Thursday, May 28, 2015

Baltic or Bust

It was a long drive to Dover and good to be back on board the now familiar Braemar.  A lovely surprise - a beautiful bouquet from my old ship mate Dylan.  We cruised all Sunday and on Monday cruised the beautiful Kiel Canal.  What a surprise - I expected it to be industrial but it was so peaceful and  tranquil I decided to do a river cruise next year  and happily Braemar is doing Rivers of France.
 
 








Excitement mounted as we neared the entrance to the Baltic but first there are better shots of the canal.  Tomorrow maybe.
 
At breakfast in the Thistle restaurant the waiter showed me to a large half empty table.  As I was about to sit a burly youngish man with a gigantic plate of breakfast said,
'That's my seat!'
'Oh! (usually one leaves one's napkin on the seat if one uses the buffet.) Is there anything to indicate it is your seat?'
Man:' I'm sat there!'
P: ' Sitting.' 
Couldn't resist.  Fortunately he grinned and told me he was on his honey moon.
Whilst we are in the dining room I drool when I think about the food.  Last time I played it safe and ate mostly fish but this time I relished venison, beef and lamb - all succulent with heavenly sauces.
The ship was nowhere near full - whether that makes a difference who can say.  As usual I  ignored the lift and my weight is now back to normal.


22 comments:

Rog said...

Wow - looks like you and the rude honeymooner had the boat to yourself!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Sounds like another dreamy trip, Pat.....in spite of that fellow at your table. It also sounds like the food was quite spectacular.... Looking forward to more pictures of places I've never seen before. The French River trip sounds sublime, too!

LL Cool Joe said...

I'm glad he grinned and didn't push you over the side of the boat! Sounds like another wonderful trip. I look forward to reading more about it!

angryparsnip said...

I am enjoying your cruise trips.
The French River trip sounds lovely.
The food sounds so luscious. Lucky you.

cheers, parsnip

Mage said...

Looks wonderful. My weight is not back to normal after my last cruise, but I like you love cruising. Great entry.

kenju said...

It all sounds lovely to me, even the honeymooner. I will envy the river cruise!

Pat said...

Rog: that would have been fun. NOT!

Naomi: I'm trying to keep things going with the kitchen and all but this morning we had torrential rain which flooded the back porch and sewerage was bubbling up from a drain. We shall have help within four hours I'm told!

Joey: all in good time . Read Naomi's comment above.

Mage: I wish I could swim like you but the only time I have actually enjoyed it was in glorious Greece.

Judy: It is a lovely feeling just gliding along in sylvan countryside.

Exile on Pain Street said...

Was the burly youngish man American? Sounds like one of ours. Nice trip report, dear. Keep them coming.

Pat said...

Exile: he told me he was from Birmingham. UK that is. I've never been to Birmingham.

Ponita in Real Life said...

Look at you! You're becoming a professional traveller, Pat! I'm so glad you have found something you love to do and are not reluctant to do so. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your photos.

That honeymooner was quite rude. No manners, that one.

maurcheen said...

Again a man is jealous of your wonderful cruises! But I am getting somewhere with trying to persuade Mrs. M., We hope to take a second honeymoon in Scotland this August, and we're going on the ferry! Well it's a start.
Welcome home. :-)

XXX

SDC said...

Okay, I'm completely out of the loop. Did you go by yourself on this cruise? If you did, how are finding going solo?

Pat said...

Ponita: I have always loved travelling but during the last few years it wasn't really an option and during that time Alastair insisted on renewing my passport so I feel he would approve. I still have to push myself initially.

Maurcheen: You have bag of time to really get into cruising. I would say go ahead and do the things you may not be able to do later on. Ben Nevis?

SDC: I went alone as Dylan had already done the Baltic. It is still an effort going alone but if you get a decent table of fellow cruisers that helps a lot. I did miss his companionship but I had earlier nights:) We are on the same cruise in October as kindred companions.

savannah said...

you make cruising sound so lovely, sweetpea! even the encounter with the honeymooner you turned into a pleasant introduction (and learning experience for him)! looking forward to your photos after the water issues are taken care of! xoxoxox

Pat said...

Savannah: thank you. The water issues go on. And on. And on, I'm hoping the cruise will stave off the nervous breakdown. xoxox

Anonymous said...

Looks delightful!! xx

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Well, this made me grin and think, Wow, Pat doesn't take being pushed around: "Is there anything to indicate it is your seat?"

I'm off to catch up on your trip :-)

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Aha, I see this is the first post about the trip...

Anonymous said...

I think Dylan may be a little sweet on you :D

Ms Scarlet said...

Yep, I'm jealous too... and you have a new kitchen in the offing.
Sx

P.S Where did Spring/Summer go?? Isn't it drab today?

Pat said...

John: it was good.

GG: No I don't fancy being pushed around by anybody:)

Helen: I couldn't possibly comment. We are good friends and companions.

Scarlet : we are getting to the nitty, gritty parts now when you wonder why you started.
Yes today has been miserable - and cold.

About Last Weekend said...

I get seasick (really badly) have you?