Lisbon , a city of contrasts.

Well I have finally managed to load a photo.How?Not sure but it works.
The photo is at the head of the main square close to our apartment.

Well here we are in Lisbon ,the capital city of Portugal and home to about four million people. Built on seven hills and the victim of a severe earthquake  in1755 which destroyed many  of its heritage buildings Lisbon is now a fusion of architectural styles from the Manuelian Era to modern monsters housing the retail and banking sector. Their history goes back to the early stone ages but much of the history now is given as post earthquake.

Our apartment is in the old city, very close to the harbour,the train station,a food market and the main square. We are four floors up with very clean and spacious space to relax in,plus a kitchen and dining room in addition to our own room with a bathroom so we are very comfortable.
We do have a strip club downstairs on the street behind our apartment and the pink marking of  the street suggest a red light district but we may be jumping to conclusions.

Victor dropped us off in Lisbon yesterday at the top of the Avenue of Liberty and we walked to our apartment from there about an hour to find Alecrim Street and our apartment building. It was a bit confusing initially as the landscape is affected by the hills disecting the town so map reading was a challenge but we made it.
There was time for some lunch at the cafe nearby while we waited to be let into the apartment by a very helpful young woman happily with good English.

After a rest and some unpacking we went out for a look around the area and we were delighted to find a food market nearby with this huge food hall stocked with multiple business specialising in Portuguese food and wine. A very convivial  space and we ate our tea there and did some people watching before getting some provisions at the supermarket.

We enjoyed a promenade along the waterfront too which was very pleasant, lots of boats out and people sitting along the river bank enjoying the sunshine. Not as hot as we expected but very enjoyable strolling along and feeling a breeze off the water,not very clean water however so no desire to take a dip.Well I need to get rid of my cold first anyway.
Anyway it is time for bed,we have made the acquaintance of our new home so time to play, an our day tomorrow.

Casa Miradouro and the Sintra sojourn

Waking up in our new home was a pleasant experience.It was too late when we arrived last night to take much in but the morning revealed a charmingly old restored villa with lovely  classical music playing while having your breakfast.
Our room is on the top floor and we have a view up to the castle when the 'helmet' of cloud allows. Sintra is know for this helmet of cloud which gives it a different climate than Lisbon according to our guide,Victor.
Breakfast is taken outside on the terrace if weather allows and fresh orange juice with cooked eggs,cereals with fruits and cold meats greet you each morning. What is not to like?
Victor had arranged to meet us at  9.30am for our exploration of Pena Park, the Palace of Pena in Peninha as well as the Chalet of Edia and later out to see the megalithic stones on the headland.
We had little idea of where we were heading as we had not had much prior information from World Walks but Victor drove us to a vantage point and we started walking through a large park established during the Romantic Era under King Ferdinand.
We started at the Challet of the Countess of Edia. It is like a gingerbread house set amongst the forest.It is quite unique and it has a very romantic story to go with it.
King Ferdinand was an artistic and talented king who married happily but his first wife,Maria died in childbirth bearing their eleventh child.She was much loved by the people and they were a popular couple. Ferdinand was alone for eight years before he attended the opera and fell in love with an opera singer with a child born out of wedlock so there was much opposition to the relationship. She had Swiss connections so the house Ferdinand built Elise had cork ornamentation but looked quite Swiss in design but very ornate inside. Much restoration is going on internally and Victor said many of the treasures were stolen by conquerors of Portugal.
It was the home of the second wife of King Ferdinand 2nd who was gifted it after the kings death. They lived here together after their marriage  which was opposed by the family and lliberals and Elise was not liked by the next King's wife so she refused to bequest it until the next generation took the throne and she left it to the wife of the grandson of Ferdinand.
From here we walked up through the park gardens with lakes and walkways,this was part of the Romantic movement to have gardens for pleasure, a place of relaxation and this garden lead all the way up to the Palace of Pena which was the home of Ferdinand but sadly Maria  died before they took up residence there.
The Palace sits high above the surrounding lands of Sintra and it occupies a site containing a monastery established by the king in gratitude to their service and as he contemporary, aged this he saw Vasco we Gama returning from his voyage to the East.
So this Palace contains remnants of Manuelian architecture and Romantic architecture and our guide filled our heads with many details and examples of these eras. It became the Summer Palace for the Royal family.
We explored the palace which is one of the finest example, especially of  Portuguese Romanticism and integrated with the natural values of the landscape. It also featured Moorish  influences. Some parts of the site date back to the 12th century and subsequent kings added to the structure.
We saw The stables with draft horses ,the glasshouse, lakes and grottos and had the park to ourselves.It was quite a contrast after the crowds at the palace.
We also visited a series of megalithic rock structures and found out about native plants and their uses. We saw many cork trees on our walk too.
We ate lunch in a little local restaurant known to Victor and sampled sardines cooked in the traditional way, very salty. We were very late arriving so the waiter was a little grumpy.
After lunch we walked out over the mountain to see the megalithic rock structures dating back to the stone ages and placed like Stonehenge. I enjoyed getting out into open spaces and seeing these massive structures.
It was a long day and we were knackered when we got back to the hotel. My cold was terrible and all I wanted was an early night but we headed out to find an eating place after a bit of a rest.
Sintra is much quieter after dark so we had a look around before eating at a local place with a grumpy waiter again this time because I did not eat all my meal.
Anyway a walk back down a steep hill where you take your life in your hands because it is narrow and flanked by high stone walls, cars barrel down at speed so you need to have your wits about you.

St Petersburg stopover

Anticipation is tangible on board this morning. For many of the travellers this city is the pinnacle for their trip and I have to say for me too. A dream come true in a sense. I never expected to stand in this city of treasures and historical significance. All the books I have read will now have a focus.

Security is stringent today and time consuming  you do not mess with the Russian immigration officials. Getting a smile out of them has become a tradition for the crew. We had to get past the ship security first as we are all  screened not just the non  EU passport holders but eventually we made it to the bus which was waiting for us to transport us on the Grand Tour of the city. Sadly in the rain and thirteen degrees. Than goodness I bought my puffer vest it has been outstanding and the brolley has done service as well.

We drove around some of the sights and had some photo shots at key places of interest.  The first was at the outlook over the Nevada River. The views would be lovely on a nice day.The two Rostral columns dominate the bridge over the river, they feature prows  of ships and a  figurehead with gas burners aloft to fire up for celebrations.

We saw The Cathedral of St Isaac's with its eye catching golden dome. No expenses spared to create a city of magnificence by Peter the Great to replicate other great cities in Europe such as Amsterdam and Versailles.

Our guide was excellent and filled our heads with facts and figures about the history of St Petersburg or Leningrad or Petrograd, whatever political flavour was on top.
We drove up the main  street, Nevsky Prospect which is where Brad and Jack stayed to see all the shopping hotels,cafes etc before stopping for a coffee at a souvenir shop packed with all the items discussed by Carl at our lectures on board so it was difficult to know what was authentic and what was not so I did not succumb.
We had lunch in a venue designed for tourists I suspect as we were treated to a performance while we ate of traditional folk music and dancing,all in a fairly small space. The three course meal was traditional Russian fare and served with a glass of bubbly and an entre of caviar on white bread.
Just nearby was the Ascot Hotel (?) where Hitler booked for his celebratory party once he captured the city during  WW 2. Invitations had been sent out but the brave citizens of the city defeated him in a massive effort and the city was never conquered by Hitler so the party was a dismal failure.
After lunch we were driven to the Hermitage Museum where we had to queue for a long time in the cold for tickets. Once we got inside it was manic!!!!
The guide was excellent but it was scary thinking you might get lost from the party as there were so many tour groups thronging the halls and filling the corridors but we did have excellent little speakers with earphones so we could hear her commentary. The building is magnificent,  the staircase took my breath away and the rich adornments were spectacular. We were there for a couple of hours but it would take days to see the palace in its entirety so I am just grateful for the opportunity to be here.

Our visit to see the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled blood was eagerly anticipated but what a let down. We were dropped off in the Peace Park to make our way across in the rain to get a glimpse of the iconic building.Photos do not do well in rainy conditions but I can say I did see it. I took photos for Beryl in the park of the lilacs in flower.What a perfume they give off after rain.
We then drove along the boulevards  passing many of the palaces of the Romanov family which today serve as museums and public administration  buildings.
Our last stop for the day was at the tomb of the Romanov in a Church beside the river. It was on an island and was where Peter the Great started his dream of building the city of St Petersburg.
Then it was back to the boat for tea but we were running late so I ended up transferring onto the bus for the ballet at the terminal so no chance to dress up in my special jacket bought with Lynne before I left Dunedin. I had to go in my day clothes but we were not in the main theatre of the Marinjinsky so nobody cared as everyone was from cruise ships. A disappointment not to be in the main theatre though,you are led to believe you are but the performance of Swan Lake was worth it and the costuming was brilliant.
It was a long day by the time we got through the Soviet inquisition and up to my cabin but what a tapestry of images and experiences I have enjoyed.

Copenhagen and fairytale castles

The days are passing quickly now but the weather is not warming up as anticipated. Today it is cloudy and 14°, maybe it will improve as the day goes by.
We got up in time for our stretch class before breakfast as we were  leaving the ship at 10.00 am for a trip out into the countryside to visit two of Denmark's famous castles.

Our first stop was at Hillerad to see the impressive Renaissance Fredericksburg Castle set on three islands amongst beautifully landscaped grounds, including a baroque knot garden which I could only see from a distance, disappointing as I thought we were to see the gardens on this trip. We only got to walk a little distance towards them before returning to the bus.

The entrance to the castle is spectacular with its brick exterior, massive ramparts and a copper roof with impressive spires above the  roofline. Inside the courtyard there is a huge fountain called Neptune's Fountain dominating the entranceway. 

The rest of the courtyard is huge and featured cobblestones, thick walls with ironwork details on windows,  stone statues looking down from the doorways and a grand entranceway leading into the huge halls featuring history over 500 years of Danish rule in the furniture, paintings and portraits of the rulers. Makes the English royal residences look rather impoverished by comparison.

The Danish Royal family no longer live here but sometimes attend mass here.
The interior was very ornate and the ceilings notable for their carvings, decorative features and paintings.The walls were lined with baronial shields bearing the coats of arms of the nobility in Denmark.The furniture was wooden and none too comfortable! Especially the beds!
We visited the impressive chapel which was home to the oldest organ with wooden pipes dating back to 1612 and we admired the ceilings and embellishments to the chapel.

We visited an impressive fashion display in the castle too. This show featured garments made in wool and reflecting fashions of the past in new designs. 

Our next stop was Kromborg Castle, otherwise known as Hamlet's Castle. It is built overlooking a narrow 4 km strip of sea separating Sweden from Denmark and in past times the castle policed this strait by enforcing taxes from sailors entering the Baltic Sea.We were told the Royals had little private money and this was a revenue source until an American sea captain challenged them in the 18th C and refused to pay. That ended the system. Not sure what they did for money after that. Apparently it was the land barons and other nobility who were wealthy and the Royal family had little in the coffers.

Interestingly the area around the castle celebrates the legacy of Hamlet with festivals of theatrical events based on Shakespearean plays. Buildings were named after him and we saw banners up advertising the next festival.There was also an impressive maritime museum under construction, most of it underground because people here do not want ugly buildings impacting on their views of the coastline.There was quite a port here too but we did not have time to explore.
Much to see in this part of the world so maybe it is another visit.

The day was very pleasant by now and we were able to walk out around the ramparts of the castle, not able to go into the grounds though but we could see the area inside the moat and the defensive walls. We had coffee and a Danish sweet pastry inside one of the old buildings before returning to the ship about 4.30 pm.

It had been a full on day, lots of walking and listening to information but it did give us an insight into a proud sea faring nation possessing a rich history of military might between the different Baltic powers, Germany and Russia. Such a peaceful place today.
The countryside is very flat and our drive took us through pastoral land dotted with small towns and villages,all well cared for and comfortable

Before we got back to the ship we had a detour to see the iconic statue, the Little Mermaid perched on the side of the water. This statue was a gift from a rich brewing magnate and based on the ballet of the same name but a tribute to the lead dancer. Apparently the dancer did not want to be depicted naked so the likeness is that of the artist's wifes upper body. It was certainly a draw card for the tourists as it proved tricky to get a suitable viewing space to take photos.
Sailing out tonight we passed by Hamlet's Castle. In olden times we would have been fired at by the cannons across the bows or chased down by castle boatman to extract taxes before we could pass by. We live in gentler times, not as colourful however.

Stockholm

Raining as we cruise up the harbour towards the port of Stockholm and cold,12° which is rather a shock after yesterday.Our hopes of a fine day looked grim.
The trip up the harbour is a pretty one with lots of islands to pass.Sweden has over 30,000 islands so it is an interesting coastline,forested land,rocky cliffs with little jetties to moor their boats and later lots of marinas hosting a huge array of leisure boats.
We were booked on an independent tour for the day which means you are picked up by bus with a tour leader who travels in the bus and then points you in the right direction and you go off on your own.
We were taken to Djurgarten,an island regarded as the amusement and recreation centre. It is home to the Vasa Museum, the National Museum,the Abba museum and Skarsen, noted as a wildlife and cultural centre.
It was pouring with rain when we were dropped off before 9.oo am so our raincoats and brolleys were essential items, it was not walking weather so we took shelter in the National  Museum which was expensive and of little interest to us because it was written in Swedish. We went around the corner to the Vasa Museum which depicts the restored sailing ship similar to the Mary Rose restoration and we browsed the shop until the rain lessened before venturing outside and heading along towards the cafes and Skarsen which we thought would be interesting as it depicted local life and had animals in the outdoors.Apparently the Kings hunted in this area and to this day it is still a place of outdoor interest.
We did find an interesting garden at the back of the Vasa Museum which featured the plants and medicinal herbs used by sailors to keep healthy.
We made it down as far as Skarsen but the lady at the gate said we would need at least two hours to see it all so we took a walk in the Kings gardens instead while we waited for the bus and photographed some impressive rhododendron displays.
Next stop was Gamla Stan in the old town and we were lucky to arrive in time to see the changing of the guard at the palace. Quite a magnificent ceremonial  affair with band performances,some neat footwork from the soldiers who wore silver helmets of viking design and a smart blue uniform. The palace dominates this old section of the city and although the Royal family do not live here in the palace the king works from here and official functions are held here.We did not go into the palace but we did get a taste of the Royal influence by visiting the gift shop.
We wandered around the fascinating old streets ,cobbled and in places so narrow you could touch the walls both sides as you walked through. The massive wooden doors with coats of arms  and family crests which led into to homes and apartments took my eye as did the iron work around the windows. The houses date back to the 16-19th Century
We sat in the sun (yes the weather had improved dramatically after lunch) in Stortorget, the great square out side the Old Stock Exchange now home to  the the Nobel Peace Museum and watched the world go by. Lots of school groups lining up, harassed teachers leading the way amongst throngs of tourists.
There was plenty of window shopping and poking around little courtyards to keep us busy until it was time to meet our bus at three.
This was an interesting city to visit and we only scratched the surface of the options to explore.The boat trips out to various islands looked inviting as the day warmed up and there were lovely parks visible. Maybe a return visit beckons.
Later we went to one of the performances in the Headliners Theatre called Shine and watched some extraordinary agility routines using ropes,hoops and supple bodies to entertain us.I was in awe of what they could subject their bodies to it will be another story when old age calls!!!!

Zeebrugge to Ghent

A good night's sleep after a very queasy day yesterday at sea.It reminded me I would not be a sailor in a storm.It was not really rough on board but I think the rolling motion got to me by tea time and I could not face the menu.
However the seas calmed and I slept well so we are off to explore the sights following a lovely breakfast downstairs in the Meridian.We have two hours before our trip to Ghent is called so we decided to do a mile on the promanade deck.Rather a different view from my usual walk around the harbour.
We set off about 11.00am for Ghent, about an hour from the harbour.The drive was very pleasant,along the coast towards Brussels,passed Bruges and Flanders along the way.The countryside is very pastoral,along do well tended.More animals and farming than anywhere else we have driven. Potatoes are a big cash crop for export and we passed many paddocks in flower for the market.
Neat red brick houses with tiled rooves mark the farms with similar styled  barns.Our guide said that a Belgium is born with a brick in his stomach.I wonder if Elsa would agree?
He explained that Belgiums like home ownership but costs are rising as in other countries and it is hard to buy a house today. Orderly is a word I would describe the countryside,houses are well cared for too and I saw people out iworking n  their gardens.
Ghent has a significant history in Europe, it was considered the most powerful next to Paris in the 16th Century,noted for its art and culture.National Geographic rates it as the most authentic historic city in the world.
We arrived at 11.45am and we were immediately struck by its charm and vitality as we walked with our guide over St Michael's Bridge which overlooks the old river  port and is buzzing with river cruise boats of all descriptions.One went by with the table set with glasses of champagne and buckets of ice. Tempting!!!
We visited what we could in three hours interesting little squares and cul-de-sacs,very distinctive house styles reminiscent of Amsterdam and the Bruges Mark Square,canals and bridges and an old cannon called Mad Max who had rested there for four hundred years without firing a shot.(Not sure I have the name right).
We found the old castle and walked up through the ancient entrance,too nice a day to waste time inside but interesting to see.We also were in an old, square with a fishmarket, or it was the gate into one in earlier times. It was notable because of its ornate carvings and a statue of Neptune aloft.

Helsinki

We arrived into the port of Helsinki on a grey morning,cool,cloudy and wet dockside visible from the top decks so we  anticipated a raincoat would be needed.
The day started with immigration checks as we are non EU citizens so we spent about an hour getting processed first by the ships security crew and then by the Finnish authorities all before breakfast.
We had a tour planned for the afternoon to see the reindeer so we decided to catch the shuttle into town for a quick look at the city itself.
We walked up to the Russian Orthodox Cathedral known as the Uspensky Cathedral and went inside out of the rain.Elaborate fittings and  notable icons feature in this church.Mere mortals do not pass through into the sanctuary and seating is not a feature in these church's. The walk up was noted for the lilacs flowering and the perfume as we passed.
The Senate Square was overlooked by the Lutheran Church of Saint Nicholas, a much more restrained and somber interior but restful and more familiar.Most citizens are Lutherans.
We did not get time to see the Dome church or the Sibeleus Monument as we had to head back for our coach trip out to Nuuksio Reindeer Park.
We did get a quick look inside a market hall near the shuttle pick up where we saw reindeer pate,elk meat,cuts of reindeer meat and other delicacies of the area.There were some of the crafts and linens on show too.
The drive out to the park was worthwhile because we travelled quite a distance through fresh green forested areas with a number of small lakes dotted with summer houses and residences of varying sizes.It was fairly flat and well cared for. Good roads too.
We did go up into a hilly region where the National Park was situated.It was on top of a rock outcrop surrounded by fir trees,latches and aspen trees.The reindeer are fed lichen by tourist but there were stands with hay available to them plus a green herb like plant.
We had time feeding the reindeer,it had stopped raining so it was quite nice outside in the fresh air before we were taken into the Kota, a Laplanders traditional home rather like a teepee.The Sami people live in Lapland and are nomadic in nature so are found in Sweden and Norway too.
More reindeer than people live in this part of the world.They are an interesting animal as their hair has double follicles for better insulation and their hoofs stay warm.They also have an adapted circulation which allows their bones to grow very quickly-more so than for other animals and allows them to live in very cold temperatures.
These reindeer live here in the National Park all six of them but they prefer to be in the wild and do not like to be patted.They were happy to line up for the lichen so you got a good look at them.There are games laid out for them to stop them getting bored our guide explained.
We went into the Kota for our team and cinnamon buns a traditional treat here.It was cozy inside.We sat around on reindeer skin rugs on stools or with feet into a pit beside the round fire in the middle of the tent like structure while our guide talked about their lives here and in the city.
Our trip ended with a scenic drive through the city before boarding the ship in time for dinner and a show from Strictly Come Dancing stars.They are a resident attraction on board.

Oslo

A special day in port today in Oslo.The sun shone, it was barmy and indeed by mid afternoon it was hot.
The cruise into port here was lovely.Low hills and lots of small islands covered in fir trees, colourful wooden houses dotted the shoreline as we made our way up the fjord towards the town.Lots of ferries and cargo boats in sight and dozens of marinas housing smaller boats for personal use.It was interesting standing at the window watching the country unfold as we sailed into town.
We berthed right in the city,towering over other craft I have to say but still a berth for us.We were joining a walking tour for the morning so after breakfast we made our way down to the landing area and found our guide who took us around the city centre, the newer part of town, there was an older part of the city to the right of the ship but we did not have time to walk there as it turned out.
We walked along the promanade, a newly developed area between our berth and the city hall and it had been specially designed to be in keeping with the maritime heritage and the fjord. Buildings were designed not to impact on the scene inappropriately. The aeration had many different boats offering rides, dining or fishing.A fish market was under development to be opened before the year is out.
We walked along beside the Town Hall,a large brick building of dubious ascetic  value although from different angles it improved. Lots of statues and fountains were evident.In the winter they become skating rinks.
We visited the Parliament building, the University,the Royal Palace,the National Theatre and we walked around the statues of Queen Maude and the King.Maude was the daughter of Queen Victoria.We have found it interesting how the Royal blood is linked around these Baltic kingdoms with the European ones.The story of the first King of Norway was an interesting one as he was not of noble blood at all but a likeable commoner who was befriended and placed on the throne by The king of Sweden.This king was well loved as his motto was of happiness and love of the people but he could not speak the language of either Sweden or Norway.It was he who had the castle built.
We went to Ibsen's former home, now a museum and took some photos of the great man.He was well loved and his words are cast in stone along the street outside the National Theatre.
Our tour finished back at the ship but we went to the Nobel Peace Museum first and saw a display of the current winner from Columbo and his efforts to reverse the social damage from drug cartels and restore social harmony .There was also areas which depicted past winners and I saw Mother Theresa's citation.Downstairs there was a powerful photography exhibition of the Syrian refugees story through the eyes of children.This was compelling to see and hear there desperation.
Back at the ship we had a quick lunch before setting off to see the National Gallery and it's Munch exhibition.There is a museum here of his life and times but we did not have time for that this visit.
The gallery was further than where we walked in the morning but in range so we navigated our way there easily enough and found there was free entry on a Thursday,our lucky day as we did not have kroner  with us.
We saw The Scream, Madonna,The Sick Child and others of lesser reputation but which were very good examples of his work.The gallery had a number of other masters which we had time to quickly explore before heading back to the ship such as Cezanne,Monet, Gaugain and some notable Norwegian artists unknown to us but of notable quality.
The day was very hot as we walked back to the ship and I was looking forward to a swim in the pool.My first as it has not been warm enough before this.Today was the hottest day we have had and perfect for the pool but alas the party goers were gathered for a traditional British sailing away party with loud music, flags etc and not conducive to a quick swim.I retreated to our balcony and sat in  the sun as we sailed down the fjord a little later than planned because of some trouble with a generator. It is a pretty harbour,the most picturesque of our trip to date.
We ate in the Meridian before going to a performance by the Strictly Come Dancing dancers in the Headliners Theatre, a treat as these are professional dancers who are very skilled.Outside my league but great to watch.One of our dinner companions had had a private lessons with Giovanni an Italian dancer of amazing talent who performed on stage for us.I think she was rather taken by him!!!

Tallinn

We had a lovely visit to Tallinn. The capital of Estonia and a well preserved medieval city with a great skyline of red tiles which reminded me of Graz.
The gods were on our side this morning. The sun was shining and when I opened the doors out to the balcony the air was warm. We ate our breakfast downstairs in the more civilised restaurant which provides toast on toast racks cut in three as at boarding school. The poached eggs were perfection.
It was a very easy to access from ship to shore by shuttle and then we explored on foot around the two parts of the town.This  layout was similar to Zagreb although it did not have a church in the corner of the street running through the city walls but it did have a cafe atop the walls which we accessed by a stone staircase of narrow proportions,very steep and rather a challenge for a cup of coffee.
We climbed up to the place city of Toompea via old cobbled streets leading to stairs into the old city. In  medieval times the nobility resided here,high above the port and safeguarded  by the thick walls of the fortress. These stairs were closed off at night to safeguard the residents and keep them safe in their beds from the ghosts and village people. Lots of shops now line the stairway selling a host of crafts and services to the tourists. Ghostly stories abound here,must have been very superstitious peoples.
The old town now  houses the diplomats and government  buildings, the church and lookouts from the city walls look  across the city towards the port. The defensive fortress was built in 1229 and Herman's Tower looks out over the town.It is very picturesque set in gardens and the old castle. From here  the cityscape is one of red tiled towers and steeples atop the various churches, city buildings and the Town Hall. We spent time wandering through the old cobbled streets past the embassy residences towards the main square outside the palace still used for administration purposes.
We explored the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral across the spare from the castle to see the mosaics .The Russian onion domes are marvellous.
We read about the Maiden's Tower,now a museum but called thus because it was considered in previous times  a place of ill repute where men were enticed into the prison by prostitutes plying their trade and then incarcerated for their crimes. This was in the area known as the Danish Kings Garden where staues of monks depicted their role in saving the souls of men. It was also where we climbed up to the cafe atop the walls of the fortress.
We climbed back down into the town via another set of steps and found the best coffee shop in town according to Lonely Planet- a place with the slogan, "the embassy of good food,"  how could you resist?
It was housed in a building said to have been there since before Columbus set sail to the New World and stroganoff to Hungary!
Then we explored the old Town Hall Square,a 15th Century timescale with a  collection of old buildings surrounding the Town Hall. There was a traditional market to explore,plus a marvellous dancing performance of local groups. The women did one where they plied their knitting needles throughout plus another featuring soup spoons.Such must be life for women in the region. There was a local festival running over the week featuring food and dance so we were lucky to stumble on the scene.
Time was running out but we did manage to find Masters Courtyard a place of crafts people and very atmospheric. We bought some Xmas angels handmade by a resident artist here.There was music playing at the little cafe and locals enjoying their Sunday. Another similar  historic shopping mall was the Catherine's Passage where we found an underground shop where Brad  got a model Estonian house for her shadow box. This dated back to medieval times and Queen Catherine,a much beloved monarch who was said to have saved citizens from harm.
We would have loved to have stayed longer but the storm clouds were gathering as we headed back to the ship via the shuttle but the heavens opened as we stepped out of the shuttle and the heavens opened as we ran down the quayside towards the ship.
Some dry clothes and some warm food and all ended well.
Tallinn was a special place to visit,  highly recommended for its antiquity and charm.

Life on a Cruise.

Day three of our cruise on the P and O ship, Britannia continues to offer unlimited opportunities for relaxation and activity.
So far I have not lifted a finger to domestic activity, save unpacking my suitcase.Our beds are made each day,turned down for us at night with a chocolate on the pillow and food available  in many different stations at different decks. You just get up from a table and walk away. Spoiled rotten I hear you say.
Our cabin has a balcony which we can sit out on and watch the world go by. Not this morning though as it is a little wet and the temperature was 12°!
We awoke to rain and some large waves because of the wind but that has dropped back now and the sky is clearing.The first day at sea was warm and the top deck was full of people sunbathing and swimming in the pools.Yesterday was cooler and  hardy folk had cover ups on.
I went up on deck to photograph the longest bridge in the world as we passed underneath.It connects Sweden and Denmark and is ten miles long?Called Overlund (...?...).
The daily events are listed each day in a magazine called Horizon which is  delivered to your door each evening and lists all the events on offer for the day.The Lions versus the Blues game is showing now and there have been a number of talks on offer. We went to one on Copenhagen to show the places to visit and another on the Russian Folk Art lacquer work.We have been to three of Carl's talks on Russian Art and they have all been excellent.This afternoon we will go to another on the Russian dolls.
We have also been to exercise classes and the library which has an impressive collection of books for loaning.There are so many different locations to explore with a variety of functions.Sports,entertainment,dancing,concerts.There is a choir for the singers amongst us and a spa and health Centre for pampering plus bars and theatres, swimming pools on the top deck.
Our cabin is on the 12th deck,number 120.There are 18 decks altogether plus a promenade deck.It takes a while to walk around the ship.I walked a mile this afternoon around the promenade deck, 7 laps in total and climbed lots of stairs.
Tonight was another black tie dinner night but we found you can go to the Horizon restaurant in less formal clothes.There was also a ball on tonight.Jim would have loved this trip.Strictly dancing stars are here taking dancing lessons and holding demonstrations.
Tomorrow is our first port of call.We are berthing at Helsinki and taking the shuttle bus into the town during the morning.In the afternoon we are off to see the reindeer in a local nature park.