Showing posts with label Patreksfjordur. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Patreksfjordur. Show all posts

Friday, 5 July 2024

Lennon Link

TSH and Diva did not go into Reykjavik, as the Silver Spirit was docked some way out and there was no shuttle bus. So they enjoyed a few relaxing hours onboard until the next set of guests embarked.

They spent some time looking at a point on the southern horizon where there appeared to be a plume of smoke. This is a possible sighting of the result of the currently active volcano. In the Arts Café, they chatted with the on-coming Food and Beverage Manager, who is from Birkdale, near Liverpool. He now knows about the missing grilled peaches.

TSH and Diva are now very familiar to the crew and seem to have achieved celebrity status with some. The restaurants manager delivered a sweeping curtsey as they arrived for breakfast in La Terrazza.

Guests on this new leg, like the last one, are younger than the usual Silversea guests and sometimes this feels more like an expedition cruise.

Also in port was Regent Seven Seas Splendour.

On the way out of Reykjavik, Captain Ivo, in his accented English, pointed out something connected with John Lennon. Diva heard ‘tavern’ but TSH correctly identified ‘tower’. The connection is explained here: Imagine Peace Tower - Wikipedia

In Patreksfjordur for the second time, it was sufficiently cold that, on an open deck, TSH and Diva practised Tai Chi wearing coats. Also, for the first time ever, TSH wore gloves throughout.

Thursday, 4 July 2024

Transport Terror

Akureyri was the most scenic port so far, but that could be due to the effect of the unusual bright sun. They enjoyed an unescorted walk around the town and harbour.   Captain Ivo now recognises TSH and Diva. He exchanged a few pleasantries with Diva and when he met TSH he advised him to keep a watch for whales during the sail-away along the fjord.  TSH kept watch from the balcony for some time but there was only one possible whale sighting.

From Patreksfjordur, TSH and Diva went on an excursion to a bird cliff.  They had excellent close sightings of the puffins and possible sightings of seals on the rocks far below. Diva was glad she had eaten a good breakfast, as the no-choice lunch consisted of bread (fresh, excellent) and cream of mushroom soup (she does not eat cream). On return to the Silver Spirit, they had finger sandwiches in the Arts Café.

The drive along narrow unfenced roads with steep drops at the side was terrifying for Diva, especially when passing other vehicles. Fortunately the local driver was both careful and experienced. Another guest was appalled when the return journey took the same difficult route as he expected to return ‘on an Interstate’.