley It was our 40th Wedding Anniversary treat, what you might call our Ruby cruise! The captain got us back on board 3 hours early in Charleston and set our expectations that we would have to try and skirt around the bottom of storm riley be going 200+ miles south of Bermuda (and the triangle *smile*) , and as we would have to do many more miles it was unlikely we would land in the Azores, so 10 days at sea. The reality was that the Azores were out of the question, if we had gone thru the eye of the storm there would have been 11 meter high waves and we would not survive, so well done Capt. Howard a good call. As it was the banging and cracking of the ship in 8m high waves was enough, many many passengers were sea sick, we even had to medivac an ill patient by helicopter in 60+ mile winds. The video will enable you to hear what felt like a sledgehammer cracking against metal nearly every 10 minutes 24*7. We had various different answers for this 1) twisting deck metal 2) Issue with the bulkhead 3) Damaged stabaliser 4) The captain told us one of the stabalisers was sticking and making the noise. Whatever the cause, and we have written to P&O, there is currently no answer but it did put a dampener on the end of the cruise. Ventura was going into dry dock in Brest to "be sorted". Anyhow we were just happy to get back to Southampton, but it didn't curtain our fun and with caste iron stomachs we kept all the luxury food down *smile* If you would like to read the detailed BLOG of the trip just go to the associated BLOG 125 part1. #cruise #weddinganniversary

By keef and annie hellinger, Mar 14 2018 08:26AM Not the Motorhome Trip No.9 5th Feb - 12 Mar 2018 This was our 40th Wedding Anniversary Cruise to the Azores, Caribbean & Lower US States including Louisiana, Florida & South Carolina. We encountered Storm Riley on the way back meaning we had 10 days at sea instead of stopping at our 2nd Azores island on the way back. #cruise #weddinganniversary Overall for this Travel Blog This Blog is like a website on its own, we were away for a month and a half so it resembles some of our much longer trips in Wendy House or hired vans in either Canada, New Zealand or Australia. Proof we crossed the Atlantic We had a fun time despite being ill for quite a while and loved our Atul Kutcher meal on the 25th in the Benares offshoot on board called Sindhu. We sailed 12,865 land miles across the Atlantic on our journey. What a travel blog eh? Itinerary Booking Reference: WLHK2R KEITH HELLINGER No Loyalty Tier: POFP78081M ANNE HELLINGER No Loyalty Tier: POFP78085Y Cruise Number: N803 Ship: Ventura Duration: 35 Nights Cabin Number: A517 Category: Inside Cabin Deck: A Bed Configuration: Queen Dress: Dress Codes for your Cruise: 10 Black Tie Nights, 25 Evening Casual Nights POSH or WHAT Schedule 05 February Day 1 Southampton Dining:Freedom Embark Ventura 06 February Day 2 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 07 February Day 3 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 08 February Day 4 Sea Day Dining:Freedom To see At Sea slideshows , click HERE 09 February Day 5 Ponta Delgada Dining:Freedom Arrive early morning Depart early evening Fire Lakes and Mountains Excursion 09:00 To see Azores slideshows , click HERE 10 February Day 6 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 11 February Day 7 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 12 February Day 8 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 13 February Day 9 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 14 February Day 10 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 15 February Day 11 Barbados Dining:Freedom Arrive early morning Depart early evening Coast to Coast Excursion 09:00 To see Barbados slideshows , click HERE 16 February Day 12 Guadeloupe Dining:Freedom Arrive early morning Depart early evening Botanical Garden & Paradise Excursion 08:30 To see Guadeloupe's slideshows , click HERE 17 February Day 13 Antigua Dining:Freedom Arrive early morning Depart afternoon Antigua Island Sights Excursion 08:45 To see Antigua's slideshows , click HERE 18 February Day 14 At Sea Dining:Freedom 19 February Day 15 Ocho Rios Dining:Freedom Arrive early afternoon Depart early evening Bob Marley by Zion Bus Excursion 12:30 20 February Day 16 Montego Bay Dining:Freedom Arrive early morning Depart early evening To see Jamaica's slideshows, click HERE 21 February Day 17 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 22 February Day 18 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 23 February Day 19 New Orleans Dining:Freedom Arrive early morning Overnight In Port 24 February Day 20 New Orleans Dining:Freedom Depart afternoon To see New Orleans' slideshows, click HERE 25 February Day 21 Sea Day Table For 2 in Sindhu at 19:00, See HERE, our 40th Wedding Anniversary meal and cards 26 February Day 22 Key West Dining:Freedom Arrive morning Depart afternoon Possible Tender - No Harbourside To see Key West's slideshows, click HERE 27 February Day 23 Port Everglades Dining:Freedom Arrive early morning Depart early evening Snapshot of Miami Excursion 09:45 28 February Day 24 Port Canaveral Dining:Freedom Arrive early morning Depart afternoon See Blog 125 Part 2 continued from now on, this blog has reached its WIX size limit (c 77 mins) 01 March Day 25 Charleston Dining:Freedom Arrive morning Charming Charleston Panoramic Excursion 09:30 Overnight In Port 02 March Day 26 Charleston Dining:Freedom Depart early afternoon 03 March Day 27 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 04 March Day 28 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 05 March Day 29 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 06 March Day 30 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 07 March Day 31 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 08 March Day 32 Sea Day (see below) Praia DA Vitoria Dining:Freedom Arrive morning Depart afternoon South Island Sights and Angra Excursion 09:45 Sadly NOT Possible due to Storm Riley so day at Sea 09 March Day 33 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 10 March Day 34 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 11 March Day 35 Sea Day Dining:Freedom 12 March Day 36 Southampton Disembark It was our 40th Wedding Anniversary treat, what you might call our Ruby cruise! We had a wonderful time visiting some lovely places for the first time and revisiting some we had been to before , namely Key West, Everglades and Cocoa beach at Port Canaveral, all of which lived up to or exceeded our memories. We especially liked Charleston, Key West, Guadaloupe and New Orleans but loved the other places as well and Keef loved his Bob Marley pilgrimage (finally after Ivan in 2004). We had fun on the ship meeting some nice people, getting involved in Murder Mysteries and Cetacean watching (or not as the case was *smile*), swimming, sunbathing, reading, cribbage, qwirkle, music, photography, shows, Thornbridges Jaipur, sea swell, reggae with Serious Sounds from Barbados and, surely not, some very luxury food! We went to Atul Kochhar's restaurant (he owns 2* Michelin Benares in London, Indian/English fusion food) on board for our Ruby Wedding Anniversary meal which was lovely, so many courses we could not manage it all. Keef got 3 new Hard Rock Cafe shirts - New Orleans, Miami & Key West (I have an old one of those already) plus we had the usual HRC choc milk shakes and Local Legendries *smile*. Annie got some custom made jewellry, a lovely leather handbag from the covered town market in Charleston and some Mardi Gras fans. The things we didn't like were illness, end of row syndrome, rudeness of fellow passengers and total ignorance of most common decency etiquettes (i.e. lifts, sunbeds, respect for disabled, leaving performances early) but hey overall the good far outweighed the bad. Also we still feel a little young for cruising *smile*. Here are some formal pictures taken on the Ventura and some of our Ruby Anniversary meal, Love K&A x If you would like to read the detailed copy of the Captains Log Star date 11th March 2018 😉 here it is! plus the very 1st days internal "newspaper" plus the ships layout diagram We were in room A517 on board the Ventura landing in Antigua plus the Medevac video on Day 34 , scary CLICK HERE Gallery of our best times, so happy! At Sea DAY 1-4 5th-8th Feb 2018 Southampton-Azores DAY 6-10 10th-14th Feb 2018 Azores-Barbados It was our 40th Wedding Anniversary treat, what you might call our Ruby cruise! We stayed in the Premier Inn at West Quay , Southampton the night before and had a meal in the TGI Fridays over the road plus brekkie in the Premier, full English of course, start the way you mean to continue. The first 3 days were at sea, we left in the dark 1 hour late from Southampton. The next day was the Azores, then 5 further days sailing to Barbados our 1st port of call in the Carribean. Mostly calm seas apart from the Bay of Biscay and very sunny as the got to the Caribbean, so speedos, sunnies and ipod on between cooling dips in the Oasis pool The Azores, Portugal, Sao Miguel AY 5 - 9/2/2018 Landed in PONTA DELGADA, SAO MIGUEL, THE AZORES It was our 40th Wedding Anniversary treat, what you might call our Ruby cruise! We landed in Ponta Delgada and went along slightly early for our Fire Lakes and Mountains excursion and were sent away by our lovely Travel department, luckily we came back early as the coach left 15 minutes early. They failed us on so many occasions we just took no notice of them ever after #thebrokenpromisesbrigade. Anyhow we had a lovely trip to give us a feel of Sao Migual stopping at the Pineapple plantation, that and fresh milk (exported to Madiera etc) are the main produce. We stopped at Ribeira Grande where we were lucky enough to see the kids parading in the Carnival festival (there version of the one in Brazil). Our guide was wonderful. We then climbed up to the highest point on the island, such lush rainforest vegetation , but with low cloud could see naught. Returning to Ponta Delgada we walked along the sea front and into the main town, it was very sunny and we finished with carnival fave Malassada & coffee and good it was too. Your guide to Ponta Delgada Ponta Delgada is situated on Sao Miguel island in the Azores. The island’s rugged jutting out into the ocean, sheer cliffs dropping into the sea and sheltered coves, vegetation are reflected in beautiful lakes within the craters of extinct volcanoes. The Azores are a remote Portuguese, volcanic archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, consisting of nine islands divided into three groups. They are on approximately the same latitude as Lisbon and Washington DC, and lie about 760 miles west of Portugal. The date of the discovery of the Azores remains somewhat uncertain, although Arabian geographers in the 12th and 14th centuries made mention of several islands in the Western Ocean, other than the Canaries. They also noted that these islands appeared to be inhabited by a large number of birds of prey, and it is from this reference that the present name is derived. The Portuguese word for hawk is agor. Gongalo Valho Cabral brought in the first Portuguese settlers in 1439, but from 1580 to 1640 the islands were subject, like the rest of the Portuguese kingdom, to Spain. During this time they became an important meeting place for Spanish treasure fleets homeward bound from the Indies, and they were a place of maritime warfare between the English and Peninsular powers. In 1591, just off the coast of Flores, a famous sea battle took place between the Revenge (commanded by Sir Richard Grenville) and a Spanish fleet of 53 ships. The islands of the Azores are volcanic in origin and have been shaped into their present form by various geographical phenomena. Fortunately, earthquakes of major consequence are extremely rare, particularly in the Eastern Azores, and there have been no recorded volcanic eruptions since 1957. The Azores have a temperate climate due to their location in relation to the Gulf Stream and there’s an annual mean temperature of 64°F (18°C). The coldest month is February and the warmest month is August, when the temperature rises into the 80s°F (approx 27°C). The best time of year to visit the Azores is April to October. During the winter, they are renowned for being rather damp and occasional southwesterly gales are known to blow in. The vegetation is remarkably beautiful and varied, and practically anything which grows in temperate or subtropical zones absolutely flourishes. The Azores abound in wonderful woodlands, groves of camellia trees, cannas, and azaleas, forests of tree ferns, tea plantations, splendid pastures and hedgerows of blue hydrangeas. Land commands a high price owing to • the possibility of getting three to four crops from it every year. Sao Miguel (St Michael's) has been christened “The Green Island”, and the explosively fertile soil has earned the island this popular nickname. The most important trade is that of dairy products and live cattle, both of which are exported to the island of Madeira and Portugal. Other exports include beet-sugar, alcohol, tea, tobacco, cereals and tinned fish. The production and export of pineapples is also a trade of major importance to the Azores, and there are several pineapple establishments in the suburbs of Ponta Delgada and Vila Franca do Campo, on the south coast. Pineapples are only grown on Sao Miguel under glass, with no artificial heat being used and it takes around 24 months to obtain a fruit ready for the market. Exports from Ponta Delgada tota approximately one and a half million fruits a year. Owing to their exceptionally fine quality and careful selection, Sao Miguel pineapples fetch good prices in Lisbon and several other European markets. There are many hot springs of great interest in the Azores, as a result of the volcanic origin of the archipelago. Of special note are the spas of Furnas on Sao Miguel, Varadouro on Faial and Carapacho on Graciosa. There are also many springs of mineral rich, medicinal waters; some of which are tapped commercially. coastline is a mixture of headlands Mountains and valleys covered in lush BEYOND PONTA DELGADA Sete Cidades 10 miles North West of Ponta Delgada, means Seven Cities. Whether these existed at one time or not no one knows, but visitors come to admire the ethereal beauty of the area’s two lakes that lay in a circumference of eight miles. Sete Cidades is one of the smallest parishes of Ponta Delgada by population and also the largest in area because it’s located in the centre of a massive volcanic crater (three miles across) that’s also referred to as Sete Cidades. The natural setting of this part of the Island is enchanting and will appeal to any nature lover or budding photographer. Fire Lake 15 miles east of Ponta Delgada, in the centre of the island, is Fire Lake; in the crater of another extinct volcano. For more than 400 years, the crater has been filled with fresh, clean water and it’s now a lake that reflects endless surrounding natural beauty. Fire Lake is one of Ponta Delgada’s top natural tourist attractions and people come from far and wide to bathe in the nearby mineral rich waters that are believed to have healing properties. Furnas Valley 25 miles east of Ponta Delgada is an area that proves the Azores’ volcanic origin. Furnas Valley is Europe’s richest hydrological centre with more than 20 mineral springs that belch, bubble and spray hot water and mud into an atmosphere that’s laden with Sulphur. Grey, hot slime covers part of the area, rock faces are hot to the touch, steam puffs out of any hole in the earth and yellow bubbles burst as they are released from the earth. For several hundred years, housewives have cooked their sweet potatoes in the hot ground here and visitors have come to take the healing waters. Pay a visit to the Terra Nostra Hotel if you’re in the area to explore the gardens and the lake which are both well worth seeing. EXPLORING Sao Miguel The largest and most important of the Azorean islands, is Sao Miguel which houses more than half of the archipelago’s population of 260,000. Sao Miguel (with its 140,000 residents) is roughly 39 miles long and 10 miles wide. Its capital, Ponta Delgada, lies on the south coast with an excellent harbour and a population of 70,000 people. Ponta Delgada has only been the island’s capital since 1546. Before then, Sao Miguel was governed from Vila Franca do Campo, further along the coast. The main monuments of the Azores are the islands’ numerous churches built during many centuries of history from settlement times up to the present day. Their interiors of carved and gilded work, wood inlay and valuable azulejos (coloured, painted, glazed tiles) are veritable works of art. Besides the great number of churches and convents, some now housing museums, simple chapels and shrines of great charm are also scattered all over the island. There are also old forts, commemorative pillars, statues and busts that all mark famous dates and names in the history of the Azores. Ponta Delgada The largest city on Sao Miguel and the principal port of the eastern group of islands is Ponta Delgada; an old town of characteristic narrow roads and winding cobbled streets. The main avenues and highways are excellent and a day’s exploration could lead you from trodden tourist paths to undiscovered historical gems. Lovers of Madeira’s Funchal and Portugal’s Lisbon will feel at home in Ponta Delgada. The buildings are whitewashed with wooden balconies, the streets are paved with mosaics and ornate churches decorate almost every street. There’s a lovely, safe and friendly atmosphere in Ponta Delgada and when the jacaranda trees are in bloom, the bright purple blossom perfectly complements the black and white pavements and facades. There are a few noteworthy buildings in the town: The Igreja do Colegio is an 18th century church of late baroque architecture with a wonderfully carved high altar. This church formed part of a very rich convent founded by the Jesuits in the early 17th century. Sao Sebastiao is the 16th century parish church with a southern fagade of Renaissance design. The main facade is influenced by the Manueline style which is most popular and commonly found in mainland Portugal. The choir stalls are carved cedar wood and are decorated with other exotic woods like palisander. The statue of St. Sebastian on the high altar, pierced with arrows, bears an uncanny resemblance to Liberace. Valuable vestments embroidered in gold are on show, and the church is largely whitewashed like almost all the other buildings on the island. Convento da boa Esperanga Famous for the image of Christ, given by Pope Paul III in 1530, this church has been accumulating jewels and gifts for over 300 years. The chapel where the most treasured possessions are kept is completely lined with azulejos showing colourful, biblical scenes. The museum of Carlos Machado is housed in a 16th century convent in Rua Joao Moreira (Dr Guilherme Pogas 65) and has several interesting ethnographic collections. It also contains works by local and foreign painters and sculptors, together with exhibitions of religious art, tiles and a wonderful collection of over 2000 bird species. St Andrew’s Church, which adjoins the museum, contains some remarkable wood carvings. Sao Jose has painted vaults over the three naves and a baroque Pieta in the baptismal chapel, while Sao Pedro towards the eastern end of this two mile long town is also worthy of inspection for its treasury. When it comes to secular architecture, have a look at the Fort of Sao Bras just outside the port area and you cannot miss the Triumphal Arch in the centre of town. Art and Architecture Azulejos These are coloured tiles painted and cleverly fitted together to create entire scenes. The first Portuguese azulejos were blue, or azul, hence the name. The idea of painting tiles came from the Moors and by the 17th century the Portuguese had mastered the craft so deftly, that it has since come to be associated almost solely with Portugal. Yellow, purple and green eventually joined the blue, followed by landscape and hunting scenes and abstract patterns. All kinds of buildings including churches, town halls, railway stations and private houses were decorated inside and out with azulejos and now they are everywhere to be seen in and around the city. Talha dourada Carved woodwork (talha) was popular for church interiors from the 15th century, but the influx of gold from Brazil in the early 18th century led to the gilding of woodwork. Some of Sao Miguel’s churches stand today, quite sober-looking from the outside, but gleam with gold on the inside. EATING OUT The geographical situation, the climate and the immense wealth of natural resources are responsible for the diversity of the cuisine on the Azores. The soil here is explosively fertile meaning that fresh produce grows in abundance. Local favourites include homemade soups, fresh fish and seafood, locally sourced meat and a great selection of sweets. These include: Seafood: Cavacos, lobster, barnacles, crab, Caldeirada de peixe (fish chowder), polvo guisado em vinho de cheiro (octopus cooked in wine), arroz de lapas (limpets), and lapas de molho Afonso, ensopado de trutas (trout stew). Meat: chourigo com inhames (spiced sausage with yams), torresmos de moiho de figado (pork liver), and cozido das Furnas (meat and vegetables that are boiled in the heat of the earth at places where geothermal energy appears at the surface). Cheese: Queijo da llha or fresh goat’s cheese. Sweets: Bolo levedo (sweet muffin), barriga de freira (bread pudding) massa sovada (sweet bread). The old brandy of Graciosa and the passion fruit and pineapple liqueurs of Sao Miguel are popular specialties in the Azores and they make good souvenirs and gifts as well as local delicacies to sample while you’re ashore. Wine The best known wines of the Azores are the verdelhos of Pico (which achieved fame as far away as the Court of Imperial Russia), but on Granciosa and Terceira some fine table wines are also produced, particularly the white wines. On nearly all of the Azorean islands there are the traditional vinhos de cheiro or morangueiro which have many keen enthusiasts. The best known are those of Caioura (Sao Miguel), Biscoitos (Terceira) and Sao Lourengo (Santa Maria), not forgetting a variety of wines from Pico. GETTING AROUND The terminal building in Ponta Delgada is split across two levels. Shore excursions depart from the car park on the upper floor accessible by stairs and lift. The ground level exit leads to the pedestrian walkway (to the town centre, via shops and cafes) and to available taxis. Car hire Varela Rent a Car: www.varelarentacar.com Micauto: www.micauto.com Autatlantis: www.autatlantis.com Taxis These are readily available. It is always advisable to negotiate a price with the driver before setting off on a journey. Most taxi drivers speak little English so ensure you have the means of explaining where you want to go and what time you need to get back to the ship. HANDY TIPS • The tap water is not always potable, so only drink bottled water. • It is forbidden to sunbathe topless in the Azores. • It is not acceptable to photograph people without asking for their permission. • Tips and gifts compensate for quality of service. It is therefore customary to leave a 5% tip in restaurants and to taxi drivers. • Do not buy souvenirs made from sea based creatures. SHOPPING The Azorean archipelago, with its rich history and many traditions, is known for its arts and handicrafts. Artisans have saved and developed their workmanship techniques through the centuries and the handicrafts of the Azores include some that are now ancient in origin. Due to their isolated location Azorean craftsmen use primarily raw materials such as wood, fish scales, whale bone and teeth, basalt, hydrangea, piths, potter’s earth and corn leaves. Best buys Colorful! pottery from Sao Miguel Embroidery and lace from Sao Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial Woodwork created from fig Wickerwork Wheat straw decoration Scrimshaws (works of art carved from the teeth and jaws of the sperm whale) Pineapple and passion fruit liqueurs. Most shops are dosed on Sundays, even when a cruise ship is in port, however the Sol Mar Shopping Centre and the new Parque Atlantico Mall in Ponta Delgada, are open daily from 9.30am-10.00pm every day. ACTIVITIES Beaches Ponta Delgada’s beaches have black volcanic sand and are washed by the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. During the months of July and August a few beaches (Praia do Populo, 3 miles from Ponta Delgada and Agua D’Alto, 14 miles away) have facilities and the waters are generally safe to swim in. There are swimming facilities in the cruise ship harbour, near to the marina with steps and pontoons leading down to the sea from the waterfront. Golf There are two courses on Ponta Delgada (Batalha Golf Course, over to the west of the island and Furnas Golf Club, over to the east). Both courses have 18 holes, and clubs and trolleys can be hired. Barbados - The Caribbean DAY 11 - 15/2/2018 Landed in BRIDGETOWN , BARBADOS, Windward Islands, West Indies " Woah, I'm going to Barbados, back to the palm trees, in the sunny Caribbean sea " It was our 40th Wedding Anniversary treat, what you might call our Ruby cruise! We landed in Bridgetown and went on the Coast to Coast excursion which was a great way to get a look and feel of the diversity of the island. We especially liked the flowers and the lovely beach town of Bathsheba. On the trip we drove through Bridgetown, originally known as Indian Bridge, named after the old bridge which crosses the Constitution River. On the trip we visited the highest point, St Johns church with great views over the Caribbean sea. There are quite a few pictures taken there. Here is an extract from plaque on the church wall " This beautiful church is on the site of the earliest wooden church of 1645.The first stone church was built in 1660, for 110,000 pounds of sugar. It was badly damaged in the 1675 hurricane and rebuilt in 1676-7. This church was badly damaged in the 1780 hurricane, restored and destroyed in the 1831 hurricane. The present fourth church was completed in 1836 and the chancel added in 1876. Its pure Gothic design was influenced by Bishop William Hart Coleridge, first Anglican Bishop.The Vestry Hall above was the meeting place of the Parish Vestry, comprising elected landowners, which ran the affairs of the Parish until 1939. It is named for church patriarchs Mr. Eustace Gill and Mr.Thorne Gollop.". After the trip we took a walk through the craft market listening to the rap music in the sun, had a look at the fish market , flying fish is a local delicacy, and a stroll back along the waterfront gardens in Bridgetown. It was a very hot day. Keef especially liked adding to his collection of photos of world cricket venues with a snap of the Kensington Oval. Now remind me who was Captain Tobias Willcox? Bathsheba beach Your guide to Barbados Beautiful beaches, warm blue sea and sun-drenched days, Barbados offers all the features of a tropical island. Its people are especially warm and welcoming and there is still an inescapable colonial ‘feel’ that adds to the island’s unique atmosphere and special style. Barbados is the most easterly island in the West Indies, out of the chain of Leeward and Windward Islands. The island stands in splendid isolation with the powerful Atlantic Ocean on its east coast and the clear, calm waters of the Caribbean Sea on the south and west coasts. Measuring 21 miles long and 14 miles at its widest point (and with an overall area of only 166 square miles), the island is scarcely larger than the Isle of Wight. Mount Hillaby, in the northern centre is the highest point at 1,115 feet. The climate is a holiday-maker’s dream - tropical, but tempered by the sea breeze from the north-east. The temperature hardly varies from 24 - 27°C (75 - 80°F) and humidity is pleasantly low. From its founding in 1627 to its independence in 1966, the island was a British colony and, unlike the rest of its Caribbean neighbours, was never taken by force. It has an endearing blend of British and West Indian cultures, which allied to the Bajan’s reputation as the friendliest people in the Caribbean, weaves a potent spell. EXPLORING Bridgetown - the Capital Cruise ships berth just outside of Bridgetown, and almost at once you realise why Barbados is known throughout the Caribbean as ‘Little England’. The market town atmosphere, Georgian houses, Parliament Square, neo-Gothic public buildings, and cricket ground, to say nothing of the signposts to Hastings and Worthing, all contribute to the impression. Of the total population of nearly 300,000 people, more than a third of them live in the capital, Bridgetown. The Careenage An inlet of the sea, which cuts right into the heart of the town and its wharf is a fascinating melee of colour and energy. Merchant and navy sailing ships used to lie aground here at low tide for hull repairs. It is now a pleasant marina where small yachts and pleasure craft moor. Larger yachts, of which there is no shortage in the Caribbean, anchor just south of the town in Carlisle Bay. Heroes Square This is the civic heart of the town, and its focal point is the statue of Nelson, erected in 1813 on the site of ‘The Green’ where hansom cabs once waited for fares. The Admiral spent some time here during his command of the naval station at English Harbour, Antigua. In the square stand the Renaissance-style Public Buildings of coral rock and the island’s chief administrative offices (opened in 1874). Here the Barbados Parliament meets and conducts its work. The open arcades have Gothic instead of the usual rounded arches, and the windows are stained glass portraits of all the monarchs of Great Britain from James I. In the neighbouring streets there are a number of elegant Georgian houses, now used mainly as shops or offices, though some are still privately occupied. Bay Mansion This Mansion, in Bay Street, is one of the great houses of the past, with parts dating back to 1750. St Michael’s Cathedral, off St Michael’s Row, originally 17th century, was rebuilt in coral rock in 1780 after being destroyed in a hurricane. The font dates from 1680 and has inscribed round the top in capital letters a Greek palindrome of which the translation is ‘Wash the sin, not merely the skin’. Government House A serene white mansion with flower-filled gardens, lies to the east of the Cathedral on the edge of the town. This is the official office and residence of the Governor general of Barbados. On the Garrison, 1 1 /2 miles south of the town is a block of red brick buildings, once the quarters of British officers and NCOs. Since 1905, it’s been occupied by government and public officials. Also note the Main Guard House with Clock Tower. The Garrison Savannah The Garrison Savannah was formerly the parade ground for Britain’s largest overseas garrison. Today it’s a lovely expanse of 50 acres devoted to walking, recreation and sport and it’s ringed by a horse racing track. The building with the clock tower, once the guard room, also used to house the famous Savannah Club. Queen’s Park When the garrison left Barbados in 1905, Queen’s House, the official residence of the officer commanding the troops, was purchased by the Government. The grounds, now known as Queen’s Park, were laid out with a lake, terrace and parterres and were opened to the public in 1909. Look out for the Baobab tree that’s over 1000 years old. Barbados Museum Nearby is the Barbados Museum, housed in a former British military prison. The Museum takes you on a fascinating journey from the pre-Columbian period, through Barbados’ history to modern times. On display is some fine furniture imported from England in the 18th century to grace the mansions of the rich plantation owners. The reference library documents the history of the island, exhibiting old newspapers, books and records of interest. There are also displays of geology and natural history. Art and other exhibitions are regularly arranged. The Museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9.00am - 5.00pm. (except public holidays - when it closes) and from 2.00pm - 6.00pm on Sundays. George Washington’s House This house stands on Bush Hill, a mile from the town centre. It was acquired by the Barbados National Trust and is a popular historical tourist attraction. The great American statesman visited Barbados in 1751 when he was a 19-year-old major in the British army. With his brother he stayed seven weeks and is reported to have rented the house for £15 a month ‘exclusive of liquor and washing’. Open from Monday - Friday from 9.00am -4.30pm. Jewish Synagogue The Jewish Synagogue dates back to the 1650s, making it one of the two oldest synagogues in the western hemisphere. It is a Barbados National Trust protected building and is a must for anyone interested in cultural and archaeological history. Not only has the structure been preserved, but the Synagogue has been restored to its original purpose as a house of prayer. The Synagogue is located on Synagogue Lane and is open Monday - Friday 9.00am -12.00 noon and 1.00pm -4.00pm. Kensington Oval Cricket Ground Sports lovers may stretch their legs with the short stroll from the centre of Bridgetown to the Kensington Oval Cricket Ground where the West Indies have so often demonstrated their flair and brilliance at the game which is not only a national passion, but also the most concrete bond between the countries of the Caribbean. On any beach or clear patch of ground in Barbados you may see a game of cricket being played, and perhaps catch a glimpse of a youngster with enough talent to follow in the footsteps of the hero of the island, the great Sir Garfield Sobers. The Island At only 21 miles from north to south, and 14 miles east to west, no part of Barbados is far from reach. With the exception of the Scotland district in the north-east, the island is of coral formation and is almost surrounded (except at its one harbour and the open roadstead of Carlisle Bay) by coral reefs - extending in some parts three miles out to sea. The soil, though fertile, has little depth and due to its porous nature there are no rivers or streams worthy of mention. The principal industry is tourism, closely followed by sugar and its byproducts. More than three-fifths of the island is under the cultivation of sugar cane. The island also produces around 40% of its oil requirements. The Landscape Barbados does not have the striking heights and lush tropical forests of some other West Indian islands, but there is plenty of variety. The highest point is Mt Hillaby (1115 feet) and the steeply descending east coast on the Atlantic is not unlike Cornwall, with its long stretches of superb and surprisingly undercrowded surf beaches interrupted by dramatic rocks. The Atlantic rollers come crashing in, accompanied by the constant breeze of the north-east trade winds that make the climate of Barbados so pleasant. In the flatter parts of the island, hamlets and villages appear in the seemingly endless forest of whispering sugar cane, which grows to a height of 8 to 10 feet before it is reaped. At harvest time, the quiet back roads of the countryside are filled with trailer after trailer of cane, and soon the rich sweet smell of sugar being processed hangs in the air. Even the most diet conscious will be tempted by the aroma and taste of fresh sticky brown sugar. Sugar cane, introduced from Brazil in 1640, has become the island’s principal export and for many years now an average of 65,000 tons of sugar has been produced per year. The cane is generally harvested between January and July, but it has an 18 month cycle so you may see it in various stages of development. Flora and Fauna Although the gently undulating roads of the island have been likened to southern England, the scenery is truly West Indian. Hedges of pink and purple bougainvillea, oleander and hibiscus are dwarfed by rows of royal palms raising their plumed heads high against a bright blue sky. The numerous villages of chattel houses, standing among banana and breadfruit trees, are built on coral piles high off the ground, and on the steps of these little cabins, people ‘chill out’ - which means doing nothing in particular - simply chatting and watching the world go by. Among the bushes, the yellow-breasted finch and the comical blackbird-like grackle squabble continuously, while, darting from one flower-head to another, the tiny dark green, black-winged humming bird can be seen in its shimmering display of aerobatics. There are also two kinds of dove - the pinky-brown turtle dove, whose inconsolable call sounds softly in the trees, and the small ground dove. A stroll in the cool of the evening may reward you with the sight of whole trees illuminated by fireflies. The visitor is unlikely to meet anything more threatening than toads, ants, and the endearing green lizard (much respected because he keeps down The population of flies!). In the country, you might see a mongoose scuttling across the lane - these are furry creatures with squirrel like tails that were brought from India in the late 1800’s to combat the problem of rats, which threatened the sugar industry. You may also see the green monkey which originated from Africa and was originally considered a pest by farmers. The Sabin Polio Vaccine comes from the green monkey and one green monkey can provide up to 2.5 million doses of polio vaccine. The Primate Research Centre and Wildlife Reserve (Farley Hill, St Peter) is responsible for up to 70% of the world’s Polio vaccines. HANDY TIPS • It is illegal to wear clothing that is of camouflage design in Barbados • The people of Barbados are encouraging visitors to the island to ‘think green' and help them preserve their island’s beautiful environment. They believe that many of the solutions to environmental problems lie with individuals themselves. We would ask our passengers to support the islanders in their eco-drive. Here are a few ways in which you can help: • Protect the coral reef - do not stand on it or touch it. Coral or coral jewellery should not be purchased as a souvenir. • Buy local produce and support stores trying to preserve the environment. • Keep the island tidy - do not drop litter. • Never damage trees, plants or wildlife. • Support the National Trust, botanical gardens and wildlife reserves. Remember - take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints BEYOND BRIDGETOWN Speightstown This town is 12 miles north of Bridgetown and is the second largest town on the island. It was once an important shipping centre and is known as ‘Little Bristol’ from its considerable trade with that English port. St. Peter’s Church is located here and this is one of the oldest churches in Barbados. As a result of countless tragedies and re-building programmes, no records have survived. Today's church and grounds offer a lovely insight to the past though so it’s well worth a visit. Holetown A monument, raised in 1905, which commemorates the first landing of the English in 1525 can be seen in Holetown. Barbados’ first settlement was originally called Jamestown in honour of James I, but its name was changed to reflect the very small channel that allowed the off loading and cleaning of visiting ships. The Barbados National Trust owns Welchman Hall Gully, just east of Holetown. This wooded ravine has been developed as a garden of tropical! trees, fruit trees, shrubs and flowering plants, and has several caves that can be explored. Gun Hill Signal Station A patriotic Captain H J Wilkinson made his mark on the slopes below Gun Hill in 1868 when he caved a lion out of a single piece of rock which has been kept white ever since. Gun Hill, six miles east of Bridgetown, was the barracks and watchtower of the Colonial Troops. The signal station, which has a superb panoramic view, was completely restored by the Barbados National Trust and is open from Monday to Saturday 9.00am - 5.00pm. Note repairs are ongoing and unexpected closures may occur. Check with Tourist Information on the day. Orchid World Is a “paradise found" for lovers of orchids. Orchids are grown in beautiful surroundings with coral rock gardens, cool shady gullies and ponds and running water. It is situated on Highway 3B, between Cun Hill and St John’s Church. Open daily 9.00am - 4.00pm Closed Mondays from May 15- October 15. (admission charge) St John’s Church St John’s Church stands on Barbados' east coast near the edge of an 824 feet high cliff and commands an extensive view of the coral-fringed windward coast. The little church contains work by Sir Richard Westmacott who sculpted Bridgetown’s statue of Nelson. The pulpit is made from six different woods, four of them local - ebony, locust, oak, mahogany, pine and manchineel - and the galleries are supported by columns of cedar. Codrington College Codrington College, also in the parish of St John, is a place of great dignity and peace, approached through a glorious avenue of palms. The founder of the college, Christopher Codrington, a governor of the Leeward Islands, was born in the house, which he bequeathed to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in 1710. It now houses the Theological College of the West Indies. The east coast of the parish of St Joseph, this is one of the highest parts of the island at 997 feet. Here you can take in the attractive, panoramic views over the entire east coast. According to legend the cliff is named after a man who committed suicide by riding his horse over the cliff. Hastings, Worthing and St Lawrence These are seaside residential districts just south of Bridgetown with a number of first-class hotels and excellent bathing. Bathsheba This is a seaside resort on the east coast. This area is known as the “soup bowl” and is considered to be the most scenic part of the island with rolling Atlantic waves and long stretches of golden sands set against a backdrop of hills. The Andromeda Gardens These gardens have an astonishing array of plants from all over the tropical world; and through them winds a babbling stream forming pools and waterfalls. The garden is internationally famous and represents what is perhaps the best collection of exotic tropical flowers and plants to be found in the Caribbean. There are many rare species and hybrids and at all times of the year there are masses of brightly coloured blooms and foliage. Open 9.00am to 4.30pm (entrance fee). Sunbury Plantation House One of the last remaining sugar plantation houses open to visitors. Sunbury Plantation House is over 300 years old, and restored after a recent fire, boasts a great number of antiques, old prints and photographs and old machinery used in cultivation of crops, which are on display throughout the estate. Open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm (last tour at 4.30pm). Tyrol Cot House and Chattel Village Tyrol Cot was the family residence of Barbados’ first premier Sir Grantley Adams and also his son Tom Adams (Barbados’ second Prime Minister), It is considered to be the birthplace of Barbadian Democracy and is filled with collections of Adams’ antique furniture arid memorabilia. The adjacent Chattel Village contains a replica of an 1820’s Slave Hut, Blacksmith Shop and Bajan Rum Shop. Open daily from 8.00am - 4.30pm (last tour at 4.00pm). The Mount Gay Experience Is the home of the oldest rum in the world. Built in a traditional Barbadian “Chattle House" you will find a Visitors Centre where one can take a tour and experience the fascinating process of producing the world’s finest rum. Situated at Spring Garden Highway, St Michael. Open Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm and Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm. EATING OUT There is a distinctive Barbadian cuisine, although most hotels and restaurants - many of them with Swiss or French-trained chefs - offer a European-inspired menu, plus Californian-style barbecues. Occasionally you can find local specialties on offer. These could be black pudding (a highly-seasoned sausage stuffed with minced pork and sweet potatoes, souse (spiced pork made from pig’s head and tongue), cou-cou (a kind of cornmeal puree) and cassava pone (a baked concoction of cassavas and dried coconut). Flying fish - you may see their glittering acrobatics from the deck of the ship - provide the bulk of the fishermen’s catch and appear on menus in many different forms. Other seafoods are lobster, crabs, octopus (called sea-cat), jacks and sprats. Fruits include mangoes, paw-paws, bananas, guavas, and avocados, along with more exotic soursops and Barbados cherries. Rum is, of course, an irresistible buy in Barbados, both white and dark. Favourite brands are Cockspur, Mount Gay, and Dooriy’s Macaw. Barbados is generally accepted as the birthplace of rum or “rumbullion” as it was called in the mid 1600’s. The name probably had something to do with “rumbustious” behaviour of seafarers at the Bridgetown waterfront! Take advantage of sampling the “liquid gold” in the land of sunshine where it is produced. Whisky and other spirits can be bought duty-free. The local beers, such as Banks Beer, are best enjoyed ice-cold in the shade beside one of the countless little roadside bars. A unique Barbadian drink you may wish to try is Mauby, brewed from bark, sugar and spices. Barbados, drinking water is rated as one of the purest in the world - rainwater is naturally filtered as it percolates through the coral rock. ACTIVITIES Beaches The island has so many fine white sandy beaches you’ll be spoilt for choice. Those on the west coast offer lake-calm swimming, while the east coast provides excellent surfing at the Soup Bowl (this is where the professional surfers surf). Beaches going north from Bridgetown along the Platinum Coast are Payne’s Bay, Sandy Lane Bay, Gibb’s Bay, and Mullin’s Bay. The fine hotels along this coast have excellent bathing facilities. The nearest beaches are Carlisle Bay, Dover Beach and Accra Beach - all located to the south and east of Bridgetown. Swimming on the east coast at Bathsheba/ Cattlewash is extremely dangerous due to the size of the waves and the strength of the currents. Watersports These include waterskiing, windsurfing, snorkeling, parasailing, banana boats and surfing. For scuba diving consider wreck dives from Carlisle Bay and at Folkestone Marine Park. Golf There are 3 golf courses on Barbados; Sandy Lane championship Golf Club, St James, is 5 miles north of Bridgetown and has an 18-hole championship course. Rockley Golf Club has a 9 hole course and is 6 miles from Bridgetown. Barbados Golf Club has an 18 hole course and is 9 miles from the capital. Clubs and carts can be hired at all golf courses. SHOPPING Shopping hours are from 8.30am - 4.30pm with early closing on Saturdays although some stores may stay open late while the ship is in port. Most shops in Bridgetown will be closed on public holidays, however those in the Cruise Terminal normally remain open. Please note that it is not customary to bargain when shopping in Barbados. Many stores will display two prices. DF = Duty Free. Foreigners to Barbados will pay Duty Free prices wherever DF is printed on a price label. There are numerous stores and malls selling a wide range of local souvenirs. Best buys Hand-made straw hats Baskets Mats Wood and ceramic items Hand-embroidered Sea Island cotton Dresses Local art work GETTING AROUND Docking information Dependent on which cruise ship berth is used, minibuses may be arranged to take passengers from the berth to the Customs Hall. Passengers are allowed to walk, but it can take up to ten minutes. No public transport or cars are allowed into the dock area. Car hire The major international car hire companies are not represented, but there are several local companies. You will be required to obtain a temporary drivers permit which can be obtained from your rental company at a cost of B’Dos $10.00 or any local police station on production of your UK drivers license and is valid for one year. Courtesy Rent-a-car: courtesyrentacar.com National Car Rentals Ltd: nationalcar.com Corbin’s Car Rentals: corbinscars.com Drive-A-Matic (Located in the Cruise Terminal): carhire.tv The speed limit in Barbados is 37 miles per hour (60 km) - in keeping with the slow pace of life. Driving is on the left, reflecting the British influence on the island. Taxis Taxis are plentiful and generally have set rates. It is always advisable to agree the price beforehand for longer journeys. Buses An island-wide service connects the eleven parishes with Bridgetown. Transport Board buses are blue with a yellow stripe and private minibuses are yellow with a blue stripe. Another option includes ZR vans which are painted white with a maroon stripe. These are known for their high speed, loud music and packing in as many passengers as possible. The Bridgetown bus terminal is near the Pelican Craft Village. There is also another bus terminal in the center of Bridgetown which is the called the Fairchild Bus Terminal and is located in Heroes Square. Guadeloupe - Caribbean DAY 12 - 16/2/18 Landed Pointe-a-Pitre & Visited Deshaies, Guadeloupe, Windward Islands, West Indies It was our 40th Wedding Anniversary treat, what you might call our Ruby cruise! We loved Guadeloupe, landing in Pointe-A-Pitre, which looked a little run down, we did the "Death in Paradise" tour to Deshaies including the fabulous Jardin Botanique , via Saint Rose on Basse Terre , it is the Butterfly island and this is on the left wing. We saw the church and what doubles as the Police station in the crime drama and had a drink in Catherine's bar (see picture above). We also got a glimpse of the beach where they set up and remove the house where Harry the CGI stays during filming. Duane loves the island so much , as we do, he bought a house there. The Botanic gardens were spectacular. It is a French colony and we loved it so much we would like to return. So French, So Beautiful..... Your Guide to Guadeloupe This ‘butterfly’ settled on the Caribbean Sea centuries ago and belying the general reputation of the species, it has survived tribulations that would have destroyed the more fragile of its kind. Guadeloupe is actually two islands joined by a bridge that crosses the Riviere Salee hence its ‘butterfly’ appearance. Golden beaches rimmed with coconut palms, crysta blue seas, and a feeling that all is exotic and unusual sums up Guadeloupe. This French island has been called the “Emerald Island” for its incredible flora of a thousand tropical scents, or “Butterfly Island” as its shape resembles a butterfly with outspread wings. The two ‘butterfly wings’, Basse-Terre and Grande- Terre, are separated by a narrow channel and connected by a bridge. Basse-Terre, regardless of any logic that its name might imply, is a mountainous island reaching a maximum height of 1,467 m (4,813 ft) at Mount Soufriere. It rains more often here than on Grande- Terre, however this is the region of tropical flora, with iush greens, waterfalls, banana fields and volcanic craters. Grande-Terre, home of sugar cane, windmills and white beaches with clear blue waters protected by coral reefs, is much flatter than its neighbour. Most of the facilities, including Pointe-a- Pitre, are here. Christopher Columbus landed on the eastern side of Basse-Terre on 4 November 1493 during his second voyage to the New World. He named the island “Santa Maria de Guadalupe de Estremadura” either in thanks for the saint's protection during a storm on his first voyage or to fulfil a promise made to the monks of the Spanish monastery of that name. The name “Guadeloupe” is derived from the Arabic meaning “The River of Love”. The then residents, Carib Indians, called it Karukera - “Isle of Beautiful Waters”. The Spanish made half-hearted attempts to settle on the island; the Caribs made strenuous, and successful efforts to prevent them. However, the French were less easily discouraged and in 1635 some 500 colonists arrived from France. After initial problems, the Caribs were defeated and African slaves were introduced to work in the sugar plantations. In 1674 Guadeloupe was formally annexed by France. The British also wanted the island and even took control of it in 1759 for a few years. Later in the 18th century, the French Revolution reached the Caribbean. The British supported the Royalists against the revolutionaries and, in 1794, again ruled the island. The notorious Committee of Public Safety in Paris sent Victor Hugues and a small army to sort it all out. The British were defeated, and the guillotine did a thriving business in Pointe-a-Pitre where many aristocrats were executed. Others fled into the hills, where their descendants still live today. Hugues abolished slavery in 1794, but Napoleon was clearly not impressed and not only sacked him, but also reintroduced slavery in 1802. The British continued to dispute the ownership of Guadeloupe and took the island again in 1810. However, the Treaty of Paris in 1815 gave Guadeloupe to France. In 1848, thanks to the efforts of Victor Schoelcher, the 93,000 slaves were freed. To replace them, the plantation owners turned to indentured workers from India. n 1946 Guadeloupe became a department of France and in 1974 Guadeloupe and the Islands of Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthelemy (St Barts), La Desirade, Marie-Galante and Les Saintes were constituted as a region of France. On 15th July 2007 the island communes of Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthelemy (St Barts) were officially detached from Guadeloupe and became two separate French overseas collectivities. EXPLORING Pointe-a-Pitre Although the city of Basse-Terre is the capital, Pointe- a-Pitre is the largest town, the dominant commercial centre and the chief port of Guadeloupe. Its name is derived from Pieter, a Dutch fisherman who came to Guadeloupe after being expelled from Brazil by the Portuguese in the 17th century. Pieter’s Point soon became Pointe-a-Pitre, although it was not until 1759 that the British improved the natural harbour and a town was founded. Today, about 17,500 people live in the town which is a mixture of old colonial buildings, high-rise apartments, small typical Caribbean houses and an industrial area. Pointe-a-Pitre has survived several natural disasters in the last 150 years. An earthquake in 1843 wrecked much of the town; the 1899 fire destroyed one-third of it, and hurricanes in 1928 and 1989 did extensive damage. Everything worth seeing is only a short walk from the Place de la Victoire. The various street markets - around the harbour and slightly further inland at the junction of rues Peynier and Frebault - are particularly lively in the morning. Harbourside Ferries leave from the old port (La Darse) to the islands of Marie-Galante and Les Saintes. Buses to Gosier, the island’s main resort, leave from the quayside. Centre St-John-Perse Old warehouses have been transformed into a modern complex - named after the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1960 - of shops, restaurants and a tourist information booth. Place de la Victoire This garden square, bordered by colonial style houses with balconies and shutters, is the hub of the town. The royal palms and sandbox trees were planted by Victor Hugues the day after his victory over the British in 1794. Shortly afterwards, Hugues put a guillotine in the square and possibly as many as 500 aristocrats were executed. The main tourist office is in the south­west corner - it is a good example of French colonial architecture. Musee Schoelcher A small museum in an ornate colonial building on rue Peynier is dedicated to the Frenchman, Victor Schoelcher who was responsible for slavery being abolished in the French West Indies in 1848. It contains some of his persona! belongings and exhibits showing his life and work. Open weekdays 9.00am-5.00pm. Musee St-John-Perse Opened in 1987 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the poet Alexis Leger (better known as St John Perse). This museum contains some of the poet’s personal possessions, photographs and a complete collection of his poetry. This beautiful building is well worth a visit as it is a rare example of 19th-century colonial architecture. The museum at 9 Rue de Nozieres, is open weekdays from 9.00am- 5.00pm and from 8.30am-12.30pm on Saturdays. Cathedrale de St-Pierre et St-Paul The cathedral in Place Gourbeyre (near the main shopping area) was built In 1807. It is often called the “Iron Cathedral” because it is reinforced with iron ribs to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes. Apart from the rather curious pink-coloured exterior, the beautifully-coloured stained glass windows are the main attraction. Aquarium de la Guadeloupe Located in Place Creole at Bas-du-Fort, this very highly-rated aquarium is the largest in the Caribbean. A symphony of over 700 tropical! parrot- fish, lion fish, chartreus and sharks live together in harmony in a silent, dream-like world. Some 3km (2 miles) from the town centre, it is open daily from 9.00am-6.30pm. Fort Fleur d’Epee Slightly further away from Pointe-a-Pitre, In the same direction, are the well-preserved ruins of a 19th century fort at Gosier. Perhaps the main attraction is the view across the bay and, if clear, of the islands of Marie-Galante and Les Saintes. BEYOND POINTE-A-PITRE Grande-Terre This is an ideal place for cyclists and devotees of beaches and watersports. A complete tour involves driving about 130 km (80 miles) on very reasonable roads. Gosier The main resort centre of Guadeloupe - with hotels, restaurants and beaches - is only 8 km (5 miles) from Pointe-a-Pitre. Ste-Anne and St Franqois Continuing along the south coast and through the sugarcane fields, Ste-Anne is the next place of any real size. The main square, Place Schoelcher, has a statue of the man responsible for the ending of slavery in 1848. Further along the south coast, St- Franqois is another resort and also a fishing village. Lovely white sand beaches, (Raiisins Clairs and La Gourde), Creole and French restaurants, as well as a Hindu cemetery and an 18th century church are the main attractions. Pointe-des-Chateaux Mountainous waves often pound the jagged rocks at the eastern tip of the island where the Atlantic and Caribbean meet. Tarare Beach is for naturists, but this part of Grande-Terre is not safe for swimming. Moule and the Extreme North The former capital of Guadeloupe is still one of the island’s largest towns. its 18th century neo-classical church is classified as an historical monument. Also worth seeing is a small fort on the harbour. In nearby La Rosette is an archaeological museum. The northern coastline consists of rocky headlands (Pointe de la Grand Vigie) with good views as far as Antigua and Montserrat, and beaches in the sheltered bays (Anse de Souffleur). Les Grands-Fonds The hills and valleys of the central region are the home of the Blancs Matignon - the white-skinned, fair-haired people - who are believed to be the descendants of not only those aristocrats who fled to the hills during the French Revolution, but also of a small minority of plantation owners who retreated to this area after the abolition of slavery. Basse-Terre Basse-Terre is quite different - spectacular scenery, mountains, waterfalls, tropical rainforests and the place for hikers. Drivers will find the hilly and steep roads more demanding. A tour of the more interesting southern half involves a trip from Pointe- a-Pitre of about 145 km (90 miles). Route de la Traversee The cross-country road from east to west passes through the rainforest and the Parc Naturel - a lush, verdant wonderland covering around 74,000 acres. A hundred and ninety miles of marked paths lead through the natural flora and picturesque locations of this exotic sanctuary. Routes for hikers are displayed at the Maison de la Foret, where there is an information bureau and a slide show (Open from 10.00am-5.00pm). Tucked away in the park are picnic areas and small museums covering information on the Park. You may even spot the racoon (the Park’s mascot). It is advisable to wear sturdy shoes and take a waterproof jacket if you decide to walk in the Park. The Cascade aux Ecrevisses is a natural waterfall, and there are panoramic views from the lookout on Les Deux Mamelles and from the top of Morne-a- Louis. Also worth visiting is the Parc Zoologique (zoo and botanical gardens). The Park is situated on the Route de la Traversee. Open from 9.00am-4.30pm daily. Basse-Terre and the South Coast Worth seeing in the capital city (population 12,000) are the cathedral, the Palais de Justice, the old colonial houses and Fort Sainte-Charles. At an Archaeological Park at Trois-Rivieres, are the Roches Gravees - strange petroglyphs carved on the rocks by the native Indians some 1,600 years ago. East Coast Near Capesterere-Belle-Eau is the impressive Allee Dumanoir, a road lined by century-old royal palm trees. To the north is an important Hindu temple and in the next village, Ste-Marie, a small bust of Columbus commemorates his landing here in 1493. Also of interest, but involving detours from the coastal road, are Mount Soufriere (1,316 m 14,318 ft)a dormant, but not extinct, volcano and the Carbet Falls. The volcano, which threatened to erupt in 1975, cannot be climbed in the available time, but the three impressive cascades of the Carbet Falls are within walking distance. It takes about two hours to reach the 125 m (410 ft) high First Fall and only 30 minutes to reach the lower Second Fall. GENERAL INFORMATION Post Office Boulevard Faidherbe, a few blocks inland from the Place de la Victoire and the Cathedral. Stamps and also available from souvenir shops and tabacs. Airmail letters take about a week to reach Europe. Money Matters Banks are open weekdays 8.00am-Noon and 2.00pm-4.00pm. (From June to September they are usually open from 7.30am-3.30pm). The unit of currency is the euro (€). Denominations Notes: €5,10, 20,50,100,200 and 500 Coins: 1, 2, 5,10, 20 and 50 cents; €1 and 2 Hotels, larger restaurants and car-rental agencies will accept Visa, American Express and MasterCard. Tourist Information The main office is at 5 Square de la Banque. Tel. 82 09 30 English is spoken and useful leaflets include suggested tours of the island by car. In addition, maps, details of walks and hikes in the Parc Naturel, and “Boujour Guadeloupe” (tourist booklet) are all of interest. ACTIVITIES Beaches The countless beaches which ring these islands are among the most beautiful in the Caribbean. Turquoise waters, honey coloured sand and coconut palms swaying gently in the breeze conjure up images of a tropical paradise. Grand-Terre has a number of beautiful beaches of white sand, especially around Cosier, a short taxi ride from Pointe-a-Pitre. The Novotel Fleur d’Epee and La Creole Beach may be happy for non residents to use their changing facilities, beach chairs and towels for a small fee. Ilet du Cosier is a nudist beach. Public beaches are free, but have limited facilities. There are several around Gosier and along the south coast of Grande-Terre from Ste-Anne to Pointe-des- Chateaux. One of the best is the reef-protected Caravelle Beach, some 14 km (9 miles) from Cosier, which is a popular place for snorkeling. Topless bathing is common on all beaches. Watersports Most beach-side hotels at Cosier rent equipment for windsurfing, body surfing and snorkeling. Water skiing is available on the beaches of the Creole Beach and Meridien Hotels. Scuba diving is a popular activity, especially at Pigeon Island (Ilet Pigeon) and Cousteau Reserve on the west coast of Basse-Terre, which Jacques Cousteau ranked as one of the world’s ten best diving spots. Hiking Marked trails lead through the tropical rainforest of the Parc Naturel and around Mount Soufriere, both of which are on Basse-Terre. Waterfalls, dense forests, steaming fumaroles and unusual birds can all be seen. There are hikes for all levels and tastes - some can be walked along, but a guide is strongly recommended if attempting anything ambitious - enquire at the Tourist Office or In the Park Bureaux. Golf St Francois International Coif Course, an 18-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones. Tel. 88 41 ST. Windsurfing and waterskiing are possible on an adjacent lagoon. EATING OUT Guadeloupe, being French, has always been a noted centre of culinary expertise. Plenty of real Creole food, renowned for its spicy flavour, is on loca menus, including such island specialities as stuffed crab, stewed conch, roast wild goat, boudin creole (a pork sausage), jugged rabbit, fresh fish (for example red snapper in a passionfruit sauce) and seafood. While waiting for a substantial meal to arrive, try the appetizers known as accras, crispy fritters or crusty croquettes made of codfish or malanga roots. To complete the meal, the ice creams are truly mouthwatering and include an array of different tropical fruit flavours. Rum punches are also extremely popular before, or after, a meal. The most popular is Ti Punch, a mixture of rum, sugarcane syrup and a dash of lime juice; Planteurs are rum with fruit juice and the ever popular Pina Colada consists of rum with cream of coconut, pineapple juice and crushed ice. Most restaurants carry a range of beers and French wines. Naturally, there are also plenty of fruit drinks, colas and minerals waters. GETTING AROUND Car Hire It is advisable to go to a reputable company (as many of the smaller local agencies are perfectly illegal) and take out the CDW additional insurance. Taxis Fares, theoretically, are regulated by the Government, but agree on the price before starting the journey. The taxi stand is at the Place de la Victoire. Buses Buses run from Pointe-a-Pitre to almost anywhere in Guadeloupe; fares are inexpensive, but the bus system is infrequent and can be unreliable. For Grande-Terre, buses leave from La Darse (by the Place de la Victoire): for Basse-Terre, a 15-minute walk will take you to the Care Routiere (bus station) de Bergevin. Local buses run from 5.00am. There are no stops, you have to flag the bus down on the road. Travelling by bus is a good way to meet the locals, but they don’t always provide service to the touristic sites. Bicycle Hire Bicycles can be rented at several places around the Place de la Victoire. Ferries Occasional services run to the islands of Marie- Galante (1 hour trip) and tes Saintes (45 minutes) Antigua - Caribbean DAY 13 17/2/2018 Landed St Johns, Antigua, Leeward Islands, West Indies It was our 40th Wedding Anniversary treat, what you might call our Ruby cruise! We landed in St Johns and went on the Islands sights excursion visiting initially Shirley Heights with views across to Eric Claptons reform complex on Montserrat, the the Lookout overlooking Falmouth bay, then the Unesco World Heritage site of Nelsons Dockyard in English harbour.Here are the words written on the plaque at the Shirley Heights military camp " At the most southerly tip of Antigua,The Lookout, part of the Shirley Heights military complex, commands a breathtaking view over the whole of English Harbour. Behind the catchment, on the highest ground, 490 ft (150 m) above sea level, is the Signal Station from which a system of flags was used by day and guns by night to convey messages to St.John’s by way of Great Fort George on Monk’s Hill The Shirley Heights military' complex also includes a guard house, magazine and kitchen, officers’ quarters, adjoining parade grounds, a 30-bed hospital, canteen, and a cemetery. An obelisk in the cemetery commemorates the officers and men of the 54th Regiment (2nd Battalion Dorsets) who died in service in the West Indies between 1840 and 1851".Our guide was wonderful and never stopped talking in that lovely Caribbean school mistress way *smile* It was a very hot day. Keef saw both the new Sir Viv Richards cricket stadium and the old ARG in St Johns and bought a T-Shirt for the local Wadadli beer. On a cricketing front Millie (Hillie) Ambrose, Sir Curtly's Mum used to ring the village bell in Swetes where she lived every time he took a wicket, no matter what time of day or night, remember he played all over the world and took a lot of wickets. Imagine her popularity *smile*. gordon Wadadli as the locals call it, home of cricket legends Sir Viv and Curtly Ambrose Your Guide to Antigua Antigua famously boasts of a beach for every day of the year, with water sparkling in every shade of blue. The beaches are not all that this versatile island has to offer though. Take a jeep trip off road, discover the island’s lush forests, swing through the treetops, visit the historical dockyard, swim with the rays, fly over Montserrat or circumnavigate the island. There is something wonderful for everyone in Antigua. A ‘beach with an island in the middle’ is great way to describe this charming Caribbean island. Antigua, with its little sisters, Barbuda and Redonda, forms the largest and most developed of the four British Leeward Islands. Roughly circular in shape, the island is about 12 miles in diameter and has some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean - more than 350 of them -with gleaming pink-white sand backed by gently waving palms. The variation in temperature is less than 10 degrees, averaging at 25-30°C (77-85°F), and rainfall is low (accounting for the total absence of rivers), However, to the southwest, where the island is slightly more mountainous, lush tropical vegetation is more evident. The original inhabitants of Antigua founded settlements around 4,000 years ago and were incorrectly known as the Ciboney Indians. The true inhabitants of the island are believed to have occupied Antigua for more than 3000 years, until they disappeared mysteriously, leaving the island uninhabited for nearly 10 centuries. By the time Christopher Columbus arrived on his second voyage in the late 15th century, the Arawak Indians were in residence, followed closely by the Caribs. Antigua was ‘discovered’, along with numerous other Western Indian islands, by Columbus in 1493. It was Columbus’ habit to stop at each of the islands he came across en route to the Americas, and paint a cross and a Spanish flag in symbolic expression of missionary and imperial zeal. Often he had little time to do anything else because on many of the islands, his first step ashore was greeted by a hail of arrows from Caribs, hidden amongst the undergrowth. He named the island after the church of Santa Maria la Antigua in Seville, and sailed on. It was not until 1632 that the island was colonized by a party of refugee English planters from St Kitts. Following the English Restoration, a further settlement was made under the direction of Lord Willoughby, to whom the island had been granted by King Charles II. In 1666, it was raided by the French, assisted by Irish malcontents and Caribs, but was soon recaptured and formally restored to England in 1667. By this time, slaves had been imported from Africa to work the sugar plantations. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Antigua was the headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief of the Leeward Island Station and the principal British naval base in the Eastern Caribbean during the Napoleonic Wars. Admirals Nelson, Rodney, Hood and Jervis all made the dockyard at English Harbour their headquarters, and it was from here that Rodney sailed to the Battle of the Saints. It was also here that Nelson re-fitted his ships during his chase of the French Admiral Villeneuve, which ended at Trafalgar. Nelson lived on Antigua from 1784 to 1787, during which time his vigorous suppression of the illegal trade with American rebels earned him the dislike of the whole island. In 1967 Antigua became an associated state within the Commonwealth and achieved full independence in 1981. EXPLORING St John’s The capital, St John’s, is home to a third of the island’s total population of 90,000 people. It stands at the head of a spacious bay on the north-west coast. This bay is almost two miles long and its entrance is guarded by two forts. Fort James, dominating the northern headland, was started in 1704 but dates mostly from 1739. At one time, it had 36 cannons and one was fired every day at sunrise and sunset. There are 10 cannons still in position today. They weigh over two tons each and can throw a cannon ball about a mile and a half. Fort Barrington stands on the southern headland and saw plenty of military action during the 17th and 18th centuries. A third defensive battery was built on Rat Island in the middle of the bay - this is now occupied by a rum distillery and the deep-water cargo harbour. The town, with its colourful, balconied houses and busy streets, rises gently from the waterfront towards Government House (a fine example of a colonial . residence set amid beautiful lawns and gardens), A little to the west is the Anglican Cathedral of St John, set in a picturesque position surrounded by mahogany trees and its churchyard. The Cathedral was rebuilt in 1845 to replace an earlier wooden building that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1843 and it's dominated by twin towers and a white brick façade. The interior was designed to encase the congregation in pitch pine (as an attempt to secure the building from ruin during earthquake or hurricane) but it is now undergoing a huge renovation project. The Cathedral is closed during the restoration period and there is no definite date confirmed for the planned reopening. For a general feel of the town, the market, just a stroll away from the cruise ship berths, makes a colourful spectacle. The market is open whenever a cruise ship is in town and it’s a great place people-watch, get a feel for the local atmosphere, take photographs and buy Caribbean-style souvenirs. Heritage Quay Directly in front of the main cruise ship berth and a short walk away from the pier is Heritage Quay, the most popular place to stroll and shop for cruise ship visitors. Heritage Quay is full of shops and recognisable stores as well as bars and entertainers. Redcliffe Quay A short walk along the waterfront boardwalk will lead you to historic Redcliffe Quay. A selection of colourful, renovated buildings create an atmospheric warren of interest, and the old trade buildings are now shops, boutiques and art galleries. Museum of Antigua and Barbuda This museum is situated at the junction where Long Street crosses Market Street, is housed In the historic British colonial courthouse. Founded as a museum in 1985, but built in 1750, this is believed to be the oldest building in St John’s. Exhibits and displays take visitors on a journey back in time through Antigua’s history; from the Arawak Indians and the slavery era to the present day. The museum and gift shop are open 8,30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday and 10.00am - 2.00pm on Saturdays. Closed on Sundays. BEYOND ST JOHN’S English Harbour The most famous attraction in Antigua is Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour; located approximately 12 miles from St. John’s, on the south coast. To the right of the entrance is a huge water- catchment tank whose low walls are covered with the initials of many visiting sailors - including that of Nelson himself. The potential value of the harbour was recognised by the Royal Navy as early as 1670, and by the beginning of the 18th century it was in regular use by the British men-of-war. Construction of the dockyard on its present site began in 1725 and by the time Nelson was appointed to the station in 1784 it was equipped with a capstan house, mast house, blacksmith’s shop, engineer’s offices, copper, canvas and lumber stores, and quarters for both officers and men. The harbour and dockyard continued to be used as a base for many years, but with the coming of larger vessels, they were finally abandoned in 1899 and quickly fell into tropical decay. However, in 1950 the Society of Friends of English Harbour was founded and began the task of restoring the dockyard. Today, the dockyard is not only preserved for posterity, but is a haven for modem yachts and motor cruisers from all over the western hemisphere who lie at anchor in its calm waters. The old Admiral’s House (named after Nelson) is now a museum with marine pictures, charts, clay pipes, models and Arawak Indian relics. The strangely capped pillars that once supported the sail loft are still in position and the Admiral’s Inn, once a storehouse and joiner’s loft, has been converted into a delightful small hotel. More rooms are found in the engineer’s office and the copper and lumber store, which also houses a restaurant. Brass and mahogany fittings tell of a more gracious age and the old bakery is still in operation. Craft and gift shops in the galley and officers’ quarters complete the holiday atmosphere of this yacht basin. The original wooden church (built in 1711) burnt down and its replacement of 1754 was dismantled. The exterior is in constant need of restoration; however the octagonal interior is beautifully proportioned with a fascinating wooden ceiling. Fort George Standing on Monk’s Hill, Fort George is one of the earliest attempts to fortify the entrance to Falmouth Harbour. You can see the ruins of the original 17th-century buildings, water cisterns, magazines and cannons, as well as amazing views of Falmouth Harbour and the surrounding countryside. Please note Fort George is only accessible on foot or by four wheel drive jeep. Indian Town and Devil’s Bridge A national park since the 1950s and a site of archaeological excavation, Indian town is situated at the extreme eastern point of Antigua. Over the centuries, enormous Atlantic breakers have earned out a natural limestone arch called Devil’s Bridge and have created blowholes where spouting surf shoots up into the air. EATING OUT The main hotels and a few of the restaurants offer an excellent choice of food in French, American and ‘continental’ style. Menus include lobster, roast suckling pig, poultry and game birds, fish, curries, pilafs and exotic salads, fungi and salt fish, pepperpot stew and souse. Fruits such as mango, paw-paw and pineapple are popular favourites and are also prepared in ingenious ways. Local thirst-quenchers: include fresh fruit and sugar cane juices, coconut juice and endless varieties of rum cocktails. The locally brewed beer is called Wadadli (Antigua’s original name) and this is popular with both tourists and locals alike on a hot day. It is advisable to avoid drinking tap water, which is highly chlorinated and tends to be brackish. ACTIVITIES Beaches Antigua boasts of 365 beaches (some renowned for being among the finest in the Caribbean) and it's, believed that one of Antigua’s beaches is the only beach at which Queen Elizabeth II ever went into the sea! The nearest beaches to St John’s include Fort James, Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay (each between a mile and two miles away). The main resort areas are three miles north and 12 miles south of St John’s. Sports Watersports (including scuba diving) and tennis are available at most of the major resort hotels and tourist beaches. There are two golf courses within reach of St John’s: Cedar Valley (18 holes) is located three miles away from the capital and Jolly Harbour (18 holes) is located 6 miles away. GENERAL INFORMATION Post Office There are 4 post offices on Island. One is in Nelson’s Dockyard and one is on the High Street in St John’s (this is the main sorting office). Opening hours are: 8.15am - 12.00pm and 1.00pm - 3.30pm on weekdays (except on Friday, when closing hour extends to 4.00pm). Saturday opening hours are 9.00am - 12.00pm. Money matters The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, divided into 100 cents and tied to the US dollar. US dollars are accepted in almost all establishments, as are major credit cards and US $ Travellers cheques. US dollar denominations Notes and coins in circulation are as follows: Notes: 1,2, 5,10, 20, 50,100 dollars. Coins: 1,2, 5,10, 25 cents. Calling the UK Dial 011 44 then your code and number (omitting the zero prefixed to the code). There are telephones suitable for international calls on the cruise ship pier at Heritage Quay. Emergency contacts Ambulance - 999 or 911 Police-999 or 911 (Police Station: American Road, Tel: 462-0125) Fire - 999 or 911 Air/Sea Rescue - 462-3062 British Consulate in Antigua 11 Old Parham Road, PO Box 1531, St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. Tel: (+1 268) 561 5046 / (+1 268) 462-3000 British High Commission For emergency Consular assistance contact the British High Commission (based in Bridgetown, Barbados). Email: ukinantigua@fco.gov.uk Tourist information www.antigua-barbuda.org GETTING AROUND Car hire Tropical Rentals: tropicairentalsantigua.com Avis: avis.co.uk/Antigua Pineapple Rentals: pineapplerentals.com Antigua Car Rental: antigua.rentalcargroup.com Rental Cars: rentalcars.com/Antigua Taxis The Antigua Tourist Board has an approved schedule of taxi fares. It is advisable to agree the fare for longer journeys before embarking on any journey. Rates are usually per car (for 1 - 4 people) so the price will be the same regardless of whether there is 1 or 4 people in the taxi. Stretch limousines are available in St John’s. Antigua Rent a car is one of the companies that offers this service: www.antigua-rentacar.com Buses There is an unscheduled local minibus service from the west bus station to the south. SHOPPING Shopping hours in St John’s are generally 9.00am - 4.30pm when a cruise ship is in port. Best buys Clothing in sea-island cotton T-shirts Paintings Straw goods Batik Shell jewellery Pottery Gemstones and jewellery Antigua Cavalier Rum Jamaica - Ocho Rios & Montego Bay & Bob Marley DAY 15 & 16 - 19th-20th Feb 2018 - Landed Ocho Rios & Montego Bay, Jamaica, ya Man! It was our 40th Wedding Anniversary treat, what you might call our Ruby cruise! We now had 2 stops in Jamaica after the cruise was readjusted due to Hurricane damage to the British Virgin Islands and Dominica. One in Ocho Rios the other in Montego Bay. There was lots of concern upfront in Montego Bay especially and its parish of St James as the British Foreign Office had said it was a no go area due to 350 fatal shootings in the last year and large scale lawlessness. In Ocho Rios Keef went on the Bob Marley pilgrimage tour by a 50 year old Zion bus, no suspension, but what fun and made up for not being able to do it in 20004 due to Hurricane Ivan. Annie stayed on the boat.The bus tour went high into the mountains to stop at Nine Mile, St Ann's parish both the birth and resting place of Bob Marley where Fozzy (an old school friend of Bob's) showed us around the Bob Marley Mausoleum. We stopped at the Bumpers Reggae Lawn & Bar Stop in both directions, on the way up for a lovely beef pattie and on the way back for jerk chicken, rice & pea and what tasted like a deep fried donut for pud. There was a lot of debate about quite how many children Bob actually had CLICK HERE but there is one thing for certain as our guide kept saying "he was a Producer". The smell of hash was everywhere in the hills, Jamaican law allows 5 strands for personal use in the house daily. No wonder so many of these lovely people are spaced out *smile*. In Montego Bay, MoBay as the locals call it and sometimes the Second City, we went on the Greenwood House plantation tour which was very educational with great views and saw some of the posher houses on the way back. Greenwood house had fabulous views up the coast as far as Falmouth and the breeze on the balcony would have kept the slave masters cool. The slave restraints and sales posters were a bit of a shock to us but it was different times and now counts as part of Jamaica's heritage, thank god those days are over. Although we didnt go around it we stopped for a photo shoot outside the other big slave plantation, Rose Hall Great house, once owned by the horrid white witch Annie Palmer. Read all about her HERE. The centre of Montego Bay is a little seedy sadly, especially St James Street. PS Jamaica was no where near as frightening as made out, loved the people, such a sense of fun and a fun time. Ocho Rios, Montego Bay (MoBay), Bob Marley tour & Greenwood Plantation Your Guide to Ocho Rios Blue mountains, green valleys, white water and golden sands await you on the island of Jamaica. Ocho Rios is your gateway to a vast array of experiences, from swinging through the trees, horse riding on the beaches, tubing down rivers to scenic sightseeing and, of course, the main attraction is Dunn’s River Falls. There is so much to do here; you won’t want to miss a thing! Ocho Rios is particularly noted for its spectacular waterfalls, working plantations, beaches and beautiful tropical gardens. Ocho Rios is Spanish for eight rivers. Lying south of Cuba and west of Hispaniola, Jamaica - the name is derived from the Arawak word 'Xaymaca’ meaning the 'land of wood and water’ - is the third largest island in the Caribbean. It is also the largest English-speaking island of the region. The island is roughly 146 miles from west to east and 22 - 51 miles from north to south, with a total area of 4,411 sg. miles. The capital of this mountainous country (Blue Mountain Peak reaches 7,402 ft 12,256 m above sea level) is Kingston on the south coast. Ocho Rios is in the centre of the Island's north coast. Christopher Columbus discovered the island during his second voyage to the New World in 1494 and he landed on the north coast at Discovery Bay, 22 miles west of Ocho Rios, on 4 May. As might have been anticipated, the local Arawaks were not pleased to see him. Nine years later the intrepid explorer put into St Ann’s Bay near Ocho Rios when his ships were so worm-ridden and waterlogged that they were in imminent danger of sinking. And so his fourth voyage came to an unexpected end. Columbus had to wait a year, surrounded by distinctly unfriendly natives and with a crew close to mutiny, before help arrived. The Spanish, however, were not deterred by Columbus' unhappy experiences and in 1509 Seville Nueva near St Ann’s Bay was established as Jamaica’s first town. Thirty years later it was abandoned and Spanish Town near the present capital, Kingston, was founded. The unfortunate Arawaks, all 60,000 of them, were soon eradicated through murder, over-work and by catching European diseases from which they had no natural immunity. However, several of their words are still used in the English language - hammock, tobacco, potato and hurricane. n 1655, the English captured Jamaica from the Spanish after prolonged fighting. The island was turned into a huge sugar plantation and African slaves were imported. The Maroons - slaves freed when the Spanish left in haste - took to the hills behind Montego Bay and were a major problem for many years. However, in 1838, slavery was abolished and, as a consequence, the sugar industry declined. Banana plantations were found to be more successful. On 6 August 1962, Jamaica became an independent country and remains a member of the Commonwealth. Modern Jamaica still has plantations producing such crops as bananas, sugar and coffee, but there are also other important industries, including the production of bauxite (smelted into aluminum), chemicals, cement, oil refining and plastics. Tourism ranks as the second foreign exchange earner. EXPLORING Ocho Rios is the fastest growing tourist destination in Jamaica and a popular port of call for many cruise liners, especially those based in the United States. The original Spanish name for the then very small settlement was Las Chorreras (the waterfalls), which was almost certainly a reference to the Dunn’s River Falls. By 1841, however, it was known as Ocho Rios - rather surprisingly there are not eight rivers in the area. There is little opportunity for sightseeing in the town itself, although it is a bustling place and many exclusive hotels are nearby. Ocho Rios has a number of beautiful gardens full of brightly-coloured birds, exotic plants, including a proliferation of orchids, and steeply-plunging rivers. Each of the following gardens is off the A3, the main road leading southwards out of Ocho Rios. Shaw Park Gardens Set above Ocho Rios, these 35 acres of streams, waterfalls, ponds, flowers, ferns and woods provide a fine view of the town. These gardens are not, as the name might suggest in the grounds of the Shaw Park Hotel. Guided tours are available daily between 08.00 to 16.00 hrs. Coyaba River Garden and Museum In the same area as Shaw Park Cardens and also a taxi ride away. The word ‘coyaba' is Arawak for paradise. The museum shows the history of Jamaica starting, appropriately enough, with the Arawaks. Open daily from 08.00 to 17.00 hrs. Fern Gully Situated on the southern outskirts of the town. Fern Gully is best reached by taxi or hiring a car for the day. The route, through an old river bed, winds through a lush valley of ferns and vines. It is claimed that there are more than 600 different varieties of ferns here. Dunn’s River Falls and Park Just 2 miles away is the most popular attraction in Jamaica, a photograph of which appears in most travel brochures featuring holidays to Jamaica. Cascading falls drop 600 ft and here is an opportunity to hold hands with the next person in a long chain gradually going to the top. It’s wet and it’s fun, and changing rooms enable you to change into a bathing costume and leave your clothes in a looker until you return (although queues can be long so it is recommended that you wear swimsuits under your clothing if climbing the falls). Make sure that you wear rubber soled shoes as the rocks are slippery. Old tennis shoes are also useful if you opt to climb up the actual falls, alternatively climbing shoes are available for hire at the Park. The Falls and Park open daily from 08.30 to 16.00 hrs. It is also possible to follow a path at the side of the fails and reach the top fully-dressed. Please be advised it is customary to tip the guide at the end of the climb. Popularity unfortunately implies crowds and the falls can be busy, especially if several cruise ships are in port at the same time. There is, however, always the beach to enjoy. Calypso Rafting For an unusual experience, try a romantic raft ride for two on the White River to the east of the town. A bamboo raft is poled by a skillful guide on a 45-minute trip through the tropical rainforest. There is even a stop for an optional dip in the cool mountain waters. Open daily 08.30 - 16.30 hrs. The Town The only historical site of any significance in Ocho Rios is an old fort built in 1777 and even then there is little to see. The main attractions are the shops and the craft markets. BEYOND OCHO RIOS The northern coastal area around Ocho Rios has much to interest visitors, although a tour, taxi or hired car is really necessary to visit most places, if you decide to hire a car, you’ll need to choose a route - maps are available from the Tourist Office - and two possibilities are suggested below, each of which could take up much of the day. Route A - East of Ocho Rios From Ocho Rios to the White River (Calypso River Rafting), Harmony Hail (Jamaican art and crafts), Boscobel Beach (aka James Bond beach), Oracabessa, Firefly (former home and burial place of Noel Coward), Port Maria, Brimmer Hali (plantation tour) and back to Ocho Rios. Total distance of 45 miles. Firefly About 21 miles from Ocho Rios and just north of Port Maria, Firefly was the home of Noel Coward from 1956 until his death on 26 March 1973. Named after the luminous fireflies seen after dark, this spot was originally known as the Look-Out and was used by the buccaneer Sir Henry Morgan 300 years earlier to keep watch for pirates. The house, now owned by the Jamaican National Heritage Trust, has been restored to look as it did in the mid-1960s and visitors can see Coward’s paintings and clothes. He is buried at the bottom of the garden beneath a plain marble tomb. Open Monday - Thursday and Saturday 9.00 -17.00 hrs. Note that this attraction is normally closed on a Friday and Sunday. A plantation offering guided tours is the Prospect Plantation which is only 4 miles from Ocho Rios. Tours take place at 10.30 hrs, 14.00 hrs and 15.30 hrs. Route B - West of Ocho Rios From Ocho Rios to Dunn's River Falls, St Ann’s Bay, Seville Nueva (site of the first capital and Seville Great House), Chukka Cove Adventure Tours, Runaway Bay, Discovery Bay, Green Grotto Caves (underground boat ride), Brown’s Town, Nine Mile (Bob Marley's Mausoleum), Claremont, Fern Gully and back to Ocho Rios. Total distance of 76 miles. St Ann’s Bay Birthplace of Marcus Garvey, one of Jamaica’s national heroes. Seville Nueva The first capital of Jamaica and the site of Columbus' statue. Spanish artefacts found in the area can be seen in the Seville Great House. Discovery Bay Attractions include the nearby Green Grotto Caves, where guided tours are available, and Columbus Park. Columbus landed here on 4 May 1494 and there is now an open-air park with exhibits of Jamaican history. Puerto Seco Beach is a good public beach with a restaurant and some watersports are usually possible. Bob Marley’s Mausoleum The reggae superstar lived here as a child until the family moved to Kingston. Bob Marley died on 11 May 1981 and he is buried in this isolated part of northern Jamaica, about 24 miles from Ocho Rios. Worth seeing is the black leather book containing thousands of signatures of those in the amazingly-long funeral procession. The mausoleum is open daily from 09.00 -17.00 hrs. Well known resorts such as Montego Bay (62 miles) are much further from Ocho Rios and mean that some considerable time is spent on the road rather than seeing places of particular interest. Kingston, the capital, is a slightly shorter distance, but still takes about two hours driving time. Your Guide to Montego Bay Montego Bay is Jamaica’s second city and has been a mecca for tourists since the 1920’s. Today visitors still flock to this bustling resort to relax on its silvery beaches, explore its lush tropical surroundings or hear ghostly tales in one of its former plantation houses. Lying south of Cuba and west of Hispaniola, Jamaica forms part of the Greater Antilles group and is the third largest island in the Caribbean. With its three counties of Cornwall in the west, Middlesex in the centre and Surrey in the east, the island covers an area about three times the size of Kent in England. It measures 159 miles from east to west, and from twenty to fifty miles from north to south with a population of nearly 2.5 million. Located on the south coast, Kingston, the capital, has a population of half a million and is the centre of political and artistic life. The highest point is in the Blue Mountains to the east, nearly 7,500 feet, where it is much wetter and cooler than on the 200 miles of Jamaica’s beaches. Ocho Rios, the most popular port of cal! for cruise ships, lies almost in the centre of the north coast, and Montego Bay, up in the North West corner, is a close second. During his second voyage in 1494. Columbus anchored in Discovery Bay on the north coast and received a surprisingly hostile welcome from the Arawak farmers and fishermen. They had been here for at least five hundred years and were known as a peaceful people, but understandably they weren’t keen on invaders, having already suffered horribly from the cannibalistic tendencies of the Caribs. However, after some preliminary skirmishes they all settled down fairly happily, Columbus receiving the necessary provision in exchange for the usual glass beads and other items, comparable to tourist tat today. The Arawak words canoe, hamac and tobacco have passed into our language, and they called this island Xaymaca, land of wood and water. Jamaica has 120 rivers and streams and enormous areas of forest today, but then it would have been even more densely forested, However, there was variety, and Columbus considered Jamaica “the fairest island that eyes have beheld... all full of valleys and fields and plains". On his fourth voyage, he spent a year marooned in St Ann’s Bay just west of Ocho Rios. His waterlogged ships ran aground and his life was made miserable by sickness and hunger, unfriendly locals and mutinous sailors. Finally he was taken off by a ship chartered from Hispaniola. It was an ignominious end to the explorations and adventurers of the man who put this part of the world on the map. Jamaica did not possess the gold and jewels which the Spaniards had hoped for, but the land was fertile and in 1509 they established a colony on the north coast called New Seville. Fever broke out in the swampy marshes, so a few years later they moved to the south coast an established themselves in Spanish Town near present- day Kingston. In a short time, all the 60,000 Arawaks, enslaved and ill-treated by the Spaniards, had died, their demise probably hastened by the European import of strange diseases, a killer wherever they settled. African slaves were imported to take the place of the Arawaks, but colonisation was not a roaring success in Jamaica. Moreover, since the Pope had divided all new discoveries over here between Spain and Portugal, other nations were furious at being excluded, and the 16th century saw various European nations attacking these colonies in the New World. English, and then British forces made several raids on Jamaica, and at last an ill-equipped expeditionary force, sent out by Cromwell, attacked Jamaica as an afterthought. The Spaniards put up a stout resistance in the way of guerilla warfare for five years, but finally sailed away from Runaway Bay and left the British in undisputed possession, confirmed by the treaty of Madrid. During the 18th Century, Jamaica was the world’s largest producer of sugar, but when slavery was abolished and the apprenticeship system folded up as well, the freed slaves had had enough of work and the industry declined. The fortunes of the island were at a low ebb but were retrieved by Admiral Rodney in the Battle of the Saints, and from then on the island remained securely in British hands. There was sporadic trouble from the Maroons, slaves left by the Spaniards. They had taken to the forested hills in what is known as Cockpit Country behind Montego Bay, and they harassed the white settlers until the threat of bloodhounds imported from Cuba brought about their final surrender. Bananas bolstered the sugar trade during the first half of this century, but industrial unrest just before the Second World War set in train the movement towards independence. This passed through various stages until full independence within the Commonwealth was achieved in 1962, after Jamaica had been a British colony for more than 300 years. Now, although life is not always peaceful and was terribly disrupted by Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. at least the Jamaicans have their own land to themselves. But who are the Jamaicans? “Out of Many, One People” is the national motto, and the ethnic mix of European, East Indian, African, Chinese and Arabic peoples has turned out to be surprisingly harmonious. Jamaica is the world’s third largest producer of bauxite, the raw material which is smelted into aluminum. It also produces, sandstone and limestone, marble and alabaster as well as sugar cane, bananas, pimentos, coffee, cocoa, tobacco and rum. Tourism ranks as the second foreign exchange earner. From December to April, the most popular time to visit the island, the temperature ranges between 75° and 85° F (24° - 30°C). Rainfall averages nearly eighty inches annually. Late spring and autumn are the wettest periods and the hurricane season is late summer. But there’s always plenty of sunshine. Over a thousand species of tree grow on the island, There are more than 600 varieties of fern and 200 species of orchid, 73 of which are unique to Jamaica. Botanists have recorded almost 3,000 varieties of flowering plant. Wild animals are practically non-existent: there are few snakes - and they are harmless - while crocodiles live only in a few rivers and swamps on the south side of the island. Bats and lizards are common, wild boar still exist in the mountains, and mongooses cause little trouble except to chickens. Birds are particularly varied and colourful. BEYOND MONTEGO BAY Ocho Rios (67 miles east) Apart from the little town of Ocho Rios, the name also refers to the area between Annotto Bay in the east and Discovery Bay in the west, a sixty mile strip of splendid beaches and elegant resorts. This is a watery area, the name either derives from the Spanish for ‘eight rivers’ though there aren’t quite as many, or it may be a corruption of ‘las chorreras’ as referring to waterspouts and falls, particularly Dunn’s river falls clearly visible from the sea. Just inland is Fern Gully, an old riverbed, until an earthquake drove the river underground. Now it’s a twisting road bordered by hardwoods, liana and masses of ferns, a tropical version of many an English country lane. Above Ocho Rios with a fine view down to the town are the Shaw Park Gardens, 34 acres of streams, ponds, flowers, ferns and trees. Dunn’s River Falls (65 miles east) The most famous beauty spot on the north coast is undoubtedly this waterfall which cascades 600 feet through pools over limestone terraces to the Caribbean. There are guides available to help the more active individuals to climb up. Naturally the climb should be done in bathing gear, so there are lockers on the beach for your clothes, and a booth to buy your ticket to ascend. The not-so-active can walk up and down a path at the side, free and fully clothed. Rose Hall (5 miles east) This is an 18th Century plantation estate, which now has been restored to its former glory by an American millionaire. The interior including the furnishings and staircase are magnificent and well worth a visit. The estate is steeped in history and legends. Complementing what you see is what you hear. The story of Annie Palmer, who was known as a White Witch because of her marital and extramarital adventures. She is supposed to have poisoned, stabbed and strangled her three husbands, in that order, and the ladies who show visitors round delight in telling you in which bedroom which husband was done in and by what method. Meanwhile the insatiable Annie enjoyed a succession of slave lovers until a person or persons unknown decided that enough was enough and murdered her at the age of twenty nine. Martha Brae (23 miles east) The tourist attraction of this river is the 90 minute raft ride. A bamboo raft made for two is poled gently downstream by a professional raft captain, and the tranquillity of the journey is enhanced by the dense tropical vegetation on both banks. This is one of the unusual pleasures to be enjoyed in Jamaica. The river is named after a strange Arawak Indian girl who was captured by Spanish soldiers and tortured to reveal the location of a secret gold mine. She finally promised to take them there but on reaching the river she called up her supernatural powers and changed its course, drowning the soldiers and herself. Luminous Lagoon (16 miles east) At Rock, just beyond Falmouth is the unique Luminous Lagoon, one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. If you visit the Lagoon after dark, the luminosity is quite fantastic, particularly if the water is agitated. Even the fish create streaks of light as they swim. Negril (50 miles west) Lying on the western tip of the island, Negril boasts an unbroken seven-mile stretch of pure white sand, laced off shore by coral reefs which make the water appear every conceivable shade of blue and green - a perfect West Indian fairytale beach. Negril caters for every conceivable character and depth of purse. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA DAY 19 & 20 - 23rd-24th Feb 2018 - Landed Julia Terminal , Riverfront, New Orleans, USA "The Big Easy" It was our 40th Wedding Anniversary treat, what you might call our Ruby cruise! A day and a half in the lovely Big Easy but short by some amazing bureaucracy whilst checking into the states, it took 6 hours from landing until we were finally free on the streets of New Orleans. We arrived and left via 106 miles of the muddy but magnificent Mississippi River, mostly sadly in the dark but we did see some of it! We didn't do any trips here but went under our own steam. Took the riverside street car (red and hopefully named Desire *smile*) to Toulouse street and walked up into the french quarter into the famous Bourbon street, such fab architecture.It had only been a week since the Mardi Gras and there were beads everywhere, quite an atmosphere. Had lunch in the Hard Rock Cafe in Bourbon Street with hand signed Fats Domino piano top and an old Liverpool Institute school photo featuring a very young George Harrison and Paul McCartney. We then walked along a bit of Canal street at which point it started to rain. Loved the Voodoo shops *smile*. A very kind tourist shop lady (way better than on the ship) suggested we don't do the Hop-On Hop-Off bus as a waste of money but use our all day ETA transport ticket to travel on the worlds oldest continuously running streetcar / trolley bus (green) all the way along St Charles Avenue and South Carrollton to the end of the line and back to see the Antibellum houses and the Uni and the Parks. What fun. On the 2nd day Keef went in alone by trolley bus / street car to the French Market , 6 stops along the riverfront Julia Street to French Market. I saw some jazz in the streets , great graffiti and bought Annie some Ruby anniversary gifts. Love the BIG EAZIE... *happy* In the eve on the boat a local Jazz band played, how nice. 2 fab days in the "Big Easy" The Guide to New Orleans The home of jazz, of Creole culture, architecture and cuisine, together with the influence of voodoo makes for a heady mix. New Orleans is quite unlike any other American city as a result of its Franco Spanish background with a sprinkling of other nationalities thrown in. “Don’t you just love those long rainy afternoons in New Orleans when an hour isn’t just an hour - but a little piece of eternity dropped into your hands - and who knows what to do with it?” Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire. Tennessee Williams, Mark Twain, William Faulkner and of course", Hollywood (where else could Rhett Butler have taken Scarlett O’Hara for their honeymoon?) have all helped in the creation of everlasting images of New Orleans. Sultry and seductive; bluesy trumpets crying through the damp mists that roll off the Mississippi; timeless cobbled streets viewed languorously from bourbon-suppers on balconies and ceiling fans whirring like drowsy bees. It is as if New Orleans, ‘The Big Easy’, so ingratiated with time, has been allotted a few more hours in the day, a few more hours to while away. New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana. Snuggled into ‘The Crescent’ of the Mississippi river, at most it rises to only 17 feet above sea level; almost half of New Orleans’ 375 square mile area is water. The atmosphere is so ‘souther’ that it is often referred to as the ‘northernmost city of the Caribbean.’ Originally settled by the French and Spanish, its 275-year history has seen the arrival of Acadians from Canada, Indians, Africans, Cubans, Irish, English and Germans - certainly it is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. New Orleans apparently is invested with only two seasons - May to September is hot and humid and October to April is usually mild but with rapid changed possible, including southern freezes. The first known explorer to reach this part of the world was Cavalier Sieur de la Salle in 1682. He arrived at a point about 90 miles from present- day New Orleans that enjoyed drainage from the Mississippi. He proclaimed it a possession of France in honour of the Regent of France, Philippe due d’Orleans. The Quebec-born French brothers, Sieur d’Iberville and Sieur de Bienville, followed after la Salle and on 2 March 1699 sailed to the mouth of the Mississippi and landed at a point they named Point du Mardi Gras - the next day being the Catholic holiday of ‘Fat Tuesday’ (still remembered in the famous Mardi Gras Festival). The French Quarter is the site at which Bienville had his engineers plot the original city. In spite of the hostile cannibals the city continued to expand. It is said that in 1762 Louis XV of France lost a wager to his cousin, King Charles III of Spain, and thus the whole of Louisiana territory became a Spanish possession. The handover took place under the secret Treaty of Fontainbleau in 1762 and French officials and citizens did not learn of this until 1766 when the Spanish Commissioner, Don Antonio de Ulloa, arrived by boat in New Orleans. The people felt betrayed and refused to accept Spanish rule, forcing Ulloa to leave in 1768 under the threat of being hanged. For eight months the colony enjoyed the position of being the only American colony to be free from foreign rule, until that is, over 3,000 soldiers arrived to reclaim the territory for Spain. Don Bernardo de Galvez was made Governor of Louisiana in 1770. It must be remembered that the French and Spanish lived together for most of the time in considerable harmony and the inter-marriage of their cultures gave rise of the city. During the early 18th century Spain and Great Britain were pirating each others ships in the Atlantic and by 1779 various events had led Britain to declare war on Spain. The war with Britain was costly, and though Spain looked on Louisiana as valuable property, she could no longer afford to keep it. In 1801 Louisiana ceded to France, however Napoleon was soon to run into financial difficulties so in turn he sold it to the United States for $15 million dollars. The fact that New Orleans was being taken from the Catholic European powers and handed over to the ‘grubby American Protestants’ caused fear amongst the citizens. Fighting was fierce but gradually settled as the Americans built up their own area on the other side of Canal Street. During the War of 1812, the British made repeated attempts to seize New Orleans and thus control the Mississippi River. This reached a head in 1815 when General Jackson teamed up with the noted pirate Jean Lafitte, Choctaw Indians and Negro slaves. After a fierce 29 day battle, the Battle of New Orleans, the British were finally defeated. More recently Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans and the surrounding coastal area of Louisiana and Mississippi in September 2005. Much of the city was underwater and more than 1500 people in the region lost their lives from this devastating natural disaster. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the population exceeded 490,000, often appearing much more as it receives over 10 million visitors a year. However, after Katrina, the population stood at around 150,000. This figure has now risen to around 337,000. EXPLORING The French Quarter Pulsing and exuberant, friendly and traditional, this is the place to be. If you didn’t pay a visit to the French Quarter it is doubtful that anyone would believe you had visited New Orleans. This is where is all began, in the Vieux Carr6, where you can explore street with names like Chartres, Bourbon and Toulouse. Start off with a stroll along the riverfront from the ‘Moon Walk’ in front of Jackson Square to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas - feel the romance of the city and the charm of the mighty Mississippi. Jackson Square Originally the Place d’Armes - a military marching area - Jackson Square is today the very heart of the French Quarter, named in honour of Jackson’s decisive victory over the British. A beautifully landscaped area alive with street performers musicians and local artists - there’s always something happening. St Louis Cathedral One of the eldest Catholic cathedrals in the country. Though extensively remodelled after the original building of 1722 was destroyed by fire. Contains magnificence and glory in abundance. The Presbytere and Cabildo These two Spanish colonial buildings flanking the cathedral formed the Spanish seat of government. In front of the Presbytere is a curious metal object which is in fact The Pioneer, the first confederate submarine. Inside the Cabiido is the grim exhibit of Napoleon’s death mask. The French Market Restored buildings and beautiful stalls make this - 160year-old-market one-of the mostpicturesque - scenes in the French Quarter. Browse around the market for jewellery, leather, antique dresses, t-shirts, fresh pralines and a huge variety of local produce. The Ursuline Convent The oldest building in the Mississippi valley. Constructed in 1745, it is 25 years younger than the city of New Orleans, but 25 years older than the United States at 1100 Chartres Street. Closed Monday. Guided tours are available at several times during the day. Voodoo Authentica 612 Dumaine Street. A voodoo cultural centre and collection of artefacts dealing with the occult and supernatural. Voodoo was a spiritual belief system of the 18th century slaves that brought fear to the ruling elite. Open daily from 11.00am - 7.00pm. Hermann-Grima Historic House 820 St Louis Street. A fantastically preserved example of American architecture, this house depicts the gracious lifestyle of a prosperous 1830’s Creole family. The mansion house, stables and kitchen have been meticulously restored and guided tours are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10.00am to 3.00pm (by appointment) and on Saturday between 12.00pm and 3.00pm. The tours last from between 45 minutes and 1 hour. There are literally hundreds of places of interest catering for all tastes in the French Quarter. The best advice is to pick up some leaflets from the Tourist Information Centre, and Vieux Carre will become your oyster. Tickets may be booked online at least 24 hours in advance via www.hgghh.org. Tickets may be purchased at the museum gift shops the day of the tour, depending on availability. American District Traditionally Canal Street is the dividing line between the French Quarter and the American area. Its name is such because it was actually intended as a canal, which accounts for the unusual width of the streets. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas Situated in Canal Street and home to over 7,500 aquatic specimens. The Aquarium features four major habitats including the Caribbean Reef and one ofthe world’s largest shark collections. The Aquarium is open from Tuesday - Sunday from 10.00am - 5.00pm. Louisiana Superdome The famous location of many Super Bowls and Sugar Bowls, this impressive building plays host to many sporting events. Costing over $180 million, it proudly boasts the largest roof-span in the world with a diameter of 680 feet. No tours are available. St Charles Avenue Streetcar For a different view of New Orleans, hop aboard one of the historic streetcars at any of the well-marked spots for a nostalgic trip to the Garden District. This area was home to the Americans and the wide streets and stately, elegant 19th century homes provide a sharp contrast to the narrow streets and closed courtyards of the French Quarter. Look out for the gothic Briggs- Stubb House, Robinson House and Colonel Short’s Villa. Magazine Street A few streets from St. Charles Avenue is Magazine Street with dozens of small cottages selling everything from antiques to books and flowers to clothing. Take a breather at one of the cafes for a pick me up for which New Orleans is synonymous - cafe au lait. This area also has some excellent bistros and restaurants. Audubon Zoological Gardens Also in Magazine Street in the city zoo, one of the top five zoos in the USA. Be sure to visit the white alligators in the Louisiana Swamp exhibit. City Park This 1,500-acre park is home to the newly expanded New Orleans Museums of Art. The lush 10-acre Botanical Cardens (admission charged) are also to be found in Gty Park as well as 8 miles of scenic lagoons for boating, fishing and bird watching. Open Tuesday - Sunday 10.00am -4.30pm. New Orleans has excellent public transport facilities covering the whole city. Comprehensive details can be obtained from the Visitor Information Centre at 529, St Anne Street in the French Quarter, across from Jackson Square. Open Tuesday - Saturday 9.00am - 5.00pm. Tel. 568-5661. GETTING AROUND Car Hire It is practical to tour New Orleans without a car, but if you must drive remember that parking in the city is extremely difficult. Avis, 2024 Canal Street,Tel. 523-4317. Budget, 1317 Canal Street, Tel. 565-5600. Hertz, Loews Hotel, 300 Poydras Street, Tel. 636-3300, ext 5347. Taxis Taxis are available at the quayside. The Pier is very close to the main city and its facilities. Taxis operating within the city are metered. Riverboats The Queen Creole departs for the Big Easy Harbour Cruise from the Riverwalk Dock, Spanish Plaza at various times. This 90-minute cruise is on the authentic replica of the steamboats which provided passenger service in the late 19th century and cruises past the French Quarter, plantations and the site of the Battle of New Orleans. EATING OUT The major gastronomic influences are French, Spanish, Native American and Caribbean, which combine to form the two main flavours of the city - Creole and Cajun. Memorable dishes include gumbo, a stew-like soup. Jambalaya reflects the Spanish influence - a paella-style dish of seasoned rice, shrimp, ham, celery and green peppers. Seafood dishes are unparalleled, especially the bisques, shrimp or crab in thick soup swirled with cream. The muffuletta sandwich and the po-boy (served on delicious French bread) were invented in New Orleans, and don’t miss the wonderful bread pudding. There are also many establishments in the city, serving Continental, Oriental and Italian dishes. Key West, Florida, USA DAY 22 - 26th Feb 2018 - Landed Key West, Florida, USA It was our 40th Wedding Anniversary treat, what you might call our Ruby cruise! We have been to Key West before in August 1997 with the boys, I have included a few of those memories here but if you wish to see more of that trip please look on the FAMILY page by Year. Otherwise see the 1997 Key West slideshows HERE. Had a lovely time on the trolley bus seeing much of Key West, it was much nicer than we remembered it. The bus took us around most of it including the Wharf, Martello museums, Mangrove swamps, the Southernmost tip and much more. Walked down Duval street into the Hard Rock Café and then into the NEW sloppy joes bar where Hemingway supposedly supped daily. Beautiful houses, saw an iguana which are apparently overrunning the island, a coral key, are stripping all vegetation. Moni-G on the trolley bus was a hoot. We ended back on the water front at sunset pier. We met pals Brian & Lorraine in their hired electric car outside the HRC but declined their invitation for a lift. Only just noticed this in 2023, hippiedom makes it all the way to "far out" Key West!!! #smile So much better than we remembered, came here with the boys in 1997 The Guide to Key West The Florida Keys are a necklace of subtropical islands stretching into the heart of the Gulf of Mexico. Key West, located 135 miles southwest of Miami and just 90 miles from Havana, has enjoyed the most colourful history and clientele of them all. Visitors, historians, marine enthusiasts, gourmands and shoppers are all drawn to this truly charming town at the southernmost tip of the United States. The Spanish conquistadors named this island Cayo Hueso, Island of Bones, for when they first landed they were rather disconcerted to find human bones scattered along the waterfront. It has remained inconclusive to this day as to why the bones were there, but fortunately the island’s grisly name has been Anglicised - rather than translated - hence ‘Key West’ is no reference to geographical location. The Florida Keys are a necklace of subtropical limestone and coral islands that stretch for about 150 miles from the southern tip of mainland America into the heart of the Gulf of Mexico. Closer to Havana than to Miami the tiny island of Key West is only four miles from east to west and two miles in width. This is the southernmost city in the continental United States and has a population of approximately 24,800. As a member of “The Sunshine State” of Florida, it is not surprising to learn that the average annual temperature in the Keys is 78°F (26°C), ranging from 70°F in January to 84°F in July. Winter is the driest time of the year and the summer brings along high humidity with frequent electrical storms. Time used to stand still in these back of beyond islands, the only inhabitants being smugglers, criminals and madmen explorers. All of this changed in 1912 when Henry Flagler extended his railroad to Key West. Spurred by his vision of carrying sportsmen to exotic fishing camps, Flagler’s remarkable feat of engineering connected over three dozen islands with more than 100 miles of rail-track. Though the railroad was destroyed in 1935 by a hurricane, the surviving structures were incorporated into the Overseas Highway, and now the Keys are accessible to everyone who wants to partake of their individual attractions. It may feel as though you are in the middle of the ocean as you cross bridge after bridge over an ever widening expanse of sea, but strange as it may seem, no depth around the Keys is greater than sixty feet. The Calusa Indians were the first known inhabitants of the Keys. They were lured from the Florida mainland by the abundance of fish and shellfish just waiting in the waters to be caught. The native hardwoods of the islands were an added attraction, supplying sturdy wood for their homes. Many Indian mounds have been discovered on the islands along with sunken dugouts. Arawak and Carib Indian settlements followed in the pattern that is echoed throughout the Caribbean, but European settlers could not seem to navigate their way through the coral reefs. They decided that a watery grave was too high a price to pay for these little islands and so settlement was left to brave mainlanders and pirates. In their efforts to carve out an existence for themselves in the 18th century the islanders turned to fruit-farming. Produce included breadfruit, limes, pineapples and tamarind. In later years the Keys’ economy was further boosted when Big Pine Key saw a shark processing factory established, the hides of which were sent further north to be processed into shagreen leather. In the 19th century British loyalists, American merchant seamen and Cubans also infiltrated the economy of the islands, setting up factories to produce those big, fat, Havana cigars. It is a simple exercise to reach Key West by sea these days and if you travel through the Keys by road the journey is definitely one to appreciate. The modern aspects of the tourist trade have blended so well with more traditional ways that on arrival in Key West you may wonder why it took so long to become popular. For instance, early in the last century, the Spanish owner sold the island to an American businessman for only $2,000 because piracy was frightening off the settlers. But soon the sponge divers prospered, up to 100 million cigars were rolled annually and ‘wreckers’ - people who made a living from rescuing people and salvage - did a roaring trade. At the turn of the century, the population had reached 18,000 and Key West became per capita the richest city in the United States. Such prosperity could not last. The 1929 stock market crash, the failure of the sponges and the departure of the US Navy and the cigar rollers all spelled decline and decay. Key West became the poorest city in the US, but the residents remained and dug in their heels, determined to forge a new wealth by way of tourism. And how they have succeeded, with sunshine, sand, sea and sports - this is what the inhabitants of Key West live for today. EXPLORING The Old Town The main street in Key West is Duval Street - said to be the longest street in the world as it connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. The Old Town has plenty of authentic houses, or at least houses restored to their original 19th century condition. Often these houses were constructed by ships’ carpenters with gingerbread railings and wide verandahs being essential prerequisites. Houses such as Conch House (pronounced conk) boast heady arrays of shutters, cisterns and scuttles to let hot air out through the roof, a feature copied from the Bahamian and New England styles. The conch, by the way, is almost the symbol of the Keys and the nickname of the native born people. There are two other conch houses on Caroline Street, the Captain George Carey at 410 and George A. T. Roberts at 313. The Bartlum/Forgarty House in Eaton Street had its frontal structure floated over from the Bahamas on a schooner. Duval Street plays host to the Oldest House which shows the history of wrecking through paintings and artefacts. Audubon House and Gardens Whitehead Street. This three-storey frame house is held together entirely by wooden pegs and is a fine example of the shipbuilders’ craft. Built in the early 1800s it now serves as a museum dedicated to the period and life of Jon James Audubon, a famous painter and naturalist. Exhibits include antiques, Audubon’s original engravings, and a videotape presentation of Audubon’s Birds of America. That his memory is served so well by this building is one of life’sxuriosities as he only stayed herefor a few weeks in 1832. Hemingway’s House Whitehead Street. Here in this beautiful coral-stone house where he lived with his wife from 1931 to 1940, Hemingway created such masterpieces as A Farewell To Arms and For Whom The Bell Tolls. Completed in 1851, the house sits on a one-acre lot - an enormous luxury for such a small island. There are daily tours through the house and its gardens, and keep your eyes open for the sleek, six-toed cats reputed to be descendants of Hemingway’s own. For those with a literary bent, a visit to Tennessee Williams House in Duncan Street may also be worth a visit. It is a Bahamian-style cottage where the writer lived until his death in 1983. In fact, many notable writers and artists have chosen Key West as their home, including the poet Wallace Stevens. Today there are more than a dozen Pulitzer Prize­winners in residence. Wreckers’ Museum Duval Street. Allegedly the oldest house in Key West, dating from the 19th century. Its exhibits include sea artefacts, models of ships and an exquisite miniature house in the Conch style. Mel Fisher’s Museum Greene Street. In this Maritime Heritage Society Museum, breathtaking riches materialise before your eyes in the shape of jewels, chains and gleaming coins, all treasures gathered by Fisher and his divers from sunken ships. You can be a millionaire for a moment when you hold the golden barl East Martello Museum S. Roosevelt Blvd. This historic structure houses a museum dedicated to the history of Key West and its artists. The citadel, with its fine vaulted ceilings, affords a glorious view of the island’s position in the Atlantic. Martello Towers East and West, were built for defense purposes in the 19th century, possibly to fend off a Napoleonic invasion. Fort Zachary Taylor was strengthened about the same time and now houses a superb collection of Civil War cannon. Mallory Square Waterfront area. This is the place which attracts the crowds at sunset when the cries of street-performers reach a crescendo as the sun sinks down onto the horizon. The oldest attraction in this area is the Aquarium where daily shark and turtle feeding and the touch tank offer guests hands-on experience with the sea life. St Mary Star of the Sea Windsor Lane. The second oldest catholic church in Florida with unusual features including tin arches and metal columns. In the grounds stands a small grotto; built by a nun and dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes it is said to protect the island from hurricanes - so far it has done its job. Key West Cemetery Not as morbid as it sounds for there are many humorous inscriptions to be found on the stone caskets, such as ‘I Told You I Was Sick’ and ‘At Least I Know Where He’s Sleeping Tonight’. Conch Tour Train A well-narrated hour and a half tour will show you the best of Key West. The little open-air ‘train’ covers many unusual and historical sites and will help familiarise you with the layout of the town. The trains leave at regular intervals daily from Mallory Square. Harry Truman Little White House This attraction is just a few hundred yards from Mallory Square and was President Truman’s Winter Retreat. He visited Key West several times while in office and continued the visits for many years after he left office. The Truman Little White House is Florida’s only Presidential Museum and was where Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and US President Kennedy met in the 1960’s. GETTING AROUND Car Hire Key West Cruisers, 500 Truman Ave Suite 1. Tel. 1-888-800-8802. Experience Old Town, Duval Street and the Beach in the slow moving electric vehicles, known locally as “Conch Cruisers”. For an island who’s top speed is 35 and traffic that moves at a much slower pace, the “Cruiser" is the perfect way to see paradise! Hertz, 3840 N. Roosevelt Blvd, Tel. 294-1039. Budget, 3202 N. Roosevelt Blvd, Tel. 294-8858. Taxis Taxis are available but most attractions are within walking distance. Old Town Trolley The Trolley Tour runs every half hour and covers the entire island. ACTIVITIES Beaches Given its island location, Key West surprisingly has very few beaches and they tend to become very crowded in peak seasons. The best bets for a bathe are Smathers Beach, which lies just off the S. Roosevelt Blvd and has clear waters for swimming, and Higgs Beach, along the Atlantic Blvd with shallow water areas suitable for children. Both resorts have plenty of facilities. You may also wish to try South Beach at the end of Duval Street which is next to the Southernmost Point. Swimmers should wear foot protection against sea-urchins. Watersports Plenty of hire facilities are available at the beach resorts for snorkeling, scuba-diving and other aquatic activities. Golf Key West Resort, an 18-hole course with club and cart hire available. 5450 College Road. Tel. 294-5232. Tennis Public courts are available at Bayview Park, 1310 Truman Ave. Tel. 294 1346 and at Higgs Beach. 1997 with the boys

By keef and annie hellinger, Mar 29 2018 06:47PM Motorhome trip No32 : March 22nd – 27th 2018 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->Threlkeld, Lake District NP, Cumbria ->NOTTS 396 miles What we call our 2nd White Horse Bent (WHB) reunion Used the truck nav which took us up the east side of the country i.e M1, M18 , A1(M) until about Scotch corner where we travelled across the fabulous A66 and old roman road route through the Pennines to Penrith and then onto Threlkeld to the Threlkeld Hall site on a farm. We were meeting up with our group of long time friends who had initially camped over the fell at White Horse Bent by Scales in the Lake District National Park in August 1973 some 45 years ago. This is our 2nd reunion having met up in London in August 2016. Sadly not everyone could make this one but we welcomed back into our fold Peter Linnett who I personally have not seen in the last 45 years, such a joy to reconnect! The whole weekend was a delight and we both still have a heavy glow of happiness and inner well being. The expression may well be “Far out & Solid”! The campsite was a short walk across fields into Threlkeld where most of our pals were staying in the cottage opposite the Horse & Farrier Inn called Heather View. At night if the A66 was closed for road works we could walk up it back to the campsite with torches in the dark. If not it was generally a muddy trek in the dark avoiding the dog dirt (a personal pet hate…. If you will forgive the pun) The site was hard standing with all 3 services, water, electrics and grey water disposal which was good. However on the negative side at £25 / night the facilities were very very limited for 20 pitches having only one shower and loo and sink for men and women. Apart from its convenience to us in terms of closeness to Threlkeld I could not recommend it. We were on pitch 9 and our pals Chris & Allyson were on pitch 12. Some of the things we did were catching up, Keswick, Threlkeld views, eating/ drinking and making merry, Mandy’s local fete near Ullveston, Blues festival at Bowness. We were really lucky with the weather in the Lake District for March with 3 days of sunshine, lets not talk about the other days…. There were elements of monkeys and brass involved and the proverbial liquid sunshine. On the way back we used the M6 and cut across at Stoke. It took 5 hours returning and 3 and half hours getting there. Re the fab band we saw at the Bowness Bay Blues at the Hole Int Wall pub they were Changing State and they were fab. Changing State are a young South Lakes-based band. This group of talented teenagers play solid blues infused rock music, but they draw their influences from diverse sources including modern jazz and punk as well as classic Led Zeppelin-style rock. Changing State are: Michael (vocals); two Jacks (both guitar); Fergus (bass); and Maddie (drums). 2021 Update, Sadly now disbanded to follow their own other musical interests #motorhome #motorhometravels #travelsin2018 #campsites #friends #music #timeline

By keef and annie hellinger, May 10 2018 12:40PM Motorhome trip No33 : May 7th- 9th 2018 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->Waterclose Meadows Campsite,Houghton Mill, Cambridgeshire ->NOTTS 198 miles 254 years and 30+ camping years under our belts collectively 😉 This was our second visit to Houghton Mill with our dear pals Pete and Joy. See Blog 119 for our 1st excursion. This time all around the mill was visible, the scaffolding having been removed and Britain’s best early May day bank holiday weather for 80 years (allegedly)- Sun, Sun, Sun! It is a very nice site in a gorgeous location next to an old working mill (owned by the National Trust) with its own pond on the banks of the river Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire. Pete & Joy arrived at the site first in their still lovely new Baileys autograph motor home. We had attempted to arrive at 12 noon but Mill Road leading to the site was crammed with both folks leaving the site late and day trippers approaching the attached public car park. So we decided to head back out towards Huntingdon, parking in a car park besides the Boat house on the banks of the Great River Ouse. We then had a good ½ hour stroll along the tow path enjoying the river activities in the sun, sheer bliss! We were on grass pitches 28 & 29. The site is only grass but has pods at £50 per night and a new one with en-suite at £75 per night, minimum stay 2 nights. We had a look inside and very nice this one was too, but not as nice as motorhoming! The grass pitches are £23 per night. We had a lovely BBQ on the Monday eve and cooked brekkie on Tuesday before strolling into town for a mooch around and the odd bevy at the 3 horseshoes. We strolled back past the sleeping swan, artist and hordes of bathers to get ready for our evening meal partaken at the 3 horseshoes and very good it was too. We said our fond goodbyes on Wednesday morning and hope to meet up again soon. Lovely few sunny days in Cambridgeshire. On the way back we visited Grafham water and the lovely village of Ellingham. Have looked up the Grafham water site since returning and will definitely stay there on a future trip, it is only 400m from the waters edge. The only drawback to the site was the lawn mower man who basically destroyed the peace and tranquility on 2 days endlessly driving his mover around. We did ask him to desist on May day but to no avail. Annie and I left early on Wednesday morning to escape his noise! Shame it is such a nice site. #motorhome #motorhometravels #travelsin2018 #campsites #friends

By keef and annie hellinger, Jun 15 2018 05:53PM Not the Motorhome trip No 10 : 26th May & London – 12th June 2018 Doug and Phoenix and Charlie visited from Singapore to the UK in May / June 2018. Luckily Craig, Leanne & Edie were off for the 1st week so were able to join in. Such lovely family times. We visited amongst others Supernan, Legoland Windsor, White Post Farm, Twycross Zoo, Strawberry Fields Forever, Heights of Abraham, Bolsover Castle, The Luminarium, Sawley Marina.... such wonderful family times !!!! If you want to see the full saga of events you can also look at our FAMILY page here on the site or better still go to the slideshows starting now or the "talkies", videos with speech, click HERE The Talkies #family #funtimes #nottinghamshire #legoland