Back to the sewing room....

We're back from a wonderful vacation.  We went on  our first real cruise (fourteen days) and couldn't have asked for a better introduction to having a wonderful time, seeing all sorts of new places, and tasting some of the finest food.  It's a great way to spend your money real quick.  Everyone should do this at least once!  We traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark and spent two full days there seeing the sights before boarding Oceania's cruise ship, the Regatta.  This is a smaller cruise ship carrying approximately 650 passengers and 400 staff.  You are well taken care of.  We had various stops along the coast of Norway, then proceeded to Iceland with an interim stop at Torshavn (Denmark).  This is where we were able to photograph the three Puffins left after the breeding season, they were fledglings that hadn't quite gotten the hang of flying yet.  Beautiful views of the Sea and cliffs, it is quite rugged here.   Reykjavik, Iceland was wonderful.  We found a great guide and he spent the entire day with us taking us to the Geysers and the Continental divide between the North American continent and Europe, the area is known as the "Golden Circle:  We walked to an area where there was a huge waterfall....not as big as Niagara Falls as someone suggested but very impressive and beautiful.  John (our guide) entertained us with stories and was always keeping an eye on us to see if he could be of help in any situation.  His suggestion for lunch and the restaurant he took us too was wonderful and we all had the lamb soup (like a stew really) and freshly baked bread...which was their specialty.    Next we arrived in Ireland, first stop was Belfast and then we went on to Dublin the next day and met Anne McGeehan, Tom's cousin, for lunch and spent the afternoon with her.  It was so nice seeing her again.....We left Dublin and headed for South Hampton where we took a cab into London.  Our hotel there turned out to be very nice and we enjoyed our dinners at a nearby restaurant recommended by the hotel.  It was fabulous!  The first day in London we toured the London Tower and Westminster Abby.  Actually, by the time we arrived at the Abby they were turning people away as they were having services of Evening Song.  So, I asked if we could go to the services, why not......it was a wonderful way to see the Cathedral and we were invited to sit in the choir which made it all very special.  On our  last day we all went our separate ways for the day, I walked through Kensington Gardens at Hyde Park and down to the Victoria and Albert Museum.  So many beautiful things from wrought iron designs to the  many collected sculptures, fashions, and household items.  I took a little time afterwards to walk to Harrods Department Store, famous as it is and as beautiful as it is, I really didn't spend very much time there as I was getting tired and hungry. I walked back to the street which would lead me back to the hotel through the park.  I stopped for a bite to eat on the way.  Friday evening we celebrated Sally's Birthday at Christini's with another fine meal.  On Saturday we boarded our plane with Virgin Airways and we arrived home by 3:30 U.S. time that afternoon.  What a great trip this has been.  We met so many nice people and enjoyed seeing so much...I just hope I can put together a nice album with lots of notes so that we can share some of our experiences without boring friends and family..