Mary and Brian's excellent, 26 day adventure began in Ft. Lauderdale aboard the Ruby Princess.
Yes, we cruised on the "Love Boat" and it was great! We enjoyed stops in Bermuda, Lisbon, Portugal
Bilbao, Spain and Paris before landing in Southhampton, England and the second leg of our British Isles
Adventure.
The Guggenheim was amazing!! Was desperate to see Frank Gehry's titanium creation in Bilbao
filled with modern art with some pieces (The Spider, Eye, Puppy and the Tulips) on display outside.
Well worth the price of the ticket.
Lisbon was a nice surprise - sunny, pleasant and beautiful city gardens, tree-lined boulevards, the famous
black and white tiles.
Rain in Paris but we didn't care because we were in PARIS!!! A leisurely lunch, cruising down the Seine River
on a Parisian Bateau with music and wine. A stroll down the Champs Elysee (did I mention we took a fall???)
maybe a little too much wine. Ha. Not to worry, several bystanders rushed to help us up and it makes a great
story.
Ireland was the goal, especially Cork, as our maternal grandparents were natives. Saddened by the Starving
Statues along the river that symbolized the Potato Famine when a third of the population (one million people)
starved to death. Very sad. Blarney Castle was impressive but we passed on kissing the Stone.
In Dublin we enjoyed a pub crawl and walking city tour that included Trinity College. Lots of people out and
about apparently due to the high unemployment. Heard quotes of both 14% and 25% unemployment.
Again sad. Nice people. Pretty countryside. Lives full of unending challenges.
On to Scotland and Inverrary Castle and Gardens. Beautiful. Sadly, the Lord of the Castle was away the day
we visited as he usually greets visitors. Stopped at a little village on Loch Lomond on the way. Charming.
Inverrary Castle and the Piper were featured on Downton Abbey series. Lerner and Lowe stayed at Inverrary
Castle while creating the music for "My Fair Lady" and there is a picture of Audrey Hepburn on the piano
they used.
Cawdor Castle was lovely, charming and inhabited. I could happily live there. No photos allowed in any of
the Castles due to damage from flashes so I mainly took pics out the windows.
If you are a Campbell or one of the few original clans, I suggest you visit. Those with Scottish names were
treated "royally". By the way, watch for possible Scottish "break" from England by vote this September.
Searched for the Loch Ness Monster on our trip to Urquhat Castle, a ruins on the banks of Loch Ness.
No sitings. Interesting stop with video and a breath-taking reveal of the ruins and Loch at the end of the talk.
Stopped at Orkney, an island on the north shore of Scotland where German subs hid during the war and
were purposely scuttled when they had to surrender. No trees grow there because of the constant winds.
By the time we arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland, I had succumbed to a respiratory virus that took hold of the
ship and we were quarantined the last 4 days. Had to pass on a much anticipated excursion to Honfleur, France
a quaint fishing village and artist magnet. This would be our last stop but by that time I was just interested
in being well enough to board the plane home.
Happy to report that by the time we boarded our Virgin Atlantic flight I was well enough to enjoy
the 10 hour flight home.
We are now looking forward to our next Transatlantic cruise. This time the Mediterranean :)
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| Guggenheim, Bilbao, Spain |
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| Lisbon |
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| Bermuda - Horsehoe Bay |
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| Cawdor Castle Garden |
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| Urquhat Castle |
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| Cawdor Castle |
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| Scottish Piper at Inverrary |
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| Inverrary Castle |
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| Gardens of Inverrary Castle |
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| Blarney Castle 2014 |
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| Louvre |
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| Paris |
