Sydney Nova Scotia

 Halifax was beautiful although cold until mid day. It's the second largest natural harbour in the world and so peaceful after the mania of New York.  We did plenty of walking along the waterfront and up hill to great view points. 

  It was such a relaxing place and so peaceful.

  25/9 Another beautiful sunrise aided our cruise into Sydney - no famous Opera House here!!

Have had a wander it is rather lovely even with a temp of 13C!

This area was the site of many convoys during the war and some pretty awful times for the people of this area.

Very patchy wifi. Start our journey back to Blighty tonight - get back to Southampton next Friday morning. Hope the 6 sea days are not too rough

Continuing on!

 22/9 Arrived at Newport, Rhode Island and were transferred by tender to the town. We got on a free bus which took us around the area looking at the different mansions - there's plenty of money here!!.  One mansion was made totally from marble!

  The harbour was full of yachts - this was where the America's Cup is/ was held -  there had been a boatshow a few days previously. It looks as if the season here is about to close as many of the shops have closed down.

 It was very hard to find a coffee shop but eventually we did - great pastries here! 

  23/9 Gale force winds and rough seas had us zigzagging around the ship. We were unable to go out on deck because of the wind so our attempt at a mile was inside. I was up and down to get the washing done so that was extra steps! 

 Went to a talk, a couple of quizzes and a good afternoon read. Great vocalist in the evening.

 24/9 Have arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia to an incredible sunrise although it's rather chilly. Getting off soon for a wander.

Have left NY

 20/9

  After a day at sea we were up on deck at 4:15 am to watch us entering New York. Passing the Statue of Liberty we arrived at Pier 88. I'm now staring at the aircraft carrier Intrepid (WWII), which has various Navy planes and helicopters on it's deck. There is also a back drop of tall buildings!

  Back to bed for an hour or so then up to breakfast to find that it was raining! We didn't let the rain stop us so up the 4+ blocks we walked to Times Square - it was manic! Being Sunday every man and his dog was out. It was a case of watch your eyes as you ducked and dived between umbrellas. 

  Deciding the best course of action was the hop on bus which we took to the 9/11 memorial. The awful memories of that day still linger when you are there. You look at younger people and wonder if they fully understand the impact of that day. 

 We found a great coffee shop before wandering some around until we reached Central Park. By now we were seriously drenched including our trainers! 

  We finally made it back to the ship after walking for hours - first job get out of wet clothes and have hot shower! 

Yesterday was better with the sun out. Once again we walked for miles.

 Left NY as the sun was setting - couldn't see it for clouds! After three visits to NY over the years I dont feel a need to go there again! 

  22/9 We have just arrive at Newport, Rhode Island. Will will be tendered from the ship.

Boston continued

 17/9 continued.

Salem is a rather strange place because of the 'history' of witches. The streets are full of skeletons, witches and other trash connected, basically, to Halloween.

  Finding a cafe we got talking to a local who had once been a guide. He told us how the town prospered on the reputation of witches being there. Typically there were no witches but that didn't save a number of women and a few men from the gallows. We visited the cemetery where their names could be found.

  We wandered around before stopping for a lobster roll. The train trip back was easy and we tackle the subway again - went to the wrong platform once but realised before jumping on a train. Legs are swollen and covered in a heat rash, feet are sore! Very hit today!

  18/9 Decided we would get a ferry to the centre. Once again we were wearing out our shoe leather just trying to find the ferry stop. The ferry's first stop was the airport - which is a free ride from the city. The ship is docked almost opposite the airport so the planes  are coming in low and fast. We continued on the ferry until our city stop. The skyline and waterways are very interesting. 

  When we got back to the ship we had a swim and in the afternoon pool once again watching the planes landing and taking off. 

  We sailed out of Boston watching the city change colour with a spectacular sunset.

On to Boston.

 13/9 Continued! I did go up on deck it was quite a sight coming into Quebec especially to see the huge chateau like hotel towering over us all.

   We made the effort to walk to the top town no funicular for us! Some of the streets are cobbled, difficult for walking on. It has a very French feel.

  We decided to get the hop on/ off bus but once we got on decided to stay on  because it was so crowded. It was a two hour trip but it was really good and went a long way. Luckily the rain held off until we were nearly back. 

 14/9  We were up early today and off the ship after a quick breakfast because the ship was leaving at 12 noon. We walked up to the top of town  and had a very long walk along the boardwalk and up 310 steps up to the citadel. We managed to get a very nice coffee and hot chocolate loaded withso  cream plus one of the best almond croissants ever - we divided it between the three of us!! Good thing I don't live in Quebec- I'd be there every day!!

 15/9 Day at sea. The weather was great today. Went to a talk about whether the moon landing was a hoax. Sun bathed on the balcony - it was so hot. There was a ' Look at the night sky' so we went up on deck one of the staff was there with and was telling us about the Milky Way etc. We were were told to turn to the port side and started checking the starts there when the most amazing 'shooting star' appeared - it was bright green followed by a yellow /orange 'tail' as it burnt up! The staff member said he'd never seen anything so spectacular.

  16/9 Up early today to get to the laundry.- 1/2 hour before it opened! We are going to be restricted water usage again!  Managed to get it done before breakfast finished!

Went to a drawing class - still life. Did our mile walk and had an afternoon read. Watched comedian and FreddieMercury impersonator- both very good.

  17/9 Glorious sunrise coming into Boston. USA border  crossed without problem. Just seen 3 of the crew arrested and put in handcuffs!!! 

We have navigated the subway and are now on the local train to Salem.

Prince Edward Island

 10/9 Crazy winds and rain in Charlottetown today. The wind was so strong that we had to fight our way down the gang way and hope we didn't get blown over the side! Information services inside the terminal we very good and after explaining our quest to find out about dad we were directed to a military museum. 

   Looking like drowned rats we found a very helpful man who explained that during the war an RAF base was set up here to train pilots etc. This couldnt be done in UK because of all the bombing going on at that time! Dad was on the mechanical side so it seems he was put here to work on the plane's. Hopefully we can find out more when home.

  The sun did come out so we continued walking. We saw the Governors residence - Prince Edward stays there when he visits - also an old Victorian residence - Beaconsfield. A cuppa revived us before wandering around the town and back to the ship. 

  Just as we were about to leave port the heavens opened once again! 

  The most 'exciting' part of the day was that we won the quiz!! High 5's all round! Bottle of wine the prize.

 11/9 Sun shining. Seas slightly rough, bit of a wobble on when we walk. Nothing really to interesting today. Went to a talk about 'First Man on the Moon' - quite interesting. Unfortunately the venue is on level two and when seated it's like you're lulled to sleep. I found it hard to keep my eyes open! 

  Walking around outside was very difficult as the winds were very strong - force 7- didn't get the mile in! Jake's knee is playing up so she didn't get far. It was a book reading kind of day!

   Black tie evening. Not much entertainment and we didn't win the quiz!!

  12/9 Woke to a lovely sunrise. Calm waters as we are now at the head of the St Lawrence River on our way to Quebec We are sailing at 9.3 knots - wonder if we'll see any wildlife. I'd better run down 4 levels to get the crossword the breakfast!

  Bit of a lazy day- went talk about Ryssian astronauts and their flights to the moon, puzzled over a jigsaw, walked part of the mile - only 12C brrr!

  13/ 9 We are slowly arriving into Quebec. I'm sitting in bed with a cuppa watching the landscape go by! The TV shows the view at the front of the ship so I have two views. I will go up on deck in a minute! It's 6:15.

St John's

 8/9 Knowing the eta for arriving in St John's, I was out on deck by 6am. I watched the pilot boat arrive beside us. Once the pilot arrived we made for the narrows allowing us into the harbour- there was only 15m on each side of the ship for us to squeeze through! Very rugged coast line. One minute the sun was shining the next the mist was down. Houses were perched on cliff edges. We could see Signal Hill where Marconi sent his first transatlantic message.

  We left the ship after breakfast and headed towards the Museum and Jelly House Row. The colourful houses were so bright and cheerful. It was a hike up the hill from the dock - it didn't look steep until you started the ascent and then you felt it. I often paused to look at the scenery - well that was my excuse!! Motorists are unbelievably  good here - if they think you want to cross they automatically stop. Makes a change from nearly being run down in other places.

  The Museum was very interesting and very informative. If we stood still we felt like we were swaying- 6 days at sea does that I suppose. The three of us were having a little moan about the fact our legs didn't seem to be working in way they should! Downhill and steps were particularly difficult!🤣

  We made sure that we were back in time for our departure. We are now leaving 45 minutes late waiting for one coach and from my balcony I spotted a couple sort of running down the hill - I think they were lucky we didn't sail without them - don't think it will be 'happy families' in that cabin tonight - everyone on the starboard side were watching their arrival! Embarrassing!  

  Clocks go back another half hour tonight and we are 'dashing' to get to Charlottetown before strong winds hamper our arrival.

  We've had some great laughs at dinner when on a shared table but last night topped them all - a single lady arrived at the table having attended the 'sip and sail' (cocktails as ship leaves port). She'd had 4 cocktails and never stopped talking - how had she  managed to eat? - but she was so funny I don't know how we managed to eat! The Silent Disco and then a show with a magician ended our day. Clocks back 1/2 an hour.

  9/9 Grey start to another sea day but luckily the sun did shine. J&J went to a lecture about the 'Space Race' while I went to an art class - Zen Tangle. 

  Coffee, crosswords, chats, lunch and our mile walk saw us into the afternoon. We were passing islands as we walked - all very unexpected.

 Black tie night. We have slowed down (do you say that on a ship?) because we are now in pristine waters and home to whales etc. I thought I seen signs of them in the distance which was confirmed by the Captain. The laundry is out of use for the next few days while we are here and head down the St Lawrence. The show tonight was by the Canadian singer who won the Canadian Voice - she was very good.

10/9 Docked about midnight in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. No wonder we had to get here early the wind is extreme and hopefully we are tied up tight!

  Dad was stationed here for a while in February 1942 - we hope we might be able to find out why!