Just Cruisin´

Just as we expected, internet access on the ship is expensive – 75cents US per minute so we will write up our blog on the laptop and post it at an internet café on land at some stage.

Sunday June 14 - Estonia

We went to a church service on board after breakfast then walked into Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Beautiful old city surrounded by formidable city walls. Very easy to get around and very quiet on a Sunday morning. We went into one of the many churches where there was a service in progress. One of the groups that meet there is the Independent Baptist Fellowship and it seemed fairly lively with quite a young congregation.

We walked to the upper town, Toompea and called into the Orthodox Cathedral where there was a christening in progress– very ornate decoration. From the walls of Toompea there are great views down over the rest of the town. Also called into the Lutheran Church – that’s my limit for the day – 3 churches!! And all before lunch.

By then it was about 1pm and some of the cafes and small shops were opening up. In the Town Hall Square there was a very busy craft market with lots of lovely hand made things – jewellery, sweaters, wooden items, lots of amber and lots of linen goods – I think they must grow flax around here. The quality was mostly good and the prices very reasonable – we bought a couple of little wooden Christmas tree ornaments.

Lovely people – very friendly and most of the young people have very good English. Phil chatted to one young woman who had just finished Year 12. She is hoping to study environmental science at University and then ‘wants to save the planet’ - if there are enough like her in the next generation we might just make it.

Then it was back on board for a formal dinner – Phil looked VERY elegant in his dinner suit – and then a concert in the Theatre by a flute player from Northern Ireland. He was a brilliant player and quite a character as well. He reminded me of our lovely Richie.

Monday and Tuesday - June 15, 16
St Petersburg, Russia

Wonderful, wonderful city but lots of frustrations. On the first day we did a 6 hour city tour which included 2 hours walking around on our own without our guide. We had been told ahead of time that we wouldn’t be able to go anywhere unaccompanied without a visa so this was a lovely surprise and we used the time to wander through some parks, along the Neva River and in and out of the shopping area –and of course into a few churches. It is a staggeringly beautiful city – our excellent guide, Irina, told us that at some stage ( can’t remember when) a third of the buildings in St P were palaces and it is easy to believe. Just so many large elegant buildings and most of them in good shape until you get off the main routes where it is sometimes in need of a bit of TLC. Irina told us that during the Soviet period buildings became very shabby but there has been major restoration over the past 15 years and it shows. She also said that many of the churches which were turned to other purposes in Soviet times are now returning to places of worship and there is a resurgence of church attendance with many young people also now choosing to marry in church. Interestingly all 3 of our guides told us about the increased church involvement.

On Monday night we went to the ballet to see Swan Lake – a traditional interpretation – quite a contrast to Graeme Murphy’s version that Luci and I went to see at the Sydney Opera House last year – both were wonderful. Even Phil admitted that he enjoyed it very much – the theatre and stage sets were opulent and the music and dancing were lovely although it was a young company – the Kirov is in recess over the summer. When we left the theatre at 11pm it was still light of course – this far north in mid June we get about 22 hours of daylight each day – fortunately our cabin has good blackout curtains so it doesn’t affect our sleep.

Tuesday morning we had a lazy time on the ship preparing for our 4 hour visit to the Hermitage – the fab art collection of Russia- it contains almost 3 million pieces of art – many collected by Catherine II – although only a fraction are on display at any one time. You don’t often see them lent out to other galleries so it was a great opportunity to see lots of finally got into the gallery 2 hours after leaving the ship which meant less than 2 hours for our guided tour – if ever we go again we will try to go on our own and spend time looking at the things that interest us. It is simply amazing – lots of Old Masters and 19th and 20th works that we had never seen before even in print. We had to just walk through these vast galleries without really stopping to look. It was very frustrating.

Wednesday June 17, Helsinki

Have had a wonderful day here today but will write about it later. Enough to say that it is full of beautiful people, many of whom look like just like Helena Clark. Time for bed now – we have just come back from a superb concert by a 27 year old Scotsman in our ship’s theatre. An amazing flamboyant pianist and singer – after his 1st song I didn’t think I would want to stay but after and hour I didn’t want it to end. He was just amazing – Kyle Esplin.

Tomorrow we are in Stockholm and I will look for an internet café to post this. Photos later – sooooooo many to choose from!!!!!!

Actually, it is now Saturday June 20 and we are in ROstock Germany - Happy Birthday Christy!!!! Can,t believe you are 35!!!! We have now been to Stockholm which was wonderful. Off to Denmark and oslo next. Really enjoying our cruise. Will put photos up when we get better internet access.

More Copenhagen

The weather here has been very ordinary but we have really enjoyed our time. Today was a max of 15 with showers - our neighbours at the restaurant tonight told us they had a wonderful spring ...........


The equivalent to our national library is the Royal Library - called the Black Diamond - spectacular both inside and out.

This is for Nicky, the architect in the family. Very clever louvres on the Black Diamond that deflect to allow sun in or block it out.

From inside the library


In the Library was a very confronting photo exhibition recording this event

'In the afternoon of January 16, 1969, the twenty-year old history student walked to the top of Wenceslas Square and set himself on fire. He died in hospital three days later of severe burns. In a letter left at the scene, Jan called on the Czechoslovak people to preserve what remained of democracy in the country and demanded that censorship be abolished. His funeral, attended by thousands of people, turned into a spontaneous demonstration in support of freedom and Jan Palach's grave in a Prague cemetery became a symbol of resistance. Two other men, Jan Zajic and Evzen Plocek, followed Jan Palach's example in early 1969 - despite his protestations for them not to - sacrificing their lives in protest against the occupation of Czechoslovakia by the Warsaw Pact troops. '

We were in this square at the end of last year and were touched to see this photo of so many people there for Jan Paalach's funeral.

People carry allsorts in the carriers on front of their bikes - a couple of children in this case and a pet below.

I really want to believe that alternative communities are a force for good but almost all the ones that I have visited disappoint me. A visit to Christiana today was no exception. It was built on inspiring principles but, like Nimbin, has ended up being a smelly refuse heap with lots of stoned people sitting around. Why does this happen so often. I am sure there must be good examples out there that I haven't found many yet.

No visit to Copenhagen is complete without seeing the little mermaid

Who cares if you can't get breakfast at your B&B when you can have brunch at NyHavn watching the boats go by.

The Danes must be spitting chips. Their local lad, Jorn Utzon, comes to Oz and designs our fabulous Opera house and then when they need a new one this is what they end up with. I am sure it is superb but not a patch on ours.

The new National Theatre

Oooops!! Bad mistake yesterday - my lack of proficiency in Danish meant that I mistook the Danish Parliament buildings for the Palace. Sorry. But we still didn't see the royals altough our dinner companions last night said they could often be seen out and about - just not where we were. So these are the palace.

This is the closest we got to Princess Mary and Fred

This is for Andy and Christy - a water feature with fish.

More beautiful people - they all seem to look like Emily and her children.

The last 2 nights we have eaten at a great restaurant called BioMio http://copenhagen.unlike.net/locations/305793-Bio-Mio It is just down the road from us and has great fresh simple organic food. A really nice atmosphere and the manager and barmen are both Aussies.

We have really enjoyed Copenhagen in spite of the weather. It is very enviro friendly - more than a third of the traffic is cycles and they have a rush hour 'green wave' for bikes so that they can maintain a good speed with green lights favouring them.

http://vodpod.com/watch/1068678-elsewhere-filming-copenhagens-green-wave

It takes me back to our years in Oxford where we had no car (and no TV) for 3 years. Some days it was hard work cycling to school or church in the mornings at sub zero temps with 2 little children but we were very fit.

I've done some extra blogs because we are about to start cruising and if previous experiences are anything to go by, internet access will be prohibitively expensive unless i can find an internet cafe on land. Keep in touch Love from us both K&P

Copenhagen

Well we are coming to the end of our first 24 hours in Copenhagen - a few surprises- some good some not so good. I may have told you about my close brush with a scam when I was booking accommodation in Copenhagen a few months back. I had emailed someone called 'Shelagh" back and forth and was about to send him/her a $150 deposit when out of the blue the money was to be sent to someone in Nigeria. I immediately emailed back to say "Goodbye Shelagh, I do not send money to unknown people in Nigeria" only to get a phone call a couple of nights later in the middle of the night asking why the money hadn't been sent - to say I was a bit spooked would be an understatement. A a result I booked what I thought was an ensuite B&B room with the Danish tourist office only to discover on arrival arouond 10 pm last night that we were sharing the bathroom with our landlady and there is no breakfast. Never mind - she is very nice and it is just for 3 nights. Phil doesn't do suprise very well but i took him to a very nice restaurant tonight with a good bootle of red and he seems MUCH happier. Enough of that. We have had a very pleasant day - weather could be better - it is mid-summer and just 15 deg????? But we wandered around the Royal Palace ( Phil refused to ask to see Princess Mary - her Mum, Henrietta, used to be his secretary in Uni of Tas so I thought that was worth an audience). Very pleasant city - millions of bikes and very eco. We had dinner at an organic restaurant - BioMio - lovely fresh food with an open kitchen - the Manager and barmen were both Aussies. So now just a few pictures to give you a feel for the city.

Royal Palace

Our corner store

This is for my Mum who likes knitting socks - an exhibit in the National Museum

I thought this painting in the Art Gallery was interesting - Holbech has painted his daughter with her African nanny

Clever design in the National Museum - they have put a glass roof over the courtyard and cantilevered timber walkways and staircases to create some really useful and pleasing spaces.


So many beautiful people!!!!

Canal near the Palace

Tivoli Gardens

Couldn't resist this one outside the City Hall. A couple cycled to the Registry Office on this bike to be married with their 2 little children in the carrier. Love the decorative touch.

Last of England

I had a day in Oxford with my best friend Margaret. She will be 80 soon so it was a lovely treat for us both. We had lunch at the Cherwell Boathouse and watched the punters in action - some more expert than others.

The South Downs Way is just sooooo green and lush.

Golfers - please note. If you miss the putt, it is 200m straight over the cliff at Seaford Head.


Note the wind turbine on the coast guard cottage - i am trying to pursuade Andy to put one on the side of their house where there is always a gale blowing.

Just to show I am here too


The coffee was good the cake was a bit ordinary but the company was first class.

We have only managed 2 lunches at Bill's in Lewes so far this summer - such yummy food. Some of you will know it well.

For Kimberley and Ginny - spot the moggie - on a leash!!!!!!!

Our last evening in Seaford - the ferry from France coming into port.

Bliss

Arriving at Seaford to stay with Andy and Christy must be one of the lovliest things that could happen to anyone - and we do it often. To be beside the sea listening to the waves as you drift off to sleep and wake in the morning is wonderful. And they are always so welcoming except that this time they left for Wales 2 days after we arrived. Are they trying to tell us something? Actually we were more than happy to have a quiet week on our own to get over the flight. We still have almost 3 weeks with them so plenty of time to do things together.


The van loaded for Wales

Last Sunday was the annual carnival in Seaford so we watched the parade from our balcony.

We never come to England without at least one visit to Sissinghurst - a beautiful garden

We climbed to the top of the tower for a birdseye view of the gardens

Looking down from the tower

The Vanguard Way along the top of the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs is so dramatic. If you have read our blog before you have seen more photos of this than you need but maybe there is someone out there who hasn't seen them before.

I haven't been able to find a cat for Kimberley and Ginny. Will this rabbit do instead? He was sitting on the edge of the cliff.
Nearing the end of the cliff walk with Cuckmere Haven and the coast guard cottages in sight.

Richie and Kimberley - I thought you would be interested in these vege beds at Alfriston Clergy House = a National Trust property near here.

This one is for Noah and Maddie - maybe Steve could build you a tree house like this one in your back garden.

I'm off to Oxford for the day tomorrow - my friend Margaret turns 80 next month so we are going out to lucnh at a posh restaurant to kick off the celebrations.