After our 'dash' away from the storm we finally cruised into Haugesund.
We passed numerous oil rigs - size I'd daunting! It was a Sunday - why bring a cruise ship into a town on Sunday when everywhere is closed?! The Norwegians aren't worried as the get plenty of money from the oil.
I had wanted to go to see some sculptures while we were here. It was cold and raining when we left the ship and the 7km walk didn't appeal! Luckily taxis were working on a Sunday! After some negotiating we made a deal for a round trip and tour lasting an hour - we actually needed to get rid of the Kroner we had left!
The sculptures didn't disappoint!
A wander through the town followed and finally a coffee. The coffee shop was heaving, with passengers from the ship, and wasn't helped by the two workers having an argument about who was working the hardest - no, I don't know any Norwegian but I pretend to be a body language expert!!
The ship sailed from Haugesund late afternoon.
Another day of doing the rounds of all the activities oonboard plus packing. Arrived in Southamton early morning.
Disembarked easily and were soon on our way back to Jake's. Stopped half way and had coffee with my niece.
We had a coup,e of days working in the garden. The onions and garlic I had planted before the cruise were growing well - luckily! Autumn sees the garden looking dead so there's plenty of leaf raking, dead heading and dead plant removal! There was enough material for a bonfire - slightly before 5th November!
Members of the Lucy family have been living in the house since 12th century. Their history is interesting, with among other things, a visit from Queen Elizabeth 1.
The volunteers looking after the house were full of interesting stories about the place. Unfortunately the dining room was in a mess as there had been a leak. The old silk wallpaper was carefully taken down so that the damage could be repaired - it will be placed back again. There was damage to some of the timbers so we were unable to visit the upper rooms. We even had an early Christmas dinner complete with turkey, Christmas pud, crackers and paper hats!
Unfortunately my stay came to an end. We reflected on the laughs and all the fun we'd had - always sad to say goodbye but there's always next year!
Now in London. Arrived mid afternoon and after dropping off luggage set out to find where the theatre was - I was seeing MJ The Musical. Luckily it was an easy 10 minute walk from my hotel.
The show was fabulous and charted his life growing up so there were young versions of Michael. The show was dedicated to Quincy Jones.
I started the day on the underground travelling to Oxford Circus. I always like to walk down Oxford Street to see if it's retained the old memories I have of it. There's a definite change- fewer of the big name shops and people. Luckily the big Marks and Sparks is there and it's a great place for the with a bacon sarnie!! Looks like the Christmas lights have been put up but no Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square- it arrives in the first week of December. They are building the little wooden huts for a Christmas market so Trafalgar Square is looking rather messy.
I always try to find the best route to the theatre that I'm going to in the daylight - don't want to be wandering down any strange alleys! My phone took me all over the place but I finally found the theatre and I have a straight forward path from my hotel! I headed back to Trafalgar Square for a visit to the National Gallery.
One of the paintings, by John Constable, was of Willy Lott's Cottage - a place I stayed at when at school, we were on a school trip!
So many famous art works are on display here that my feet were aching wandering through the different rooms. Was good to get back to the hotel to put my feet up!
Another trip to the theatre
With a late flight I have tried to keep busy. I had a wander along the Embankment. It was a very grey misty scene! I had hoped to see a National Trust site - a Roman bath - Found the place easily but, contrary to their on line site, it was closed. I then had a little wander around Somerset House - very poor signage and information! The old building was nice and the were setting up an ice rink for the public - it opens in December. The Portrait Gallery was next on the list - it was very interesting with some great portraits but by the end my feet were killing me! I think I need new trainers!!
A cuppa was the order of the day - it's much colder today.
Will be heading out the the airport shortly so until the next time, Bye!
