Jump to content

LIVE from the Prinsendam - 24 day Med Rivieras & River Explorer - please join us


kazu
 Share

Recommended Posts

4 hours ago, sansterre said:

Simply awesome photos and interesting information too.  

FYI, since you asked, My brother posted on the Roll Call once in April as Robintally.

 

Thanks.  Pretty sure he didn’t come to the Meet and Greet, sadly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

King Henry was concerned about losing power to the Catholics and worked on Dover and then appointed his “fixer” who was in his back pocket to get control back.  The “fixer” was Thomas Beckett.  Unfortunately like many politicians that appoint “fixers” they don’t always do what you what.

 

Thomas felt his calling to God and the church and put his loyalty there first. And actually fleet England for 6 years in fear of his life.  He returned back to Canterbury and still made changes that Henry didn’t like.

 

Henry became frustrated and I’m sure we all remember his famous statement “who will rid me of this wretched man” (might be off on the quote - but you get it).  So, 4 knights came to take Thomas from the Cathedral but since he resisted they ended up killing him

 

This is the upper church area of where the crypt was.  At one time Thomas Beckett was buried there.  He was later moved.

 

F9727C92-8908-4ED4-A9B1-E04FF95E0ED7.thumb.jpeg.148212e044aa89f8658470ea99d8cff8.jpeg

 

6EF48D47-EFAD-420B-8440-D24065C9C5F7.thumb.jpeg.fa66d9e6b71cdad7faa8ac41bb2249fd.jpeg

 

29FB4F70-804C-4B0D-B729-969D07C5FBC4.thumb.jpeg.87b5d677dfef258116f6607b8b4434dd.jpeg

 

F3B820A8-B38B-4162-A505-03A0EFA4D2B7.thumb.jpeg.b8d48962b2e4d60a5f35362f7c7da60a.jpeg

 

5FAB35C0-6C7F-48B0-A727-AF870BE3A044.thumb.jpeg.9065865c4cdd5144802d94677438b6db.jpeg

 

DAF9CFE3-815D-4E80-88D3-D8E3C6DC59BF.thumb.jpeg.88ab4281c3a80b0dbb4ad64ee59cd758.jpeg

 

 

96C39920-80F1-42B2-A6C5-4EBE67262AAA.jpeg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We walked down the steps into the crypt.  Unfortunately no pictures are permitted here but it is incredible.  How they did the stone work and pillars is beyond comprehension.  The crypt is one of the oldest parts of the cathedral.

 

The Puritans never found the frescoes here to destroy thankfully as the priests wisely had part of this area walled off.  There was little entrance way hidden by a desk that was never found.  They used it to hide treasure and people when the King’s men or the wrong people came calling.

 

It’s an amazing room.  

 

Next we were headed for the Trinity Chapel

 

Stained glass porn alert 😉 

 

A734D4AF-835F-4869-AB6C-4437312CDA80.thumb.jpeg.f76fa618da79d33de6ef3dad8d6bbd3f.jpeg

 

 

F7846998-27C8-4505-A819-CFFA16083CCF.thumb.jpeg.9058be51066805cba5641c314206ddfb.jpeg

 

 

6FA76A6D-29A0-4623-A442-BB70AD41079E.thumb.jpeg.6412d0b5316d2da550e36c0dc8f8dfee.jpeg

 

24F38C51-3EAF-4582-81C0-24BB3E6A2B26.thumb.jpeg.38cccdc001bc8166b6c77c98f77438d0.jpeg

 

93A481E5-BABE-4A86-BA4A-9582393787A3.thumb.jpeg.19a0ace16ecbee691ccab9519bb85eb4.jpeg

 

2C437B9C-9D40-49DF-9677-767F89F4DD09.thumb.jpeg.e901a00709a659184483e6f2ebe20458.jpeg

 

8ED47AF4-FB61-4ECC-93D9-BA090C069845.thumb.jpeg.6b2f91170b272a2b600e21342fe805f5.jpeg

 

ACC971B1-C026-4C5B-9022-244A424E1542.thumb.jpeg.9ecd2c0e4f97eaab4ad5458f9a6c8447.jpeg

 

E040B1CB-8387-48FC-BBD7-19A4B68D68CF.thumb.jpeg.0d5338bc0076680464465c4133f5441e.jpeg

 

10A44076-403D-45AD-8116-7EDA2E8BAF39.thumb.jpeg.9b64f052bf52df1b758cb4e0b34174f1.jpeg

 

C55BEF95-2944-40D0-9517-BB8311851D95.thumb.jpeg.558d0ff98afb865afa2b18720e5825a4.jpeg

 

25AF61E7-F61C-4E8E-8635-A288CB551C20.thumb.jpeg.72afb96d0a3d486725f19fb60fdf383e.jpeg

 

156F2760-0539-48FB-8F3E-5CF4B0ED944A.thumb.jpeg.a7cd1f81ffd947ab4fb6a9ae55c905d4.jpeg

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, Himself said:

A sad legacy of Henry !! indeed.  Where is Thomas Beckett entombed today?

 

You have jumped a bit ahead, but that’s ok.

 

Henry VIII desecrated Thomas’ body and his shrine at Canterbury Cathedral. He scattered his bones.

 

There was talk of some of his bones found in Hungary that were supposed to be returned to Westminister Abbey and then to Canterbury Cathedral last year but we saw no such display and our guide did not elaborate and I neglected to ask.  Sorry.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The crypt of the Black Prince - Richard Platanaget  - named the Black Prince by the French as he was so successful in battle at the age of 16.

 

0DA3E0C8-DE22-4492-BD78-BC76674F2AD4.thumb.jpeg.74fac9c1257e9e2e964f550797fdef31.jpeg

 

 

 

EEAAD4CD-02B3-4E7E-BA67-7EF7DBB9D2B6.thumb.jpeg.b4ed2a866d77fc6aec09be41b8871b17.jpeg

 

 

 

F7A8EB49-2EC9-4C84-BCCC-F927C820F093.thumb.jpeg.cbaf6e7fb0086e18561f4857de63b8fa.jpeg

 

 

DBDC1B8D-2FB0-4728-B323-CC963D7B567D.thumb.jpeg.fc34d95a89d3524735820916fbcb7cea.jpeg

 

 

 

397A4D01-4286-4EDD-8C6E-4FC8B014C23E.thumb.jpeg.c697b377eb5a4545900e4cca155d4e4f.jpeg

 

 

 

EEAAD4CD-02B3-4E7E-BA67-7EF7DBB9D2B6.thumb.jpeg.b4ed2a866d77fc6aec09be41b8871b17.jpeg

 

 

A88F0597-FE8A-4E6D-8236-95F4BDF0EED8.thumb.jpeg.fc7367a01689f5e16fb20d0c02c3ab6c.jpeg

 

95AE98B6-438D-4881-B657-1C6453E0EE73.thumb.jpeg.3284f23aa0077f6b2d9afb5ec63f2fc3.jpeg

 

The Black Prince in a close up:

 

BF09CD20-0B48-4D67-BE53-66FE290C00FD.thumb.jpeg.307a33f141a056a393f0cb8b95f12957.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The stained glass in the Cathedral spans centuries.  Some done in the last 300 years and some much older as far back as the original construction of the Cathedral in the 11th century.

 

Any blank spaces are due to the destruction of stained glass by the Puritans.

 

During the war, all of the stained glass windows were removed and stored in the crypt (where valuables, important people and Thomas Beckett’s body were originally hidden) to protect them.

 

These first few told the story of some of the miracles that Thomas Beckett performed.  The Pope made him a Saint very shortly after his murder.

 

68D72203-B0FD-4630-A8FD-A5C93CA3FDA8.thumb.jpeg.5d120e48f6811747bb13611618bc911f.jpeg

 

F8AE0379-B3BF-4E1F-9D27-3C227A725866.thumb.jpeg.c2f11c65439e739543b719677dea5bea.jpeg

 

48F1B2CB-B6D6-410D-95D5-DDEB78E8160F.thumb.jpeg.db8ac4badab0130db544dbf9ad73b45f.jpeg

 

FF2BCED2-424D-4AAC-A920-288ED2810C93.thumb.jpeg.f392655d7b51f666aac4c2f104704c54.jpeg

 

C4B4F1B3-4B87-4B4C-AD8A-A9007B28778C.thumb.jpeg.10a866f0a25240f7a29ddc39459ce83e.jpeg

 

The Black Prince’s crypt - you can see the symbols of his regency above - they are actually copies though - his armour, etc.

 

FD44A62A-1EB9-425B-BE3F-D8152902E742.thumb.jpeg.89831f2adfcf0ffb7564c114622b7c8d.jpeg

 

23EFE4BD-8D77-449A-B299-9B4E22544A18.thumb.jpeg.c8cbb7fac3858e0520fd705008681a2f.jpeg

 

BF8E2437-6A99-4007-8C15-BAE7FB218680.thumb.jpeg.7033c45cbc7d66bc5fe1d2f629c1b937.jpeg

 

C5E470C1-D067-4FAB-A30D-6CB8BAA4BAB8.thumb.jpeg.ff01b0a69bb668c741dc5093c4ebe0fd.jpeg

 

27ABBF22-191B-4BE1-B5EA-EED26EA44F7A.thumb.jpeg.6a0351f5b1a8b775dd8b64cee2676430.jpeg

 

7A3D54A6-6C6C-4222-A7AA-72A8C403CD44.thumb.jpeg.94c5f1b9cf746ffb860bb9e1c1da1927.jpeg

 

A chapel which is now used to remember those who had fallen in service.  A service is held at 11 am regularly.  Originally Stephen Langton was buried here but they chose to move his body.  (Stephen Langton was a key person in the formation of the Magna Carta).

 

DE361AE4-DFAB-4BB4-94BF-F0E62C5B1280.thumb.jpeg.a82c279214a6e8ab0317982c293e392d.jpeg

 

34A6478E-7394-4B03-9D52-485B81092093.thumb.jpeg.6d01cd90642fb1fd82402990c5d4acbe.jpeg

 

After moving Stephen’s body, they discovered that his feet were actually going to be outside of the church.  Do you see the funny box at the bottom of the building in the centre?  That is to contain Stephen Langton’s feet.!

 

A8386C2B-8615-4729-A708-D48FFC5BC8A9.thumb.jpeg.2ff0e76bf951ab15d7fe83c662bb6ac8.jpeg

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A note to Andrea if you are still following along:

 

Sorry that streaming didn’t work well on the ship and we couldn’t watch the Game of Thrones on board together, but I did catch up at home 🙂

 

Couldn’t help but think of you when I did.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Back to the story on Henry & Thomas Beckett:

 

After Thomas Beckett was murdered, the people went in revolt and Henry had to do penance down the streets to try to win the people back.  He was whipped by monks.  He had to do a public penance to win the people and prove he was serious.

 

 

 We walked down the street.  I love walking down history.

 

The street stretches down further - back to where I showed you the crooked house.

 

B254C3C6-C6CC-477A-83C2-8B6EEF9D0AB9.thumb.jpeg.25faed2ebcd32918bd6d16428d77e22f.jpeg

 

After our long walk through Canterbury Cathedral, it was time for bite to eat.

 

Our guide knew just the place.  It’s a VERY old pub and was used for the love scene in the movie the Battle of Britain.  It’s not really a tourist spot though - a lot of locals were there.

 

C2208290-892B-48BC-9B12-7E796929A400.thumb.jpeg.01e0ce5785cb2ecdbbbfb033d4c349e1.jpeg

 

 

 

D4E1BC36-C4DF-4C53-AEB0-403AE4037DAC.thumb.jpeg.1e281bc59d97cc89139973a9d13529fb.jpeg

 

 

 

 

61252E90-0972-4017-9DAE-05479369C0AE.thumb.jpeg.605f7917d64f98bbd6b9df3689fe5a1b.jpeg

 

 

Our guide was on good terms with the owner and we ended up in a the only private room (very nice).

 

3AF369DF-E33B-421A-B00B-8B8BDFE4BA72.thumb.jpeg.748bf60d0bd8c8686b8941764e7595e7.jpeg

 

 

 

Our guide and the owner:

 

95A00425-E752-4947-81D1-05368B193499.thumb.jpeg.a07feebeff63f9580632a591cd1829fc.jpeg

 

 

And now for a bit of food porn 😉 

 

This was a real English pub.  Most (except DH) settled on the fish and chips or the stupendous hamburger they offered.

 

Unfortunately some people had already taken bites but I did the best I could under the circumstances:

 

The fish and chips.  The chips were called triple (not sure why).

 

The fish was the best I have ever had.  The outside was crispy, light and not heavily battered and the fish inside was tender as can be.  Really good 🙂 

 

721F2EFE-146A-4D04-8D29-B1A82B729F4F.thumb.jpeg.4dc232f1675fabb43334df4a7b8219f8.jpeg

 

The hamburger - too different shots but as you can see people were working on them fast and, as you can see - they were finger looking good. 😄 (apologies to Col Sanders)

 

B9136426-04B2-4F51-8B7D-DBD790DCD2AA.thumb.jpeg.7845d3f5378ba01e9516457a0459bc2a.jpeg

 

73DE3542-C2AB-4563-A2E4-52808218CE88.thumb.jpeg.854e7ce3416dc88d0de332184198776e.jpeg

 

DH was different - getting a consommé.

 

114F6462-299D-4DE6-A760-EF952830B6DA.thumb.jpeg.03b4b079c63676ad9a70312441e63690.jpeg

 

Other areas of the tavern/pub:

 

F11628F3-44E4-41FB-B506-41FA4656B1D2.thumb.jpeg.614903fb3eaaf05f52092fd586a65086.jpeg

 

58008DC3-FA1B-498A-ABB1-DB1A334212D3.thumb.jpeg.cd716e98f6425012a1d85d0f1f0ef47a.jpeg

 

 

It was a lovely spot - in a little village and the food was great.  Considering it’s England, I thought the prices were reasonable.  England is an expensive place to eat so just don’t do the conversion in your head 😉 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally we had planned to go to Chartwell House but it was a good 1 hour and 10 minutes away and it was already 3 pm.

 

Between our lovely walk on the Cliffs of Dover and our tour in Canterbury Cathedral we had eaten up a lot of time.

 

Our wonderful guide was more than willing to take it but some of our group had early flights and didn’t want to arrive at their hotels too late.

 

After discussion, Gary suggested that if we preferred, he would take us through some villages and countryside for some nice views of England.

 

It was very pretty and probably a smart move and DH and I didn’t get to our hotel until after 6 pm.

 

Here are a few pics I was able to snap as we went through the lovely countryside.  Gary has blacked out window so it does affect the pics a bit.  You can see just fine out but it prevents people from seeing in to see our luggage. 😉 

 

08C9D0DC-653A-4625-91D4-4563BEB18853.thumb.jpeg.7b49d0763c59d271ad54cfa6bb68ed12.jpeg

 

 

18095B69-7928-4072-8BDF-DEA1CC5D8637.thumb.jpeg.c9a5343c682bcaefdcc341a6c5f24ecf.jpeg

 

 

75B682C7-08F8-4A44-862C-F2035BD1A571.thumb.jpeg.71fccb2983ba87e3caa15cde5397243b.jpeg

 

Our roll call friends were staying at the Doubletree near the airport.

 

We had opted for the Hilton Wembley.  ( I was using up some of DH’s Hilton points) as it was close to Wembley Stadium and also designer factory outlets (before I knew it was a Bank/National holiday).  Despite it being a holiday, the stores were open but we didn’t go shopping!!!!

 

I just don’t like being imprisoned near the airport where there can often not be many options.

 

The Wembley is in a good location for access to the airport and flexibility for restaurants, etc.  It’s also highly rated on Tripadvisor with the Certificate of Excellence deservedly.  Taxi to the airport was 35 pounds.

 

We had the one bedroom (might as well just burn those points up 😉 ) and it was very comfortable.

 

A couple of pics without the bedroom.  (I had our suitcases out and one opened so it was a mess).

 

8ABF5BCB-7EE7-48A2-9302-3D0CE7D2B4DD.thumb.jpeg.d2c5556eaf1e6152daab0aa17211527f.jpeg

 

 

598D54B9-839A-4337-AB78-594C4E5B1FAF.thumb.jpeg.58121de3b7c02b80ace4eb7923d3fc8b.jpeg

 

 

81F4B68F-A226-4CE3-BB44-DA333852F7DB.thumb.jpeg.f974b8798d977a17d3eac3152cb0d05f.jpeg

 

D5CF35C6-6A31-46A2-9C57-472AD437EE31.thumb.jpeg.48576280dd242c352c2ac80341e9dacc.jpeg

 

Nice hotel, helpful staff - kazu recommends 🙂 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am so sorry to see your posts come to an end. You made me feel like I was with you every step of the way. Fantastic pictures and wonderful history lessons along the way. Can't wait for your cruise next year.  😄 and😤

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

52 minutes ago, Rotary said:

I am so sorry to see your posts come to an end. You made me feel like I was with you every step of the way. Fantastic pictures and wonderful history lessons along the way. Can't wait for your cruise next year.  😄 and😤

 

I’m glad you enjoyed it.

 

Thanks so much for following along 🙂 

 

There will be a bit more but I can’t say “Wait there’s more” 😉 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

I surely appreciate your efforts in both commentary and pictures.  Thank you so very much!

 

Thanks for the kind words and following along 🙂 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

Well Jacqui nothing comes to an end!! Look forward to your South American cruise and I will follow along while I’m on my cruises Rotterdam and Oceania!!

Best to you and Jose!

Thank you again

Denise😊

 

Thanks Denise 🙂 

 

Not sure about South America partially due to our winter weather, partially because we’ve done it before and mostly because my sights are on something else if DH agrees.  We’ve reserved a spot and waiting for the finalized itinerary to see if I can talk DH into it 🙂 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

While we were having lunch our guide told us the origin of more of our expressions.

 

413288E7-D9CF-4A63-8374-E045FEA83AF4.thumb.jpeg.3ed19b3dd59cfcec74aebd0af4a3e110.jpeg

 

 

Some more trivia while we had lunch.

 

Heard the term hungover?  Well, in medieval times, those that were poor could either go to our equivalent of a flop house and sleep in a coffin or if you were really poor you slept standing up.  They drew a long rope to lean over and people slept standing up, hung over on the rope.  The next day they felt awful, so they were “hung over”.

 

And then of course there is the pot to p in.

 

When the Flemish were brought in they brought weaving to this country.  Before Britain sent their woollens out.  Now they could be done here.  But dyes don’t set easily in wool unless they are set and the best thing back in the time was urine.

 

So to make money, people would put a pot out with their p in it.

 

Those that didn’t have a pot didn’t have a pot to pee in.

 

It’s amazing how many of our expressions come from medieval times and from England/United Kingdom.

 

 

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

38 minutes ago, ski ww said:

Excellent write up, loved all those pictures. Now back to reality.

Allan

 

Thanks Allan and thanks for following along 🙂 

 

Oh yes, reality has hit home, sadly 😉 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...