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British Isles Cruise

12/1/2019

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For the past several years, Debra and I talked about taking a cruise around the British Isles. We looked at itineraries, dates, and ships, but never pulled the trigger. But that changed in August 2019 when by chance I found and booked the "right one." Why was this cruise the right one? Well, it included a port stop in Falmouth, a coastal town in the county of Cornwall in southwest England. You see, Debra had wanted to go to Cornwall ever since Jethro Tull's Thick as a Brick album came out in 1972.
So, where the hell was Biggles when you needed him last Saturday?
And where are all the sportsmen who always pulled you through?
They're all resting down in Cornwall, writing up their memoirs

For a paperback edition of the Boy Scout Manual
~ Jethro Tull, Thick as a Brick
And then there was Poldark, the PBS series that we're both big fans of, with its beautiful scenery along the coast of Cornwall.

In September 2019, Debra and I boarded the Pacific Princess in Dover for a 14-day cruise. There were 11 ports of call, with at least one in each of the five countries that comprise the British Isles - England, the Republic of Ireland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

The Pacific Princess, the smallest ship (670 passengers) in the Princess fleet, was launched in 1999 and refurbished in early 2019. As an aside, the first Pacific Princess, which joined the fleet in 1975, was the original "Love Boat."
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We loved cruising on the Pacific Princess, as it was a more intimate experience compared to the larger ships we've sailed on. And the staff, in our opinion, redefined (in a positive way) the term "customer service." We wouldn't hesitate to take a future cruise on this ship!
We saw the famous White Cliffs while in Dover, but our views were from the side of or atop the cliffs. Now, as we sailed away from Dover on our way to St. Helier, our first port of call, we had an incredible view. Even on an overcast day, the White Cliffs of Dover were simply awesome! 
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My Stories, One Port at a Time
I will post stories from each port of call, with a new story every month or so. 

A Castle in the Sand
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St. Helier, the capital of Jersey, offers something for everyone. For me, it was a 16th century castle ​and walking tour of Town Center. 
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Nature: Up Close and Personal
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Debra and I visited the Isle of Portland today. We toured two unique sites - the Abbotsbury Swannery and Subtropical Gardens. We had a memorable experience!
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Ireland's Oldest City
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​Debra and I toured Waterford. We saw the Viking Triangle, House of Waterford Crystal, two beautiful cathedrals, and more. It was a remarkable day!
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So, Where The Hell Was Biggles?
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This was "Debra's day," 47 years in the making. We were in Cornwall - scenic countryside and rugged coastlines, quaint villages and hamlets, sandy beaches, Cornish pasty, and more. And there was the Poldark connection. It was the most magical day!​
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Malahide Castle: Gardens & Butterflies
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Debra and I strolled through the lovely gardens and butterfly house after we toured Malahide Castle. We had a memorable experience! 
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Strange Creatures
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Debra and I were on the Isle of Skye and Orkney Island, where we spotted two "strange creatures." They were amazing!
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From the Lowlands to the Highlands
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​Today was magical for Debra and me - beautiful weather, a great tour guide, and stunning sights and scenery as we traveled through the Central Lowlands and Highlands of Scotland. We loved it all!
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Neolithic Orkney
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Debra and I spent the day on Orkney, the ninth port of call on our cruise of the British Isles. Neolithic monuments, a spectacular coastline, historic ruins, distilleries, and more. We had a memorable day!
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Our North Wales Adventure
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Debra and I toured North Wales. Mighty castles. Quaint towns. Beautiful countryside. It was a grand day!
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The Angel of the North
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As we made our way back to the Pacific Princess, Debra and I visited the Angel of the North, a mega-sculpture near Newcastle. It was awesome!
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