A Break from the Activity

DH and I managed to slip away for a few weeks following all of the wonderful entertaining and busyness over the last few months.  It is a wonderful time to travel because there are so few people doing it at this time of the year.   The travel deals are terrific and we were lucky enough to hit the weather perfectly.

We slipped in and out of London before the snows started to fall.  Heaven knows what could have happened to our plans had we been a day later leaving.

We visited with our dear friends who recently moved to the village of Finchingfield – northeast of London.  It was just delightful, although the visit was way too short.  The weather was chilly, but sunny and we enjoyed walking about the village, taking in the sights and feasting on some sausage and mash at the local pub.  I love how the houses have names instead of numbers.  I cannot imagine the task of the postmen, but they do a great job.  A few pictures to share……

 

I loved the ducks on the roof - also made of the thatching materials.

The pub where we enjoyed one of our meals.

The village green.

Returning home we came the slow route aboard the Queen Victoria.  It left from Southampton, headed to New York.  It was the first leg of a world cruise and the majority of the passengers were boarding in N.Y.  Since we were getting off in N.Y., they upgraded our room to a suite and it was fabulous.  I would have liked to have stayed on as it headed on its way only to return to Southampton April 29th.  But........we enjoyed eight days of relaxation, doing whatever we wanted.  Some of the fun things on board included classes, lectures, dancing and high tea at 3:30 each afternoon – an event NOT to be missed

Our suite with a huge balcony.

Southampton, England at dusk.

A fabulous firework display for us as the world cruise left port in England.

Grand Lobby as we entered the vessel.

Grand Lobby

Sunsets each evening from our balcony.

Line dancing class......what a blast each morning!! 

Enjoying another sunset.

Ahhhh....warm scones, clotted cream, raspberry jam and THEN a whole assortment of sweets.  Fabulous and something I could easily get used to in life.



First sights of land after eight days - the Verrazano bridge at dawn.

Lady Liberty.  She came upon us so quickly and my camera setting was off, but she is a spectacular sight in the darkness.  One cannot help but think about the meaning she has had for so many immigrants over the years.

Arriving in Manhattan rather than Staten Island because of Hurricane Sandy.  The deck chairs were not quite as inviting in the chilly 31* temperatures.

It was another wonderful adventure, but it always feels great to get back home - back to family.  We missed the freezing temperatures our area experienced while we were away.  This week we are at the opposite end of the spectrum with temps into the 80s for the week. 

 

I will post later this week with some fun mail I received while we were gone and some sewing I did along the way.  I see that Blogger is still not playing nicely so I will have to figure out a better way to post my pictures.  There is always something new to learn, isn't there????