I’ve had a wonderful life with some bumps in the road, but nevertheless wonderful.
I hope through these years I have instilled in my daughter a moral compass that should be followed. A belief that all things are possible if you work for them and that working for something gives much greater pride than being handed something.
It’s important to always be kind, care for your fellow humans, and tolerate and accept differences. A world of differences makes a better, more interesting world.
To never burn bridges or leave behind negativity because you never know who or what may occur in your future.
To love fully and to cherish all you love.
That material goods matter far less than what is in your heart.
And as my life is in the last act, to not stop living until you are dead!
I grew up in a change of seasons and cold weather meant my birthday, holidays, snowmen and ice skating.
After Labor Day the days began to get shorter and the nights much chillier. School started once again and I was not a big fan. Out came the warm woolens and away went the swimming suits. And the fireplace glowed with its first blaze of the season.
Thanksgiving arrived with the smells of turkey and stuffing and freshly baked apple pies. We watched the Macys Day Parade as we hungered for our holiday meal!
My birthday arrived with presents of new winter clothes or when I was very young a coveted doll or toy. I had lobster and steamers for my birthday meal year after year! Heavenly!
Christmas time and shopping for trees. Baking spritz and chocolate chip cookies as well as sugar and thumbprint with a kiss. Decorating the tree with all our fine ornaments, wrapping the presents, and placing them under the tree!
Now those are the fond memories of cold weather months. But from January to March, I would rather be in warmer climates. Away from dirty snow and cranky people, enjoying lighter clothing and a softer heart!
I have to say cruising is easy. We unpack once and the rest is history. But to spend time in a city, we usually go it on our own. That means lugging suitcases on and off trains or whatever mode of transportation.
We started our trip to Oxford with a train ride from Southampton. I bought tickets ahead of time with reserved seating to avoid unnecessary stress.
Looking out the train window, we saw interesting countryside along the way.
Finally, after 1.5 hours, we arrived in Oxford. Our reserved train tickets were $44 for both of us. It actually was easy getting here.
We are staying at the Courtyard Marriott City Center which is walkable to everything. It cost 19,500 in points and a free night. We are on the top floor which has a rooftop area where we could see around Oxford. That is Oxford Castle next door. We never did get the opportunity to visit the castle.
After we settled in our room, we walked around Oxford. Our first stop was an indoor miniature golf course.
It was interesting. Very fluorescent. We walked through an indoor marketplace which was also very interesting. But no shopping for us.
We stopped for a cappuccino and what they said was Brazilian carrot cake. It was good but it didn’t taste anything like carrot cake.
We walked to the Bodleian Library.
Unfortunately, it was too late to get in so we will go tomorrow morning.
We visited the Weston Library and a free exhibit on writers and their editing processes called Write, Cut, and Rewrite. Some of the manuscripts date back 1000 years.
Books at Weston Library
This was a 12th century notebook showing editing marks.
Below was a notebook of JRR Tolkiens showing illustrations as well as copy and editing notes.
After our little tour of the exhibition, we wandered around Oxford which is known as the City of Spires.
As we walked I saw a group of men with bowler hats standing in front of a building. I’ve never seen that in the United States.
I just love all the old architecture.
For dinner, we ate at the Red Lion and of course, had fish and chips.
And to top the night off, fruit and ice cream for me and sticky toffee pudding for Bruce.
We woke early the next day to get our tickets to the Bodleian Libraries for later in the afternoon.
We received a 10% discount at the cafe so we had a cappuccino and almond croissant.
We met up with our tour guide, Tom, and another couple from Hawaii to commence our Inspector Morse, Lewis, and Endeavor Tour. Our first point of interest was a cobbled spot in the road where three bishops were burnt at the stake in 1555 and 1556. I think the main issue was that they were Protestant when the country was Catholic.
We walked on and he regaled us with scenes from the show and areas in Oxford where each scene took place. From Trinity to Exeter to Lincoln to Corpus Christi. All a whirlwind of information and a true flavor for the shows. Even St. Mary’s with its gargoyles and all.
All Souls College is one of the schools and its interesting that all its members automatically become Fellows.
Tom told us about the once Jewish area before they were exiled from England and how Oxford was built over this area. He said that supposedly one can see the original foundations of their community.
I am currently reading a mystery about Merton Library so we stopped by Merton College.
And to end our tour, Tom took our photo with the car from inspector Morse.
We took a short break between tours and shared a sandwich.
Then onto the Bodleian Library and the Divinity Room.
Can you recognize this from any movies? It was used in the Harry Potter movies as the hospital and the dance hall.
This was built in the 1400s! Yes, older than the US.
The door however was built in the 1600s with wood that was 200 years older.
The next room we ventured in was the Convocation House which was built similarly to the Parliament Building prior to its fire in the 1800s.
The Chancellor’s Court is where they addressed students who created problems. According to our guide at one point in Oxford’s history, Oxford students were responsible for much mayhem and murder.
Finally we walked up flights of stairs to reach the old Bodleian Library.
Many of the books are hundreds of years old. Some have alarms if they are touched.
It’s interesting how Oxford did not sustain any bombings during WWII. According to our guide, Adolph Hitler wanted to use Oxford for himself as a center for his rule of England.
Some interesting names of streets along the way!
It was a wonderful trip to Oxford. To sum it all up: We took the train from Southhampton which was $44 total. The Marriott was 19,500 points and a free night. Tour of the Library was $20 each. The Morse tour was $130 plus GBP15 tip. Food was about GBP100. Used marriott card to get 5 x points on incidentals. Chase Sapphire to get 3x points on dining. Total cost of the side trip was about $350 US.
I worked hard all my life. I was a single mom for 10 years during my working years and yes the balancing act was challenging. I wanted to ensure my daughter received the love and attention she needed while I still put food on the table.
I decided at one point that I would not become a high achiever in the workforce while a failure as a parent. So I made sure I handled each accordingly. I had a great job that I enjoyed which paid well. I didn’t have much overtime and I traveled maybe once or twice a month.
I married again and was able to spend more time with our collective children. Then they all grew up and I started a new career.
Money isn’t everything. I always made enough to live ok. Nonetheless, the most important thing was I enjoyed my work. That made for a happy home as well.
Now I’ve been retired for 9 years and my work is finding the next best trip!
We decided to take it easy today. I figured everyone was off the boat early so I would have access to the washing machines. Yes! Princess has laundromats on each floor. A wash is $3 and dry is $3. You might need to do an additional token for drying.
After lunch, we headed to the shuttle which took us from the port in Portland to Weymouth. It was free. After a 15 minute ride, we arrived in the picturesque beach town of Weymouth.
We walked along the quay and admired the colorful buildings.
Then we took a row boat across the waterfront for 2£ each.
On the other side of the canal, we stopped to have coffee and cake at EBIKE Cafe.
We chatted with a local couple who were born not too far from Weymouth but have lived in many places since the husband was military. Ultimately they settled in Weymouth. Their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all live locally as well.
Eventually, we made it to the beach area where people and dogs were playing in the water.
Several sand sculptures were in progress and one was of soldiers since they were gearing up to celebrate D-Day. Some of the boats were launched from Weymouth.
We saw the American War Memorial.
And the famous Jubilee Clock Tower which was built and erected in 1888 to commemorate the 1887 Queen Victoria Jubilee.
There were amusement rides along the beach as well.
All in all, it was a lovely afternoon in Weymouth.
It was a rough start to the day. We never heard an announcement that we were arriving in port at 9 am instead of 7:30 and were up and ready to get our tender tickets before 7. Seems like everyone else didn’t hear the message either.
Finally, we arrived in port at 9 am but it’s been tough getting the tenders set up. It’s going to be a bucking bronco ride.
Our time to board the water shuttle arrived and none too soon. People were starting a mutiny. We were first off after Elite, suites and Princess Shore Excursions and that was at 11am.
We met our driver, Stephen, from Tour Cornwall, and Glyniss, who stepped up and organized the tour after the initial person decided he was not going on the cruise. Another couple didn’t make it which was not really appropriate, because we had to absorb their costs.
Just a note if you book a cruise and back out last minute, and its not paid for upfront, other people are responsible for your share.
Anyway it’s going to be a lovely day!
We passed through many villages in Cornwall. The countryside was a delight – little seaside villages and beautiful open fields.
Along the way we saw a pump house, which used to pump the water out of the tin mines. Tin is no longer a hot commodity but they are starting to mine lithium.
Tin mine pump house
We finally arrived in Marazion, the little village at the base of St. Michael’s Mount. We stopped to buy Cornish Pasties to eat when we went to St. Michael’s Mount.
We had a beautiful day weather-wise. Warm and sunny when the forecast had been rainy and 50 degrees. It was glorious.
St. Michael’s Mount is a tidal island which is connected to Marazion by a causeway. Lots of water taxis were going back and forth to the island because the tide was high. If you arrive at low tide, there is actually a walkway that goes all the way to the Island. We took one of the water taxis which only took a few short minutes.
It was time to eat our pasties. I almost forgot to take a picture so it’s half eaten!
Now nourished and happy we were ready for the long walk uphill.
The cobblestones were extremely difficult to walk on as they were uneven and grooved. We just walked up that path.
A stop at the Giant’s Well.
Keep walking and huffing and puffing!
A little rest! Not looking too bad!
Looking up at St. Michael’s Mount.
Almost there! Of course, there were cannons.
A lookout at the harbor and Marazion.
We arrived! Just one more uneven staircase!
St. Michael’s Mount is the home to the St. Aubyn family and has been since 1650. Prior to this, it was a monastery from the 8th to the 11th century and a place where pilgrims traveled. T
Then it was used by the military before becoming the home of the St. Aubyn family.
The family still resides at St. Michael’e Mount but we were able to tour some of the upper rooms.
The main dining room was once the refractory for the priory. It was the main dining room until the 1950s.
A triangular-seated three-legged Elizabethan chair made by a bodger or woodworker adorns the dining room. This piece is at least 325 years old. It has been in the home since 1690.
There was several rooms we viewed including a smoking room, drawing room and map room.
But there was also a church. It was a medieval church with a nave.
An interesting statue of St. Michael!
Up on the parapet, we could see the gardens below!
And a side view of the castle!
And Marazion!
Back inside the castle we went through the long passage to the garrison.
We then descended from the castle which was much easier than ascending. Once we arrived back in Marizion, we could see the beginnings of the causeway! This wasn’t visible at all when we arrived.
We met up with Stephen who wowed us with tales of Cornwall. We visited Mousehole, a quaint seaport village that Stephen said turns magical at Christmas.
Stephen shared about how the town was devastated after the loss of the Penlee lifeboat during Christmas 1981. He said that every year on that date, they dim the lights for an hour, to honor those who lost their lives.
It was time to head back to the ship after a rewarding and enriching day in Cornwall!
I enjoy taking private tours rather than ship tours. For one, they are smaller and more intimate. And two, they usually cost less. Tour Cornwall and our guide Stephen afforded us a lovely afternoon.
Well if it’s a thing rather than clothing it would be my wedding ring. I married almost 31 years ago. My engagement ring was actually given to me on our 10th anniversary.
Still another thing is my pocketbook. It’s a baggallini. Great for traveling.
Now my oldest piece of clothing is probably my scarf. I bought it at a weavers in Vietnam in 2019. It’s a blue and black checked pattern. I bought several scarves there but the rest were silk. This one is cotton and hopefully will keep me warm in our next port!
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