World Tour Part VII

Saturday 7th June 2008 - Southampton

I woke this morning at 3am as before we went to bed last night we had left our curtains open. The site of the English coastline coming into view with all the lights etc was like fairyland. It was so peaceful sitting on our deck, listening to the waves gently touching the sides of the ship, and the lights in the distance another scene which will be etched in my mind.

We docked at 4am and as the morning woke it was lovely to see the bright sunshine streaming through our window.

After breakfast, Nick, Jan and I left the ship together at around 9:30am. We negotiating a price with a local driver to take us out for 4 hours in anticipation of visiting some of the seaside towns in Hampshire and Sussex in South East of England.

My great, great grandparents lived in a little place called Lewes so I was keen to trace some of my family history.

After about 1 1/2 hours from Southampton and many many small country villages and towns we came to Lewes however, once there we were at a loss as to how to find some of the addresses of places my ancestors resided. I had an address but that was it.

As fate would have it, the first person we saw was the local postman. He was sitting on a stone wall, enjoying the sunshine (waiting for his lift back to the local post office). I jumped out of the car and approached him with my 'hi, I am Australian - here to research some ancestors and family history!' He was delightful and ever so helpful. I gave him addresses and he gave us directions.

First stop was the the family home - 165 High Street. We got there, in the main street, and pulled up along side an empty shop. It had been renovated but the roofing and top front facade was original and the architecture was late 1700's to early 1800's. We walked a short distance down the very narrow main road (only enough room for 2 cars to pass each other) we came across the entrance to the Lewes Castle. This stands impressively at the highest point of town which dominates the small villiage of Lewes. What now seems a quaint English affectation was in fact built, as most Normal Castles were, a symbol of power, reminding the invading locals who was now in charge.

The Castle began in 1066, was constructed in stages over many years with the towers being added in the 13th Century.

We spent about an hour here, wandering through the beautiful grounds and gardens of this beautiful old Castle. We were entertained by some of the local people playing bowls in what was once the old 'tilting' (Jousting) ground of the castle. We were told the grounds are also used for the local cricket team.

From the Castle we drove to 3 old churches - All Saints Church in Friars Walk, St. John sub-Castro church and St. Thomas a' Becket in Cliffe. Many of my ancestors are buried in the old cemetaries adjoining these churches but sadly, with time, many of the inscriptions on the headstones have either worn or washed off. They were very hard to read and I definitely needed much more time than the limited time we had to be able to make the most of our time spent here.

Nevertheless, just being in these sacred grounds and the historic and spiritual atmosphere was enough to wet my appetite to perhaps do some more investigating once we arrive home.

We then left Lewes and drove onto Seaford in East Sussex. This is a place I spent quite some time when I was much younger as my son Daniel's father grew up and lived in this area until his early untimely death. I had not been here since 1972/3 so it was interesting to see how much it had changed and again I took many photos which I will take back to give to Daniel which I'm sure will be of interest to him.

Time was creeping away quickly so we decided to go back to Southampton via Brighton where we stopped for lunch at a lovely seaside restaurant overlooking the ocean and pier.

After a long but lovely day we made it back to the ship in time for our 6pm departure.

Sunday 8th June 2008 - Guernsey, St Peter Port, Channel Islands (GB)

Our friend Barrie was not feeling very well today so he and Jan decided that they would stay on board the ship. I was really not fussed about going ashore - being in a new port each day and trying to see as much of the towns and surrounding areas is very tiring. We would prefer to have a couple of days in between port to enjoy the ocean and sailing but here in the UK and Europe everything is so close, unlike Australia. Nick and I decide to go ashore in St Peter Port which is on the island of Guernsey. We are happy to walk around the cobble stone streets and laneways although at one stage I was keen to see some of the local shops he was keen to go to a museum.

La Vallette Underground Military Museum traces the life of ordinary islanders during the occupation. It is a unique display of bunkers, munition depots, and hospital facilities connected by a warren of tunnels. He found it most interesting and full of enthusiasm he was keen to describe it all when we met afterwards at a local pub.

We enjoy fresh crab baguettes and beer before making our way back to the ship.

That night we are keen to re-live our day with Jan and Barrie and 3 other couples (from the US) we meet at dinner. They are all enjoyable company and most interesting as well.

Kathy and John, Ted and Carol and a delightful couple who were celebrating their 55th year of marriage so a toast and celebration cake was enjoyed with the staff joining in to sing 'Happy Anniversary' and with their different Asian Accents it was quite amusing to say the least!!!

Carol told us about her daughter who is living in the UK at the moment. She is the photographer for the latest James Bond Movie and Carol told us with great pride and delight of her daughters movie credits so far.

She gave us her web site (karenballard.net) and when i looked it up later that night was amazed at her movie credits. Rambo 1V, Casino Royale (with James Craig) a couple of Stephen Spielberg movies and she has photographed many documentaries - one of the famous ones, was when she was freelancing, and she took one of the last photos of Sadam Hussain before he was imprisoned. It is a very interesting website.

After dinner we decided to have an early night (10:30pm) as we were planning a big day tomorrow.

Monday 9th June 2008 - Cork, Ireland.

We woke thismorning at around 6am as the Irish countryside was coming into view. The beautiful little cottages on the cliff face overlooking the ocean was reminiscent of an Irish Travel Brochure.

I couldn't wait to get up, shower and dress as this was a sight I was not going to miss.

After breakfast we met Jan (Barrie was still feeling unwell so decided to see the ship's doctor. Once we were ashore we negotiated a fair price with a local driver (200 euros for 5 hours). Daniel was his name with a very broad Irish accent. We left Cobh (pronounced Cove) and drove for about an hour and half, passing some of the most beautiful Irish countryside. We arrived at a little villiage called Macroom and stopped for a wander around, coffee and a postcard before driving to Killarney another lovely Irish villiage.

This is another lovely villiage and very popular for holidaymakers. B & B's and lovely old hotels line the streets.

From here we travelled up a very winding mountain road and the views from here, I'm sure, were Ireland at its finest. Spectacular scenery overlooking the valleys and rivers of the countryside. No wonder everyone raves about this part of the world.

We had lunch at the top of the mountain at a wonderful little cafe which sold perfect cappuccinos and fresh home made quiches, frittatas, gourmet sandwiches and salads. Reluctantly, we held back on the amazingly wicked cakes, scones and pastries (which I am sure, though rather boringly, our hips will thank us for later)!!!!

It wasn't long before we were making our way, back down the mountain, toward the very busy, but lovely larger Irish town of Cork. A couple of postcards later before we knew it we were back on the ship, gin and tonic in hand on our deck, enjoying the Irish Band on the quayside as our huge ship was gently pulling away.

While we were away Barrie had seen the doctor and had a chest x-ray which revealed a chest infection. He was prescribed antibiotics to be taken immediately, so hopefully he will be feeling much better once they take effect, so that he can continue to enjoy the remainder of this trip in comfort.

It has been great to hear from some of you via my email address that you are enjoying our blog. Particularly, Chelsea, Mitch, Pete, Lucy and Elle, my brother David and Liz, Michael and Marianne, Terry and Robin, Pixie and Bart, Carol & Lez, Danny, Natasha and Kirra, Amanda & Cleo, Tim and Laura. Hopefully, Doug and Ron you are able to open it now but if you are still having trouble please let me know.

Until next time.

XXX Wendy and Nick